Year: 2021

Categories
Business

ESOP 101: How An Employee Stock Option Plan Works

employee stock option plan

Have you started planning for retirement?

If so, smart move! And if not, it’s time to get busy so you can start building wealth for living the good life once retirement age rolls around. After all, time goes by in a flash, thus there’s no time to waste.

One of the best tools for preparing for building wealth for retirement is your employee stock option plan. This is a wealth management program offered by employers to help employees invest money for the future.

Here we take a look at how ESOPs work so that you can take full advantage of employee stock ownership. Keep reading to learn more.

The Basics

Let’s start by defining exactly what an ESOP is.

In the most basic terms, employee stock options give you the chance to purchase a specific number of shares in your company’s stock. In other words, you can actually enjoy partial ownership in the business where you work.

This not only provides a financial incentive for making your company as profitable and successful as possible, but it will also help create a greater sense of pride in the team that you work with.

Type of ESOPs

It’s important to understand that there are two basic types of stock options that an individual company can offer its employees. These include NQs, or non-qualified stock options, and ISOs, or incentive stock options.

With non-qualified stock options, taxes are typically withheld from your proceeds when you exercise your options. This generally isn’t the case with incentive stock options. Keep in mind that each type of ESOP has different tax rules.

This is why you’ll need to understand the tax considerations before exercising your options, especially when taking market volatility and other investment risks into consideration.

How ESOPs Work

Here’s an example of how employee stock option plans work.

Your employee will provide the change to purchase a maximum number of shares in the company by a specific date. But you have several options for doing this.

These options include paying cash, exercising a cashless exercise by selling enough stock to cover the purchase price or sending in a certificate for shares in the company that will cover the purchase price.

The key is to understand the convenience that ESOPs provide, because you won’t have to pay for the stock upfront, which can be a huge advantage, especially on a limited budget.

Talk to Your Employer

The best strategy is to talk to your employer about their ESOP program to find out the specific details. After all, the more you understand, the easier it will be to build wealth.

Be sure to check out this resource for understanding Publix stock.

Understanding Your Employee Stock Option Plan

It’s never too early to start investing for retirement. The key is to take advantage of every available resource to grow wealth fast. Fortunately, your employee stock option plan is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to make your money work for you.

Please continue exploring the content on this blog to discover more valuable finance and small business-related tips and advice.

Categories
Real Estate

How To Start Investing In Real Estate Right Now

start investing in real estate

With 740,000 homes sold at a median price of $390,900 last month, real estate can be a largely rewarding investment.

However, these numbers only show residential real estate sales. Other opportunities are hiding in commercial and industrial real estate, too.

Numbers and statistics aside, you want to know how to start investing in real estate today. But, where do you begin when learning how to start investing in real estate? What options does an investor have in today’s real estate market?

Well, let us take the guesswork out of the equation with the most popular real estate investment strategies ahead.

Purchasing a Rental Property

Purchasing a rental property is the most popular real estate choice for first-time investors. The allure of a steady monthly income from your property is often irresistible.

On top of that, you can work with property management companies like vividpropertyperth.com.au. They can provide turn-key management services – allowing you to operate “hands-free” while collecting only the property’s income.

Prehabbing Your First Property

Prehabbing is the practice of buying and improving a real estate property. It is a process carried out to attract new investors. The property you are investing in may need more work than you are willing to put into it – but that is your strategy.

With a little aesthetic conditioning, you may be able to attract a new investor willing to go the final mile.

Wholesaling Real Estate

Real estate wholesaling allows you to work as a middle man between a potential buyer and seller. Your job as a real estate wholesaler is to identify undervalued properties in the market and purchase the property.

After your purchase is made, you assign a contract to the end buyer to purchase the property at a newly defined price.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Real estate investment trusts or REITs are companies that own and manage groups of real estate properties. These real estate properties comprise a portfolio, which is then publicly traded on the stock market.

This allows you to invest in an individual share of the company, profit from their good management, and not deal with the physical properties themselves.

This form of real estate investing has the lowest barrier to entry in the real estate market and is the most convenient – not always the most profitable, though.

Learn How to Start Investing in Real Estate Today

You can continue your real estate investment search with help from the four strategies outlined above. While these strategies may be the most popular, they are not the only ones to start investing in real estate.

If you need more help, contact your local real estate broker, insurance firm, or lawyer for further insight into the real estate markets in your area.

Consulting with a professional financial advisor can also help you better understand the amount of risk you can take with your first investment.

If you found this article helpful, then we know you will enjoy more real estate news and information from the blog – see you there.

Categories
SEO

How To Write A Blog Post In 8 Easy Steps

how to write a blog post

Writing a blog is not only a good way to earn extra money on the side. Starting a blog is also a great way to express your creativity, share your knowledge on a specific topic, and bring an audience together. If you’ve been thinking about starting a blog, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t.

