How To Go From Blank Page To Self-Published Author

How To Go From Blank Page To Self-Published Author written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Chandler Bolt

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Chandler Bolt. Chandler Bolt is an investor, advisor, the CEO of Self-Publishing School & SelfPublishing.com, and the author of 6 bestselling books. Self Publishing School is an INC 5000 company for the last 3 years in a row as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the US. Chandler is also the host of the 7 Figure Principles Podcast and the Self Publishing School Podcast. Through his books, podcasts, YouTube channels, and Self-Publishing School, he’s helped thousands of people write a book that grows their income, impact, and business.

Key Takeaway:

Who really needs a book? Well, the short answer is everyone. Writing a book is the best way to grow your impact, your income, and your business. And there’s something really great about doing work once and then having that work live forever. But… what do you write about? How do you even get started? And how do you publish your work?

In this episode, I spoke with Chandler Bolt — CEO and Founder of Self-Publishing School — about how to write and publish books successfully. He’s helped tons of people save 100s of hours, save $1,000s of dollars, publish books they’re proud of, and sell 1,000+ more copies in their first year.

Questions I Ask Chandler Bolt:

• [0:58] How do you answer the question I’m sure you hear all of the time: “Do I need a book?”
• [2:08] How do you get someone thinking about a book that’s going to make a difference?
• [4:47] What are the pros and cons to the self-publishing route versus the route that maybe some people are more familiar with which is going with the book publisher and being sold in bookstores?
• [5:10] How do you help people work through finding what the best option is for them?
• [10:12] What do you do when somebody comes in and says, “I know I need a book, but I’m just not a good writer”?
• [14:04] What are some of the key differences between a business audience that you’re writing for, and a fiction writer or someone who’s going to have a very much a consumer as their audience?
• [17:40] What’s your advice for how somebody should approach editing or editors in the self-publishing world?
• [20:51] What are the five foundational things that that authors need to be doing when launching a book?

More About Chandler Bolt:

• His company: Self-Publishing School
• Schedule a book strategy call: https://self-publishingschool.com/apply/

More About The Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network

• Check it out at https://ducttapemarketing.com/how-to-build-a-local-marketing-system/

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Monday.com.

There are a lot of tools out there to help companies get work done. We recently switched over to a tool called Monday, and we love it. Monday is more than just a project management tool. You can use it in many ways to run your entire business, marketing, sales, task management, even recruiting, and certainly project management. Check it out yourself here.

 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/how-to-go-from-blank-page-to-self-published-author/

The post How To Go From Blank Page To Self-Published Author appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/how-to-go-from-blank-page-to-self-published-author/

Using Social Media to Promote Giving

Social media is an excellent way of not only promoting charitable giving; but also of transforming the way philanthropy is viewed. According to communications professional Josh Nass, the proper way to give is nonexistent. In other words, it is really something open to both interpretation and creativity. That subjectivity has been capitalized on in recent years, through the advent of all sorts of digital tools that have streamlined the process.

We’ve seen charity campaign platforms that have been developed over time that have sought to revolutionize the way people give charity. Indeed the advent of the internet has helped mobilize coalitions representing diverse backgrounds of people who are giving money to worthy causes that they are passionate about.

From a social media standpoint, Josh Nass believes this is a trend that will only accelerate with time. Ultimately, there’s little doubt it is having a wonderfully constructive effect of making philanthropy more available to people of all backgrounds.

The magnitude or sizes of donations that people contribute is of little material significance. It is the act of benevolence itself, that has and deserves to be recognized. As giving becomes more available to people of all persuasions and backgrounds, philanthropy itself will be redefined for the better.

The post Using Social Media to Promote Giving appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/business-innovation-2/using-social-media-to-promote-giving/

The post Using Social Media to Promote Giving appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/using-social-media-to-promote-giving/

How To Stand Out In A Noisy World

How To Stand Out In A Noisy World written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Mark Schaefer

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Mark Schaefer. Mark is a globally recognized speaker, educator, business consultant, and author of books such as KNOWN, Marketing Rebellion, and his newest book — Cumulative Advantage: How to Build Momentum for your Ideas, Business, and Life Against All Odds.

Key Takeaway:

The world is noisy, and standing out today is difficult. At its essence, marketing today is about answering one question: “How can we be heard?” If we don’t already have advantages like a big powerful website or years and years of content, how can we build momentum? What can we do to give us more hope to stand out?

Mark Schaefer set out to answer these questions. The world is stacked against us in big ways and small, and in this episode, Mark shares new ideas to help us build the unstoppable momentum needed to rise above these barricades.

Questions I Ask Mark Schaefer:

• [1:14] You told me about your idea for the new book and the sort of impetus for it was this, this research that you had found from the sixties called the Matthew Effect. Can you unpack that a little and tell us what exactly led you to write your most recent book, Cumulative Advantage?
• [4:36] You use Tim Ferris’s story as a case study in your book. At one point, Tim Ferris was a nobody — was there something that he did that made things tip in his favor?
• [7:02] What are some of these ‘seams’ as you call them that opens up and allows new players to run in?
• [8:56] How do we start looking for tears in the status quo?
• [10:23] In your book, you talk about once you find the tear in the seam, you then have to blow it up. Does this come down to resources or luck?
• [15:12] What is constancy of purpose?

More About Mark Schaefer:

• His book: Cumulative Advantage: How to Build Momentum for your Ideas, Business, and Life Against All Odds.
• The free resources & study guide: https://businessesgrow.com/
• His podcast: The Marketing Companion

More About The Certified Marketing Manager Program Powered by Duct Tape Marketing

• Check it out at https://ducttapemarketing.com/certified-marketing-manager/

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Monday.com.

There are a lot of tools out there to help companies get work done. We recently switched over to a tool called Monday, and we love it. Monday is more than just a project management tool. You can use it in many ways to run your entire business, marketing, sales, task management, even recruiting, and certainly project management. Check it out yourself here.

 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/how-to-stand-out-in-a-noisy-world/

The post How To Stand Out In A Noisy World appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/how-to-stand-out-in-a-noisy-world/

Do More Of What You Love And Automate Everything Else

Do More Of What You Love And Automate Everything Else written by Sara Nay read more at Duct Tape Marketing

 

Agency Spark Podcast with With Natalie Furness

The Agency Spark Podcast, hosted by Sara Nay, is a collection of interviews from thought leaders in the marketing consultancy and agency space. Each episode is designed to spark ideas you can put into practice for your agency today. Check out the new Spark Lab Consulting website here!

In this episode of the Agency Spark Podcast, Sara interviews Natalie Furness. Natalie started as a freelancer in 2006 and is now an award-winning entrepreneur, she is also the CEO and founder of NIAM Marketing and Atlasales, she provides account-based sales training programs. She is passionate about automating sales and marketing operations to build scalable systems for revenue growth. 

Questions Sara asks Natalie Furness:

• Talk to me about your journey from freelancer to now owning your own international marketing agency?
• Were there any specific challenges you faced transitioning from freelance to more of an agency?
• Do you have or focus on any particular processes in your agency?
• What’s the first step you take when helping a business explore automation?
• How do you help your clients find the right tech stack for them?
• What are some examples of really impactful ways people can automate their business?
• Is there a fear that too much automation and technology will hurt the human experience element?
• Is there anything that you would not recommend automating?
• Tell me about your International Academy of Automation?

