Author: ctdev

How to unbreak your New Year’s resolution

by ctdev

In Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” Mrs. Potts, the housekeeper/teapot, sang about a tale as old as time. Here’s a tale that’s just as old, but in this case, it’s not about love. It’s about the making—and breaking—of New Year’s resolutions.

Don’t worry, we’re not here to scold you for any broken resolutions—it’s not like we (and the 80% of people who break their New Year’s resolutions by February) don’t have a few skeletons in the old resolution closet ourselves. Instead, we’re here to assure you that you’re not alone…and give you a little more insight into how you can make future resolutions more shatter-proof.

Top broken New Year’s resolutions

The team from Tracking Happiness, a company that publishes articles, guides and study results about happiness and mental health, did a survey of more than 14,000 people. These were the respondents’ top five most broken New Year’s resolutions of 2022:

  1. Completely quit drinking.
  2. Do more exercise/improve fitness.
  3. Give up smoking.
  4. Lose weight.
  5. Improve one’s diet.

A lot of people make at least one or more of these five resolutions each year. They’re good resolutions, but they’re BIG resolutions, which force us to change long-ingrained habits we’ve practiced for years in just a few short days. And despite what you’ve read about taking 30 days to form a habit, a 2009 European study determined that it takes between 18 and 254 days to form a new habit—an average of 66 days.

Sound like a recipe for failure? Not necessarily—resolution-makers do succeed, even at the big resolutions—but taking on too much change can be a shortcut to discouragement.

From broken to big win

So, given all that information about resolutions, is there even a way that you can increase your chances of emerging victorious from resolution season? Absolutely—by keeping some of the following tips in mind:

  • Be realistic—If you’re determined to exercise 90 minutes a day, seven days a week, but you work full-time, go to school and have family obligations, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Perhaps it’s more practical to start with 15-30 minutes a day, three to five times a week and work up to additional sessions over time.
  • Look inward—Resolutions don’t have to be about losing weight or cleaning the basement. This year, resolve to do one small act of kindness a day for someone else—or remember to be grateful for the good things and people in your life once a day.
  • Break your resolution (into pieces)—Large projects can feel insurmountable, so break your work into manageable goals. If you want to declutter your house, don’t try to do it all in one weekend; divide your work into smaller sessions that won’t overwhelm you.
  • Prepare for change—Identify possible roadblocks to your progress before you start. For instance, if your resolution is to cut out sugar, make sure sugary snacks are out of the house (or at least ask a family member to put them in a less-accessible location).
  • Assemble a support system—Let a few people you trust—family, friends, coworkers—in on your resolution so they can help cheer your successes and support you or offer feedback when you need some extra encouragement.
  • Give yourself a break—No one is perfect, and no one will be harder on you than you. Don’t beat yourself up if you slip and have a cookie or can’t exercise one day. Acknowledge and enjoy your moment of indulgence…and then simply get back on track.
  • Own your victories—Celebrate each win—big or small—on the way to fulfilling your resolution. Whether it’s a family dinner out, a new book or a Sunday on the couch watching movies, recognizing your achievements will help keep you motivated.

The last couple of years have been so challenging that you can already claim victory simply by getting through it with your health and sanity intact. But if you don’t want to start a new year without a plan for change, just remember that small victories can be every bit as rewarding as the big ones, and plan accordingly. Good luck!

Diagnose the health of your online presence

by ctdev

Thanks to remote work and schooling, ordering curbside pickup for groceries and restaurant carryout, virtual medical visits, and more, online interaction has become a staple in our lives. As a result, it’s hard for a small business to thrive without an online presence—as shown in recent surveys, like the QuickBooks® Commerce Small Business Shopping Report, which came out with some eye-opening results for business owners:

  • 48% of consumers are more likely to try new businesses than they were pre-pandemic (and if you look strictly at millennials, the largest demographic group in the U.S., that figure jumps to 63%).
  • 93% of consumers feel supporting small businesses is more important than ever.
  • 61% of consumers use online sources to find local small businesses.
  • 48% of consumers stopped shopping at a store they visited before the pandemic because they didn’t have online options, while 53% considered using a business but changed their mind because the business didn’t have a website.

