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  • Is Energy a Good Career Path Going Into 2023?

    Is Energy a Good Career Path Going Into 2023?

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    You might feel a little overwhelmed if you’re a young professional or looking to start a second career. After all, there are dozens of different options and fields you can go into, whether you want to pursue a specific degree or start job hunting right off the bat.

    With all the news buzz surrounding green energy in recent years, you might wonder about entering the energy industry.

    Is energy a good career path going into 2023 and beyond?

    The importance of energy in the future

    The world runs on power, and energy will only become more critical in the future as the industry shifts, global warming accelerates and more people are born. According to Stanford University, fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil make up 80% of the world’s energy.

    However, renewable energy technologies and extraction techniques will need to be developed soon.

    If the planet is to avoid the worst effects of climate change, global emissions must be reduced by half by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. In other words, the world will need lots of people working in the energy industry in the near to long-term future.

    People won’t stop using lights, heaters, vehicles and other technological advances. Instead, global society must develop new ways to harness and extract energy from the environment. Energy is sure to be even more critical in the years to come than it is now.

    So, is energy a good career path?

    Therefore, it’s a no-brainer to suppose that getting into energy could be a wise career choice. This is true whether you are starting your professional life or looking to change careers.

    Related: The Best Careers for Your Personality Type

    Working in the energy industry could have you learn skills or tackle problems like:

    • Solar panel installation
    • Energy research
    • Energy technology development
    • Climate control solutions
    • And more

    You’ll have to determine whether you want to work on these problems and solutions for your professional future. Entering the energy industry may set you up for long-term success and plentiful career opportunities.

    But it’s a far cry from the arts or more creative pursuits. Consider your degree major, personal and educational interests, and other factors before committing to this path.

    Advantages of choosing energy as a career path

    There are many advantages to choosing energy as your career path going into 2023.

    Work Environment

    For starters, you’ll likely get to work in a wide range of different job environments, not just in a cubicle or the same office daily.

    For instance, as a wind turbine technician, you’ll sometimes work in an office, a garage, and outdoors at different wind turbines the rest of the time.

    The same is true if you become an energy consultant or a similar professional. Energy consultants help businesses determine how they can maximize their green energy consumption and minimize their carbon footprints.

    Related: How to Start a Consulting Business: Your One Page Business Plan

    As a result, they travel around the country, visit many different people and places, and develop novel solutions in terms of architectural setup or energy grid access.

    If you’re craving a little variety in your professional life, the energy industry could be the place to find it. Of course, keep in mind that if you become an administrator in this industry, you may work primarily in office or corporate professional environments instead of “in the field.”

    Job security

    In addition, the energy industry is home to many secure jobs. If you get a career in the energy industry, you likely won’t have to worry about your job being cut or downgraded soon.

    Why? The world will continue to need energy in 2023 and beyond. That means it will need knowledgeable, highly trained professionals to efficiently access, harness and distribute that energy.

    This could be a refreshing difference if you’ve already worked in an industry where your job was constantly on the line.

    Job security is important to many Americans. When you get an excellent job in the energy industry, you can work that career for decades, providing much-needed financial stability for you and the future family you hope to raise.

    Possibilities for advancement

    On top of that, the energy industry will provide ample opportunities for advancement for go-getters and rockstar employees. For instance, you can start working for a local energy company, become a supervisor or manager, and become an administrator.

    On the research side, the world will always need new inventions and ways to access clean energy. This will give creative, bright individuals a chance to prove themselves and make a significant difference in this industry for years to come.

    Put another way, getting into the energy arena will allow you to distinguish yourself and make a real career, not just hold down a job. That’s important for many Americans, particularly those who get much life satisfaction from their professional achievements and accolades.

    Do good for the world

    Perhaps most importantly, getting into energy as your career path will let you do some good for the world.

    As noted, the effects of climate change are already being felt, and things will likely get worse before they get better. Increased storm frequency, flooding, animal species extinction, and more are all minor side effects compared to what the world likely faces over the next few decades.

    But if you join the energy sector, you have the chance to do some good and mitigate those effects. With the right technologies and energy advancements, the world can reach carbon-neutral by 2050 or even earlier.

    Joining the industry will let you contribute to this great project and help keep the planet as comfortable and beautiful as it is now.

    If you’ve always wanted your work to mean something beyond a paycheck and job stability, good news — the energy sector is a place where you can find work like that.

    Related: 4 Reasons Following Your Passion Leads to Success

    Good paying jobs in the energy sector

    Should you choose to get into energy as your career, you’ll have a plethora of well-paying jobs to choose from.

    Take wind turbine technicians, for example. According to some sources, wind turbine technician is America’s fastest-growing job. It should grow by up to 108 percent by 2024; in other words, there will be plenty of open positions in this field over time.

    As a wind turbine technician, you’ll work to build, repair, and maintain wind turbines to facilitate the collection and distribution of clean energy across the electrical grid.

    But that’s not the only high-paying, in-demand job in the energy sector you can pursue. Here are some more examples:

    • Architectural manager: Such professionals make plans, direct and coordinate projects, and design eco-friendly buildings that facilitate lower energy costs by gathering more natural light or conserving heat. Architectural managers earn upwards of six figures annually, usually around $140,000 annually.
    • Petroleum engineer: Petroleum engineers will still be needed in 2023 and beyond as the world pivots from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Petroleum engineers devise new ways to extract fossil fuels from inside the earth. They may also be needed to do this in as clean and efficient a way as possible. They earn over $137,000 a year on average.
    • Chemical engineer: Chemical engineers produce energy, develop metallurgical solutions to industrial problems, and much more, often making well over $100,000 per year.
    • Wind farm site manager: These experienced professionals earn around $100,000 per year, and they oversee wind farms and wind energy generation operations. They often work closely with wind turbine maintenance technicians and engineers, as described above.

    Related: Why the Tide Is Turning for the Energy Sector

    Of course, you can also get into this industry as a scientist. The world will need knowledgeable scientists coming up with new solutions and ways to collect green energy in ways that maintain the expected electrical grid consistency.

    The primary challenge to renewable energy, after all, is consistency and collection. The sun emits plenty of energy for the world multiple times, but it’s not always shining in the sky. Furthermore, there are limits to how much solar energy modern batteries can store.

    Joining this industry could allow you to solve these problems by designing better batteries, coming up with new energy collection methods, or something else entirely. The sky is literally the limit.

    Who should work in the energy industry?

    Many may find that the energy industry is an excellent professional fit.

    You might consider working in the energy industry if:

    • You are interested in solving climate change and global warming challenges and want to leave the world better off than it was when you were a child.
    • You want to pursue a stable job with ample opportunities for promotions and advancement. If you join the energy industry and do a great job in your position, you won’t need to worry about cuts or job downgrades in all likelihood.
    • You are already interested in one of the related fields, like chemistry, physics, and energy science.

    Note that most jobs in the energy industry are heavily based on math and science. These are STEM jobs, so it may be wise to acquire a degree from a technical college or institution before applying to open positions.

    Related: 7 Myths About Career Transitions That Are Keeping You Stuck | Ellevate

    Summary

    Ultimately, getting into the energy industry could be an excellent choice for your career and your professional ambitions in the long term.

    Getting a job in energy could lead to excellent job security, opportunities for advancement, and fantastic pay. Plus, there are many different jobs you can pursue.

    Want to explore your options before settling on a career? Visit Entrepreneur for more info on the energy sector and everything else you need to help you build your career or business.

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    Entrepreneur Staff

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  • 19 Best Skills to Put On a Resume That Employers Will Love

    19 Best Skills to Put On a Resume That Employers Will Love

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    The best resumes have comprehensive lists of desirable key skills to make employers look twice and choose one candidate over another.

    If you want to ace your next job interview and make your job application stand out from other candidates, you need to put the best details possible on your resume to impress a prospective employer right from the get-go.

    But what job skills should you write down? This article will break down 19 of the best skills for a resume that any hiring manager will love.

    Soft skills employers love to see

    So-called “soft skills” are usually people-focused, generalized or applicable to various industries and situations. Nevertheless, employers like to see plenty of soft skills in their candidates.

    Related: How to Make a Resume That Gets You the Job

    Leadership skills

    Leadership skills have always been in demand, and that’s even truer today. Anyone can be a good worker, but only a few employees can successfully run and manage teams, especially when the time comes to knock out complex projects.

    If you have successfully led teams in the past, note those experiences on your resume and explain what exactly you did, your responsibilities and other relevant factors.

    The more leadership skills you can mark down on your resume in the skills section, the more attractive a candidate you will be, even if you aren’t expected to lead anyone soon. This is true even if a job description requests more technical skills.

    Leadership skills make you a better choice for potential management positions or promotions in the future. Because many companies hire long-term candidates, not just short-term workers, listing leadership skills can make you stand out relative to your competition in a big way.

    Communication skills

    Communication skills are also critical. You need to be able to communicate with your fellow team members and workers to get along well at your new company. This might seem like a waste of space to put down, but don’t discount it.

    Noting that you have communication skills tells your employer two things:

    • You are confident about your ability to be a team player, which says a lot about your personality.
    • You know that employers are looking for this skill, which means it’s something you think about.