Learn more about Natalie Furness:

• NIAM Marketing
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Email: natalie@niammarketing.com

 

This episode of the Agency Spark Podcast is brought to you by Airborne, a sales engagement platform. Learn more about how to set your team up for success at Airborneapp.io. Sales Engagement Platforms are fundamental to the Modern Tech Stack. Airborne delivers everything you would expect from a Sales Engagement Platform and then some. Get the most out of every interaction and make your team more effective with Airborne. 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/do-more-of-what-you-love-and-automate-everything-else/

The post Do More Of What You Love And Automate Everything Else appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/do-more-of-what-you-love-and-automate-everything-else/

Beating Adversity With The Power of 3

Beating Adversity With The Power of 3 written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Robb Hiller

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Robb Hiller. Robb is the CEO of Performance SolutionsMN. He is nationally known for his expertise in talent selection, executive coaching, team development, sales, and leadership building.

Key Takeaway:

Robb Hiller has taught the Power of 3 for many years in his work, but it came into much sharper focus as he was battling a health challenge in his life.

In this podcast episode, Robb authentically shares his story about how used the Power of 3 to overcome the major adversity he faced unexpectedly in his life. He dives into how this method gives you easy-to-use, practical tools to help overcome stressful challenges and adversity in your life, and become a better person and leader.

Questions I Ask Robb Hiller:

• [1:29] The power of three is something you’ve taught for years, but it came into sharper focus while battling a health challenge — can you tell your story?
• [14:25] So your Power of 3 Framework is “ask, activate, and advocate” — when you work with someone, how would you suggest someone implement this?
• [15:37] How do people apply this framework in the day-to-day world?

More About Robb Hiller:

• The Power of 3: Beat Adversity, Find Authentic Purpose, Live a Better Life
• Free assessment: Robbhiller.com

More About The Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network

• Check it out at https://ducttapemarketing.com/marketing-consultants/

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Quality Edge.

Vesta steel siding is one of the fastest-growing siding products on the market. It’s made up of one of the strongest and most recyclable materials on the planet — it can withstand anything mother nature can throw at it. Vesta has won designer awards because of its patent design, rich solid colors, plank-like profile, and natural-looking wood-grain look that doesn’t require any homeowner maintenance. Be the first on your block to style your home with a bold, innovative solution that looks amazing for the life of your home. Check it out at www.qualityedge.com/vesta.

 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/beating-adversity-with-the-power-of-3/

The post Beating Adversity With The Power of 3 appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/beating-adversity-with-the-power-of-3/

Lead generation strategies for newly launched products

What is the most important part of launching a new product? Is it the product itself? Is it having enough stock? How about an incredibly slick and well-designed product page?

No. the most important thing when launching a new product is that you’ve got a fully functioning and well-thought-out lead generation strategy ready to go. You can have the best product in the world, beautifully displayed in the universe’s most well-designed product page, but if you haven’t got a way to get people to the product, you just aren’t going to do as well as you want to.

People in the marketing biz talk a lot about lead generation, and they should – but if you’re a small business owner just launching a new line or you’re only just entering the field, it can be hard to understand what they’re actually talking about. So, what is lead generation, and what are the best lead generation strategies for newly launched products?

What is lead generation?

Lead generation is just that, generating leads. It’s getting consumers to take an interest in your product or service and leading them to make a purchase or enquiry as a result. When a product becomes well established, the lead generation settles into itself and gets helped along by other customers’ reviews and recommendations – but with a new product, it takes thought and planning to make sure the right people are seeing your products at the right time.

What are some lead generation techniques?

Some of the most basic lead generation techniques are things you probably have heard of but perhaps didn’t realized they’re part of lead generation. For example, marketers talk a lot about SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, which improves your ranking on Google and therefore gets more customers’ eyes on your site. Other techniques include effective use of social media, blogging, and online marketing videos.

Which techniques are best for newly launched products?

Creating a compelling landing page

We may have made fun of the well-designed website at the expense of all else earlier – but having a well-designed website is essential for lead generation, especially when launching a new product. The mistake many people make is focusing on aesthetics rather than function. While visual design is certainly important and helps to establish your brand, what you need to focus on is designing a website that leads your customer from the information to the product to the checkout screen smoothly. A poor user experience is a huge barrier to people actually completing a purchase or enquiry.

The best way to combat this is to create a compelling landing page, rather than a pretty one. Creating a landing page that makes people want to click that next button and move forward with this product is the best lead generation you’re going to get. Luckily this isn’t something you have to spend thousands of dollars on with a pro designer – there are so many tools out there nowadays, you can happily use a landing page creator when building your website and avoid spending the big bucks.

Utilize your existing base

Remember all the work you put into gathering a base of customer email addresses? And remember those weekly email blasts you send out with news about the company, to those who have subscribed? This is where it all pays off.

This is the perfect platform to use to get your new product out there. These is a list of people who are already interested in you and what you have to offer – they are almost infinitely more likely to actually engage with a new product release than a brand new customer. While most of your energy should go towards generating new leads and attracting new customers to your brand, you would be smart to utilize your existing loyal customers when it comes to lead generation for a newly launched product.

Show off your research

Having a white paper written on the background, context, or efficacy of your product is a surprisingly great way to generate leads. Although it’s not the most sparkly method of marketing a product, many new products have to wait months for enough good reviews to build up that it gives them a good reputation – have a well written and well-researched white paper showing how and why your product is useful and relevant establishes that authority right out of the gate, so even right at the beginning customers can feel assured of the quality of the product without reviews.

So to recap, there are a huge number of ways to generate leads, from indirect lead generation that comes from blogging and SEO to more direct lead generation that comes from email marketing and well-designed landing pages. For newly launched products, what gets people interested is obviously quality, authority, and a good user experience. So, for a new product launch make sure you have designed a compelling landing page that generates sales, that you make use of your existing customer base, and that you have the research and value of your new product right in the customer’s line of sight

The post Lead generation strategies for newly launched products appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/search-engine-optimization-2/lead-generation-strategies-for-newly-launched-products/

The post Lead generation strategies for newly launched products appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/lead-generation-strategies-for-newly-launched-products/

Social Media and Its Influence On Home Decor

Home décor has been a famous consumer activity market for a decade now. The increase in the home décor market increases significantly, including the rising economies where domestic accessories and related merchandise gain high acceptance in the home décor mark this issue in the domestic décor market is estimated to amplify at some stage in the projection length due to the greater of the true property business enterprise in the large cities and the transformation from frequent to city dwelling.

The existence of manufacturers on conventional social media has grown to be unavoidable. However, having a mere existence is no longer enough. The formal company web page or the take care of wishes to signify the target audience’s central price and consumers.

These factors vary from brand to brand, but exact essentials continue to be continuous. For example, content on a home décor company will be diverse to a fashion brand. Though the basic components of content formation will continue to be the same, the last product will be closely influenced via the goal audience of a unique brand.

Impact of websites

Social media has modified the domestic diagram and decor industry. Websites like DNA11 are being used with DIY house owners and expert designers alike, so the imparting world gets entry to resources and permits searchers to tap into superb Genius through social media conversations and groups. The days of flipping through sample books and plan magazines, and searching at DIY TV shows, are fading into obscurity.