And this evolution in behavior isn’t just affecting retail sales. Whatever product or service they’re searching for, consumers are relying on the internet to find it. Which begs the question: How healthy is your business’s online presence?

The basics of online presence

While most small businesses don’t need to have every online bell and whistle, they should at least have the top three items that customers are most likely to look for:

  1. A professional website. Your website is the most important resource in your online presence. Think of it as your business’s front door for those who can’t visit you in person. Every bit as much as a brick-and-mortar presence, your website will be their first impression of your business, with a professional look and feel—and, since everything mentioned below will link back to your website, it’s vital that all information be correct and current, including:
    • Business hours/days, including holiday hours or special office closings.
    • Location(s), with address(es) and Google Maps directions.
    • Phone number, contact email or contact form.
    • Products/services offered (include menus if your business is food-related).
    • Social media icons and links to each platform.
    • Current products available and correct prices (if you have an online store).
  2. A Google Business Profile (GBP). Since Google is the 600-pound gorilla of online search platforms, doesn’t it make sense to have a presence there? Too many businesses don’t bother to claim their free Google Business Profiles—and as a result, they miss out on the boost that comes from potential customers (both local and remote) searching for businesses like theirs. A complete, correct and updated GBP will help drive Google searches to your business. The more information you can provide on your GBP (business hours, contact information, Google Maps address, photos of your business, etc.), the more visits your profile will receive from your target audience—which, in turn, will drive organic traffic to your website and social media platforms. Another valuable function of your GBP? The ability to collect customer reviews—a must-have when 77% of consumers “always” or “regularly” read them when searching for a local business.
  3. A social media presence. Wherever you have business pages—Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter (or all four)—make sure you’ve developed some eye-catching, consistently designed and professional-looking cover images and profile pictures that feature your logo (hint: it’s definitely worth consulting with a graphic designer). Don’t use different designs for different platforms; you’ll confuse your audience and miss the chance to reinforce your brand, business identity and professionalism. Keep your platform updated by posting at least two to three times per week. And when you post, remember to include links to direct people to more detailed information on your business website. Your social media streams are also a great way to engage with and answer questions from current and prospective customers, introduce people to your team, spotlight your community involvement, and even take advantage of the free advertising opportunities offered by these platforms.

Simply having an online presence won’t do the trick on its own. It’s imperative to dedicate some time and effort toward keeping your website, GBP, and social media active and current. If you’re hesitant to put the work in, keep in mind that these items won’t just benefit your customers. They’ll help your business, too, by building awareness of your brand, reaching more prospective customers and solidifying relationships with your current customers—the trifecta of success that every small business strives for.

National Women’s Small Business Month

by ctdev

Women are doing it all—including crushing it as business owners and leaders. So, in honor of National Women’s Small Business Month in October, we havesome fascinating factoids about women in business.

  • There are nearly 13 million women-owned businesses in the United States (that’s 42% of all companies in the U.S.). They employ 10 million people and generate about $1.8 trillion annually. (American Express)
  • 17% of Black women are starting businesses—faster than white women, at 10%, and white men, at 15%. (Harvard Business Review)
  • Female entrepreneurs in the U.S. rank their happiness at almost three times that of women who aren’t entrepreneurs or business owners. (Inc.)
  • In 2021, the number of women running Fortune 500 businesses hit an all-time record of 41. (Fortune)
  • As of 2021, 90% of companies worldwide have at least one woman in a senior management role. (Grant Thornton)
  • Companies with women in executive positions have a 34% higher total return to shareholders than companies that don’t. (Catalyst)
  • Adding one more woman to a company’s board of directors, while keeping the board size the same, produces a return on investment (ROI) of 8-13 basis points. (Egon Zehnder via Catalyst)
  • Female entrepreneurs ask for $35,000 less, on average, in business financing than do men—$89,000 on average for women vs. $124,500 on average for men. (Fundera)
  • Between 2014 and 2016, the number of employer firms owned by women grew 6%—twice the rate of employer firms owned by men. The growth was driven mostly by a 14% increase in employer businesses owned by minority women. (U.S. Small Business Administration)
  • In 2020, 28% of all business loan applications came from women-owned businesses. In 2021, 33% of all loan applications came from women-owned businesses. (2022 Biz2Credit Women-Owned Business Survey)
  • The average loan size for women-owned businesses in 2021 was $49,712, while the average loan size for men-owned businesses was $83,198. Loan approval rates were 40% for women and 41% for men. (2022 Biz2Credit Women-Owned Business Survey)
  • Women are globally paid less than men, earning on average only 77% of men’s wages. (UN Women)
  • 48% of female founders say what holds them back is the lack of available mentors or advisors. (Inc.)
  • The World Economic Forum calculated that the pay disparity gap between men and women would not close until 2157. (World Economic Forum)
And here are a few interesting insights, all from Guidant Small Business Trends 2022: Women in Business.