Even if you’re not sure how to write a blog post, there’s a first time for everything. Starting a blog is a learning experience, but everyone must start somewhere. Once you create your first blog post, you’re already one step ahead.

The more post you create, the better you’ll become at running a blog and writing your posts as well. The first step is getting that first post done. In the guide below, you’ll find several helpful tips to keep in mind when creating your first post.

Continue reading below to learn more!

1. Know Your Target Audience

Before you begin writing your blog, it’s important to know who your target audience is. Your target audience is the group of people who are going to read your posts. Who are you trying to reach?

For example, if you’re writing a blog on parenting, then your target audience will be parents. You can even narrow it down to make it more specific. If you write about topics geared towards parents with young children, then this will help narrow down your target audience.

Once you determine your target audience, you can then adjust your tone, voice, and the way you write your posts.

2. Decide on Your Blog Format

Now it’s time to decide on the blog format you want to use. There are several different ways to write a blog post. You can use a variety of blog post formats on your blog. Before you write your first blog, however, you should know what format you want to use for it.

Here are a few examples to consider.

  • A how-to post: “how to prepare your child for the dentist”
  • A list post: “10 ways to teach children about cavities”
  • a review post: “the best books for teaching children about dental hygiene”
  • a guide/tutorial post: “a complete guide on how to prevent cavities in children”

These are a few great examples to keep in mind when writing your own blog post. This list isn’t exhaustive, and you still have many more options such as writing an interview or an infographic post as well.

3. Keep a Notepad Next to You

While writing your first blog and all other blogs, keep a notepad next to you at all times. It’s essential to keep a notepad by your side while writing your blog posts because you can write down different subtopics you want to discuss in the post you’re currently writing and so on.

You can also use this notepad to jot down ideas for another blog post topic that might come up while writing. It’s also a good idea to keep this notepad with you even while not writing because you never know when you might have a good idea cross your mind.

4. Select the Topic to Write About

Are you struggling to select a topic you want to write about? Are you having trouble determining what type of blog you want to run? To find these answers, think about the things you’re most passionate about.

What are some things you love doing and have extensive knowledge on? What is it that you want to share with the world? This is what your blog should focus on.

To find individual blog posts topics, you can start by using your notepad to write down a few topic ideas. If you’re writing a parenting blog, then you’ll want to think of some questions parents usually have. Your blog should answer those questions.

This is what’ll make your blog valuable to your audience. For example, many parents might wonder about creating a good bedtime routine. How can you answer questions related to creating a healthy bedtime routine for children?

5. Research Your Keywords

Once you decide on a topic for your blog, you’ll then want to research your keywords. Keywords will help boost your blog’s SEO (search engine optimization). Using the right keywords associated with your topic will help your blog post rank high in a search engine’s search results.

You can find the right keywords to use in your post and focus on by searching for your blog post topic. When you type in your topic in the search engine, what are some of the first keywords or phrases that pop up while typing? These are the words or phrases you want to use in your writing.

6. Write an Interesting Introduction

It’s never a bad idea to start with an outline for your post. This will help you organize your thoughts and write more efficiently. Then, you’ll want to start your post with an interesting introduction.

Your introduction should have a hook of some sort or something that draws the reader in. Your introduction should entice the reader to continue reading because they want to find out more about the topic.

The conclusion should sum everything up while also providing a call to action for the reader. Your call to action is something you’re asking the reader to do at the end of the post. This could be to check out another post you’ve written related to the one they just read or to sign up for the email subscription to get notices when new posts are posted.

7. Create a Title With Your Keyword

Don’t forget to create a title with your keyword as well. When thinking of the title for your blog post, you want to include the main keyword in it, because this will help with your SEO. The title should be something short, simple, interesting, and clear.

The reader should know exactly what to expect from the post just by reading the title. If the title is misleading, then you could risk losing your reader.

8. Add an Image and Proofread

Once you’ve finished writing your blog post, you should then include an image and proofread. There are many stock photos available that you can use for free, as long as you give the source credit. Adding a photo to your blog post can help grab the reader’s attention, make the post more interesting, and give them a better idea of what the post is about.

Be sure to proofread your post before finalizing it, or have someone else edit it for you.

It’s Time to Learn How to Write a Blog Post

If you’re interested in writing a blog post, then nothing should stop you from doing so! The first step is learning how to write a blog post and getting that first post done and growing from there. Use all of the helpful blog writing tips listed above to get the ball rolling.

For more SEO topics, lifestyle topics, and many others, continue to check back here on a regular basis.