    Both can indicate that you are an excellent potential hire for an open position. Good interpersonal skills, like demonstrated emotional intelligence or active listening skills, are even more critical if you apply for an administrative or management job posting.

    Sometimes, they’re better than computer skills or other specific skills, such as graphic design.

    Related: 9 Best Practices to Improve Your Communication Skills and Become a More Effective Leader

    Writing skills

    Writing skills are an essential subcategory of communication skills, which are in demand for many new jobs.

    Specific jobs in marketing and communications value writing skills highly, and (an added plus) you can explicitly demonstrate your capabilities in your resume writing. Using polished, engaging and succinct language in your resume will support your inclusion of writing in your list of skills.

    Problem-solving experience

    General problem-solving skills can also be good to put down on any resume. In most jobs, you’ll need to solve complex problems at one point or another, either because you run into an unexpected situation or because employer policies and procedures don’t cover all possibilities.

    Good problem-solving, therefore, is seen as a must-have skill for many organizations and industries. Be sure to put this on your resume no matter the job or industry you apply.

    It shows that you can think critically (and critical thinking skills are just as essential) and that you’re not afraid to face a challenge. It’s also an indicator of adaptability: another relevant skill ideal for any job search.

    Try not to put down problem-solving and critical thinking skills simultaneously. There’s a lot of overlap between these two types of skill sets, so just put one or the other.

    Organizational skills

    Organizational skills reflect your ability to handle lots of resources and moving pieces. It’s an important skill to put on your resume when applying for a leadership or management position, but it’s good to put it down regardless just because it shows you are a hard worker and won’t be overwhelmed by many things on your plate.

    Time management skills

    Time management skills are wise to put on your resume, whether you are applying for an entry-level or management position.

    Good time management is a much rarer skill than you may think, particularly in this day and age where there are ample digital distractions in people’s pockets at all times.

    By them noting that you have good time management skills, your employer will feel more confident about letting you work on your own and unsupervised. This is important since it means they can focus on other aspects of running a business instead of worrying about your productivity.

    Teamwork skills

    Solid teamwork skills are must-haves for most positions and workers these days. Being able to work with others is crucial if you are to become a part of any new team, so be sure to note that you have strong teamwork skills regardless of your prior work experiences.

    If you need to be specific, write down some anecdotes about how you were an excellent team member on your cover letter. You should tie that experience into a moment when you overcame a challenge or solved a problem.

    Add people skills to your resume skills section, and you’ll be a more successful job seeker overall.

    Related: How to Acquire Soft Skills and Measure Them Successfully

    Customer service skills

    Good customer service skills are necessary for any industry — especially if you apply to a service industry or entry-level position. Basically, if your job requires you to interact with the general public frequently, you must have good customer service skills.

    Mention any specific skills or tools you may have used to this effect.

    For instance, if you previously worked at a call center, note that your customer service skills came from learning to speak to dozens or hundreds of people over the phone and provide meaningful assistance, no matter their problems.

    Marketing skills

    It is also wise to put down any marketing skills on your resume. Good marketing skills are highly desirable for specific marketing positions and general employees.

    Marketing skills can involve using particular tools or tactics or just understanding how to phrase things to make products seem more appealing to customers.

    This is closely related to sales experience; put down either sales experience or marketing experience if you are applying to a sales or commission-based job.

    Related: 5 Skills Every Marketer Should Have on Their Resume When Applying to Startups

    Hard skills employers seek

    Hard skills are technical, specific and usually related to a specific skill or talent instead of being generalized. Here are some of the most in-demand hard skills to consider putting on your resume.

    Related: Technical Skills Interviewers are Looking for in Job Candidates

    Project management skills

    Project management skills are incredibly in demand and closely tied to leadership skills. Many organizations have complex projects they need to be headed by talented individuals.

    If you can accurately claim that you have successfully led other projects through your management style, you’ll be well-positioned to take open job positions from other candidates.

    Project management skills can be particular and reflect proficiency in specific programs and processes. For instance, scrum project management may make you a perfect choice for an IT company.

    Data analysis skills

    Data analysis skills are also highly in demand these days and for good reason. Many companies must analyze the data they collect from their customers and clients.

    You’ll be a desirable candidate for many industries and companies if you can do this, both generally and with specific programs and equations.

    Be sure to reference specific data analysis experience and techniques you are familiar with when listing this on your resume. The more specific you can get, the better; most hirers and recruiters will know what exactly to look for if they are trying to fill a data management or data analyst spot.

    Enterprise resource planning skills

    Enterprise resource planning skills, or ESP skills, are good to put on any resume, especially if you’re applying for a closely related position. ERP is crucial for large-scale organizations to not waste valuable equipment, time, people or other resources.

    As with many other hard skills, be specific regarding your prior work experience and whether you know certain tactics, tools or techniques.

    Computer proficiency

    Generalized computer proficiency is now expected in a majority of positions. After all, everyone should know how to use computers to a basic degree.

    However, you can take this a step further and break down other types of computer proficiencies, such as

    • Programming proficiency
    • Computer repair or hardware maintenance proficiency

    This skill can be beneficial both in non-computer-related industries and in the computer industry itself.

    Related: Coding in the Classroom: Learning the Future Language of Business

    However, keep in mind that mere computer proficiency will only be desirable to employers in the IT industry if you can get more specific about what exactly you do and the value you can provide to a company.

    Program proficiency

    Program proficiency is any proficiency you can list with a specific program. Don’t be humble or think too little of yourself; even proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 is valuable, particularly when many people don’t know how to use those collected programs to their maximum effectiveness.

    If you are applying to a job that requires the use of specific programs, such as AWS, mention that. Be clear about your proficiency and mention times when you have used the tool or program effectively for business goals.

    Programming language proficiency

    Also nice to put on your resume are programming language proficiencies in languages like C++, CSS, Python and HTML.

    The more language proficiencies you can list, the better positioned you’ll be to take a job in the IT or programming and web development industries. It may be wise to research what programming languages are most in demand for a specific position before listing them on your resume.

    SEO proficiency

    SEO or search engine optimization proficiency is highly valued in many professions, especially social media and marketing managers.

    Note that this proficiency doesn’t just mean you understand what SEO is or how it works. It also means you know how to use related SEM tools, like SEMrush, to research keywords and understand how to leverage them for maximum content effectiveness.

    Related: 7 Reasons Why SEO Matters for Every Startup

    CRM proficiency

    Customer relationship management (CRM) software proficiency means you’re proficient in using popular CRM software platforms like Salesforce. This skill is most desirable and essential for marketing and customer relationship positions or fields.

    Budgeting experience

    If you have experience using budgeting software or running budget teams — mention it, and, as always, be specific about the kinds of tools or software platforms you previously used to get the job done.

    Bookkeeping skills

    Like the above, if you have bookkeeping skills using programs like FreshBooks, QuickBooks and similar platforms, mention that on your resume.

    Note any educational accounting experience or licenses you may have acquired, like certificates or degrees. You can list these experiences and certifications in a dedicated section, usually toward the bottom of your resume. This is most important if you apply for a financial or accounting-related position.

    Related: Why Skills Shouldn’t Be Just a P.S. on a Resume

    Web development skills

    Specific web development skills, such as using web development tools to outline pages, make frames and place widgets, are vital for many jobs in the IT sector.

    However, it’s desirable in any field because most companies have online sites. They may want to know whether you can help them improve those websites and experiences for their customers.

    Summary

    Now you have 19 top skills to put on your resume, provided you have the real-life aptitude to back them up. Remember to tweak the description of each skill based on the job or industry you’re applying for to make them seem as relevant as possible.

    Check out Entrepreneur’s other articles to present yourself as effectively as possible the next time you sit for an interview

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    Entrepreneur Staff

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  • 3 Ways to Tell Your Business Is Ready to Invest in PR

    3 Ways to Tell Your Business Is Ready to Invest in PR

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It happens all the time in the entrepreneurial world: A team builds an impressive product or service, rigorously test it to make sure it functions well and then they launch it. When a few weeks go by and new business leads aren’t what they expected, there’s a collective lightbulb moment: We need some PR.

    If you’ve found yourself in a similar spot, have no fear. You’re certainly not alone. Over the years, I’ve taken what seems like countless calls from business leaders trying to drum up inbounds by getting into public relations post-launch. Sometimes the business in question is only a few months old, while other times the open sign has been hanging on the door for years.

    I always preach that a PR strategy should be built out well before a business’s launch date. If you’re trying to retroactively ignite media interest, starting a public relations program is less about how long it’s been since the business was founded and more about how your business is currently functioning.

    If you’re thinking about taking the PR plunge, here are three ways to know you — and your business — are ready.

    Related: Is Your Startup Ready for PR? Here’s How to Know for Sure.

    1. You have financial resources to invest in the PR long game

    One of the surest ways to end up being frustrated with a PR program is to look at it solely as a revenue generator. Yes, public relations can help drive business leads, but it inherently is not part of the click-click-buy world. Try tracking the specific dollar value of landing a news article. Actually, don’t. Why? Because you can’t. The same goes for speaking engagements, awards and almost every other PR deliverable.