Most women business owners work in the following industries:

  • Retail, including storefront and eCommerce (22.3%)
  • Health, beauty and fitness services (16.1%)
  • Business services (12.5%)
  • Food and restaurant (11.61%)
  • Education and training (5.36%)
  • Other (<5%)

The top challenges for women business owners:

  • Recruiting/retention (54.4%)
  • Lack of capital/cash flow (30.4%)
  • Changing operations in the face of COVID-19 (28.6%)
  • Marketing and advertising (22.6%)

The top plans for 2022 for women-owned businesses:

  • Increase staff (58.3%)
  • Invest in digital marketing (37.0%)
  • Expand or remodel business (31.5%)
  • Invest in traditional marketing (20.4%)
  • Invest in business services tech (10.2%)
  • Invest in information services tech (10.2%)

As you can see, women have come a long way—and they still have a long way to go. But with so many hard-working female entrepreneurs and leaders building strong businesses and networks, there’s no doubt we’ll have even more impressive statistics to celebrate during next year’s National Women’s Small Business Month!

6 ways to keep your staff happy and engaged

by ctdev

When you own a small business, it can be tough to match larger employers when it comes to pay and benefits. So how can you retain your best employees in a competitive climate on a small-business budget—without pricing yourself out of business?

By shining in the intangibles, like job satisfaction, growth potential and an enjoyable work atmosphere. Here are several suggestions for affordable ways to keep your small business’s staff happy and around for the long term. 

1. Create an engaging culture

Engaging cultures start at the top and are built on open communication, respect, recognition and clarity for all on how each individual is essential to the success of the business. Make it a point to meet with each employee on a regular basis to ask how they’re doing, ask about any challenges they’re facing and find out what can be done to help them achieve their career goals. Listen carefully, stay transparent, honestly acknowledge what they say to you and act on feedback when possible—or explain why it’s not possible at the moment. Make a habit of recognizing team members publicly for their hard work and contributions.

(Bonus tip: Consider forming a culture committee with employee representatives from each department to help ensure that your business culture is one that truly represents and includes everyone.)

2. Give your team the chance to recognize each other

In addition to your recognition, why not assemble a kit your employees can use to thank and praise each other for their hard work? The items in the kit don’t have to be elaborate. Thank-you cards, stickers, fun small trophies from the dollar store, coupons you and the team can create (e.g., “Use of the VIP parking spot for the day” or “Leave work one hour early”), $5 gift cards, candy bars, and a dry-erase or bulletin board where thank-yous can be posted for everyone to see are a good and inexpensive start.

3. Offer a flexible schedule

One of the most lasting effects of the pandemic is its impact on the workforce, which now feels empowered to request time for that no-longer-mythical concept of work-life balance…or they’ll find an employer who will provide it. Everyone has obligations that don’t always blend nicely with work schedules—and everyone deserves time to fulfill them. If your employees can work remotely, consider allowing them a day or two a week to work from home. If you’re not a remote-type business, there are still a number of options you could consider to help take the burden off your employees and their families, such as staggered or reduced schedules, shorter workweeks or extra paid personal days.

4. Encourage community involvement

Many of us have charities or causes that are dear to our hearts—especially Millennial and Gen Z workers, who are focused on living their values at home and at work. Give your team yet another reason to be proud of their workplace by giving back to your community. An annual (paid) day that enables employees to work with their individual causes, or a whole-team day spent working with Habitat for Humanity or helping out at local community events, sends a strong message that you want to make a difference, too.

