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While companies can use a variety of incentive programs and bonuses, businesses with staff longevity frequently rely on a more personal touch. View the full article

US president’s comments come as countries prepare to sign deal on critical mineralsView the full article

The Academy Awards ain't everything. Sometimes the movies that win truly represent the best films of their years; sometimes they reflect a trend or a zeitgeist that winds up looking a little backward after some time has passed; sometimes they're just completely inexplicable. But let's focus on the times the Academy has awarded movies that are actually pretty good, or that at least reflect their eras enough to be interesting. Here are 25 of the best award winners currently streaming on Netflix (keeping in mind that some of the streamer's buzziest awards contenders—think The Irishman and Maestro—got lots of nominations but no wins). Barbie (2023) The pink-drunk optimism of the summer of Barbenheimer feels impossibly distant at this dark point in the. winter of 2025, so why not recapture a little of that magic by revisiting the movie that made feminism palatable to the masses for a little while (at least until it was rudely shoved back under the bed in late 2024). I shouldn't need to sell you on it: A star-making turn from Margot Robbie as Barbie, a delightfully egoless supporting turn from Ryan Gosling as her Ken, and a message of female empowerment that seemed a little trite until I realized that a lot of people apparently still haven't absorbed it. Oscar for: Best Original Song The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023) Audiences and critics had mixed reactions to Wes Anderson's other 2023 release, the feature-length Asteroid City, but there was little division over this short film, an adaptation of the Roald Dahl story, and it finally earned Anderson his first Oscar—not that he was there to collect it. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the pseudonymous Henry Sugar, a man who uses his inherited fortune to fund his gambling habit. When he learns of a secret means of winning by seeing through the eyes of others, he comes to perceive more than he, perhaps, bargained for. It's a cute and sweet, and among one of Anderson's most visually inventive works (which saying quite a bit). And, at 40 minutes (39, actually), it never has time to wear out its welcome. Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade also star. Oscar for: Best Live Action Short Film Roma (2018) Stepping back from the cerebral science-fiction of Children of Men and Gravity, Alfonso Cuarón won his second Best Director Oscar for this semi-autobiographical drama inspired by his own childhood in Mexico City of the 1970s, in the middle of Mexico's long, violent Dirty War. Yalitza Aparicio plays Cleo Gutiérrez, a Mixtec live-in maid for an upper-middle-class couple with four children whose marriage is slowly disintegrating. When husband Antonio leaves with his mistress, wife Sophia and the pregnant Cleo bond over their unexpected situations. Cuarón is wonderfully adept at creating a sense of time and place, and the performances are indelible. Roma won Best Foreign Language Film, but was also nominated for Best Picture, and it's a far stronger work than the year's actual winner, Green Book. Oscars for: Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón), Best Foreign Language Film (Mexico), Best Cinematography (Alfonso Cuarón) Marriage Story (2020) Nominated for six Oscars, Noah Baumbach's sensitive, devastating story of a crumbling marriage feels like a modern American update of Ingmar Bergman's Scenes from a Marriage, and earns the right to be mentioned in the same company. As warring couple Nicole and Charlie Barber, Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver give emotionally raw performances, but the real story is Laura Dern as Nicole's lawyer Nora Fanshaw; she's one of our finest actresses, with decades of excellent work, and it was high time she won her first Oscar. Driver and Johansson were also nominated, as was Baumbach for his original screenplay Oscar for: Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern) Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) More Oscar love for Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, The Shape of Water). Ho hum. Yet, as in the past, it's well-deserved. Set in Fascist Italy between the World Wars, this longtime passion project for the director boasts gorgeous stop-motion animation. More importantly, it embraces the darkness inherent in Carlo Collodi's original fantasy novel—del Toro recognizing that a children's story need be neither cloying nor condescending, and that kids recognize, as well as anyone, that sometimes the only way to the light is through the dark. The talented, but not distracting voice cast includes Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, and Cate Blanchett. Oscar for: Best Animated Feature Film All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) A second adaptation of the 1929 anti-war novel from Erich Maria Remarque, this version didn't take home Best Picture nor Best Director as the original 1930 version did, but still, All Quiet wound up being the second-most awarded film on Oscar night 2023, behind Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once. If it doesn't have quite the impact of the earlier adaptation, it's still a powerful film about the futility of war, set amid the trenches of World War I. Oscars for: Best International Feature (Germany), Best