    If your business is cash-starved and you’re in a place where you have to tie every dollar spent to a measurable ROI, hold off on PR. Chances are slim that PR will deliver a sustained and attributable line of revenue. However, if you’re in a place where you’ve got relatively dependable recurring revenue coming in, and you appreciate how investing in things like a halo effect and thought leadership can bolster your organization over the long haul, then you are in a much better position to financially invest in a public relations strategy.

    Related: 4 Tips to Launch Your First Effective PR Campaign

    2. You’re willing to continuously nurture a PR strategy

    While my previous point revolves around monetary resources, this one is geared more toward the resources of time and attention. Many people look at PR as one-off splashes — usually in the form of press releases — and fail to appreciate the many ways sustained public relations efforts can deliver wins for their business. If you’re in the market for someone to simply write and distribute sporadic press releases for you, by all means, that’s better than nothing. But it’s just the tip of the PR iceberg.

    Without fail, the most successful clients I work with — yes, measured by revenue growth — are the ones that continuously cultivate a proactive public relations program. Am I saying PR is the most important factor leading to their business success? No. But it is a consequential element contributing to the good standing of the organization. As you think about public relations, I challenge you to refute the big splash worldview. Instead, draw the lens back and think of how public relations can be aligned with all your efforts over the long haul, enabling you to reach your business objectives.

    Related: What Startups Should Do Differently When It Comes to PR

    3. You know your audience

    Not every time, but many times the folks who only want a big splash out of PR are the same people who aren’t quite sure who their target audience should be. This is problematic for loads of reasons. In the best of the worst-case scenarios, you’ll be fishing where you’ll get no bites. Again, that’s the most preferable bad outcome. It can get much worse. I’ve seen organizations invest in a communications strategy resulting in a deluge of bad leads. They not only invested money, time and energy into a flawed strategy, but also had to allocate resources to sorting through a mountain of bad leads.

    One of the foundational rules of PR is to know who your audience is. Once you know that, you can figure out where their attention is placed — I like to say, where their eyeballs are. If you’ve got a solid handle on those two things, then you can build and execute a plan to get in front of them (and influence them) with the most appropriate form of messaging.

    Related: The Much-Anticipated ‘Great Recession of 2023’ Is Coming. Here’s How To Leverage PR During Economic Uncertainty

    It’s never too late to invest in PR, but it still needs to be the right time

    I’d bet the majority of businesses investing in public relations today didn’t have a PR strategy in place at launch. If you didn’t either, that is perfectly okay. Consider whether you’re ready to think through the above items. If you’ve got each of them adequately addressed, you can feel confident that your business is in a spot to move forward with PR.

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    David Martin

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  • See If Amazon Dropshipping Can Cut Costs and Increase Your Business’s Profits

    See If Amazon Dropshipping Can Cut Costs and Increase Your Business’s Profits

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    If you’re selling goods, your business could lose out by keeping your own inventory. But using Amazon drop-shipping services may help you earn up to 50% more profit.


    StackCommerce

    If you want to learn how you can make the switch, then take a look at this all-in-one online training. This 11-course program costs just $34.99 and can help you learn the basics of using Amazon Private Label, selling through your own Amazon store, and more.

    Save your business money by using Amazon drop-shipping.

    If you want to reduce the cost of keeping products in stock, one of Amazon’s fulfillment models could be the solution. Start by learning the differences between Amazon drop-shipping and Amazon FBA in The Last Amazon FBA Course and How to Retail Drop-ship on Amazon in 2022. These two courses account for 55 hours of instruction led by Brock Johnson and Bryan Guerra, two e-commerce experts.

    It’s not just your inventory and shipping that could cost less to manage. See if you can revise your advertising budget when you learn about building a pay-per-click (PPC) campaign that could boost your reach. PPC campaigns have grown popular with small businesses, with as many as 45% using them in their advertising strategy, and it may be a good strategy for your company, too.

    Of course, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey, you don’t want to neglect the basics. The final course in this bundle will teach you to use the Amazon Limitless model. You could use it to start your own Amazon business from scratch, or you can apply what you learn from it to revise how you generate sales and research leads.

    A new direction for your business.

    If you want to cut costs and expand your shipping, marketing, and lead generation capabilities, then it’s time to learn about Amazon Dropshipping and FBA to see if it’s right for you. For a limited time, enroll in the 2023 All-in-One Amazon Dropshipping and Private Label Bundle for $34.99.

    Prices subject to change.

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • 3 Ways to Improve Your Email Deliverability During The Holidays

    3 Ways to Improve Your Email Deliverability During The Holidays

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It’s been a record-high holiday buying season so far, with almost 197 million Americans shopping in stores and online between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. Over the five-day period, people spent $35.4 billion online, according to Adobe Analytics. Cyber Monday exceeded expert predictions, racking up more than $11 billion in sales, up 5.3% from last year.

    While inflation does account for some of this increase, for businesses like yours, this holiday season is a time of great sales potential. Email can help you boost sales, but first, you have to land in your customers’ inboxes.

    Here are three ways to improve your email deliverability during the holidays.

    Related: Want to Boost Sales This Holiday Season? Here Are 5 Tips to Make Your Holiday Email Campaign a Success

    Increase your sending frequency

    Did you know that your sending frequency has an impact on your email deliverability? Showing up consistently in people’s mailboxes keeps you in good standing with Internet service providers. It keeps your IP warm and increases your chances of arriving in the inbox. Aside from that, it helps you build familiarity with your audience as people are regularly exposed to your brand name.

    If your subscribers haven’t heard from you in a while, make sure to reach out to them before you launch a holiday campaign. Also, consider targeting smaller segments of your audience, one by one, to warm up your IP gradually. That way, you’re less likely to run into deliverability issues and also, you can gather useful engagement metrics.

    Verify the validity of your data

    Email data degrades, and the changes in the workplace in the past two years have only caused it to degrade faster. The pandemic and The Great Resignation were major factors, resulting in millions of email addresses getting deleted or deactivated.

    To get your holiday emails in the inbox, remember to check your email list before you send. An email verifier does the job quickly and accurately, allowing you to see how many of your contacts have gone bad. Remove them so you can avoid bounces and help your holiday emails stay out of spam.

    Test your emails to see if they land in the inbox

    There are so many things to check before you send an email. First, you want it to render correctly across different devices. This holiday season, more people than ever shopped on their phones, with 55% of online sales occurring on mobile, shows the Adobe Analytics study quoted above. So, ensure that people can see your email on any device and, also, that all your links and landing pages are functional.

    Then, test your email deliverability. It can give you valuable insights into whether your email is about to go to the inbox. It takes minutes to gather these insights and find out if your email is in the best shape — or if you still need to adjust it.

    Sometimes, the smallest things can cause your email to go to spam. The wrong words in your subject line, the use of link shorteners or a technical misconfiguration can all prevent you from reaching the inbox. With the right tools, you can fix these errors before they damage your holiday campaign.

    Extra tips to get your holiday emails in the inbox

    Email deliverability issues can be hard to fix overnight, but if you follow the tips above, you’re on the right path to reaching your prospects. To further boost your inbox reach:

    • Prune out subscribers who haven’t opened any of your emails in more than three months. They are highly unlikely to convert and their lack of engagement affects your overall deliverability.
    • Personalize your campaign to make it relevant to each recipient. The more you fine-tune your offer and content, the more clicks you’ll get. In the eyes of mailbox providers, every click is a vote of trust for you as a sender, and that helps you earn your spot in the inbox.
    • If your latest reports show an unusually low number of clicks, it pays to check if your IP or domain have been blacklisted. Being on a blacklist can cause your emails to be rejected, but you can take steps to get off that blacklist before an important campaign.

    Keep sending emails after the holidays, too

    Many companies increase their sending frequency before and during the holidays. However, not all of them continue to be present in people’s inboxes, thus causing their engagement to drop.

    If you send several emails this holiday season, keep the streak going to build loyalty with your audience. Provide useful, educational content throughout the next year to keep people engaged and more likely to make a purchase on your next sale.

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    Liviu Tanase

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  • How This Entrepreneur Went From Broke to $2.3 Million in Sales

    How This Entrepreneur Went From Broke to $2.3 Million in Sales

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Three things must fall into place to retrain your brain for wealth and change the trajectory of your life. This entrepreneur used the “3 E Method” to turn around a failing business in a few short months.

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    Ben Angel

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  • How Retailers Can Ensure They’re Setup for Success This Holiday Season

    How Retailers Can Ensure They’re Setup for Success This Holiday Season

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Over the last couple of years, Christmas in July has taken on a new meaning for retailers — what once was an opportunity to offer a summer sale has now transformed into a critical time to prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

    But the past few holiday shopping seasons have proven to be anything but ordinary. The past two years, the pandemic caused supply chain delays resulting in backlogs and undelivered gifts, a challenge for retailers and a lesson learned for consumers. As a result, this year, consumers began their holiday shopping earlier to avoid supply chain bottlenecks and to combat high inflation — with 25% of consumers starting as early as August or September. Additionally, the pandemic accelerated the online shopping trend, with new data suggesting that 24.5% of this year’s total retail holiday sales will come from online orders.

