15 Email Marketing Tips to Bring Success to Your Newsletter

Introduction

As you may know, most people now spend more time reading their emails than they do surfing the web. Email is one of the most powerful mediums that you can use to talk to visitors, customers and prospects.

In this article I will discuss 15 best practices that you can use everyday in your email marketing activities. Used wisely and consistently, there’s no doubt you’ll see an increased response from your subscribers — whether it be for more feedback, more product/seminar registrations, or even more orders.

1. Avoiding the Spam Filters

The majority of large Internet service providers now use rigorous spam protection mechanisms to trap unsolicited email before it gets into their customers inboxes. Spam filters generally “rank” each email by a number of different criteria, and, if that email rates above a certain level (such as 10 spam points), then it is flagged as spam and deleted.

To make sure your emails don’t get flagged as spam — and deleted before they even get to your subscribers — avoid using words such as ‘Free’, ‘$$$’, ‘Save’, ‘Discount’, etc in both the subject line and the content of your email.

2. Maximizing Click-Thru Rates

Both web pages and emails can contain a lot of text and graphics, and this sometimes makes it harder to get your subscribers to perform a certain task, such as clicking on a link to see your special offers.

Numerous research papers tell us that the majority of Internet users respond better to a plain, bold, blue text link — such as this — as opposed to a banner or button. So, if you’re going to include links in your emails, make sure they are bold, blue and underlined. This will mean that more subscribers click through, meaning more conversions/sales for you.

3. The Power of Personalization

If you were standing in a crowded mall, which of these would get your attention: “HEY, YOU!” or “HEY JOHN” (assuming your name is John). The power of personalization can and should be used in your emails. In-fact, by simply starting your email with “Hi [subscriber_name]” instead of the boring “Hi there”, you can increase both your reading and click-through rates by up to 650%. Why? Put simply, it’s because your subscribers feel like they already have a relationship with you as you’ve addressed them by their first name.

4. One-Click Unsubscription

If you want to grow your mailing list, then there are 2 things that you absolutely must have: a double opt-in process, and a quick way to unsubscribe. In some countries, it’s actually mandatory by law that every email has an unsubscribe link in it. The unsubscribe link should take the recipient directly to a page where they are then removed — courteously — from your mailing list.

5. Signup Confirmation

Don’t get accused of spamming — always, and I mean always use a double opt-in confirmation process. Double opt-in means that after your visitor initially enters their email address to subscribe to your list, you should then send them a “confirmation” email. This email should contain a special link back to your email-marketing program, which will then verify that this visitor did indeed sign up to your mailing list.

6. Tuesday / Wednesday = Increased Response

Studies conducted by online research analysts have shown that the best days to perform a mail-out to your list are Tuesday and Wednesday, as this is when people are more receptive to communication. This means that they are more likely to read your content and click on links, meaning more sales.

On Mondays, everyone is still recovering from a hectic weekend. On Thursday and Friday, people are already too busy looking forward to the weekend. We’ve actually experimented with this, and received the best results by sending out emails at around 2-3pm (American Pacific Time) on a Wednesday.

7. Repeat Email Communication

An auto responder is an email that is scheduled to be sent at a certain time interval after someone subscribes to your mailing list. Auto responders are a great way to automatically follow up with your subscribers or provide them with more information on your products/services.

For example, if you provide a free newsletter, you could setup 3 auto responders for new subscribers: the first is sent 1 hour after they subscribe. It contains a thank you message and a link to get 10% off your newly released eBook.

The second is sent 24 hours after they subscribe, telling them about your community message boards, and the third is sent 72 hours after they subscribe, in which you can offer them a special deal on becoming a paid member of your site.

Auto responders help your subscribers build trust in both your company and your brand, and this can help make it easier when trying to close sales in the future.

8. Consistency is the Key

If you’re running a newsletter or frequent email publication, make sure you keep the look and feel consistent from issue to issue. By keeping the look and feel consistent, you help to maintain and strengthen your brand and your image to your subscribers, which again will make it easier to close sales when you need to.