5. Offer options for professional development

Give your team a chance to grow, get up to date with the latest technology or make it easier for them to move into positions of more responsibility with the ability to access professional development options. A number of online learning platforms, such as LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, Alison, Udemy and Coursera, offer reasonably priced courses that make it affordable for you to offer your employees an online learning subsidy.

6. Celebrate important days

Since some employers don’t make a habit of remembering employee birthdays, separate yourself from the pack by commemorating days that are important to your employees—birthdays, employment milestones like anniversaries—with a greeting card, a bag of candy, a special certificate or a gift card. Everyone loves to feel appreciated on their special days.

When employees are unhappy, their work suffers, which means your business suffers. When you prioritize your employees’ experience, you help improve every aspect of your business, from employee retention to productivity to customer service. Even if you’re unable to pay top dollar, ideas like the ones above can help you keep your team engaged, smiling and proud to work for a small business that walks the walk—right alongside each member of the team.

Networking for the nervous

by ctdev

No matter how much you love what you do, sometimes it’s tough to be a small business owner. You work hard, put in long hours and because you’re the boss, everyone looks to you for answers—even if you don’t have any answers to give.

Wouldn’t it be great to have other small business owners to brainstorm with, to commiserate with, to celebrate with? Someone who actually understands your experiences because they’ve been there, too?

That’s the beauty—and the anxiety—of networking. You can connect with other business owners and new customers to get some serious word-of-mouth going about your business.

Of course, in order to do that, you have to…you know, network. As in, attempt to meet new people and tell them about your business while your tongue is tied, your heart races and your palms sweat. Because let’s be real: Networking can be nerve-wracking.

That’s why we have some tips for the nervous networker, which can help you make connections that will serve you well for many years to come.

1. Don’t feel pressured to speak to everyone in the room.

It only takes one connection to find a valuable business ally, a new customer or even a friend. If you’re intimidated by the thought of approaching strangers, don’t stress yourself out by feeling you must hand out a business card to every single person at an event. Instead, set yourself a realistic goal; for instance, “I will talk to five people at this event.” You may find that once you reach your goal, you’re done for the day…or you may want to keep going. It’s up to you!

2. Be selective about your networking events.

Just as you don’t have to speak to everyone in the room, you don’t have to attend all networking events. Would an industry or organization conference with informative sessions be more useful to you than a meet-and-greet at the local Chamber of Commerce? Networking just to add business cards to your pile is…well, a great way to grow your pile of business cards.

3. Be prepared.

Your game plan doesn’t have to be elaborate; just know what you want to accomplish before you go into an event. Would you like to partner with other small business owners for support and advice? Are you hoping to land a customer or two? Do you need a vendor to help you print flyers and banners? Whatever your goal, it’s easier to stay focused—which in turn can help calm your nerves. 

4. Take a friend with you.

Team up with a fellow business owner, conference-goer or another nervous networker to start conversations and help introduce you to their own connections. Try not to be attached at the hip, though; go off on your own occasionally and meet up again when you’ve worked the room as much as you can.

5. Consider a 30-second elevator pitch.

The elevator pitch, a quick summary of your business, is your best defense against stumbling over a description of what you do. You’ll find excellent examples and templates online by Googling “30-second elevator pitch for small business owner.” With some practice, you’ll become comfortable talking about what you do.

6. Take a break.

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, it can be exhausting to be always “on” for networking. There’s no shame in taking a break someplace quiet. Duck into the nearest restroom, go out to your car, return to your hotel room, take a walk outside—anything that can help you recharge.

7. Network online.

Whether from your community or your industry, connect with other small business owners online. A good place to start is by using your business’s social media accounts to follow the social media feeds of other small businesses. Engage with them by commenting on their posts and mentioning their business, product or service in your own posts to create a little goodwill.

If it helps, know that you’re not alone; networking is out of most people’s comfort zones. But if you start with a few of these tips to help you overcome your fear of networking and build on the small successes, you’ll build your self-confidence, your professional network and your business profile.