Categories
Jobs & Career

Everything You Need To Know About Becoming A Bartender In Australia

becoming a bartender

The greatest part about becoming a bartender in Australia is meeting new people on a regular basis. Aside from your coworkers, you’ll encounter a lot of other travelers and locals. This is particularly useful when you are new to a location.

Even though you will be working most weekends in Australia, you will be handsomely compensated. You may also supplement your income with tips.

Because of your expertise, it is simpler to obtain work as a bartender elsewhere after you have established yourself as a bartender. Yet, you need to know that the process of becoming a bartender in Australia is a bit different when compared to the US and Canada.

Keep on reading for our full breakdown of how to become a bartender in Australia.

Becoming a Bartender 101: Understanding the RSA Certificate

Let’s start with the basics.

If you serve or sell alcohol to clients as part of your work in Australia, you’ll need the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certificate. If you operate in a bar, restaurant, pub, or bottle shop, you’ll need the RSA. This rule is in effect in all Australian states.

There is no RSA license that pertains to all states in Australia, since each state has its own legal laws surrounding alcohol. So, if you wish to work in a different state, you’ll need a new RSA.

During the course, you will learn a lot about the legal requirements for selling and dispensing alcohol, as well as how to handle it responsibly. (For example, how to spot a drunk person or how to prevent giving alcohol to minors).

Before you apply for a job, you need to have your RSA certificate. Make a note of the RSA on your resume. It is not required to have it beforehand. Restaurant positions, in particular, enable you to submit your RSA within the first few weeks of employment.

When you already possess your RSA certificate, you’ll have a higher chance of being hired as a bartender.

Thus, you’ll want to check out these RSA courses and pick the one that suits your needs best.

Becoming a Bartender in Australia: The Lifestyle and Benefits

We’ve always believed that working in the hospitality business is a must.

Whether as a bartender, waitstaff, server, or kitchen hand. It instills essential life skills. Such as how to work effectively with people and communicate with them, as well as devotion, commitment, and patience.

You’re always interacting with clients and coworkers. And, the social element of working in the hospitality business may lead to lifelong friendships.

The Financial Perks

Apart from establishing strong bonds with customers and coworkers, it may also be a lucrative way to make a livelihood (depending on where you live/work).

Many people utilize bartending and hospitality jobs as a means to support themselves while attending university and completing their education.

It’s especially appealing since many locations provide flexible working hours, sometimes needing weekend employment to accommodate other obligations, such as school.

Traveling and Exploring the World

Bartending is a profession that is practiced all around the world. I lived and worked overseas for a year when I was 21, which allowed me to travel across Europe for almost half of that period and see 20+ countries – some of the most memorable experiences of my adult life.

Even if you aren’t the most experienced bartender or can’t remember every cocktail recipe in existence, you may open doors by displaying confidence, charisma, dedication, and a desire to learn.

Bartending may expose you to a wide range of social contacts, allowing you to form lifelong friendships and connections while also paying for your trips.

To Take or Not to Take a Bartending Course?

This is dependent on your location. Due to their strong drink and cocktail cultures, both Europe and the United States have excellent courses and schools.

Thankfully, you may now enroll in excellent online courses as well as other in-person programs in Australia.

Gaining Experience

You’ll learn a lot via hard work, a love for the business and the art of creating excellent drinks.

The most essential element in being a great bartender is on-the-job experience.

Passion for Learning

Learn as much as you can about cocktails, drink recipes, brewing, distilling, and winemaking.

Hopefully, before beginning as a bartender, by reading, researching, and absorbing up as much knowledge as possible.

When looking for a job as a bartender, this will give you greater confidence. Knowledge of the liquor business and the drinks you’ll be selling will offer you an advantage over others who haven’t worked in the sector before.

Continue to improve your knowledge by reading, attending industry events and tastings, and finding a mentor who can educate you on how to become a better bartender.

Also, how to manage a venue, and/or how to make excellent cocktails after you’ve been employed as a bartender (depending on where you want to take your bartending career).

Can You Get a Bartending Job Without Having Prior Experience?

When it comes to being employed as a bartender, previous experience and a desire to learn are two crucial criteria.

If you don’t have any prior experience, you’ll need to demonstrate confidence and a willingness to learn all there is to know about the business. You need the experience to obtain the job, but you also need the job to acquire the experience.

Bartending is all about providing excellent customer service and a pleasant experience. Demonstrate a pleasant demeanor, the ability to effectively engage with clients, and a dedication to your trade, and you’ll be employed in no time.

Ready to Start Your New Career?

Becoming a bartender doesn’t have to be as complex as rocket science. And, if you’re trying to become one in Australia, the process can be quite straightforward.

We hope that our guide has shed some light on how to become a bartender, and the serving alcohol regulations you need to follow in Australia.