Create a template for your newsletter and whenever you need to create a new issue, use that template as the basis for each issue.

9. On Time, Every Time

When sending a regular email to your subscribers, always make sure that it’s sent on the same day, at the same time. For example, every Wednesday at 3pm. Your subscribers will come to “expect” your email to arrive in their inbox on the same day at the same time every week, meaning that they want to read your content and are generally more receptive to any special offers or promotions you may include.

10. The Half-a-Second Subject Line

When your email arrives in your subscriber’s inbox, you generally have about half a second to catch their attention with the subject line of your email. After this, they will either delete your email or ignore it. In your subject line, try and specify a benefit that the subscriber can expect by reading your email. For example, instead of using ‘OurSite Newsletter Issue #1’, use ‘OurSite Newsletter: 10 Tips for Financial Freedom’.

11. The Free Bonus Hook-In

Free is overused these days, especially on the Internet. However, if you’re looking to grow your subscriber list, then create or source a product of value to your visitors (such as an eBook or discount coupon) and offer it to them for free when they signup for your newsletter.

To make sure they don’t simply type any email address into your subscription form, setup an auto responder to send them the free bonus 1 hour after they subscribe to your newsletter.

12. The Preview Pane

Popular email clients such as MS Outlook show a preview of an email when it’s selected in your inbox. Always have some interesting content at the very top of your email, as this is the part that will show in the preview window of your subscribers email program. If it’s interesting enough, then your subscriber will open your email and continue on reading.

13. Link-Click Testing

When creating marketing emails, try using different text for both content and links. Also try re-positioning images such as logos and buttons. After sending about 3 different emails, compare the click-through stats and see which one worked best. Now, when you need to send marketing emails in the future, you know that you will be sending the right mix of content and images that will attract the most click-thrus, and ultimately the most sales.

14. Email-Based Learning

Add value to your website, build trust in your visitors, establish your credibility and collect more subscriptions to your mailing list by setting up an email-based learning course. To do this, simply create a series of auto responders (for example, 5) containing unique content. Then, schedule the first one to be sent after 24 hours, the second after 48 hours, etc.

15. Always Sign on the Dotted Line

Always include a signature at the bottom of your emails, as it’s one of the easiest ways to attract more traffic to your website. This signature should include your personal details, your company details, and an unsubscribe link. You can use your signature to link back to your website, and even to other products. Here’s a sample signature:

  • Regards,
  • John Doe.
  • President – Company XYZ.
  • Visit our website at http://www.companyxyz.com
  • Unsubscribe from this newsletter at [http://www.companyxyz.com/unsubscribe..].

Conclusion

By implementing the 15 best practices described in this article, you can take your email marketing to a whole new level — attracting more subscribers, and building both your brand equity and credibility at the same time.

Business to Business Email Marketing Basics

If you’re not sending out email newsletters to clients and potential clients, you’re losing money. 98% of people check their email via their mobile phones in today’s society. That’s 98%! People are on the go and checking their email via push notifications. If you’re not sending out specials and updates about your products or services, your customers are not keeping your company in mind most of the time. And, other businesses may capture your business. So, you just read, email marketing and newsletters are important because they now reach your customers immediately.

To be successful with an email marketing campaign you need to have a clear, concise subject line. A long subject line, or one that isn’t clear about what you’re offering, is likely to be dismissed as SPAM by the recipient.

Make sure you format your email message properly. People use different types of phones, which means they’re using different types of browsers and operating systems. If your message shows up jumbled or ill-formatted, the customer will not reach on and he or she will simply delete your efforts and offer. If you are not familiar with the different types of mobile marketing / email newsletter formats, please find a company that is.

You should also utilize strong content. Don’t be pushy but be blunt. State your offer, state the benefits, state the timeline that the customer has to take advantage of the offer. Being too wordy or not getting to the point will not result in sales or interest by customers. Don’t venture into the opposite direction, either. Verbiage that is too alike to that of a used car’s sale ad will also turn people away.