Automate to elevate your small business.

by ctdev

For many people, the word automation is just another way of saying “lost jobs.” An understandable reaction, considering that, over the years, large-scale automation has completely changed some industries by reducing the human part of the equation.

However, on a lesser scale and in the right circumstances, automation can help a small business not only weather staffing challenges but also elevate employees to new areas of expertise. Let’s look at three positive effects that automating selected functions can have on your business.

Effect 1: Keep your business running

You don’t need to look any farther than the COVID-19 pandemic to find an example of how automation has helped small businesses stay afloat. According to workflow automation tool Zapier, 63% of the 2,000 small and medium-sized businesses surveyed for their 2021 State of Business Automation Report say automation enabled their business to respond to worsening business conditions during the pandemic—whether that meant moving online to sell their products and services or completely changing their business model.

It doesn’t have to be a pandemic; small businesses can be adversely affected by situations like leadership or employee illness, natural disasters, or a worsening economy. Today’s businesses, small or large, need to know how to change course in an instant, and automation can help them do so successfully.

Effect 2: Mitigate staffing issues

“Now Hiring.”

“$300 Hiring Bonus.”

“Closed today due to lack of staffing.”

We all know how local businesses are suffering without employees, thanks in great part to The Great Resignation, which has seen millions of employees leave their current jobs for a more flexible and fulfilling career. That’s where automation can help. In fact, in the same Zapier survey mentioned above, two out of three workers say that automation has helped them be more productive by automating manual tasks in a variety of functions, such as the following:

Customer service

  • Online payment options
  • Selling products and services online
  • Starting customer service queries (i.e., FAQs, chatbot or contact form on website)
  • Automating curbside pickup

Marketing

  • Email marketing
  • Capturing/managing leads
  • Automating ads on platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn

Accounting

  • General accounting
  • Invoice management
  • Payroll management

Other business tasks

  • Managing inventory and distribution
  • Document creation and organization (meeting agendas, to-do lists)
  • Reducing manual data entry and repetitive, time-consuming tasks like copy and pasting of data from one platform/database to another

Effect 3: Elevate your employees

Zapier found that 65% of knowledge workers say they’re less stressed at work because they don’t have to handle mundane manual tasks. Not only do they get back time, but they can also concentrate on the kind of work they’re good at and enjoy doing. Or they can learn and work in other areas of the business that catch their interest. All of this can go a long way toward avoiding burnout in employees who have lost their motivation or sense of creativity due to the limitations of administrative or other menial tasks.

The lasting effects

If you’d like to see what automation can do for your small business, don’t try to automate everything at once. Instead, start where you feel the need is most urgent and where employees are most overworked.

Since employees tend to handle several responsibilities at once in a small business, automation tools can keep everyone on the same page with deadlines, progress tracking and communication. Some of the most common software apps businesses use to automate workflows include Google Workspace, Slack, Mail Chimp, Trello, Twitter, Facebook Lead Ads and Calendly. These apps are user-friendly, and many have free or minimal pricing options.

As you get your automated functions up and running, start reinvesting your employees’ talents and skills into areas with higher ROI. For instance, an employee who does payroll entry may want to expand into other areas of the human resource field or may have an interest in marketing or sales. Remember, people take jobs for a variety of reasons, and sometimes interest or other skills need to take a back seat.

The gains business owners discover with automation have enabled small businesses everywhere to create efficient, scalable systems and processes that can compete with larger businesses. Even adopting one or two of these automation functions can continue to help your business grow and prosper when life gets back to “normal.”

And normal (or new normal) will happen again, sooner than you think. Make sure you’re ready to jump in, keep your business growing and your employees professionally fulfilled. Let’s take the stigma out of the word automation and make it work for us, rather than the other way around.

What are source documents?

by ctdev

In a financial transaction, it’s all about the paper trail.

As a small business owner, whenever you conduct a transaction—even something minor like purchasing a box of pens for your business—the receipt for that transaction and any supporting documentation become what’s known as source documents. Those original documents, in turn, become an essential piece of the paper trail your accountant follows to create accurate tax returns and other types of financial reporting for your business.