DNA11 has revolutionized the concept market, and it affects domestic decor. Most of the famous domestic decor websites in the maximum receive referrals through websites bring dozens of extraordinary structure patterns in your dwelling room. From an easy DIY notion for your garage to designing your complete apartment, DNA11  has it all.

Social media is influencing our dream homes by altering the way we dream about them! For starters, social media has kindled an interest in aesthetics and design. People across the world now have the right to entry to extraordinary assets when designing their very own living spaces. Social media, and its tools, let them experiment with colors, patterns and finishes – frequently for free. These websites have become THE region for humans to draw inspiration and find ways to make their residences a manifestation of their personality.

Stats

44% of house owners aged 18-44 use social networks, such as Pinterest or Instagram, like planning tasks to choose home enhancement suggests and TV networks like HGTV. Correlated to the 29% of house owners forty-five and over who answered similarly would show off that this turn to social media is a generational shift. Additionally, the discovery out positioned 52% to take the 50/50 DIY approach. A domestic renovation challenge would possibly select to paint their house; however, it would depart things like plumbing and electrical strength to the professionals.

And when it comes to renovating their space, 36% of contributors said an alternative to a kitchen or bathtub would be a priority. The one difficulty that’s stayed identical notwithstanding social media’s upward push in influence? Money. 61% of these surveyed stated that they determine funds earlier than tackling any domestic enhancement venture.

Social Media apps

Today, we have Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, among many distinctive social media shops placing our vision immediately in front of us. We scroll through social media and see pics of our dream kitchen or our great bedroom. We spot the so that it would fit flawlessly in the living room or a bench that, in the end, fits the mudroom. 

Rather than having to go to a friend’s house, to the department store, or even venturing beyond your bedroom, you can sketch your dream home in a few minutes with a few easy clicks and swipes of your finger on. The home industry has exploded in the previous few years.

Social Media influence 

Social media has also allowed organizations to tune how many human beings are involved in positive products or services through likes, retweets, and pins. Stores can submit their products to clients instantly, which lets followers see every new product as it arrives. With online selections being simply available, fewer humans are coming into stores to seem to be at products. 

However, it permits clients to show enterprises exactly what they are looking for when they arrive in the store, simplifying the shopping procedure and cutting down on the time clients need to spend. Social media posts additionally help customers find well-matched objects by displaying matters related to their searches and likes. This additionally helps organizations to join with customers and customize their shopping experience.

Resource for Humans

Social media can also be held in charge of the main enlarge in the range of humans interested in aesthetics and design. Social media has furnished human beings with greater resources to design their residences and acquire their preferred look. People can spend countless hours looking through lots of design thoughts from the alleviation of their homes, inspiring them to redesign their residences regularly.

Years ago, we would get our domestic to our “ideal” and go away it that way for several years.  People are fast to follow and look out for home décor trends, consistently re-doing rooms to shape their modern find. Social media has also motivated human beings to share greater which helps to affect one-of-a-kind design trends.

The post Social Media and Its Influence On Home Decor appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-research-2/social-media-and-its-influence-on-home-decor/

The post Social Media and Its Influence On Home Decor appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/social-media-and-its-influence-on-home-decor/

Weekend Favs April 24

Weekend Favs April 24 written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

My weekend blog post routine includes posting links to a handful of tools or great content I ran across during the week.

I don’t go into depth about the finds, but encourage you to check them out if they sound interesting. The photo in the post is a favorite for the week from an online source or one that I took out there on the road.

• Highly– A social media share tooltip to boost interactions with your content and increase post shares.
• Piktochart -Turn one video into multiple content pieces. Automatically convert video to text and edit like a document. Download & share on social media. Start for free!
• Reedsy– Reedsy allows authors to find and work with the best publishing professionals: from developmental editors to book cover designers, publicists and translators.

These are my weekend favs, I would love to hear about some of yours – Tweet me @ducttape

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/weekend-favs-april-24/

The post Weekend Favs April 24 appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/weekend-favs-april-24/

How To Adapt And Thrive In The Hard Hit Travel And Tourism Industry

How To Adapt And Thrive In The Hard Hit Travel And Tourism Industry written by Sara Nay read more at Duct Tape Marketing

 

Agency Spark Podcast with With Darryl Leniuk

The Agency Spark Podcast, hosted by Sara Nay, is a collection of interviews from thought leaders in the marketing consultancy and agency space. Each episode is designed to spark ideas you can put into practice for your agency today.

In this episode of the Agency Spark Podcast, Sara interviews Darryl Leniuk. Darryl has been in the Duct Tape Marketing Network for 3 years now. He comes from a background as a journalist and his niche is tourism marketing and public relations. He’s passionate about helping premium tour operators, adventure travel businesses and outdoor brands drive sales with strategic online marketing and powerful storytelling. With nearly two decades’ experience working in travel media, he brings a powerful skillset to the table. Aventur Marketing’s strategy-before-tactics approach has helped grow tourism businesses around the world, with industry-leading digital marketing tactics and public relations.

Questions Sara asks Darryl Leniuk:

• What influenced you to launch your own marketing agency?
• How are able to use your background in the travel and tourism industry as a marketing consultant today?
• How do you help your clients uncover their unique story to tell?
• With COVID greatly impacting your niche, what did 2020 look like for your clients?
• How have your clients marketing efforts changed since the pandemic?
• How do you see COVID impacting the tourism industry long-term?
• Can you walk me through the different phases of your client process?
• When do you incorporate metrics and tracking into working with clients?
• How often do you communicate with your clients on the different metrics?
• Is there anything you know now that you wish you would’ve known when you were first getting started?

Learn more about Darryl Leniuk:

• Company website: Aventur Marketing
• LinkedIn Profile

 

This episode of the Agency Spark Podcast is brought to you by Airborne, a sales engagement platform. Learn more about how to set your team up for success at Airborneapp.io. Sales Engagement Platforms are fundamental to the Modern Tech Stack. Airborne delivers everything you would expect from a Sales Engagement Platform and then some. Get the most out of every interaction and make your team more effective with Airborne. 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/adapt-and-thrive-in-the-travel-and-tourism-industry/

The post How To Adapt And Thrive In The Hard Hit Travel And Tourism Industry appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/how-to-adapt-and-thrive-in-the-hard-hit-travel-and-tourism-industry/

Social Media Marketing: 10 Trends in Social Networks That Will Mark 2021

In 2020, the world had to take a big leap forward in digitization, and many sectors had to adapt, including marketing and communication. Fueled by the constant evolution of technology, social networks benefit from an endless stream of new trends, features, and platforms. 

After a year under the onslaught of a global pandemic, the trends are changing. More than ever, social networks are a link to animate its community and even expand it.

Thanks to them, you will be able to generate more and better-qualified traffic, you will be able to attract new targets and retain your customers. However, to achieve this, you must also take into account new trends. In this blog post, we review 10 social media trends for 2021.

10 Social Media Marketing Trends for 2021

Social networks have become a very important pillar of digital marketing. It is difficult to find a marketing strategy that does not include the use of social networks (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn …) However, for the use of social networks to be effective and the strategies implemented to be solid it is vital to know the factors that will shape these platforms during 2021:

• Social Selling

Social selling is not just the creation of social media profiles by your marketing and sales teams. Social selling is a process of finding, selecting, listening to, and interacting with potential prospects through social media. It makes it possible to detect, accelerate and/or develop business.