    With all of this in mind, some (myself included) may argue that July may be too late for retailers to start their holiday season planning, especially given that the holiday season can account for up to 30% of retailers’ annual sales.

    Related: July Is Just Early Enough to Start Planning for Holiday Selling

    So, how can retailers adapt their strategies to focus on holiday season planning throughout the entire year (as opposed to just the second half) to cover all their bases, increase revenue and prepare for the unexpected?

    Prioritize cash flow planning

    Consumers are currently facing the highest inflation rates in nearly 40 years and a halt in government stimulus payments, which in turn impacts how they approach their holiday shopping (e.g., how much they’re planning to spend, through what channels, etc.).

    As a result, small business retailers are entering a challenging and unpredictable time. To mitigate this uncertainty, they must look internally and assess their cash flow well in advance of the holiday season in order to be best prepared for what’s ahead.

    The most effective way retailers can approach this is by creating different cash flow scenarios early in the year that map out the business’ best-case scenario, worst-case scenario and most likely scenario for how the holiday season will pan out. Accounting for these three scenarios can help retailers create a plan of action for how they’ll tackle any challenges and how they’ll activate each scenario. Proper planning gives business owners the confidence needed to forge forward by removing ambiguity and unexpected situations (e.g., not having enough cash on hand, supply chain delays) come the most critical time of year.

    Whether you’re a big box retailer or a local mom-and-pop shop, it’s important to have a full understanding of your cash flow positioning year-round in order to make key business decisions and plan for various scenarios. For small businesses, leaning into technology such as Xero, a cloud-based accounting software platform, allows small business owners to keep track of their cash flow across the customer journey. Keeping track of this data in real-time can help retailers see their full cash position at any point in the year, which can help contribute to their holiday planning strategies.

    An important question all retailers should be asking themselves early in the planning process is: How will my product/service make out if the economy dips into a recession and budgets get tighter? Where does my product/service sit on the hierarchy of needs? If you’re a retailer selling non-essential items (e.g., jewelry, home decor) your planning strategy may look different than if you’re selling essential items like groceries. Having an understanding of your product and consumer purchase patterns will allow you to assess strategies such as how to price your product, how to manage the supply chain, how to effectively market the product/service and beyond.

    As retailers start their holiday planning earlier in the year, what factors should they consider during the planning process?

    Return policies

    According to the National Retail Federation, $218 billion worth of online purchases were returned in 2021 — more than double the year before. The uptick in returns is likely due to retailers offering more lenient return policies during the pandemic as they sought out creative solutions to address in-store closures/restrictions.

    Two years later, retailers (especially small businesses) are now facing higher costs for labor and shipping due to persistent inflation, requiring them to look inward for alternative ways to reduce costs (which for a lot of retailers is shaping up to include changes to generous return policies).

    My advice: Retailers should continue to offer lenient return policies around the holidays, including keeping the return window at least 30 days (in-person and online) and allowing for online-only purchases to be returned in stores. Keeping the window shorter (but still allowing for returns) can help alleviate the impact returns have on the beginning of the year’s cash flow.

    Supply chain

    Worldwide supply chain constraints have had a lasting impact on retail operations. If we’ve learned one thing from these challenges, it’s the importance of planning.

    Having an adequate supply chain strategy in place will reduce the risk of overspending on unnecessary items and the risk of running out of supply for highly sought items. Ordering inventory early in the year can ensure you have adequate stock for top-selling items when the holiday season rolls around. Not having a bestselling product available often means the product will get substituted by the best alternative.

    My advice: Consumer data is your best friend. Properly tracking and utilizing this data can help you have a better understanding of your consumers and their purchase patterns, and which products will likely be in high demand during the holidays (for inventory planning purposes).

    Related: Think It’s Too Early to Strategize for Holiday Ecommerce Sales? Think Again.

    Labor market

    A tight labor market and rising labor costs continue to cause challenges during the holiday hiring season. Failing to meet hiring goals can eventually lead to a loss in sales due to not having enough staff to help ensure shipments, inventory and in-person sales are accounted for.

    My advice: Retailers should consider revamping recruiting strategies, raising wages, offering flexible schedules and extending benefits in order to attract new or seasonal hires. For retailers who are rethinking their reliance on seasonal workers, consider more appealing offerings for regular staff to take on extra hours.

    Consumer behavior

    The current economic climate has impacted the way consumers approach brand loyalty, with many looking to shop for the best deal, even if it’s not through their preferred retailer. As economic uncertainty persists, consumers are experiencing behavioral shifts.

    My advice: Retailers should focus on loyalty strategies to reward customers for shopping at their stores (e.g., offering exclusive deals to loyalty members or offering a point system for each dollar spent rewarding customers down the line with credit or a gift). Retailers can also draw in new customers by offering bonus rewards for signing up for the loyalty program that encourage them to return to the store. Creating a connected omnichannel experience where the physical and online stores sync is also a big draw for consumers.

    Adequate planning and forecasting throughout the year is the foolproof way to ensure your business is best positioned for the most wonderful time of year. By preparing for the upcoming holiday season year-round as opposed to just in the second half of the year, retailers can directly apply lessons learned from the previous year, effectively plan for various scenarios based on different external factors (i.e., inflation) and get a head start on competitors.

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    Ben Richmond

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  • 4 Ways to Harness a Growth Mindset to Set Yourself Up for Success in 2023

    4 Ways to Harness a Growth Mindset to Set Yourself Up for Success in 2023

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    We all have experienced that inner critic holding us back. That voice telling us that we aren’t good enough, that we will fail and that we should give up.

    This is a normal part of being human. But as you enter into a new year, you don’t need to let those fears stop you. You can become your own biggest advocate. You can reframe your internal voice to one that supports you and a bigger vision for your career and your life.

    Here are four ways to begin to harness a growth mindset to support you in getting to where you really want to be while embracing the journey and the inevitable ups and downs along the way.

    1. Get clear on what matters to you

    Life can get busy, and at times you may find yourself just going through the motions, being disconnected from the bigger picture and your personal mission. When was the last time that you reflected on where you are at in your life and whether you are on a path that is fulfilling to you? Give yourself permission to check in with yourself and make it a priority to do this on a regular basis. Ask yourself: What are the most important things to you? Look at how you are spending your time. Are you making the moments in your life high-quality moments? Once you get clear on these things, you will know where to focus your time and energy for maximum happiness and fulfillment.

    Related: If You Want to Succeed, Fix Your Mindset

    2. Create habits that fuel your happiness and success

    Sometimes your everyday patterns and habits can be fueling a disempowering mindset and stress. Something as simple as grabbing your phone right after you wake up to check your messages and notifications can be setting you up for being in a reactive and stressed state throughout the day. Powering through your workday without taking breaks. Lack of exposure to sunlight and the outdoors. Poor eating habits and minimal movement. These are all things that can be setting your mind and body up for success. The good news is that once you have an awareness of your personal habits and patterns you can then choose to take a new approach. You aren’t stuck with behaviors that don’t serve you. By building awareness and then making small changes you can set yourself up for feeling your best at home and at work. What is a new healthy behavior that you are excited about that you can start today?

    Related: Understanding The Growth Mindset

    3. Try reframing

    Your mind is a very powerful tool that can support or hinder your success and happiness. There are always multiple ways to perceive and interpret events and experiences in your life and multiple ways to respond to what life presents to you. When you embrace a growth mindset, you are choosing to view challenges as opportunities for growth. You are looking at things with a sense of curiosity and newness. I like to ask myself the question, how can I view this in a way that is empowering for me? So instead of fueling a limiting belief like, I’m not good enough, you could reframe this to I’m still learning and I am proud of the progress I have made so far. Embracing a growth mindset also takes self-compassion so remember to be kind to yourself along the way and show yourself the love and grace that you deserve and need.

    4. Set approachable goals and celebrate the everyday wins

    Setting large goals is great but they do require time, persistence and patience. Without daily motivation and encouragement, it can be challenging to stick with them for the long haul. This is one reason why setting smaller and more approachable goals on a daily basis can help set you up for success. With these bite-sized goals, you will move step by step closer to your bigger vision for your life. And, enjoying the journey and giving yourself the positive reinforcement you need to feel your best and stay motivated.

    Imagine someone who never runs saying they want to run a marathon. If all they focused on was that marathon, they would probably feel overwhelmed and not actually take the necessary steps to get to that end goal. Instead, if they broke that bigger goal into smaller goals like, for week one I am going to run one mile on Monday and Friday. Then build from there. They would have more approachable steps giving them positive reinforcement that would move them in the right direction. What are some meaningful large goals that you have that can be broken down into bite-sized pieces that you can start today?

    Related: 6 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset

    Embracing a growth mindset is not as easy as just flipping a switch. But with awareness, intention and action you can support your mind and your body in feeling your best while moving towards your version of success in 2023 and beyond.

    Disclaimer: This content purely represents the opinion of the author and is not medical advice or treatment recommendations. Always talk to your healthcare provider about recommendations specific to you.