You should also monitor the stats of your email marketing efforts. If more people are opening emails on Tuesday nights versus Saturday mornings, adjust your delivery dates for important sales and/or notices.

Email marketing is becoming stronger than ever these days. People are utilizing social media to produce more subscribers to newsletters, which contain special promotional offers and better ROI results. Incorporating video, audio, and even consumer contests into an immediate email offer or email newsletter will help your business grow and products / services sell quicker.

Don’t forget content will always be king. The use of too many photos or unprofessional video links can backfire when sending out any type of email marketing collateral. Make sure all your content and media collateral is balanced, looks professional and is accompanied by a strong call to action.

A to Z in Dish Network deals

First, what’s Dish Network?

Dish Network, owned by company Echostar, is the United States second biggest Satellite TV provider. Dish Network provides up to 256 TV channels of 100% digital picture.

Satellite broadcast licensed in 1987, Dish Network currently dish up about 10 million satellite TV customers with their free Dish Network offer in United States. With up to 256 TV channels served in three major packages (Dish Network All American Top 60s, 120s, and 180s) and various free satellite TV equipments, Dish Network is the one of the best TV setup currently in the market. Huge programming choice, crunchy digital image, HDTV-ready with SuperDISH packages, and digital video recording.

A lot of online dealers claim that Dish Network satellite TV systen is for free, is it for real?

Yes, absolutely free IF you are a first time customer! Worth $1500, these satellite equipments is totally free to get when you subscribe to Dish Network. Satellite TV providers are fighting hard to win the fierce competition that they will give you all the equipment free!

So how do they make money?

Pretty simple: the subscription fees. To get your free Dish Network satellite TV, you have to commit to a one-year subscription contract when you get into Dish Network. Infact, this is the current trend of the satellite TV business — both Dish Network and DirecTV are making money through the subscription fees in long term.

Why get it online?

Greatest satellite TV bargains are normally found on line. Why? Dish Network online retailers are the most aggressive satellite retailers cause their operating cost is awfully low compared to brick and mortar stores. They are the only one that can afford to bring you the best bargains in Dish Network.

What is the best hardware setup?

2-rooms set up, 3-rooms set up, HDTV set up … getting confused?

The best hardware set up really depends on your visualize and your location. Most people will be perfectly served by the multi-room systems right now. All the necessary equipment for up to 4 rooms, plus the installation, plus Digital Video Recorders are yours for the taking, FREE.

In this package, with just $50 of start up fees (which they will credit back your account for the same amount), you are ready to enjoy your Dish Network. As mention before, these satellite TVs equipments are given life time warranty; you won’t have to worry about receivers or dishes breaking down.

Same thing if you want to receive Dish Network HD programs. Until recently you had to buy special equipment (known as the Superdish) to receive high definition signals. Now you don’t even have to — Regular receivers (those that are freely given) like the HD-811 and the HD-DVR 921, can get all HD content.

If you want to get international programming – the strong set of Dish Network – you will have to buy an additional dish antenna at the cost of $99 (at the time of writing).

Do I need to install the dish my self?

Nope, you don’t need to do that. Dish Network retailer workers will install your satellite system for you and its totally free of charge. Instead of sweating it, just leave the installation works to a pro. You will be getting an access card once your dish system had been installed. The access card is like a license for your satellite system.

All About Microsoft Access 2013 and Access 365

Microsoft Access 2013 is the software that has progressed over the ages from Access 1.1 in 1992 until now.

Office Professional 2013 Software (which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access) will allow you to install and run Access 2013 as usual.

The Office 365 version is paid by monthly subscription and provides Web services to Office 2013. It includes the Office Professional 2013 software as well as Access 365 and Access 2013.

Access 365, besides the name “Access”, has little to nothing in common with Access 2013 or previous versions of Access.