In recent years the use of Social Selling has grown a lot, promoting electronic commerce within social networks. This, without a doubt, marks the future and trends of social media since it helps that users of social networks do not have to leave a platform to make a purchase. And not only this. From 2020 we will be able to see how different social networks launch new e-commerce functions so that companies can sell their products, as for example, Instagram Shopping did.

The recent explosion in social selling reminds us that shopping has always been a social experience. And given the wealth of opportunities for brands today to make sales, social feeds are fast becoming the more modern way than to get to the mall.

• Use of Audiovisual Content

Audiovisual content will continue to top the list of main trends in social networks during 2021. Some experts already predict that about 80% of the content we consume will be video in the coming years. The main reasons why video is positioned as one of the great trends are the following: audiovisual content is much more attractive and, also because nowadays it is easy to do with medium and high-quality smartphones.

You know, video is the queen of the web! It is found everywhere: on websites, social networks, YouTube-type hosts, marketing campaigns; and for your content to have a chance of being seen by the most people, you must optimize it according to the algorithms of each platform. Each channel has its preferred codes and formats, and this year the algorithms will be even more demanding. The trend is towards VSEO (Video Search Engine Optimization). This practice refers to optimizing audiovisual content to make it stand out highest in search results.

• Use of Artificial Intelligence

AI is gaining importance in content marketing. It makes it possible to target an increasingly precise audience but also to create content. This latest trend is expected to take hold in 2021. While machines are still struggling to replace humans when it comes to pure writing, AI tools like Copy.AI are already helping to prepare advertisements or newsletters.

Online background removal tools also help create images that can be used for social media marketing campaigns. Artificial intelligence is therefore, becoming a powerful ally for publishing content on a large scale and ensuring global visibility. 

• Collaborating with Micro-influencers and Virtual influencers

In 2021, two important figures in the world of social networks are expected to occupy an important place: micro-influencers and virtual influencers.

Virtual influencers are humanoids who are succeeding on social media. A clear example is Lil Miquela, a virtual influencer who has already been trusted by major brands in the world of fashion. These influencers, not being human, do not make mistakes or get carried away by emotions, which is why brands trust them so much.

The phenomenon of micro or nano-influencers is not new but continues to develop at a rapid pace. With a more limited but also more targeted audience and thanks to their level of engagement often higher than influencers with a greater number of followers, micro or nano-influencers are ultimately more influential. On the other hand, because these influencers create their own content and directly manage their accounts, they are able to convey a more personal and authentic tone that resonates with their followers. It’s also easier for brands to get in touch with them.

In 2020, 46.4% of brand mentions with the hashtag #ad were posted by Instagram accounts with between 1,000 and 20,000 followers (classified as micro-influencers). In 2021, HypeAuditor predicts that more brands will collaborate with micro-influencers, and the paid placement share featuring #ad will increase to 50%. As a result, with brands opting for more sophisticated partnering strategies, influencers will specialize more on a particular topic. Thus influencers developing more generic content will become scarce.

• Instant Messaging Advertising

WhatsApp’s announcement that, in 2020, it would begin to include advertising in the app, has generated great excitement and expectation, due to the accumulation of opportunities and avant-garde that this represents. 

The challenge is great because, although Facebook and Instagram already have the stories feature, it is true that WhatsApp is an app of a different nature and use, so it will be necessary to find a way to encourage the user to constantly visit this section; there are still a lot of people who never take a tour of this section.

On the other hand, as we know, Facebook Messenger already has different advertising formats that range from sponsored messages, messages sent by brands with which the user has already interacted, in addition to Facebook ads with a button to start a conversation via Messenger to request more information.

In addition to advertisements, brands can give other uses to instant messaging applications (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Telegram) in the same way that email marketing or SMS marketing campaigns are carried out; that is, creating a subscriber database to send them regular communications that add value. Among the brands that have already engaged in these practices with great success are KLM Airlines and Hellmann’s.

• Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the most exciting social media trends nowadays. This technology is not only limited to games. It is also applied in different applications both desktop and mobile, eCommerce, and in product marketing.

Spark AR by Facebook is an upcoming social media content creator that enables you to create and apply AR filters for your social media posts. It is a powerful tool designed for the Facebook camera and allows you to distribute it to other social media platforms like Instagram and Messenger. You can check out the latest experiments and filters for this tool through joining Spark AR’s community on Facebook.

• Virtual reality

Virtual Reality creates a different experience compared to AR as it requires one to immerse into a completely different world or environment. By letting consumers virtually experience a product, place, or a device’s functionality, it can enhance significantly their interest and makes your product more exciting and share-worthy.

Good VR technology investments can surely amplify your social media presence. This video by Mbryonic enumerates some of the most exciting VR marketing campaigns that you can also take inspiration from and apply on your own marketing campaigns. 

• User-generated content

Relying on the content of followers has many advantages for companies. Among them, it stands out that they generate greater trust and this has an impact on engagement. Don’t confuse this trend with the influencers’ trend. In this case, we are referring to fans of a brand who publish their opinion about the brand, about a product or service, etc.

Because of the reputation of devices like Reels from Instagram or Stitch from TikTok, UGC(User Generated Content) has attained a higher degree of personalization. Thanks to these tools, which have removed technical barriers, anyone can easily remix or adapt content from other users and share it on networks to express their ideas, opinions, and points of view. As a brand, you should make things easier for your audience, create content that can be mixed and provide your brand resources to users.

• Personalization

To offer customers what they want, personalization will prevail throughout 2021. ‘Social listening’ allows companies to know the reputation of the brand and, above all, the mentions that users make of their brand and products. All this allows the services and products to be offered to the client in a more personalized and effective way.

This is the case of search engines with recommendations. One of the clearest examples of personalization can be found in the content catalog that Netflix offers its users, with which it recommends series and movies based on the content they consume. Personalized marketing is also applied through the sending of emails based on user behavior. That email that you receive in your mail, reminding you that you have left several items in the basket and that you are one click away from getting them.

Tools based on artificial intelligence allow you to reach high levels of customization. Although if you want to start with simple tools that allow you to identify, capture and interact with your users, you can bet on online marketing campaigns. For example surveys, quizzes, voting, etc.

• Social welfare

With social welfare, the study refers to the awareness that is generated about the impact of social networks on our mental health. According to the statistics of the analysis, this year there were 78.0K conversations about well-being on social networks. In fact, National Disconnection Day garnered more than 3.3K mentions (the use of the #DigitalDetox hashtag should be noted).

This is also related to one of the novelties of the year and that is that Instagram is already trying to hide the likes to avoid the pressure of the exposure of popularity among users. “Increased awareness of the link between social media and mental health means that users are more aware of what they allow to influence them and more skeptical than before.” (Jualia Bramble from Bramblebuzz.co.uk).

Our challenge as brands in the networks is to avoid toxicity, content saturation, and, consequently, misinformation; but also draw the attention of our followers promoting a healthier life. Quality will be the protagonist over quantity.

The Power of Social Media

Social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, etc. are gradually establishing themselves as intermediaries between the media and their readers. Here, we have 5 points that display the power of social media:

• Social Media as a Marketing Channel

There are several ways on how this can be. Market research, brand recognition, lead generation, relationship development, customer service, etc. These are the best ways that social media can help people and organizations connect online to share information and ideas. 

While networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are not the oldest form of social networks, they definitely define them now. These channels started as relatively simple services, but these days,  since the mobile internet innovation, these systems have transformed into focal points that change every facet of modern life – from checking the news, posting holiday photos, to browsing for jobs and careers – into a communal encounter. If you’re not already using these core networks as part of your social media marketing plan or looking for ideas to improve your existing strategy, you’ll find a wealth of information in our guides for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

• Social Media as Multimedia Content Exchange Networks

Media sharing networks offer people and brands a place to find and share media content online, including photos, video, and live video. The distinction with social sharing communities from social media is still blurry since social networks such as Twitter and Facebook add augmented reality, live video, among other media utilities to their program. However, what distinguishes media content sharing networks is that media content sharing is their defining and primary goal.

Similarly, on sites like YouTube and Vimeo, video is the primary mode of communication.

When determining whether or not your business needs to establish a presence on a media sharing network, it is important to consider your available resources. If it’s that one element that very successful platforms like Instagram and YouTube have in their arsenal, it’s a well-planned objective and meticulously mapped multimedia resources that strictly follow a specific theme.

• Social Media as a Platform for Information Exchange

These networks can be excellent resources for market research. If used properly, you can also advertise on them, although you will need to be careful to separate your ads and posts. Discussion boards are one of the oldest forms of social media. Before we connected with our first friends from college on Facebook, we would talk about pop culture, current issues, and ask for help on forums. Observe the massive, widespread consumer rates on forums such as Quora, Reddit, and Digg. You will discover that the populace’s desire for cumulative information and insight remains steadfast.

• Social Media as Bookmark Networks and Content Organizers

These networks can be highly effective in driving brand awareness, customer engagement, and website traffic. Content organizing and bookmarking networks help people discover, save, share and analyze new and popular new content and multimedia. These networks are a breeding ground for creativity and inspiration for people looking for information and ideas, and by adding them to your social media marketing plan, you will open new channels to generate brand recognition and engagement with your audience and customers.

1. Social Media as Consumer Review Networks

Positive reviews present social proof of claims. If they are taken care of well, you can solve the problems of dissatisfied customers. Consumer review networks give people a place to comment on brands, companies, products, services, tourist spots, and just about anything. Consumer reviews through social media networks go one step further by creating networks around the review as a fundamental part of the value they provide.

Your Turn:

So far, the digital marketing trends for 2021 seem to revolve around two different, but almost contradictory, concepts. First, it is a general improvement, focusing on real problems and adapting content to cater to the individual for more intimate engagement, rather than mass allure. The second is a much more mechanical and technical optimization, tweaking areas behind the scenes like SEO and the way campaigns are structured.

Above, we’ve covered 10 of the hottest social media trends for the year 2021, to give you an edge over your competition. Take these marketing trends to heart and consider them when you design your own digital marketing strategy for the new year.

Author Bio:

Yen Pedrajas is an eCommerce and digital marketing writer who loves to share ideas and create strategies about social media and content marketing for start-ups, small and medium businesses. Read her work at Medium.  Currently, she manages public relations for Removal.AI, an AI-powered technology that can automatically remove image background and a photo editing software used for photo editing ideally for eCommerce, printing and all other app and web development purposes.  

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Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/content-sections/news-and-noise/social-media-marketing-10-trends-in-social-networks-that-will-mark-2021/

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from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/social-media-marketing-10-trends-in-social-networks-that-will-mark-2021/

The Modern Guide to Public Relations in 2021

The Modern Guide to Public Relations in 2021 written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Amy Rosenberg

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Amy Rosenberg. Amy learned PR in the trenches — working her way up from intern to management at two marketing agencies before starting her own PR firm, Veracity. As the firm’s president, she oversees the blending of digital strategies with classic PR tactics to favorably position clients both online and in traditional media. Amy created her podcast, PR Talk, sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America (Oregon), in 2017 and has hosted more than 100 episodes so that PR people can better learn the craft.

Key Takeaway:

Public Relations has changed over the years. Blasting things out doesn’t work anymore and the industry needs quick changes to keep up. With newsrooms dwindling worldwide, it’s now more important than ever for PR professionals to learn how to gain press coverage through performing traditional media functions.

Oftentimes, marketing and PR are lumped into one category. In this episode, Amy Rosenberg talks about the state of PR in 2021 from her point of view. Amy demystifies the differences between marketing and PR and how the two can work together to produce optimal results.

Questions I Ask Amy Rosenberg:

• [0:40] What’s the current state of PR from your perspective?
• [3:42] What particular skill set or particular point of view would a PR person bring to the table?
• [4:02] If I were trying to hire for my team, how would I distinguish between a marketing person and a PR person?
• [5:20] How has the art of trying to get placement or publicity changed?
• [7:20] What’s the message you want the target audience of your book to hear?
• [9:20] Do you have some tools or special ways that you like to find what might be some of the niches like blogs, podcasts, or publications that really are frankly going to be maybe more useful for somebody than the New York Times today?
• [12:12] How do you tie into the news or to a trend, or how do you at least have that mindset of mining for opportunities?
• [14:06] How do you walk the line of promoting your community involvement, but also maybe feeling a little self-serving in the process?
• [16:24] What do you tell people who are trying to get started in PR or a business owner trying to learn about it, how they might learn how to do PR for their career or organization effectively?

More About Amy Rosenberg:

• Her company: Vericity Agency
• Her book: A Modern Guide to Public Relations: Unveiling the Mystery of PR
• Her podcast: PR Talks

More About The Certified Marketing Manager Program Powered by Duct Tape Marketing

• Check it out at https://ducttapemarketing.com/certified-marketing-manager/

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Monday.com.

There are a lot of tools out there to help companies get work done. We recently switched over to a tool called Monday, and we love it. Monday is more than just a project management tool. You can use it in many ways to run your entire business, marketing, sales, task management, even recruiting, and certainly project management. Check it out yourself here.

 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/the-modern-guide-to-public-relations-in-2021/

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TikTok is Changing How We Consume Media: Here’s How to Integrate TikTok to Your Video Marketing Strategy in 2021

Anyone in the social media marketing field is used to change. However, perhaps there’s never been such a dramatically abrupt change in the social media landscape as the emergence of TikTok in the past few years.

After slowly gaining traction with younger audiences during its American debut in 2017, the platform’s popularity has exploded year over year. In 2020 alone, TikTok had more than half a billion active users worldwide, including over 100 million from the United States. 

The TikTok boom has introduced new challenges but also new opportunities for social media marketers. Now, brands have an entirely new channel to engage with a young, growing, and passionate audience. 

Marketing on TikTok can present unique requirements compared to more established platforms, but it can become a powerful part of any effective social media strategy when leveraged appropriately.

If you’re looking to tap into the massive potential of the TikTok platform, here are all the basics you need to know to develop an actionable strategy.

So…What Is TikTok, Anyway?

Let’s start things with the basics. TikTok is a social platform available on iOS and Android where users can post short videos of themselves, typically no more than one minute long. Think of it as the continuation of the now-defunct Vine without that app’s signature seven-second time limit. 

TikTok videos can encompass everything from music videos to dances to lifehacks to vlogs…the list goes on. It’s an incredibly versatile platform: it might have started life as a music app similar to Musical.ly, but it’s evolved to become so much more. TikTok lovers continue to push boundaries, creating just about every kind of short-form video content imaginable on the platform. 