And, if you liked reading our article, then you’ll love checking out our additional tips and tricks. All of those (and more) will be available to you in our career and lifestyle sections.

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Featured

5 Rewarding Benefits Of Outdoor Blinds

window treatment options

The latest research indicates that 59% of Americans who picked up tools in 2020 to improve their homes, will continue the trend this year.

If you’re one of these newly enthusiastic DIYers, you’re probably always on the hunt for ways to make your home even better. Perhaps you want to extend your improvements to your business too.

Outdoor blinds are one of the best window treatment options for homeowners and small business owners who want to upgrade their spaces and benefit at the same time.

Here’s how outdoor blinds can boost your interiors.

1. Year-Round Appeal

Outdoor blinds are the best window treatments for maximizing your home’s floor space. These innovations can help make outdoor living spaces usable all year round or add comfort where seasonal changes that make certain rooms unpleasant at times.

These blinds attach easily to outdoor overhangs, so you can enclose your patio for maximum comfort and protection from the elements. This is a huge benefit to cafés and restaurants with outdoor seating areas.

2. Versatile and Durable Window Treatments

Since they’re made to withstand wind, rain, and UV rays, outdoor blinds offer supreme durability that far exceeds their indoor peers.

You can use them with just about any roof angle, so they’re suited to both home and commercial use. Top-quality blinds like Gibus, Renson, and Ziptrack Outdoor Blinds offer customization options too.

What’s more, you’re bound to find a color scheme and finish that suits your decor perfectly.

3. Enhanced Sun Protection

If you want to buy window treatments that can help reduce your energy bills, you should seriously consider outdoor blinds.

Installing these window treatments offers an extra layer of insulation that protects your home from excessive heat and cold. That means you’ll use less electricity to power your heating and cooling systems, and correspondingly lower energy bills.

If you own a restaurant located in a hot climate, they can attract more customers to your outdoor dining areas in search of respite from the sun.

4. Privacy From Prying Eyes

Do you have nosy neighbors or want to explore the best privacy options for your commercial spaces? Outdoor blinds provide a barrier against curious onlookers in both commercial and residential settings.

If you want to create airflow at the same time, you can open the blinds halfway to allow the cool breezes in.

5. Spreading the Word

If you’re going to purchase window treatments, why not choose those that double as advertising material. If you own a commercial enterprise, you can print advertising on the outside of your blinds to attract the attention of passing traffic.

This serves as a great reminder to your customers about the services you offer and can lure passers-by in for dinner.

Boost Your Home and Business

Window treatments are one of the easiest ways to add extra appeal to both commercial and residential spaces. They’re practical as well as attractive and help add an extra layer of elegance to any space.

Would you like some more of the best ideas for upgrading your surroundings? Keep browsing our website.

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Marketing

Should You Hire A Marketing Agency Or DIY?

marketing agency

When you start a small business, marketing and advertising are key components to getting it off the ground. In 2020 alone, US adults spent 7 hours and 50 minutes a day consuming digital media.

This is a huge proportion of a waking day. Hence why digital marketing is important to any small business that wants to engage with potential customers!

But should you consider hiring a digital marketing agency or is it something you can do yourself?

In this article, we will go through the benefits of DIY or employing an internet marketing agency. You want to ensure you’re making the best decision for you and your small business when it comes to digital marketing.

A Marketing Agency Will Keep the Costs Down

Traditionally, hiring an in-house marketer was the way to go when starting up a new business. However, there has been a shift in thought with the emergence of digital marketing services.

It means that you can tap into expert knowledge and advice without the costs of hiring a full-time employee. Healthcare, vacation, sick leave, and pension contributions can quickly add up.

You are still able to get a quality digital marketing service, however, you won’t have the responsibility of forking out for all the extras.

Hiring a digital marketing agency makes economic sense for small businesses, especially those that are new. It allows you to put your capital into growing and expanding in the right areas.

DIY Digital Marketing Means More Specific Knowledge

Yes, in theory, if you do your own digital marketing, you will be the one who knows best about the service or the product you are marketing.

The problem is that you might not be able to translate that information into digestible and compelling marketing copy.

A digital marketing agency will know exactly how to write and position strategic marketing campaigns.

A business owner often has a clear vision of how they see a business in relation to its customers. A successful digital market agency will take that vision and convey it to the right audience.

Hiring a Digital Marketing Service Allows You to Access Additional Resources

A digital marketing service doesn’t just give you access to copywriters and digital marketers. They will also give you access to various pieces of software, and digital graphics that you would need to pay hundreds of dollars to use.

Think of a digital marketing service as a fully loaded arsenal of marketing weapons to use at your disposal. It’s a team of experts and creatives with all the tools for the job, at a fraction of the cost.