What is Access 365 all about?

Access 365 is a tool for creating web apps that run within SharePoint 2013. The old .ACCDB format has been abandoned. New applications should use the Access 365 model, or stick with Access 2010.

Access 365 allows the rapid creation of small applications using the standard web technologies of HTML5, CSS and JavaScript in a simplified web development environment. One big feature is that Access Services can now store data to Microsoft SQL Server or an SQL Azure database.

The use of SQL Server overcomes the 2 Gigabyte size limitation of the previous Access databases. SQL Server also provides all the security and features essential for any strategic company business system.

And What about Access 2013?

The Access 2013 desktop version is much unchanged from previous versions – it still supports the Front-End and Back-End database model and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

But Access 2013 no longer supports:

  • The Microsoft Access project (ADP)
  • The Access 97.mdb database format
  • PivotCharts and PivotTables
  • The dBASE database
  • Smart Tags (Action Tags)
  • Access 2003 Toolbars and menus
  • The Microsoft SQL Server database Upsizing Wizard
  • The Developer Source Code Control

Apps for Office

There is a new feature of Access 365 – Apps for Office. This technology enables Office to be used as a service on the Cloud or Web. The webpage can be hosted in an Office application – that is Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint or Project.

An app is usually published to the Office Store for use.

JavaScript API for Office

Access 365 has a new JavaScript API that provides programmatic access to Microsoft Office documents. The API includes application-specific data types, objects, functions and events.

The JavaScript API is a great improvement on the crude JavaScript design capabilities within HTML.

SharePoint apps

Access 365 provides a simple way for SharePoint to host the Front-End of an app and have the data management capabilities of SQL Server on the Web. This simplifies web development.

Note that Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code is not compatible with SharePoint Access applications.

Access 365 Macro Editor

Templates can be used to create sophisticated looking apps – and without the need for code. However business rules and data manipulation can be implemented with a new macro language. The macros do not have the power of VBA, but are adequate for simple logic.

Microsoft’s Strategic Direction

Microsoft Access was never meant for corporate company databases. Many companies evolved the Access database software into their core administration systems. But with the limitations of network traffic, peak loads, reliability, rollback recovery, security, etc, etc – these systems eventually hit a brick wall.

The direction that Access 365 is now taking reverts to the original intention of Microsoft Access. That is, providing a rapid development environment for small Line of Business (LOB) applications.

Microsoft Access with VBA is at the end of the road. For mission critical administration systems, the best development platform is Visual Basic.Net with SQL Server.

CreateMyFuture Review – Legitimate Opportunity?

CreateMyFuture is an internet marketing platform and portal to Shaklee products multilevel marketing. Will this work and what are the costs?

Shaklee is a manufacturer of premium personal care and nutritional products founded in Hayward California by Forest C. Shaklee. The CMF program uses leads from different approved vendors. Leads are not included in the cost of the subscription. Purchasing leads separately is not required but recommended.

The key with any replicated site concept is to differentiate and promote your own site to make it stand out. With many competing similar pages, the individual members using the program will personalize their presentation.

As with most testimonials, the results presented are applicable only to the individual cases, are not typical nor do they guarantee another individual will achieve similar results. Success is determined by dedication, ability and personal talent.

Standard accounts are $29.95 per month and premium accounts are $59.95 per month.

A standard fifteen minute presentation describes the business to prospective new distributors that visit the CMF web site. It is designed to take leads through a marketing funnel beginning with a lead capture page followed by making phone calls and using auto responder e-mail messages.

The basic account includes lead capture pages, lead integration opportunities and marketing sites for web development including audio and video creators.

The premium account includes a video creator, enhanced autoresponder reporting, unlimited custom auto responders campaigns, a conference line, web conferencing for up to five people, and priority e-mail support.

CMF also includes a marketing site for product samples, a contact manager and calendar system to coordinate follow up, pre written auto responder scripts, landing page templates, desktop alerts for prospects visiting the site, and weekly live training calls.