Why Target TikTok?

Maybe you already have successful video marketing strategies lined up for other social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You might be wondering, why should you put time and resources into TikTok?

Simply put, targeting TikTok in your social media strategy allows you to tap into a vast and growing platform passionately used by a young and diverse audience. It’s not a passing fad, either – despite numerous attempts to take it down, TikTok is projected to enjoy continued growth for years to come. 

TikTok might have a reputation as teenagers’ platform of choice, but in reality, the apps’ users are hugely varied. While teenagers and adolescents make up a third of the app’s audience, another third is over the age of 30 – giving marketers access to a vast audience from many walks of life.

Marketers who have already capitalized on TikTok’s rapid expansion have seen noticeable benefits for themselves. TikTok has one of the highest rates of user engagement of any social media app, meaning that brands who establish a presence on the app can foster a more connected audience. 

Organizations that have taken part in the TikTok craze are already seeing the benefits for themselves. Brands like EA Games and L’Oreal developed specialized hashtags and videos for the platform that have gone on to accumulate tens of billions of views – and that’s just one example out of many.

How Do You Use TikTok In Your Social Media Strategy?

Successful marketing on TikTok has to be a little different than other platforms. You can’t recycle the same text posts or videos you use on Twitter and Facebook. Instead, when you’re looking to market your brand on TikTok, you need to create entirely original content with one goal in mind: going viral.

You’ll need to make your videos laser-focused on grabbing users’ attention and growing engagement with your brand. It can be tough to accomplish at first, but it’s a manageable goal by following a few simple tips.

Keep these actionable pieces of advice in mind when you set out to integrate TikTok into your marketing campaign.

• Keep things (very) short and sweet. It’s always good to be concise as a general rule of thumb, but on TikTok, it’s a necessity. You only have a minute to present your video, and with millions of other TikToks vying for users’ attention, you need to make that time count. Create your videos to be punchy, brief, and to the point. Try to open with something that immediately hooks your audience, whether that’s flashy colors or zany humor.
• Stay trendy. Trends are essential for any social platform, and TikTok is no different. Keep a close eye on the “trends” tab on the app; if you see a trending hashtag or challenge that’s relevant to your brand, jump on it as quickly as you can. Capitalizing on trends is a great way to reach audiences that wouldn’t engage with your brand otherwise.
• Be creative. TikTok is home to billions of videos, with millions more added every day. If you want yours to stand out, then it’s critical to think outside the box. Follow trends, but make sure you put your own spin on them. Your brand has a unique identity, and your social content should always reflect that. Sometimes the riskiest ideas are the most successful when it comes to social growth and engagement, so let your creative juices flow when you’re making TikToks.
• Focus on information. Contrary to what you might think, TikTok isn’t all about memes and silly dances. Some of the platform’s most popular and engaging videos are all about sharing helpful or informative content. Your brand can do the same thing by creating TikToks that quickly and simply walk your viewers through a procedure, whether that’s tossing pizza dough, jumping a car, or any other activity relevant to your business. 
• Make your own hashtags. There’s nothing stopping you from making your own trends! You can expand brand awareness by developing specialized hashtags and creating TikToks supporting them. Doing so can increase brand familiarity and, if you end up with a viral hit on your hands, dramatically boost brand loyalty.

How Do You Develop a TikTok Social Strategy?

It’s one thing to make great TikToks, but it’s something else entirely to know how to market them. It’s essential to have a clear-cut, formal strategy in place when you start developing your TikTok social media plans.

Consider the following elements of a successful TikTok strategy.

• Keep your goals in mind. You should have concrete objectives for TikTok marketing, whether they include generating leads, driving sales, growing social followers, or anything else. Having goals will help you stay focused and measure your success.
• Upload consistently. You can maintain interest in your TikTok efforts by implementing a regular upload schedule, which can also help you retain an audience and build a following.
• Dedicate resources. It might be tempting to take a budget approach to TikTok marketing, but that’s simply not fair. Like any other marketing channel, TikTok has serious potential to increase profits and boost your brand’s reputation. Make sure that you set aside enough resources to explore TikTok thoroughly.
• Watch your analytics. You can always ensure that your TikTok strategy stays on the right track by eying your analytics and checking that you meet your desired benchmarks in terms of engagements, shares, or impressions.

TikTok might be the new kid on the block for social media marketing, but there’s no denying its possibilities. Taking the plunge to invest resources in TikTok marketing can feel like a major risk, but by going with it one step at a time, you can eventually reap the results.

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Author Bio: 

Torrey Tayenaka

Torrey Tayenaka is the co-founder and CEO at Sparkhouse, an Orange County based video production agency. He is often asked to contribute expertise in publications like Entrepreneur, Single Grain and Forbes. Sparkhouse is known for transforming video marketing and advertising into real conversations. Rather than hitting the consumer over the head with blatant ads, Sparkhouse creates interesting, entertaining and useful videos that enrich the lives of his clients’ customers. In addition to Sparkhouse, Torrey has also founded the companies Eva Smart Shower, Litehouse & Forge54.

The post TikTok is Changing How We Consume Media: Here’s How to Integrate TikTok to Your Video Marketing Strategy in 2021 appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/content-sections/news-and-noise/tiktok-is-changing-how-we-consume-media-heres-how-to-integrate-tiktok-to-your-video-marketing-strategy-in-2021/

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What To Know About Keyword Research

The goal of any SEO strategy
should be to rank as highly in Google as you can. The closer you can get to the
top of search results, the better for you. Only around 2 to 3% of people visit
the second page of any Google search. In total, most Google searches last less than
60 seconds.

When your page ranks in the top
few search results organically, you’re more likely to get a click. Further, if
you organically rank number one for a search result, you’re ten times more
likely to get a click than a page that ranks 10^th.

So how do you get to that coveted
number one spot?

There are a lot of ranking
factors used by Google, but the foundation of a lot of how well your site or
content ranks relies on using
the right keywords to guide your content.

Your keywords are typically
actually phrases rather than single words, and they describe what’s on your
page or post.

When people are searching for
that phrase or keyword, then they’ll be guided to your content.

Using the right keywords serves
as an indicator to Google as to what’s important, and it helps the search
engine learn more about what your page is about.

At the same time, with your
keywords, you can’t just think about Google. You also have to think about your
targeted user, and what they’ll
be looking for, and also what they’ll want to see after they click on a
page.

You never want someone to come to
your page expecting one thing and getting another because you didn’t use your
keywords properly.

So how do you find the best
keywords?

The following are a few key
things to know about keyword research.

The Basics of Keyword Research

First, what is keyword research?

This is a term that refers to the process you’ll use to find
and analyze terms people put into search engines.

Keyword research provides you with more specific details about
what your targeted audience is looking for.

With keyword research, you can learn more about what people
care about and what popular topics are at any given time that might relate to
your industry or niche.

With keyword research, you need keywords that you want to
rank for, but at the same time, that has to be balanced with the ones you
should and actually can rank for.

Getting Started

If you’ve never done any keyword research before, one of the
first steps is to brainstorm a list of relevant topics, questions, or important
things related to your business or site. This can be very general. Think of it
as a brain dump, and at this point, you don’t have to go in any particular
direction.