Automation tools like Clicky, Adobe Creative Cloud, and HubSpot are necessary when it comes to digital marketing. However, perhaps you don’t have the time or resources to dedicate your energy to learning how to use them.

Instead, you can rely on a team that’s already highly skilled in these programs and let them do all the heavy lifting.

Social Media Management Can be Scheduled and Automated with a Digital Marketing Agency

Creating and putting out content for your social media channels is a time-consuming process. Especially if you are wanting fresh and new content across all the different mediums.

Social media content can be a full-time job in itself. By doing it yourself, you are having to devote a considerable portion of your day to it when your time could be utilized better elsewhere.

With a digital marketing agency, they can write and schedule your content for you. That means you don’t need to worry about posting it at the right times and continual content creation.

You can relax knowing your social media channels are engaging with customers.

If you want to check out a digital marketing agency with a great range of marketing packages, solopreneurs are a proven leader in the digital marketing field.

Digital Agencies Know the Marketing Small Print

SEO optimization, secondary keywords, PPC, lead generators… confused yet? The list of technical marketing jargon can seem like a different language to those that aren’t familiar with digital marketing.

Luckily, as a small business owner, you don’t have to learn and understand the lingo if you hire a digital marketing agency.

They take care of all the tiny details to allow your content to go up the search rankings and ensure that your business is positioned for customers to find you via advertising or search engines.

You don’t need a master’s in marketing to run a business effectively. Instead, check out and invest in a digital marketing service that can offer you their expertise and knowledge.

This will translate into more business and leads for your company, putting you on the path to success and profit.

Digital Marketing Agencies Can Get to Work Straight Away

When hiring a new marketing employee, you will have to spend time training them on your business, how you want to market yourself, and your core values. This is often a process that can take several weeks, if not months.

With a digital marketing agency, they don’t need to waste time getting trained up on certain software or the business. They can use their expertise to deliver on a project immediately.

You receive quality and well-developed marketing products, without the hassle of training a new employee.

Digital marketing agencies are able to work to briefs and deliver a project based on the tone and audience you require.

They can also offer up additional thoughts and suggestions based on their experience of working in similar areas or markets.

Hiring a Marketing Agency vs. DIY: How to Choose?

Weighing up the pros and cons of using a marketing agency or choosing to do it yourself isn’t a decision you should take lightly.

A digital marketing agency can be a great investment for those who want to make the most of industry knowledge and expertise.

However, a DIY approach can also work, if you’re willing to put in the hours of learning the right marketing techniques.

Whatever you decide, make sure it’s in the best interest of your business.

If you enjoyed this article, check out our other blog posts for more!

Categories
Business

Your Small Business Sales Guide To Sourcing Leads

sourcing leads

Where is your business without customers, and where are you customers without successful lead generation.

Watch your company tank as you ignore these tactics or watch it rise to greatness as you harness all your acumen and blast it towards sourcing leads! But, how exactly do you do that in this crazy, new market environment?

Sales are the lifeblood of your business, so you’ll want to know how to generate sales leads (such as DUI leads) for business growth. Learn how to source leads and drive sales in this article!

What Is Sourcing Leads?

Traditional marketing methods like email blasts, for example, can be used to bring in customers. The abundance of information and increase in competition is making it a bit harder for companies to engage with, reach, and track potential customers. You need lead generation, or the process of stimulating sales, to create interest and up your sales.

Lead generation is necessary for every type of business, large or small niche leads. B2C or B2B’s alike are you going to see benefits. More than those who simply downloaded your whitepaper, these are untapped resources that are there for the taking, if you have the right techniques!

Rather than having your marketing employees cold calling all day, utilize their time more wisely by tapping into more modern ways of finding leads, generating leads, and knowing lead qualifications. Learn how to nurture leads that are ready to buy.

Purpose of Lead Generation

Increase brand awareness and subsequently generate leads that are actually qualified. Build relationships that get you closer to a deal. Your company will grow and see the revenue you’ve been waiting for. You’ll build credibility and prove yourself a valuable part of your revenue team.

Try to find new, creative avenues for this all-too-important lead generation with the tools you have at hand. There’s so much so-called “static” out there for us to cut through, so we have to focus a bit away from email blasts, mass advertising, and marketers. Build relationships with buyers while keeping a clear view of the modern marketing environment.

Customers are more connected these days, through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, blogs, and other social media. These people are less likely to respond to what is called “campaign bait”, as you’ve probably noticed! Create content that people actually want in these days of high stimulation tolerance and stand out from the information overload!

Build an Awesome Google My Business Listing

DUI leads are real-time and very popular with the criminal defense sector. They’re an exclusive approach to lead generation using those with the need to contact a lawyer and search actionable terms.