The Shaklee business opportunity is a multilevel marketing program based on selling premium personal and health care products which require product storage and delivery by the distributors.

Consider using article marketing, video marketing and social network marketing. You need to promote and develop traffic to your individual area and differentiate it from the other replicated web pages that may be very similar to your site.

ERP Software & Business Accounting Software to Support Your Growing Business Needs

Popular ‘shrinkwrap solutions’ Quickbooks and Peachtree have been the launching point for many a business. These products are easy to use, flexible, and with the built-in two dimensional reporting, are outstanding for accounting, and even some advanced application areas like project billing and procurement management.

When is it time to move on, some company owners may ask? While there are probably 50 or so good reasons, but for the purposes of this article, I will highlight a few. If you are running a standalone Ecommerce solution that does not tie to your accounting system, that may be reason one. If you are running a simple sales force automation system like ACT!, Salesforce.com or Goldmine, and the quoting and customer master records are not tied to your accounting systems items, that may be another. In both these examples, integrated systems allow you standardized pricing by customer, item, promotion, or even dealer (partner).

The biggest justification may come with people running simple production planning and scheduling functions on spreadsheets. By passing around spreadsheets, companies are wasting time, and errors can be easily made. Also, once your production scheduling is complete, there is usually no ‘put back,’ to the accounting system. The justification for a systematic planning and scheduling system tied to your back office may be in inventory reduction, improved customer service, or lead-time reduction. If you can add an ‘available to promise,’ to commit an order to a key prospect or customer, you may be able to improve your top line as well.

From an IT infrastructure standpoint, you may start to wonder why the servers in some hidden room in your company are growing. Well with all these disparate systems, it is often time easier to add a server than to try to consolidate applications on one server. This adds complexity and increases your reliance on costly IT personnel.

Find an online, subscription based solution that combines ERP, CRM, Ecommerce and business intelligence in one simple solution. All you should need is a web browser and a high speed line. In summary, small companies can benefit by:

1) Reducing the ‘islands of automation,’ that require rekeying and are conducive to mistakes
2) Reduce the dependence on internal systems and IT personnel
3) Dive into advanced integration application areas like aftermarket service, planning/scheduling, Ecommerce and configuration management and comprehensive sales force automation.

How Does VoIP Phone Service Work?

For years, businesses have been replacing their analog phone lines with VoIP phone service. In its early years, VoIP picked up its own reputation among users and skeptics who touted it as unreliable; however, throughout its history, this new communication technology has grown in popularity and left its mark as a reliable and practical communication solution for businesses of all sizes.

Today, businesses use VoIP features to stay in touch with customers and colleagues, expand their businesses seamlessly, monitor employee performance, and build customer loyalty. By harnessing the power of the cloud, VoIP also offers a degree of flexibility and simplicity that analog users just can’t experience.

While analog phone service keeps communications fixed in one location, VoIP allows you to make and receive your business calls from any device (office, mobile, or soft phone app) or forward them to external sites and extensions.

The flexibility and convenience of this technology is what most users love about business VoIP providers.

Small businesses and entrepreneurs are also able to use VoIP phone service to create the image of a larger company with features like auto attendant and custom prompt menus.

What can you expect from a VoIP phone service?

VoIP takes analog audio signals and converts them into digital data which can be transmitted over the internet. With less bandwidth required to transmit the data, there is less occurrence of jitter which causes that choppy audio and lackluster call quality that drives everyone crazy.

Call quality, cost savings, and easy setup are the main drivers of VoIP’s success but there are several features and capabilities that set this communication technology apart.

These are few of the standard features you can expect when using a VoIP phone service:

  • Call forwarding
  • Voicemail to email
  • Auto attendant, also known as a digital receptionist or cloud receptionist
  • Call continuity
  • Programmable keypads
  • App integration
  • Caller ID display
  • Call blocking
  • Call conferencing
  • Mobile capabilities

VoIP phone service can seem like a drastic change to your communications strategy but if you’re willing to speak with consultants, you will see that it’s actually a simple transition.