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    Kristel Bauer

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  • These Co-Founders Are Using ‘Quiet Confidence’ to Flip the Script on Cutthroat Startup Culture and Make Their Mark on a $46 Billion Industry

    These Co-Founders Are Using ‘Quiet Confidence’ to Flip the Script on Cutthroat Startup Culture and Make Their Mark on a $46 Billion Industry

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    Kevin Lee and Kevin Chanthasiriphan were raised with a set of values that, in many ways, directly conflict with those in the startup space — but they’re using that to their advantage and taking noodle brand Immi to the next level.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • 7 Expert-Backed Rules to Follow to Understand Customer Needs

    7 Expert-Backed Rules to Follow to Understand Customer Needs

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    User research is an essential foundation for understanding customers’ needs. Its insights should inform every decision made about the product and the business, as well as fuel new business ideas. Research can be conducted at any stage of product development, from early concept to post-launch.

    However, research is a complex process where it’s easy to get lost, go over budget and not achieve expected outcomes. This is especially true for startups that operate in a rapid growth environment. To set up user research for success, entrepreneurs can follow these seven practical rules.

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    Lisa Dziuba

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  • The Value of Digital Credentials vs. Degree Programs

    The Value of Digital Credentials vs. Degree Programs

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Pre-pandemic trends have shown S&P organizations losing standing to new disruptive market competitors, making it difficult to continue doing business the same way for long periods of time. Disruption is here to stay. For employees, the challenge becomes adapting to new processes and techniques faster than ever before to remain relevant. Lifelong learning is not just a quotable personal pursuit, but a requirement of the working world.

    In 2022, the median tenure for salaried employees is just 4.1 years. When combining employee tenure with the average S&P 500 company tenure on the list trending down to just 12 years, it’s clear that the same experts and expertise your business relies on today are unlikely to be there tomorrow.

    To stay at the top, great organizations will innovate to capture the market, while simultaneously acquiring new skills to execute in the next market. Designing and delivery of great training is a coveted core competency.

    Related: 5 Innovative Ways to Create Growth Opportunities for Your Employees

    Resisting change

    Becoming comfortable with the discomfort of change is a core competency managers and employees will also need to embrace. Our natural inclination is to not change, even when we know changing our behavior will have lasting positive effects. A few of the most common fears and anxieties associated with change include:

    • Losing control

    • Removal of safety and certainty

    • Peers no longer viewing you as the expert

    • Dreading the extra effort to learn something new

    Our experiences shape our beliefs. For managers in charge of change initiatives, there are two levels of beliefs to focus in on:

    1. Everyone is wary of change. Past changes have undoubtedly been painful for every employee, whether at work or in their personal lives. No matter what, there will be an existing level of resistance amongst your team.

    2. Success or failure in the first change initiative you manage will build important beliefs for the second change initiative. Successful teams will thrive during consecutive change initiatives, building the belief they can tackle any change together.

    Related: 3 Keys to Successful Change Management

    Driving business outcomes with digital credentials

    Digital credentials provide a verifiable means to honor individual skills acquisition and to measure both the organization’s and the market’s investment in change. In years past, an employee’s journey through prescribed training has been owned and kept secret in the employer’s learning management system. Ownership of acquired skills is valuable to both organizations and individuals. In vogue, skills have real market value. Things like statistical process control, Lean/Six Sigma, account-based marketing, value selling, scrum and servant leadership are not just owned by the organization — they’re owned by the employee as well.

    For business leaders, using digital credentials to track internal competency levels and/or market penetration of your brand skills training provides extraordinary value:

    • Certifying third-party technicians gives customers confidence in hiring service providers and broadens the marketing reach of a brand name.

    • Certifying contractors gives employers the flexibility to keep 1099 talent sticky to a brand, while also managing the ebbs and flows of business.

    • Certifying employees on future in-demand skills provides motivation for employee tenure as they master new skills. They become interested in recruiting new potential employees who also value professional development opportunities from employers.

    • Certifying employees on today’s in-demand skills motivates employees to increase their value at the organization and embrace change head-on.

    Related: What Business Leaders Can Offer to Keep and Develop Employees

    Digital credentials are an HR hiring manager’s best friend

    As organizations observe tenures of employees shrinking, it’s easy to believe that many stakeholders will still view training as a cost center. The alternative view is that training, no matter what organization has delivered it, is valuable. Using a digital credentialing strategy allows an organization to track not only course completion but skill trends internally and externally.

    Look no further than the immense value HR hiring managers gain from digital credentials. Unlike CVs of the past, with just a few clicks, stakeholders can see when, where and how an individual gained new skills. Using platforms, like Pearson’s Credly, gives hiring managers a searchable database of individuals with key skills. Earners who have added or shared their digital credentials on LinkedIn provide a transparent record of verifiable skills.

    Digital credentials, especially when tied to professional development or industry certification, can show an individual’s growth over shorter periods of time than a diploma. Moreover, when stacked together over time, they may well be indicating an individual has become comfortable with adapting to change in general. As businesses are faced with the need to innovate at a faster pace, why wouldn’t candidates who demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, comfort with change and willingness to invest in themselves provide the greatest organizational value?

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    Christopher Allen

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  • Learn How to Earn Passive Income Through Day Trading and Investments

    Learn How to Earn Passive Income Through Day Trading and Investments

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    On average, it can take up to four years before a startup begins to see a profit. You may have an excellent business idea, but it’s important to have a steady influx of capital to sustain yourself and any unplanned enterprise needs in the meantime. Set yourself up with some extra cash by launching a passive income pursuit. One option? Candlestick trading.


    StackCommerce

    The Ultimate Candlestick Trading & Analysis Masterclass Bundle may be able to help you get started on your first investments. Learn to analyze stocks, identify patterns, and day trade in this five-course bundle.

    Start earning passive income.

    Once familiar with the Candlestick method, you can start identifying trade chart patterns. Before long, you may be able to start day trading with confidence. Learn to read “the tape” and form conclusions based on the record of stock transactions throughout the day. With enough study and practice, you could start predicting reversal points that tell you when it’s time to sell.

    Each course is taught by Travis Rose, a full-time day trader and investor. Like Rose, you may be able to turn investing into a full-time job, or you could use it to fund your next business venture.

    Day trade your way to a profit.

    There is a steep learning curve in investing, but you can study the same methods professional investors use to maximize their profit potential. Get the Ultimate Candlestick Trading and Analysis Masterclass Bundle on sale for $29.99 and start planning your first investment.

    Prices subject to change.

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    Entrepreneur Store

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  • Attracting and Retaining Customers and Employees Comes Down to These Two Skills

    Attracting and Retaining Customers and Employees Comes Down to These Two Skills

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Ever heard a business owner say they’re in “the people business?” I hear it all the time. I make a living giving presentations to franchise systems, associations and corporations. I like to ask audience members to share with me what business they believe they’re in. Most people describe the thing they sell: “We’re in the automotive repair business” or “we provide software solutions.” Eventually, someone in the audience anticipates the answer they believe I’m looking for: “We’re in the people business.” Many will nod their head in agreement.

    It’s a better answer, but still not good enough. Because what does that even mean?

    Unlike computer networks that are driven by data, markets are driven by feelings. These feelings influence everything we do. How we spend money, where we spend money, how we work, how well we perform — all human behavior is informed by emotion. We still need stuff. We still need information. But it’s our feelings that most influence our choices. Behavioral economics is a whole field of study devoted to understanding this.

    Related: Every Business is a People’s Business Including a Venture Fund

    A typical business trades its offerings for money and considers the transaction complete. A “people business” works to make the transaction extra satisfying. That additional value breeds loyalty and retention. We like to be in business with others who make us feel good. Two types of skills are necessary to do this well:

    Hard skills

    These are the “how-to’s” of the business. We need tactics and tools. We need to continuously improve our products, processes and profitability. We need to increase our knowledge and ability to perform all the functions of the business. These are essential to operate and remain competitive.

    What I’ve learned from my clients is that hard skills alone aren’t enough. In every system I work with, I meet some operators who are thriving and others barely surviving — all running the same or similar business. Many mistakenly chalk up the difference to location. But invariably the struggling locations give up and sell to higher performers who quickly turn the struggling locations around. Others think higher performers have better sales tactics or are doing more marketing. These hard-skills strategies make a difference, but they’re not the true difference-maker.

    Soft skills

    What does distinguish the higher performers is their soft skills? They manage themselves as well as they manage the business. They control their thoughts. They check their emotions. They communicate well. They understand that they’re in a people business, and they’re one of the people. I wrote a whole book about the differences between typical franchisees and whom I call “wealthy franchisees.” The best franchisees work hard and have decent locations, but it’s their mastery of soft skills infused into their daily operations that gives them their edge. I’ve observed this same dynamic among association members and even personnel within the same companies. Those with stronger soft skills combined with good hard skills will always outperform those with hard skills alone.

    Among the many important soft skills needed for business excellence is resilience. This is one’s ability to continue marching forward when it feels like the universe is pushing back. Business is tough. Business owners need to be tougher. Resilience will also make it easier to discover new opportunities buried beneath the unpleasantness. It took a global pandemic to get some restaurants to pivot more toward delivery and digital ordering. For many, these new offerings have yielded recording-breaking revenue. Resilience reveals both solutions and opportunities. (See my recent TEDx talk about the connection between adversity and opportunity.)