These include transactional keywords like “best DUI lawyer near me” or “best DWI lawyer near me”. Google is the usually first place they check!

Google will show a map of options directing them to locations near them. These listings will pull from the database associated with “Google My Business” which includes business name, phone number, website, address, and reviews. Google determines the rank and relevance of the search and how the criteria correspond to the profiles.

Common Lead Generation Problems

When you’re generating leads, consider the breakthrough improvements that have come about. Consider the problems that you have and how to solve them. Do you need to generate a high volume of leads or just create a few high-quality leads?

You Need High Volume

Increase your brand awareness, nurture new relationships, and get more sales. Optimize an existing marketing program by rethinking your buyer’s journey, tactics, channels, and audience profiles. Keep those goals, challenges, and customer concerns in mind so you can deliver content that pleases them in contrast to what they’re used to. If your website/business is an eCommerce one, three things are of crucial importance: having good eCommerce plugins, selling competitive products, and restricting shipping to logged-in users. Some would also add exporting orders regularly, but this is more of a personal preference.

ROI of an On-Point Lead Generation Program

Successful lead generation programs depend on the ROI (return on investment). Determining leads that are exceptionally qualified will help you move them along to the sales funnel. This will happen at their own pace if done effectively, and as you know, pressuring customers doesn’t work for the most part.

1. Define Your Leads

What defines a good lead for your company? This can be tricky because there are so many ways to identify such a lead. Look for buying behavior and track it. Use firmographics, demographics, and more to segment and profile your leads. There is also something called BANT, or “budget, authority, need, and time”.

2. Know your Sales Alignment

Sales and marketing have to agree when you’re defining a good lead, and just as much when they’re directed to sales.

Done right, you’ll have a seamless transition, and hopefully an immediate follow-up! These must agree on 2 main categories: sales qualified leads (SQLs) and marketing qualified leads (MQLs).

3. Build Road Map & Score Leads

Know your inbound and outbound efforts. Generate TOFU leads (top-of-funnel), and no, these are not just the vegan leads. Focus on your MOFU leads (middle-of-funnel). Use your best scoring and nurturing techniques to ensure your efforts are worth your time and investment.

4. Optimize & Measure

The more testing you do, the more you know! A/B testing, imagery, multivariate testing, and CTAs (calls to action) are keys to success. Optimize your lead-generation strategies and swim in the results of your success! Dollars will roll in and you’ll know that you were successful in the most current techniques available in lead generation techniques.

Harness Your Marketing Team!

Get your marketing team revved up for the real race ahead of sourcing leads. Nothing could be more important for your bottom line than the customer leads themselves, finicky and picky as they are.

You have nothing to lose if you put your best minds towards this end. Your entire company will thank you.

If you enjoyed this article, read the rest of our blog!

Categories
Business

Everything You Need To Know About Vibration Analysis

Vibration Analysis

Launching a business means minding countless details on your way to your first day of being open. You must secure a working space, manage any legal hoops, and deal with the recruiting and hiring process. Then, there is the small matter of equipping your business.

For e-commerce businesses, that can mean something as small as a laptop and a WiFi router. If you plan on manufacturing things, though, that means some serious equipment. Have you thought about how you’ll monitor that equipment?

One approach is called vibration analysis. Never heard of it before? Keep reading, and we’ll cover the essential information you need to understand it.

What is Vibration Analysis?

Any time you turn on a substantial piece of manufacturing equipment and run it, you can almost always feel the machine running. It’s easy to think of it as just the motor at work, but it goes deeper than that. Those vibrations can come from the motor, ball bearings, fans, and dozens of other components inside the machine.

Vibration analysis tracks those vibrations and uses them as a way to detect anomalies in the machinery. This is an example of condition monitoring.

Tracking and detecting those anomalies lets you engage in some predictive maintenance. Want to know more about predictive maintenance? You can head over here for more info.

It’s particularly useful in letting you find and correct problems before they result in catastrophic failure. It’s almost always faster and cheaper to repair the faulty part in a machine before it reaches that failure.

How Does Vibration Analysis Work?

All of the vibrations in the machine happen across time. On top of that, all of those combined vibrations create what you could think of as the overall or baseline vibration for the entire machine. A sensor captures those vibrations as they happen over time to create a time waveform.

Depending on the sensor and software your use, you can measure the time waveform for the entire machine or dig down and measure those waveforms for specific parts. In most cases, this type of vibration analysis uses an accelerometer attached to the machine.

As an alternative, you can also look at vibrations in terms of the frequency spectrum. You can get at this information with a Fast Fourier Transformation of the time waveform, which typically comes as part of the software suite.

Neither approach is inherently better, but they can reveal different information. Each approach may also prove better suited for looking at particular kinds of information.