Original Score (Volker Bertelmann), Best Production Design (Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper), Best Cinematography (James Friend) My Octopus Teacher (2020) Filmmaker Craig Foster spent a year forming a relationship with a wild common octopus in a South African kelp forest, transferring some of the lessons learned to his relationship with his own son. If Foster could form a bond with such an alien intelligence in its own natural (and naturally dangerous) environment, surely there's hope for humanity? Maybe? Oscar for: Best Documentary Feature Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020) One sweaty, blues-filled afternoon in the Chicago of 1927, the great Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) shows up at the studio to make a new album. She's been contracted by white promoters, and she's fully aware that their deference to her is entirely dependent on her bankability as a singer. Over the course of the session, tensions rise and conflicts erupt, particularly between Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman's Levee Green. Davis earned a Best Actress nomination, and is so good that she's practically channeling the take-no-shit blues legend, while Chadwick Boseman was seen as a near-lock for a posthumous Best Actor award. Unfortunately, the Academy's notorious stinginess when it comes to Black acting seems to have won out—there's been exactly one Black Best Actress winner in 95 years of awards (Halle Berry), and only five Black acting winners overall. Oscars for: Best Costume Design (Ann Roth), Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Sergio López-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson) Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) While the long-awaited prequel/followup Furiosa undeservedly bombed at the box office and with Oscar voters, it in no way tarnishes the reputation of this 2015 action masterpiece. In retrospect, director George Miller's magnum opus would have been a far better Best Picture pick than the actual winner (when is the last time anyone thought about, let alone watched, The Revenant?), and it's always a good time to revisit the road rage mayhem alongside Max, Immortan Joe, the War Boys, and, of course, the Doof Warrior himself. Oscars for: Costume Design (Jenny Beavan), Film Editing (Margaret Sixel), Makeup and Hairstyling (Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega, and Damian Martin), Production Design (Colin Gibson, Lisa Thompson), Sound Editing (Mark Mangini and David White), Sound Mixing (Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff, and Ben Osmo) RRR (2022) It's wild that RRR wasn't nominated in more categories, given its epic scope, sharp commentary, and crowd-pleasing style—but taking home India's first Original Song Oscar was no small feat either, especially given that the competition included numbers from the likes of Rihanna and Lady Gaga. The movie itself is a blockbuster done right, with brilliantly choreographed action sequences and rousing musical numbers buttressing a strong "f*ck colonialism" message. Hopefully Hollywood was taking notes. Oscars for: Best Original Song ("Naatu Naatu") Erin Brockovich (2000) Julia Roberts finally took home an Academy Award for her irresistible turn as the title character, a feisty small town paralegal who manages to bring a massive corporation to its knees with a lawsuit over toxic pollution. Given the rapid dissolution of government agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and an increasingly corporate-friendly judiciary, it kinda plays like a beautiful fairytale these days, thanks in no small part to lively direction from Steven Soderbergh (who won the Oscar the same year for directing a different movie altogether—and while Traffic is a good too, spending time with Erin Brockovich is a lot more fun.) Oscars for: Best Actress (Julia Roberts) The Power of the Dog (2021) Like Brokeback Mountain, much of the press around Jane Campion's film had to do with its queer themes (gay cowboys? what's next!?), but its power lies in its deliberate, unhurried direction from Campion (a rarity these days), and also in its beautiful cinematography. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as one of two very different brothers, whose tenuous peace is shattered by the arrival of newcomers at their Montana ranch circa 1925. Oscar for: Best Director (Jane Campion) Period. End of Sentence. (2018) The short (around 25 minutes) film follows a group of women in the Indian village of Kathikera, about 50 miles from Delhi, who work to overcome centuries of shame associated with menstruation. Learning that sanitary pads can be made with local materials, local women start a factory to manufacture and sell their own pads, starting a quiet but needed revolution in menstrual health. Oscar for: Best Documentary Short Subject The Last Days (1998) In the last year of World War II and the Holocaust, the Nazis in occupied Hungary accelerated their program of deportation and extermination, even at the cost of war strategy. This documentary follows five survivors—and naturalized American citizens—traveling back to the camps they narrowly escaped. Oscar for: Best Documentary Feature The White Helmets (2016) It's easy to lose sight of documentaries dealing with war and crisis amid the many of that style that have received Oscar nominations and wins, but there are standouts even in that very particular crowd. The White Helmets documents the story of the Syrian Civil Defense, an all-volunteer group of Syrians who perform search and rescue