    With a stronger set of soft skills, you’ll be able to understand how your customers and employees — who are also part of “the people business” — need help at two similar levels.

    Hard needs

    These are the needs people have on the surface. They’re the things people consciously pursue. For consumers, it’s the products or services they seek, such as an oil change or a new point-of-sale system. It’s the food they order from a restaurant. It’s the adjustment they get from a chiropractor. Hard needs are tangible items exchanged in a marketplace. It’s what people consume.

    For employees, hard needs are their compensation. That includes a salary, benefits, discounts and other perks. In times like these when most employers are desperate for more help, most are attempting to lure and keep employees by offering more hard-needs compensation, such as increased wages and signing bonuses.

    But just as hard skills aren’t enough to drive high performance, fulfilling hard needs alone isn’t enough to satisfy customers and retain employees. They need something more.

    Soft needs

    These are the emotions we humans want to feel as we satisfy our hard needs. A true people business never forgets the human aspect of the operation. An exchange of goods is a transaction. When people are involved, there’s an interaction. That human encounter is where feelings are most impacted, one way or another.

    Customers don’t usually request help with their soft needs. But deep down there’s always a subconscious desire, something they want to feel when they patronize a business. A group of teens going out for pizza probably wants to have fun. A couple celebrating an anniversary at a fancy restaurant probably wants to feel pampered. Consider what you want to feel when you go to a mechanic (trust), a hair salon (confidence), or a rock concert (excitement/community). Often, it’s a very small, subtle thing. But every business can find nuanced ways to make customers feel just a little better. People businesses pay attention to what matters to their customers emotionally and find ways to satisfy those emotions. Because customers remember less what they get (hard needs) and more about how they feel (soft needs).

    Related: How to Develop the Soft Skills of the Successful Entrepreneur

    This is also true for your team members. The biggest current pain point for my clients is staffing. And not just finding workers but understanding them. Every generation is different, but today’s young workforce is like no other that has come before. Their values, their expectations, and their behavior have got employers scratching their heads. I’m constantly hearing about ghosting, entitlement, and a lack of loyalty.

    No one is certain about what the solution is to the current labor shortage. But I’m certain it’s going to take more than a hard needs approach. For better or worse, employers are going to have to understand and accommodate the workforce’s soft needs. Because they don’t just want more money. They also want to feel appreciated. They want to feel connected to co-workers. They want life balance and flexibility. They’ve wanted these things for a while. And not just today’s young workers.

    Organizations such as Gallup have been reporting slumps in employee engagement long before the pandemic. According to their most recent survey, “fewer than one in four of U.S. employees felt strongly that their organization cares about their wellbeing. This is the lowest percentage reported in nearly a decade.” As hard needs compensation has increased in the workplace, there’s been a decrease in the fulfillment of soft needs.

    Some of my audience members roll their eyes when I discuss the soft needs of today’s employees. They literally say, “They seem so soft!” I can understand their observation and frustration. And I don’t necessarily disagree. But at some point, to have a constructive conversation about being in the people business in today’s climate, we need to temper that frustration (which requires soft skills) and replace it with open-mindedness and a willingness to adapt. For better or worse, the workplace of the future must be less judgmental and more accommodating. Employers will have to meet the soft needs of the people they intend to employ. If not, they won’t be able to employ anyone.

    Perhaps this will be good. I’m a parent of two teenagers who’ll be in the workforce before too long. It encourages me to think that maybe work won’t have to be something they endure. I want them to feel excited by what they do, to feel safe in the workplace, to respect and be respected. I want them to like working. And if they, as a generation, through their own soft ways, force employers to create better, safer, more pleasant work environments, then good on them for making that happen. I don’t want to have to loan my kids money, but I also want them to be happy. I hope they work (or start) true people businesses that meet both their hard and soft needs.

    Related: In The Era Of “The Great Resignation,” Entrepreneurs And Business Leaders Need To Add Soft Skills To Their Arsenal

    I’m also trying to help them understand that employers also have soft needs. They want to feel stable and secure. They want teams they can rely on. They need dependability and follow-through. Everyone deserves to have their soft needs met. To advance in their careers, workers will have to understand this. They, too, will have to work to elevate the emotions of those who rely upon them. I hope my kids play their part. They better — because while I’ll always be there to help with their soft needs when it comes to hard needs (i.e., money), I’ve already done my part. They better bring value to the workplace or they’ve got rough times ahead. Soft needs are important, but so are paying rent and eating.

    Being in the “people business” means you’re in the feelings business. Everything you do must elevate the emotions of everyone your business touches, including yourself. It’s difficult when you’re busy. But investing a little more energy in the emotional payoff of your business might be the best way to achieve a financial one.

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    Scott Greenberg

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  • 3 Secrets of Upside Co-Founder’s Success

    3 Secrets of Upside Co-Founder’s Success

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Alex Kinnier is the co-founder and CEO of Upside, a retail technology company that helps consumers get more value on the things they need while simultaneously allowing merchants to earn more profit on every transaction.


    Upside

    Alex began planning his company when he saw how Google Adwords revolutionized the online shopping experience by using anonymized historical user data. As Google optimized brick-and-mortar businesses, their economically inefficient static pricing and curation were having a hard time keeping up.

    Drawing from his work experience at Google, Alex realized that he could create the same optimized shopping experiences in our neighborhoods that we’ve come to expect online. Seven years later, Upside has 50,000 locations on its platform, reaches 30 million people and is valued at 1.5 billion dollars. Here are the three things that Alex contributes to his success.

    Related: The Internet of Things Might Not Be Doomed, Here’s Why

    1. Create a business model that ensures mutual benefit

    When Alex founded Upside, he made sure the product was a win for businesses, consumers and his bottom line. Its profit-sharing business model is structured so that when Upside brings its merchants a customer or a purchase they weren’t expecting–and can prove it–his company and the merchant share in the profit earned on that purchase. Users get cash back for choosing that business and businesses get more profitable sales. It’s a win-win and Upside doesn’t get paid until both make money first.

    Related: How to Give Customers the Digital Experience They Crave

    2. Empower teams to think for themselves

    Alex kicks off all new employee orientations by telling them to always do what’s right and not necessarily what they’re told. Having people follow orders means at least 50% of the brainpower in that equation is sacrificed. But because Upside’s culture empowers everyone to weigh in on a decision, it maximizes the company’s probability of success. If people don’t know what the right decision is, then they need to ask questions. This creates an opportunity for everyone to learn.

    3. Prioritize measurement as you grow

    Alex believes entrepreneurs must prioritize measurement so they don’t delude themselves into thinking they’re making an impact when they’re not, or develop a culture of personality where people blindly believe in the founder’s direction. Measure everything, set goals and then measure against those goals so that you have a rational set of factors to judge whether your business is actually succeeding.

    Related: 13 Ways To Increase Your Ecommerce Sales This Holiday Season

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    Robert Tuchman

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  • How Small Businesses Are Teaming Up to Boost Local Economies

    How Small Businesses Are Teaming Up to Boost Local Economies

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It’s no secret that small businesses face challenges on a daily basis. Current supply chain woes need all levels of attention as problems arrive in every shape and size. Small businesses are seeking many – often any – opportunities to help keep their lights on and doors open.


    mavo | Shutterstock

    The gap between businesses thriving, surviving, and boarding-up windows is a fine line.

    The incredible challenges over the last few years brought rapid innovation and adoption of new technologies to supply chains, which has helped small businesses purchase essential supplies to keep operations up and running.

    Small businesses make up the fabric of local communities and keep main streets populated and vibrant. Big business also plays a role in developing technology and solutions on a scale that reflects the scale of the challenge – in this case, global supply issues creating challenges at every level of business.

    When it comes to the challenges that small businesses continue to face with remote work and ongoing supply chain disruption, there is an opportunity for small businesses to partner with other small and local businesses to help survive the economic climate, while also supporting their local community.

    Strength in numbers

    One of the first steps is to help small and local businesses connect with one another. This is where new technology and innovation help the local business community get in touch, with a mutually beneficial purpose: to buy from each other.

    Innovation from digital purchasing solutions helps small businesses make a greater impact on the local community. Current technology can help direct the purchase of products and supplies to (other) small businesses in the local community

    All businesses have a unique story to tell. Ask any business owner and they’re sure to award your curiosity with their tales of success and hardship.

    Survival of the smartest

    Many people are familiar with the words “Smart TV” or “Smart Phone”, while less people know “SMART” stands for Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology. SMART objects and processes have gained awareness where they were once considered inanimate.

    Not only have advances in technology brought new efficiencies to the purchasing process for small businesses, but the benefits of innovation and digital procurement solutions have introduced a variety of fresh ideas and approaches from this resulting innovation.

    Using digital procurement solutions not only enables small businesses to more easily pinpoint cost savings, reveal opportunities, and turn insights into action, but business leaders get time back to invest in organizational strategy and business growth.

    Small businesses can leverage the power of machine learning technology and use these solutions to find and purchase business products from other small and local businesses. In turn, this helps their small business community and local economy.