For example, looking at the frequency spectrum can reveal information about parts like gears that might remain hidden in a straight time waveform.

Vibration Analysis Equipment

Vibration analysis equipment varies based a little on your needs and your budget. There are numerous sensors, such as:

  • piezoelectric (PZT) sensors
  • microelectromechanical sensors
  • proximity probes

There are even laser-based sensors. The most common type of sensor used is a PZT sensor. These sensors produce voltages that the software can convert into digital information and waveforms.

Once you get the waveforms, you can get into the analysis.

The software is the other main component. In most cases, you get the software from the manufacturer as part of the sensor equipment.

If you don’t get software with the sensor and other physical equipment, there are free and paid software packages built for vibration analysis. These typically offer you basic graphical user interfaces, which allow for general and specific analysis.

Interpreting the Data

In most cases, the layperson will not enjoy much success with vibration analysis. The software may come across as opaque or non-intuitive. On top of that, you may lack the knowledge or experience to know which analysis approach to take to get at the info you need.

To get the most from your vibration analysis equipment, you or an employee will need some vibration analysis training. There are a number of training options available, including online, in-person, and self-study courses.

Most training courses aim to prepare students for the ISO 18436 certification. That certification focuses on condition monitoring and machine diagnostics.

Certification can prove helpful for you or an employee on a professional level. Certification affirms that the person doing the analysis has a firm grasp on the essential. That, in turn, can reassure you that the results you get are accurate.

The exception to this training rule is if you have an engineer on staff at your business. In many cases, they possess the right background and experience to extract meaningful information from the raw data.

Common Problems Found with Vibration Analysis

No matter how well-maintained your machinery, things will eventually start going wrong with it. Simple wear-and-tear will do the job if nothing else. Some of the more common problems that vibration analysis can help you spot include:

  • Imbalances
  • Cavitation
  • Misalignments
  • Loose parts
  • Natural Resonances
  • Gearbox problems
  • Bearing failure

Spotting these types of problems early matters a lot because they almost all happen inside the machines and beyond the reach of your eyes. Correcting these problems will also help your machines keep operating at peak efficiency. The more efficiently the machines work, the more productive value you can get from them.

Vibration Analysis and Your Business

Vibration analysis probably never crossed your mind when you first launched your business. While relatively common, it does take specialized equipment and software. Beyond that, you need someone with the right training on staff to do something with the data.

Once you get up and running, though, vibration analysis can save you a lot of headaches and even money. While getting repairs does take a machine out of service, it’s way less expensive than an abrupt failure that brings production to a screeching halt.

Looking for more tips on managing business equipment? Check out the posts in our Business section.

Categories
Tech

7 Factors To Consider When Choosing Portable Generators

choosing portable generators

Did you know that only five percent of homes in the United States of America have installed generators? Generators are vital to have at your home if you live somewhere that experiences poor weather. You never know when your portable generator will save your life or keep your family comfortable.

There is a lot to consider when choosing portable generators for your family’s needs since there are a ton of options for generators to consider. Each of these has its own portable generator features and comes at its own price. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to learn more about what to consider when you decide to get a generator from your portable generator provider.

Continue reading this article to learn about seven factors that you need to consider before you make your purchase.

1. Fuel Type

There are a number of different types of portable generators that run off of different fuel sources. There are even some portable generators that run off of solar power. The most common types of portable generators use either gasoline or diesel fuel for their power source.

The big benefit of going with diesel or gasoline-powered portable generators is that they produce the largest amount of watts. If the power goes out and your home needs electricity for your appliances then you’ll have no issues with continuing to keep things running. It is possible that you’ll even have enough power to run your HVAC off of your generator.

You’ll need to be ready to have some fuel stored away for keeping your generator up and running should you get left without power for a period of days. Solar portable generators are great because you can run them inside without putting anyone in harm’s way. They’re also silent, which is a nice change of pace compared to gasoline and diesel generators.

They produce much lower amounts of power compared to the other types of portable generators, so if you need the power to run your whole house then a solar generator won’t be a good pick for your home.

2. Pricing

Depending on the type and the size of the generator that you choose to get for your home, your price tag could be anywhere between $500 and $4,000. You’ll want to make sure that you get a generator that meets your needs while also fitting within your budget. A good way to do this is to compare generator prices and features.

When it comes to generators that use fuel as their power source, the more power the generator creates the more expensive it will be. This is especially true if you want a generator that will keep your lights and appliances on for days on end. Generators that use new technologies like solar power, as the titan power generator, will also be more expensive to purchase.

3. Power Output

The most important thing when it comes to the performance of a generator is the power output it is capable of. You’ll want to do research in order to figure out the power requirements to keep important appliances like your refrigerator running.