operations in response to bombings. The real draw of this (relatively) short film is in the interludes with volunteers discussing their everyday lives, before and during the war; those moments make clear the cost of the ongoing conflict. Though seven years old, the Syrian Civil War continues, tragically, as does the work of the SCD. Oscar for: Best Documentary (Short Subject) American Factory (2019) The first film from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, goes and wins an Oscar. The film looks at an abandoned GM plant in Ohio purchased by a Chinese billionaire for his company, glass manufacturer Fuyao. The plant came to employ 2,000 American workers, but the complicated dynamic between the Chinese leadership and working-class American employers quickly points to potentially insurmountable problems. The movie takes a fly-on-the-wall approach, without any narrative beyond what we’re seeing and hearing inside the factory itself; there’s no overriding sense that there are heroes or villains here—just a lot of people trying to figure it all out. Oscar for: Best Documentary Feature Apollo 13 (1995) Ron Howard's all-star astronaut docudrama is not only a better film than the one that won Best Picture in its year (Braveheart), it's also a better picture than the one the director took home the Oscar for (A Beautiful Mind). Simultaneously heart-stopping and subdued, the true story of the aborted moon mission generates tension without going overboard on the histrionics. Oscars for: Best Film Editing (Mike Hill and Daniel Hanley), Best Sound (Rick Dior, Steve Pederson, Scott Millan and David MacMillan) The Sting (1973) Very much the kind of movie they don't make anymore, and not merely because it's a depression-era period piece. George Roy Hill, who had directed Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid just a few years earlier, reunited Paul Newman and Robert Redford in a similarly good-natured caper film. The two play a couple of con men with an elaborate scheme to get revenge on the crime boss who murdered their friend. The period details are as meticulously crafted as the movie's central scheme, and it's ultimately an all-time great crowd-pleaser. Oscars for: Best Picture, Best Director (George Roy Hill), Best Original Screenplay (David S. Ward), Best Art Direction (Henry Bumstead and James W. Payne), Best Costume Design (Edith Head), Best Film Editing (William Reynolds) Best Scoring (Marvin Hamlisch) Dallas Buyers Club (2013) While it's not exactly the best example of trans rep—casting a cis actor as a transwoman, and Jared Leto, no less—a more or less well-intentioned queer story with big name stars, including Matthew McConaughey in an Oscar-winning role, feels like...something anyway, given trans folks have become a major target for hate in the decade since. Set amid the AIDS crisis, this story of a struggling community fighting to survive might even remind you that better times are possible, in theory. Oscars for: Best Actor (Matthew McConaughey), Best Supporting Actor (Jared Leto) Godzilla Minus One (2023) Produced on a shoestring budget (at least by blockbuster terms), the thirty-third installment in the venerable Japanese sci-fi franchise (not counting the Hollywood entries) is both a supremely entertaining kaiju romp and a touching story about the impact of war on those "lucky" enough to survive it. And extra kudos for characterizing Godzilla as basically a giant, angry cat. Oscar for: Best Visual Effects (Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi, and Tatsuji Nojima) Parasite (2019) The 2020 Oscars were handed out just weeks before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, making the Best Picture win for Parasite—South Korean director Bong Joon-ho's darkly comic story of class warfare and the cruel hand of fate—feel like some kind of demarcation between "Then" (a time when a foreign film speaking truth to power could come out on top in Hollywood) and "Now." Oscars for: Best Picture, Best Director (Bong Joon-ho), Best Original Screenplay (Bong Joon-ho), Best International Film Whiplash (2014) Miles Teller plays Andrew Neiman, an ambitious and talented jazz musician in his first year at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. He’s come to the school with big dreams, and quickly gets noticed by the conductor of the conservatory’s studio band, Terence Fletcher (a terrifying J. K. Simmons). Fletcher is obsessive and cruel, which only feeds Neiman’s overwhelming desire to succeed. Oscars for: Best Supporting Actor (J. K. Simmons), Best Film Editing (Tom Cross), Best Sound Mixing (Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins, and Thomas Curley) Schindler's List (1993) Steven Spielberg shed his reputation as a maker of popcorn entertainments with this sobering true-life story of a German factory owner (Liam Neeson) who risked his own safety to protect Jewish workers in his employ during the darkest days of the Holocaust. It's not exactly an "entertaining" choice, but then again, it's always good to have something to point to when you need a reminder that, yes, fascism is bad. And Nazis? No good. Oscars for: Best Picture, Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Adapted Screenplay (Steve Zaillian), Best Cinematography (Janusz Kaminski), Best Art Direction (Allan Starski, Ewa Braun), Best Film Editing (Michael Kahn), Best Original Score (John Williams) Mank (2020) David Fincher's film about screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) and the development of Citizen Kane is impressively dramatic, and even occasionally harrowing. It also did a bit better at Oscar time than the movie whose making it dramatizes: Kane received nine nominations and one win, while Mank picked up 10 nominations and won two of them. Oscars for: Best Cinematography (Erik Messerschmidt), Best Production Design (Donald Graham Burt and Jan Pascale) If Anything Happens I Love You (2020) The very short (under 15 minutes) film, with a fairly simple animation style, manages to generate more emotion than many films many times its length. The movie follows two parents, grieving the death of their daughter in a school shooting, as they find themselves growing apart in the aftermath. Oscar for: Best Animated Short Film View the full article