    Exclusive pricing and products

    Digital procurement solutions simplify the buying process, helping small businesses easily purchase business-relevant products while shifting spend to support other small and local businesses.

    Businesses can shop from hundreds of thousands of sellers, buy products in bulk, and access quantity discounts on supplies, which starts with the purchases of two or more of the same products.

    The purchasing platform does the work of finding, retaining, and nurturing suppliers. Businesses can then create buying policies to prefer sellers based on criteria that match the company’s values and goals, choosing suppliers with certifications for diversity, local businesses, and more sustainable products.

    Simplify and organize purchases

    Organizational purchasing goals can be proactively measured by tracking purchases of products from certified local businesses and can also be filtered by certification, zip code, city, and state.

    Once small businesses can locate and purchase products from other small and local businesses, the process becomes simple and repeatable. This allows small business owners to introduce more organization to their purchasing, while also benefiting from a more simplified purchasing process, overall.

    Small businesses can now easily separate work from personal purchases, automate buying and shipping preferences, create out-of-the-box reports, and streamline the entire procurement process.

    From building to booming:

    Current innovations in purchasing can help identify purchasing behavior, discover new products and sellers, and measure progress toward purchasing goals. Small businesses can continue to focus on building and growing, along with pinpointing opportunities for savings, while also helping support other businesses in their communities.

    Whether your small business is a recent startup or a quickly-growing organization, digital procurement solutions help make running your small business easier while connecting you with other small businesses. As a collective, you can keep lights on throughout both your digital and physical “Main Street” which, in turn, benefits your own small business.

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  • How to Start a Business Newsletter on Substack

    How to Start a Business Newsletter on Substack

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    By now you’ve undoubtedly run across a few Substack newsletters. More than simply a publishing site, Substack allows you to set up paid subscription options and collect credit and debit card payments through its partnership with Stripe.

    Most Substack-centered how-to articles focus on its utility for writers and other creators. It might not be immediately apparent what a small business or startup can do with a Substack newsletter.

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    John Boitnott

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  • 3 Smart Ways to Differentiate Your Ecommerce Business

    3 Smart Ways to Differentiate Your Ecommerce Business

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The ecommerce industry has been running on autopilot in recent years, regulated by a set of “best practices” that are supposed to help businesses increase their brand visibility and boost sales. However, these practices are what’s stopping businesses from reaching these goals. While these practices might create a frictionless commerce experience through an ecommerce website, they also produce an unoriginal and boring path to purchase for shoppers. Shopper expectations have evolved; therefore, it’s time for ecommerce businesses to do the same.

    What do shoppers want?

    Shoppers want something different and new. Sixty-four percent say it’s rare to see a website that feels unique or has unexpected functionality. This means that businesses need to develop a different brand and purchasing experience that helps them stand out from millions of other ecommerce businesses.

    So, how can businesses set themselves apart and gain the attention of shoppers? A good starting point for businesses should be to break up with two prevalent best practices to elevate the shopping experience and distinguish themselves from the competition.

    Related: Want To Grow Your Ecommerce Brand? Take Advice From This Industry Expert.

    Practice #1: Frictionless commerce = the best commerce

    The ecommerce industry has long held the practice of creating frictionless customer shopping experiences. Features like streamlined search, website navigation and checkout quickly guide shoppers from the landing page to the checkout screen. However, creating a frictionless experience only benefits infrequent or one-time shoppers. Frictionless commerce might bring in new customers, but it doesn’t create brand loyalty.

    Loyal customers form a core group that can drive up to 23% of annual sales for businesses, meaning that a key focus should be to build this core group. Sixty-two percent of shoppers say they expect personalization, suggesting that they aren’t likely to return to a business if there is no uniqueness to the purchasing experience.

    Businesses that want to break away from this practice should focus on creating a new and exciting experience over preserving the frictionless commerce model.

    Practice #2: The best way to reach shoppers is through a website

    Another long-held practice that the industry has held onto is that the best way to get shoppers and convert sales is through a website. However, more and more shoppers are purchasing through their mobile devices. By 2025, it’s projected that around 44% of retail sales in the US will occur on a mobile device.

    Many ecommerce websites are not optimized for mobile, meaning that a desktop-optimized website won’t be enough to compete with other businesses. Therefore, ecommerce businesses should be prepared to find alternative routes to reach shoppers.

    Related: How To Succeed in A Competitive Ecommerce Industry

    3 tips for breaking up with industry practices

    There are three key tips to keep in mind when breaking up with the industry’s best practices. These tips can help an ecommerce business re-evaluate its current strategies and prepare for the start of 2023.

    1. Create a strong visual brand identity: Businesses can create a strong visual brand identity through a highly visual experience, and by incorporating a multi-media approach to brand assets, brands can stand out from the crowd with a compelling brand feel and identity. These aspects, such as images, video, audio and interactive elements, should be highlighted throughout a website to make the brand stand out against the competition.

    2. Change your path to purchase: Businesses should be prepared to change their path to purchase for customers. In addition to running micro-enhancement tests on product images, button colors, element placement, etc., consider running macro-tests that explore unique layouts. For example, trying out new layouts and hierarchy structures can help an ecommerce website feel distinctive and new.

    3. Develop a VIP experience: By developing a VIP experience, shoppers will feel like they are receiving an exclusive experience tailored just to them. Providing VIP experiences has the added benefit of building brand loyalty because shoppers know they won’t be able to find the experience elsewhere. Some ways to develop this VIP experience include members-only exclusive content, special sales and perks. Businesses can also run loyalty and referral programs and inject novelty into their marketing and outreach efforts. Another way to develop a VIP experience is through a mobile app. Implementing features like advanced wish lists, product recommendations and customized push notifications within a mobile app can help establish brand loyalty and create an experience that shoppers can’t get elsewhere.

    Related: 5 Ways to Provide a Positive Customer Experience in Ecommerce

    It’s time for businesses to break up with the ecommerce industry’s best practices. Businesses that are willing to change their current approaches will increase brand visibility and boost sales. It may be easier to follow industry best practices, but it creates a predictable experience that may leave your brand lost in the crowd. Shoppers want a personalized and entertaining experience, and the businesses that provide that have a greater chance of success.

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    Eric Netsch

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  • How to Beat Your Number One Competitor (It’s Not Who You Think)

    How to Beat Your Number One Competitor (It’s Not Who You Think)

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    While studies such as CB Insight’s report on the top 13 reasons startups fail indicate that cash flow, no market need and internal dissent amongst founders are what leads to corporate closure, I argue that customer apathy is actually the root cause; those are simply the symptoms. Apathy is defined as a “lack of responsiveness to something that might normally excite interest or emotion.”

    In a fickle world stymied by a melee of advertising from deep-pocketed corporations and a plethora of products auditioning for our limited and desensitized attention span, it’s more than differentiation (that our business schools used to implore us to follow) that will unlock customers’ wallets. We need to be firing on all cylinders in order to build what our customers are begging for quietly and focus our attention solely on them more than our competition does.

    Related: 5 Ways to Dominate Your Competition

    Customer proximity is a competitive advantage

    Attentive, unbiased listening, feedback-driven product development and empathetic relationship-building are paramount in a transactionally driven, utilitarian and apathetic world.

    The crux of this design-thinking approach can credit its notoriety to the leading design and innovation firm, Ideo (Palo Alto, Calif.). Tim Brown, Executive Chair of Ideo, offers a simplified definition for us, “Design thinking is a human-centered approach to innovation that draws from the designer’s toolkit to integrate the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.”

    A key piece of the design-thinking model includes empathy — which, by definition, requires the designer (entrepreneur) to get as close to the user as possible to fully understand (empathize) their problems, identify their shared goals and design viable solutions that hit the mark (all within the limits of the business’ predefined constraints).

    Ideo’s design-thinking framework unpacks the technique further, “Thinking like a designer can transform the way organizations develop products, services, processes, and strategy. This approach, which is known as design thinking, brings together what is desirable from a human point of view with what is technologically feasible and economically viable. It also allows people who aren’t trained as designers to use creative tools to address a vast range of challenges.”

    Related: How Design Thinking Can Help You Ask the Right Questions (And Get the Right Answers)

    Knowing your customer’s fears, goals and challenges helps you design experiences that delight and spark joy

    The small restaurant owner that spends considerable time sitting down with clients to revise the menu and optimize for specific personas (groups of customers that hold shared beliefs — e.g., vegan, plant-based options, Kosher items, etc.) makes a lasting impression that builds transactional empathy which counters de facto market apathy. The coffee shop owner that launches a valued customer punch card that rewards patrons with a free cup of coffee every ten cups instills reciprocal goodwill that spurs future repeat business. The ecommerce shop that overnights that gift just in time for the party and waves the fee gets an A+ in the shopper’s mind and fills up their hearts with lasting, intangible goodwill.

    Related: 3 Super Simple Ways to Understand What Your Customer Wants

    Design thinking uncovers which emotions founders must build products and services around

    Great products and services connect on a deep, emotional level with their users. By focusing on your customer more than your competition does, you can win faster and far easier — and spend less time staring at your competition. This may sound trite, but I have seen it over and over in my consulting with small business owners and founders, whereby they spend the first few months focusing on understanding the market needs and then (post-launch) pivot completely away from a user-driven (design thinking) model and later shift into a market-driven model where they focus on beating the competition. This often leads to service mimicry, discounting (which erodes gross margins) and eventually downsizing or dissolution.