If you’d like to understand the importance of a paper trail for a business owner, this quick primer is for you. And if your accountant or bookkeeper’s smile turns the slightest bit strained when you tell them you don’t have documentation for all your transactions, you should definitely start reading. Right now.

Why are source documents so important?

Source documents detail the basic facts of a transaction—amount, date, payee and purpose. Without this information to back up your business transactions, your accountant doesn’t have the full financial picture needed to prove that you earned every bit of your tax refund or qualify for a small business loan. It’s your financial team’s job to be sure anything you report to the government and other institutions is thoroughly backed up by proof—especially in the case of a tax audit, when your transaction trails must be impeccably documented.

What kinds of source documents should I be keeping?

Common source documents include:

  • Proof of both purchases and expenses, such as:
    • Cash register receipts
    • Credit card receipts
    • Electronic receipts for online purchases
    • Receipts for travel, transportation, entertainment and gift expenses (this includes receipts turned in by your employees for expense reimbursement)
  • Purchase and sales invoices
  • Credit documentation for customer refunds
  • Receipt books and cash register tapes (for proof of cash sales)
  • Bank and credit card statements
  • Canceled checks and check registers
  • Deposit information for cash and credit sales
  • Employee time cards
  • Payroll reports
  • Employment tax records
  • Leases and contracts
  • Evidence of sale or disposal of asset(s)
  • Sales tax returns

Do I need to store the originals, or can I make digital copies?

It depends. Once the information has been recorded in the appropriate accounting journal (which should be done as soon after the transaction as possible), the source documents should be filed away where they can be easily retrieved if needed. Some accountants prefer to manage the documents for their clients, which can be easily (and digitally) done via the online portal you use to communicate with the firm. That way, your financial team has all the information they need stored securely in the cloud, available at a click. It also ensures they are ready to provide you with more meaningful insights into your business at any time.

If you prefer managing, storing, photocopying or digitizing the originals yourself, you should still check with your accountant or bookkeeper to be sure any copies meet the information and legibility standards of any agencies that may need to see them.

How long do I need to keep all these documents?

Regulations on document retention vary. In general, the IRS recommends saving financial records that are necessary for tax filing and potential audits for up to seven years. Some documents should be saved longer than others, as this IRS schedule shows:

  • Financial records should be kept for three to six years.
  • Employment tax records should be kept for at least four years after the tax is due or paid.
  • If you forgot or neglected to file a tax return (which will hopefully never happen because it’s illegal not to file and pay taxes), keep your financial records indefinitely.
  • Permits to operate your business, current lease agreements and stock certificates should be kept indefinitely.

We know we’ve already said this, but your financial team can be your best friend in this very important aspect of owning a business. If you’d like to be sure your source documents are where they need to be, just complete the online contact form or give us a call. We’re here to help!

5 good reasons to have an emergency fund

by ctdev

When it’s a challenge to pay your basic expenses from month to month, it can seem impossible to set aside money for emergencies that may never happen. But you need only look at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. economy to realize how abruptly things can fall apart.

A December 2020 MagnifyMoney survey found that 43 percent of consumers with an emergency fund needed to tap their funds during the pandemic. That number jumped to 64 percent for those who were laid off or furloughed.

While a pandemic is a once-in-a-century occurrence, any financial emergency has the potential to devastate even the most carefully planned budget. If you’ve put off creating an emergency fund in the past, here are 5 compelling reasons to create one now.

Reason 1: Job loss.

As the pandemic showed, businesses close and jobs disappear without warning. Financial experts previously advised people to have three to six months’ worth of expenses saved to tide them over, but some experts are revising that figure to 12 months, to allow for increasingly longer periods of unemployment.

Reason 2: Health expenses.

It only takes one ER trip or an impacted wisdom tooth to create financial havoc, especially if you don’t have health or dental insurance. Even with insurance, you may still have to cover deductible and co-pay costs that exceed what you have in your flexible spending account…if you have one.

Reason 3: Home or car repairs.

Yes, you can use a credit card or a payday loan to cover car repairs, but then you’re saddled with debt that grows larger each month. And even if you have homeowners’ insurance, not everything may be covered—for instance, an old refrigerator that needs to be replaced ASAP.