Social media, be it Twitter, Facebook or YouTube, have become the most popular platforms by hundreds of millions of users across the world. This has opened up opportunities for businesses to connect with customers, allowing them to maximize the income of their business. In addition, you can use social media sites to also make some money on the side. There are also opportunities to make money through social media without the need to sell anything. In this article, we show you things that can help you make money on social media. Why Small Businesses Should Use Social Media to Increase Income As part of a marketing strategy, social media can help your small business interact with customers. With social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest you can build brand awareness, increase your customer base, increase sales, and connect with current and potential customers. The following points further delve into the power of social media: You expand your reach through social media: with an estimated 4.2 billion social media users, companies are capitalizing on it. You can use Instagram or Pinterest to showcase your products or even advertise your products and services. More and more people are buying on social media: By adding ‘buy’ buttons on their social platforms to generate more sales. This is because customers can buy directly without ever leaving the social media platform they are on. Help create real connections with your brand: Through social media, you can create real human connections with your brand. With it, you can introduce your customers to your brand story as well as showcase the benefits of your products and services. Drive traffic to your website/online store: Through social media posts and ads, you can drive traffic to your website or your online store. By sharing some great content from your website to your social channels you can encourage click-throughs. Generate leads: Through social media, you can help increase lead generation by increasing interest among potential customers. Here’s a quick word from Learn from Shopify that helps you: ‘Learn How to Make Money on Instagram (Whether You Have 1K or 100K Followers).’ The Best Ways to Make Money on Social Media Before you start exploring the details of the list, here is a handy table you can reference that summarizies the most effective methods for earning money on various social media platforms. #Way to Make Money on Social MediaDescription 1Promote Your Small Business Products and ServicesUse your social media accounts to interact with your audience, promote your brand, and sell your products and services. 2Sell Digital ProductsLeverage your social media channels to sell digital products such as templates, software, eBooks, and more. 3Join Networks and Promote Affiliate ProductsExpand your reach by joining affiliate network programs and earning commission for new leads or sales from your posts. 4Sell Your Music on SoundcloudUse your creative skills to sell your original music on Soundcloud and earn from plays and audience insights. 5Collaborate with BrandsUse your unique niche and large following to collaborate with brands and influence their target audience. 6Sell Coaching ServicesOffer your unique skills and knowledge as coaching services to those interested in self-development or learning new skills. 7YouTube Partner ProgramUnlock your YouTube channel's earning potential by joining the YouTube Partner Program and earning from ads on your content. 8Sell Rights to Your ImagesLeverage your social media account to sell rights to your digital artwork or photographs. 9Join Influencer NetworksUse your influence to market products for brands in an authentic way and earn income from sponsored posts and paid social sharing opportunities. 10Run a Facebook GroupCreate and manage a Facebook group to reach your target audience and build a community around common interests or goals. 11Manage a Social Media Account for Another BusinessUse your social media management skills to help other businesses in their social media outreach and earn an income from it. 12Charge for Sponsored PostsCreate sponsored content for companies and brands in need of social proof to market their goods and services. 13Advertise as a Blog Content WriterUse social media advertising to offer your services as a blog content writer. 