    While understanding where your competition is currently playing on a market matrix is helpful, it’s actually quite distracting for most entrepreneurs and pulls them further away from serving their customer base. In my opinion, the primary goal isn’t to beat the competition on market share — it’s to win customer loyalty, and you can only do that by paying more attention to them than your competition is willing to do. Market share is a byproduct of winning hearts and minds first.

    For the next 30 days, instead of worrying about what your competition is up to, try focusing intently on your own market leveraging a design thinking approach. Innovation, customer service and customer retention get supremely easier once you begin to listen more and design from your customer’s point of view.

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    Reagan Pollack

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  • 5 Reasons to Add Texts to Your Customer Communications Mix

    5 Reasons to Add Texts to Your Customer Communications Mix

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Text messaging has become more and more pervasive in business, not just for marketing, but for all types of communications. Text Request, the business text messaging platform, recently released their 2023 State of Business Texting Report, which studies how consumers want to interact with businesses, how businesses are meeting those demands, and how to bridge gaps that may exist. Here are five key takeaways for business leaders to consider. Disclaimer: I work for Text Request and was part of this study, but that is as promotional as this article gets.

    1. Eighty-eight of consumers want to receive texts about appointments

    Appointments are the lifeblood of many businesses, and it’s clear that texting can help you set and keep more of them. Texting may also help you save time and overhead. Consumers are not answering phone calls, and they’re not listening to voicemails. However, 70% say that texting is the fastest way to reach them.

    Instead of calling customers to confirm appointments, send a text. You can send one at a time manually to each person, send a mass message for each day’s or each week’s appointments or connect texting to your existing systems to automate notifications. In any case, texting is more effective and more efficient than individually calling about each appointment. This will also help you keep more appointments on the books since the leading reason people miss appointments is that they forget.

    To set more appointments, and make more money by extension, text customers who are due for their next appointment or service. Text around annual renewals, for seasonal check-ins or whichever period makes sense for you. For example, the dealership where I got my last vehicle texts me every three months about an oil change and tune-up since that’s about how long it takes to drive 3,000 miles.

    Related: 5 Ways to Use Texting to Grow Your Sales and Marketing

    2. People want more SMS promotions (yes, really!)

    Fifty-two percent of survey respondents said they want to receive texts for promotions and discounts, yet only 29% said their businesses are currently sending these texts. There’s a big opportunity here, and it’s important to think of promotions outside the realm of retail. The report lists several examples, including:

    • Prompting customers to schedule appointments or services

    • Telling customers about new services or other offers

    • Fundraising for nonprofits and schools

    • Sharing important reminders

    • Providing discounts or incentives

    These can each be used to drive revenue for your business while creating great customer experiences.

    3. Texting works for B2B businesses, too

    The report notes that texting is sometimes thought of as a great channel for business-to-consumer (B2C) businesses, but not so great for businesses that sell to other businesses (B2B). However, business buyers are still consumers everywhere else they go.

    Eighty percent of people have texted with a business before, and as people have these experiences with consumer services, they begin to expect them from business services, too. Easy applications of texting for B2B businesses include:

    • Touching base during the sales process

    • Finding a few minutes to chat on the phone

    • Appointment scheduling and reminders

    • Customer service and support

    • Promotions about new products and services

    Texting helps you grab people’s attention and get responses. That can have a big impact, no matter who you serve.

    Related: 5 Steps Every 1-Person Sales and Marketing Team Should Follow

    4. The biggest expected trend in 2023 is texting for payments

    This is perhaps the biggest gap the report found between consumers and businesses. It’s also the area that’s expected to see the highest increase in traction over the next year. Sixty-nine percent of people want to receive texts for payment reminders, and 45% want to pay their bills directly through text, yet only 30% of businesses are texting for anything related to payments.

    This is important because taking in revenue is a critical function. If you can’t collect revenue — especially revenue you’re already owed — your business will struggle. Even small delays in collecting payments or having to spend more money to collect those payments can have a noticeable negative impact.

    This is an easy need to solve for, though, because PDF invoices and payment links can be shared through text messages. If nothing else, businesses can begin texting payment reminders to any client with an outstanding balance and include invoices as needed.

    5. Consumers are already comfortable texting with businesses

    Eighty percent of people have texted with a business before, and 58% text with a business at least monthly. Meanwhile, 90% of consumers say they want to text with businesses and other organizations. People are comfortable texting for business purposes, and they’re beginning to expect these kinds of experiences. That poses both a challenge and an opportunity.

    In order to meet customers where they are in 2023, businesses are going to have to add texting into their communications mix. The report notes it will be important to enable text conversations, not just one-way automations because customers want to use texting to reach a business on their terms. In fact, 77% say they want to text a business for customer service and support.

    For many businesses, adding texting as a customer communications channel will be a new effort. However, those who do not take advantage of it to meet customer demand risk losing out to competitors who do.

    Related: 5 Steps to Create Successful Marketing Campaigns

    What should you do with this information?

    There are several clear opportunities for businesses to increase revenue, save on costs and improve customer experiences through text messaging. As with anything in business, the sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll be able to see the fruits of those efforts. But you do not need to run out and overhaul your entire strategy all at once.

    Pick one thing that’s a relatively low lift, that you’ll be able to commit to, and implement it — like replacing appointment confirmation phone calls with text messages. As you and your team get comfortable with that change and can track any improvements, then look for the next opportunity, and repeat.

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    Kenneth Burke

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  • How to Use Virtual Tours To Elevate Real Estate Sales

    How to Use Virtual Tours To Elevate Real Estate Sales

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    We’re in the last month of 2022, and not only are we entering a new year, but we’re entering a recession that’s hurting real estate sales across the country. As many other authors and I discussed in previous articles, virtual tours help real estate agents sell more properties, but that’s not up for debate.

    But we’ve found a neat little hack you can do with your real estate content to get free exposure and more eyeballs on your listings to get more sales. It’s all through a process called “geotagging.”

    Never heard of this term before? Don’t worry; let’s learn about how to implement it into your content.

    What is geotagging?

    Geotagging is a technical search engine optimization term used to help rank local content higher on search engines through the exact coordinates of a real estate listing and the type of real estate property. Many business owners implement this strategy to get them to rank higher on local searches; let’s walk through an example.

    John Smith owns a bakery in Philadelphia, and while he has a great virtual tour, video and photos, he’s looking for that extra edge against his competition. He finds the process of geotagging, goes to a free site such as geoimgr.com, finds the coordinates (longitude and latitude) of Philadelphia, adds it to Geo Imgr and then adds in his niche keyphrase for what people search for his type of business, such as “bakeries near me” or “bakeries in Philadelphia.”

    So you’re essentially telling Google what you do “niche” in your area’s coordinates, so Google positions you as such because you’ve organized your content and tagged it as such; it’s a brilliant way to get higher rankings on local searches. In 2023, you’ll need to think outside the box — this is a great example of doing just that.

    Related: How Real Estate Investors Can Prepare for 2023 in 4 Easy Steps

    How does this apply to real estate listings?

    What do brick-and-mortar businesses and real estate listings have in common? They’re both pieces of real estate, so this process works just as well with real estate listings, just like how it does with small businesses such as John Smith’s bakery.

    No one is doing this as a real estate agent. They’re only focused on having great content, although essential to get to the next level; they also need to geotag all of their photos and videos! This is what hotshot realtors do to increase exposure on their listings.

    So how do I optimize my content as a real estate agent?

    It’s easier than you think, so don’t overthink it! Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to geotag your real estate content.

    1. Go to Geoimgr.com
    2. Take your current listing content (photos, videos, renderings, 360 tours) and plug them into the groomer.
    3. Google your location coordinates, ex: Philadelphia’s coordinates are (39.9526° N and 75.1652° W).
    4. Enter the coordinates into Geoimgr.
    5. Enter your type of real estate into Geoimgr “single-family home in Rittenhouse (insert your neighborhood)” or “multifamily home south Philadelphia.”
    6. Hit the “EXIF Tag” button, and you’ve optimized your real estate listing content!

    Related: How Virtual Reality is Impacting Real Estate?

    Where do I post my optimized content once I have it?

    Like you would normally do, you’ll post to the multiple listing service, which posts to all the big-name listings such as Zillow, Realtor, Loopnet, Redfin, etc. Since most people search on Google anyway, Google will still give you the benefits of geotagging. The best part about using geoimgr is that you can upgrade your account to get more content optimized for more listings as you become more successful as time goes on.

    Don’t have the time? Fortunately, this process takes less than 10-15 minutes to complete. Learn how to do this process first, then give it to one of your teammates or interns to geotag your content for the foreseeable future.

    Virtual tours are the best marketing tool for your listing, but geotagging is the secret sauce that allows your listings to sell faster and for more money.

    Use this strategy to kickstart your 2023 and find success in your real estate endeavors.

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    Sean Boyle

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