Reason 4: Pet health issues.

What if your dog, cat, ferret, etc. has a medical emergency or needs surgery? Even today’s pet insurance policies don’t cover all costs. The emergency vet visit alone can cost several hundred dollars, and depending on the type of surgery, you could end up paying several thousand dollars.

Reason 5: Unexpected travel for family illness or death.

If a family member or friend who lives far away is hospitalized or passes away, you may want/need to be there. Plane or train fare isn’t cheap, and hotel expenses can add up, too.

There are a number of smaller but important, reasons for accessing an emergency fund. A lost cell phone; a dying computer; sick days when you don’t get sick pay; broken eyeglasses; kids’ sports uniforms…every little expense adds up.

That’s why you’ll never make a better money move than starting an emergency fund, and here are some simple ways to kick your savings into gear:

  1. Set up a savings account separate from your regular checking and savings.
  2. Start small; even $5 per week will add up over time.
  3. If possible, have the amount that goes to your emergency fund automatically deposited from your pay, so you’re not tempted to spend it.
  4. Set achievable short- and long-term goals. Short-term: Deposit $5 four weeks in a row; increase your weekly deposit by a small increment. Long-term: Save $500.
  5. Deposit “found” money to increase your savings, i.e., the change in your pocket each night, birthday gifts of money, bottle deposit money, refunds.
  6. Don’t completely cut out all the things you enjoy, or you’ll be less likely to stick with your savings plan.

The key is to get started, so you and your loved ones can enjoy the best benefit of all: Peace of mind that you’ll have something to fall back on if the worst happens. If you’d like help achieving that peace of mind, just complete the online contact form or give us a call. We’re here to help!

How to ‘talk to the channel’ in multichannel marketing

by ctdev

Multichannel marketing may sound like the latest buzzword, but it’s actually a strategy that makes sense, given all the choices your existing and potential customers have to communicate with your brand. It works on the theory that customers are more likely to buy when they can use their favorite channel—which can include social media platforms, brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce websites, catalogs, phone orders, email newsletters, Google ads and many more. 

The key to multichannel marketing is to be where your audience is, so it’s probably not surprising to hear that social media platforms are among the most popular channels for today’s marketers. However, unlike email, newsletters, catalogs and ads, which are created to reach a broad and diverse audience, it’s important to strike a more precise tone, or “voice,” let’s call it, when you’re interacting with your audience on social media.    

Reading the room…er, channel

Why is it so important? Social media followers tend to fall into definite—and different—personality types, depending on the platform(s) they use. It’s possible that not all of these channels are right for your business, but if you keep these brief profiles in mind, you’ll be able to speak the right language for the audiences on the platforms you do use.

  • Facebook is the place for news, updates and connection. It’s become a popular platform for family and friends to stay in touch with each other, so you may find a real diversity of ages and backgrounds among your followers. Warmth, personality and humanity will go a long way toward building a connection.
  • Instagram is the place to see and be seen. It’s all about the visual: carefully curated content that can be showcased in photos or video-based Instagram Stories. Followers tend to skew younger here, and they’re a visual group, so plan your message carefully and communicate in a casual, friendly and—above all else—honest tone.
  • Twitter is the place for fast-breaking, to-the-point news. Like Facebook, you’ll find diversity here, but you’ll also find a group that isn’t shy about letting businesses know when they’re happy or unhappy—and those tweets may be shared ad infinitum. Keep it short and snappy…and pay attention to the replies.
  • LinkedIn is the place for businesspeople. Every company should have a LinkedIn profile; it’s where business followers can “meet” your small business and get an idea of your products and services. Keep posts professional and share interesting content about your company or industry in general. 

The great thing about social media marketing is that standing out is strongly encouraged. So experiment with different aspects of a campaign—colors, images, copy, calls to action—to see what works within the different channels. Don’t be afraid to try new things as you create marketing ideas that allow all of your channels to work together. Above all, allow yourself to have fun building a marketing strategy to bolster your business. 

While we can’t actually do it for you, if you’d like to free up some of your time to concentrate on multichannel marketing, ask us about our other services—designed to relieve you of accounting, payroll and other business-related tasks.