14Become an InfluencerBuild a reputation for your knowledge and expertise on a specific topic, become an influencer, and earn from promoting products for brands. There is a lot of money to be made through employing social media business ideas. People are making a living without selling a single product. Those who have a large social following can use their profiles to get paid by brands, sell their knowledge, offer consultations, and more. Below are some ways where you can learn how to make money on social media. Promote your Small Business Products and Services on Social Media Social media accounts can help you interact with others by sharing and creating content through communities. With it, you can promote your brand and business, tell customers about your goods and services, find out what customers think of your business, attract new customers, and build stronger relationships with existing customers. Promoting your business through social media platforms is cost-effective. You can use it to promote and drive traffic to your online store and also supplement sales to your brick and mortar sales. Sell Digital Products Using Your Social Media Channels Besides promoting your business social media can be used to sell digital products as well. A nifty way to make money is through selling digital products simply through social media. Unlike websites, social media platforms are designed to help you sell digital products with little fanfare within just a few minutes. Plus, if the product you sell is digital you don’t have to worry about shipping or even inventory. With digital products such as templates, software, eBooks, photography, music and so you can sell them an unlimited number of times with little effort. Join Networks and Promote Affiliate Products You can also expand your reach to potential customers by joining networks and making money through affiliate marketing. Through affiliate marketing, you can earn money by just adding tracked affiliate links to the text of your social media content. By joining affiliate network programs, you stand to get paid in commissions for new leads or sales you bring when visitors click on the links. Sell Your Music on Soundcloud If you are creatively inclined you can sell your music through SoundCloud. Here you can sell your original music through SoundCloud if you sign up on the platform’s SoundCloud Pro or Pro Unlimited subscriptions. You get unlimited upload time, get paid for your plays, access to advanced audience insights, and more. Collaborate with Brands Social proof is the new word of mouth, more and more consumers today trust influencers over paid advertisements. Thanks to their huge following, bloggers today can talk directly to a company’s target audience. From posting product reviews to hosting video tutorials, bloggers have the power to influence large segments of consumers. If you have a unique niche, you can showcase your expertise to make your blog stand out while also collaborating with brands that might be tied to your niche in the process. Brands will benefit as their customers yearn for honest messages that speak to them from a user’s perspective. Earn Money Through Selling Coaching Services If you have a unique set of skills or are passionate about something, perhaps you can offer coaching services. Many people are looking for self-development or learning new skills. You can tap into this demand if you have a specific niche that is of value to other people. Make Money with the YouTube Partner Program Through blogging, you can unlock your YouTube channel’s earning potential as well. By joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) you not only get a strong platform but also access YouTube’s resources and features which includes getting access to ads being served on your content. However, you will need to keep in mind that you will need to get lots of views and clicks on YouTube to make meaningful revenues from your content. Sell Rights to the Images on Your Social Media Accounts If you have some great pictures or digital artwork of yours that people are interested in purchasing then you can use social media account to connect with people interested in purchasing your creations. Join Influencer Networks There are many ways to make money on social media. Sponsored posts are just one way that bloggers can earn an income from their blogs. Brands today are looking for influencers to market their products to their followers in an authentic way. Here, influencer networks are a great way to start with sponsored posts and paid social sharing opportunities. If you are early on in your blogging experience, it might be easier for you to start with using influencer marketing, which are third-party agencies that will do the hard work for you. These networks serve as intermediaries, connecting you with brands without requiring direct contact. This can create opportunities for you and provide valuable experience with sponsored posts, which you can showcase on your blogger resume. Influencers or bloggers can register to collaborate with a network, and brands associated with that network can access analytics for campaigns conducted within that group of influencers. Some networks might demand exclusive collaboration. Some examples of influencer networks include: izea CreatorIQ Upfluence AspireIQ Linqia Run a Facebook Group Facebook offers you a huge reach complements to its over 2 billion active monthly users. By creating Facebook groups of your own can be an inexpensive and effective way to reach your target audience. It helps you build a community around common interests or goals and drive can even help drive traffic to your blog or website. Manage a Social Media Account for Another Business In today’s marketplace, no business can ignore the importance of social media in achieving success. If you are a successful blogger who creates content that attracts a large audience, you can leverage this to assist other businesses with their social media outreach. By utilizing your skills, you can earn a decent income on the side by providing social media management services, with potential earnings ranging from $14 to $35 per hour. Charge for Sponsored Posts Companies and brands are ever more looking for social proof to market their goods and services. You can help them achieve these by producing sponsored content. This could be by way of product reviews, promotions, or backlinks to a sponsor’s website, but always remember to let your audience know that you are offering paid content. In terms of payment, several factors can play out, including your reach, your niche, and whether your posts include images, videos, and audio. Advertise as a Blog Content Writer You can also offer your services as a blogger by opting for social media advertising as well. For example, Google and Facebook ads offer an inexpensive option to get your targeted advertisement for your marketing needs as a blogger. Become an Influencer You can also try your hand as an influencer. An influencer is someone who has the skill set to influence people’s purchasing decisions through his or her authority, knowledge, or relationship with his or her audience. social media Influencers are people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a specific topic and offer regular posts. Brands are more than willing to pay social media influencers as they help create trends and encourage their followers to buy products they promote. Top Tips to Get More Social Media Followers and Drive Sales It can be difficult to gather a huge following. As a blogger, you can only monetize your content when you have a huge following. When done right, you can easily generate a good following and build a reputation of a captivated audience. Below are some tips to get more social media followers and drive sales. Choose a Specific Niche and Target Audience Your blog’s success depends on you finding your passion and creating compelling content. Not only that your niche should not have too much competition as your blog will need to compete against highly rated sites. You should also avoid focusing on a smaller niche with little or no demand, as it will impact your potential following. Look to strike a balance between an overdone niche and one with little room for growth. Choose a subject that you are knowledgeable about and one that people can take insights from. Here you will also need to get an accurate picture of your target audience are whether in terms of age, level of knowledge of the subject matter, and other factors to make an impact. Focus on a Single Social Media Platform To start, you will need to focus your content on a single social media channel or risk not capturing the right amount of followers to make your blog worth looking into. You will need to identify your target readers and then identify the social networks that they prefer. If your blog post is geared more towards professionals and businesses, you might want to consider using LinkedIn. If your target followers are more visual you may sway towards Instagram or Pinterest. Increase Engagement Rates Part of increasing your fan base is to get more engaged followers. Make sure that your content is important enough or interesting enough that people share, link to, like, and even comment on it. Make sure to reply to comments as well as collaborate with other content creators Build Trust Building trust takes time. For readers, it is the little things that get them to trust you. It falls on your track record of creating useful content that serves them, and the consistency and reliability of your content. Offer Free Products Nothing attracts people more than free stuff. Offer up promotional coupons, free templates, how-to guides, and other useful stuff to integrate yourself with your audience. Create Content Regularly to Build a Social Media Presence You must consistently create content that your audience finds valuable. Establish a content production calendar and ensure that you produce content regularly and reliably. Use the Right Hashtags Hashtags are important as it helps direct more followers to your blog. Posts with hashtags have higher rates of engagement. Makes sure that the hashtags are funny, interesting, easily recalled, and in good taste. Provide Valuable Content Never forget that readers come to you because you offer them something that they need. So create content that is of value to your reader and an easy way to do this is to think from your readers’ perspective. Use Analytics to Understand Your Audience Use social media analytics to understand your audience. Through it, you get insights on who your followers are to tweak your content to align with their needs. Also, use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) technics to maximize your audience and income with ad sales. Have a Social Media Strategy You will need a social media strategy to help drive more traffic to your own website or blog. If done right a huge bulk of your readers can come from social media networks as such formulate a social media strategy that helps boosts your traffic. What social media platforms can you make money on? Twitter: You can earn money by ghostwriting tweets for individuals or brands looking to keep their accounts active, engaging in affiliate marketing by promoting products for a commission, selling your own products directly to your followers, or acting as an influencer where brands compensate you for promoting their products or services. Instagram: On this platform, you can learn how to make money on social media by collaborating with brands as an influencer, promoting affiliate links in your posts or bio to earn a percentage of the sales generated, or generating income from ads shown on your IGTV