A Better Business Communication Solution

Convenient set up

Even with more recent, premise-based business phone systems, set up is cumbersome and expensive compared to a cloud-based phone system. It requires users to connect wires and figure out which line pairs with which extension; most busy business owners usually end up either having to hire someone to install it for them or spend hours on the phone with their phone company.

With VoIP, the time it takes to get up and running is minimal and most VoIP service providers offer support to help you every step of the way. Usually, however, it’s as easy as plugging in your IP phone and letting it initialize to your existing network.

There are no wires or lines to worry about since your service provider takes care of most of the set up before you receive your new equipment. When you use VoIP phone service, your settings come pre-configured to your phone so all you have to do is connect your phone to the correct ports and you’re on your way.

The best part?

Since VoIP is cloud-based, your provider is able to take the maintenance of equipment and servers that help power your communications off your hands by managing their own servers and IT staff for your convenience.

This means any business can enjoy using this technology regardless of the size of their location.

Minimize costs

Businesses see significant savings when they switch from traditional phone service. With older PBX systems, you had to hire an IT staff to maintain the equipment housed in your office, pay for long distance charges, and if you wanted to add a line to your office you had to pay the phone company more for the phone number and installation.

Today’s VoIP technology only requires one-time hardware costs and a monthly subscription based on service plan rates. Long distance calling rates vary among providers but many offer unlimited calling along with competitive international rates.

Easy setup, lower costs, and robust features make VoIP a great solution for business communication. It’s no surprise that VoIP is seeing rapid growth with no signs of slowing down in the coming years.

Perpetual Leverage – A Legitimate Compensation Plan

In order to be successful in any work at home business, a legitimate compensation plan has to be in place. More importantly, this compensation plan must be perpetual for you to leverage the maximum amount of profit available. Perpetual by definition means that something will be lasting for all time or occurring over and over. Having this type of leverage of the compensation plan is valuable.

In order to know how to leverage the compensation plan, you must totally understand your companies plan. Some key points to take note of are:

  • What are the products? You really need to understand what the product line of the company is. If you do not know what you are selling then you cannot sell it.
  • What is the profit from each product? Knowing what the profit margin of each product will allow you to focus your main sales toward that one product if you choose. You should still market the others, as multiple sales of those will usually equal one larger sale.
  • Do you have to obtain certain sales levels in order to receive maximum profit margins? Many companies require you to obtain certain sales volume or at the very least, have purchased the products you are marketing in order to receive the maximum profit from that product. If you choose not to purchase a product and you sell one of those products, your sales commission will usually “roll up” to the next qualified member (usually your sponsor). This is why it is important to establish yourself at the top level right out of the gate. This is where the true power of perpetual leverage is achieved.
  • How many levels deep in your team do you get compensated for? Understanding how many levels deep you are compensated for is crucial. Some companies will only pay you for your direct sales and that is it. Others may pay you for your sales and the one person you personally sponsored. The top companies will pay you for as many as five levels deep. This is where your true lifetime residual income will come from. This is why you must build a team that is very wide and then assist them doing the same. Some companies have a bonus pool that is a great reward and incentive for training others to be successful.
  • Are company subscriptions such as marketing systems and training commissionable? Some companies will compensate you for your team’s subscriptions. These subscriptions are from marketing systems or training platforms that are offered. These commissions are generally small, but with a wide team, they can add up fast and are perpetual.
  • Are company events and training seminar tickets commissionable? Company events and training seminars are hard to get team members to attend. But when the company makes those tickets commissionable, attendance skyrockets. Again, these commissions may be minimal, but add up quickly.

As you can see, there are several factors that must be met in order to have perpetual leverage of a legitimate compensation plan. Knowing and understanding your compensation plan is vital. If you do not know what to leverage, you cannot leverage it. Affiliating yourself with a work at home company that has a legitimate compensation plan and can show you how to leverage it is one of the most important steps that you can take.