You’ll use these big, general topics to get more specific
with your keyword research when you’re ready.

If you really have no idea where to get started, do research
on your competitors. Look at what they’re writing about and blogging about.
That can give you a good starting point for your own SEO research and strategy.

During these initial phases of your research, you can create
somewhat of a wish list for the keywords you’d like to rank for, and you don’t
yet have to start thinking about how feasible that is.

Questions to ask include who your target audience is, what
they’re searching for and how they’re searching for it.

Depending on the nature of your business, you might also
want to think about location-based keywords.

Search Volume

If you’re going to do keyword research on your own, without
the help of an agency or an SEO professional, you’re
probably going to need a keyword tool.

Then, you can learn what the search volume is. The higher
the search volume for a keyword or phrase, often the harder it will be to rank
for because this means a lot of people are searching for it and it’s popular.

That’s not always the case, though.

The best keywords and phrases are the ones that have a high
search volume but aren’t as competitive. When you can discover these, you’ve
found a gem in terms of your SEO strategy.

What Does Longtail Mean?

Something important to know in keyword research is what
longtail means.

Longtail keywords are actually phrases. They provide good
opportunities because they tend to be phrased in a way that replicates natural
language or the way people will really search for things. They’re also less
competitive.

Even though a longtail keyword will have a lower search
volume in most cases, it will also tend to have a higher conversion rate
because it’s more specific and intentional.

Search Intent

The intent of the people searching for keywords and phrases
is important to understand as you build out an SEO strategy.

There are a few main categories of intent.

One is informational. In these situations, someone just
wants information or the answer to a question.

There are navigational searches that occur when someone
wants to go to a specific site.

Transactional searches are used when someone wants to do a
particular task, like buying something.

There are research searches when someone is comparing
products or services to figure out the best option for their needs.

Then, there are local searches when someone needs a business
close to their home.

Metrics to Analyze Keywords

Finally, we’ve touched on this a bit, but there are a few
key metrics you can use to gauge the quality of a keyword and whether or not
you should try to rank for it.

Search volume has already been discussed. Search volume is
typically a measure of the average number of
times a keyword is searched for in a month.

It’s the number of searches rather than a representation of
the number of people who searched. It also doesn’t tell you how much traffic
you’ll get if you rank. You’ll usually get no more than 30% of the volume, even
if you rank number one. It’s also an annual average.

Finally, you can also look
at the clicks that a search result gets. It tells you the average number of
monthly clicks on any given result, and this can help you understand whether or
not a keyword is worth trying to rank for compared to the volume. If the volume
is much higher than the clicks, it might not be a great keyword for you.

The post What To Know About Keyword Research appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/search-engine-optimization-2/what-to-know-about-keyword-research/

The post What To Know About Keyword Research appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/what-to-know-about-keyword-research/

How To Improve Test Management?

Every one of the teams which are working with the Agile system know about Jira. This platform is extensively used and now organizations are creating test management tools for Jira, these tools can seamlessly integrate with the Jira environment. In this way, companies that are already using Jira can easily add-on different tools as per their requirement and they do not have to rule out previous tools to use something new. 

Jira has its own basic set of functionalities such as tracking issues related to mobile or desktop applications but with simple integration, the functionality can be enhanced magically. Now Jira’s usage is not limited and it can be tweaked as per the organization’s needs. 

For instance, few DevOps teams use this tool for test case management and with little optimization, it can be used as an end-to-end tool, serving the complete purpose. 

How test management tools for Jira improve testing efforts?

Jira can be customized in innumerable ways based on needs and test management is one of the prominent ways in which users can model it. Most companies prefer to integrate different tools in one place so that the team does not have to juggle between different platforms to get a single job done. It usually becomes frustrating for the team when the project is complex or the team is working on different tasks simultaneously, they need to go through a set of tools. Single dashboard for all needs, this not only saves time but also adds value to productivity. 

Through a single dashboard, errors can be identified easily and can be fixed too. This eliminates the unnecessary repeated processes and all teams can access the essential information simultaneously. Workflow becomes manageable which eventually results in meeting deadlines way sooner. 

Also if testers maintain separate sheets or tools for test management then the rest of the team won’t be accessing it 24 x 7. Their communication would be affected negatively and a detailed understanding of the test case would be minimal.  

Pros of Using Jira 

We know that Jira is not solely designed for testing purposes and can be customized as per needs. Here are a few benefits due to which Jira’s popularity is unmatchable.

• Allows to create customizable issue types
• Single workflow for all teams, developers, QA, and testing action
• Offer reporting facility
• Allows to integrate other tools as per your need
• Suitable for one time manual execution

Jira Apps and Add-Ons

There are numerous Add-ons available on the Atlassian marketplace which can be integrated with the system and meet the testing purpose. Few examples of add-ons are:

• To carry out manual testing, Xray for Jira and Zephyr for Jira is used.
• Teams who work around the Agile approach usually consider Behave Pro and Tricentis q Test Scenario to do the needful.

With the help of these add-ons, testing functionality through Jira is enhanced and a better and organized test case management can be carried out. For instance, using X Ray would help you to add issue type to the list of issues identified along with the steps. A lot of manual documentation and processing is alleviated though this particular add-on. 

Benefits of Using Add-Ons

Generally speaking, with these add-ons in Jira, one can easily pull test cases in the form of cycles or suites. It also helps to execute test cases in groups and work around their results. In this way, test execution becomes more visible. Few other benefits which testers can enjoy with these add-ons in Jira are:

• A similar look and feel can be maintained
• A similar or single dashboard is used for most of the work
• Easy to purchase and integrate
• Adding testing related functionality into an existing platform
• Allows you to link test objects with other functionalities

What one can expect from test case management tools?

Test case management tools come with extensive features and have numerous benefits.

• All sorts of manual and automation testing can be consolidated with these tools. 
• All the details and history of test execution can be viewed. It allows users to understand the reason where testing went wrong and why a test case failed.
• Similar test cases can be used across multiple projects, enhancing the reusability to save time and efforts. In this way, isolation of test cases is eliminated and a template of a test case can be used instead of writing the case again and again.

To get the best of both worlds, it is recommended to look out for test management tools for Jira to perform multiple tasks simultaneously through one dashboard where the entire team can access useful information. 

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Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/business-innovation-2/how-to-improve-test-management/

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Why Everyone Can Benefit from a Vacation with Helen Lee Schifter

With society finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel with the coronavirus pandemic, people are starting to confirm their revenge travel plans. People have felt extremely stressed and defeated this past year, and with hope finally coming to light, it is important for citizens to treat themselves and their families to a vacation. Whether it be within the states or abroad, people have witnessed troubling times and deserve to take a break from the chaos and enjoy some free time. 

Helen Lee Schifter is a huge fan of traveling. She currently resides in New York, but frequently makes trips to California and Florida to fulfill her adventurous spirit. She is a former arbitrage trader on Wall Street and a former editor at Hearst and Conde Nast. She graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy and went on to become a graduate from Amherst College. She enjoys learning about health and wellness and is an advocate for mediation and self care. She believes that time dedicated to relaxation is necessary for a healthy life balance. 

Work can be exhausting. Living by a routine day in and day out can eventually cause people to burnout and lose sight of their motivation to continuously work hard. By breaking up the routine with a trip, people are able to re-energize and regroup. Schifter recommends that people go on at least one vacation each year. If they have the opportunity to go more often, the more the merrier!