Most of the appliances in your home have labels or sticks that will help you figure out how much power they need to stay running off of your generator. It is also a good idea to talk with an electrician to get advice on the power outputs that they recommend for your home and generator needs.

Another important thing to think about is the basic needs that your household needs in order to survive during a blackout. This is especially important if you live somewhere that gets frigid winters as the temperature inside of your home will plummet the longer you go without power and heat.

4. Generator Performance

You should also do your research into how the different generators you’re considering perform. A great way to do this is by going online to different generator vendors and reading the online customer reviews for each type of generator that you’re interested in.

Most of the generator models that run off of gasoline or diesel will tell you how long the generator will stay running on one full tank of fuel. You’ll also want to look at the power outputs on continuous mode versus peak performance. You’ll want to make sure that the continuous power from your generator meets the needs of your home.

5. Portability

One of the great benefits of a portable generator is that it is mobile. This makes it the perfect companion for camping trips as well as tailgating at your favorite sporting events. Make sure that the generator you purchase is easy to move and load into vehicles. This will ensure that you can take it with you wherever you’ll need it.

6. Portable Generator Features

One thing that really sets some generators apart from the rest is the features that they bring to the table. There are features like automatic start and electric start for generators that run on fuel. Some even come with fuel stabilizers and an economy mode to help you get the most out of the fuel you’re putting into your generator.

Be sure to do your research into the different features that you’ll get with your new portable generator.

7. Safety

When it comes to generators, one of the most important things to consider is safety. This is especially true with fuel-powered portable generators since they produce dangerous exhaust fumes. This is where solar generators really set themselves apart. Solar generates can get placed and run inside of your home without putting anyone in harm’s way.

Make sure that your fuel-powered portable generator is in a place where the exhaust fumes will vent in the proper way while the generator is running.

Start the Process of Choosing Portable Generators Today

You never know when you’ll need your portable generator, but it is nice to have it when the power goes out. One of the keys to choosing portable generators is finding ones that will meet the electrical needs of your household. You also want to make sure that you stay within your budget when purchasing a generator from your portable generator provider.

For more insightful articles on a range of topics, check out our blog.

Categories
Automotive

How Much Does Truck Wrapping Cost?

truck wrapping

With vehicle advertising generates between 30,000-70,000 views daily, it’s easy to see why the vehicle wrap business is beginning to boom. Whether you are a small business owner and just want to use your truck, or own a fleet of vehicles, truck wrapping will get your business name out among the public.

Aside from advertising, vinyl wrapping has a myriad of benefits, such as protecting your new car or being able to change the color without lowering the resale value of the vehicle. If you are finding yourself repainting it more often than you would like because of the weather or road conditions where you live, car wrapping might be the thing you need.

Continue reading to find out why your vehicle might benefit from a wrap and how much it’s going to cost you.

What Is Truck Wrapping?

When you get a truck wrap, your vehicle is covered with sheets of vinyl made specifically for outdoor use. The wraps will help protect from the elements, such as driving on gravel or dirt roads, as well as protection from the rain.

If you are getting a wrap whose main purpose is to protect, it will be clear and allow your original color to shine through. In recent years, color wraps have become popular as they are a cheaper way to change vehicle color than a re-paint. Since the vinyl can be peeled off without damaging the color underneath, it’s easy to change colors.

Advertising wraps have decals, slogans, and company colors printed onto the vinyl.

Full Wrap or Partial Wrap?

The first thing that will determine how much your truck wrap will cost is how much of your truck you intend to have covered. A full wrap will enclose your entire vehicle body, while partial wraps do what their name suggests and limit how much of the vehicle the wrap covers.

Most external parts of a car can be covered by a wrap. This includes the fender, bumper, mirrors, lights, and tailgate. The more of the vehicle you want to be wrapped, the higher the cost will be.

Size of Your Truck

The larger your truck, the higher the cost will be, especially with a full wrap. If you are using your vehicle for advertising only, choosing doors, or the back of the truck for your logo would be more cost-effective than having your whole vehicle wrapped, especially if your logo or slogan might change.

For a full wrap, you will be looking at a starting price of around $1,500 and depending on color, slogan design, or features on your truck, can go up to $6,000.

Get Bids

Shopping around and asking for bids will guarantee that you are getting the lowest price for this service. Be sure to give details about what you want and know your vehicle information so that the quote is accurate. Companies like Supreme Wraps AZ will allow you to get a quote online in just a few steps.

Your Truck Deserves a Wrap

Whether you decide on a full truck wrap or a partial, truck wrapping will save you money, can help you advertise, and keep your vehicle looking fresh. Utilizing a wrap on your truck, no matter the reason, is a safe bet for helping your vehicle stay top-notch on the outside.

If this article was enlightening, be sure to read more like it from our Automotive section.