Reducing Operating Costs for Your Startup Is Essential for Longevity

Cash flow management is already a challenge for startups, but COVID-19 is not making matters better. With unemployment rising and people spending less money on certain goods or services, startups are likely to suffer during this time. However, reducing operating expenses can help a startup stay afloat until operations are back to normal.

Reducing overall operating costs can certainly impact your bottom line, especially as the impact of COVID-19 is felt. Also, reevaluating the budget and allocating funds to different operations can keep essential parts of your business going. Keep reading to learn more about how to reduce the operating expenses for your startup while staying productive during COVID-19.

Review your budget with a new lens

When you created your budget for the year, the coronavirus was not likely to be on your mind. And, with updates and changes happening so fast over the last several months, 2020 can feel like one big game of catchup. Now that shelter-in-place ordinances are lifting and people are venturing back out into the world, it is a good time to reevaluate your operating budget.

Revenue projections are likely in need of an update, and your outlook for 2021 is different now than it was a few months ago. From lower sales numbers to higher churn rates, the priorities of your budget need to be evaluated. However, it is important to avoid simply slashing your budget. Wisely evaluating the numbers may indicate that some areas of your business are actually improving during this time.

Renegotiate contracts

The impact of COVID-19 is being felt across the country. If your business has shifted, it is likely that others connected to you have done the same. You may be able to renegotiate terms or contracts during this time to give yourself some breathing room. From reducing office costs to eliminating subscriptions, there are some measures you can take to prevent waste.

Office Space

If your company has shifted to remote work, you are likely paying for empty office space. Your landlord may be willing to negotiate your terms due to the unprecedented circumstances. In some cases, shelter-in-place orders may prohibit you from working in the office altogether. Review your contract to see if there are any provisions for a situation when the office space is not usable.

Subscriptions

Your startup likely has multiple active subscriptions. Whether you rely on monthly professional services, like IT support, or SaaS licenses to run your business, there might be some room for cuts. Try negotiating with your partners or vendors to reduce subscription costs. You may have licenses that you are no longer using or termination fees that can be renegotiated.

Deferred Payments

In cases where you cannot reduce operating costs in numbers, ask for deferred payments. Lengthening the payment cycle can improve your cash flow temporarily and get you through a rough patch.

Eliminate nonessential tools

When you reevaluate your budget, you may find that it is skewed in one area. Go line by line to review the various tools and services used by your business, determine which are essential and which items can be cut. Reviewing financial statements is a great way to visualize where your budget is going, instead of assuming. You may have duplicate tools, tools that are no longer in use, or items that can be replaced with a less expensive alternative.

Cut Unnecessary Licenses

Reviewing all the tools and services used by your team could also highlight which services have too many licenses. Are all licenses being used, or can some be eliminated? Also, you may be paying for additional functions that you could go without, at least for the time being. Dropping your subscription tier or reducing the number of licenses could help lower operating costs.

Cut Out Paper

While it may seem small, going paperless can help your bottom line. Businesses spend quite a bit on paper, printers, and ink every year. If your team is working remote, there is even less reason to use paper. When you return to the office, you can continue the habits formed during quarantine to reduce the overall paper usage of your business.

Stay flexible

Things are likely to continue changing as we learn more about COVID-19 and its overall impact. There may be unlikely opportunities to reduce your operating expenses over time. The unpredictability of COVID-19 combined with the changing nature of startups makes it important to stay on your toes. You may find yourself considering new or innovative ideas that you would not have previously thought of.

Evaluate More Frequently

Periodically evaluating your budget and outlook can help you stay more agile and flexible. As your startup changes and evolves, your operating costs need to follow. Set up more frequent evaluations to stay on top of your operating costs and adjust as needed.

Pause large investments or projects

For many startups, cash flow is limited. COVID-19 is putting major purchases and projects on hold until businesses can stabilize. Instead of considering these pauses as losses, pay attention to the money you are saving and the cash you are making available.