Reasons Why Helen Lee Schifter Thinks Everyone Can Benefit From a Vacation

1. It Helps Improve Your Mental Health

The calming feeling that comes with taking a vacation helps relieve stress. Giving your brain and body a break from the constant feeling of pressure and anxiety helps a person feel rejuvenated. 

1. Improves Relationships with Others

By spending an enjoyable trip with loved ones, it helps strengthen your bond. Being able to relax and focus on each other’s company creates new positive memories with them and improves satisfaction. 

1. Also Assists with Physical Health

Although most people associate stress and anxiety with mental health, those feelings can also disrupt a person’s physical well being. By taking a vacation, studies have shown that people can lower their risk of heart disease and heart attacks. 

1. Taking a Vacation May Help You Earn a Raise!

Researchers found the surprising conclusion that employees who use their vacation time accordingly tend to perform better on their end of the year performance reviews. This is due to the fact that workers become happier when returning to work as opposed to those who did not take time off and therefore do not put in as much effort into their job.

1. Vacations May Help You Live Longer

Europe is a great example of a system where people can take up to 30 vacation days a year. Compared to the United States, people do not struggle with health problems as much in Europe. It is also proven that Europeans are known to live longer and people believe it is due to the larger amount of vacation time they are given. 

Helen Lee Schifter stresses that taking a vacation may be much more important than people realize. It not only is an enjoyable experience people look forward to every year, it is crucial for one’s health and overall well being. With the pandemic winding down, Schifter hopes people will take advantage of the opportunity to start traveling again. Take the time off, book a flight, and take the time with your family to enjoy yourselves, we all certainly need it.

The post Why Everyone Can Benefit from a Vacation with Helen Lee Schifter appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

Original source: https://socialmediaexplorer.com/content-sections/news-and-noise/why-everyone-can-benefit-from-a-vacation-with-helen-lee-schifter/

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from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/why-everyone-can-benefit-from-a-vacation-with-helen-lee-schifter/

Weekend Favs April 17

Weekend Favs April 17 written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

My weekend blog post routine includes posting links to a handful of tools or great content I ran across during the week.

I don’t go into depth about the finds, but encourage you to check them out if they sound interesting. The photo in the post is a favorite for the week from an online source or one that I took out there on the road.

• Headers.me– Create matching cover images for the social media platforms you love without the need of any complex design tools or templates.
• Getkeywords.io -Move ahead from keyword research to complete market analysis with 100k  locations & 45  languages around the world for Local SEO.
• Flowrite– Flowrite turns words into ready-to-send emails, messages, and posts in your personal style. It’s designed for the most productive, and powered by AI.

These are my weekend favs, I would love to hear about some of yours – Tweet me @ducttape

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/weekend-favs-april-17/

The post Weekend Favs April 17 appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/weekend-favs-april-17/

Content Marketing Made Easy With Airtable

Content Marketing Made Easy With Airtable written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Margaret Jones

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Margaret Jones. Margaret is a former journalist and currently head of content at Airtable, an organization that builds itself as a low code work management platform.

Key Takeaway:

Airtable has spread like wildfire through organizations both big and small. The app takes the best aspects of spreadsheets and databases and puts them together. Airtable does something different for everyone. For some people, it’s a CRM. For some people, it’s a content production calendar. For some people, it’s the way that they manage their entire business.

In this episode, Airtable’s first-ever content lead, Margaret Jones, joins me as we discuss what impact Airtable has had on her role as a content producer and how she’s best utilized the tool to solve problems and fill gaps in her leadership role.

Questions I Ask Margaret Jones:

• [1:11] What does Airtable do, and what does it mean to be a low code work management platform?
• [7:43] Are you the first head of content at Airtable?
• [8:16] What does a head of content do, and what is your day-to-day?
• [9:33] How is the product selling, and how do you tie that back to business objectives?
• [12:20] What kind of content is working right now in terms of getting the most engagement or meeting your objectives?
• [15:09] Did any good nuggets of information come out of the comprehensive research trends report called the Airtable Marketing Trends Report that you just completed that you’d like to share?

More About Margaret Jones:

• Airtable Marketing Trends Report
• Airtable.com
• Airtable blog
• Airtable YouTube

More About The Duct Tape Marketing Consultant Network

• Check it out at https://ducttapemarketing.com/marketing-consultants/

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by Quality Edge.

Vesta steel siding is one of the fastest-growing siding products on the market. It’s made up of one of the strongest and most recyclable materials on the planet — it can withstand anything mother nature can throw at it. Vesta has won designer awards because of its patent design, rich solid colors, plank-like profile, and natural-looking wood-grain look that doesn’t require any homeowner maintenance. Be the first on your block to style your home with a bold, innovative solution that looks amazing for the life of your home. Check it out at www.qualityedge.com/vesta.

 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/content-marketing-made-easy-with-airtable/

The post Content Marketing Made Easy With Airtable appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/content-marketing-made-easy-with-airtable/

Dominating First Page Rankings On Google

Dominating First Page Rankings On Google written by John Jantsch read more at Duct Tape Marketing

Marketing Podcast with Chris Dreyer

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, I interview Chris Dreyer. Chris is the CEO of Rankings.io which is an SEO agency that helps elite personal injury law firms dominate first page rankings. 

Key Takeaway:

Search engine optimization is a tough industry especially for a lot of small business owners. And how do you keep up with Google’s constantly changing algorithm? There’s no magic, but there are steps you can take to soar to the top of a search engine results page. In this episode, Chris Dreyer and I dive deep into his experience running an SEO agency and how he’s managed to help small businesses within his industry dominate first page rankings on Google.

Questions I Ask Chris Dreyer:

• [0:55] What led you to where you are today, and what does your online and entrepreneurial journey look like?
• [4:05] How do you build trust around SEO when there’s a real lack of trust in the industry?
• [5:37] As an SEO firm, how important is your own SEO?
• [6:50] What are the basics of good SEO for any business?
• [8:02] When you mention landing pages, are you really talking about the importance of the entire structure of the landing pages as well?
• [9:49] What would you do, if anything, differently because of the competitive nature of this business?
• [18:48] Core web vitals are being talked about a lot this year — how are you responding or reacting to that?
• [20:49] When it comes to your ads and organic mix, what’s your philosophy on the mixture of the two — notwithstanding the results they can produce, but sort of the necessary element of them?
• [23:54] What’s your philosophy on reporting and communication with clients?

More About Chris Dreyer:

• Rankings.io
• LinkedIn: @chrisdreyerco 

More About The Certified Marketing Manager Program Powered by Duct Tape Marketing

• Check it out at https://ducttapemarketing.com/certified-marketing-manager/

Like this show? Click on over and give us a review on iTunes, please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast is brought to you by .Online.

.Online is one of the world’s most popular new domain extensions with over a million domain names already registered on it. With more and more businesses going online, finding great domain names can be a challenge. .Online allows you to get a brandable and meaningful domain name, and it’s as simple as www.[your brand name].online.

 

 

Original source: https://ducttapemarketing.com/dominating-first-page-rankings-on-google/

The post Dominating First Page Rankings On Google appeared first on connect social networks.

from Connect Social Networks http://connectsocialnetworks.com/dominating-first-page-rankings-on-google/