New Equipment

Were you planning to upgrade everyone’s laptops this year or purchase a new phone system? COVID-19 may not be the right time to make major investments like purchasing new equipment. Instead, stick to only buying what is necessary. Look for refurbished or second-hand items when possible to save on operating costs.

Marketing Initiatives

Unless your marketing initiatives are seeing a positive ROI, it may be time to pause big projects. Instead of rolling out previously scheduled campaigns, reevaluate your marketing calendar to determine what will move the needle for your business. If your customers are pushing off on buying decisions, now might not be the time to invest in sales and marketing.

Utilize Free Trial Periods

If you absolutely must purchase a new service or equipment, take advantage of free trial periods. Ensure the vendor is the right partner for you by testing their product or service ahead of time. In some cases, vendors will negotiate on the trial period if you are serious about buying.

Reduce payroll

Finally, reducing payroll can help lower operating costs. Many startups see this as a last resort because it greatly impacts your operational capacity as well as the individual lives of employees. However, in some cases, it is a necessary measure.

Implement a Hiring Freeze

You can make steps towards reducing operational costs by implementing a hiring freeze. Avoid filling positions unless necessary. Your team may be stretched thin, but you can avoid eliminating current positions this way.

Contract Out

Instead of hiring for new positions, contract out when possible. For example, you may need financial guidance during COVID-19. You can contract with a freelance CFO to work part-time at a lower cost than hiring an executive-level position. Firms like K-38 Consulting provide services from top-notch financial advisors, and you only pay for services when you need them.

Free Trade Magazines

Free trade magazines or we can say a best way to understand adopting career change and earn good money, are the baits thrown by the magazine owners to lure customers at once. All the online users must be familiar with such luring offers which often come across. Free trade magazines can prove to be of great importance to the small and medium scale industrialists too, as they provide necessary information about the marketers and government policies affecting the particular industries.

Subscribing a free trade magazine seems to be a very economic affair but, after doing it you will realize the truth lying behind such a sumptuous offer. Companies offering trade magazines for free know the ideal psychology of the people, which is the reason why they claim to provide their products for free initially. Once you subscribe it, you will be asked to pay a particular amount to continue the subscription. The first few editions might be given for free, but gradually you will realize that it was no different than subscribing any other trade magazine with genuine payments.

Paid subscriptions on the other hand are rather transparent in their working. Magazine providers ask for amount initially and do not mislead the customers by proposing unrealistic offers like free trade magazines. Those who like toying with fresh ideas would try using such lucrative offers like free trade magazines at least once. People who want to make it big and require information about how to initiate their business and other related things like to subscribe to trade magazines in general. Trade magazines will provide them with all the essential information and tips to attain their goals. If you are too keen to work out something in a commercially viable way, you might get struck in the beginning even.

Those who like to switch careers need appropriate information to plan their actions. To know what the new line of work entails you need to understand the basics and pre requisites to establish the one of your choice. For all that, you can subscribe to some relevant magazines. There are cases when people with already established career get a feeling to switch to another career where their interest lies. To follow your interests you need to get trained relevantly, so that you could commercialize your services and earn handsome money from it.

To know what remuneration you could attain by opting a new career, and the mode through which you could hone your skills to fit in the industry well, you need perfect and to the point information from a reliable source. For this purpose subscribing to a free magazine seems to be a very beneficial option. Free magazines may ask you about your credit card information initially, but won’t ask you to pay for the trial subscription at that time. Later on to continue the subscription you will have to make the payments as per the magazine provider’s rules.

Some magazines can be used as a part of continuing professional education in the fields like insurance and engineering etc. The information provided in the trade magazines is very beneficial for its readers as it tells them the opportunity cost to switch from their existing career to a another career to their interest. It states the real picture of the industry and helps the individuals in deciding about whether to venture upon their new interest or not and how.

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