videos—this option is available to users with a significant follower count. Pinterest: On Pinterest, you can make money by promoting a brand’s pins to your followers, promoting affiliate products within the platform where you’ll earn a commission on any sales, or selling your own products directly to users who discover your pins. Facebook: You can make money on Facebook by promoting other brands through sponsored posts or your own Facebook page, engaging in affiliate marketing where you get a percentage of any sales made through your affiliate links, or selling your own products directly to your followers through a Facebook shop. LinkedIn: On LinkedIn, you can earn money by running advertisements for brands as part of their marketing strategies, incorporating affiliate links into your posts or articles, and directly selling your own products or services to fellow professionals within your network. YouTube: You can monetize this platform by posting video content and earning ad revenue once you reach a certain number of subscribers and watch hours, engaging in affiliate marketing by promoting products in your videos for a commission, making sponsored posts where brands pay you to feature their products, or collaborating with brands on video content. TikTok: On TikTok, you can make money through brand partnerships, live stream gifts, the TikTok Creator Fund, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products or services. TikTok also provides an opportunity for influencers to get paid for sponsored posts. Snapchat: Snapchat offers opportunities for monetization through Snapchat’s partner program, where creators can earn a share of the revenue from ads shown in their stories. Influencers can also make money by partnering with brands for sponsored posts. Reddit: While it may not be as conventional as other platforms, you can still learn how to make money on social media through Reddit by promoting a brand, engaging in affiliate marketing, or directing traffic to your own website or product. Keep in mind that Reddit has stringent rules regarding self-promotion, so it’s crucial to provide valuable content and adhere to community guidelines. Twitch: On Twitch, users can earn money by becoming a Twitch Partner or Affiliate, which allows them to earn a share of the revenue from ads shown on their streams. Users can also receive direct donations from their viewers, get a cut from the sale of games promoted on their page, or earn money from sponsored streams. How many followers do you need on social media to make money? To start monetizing from your social media, you will need to have a huge following. For example, with Instagram, you need a minimum of 5,000 Instagram followers and 308 sponsored posts a year to generate $100,000. Youtubers will need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year to start earning. With Facebook, you will need to have at least 10,000 followers and 30,000 +1 minute views. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Make Money on Social Media: Tips for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Social media, be it Twitter, Facebook or YouTube, have become the most popular platforms by hundreds of millions of users across the world. This has opened up opportunities for businesses to connect with customers, allowing them to maximize the income of their business. In addition, you can use social media sites to also make some money on the side. There are also opportunities to make money through social media without the need to sell anything. In this article, we show you things that can help you make money on social media. Why Small Businesses Should Use Social Media to Increase Income As part of a marketing strategy, social media can help your small business interact with customers. With social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest you can build brand awareness, increase your customer base, increase sales, and connect with current and potential customers. The following points further delve into the power of social media: You expand your reach through social media: with an estimated 4.2 billion social media users, companies are capitalizing on it. You can use Instagram or Pinterest to showcase your products or even advertise your products and services. More and more people are buying on social media: By adding ‘buy’ buttons on their social platforms to generate more sales. This is because customers can buy directly without ever leaving the social media platform they are on. Help create real connections with your brand: Through social media, you can create real human connections with your brand. With it, you can introduce your customers to your brand story as well as showcase the benefits of your products and services. Drive traffic to your website/online store: Through social media posts and ads, you can drive traffic to your website or your online store. By sharing some great content from your website to your social channels you can encourage click-throughs. Generate leads: Through social media, you can help increase lead generation by increasing interest among potential customers. Here’s a quick word from Learn from Shopify that helps you: ‘Learn How to Make Money on Instagram (Whether You Have 1K or 100K Followers).’ The Best Ways to Make Money on Social Media Before you start exploring the details of the list, here is a handy table you can reference that summarizies the most effective methods for earning money on various social media platforms. #Way to Make Money on Social MediaDescription 1Promote Your Small Business Products and ServicesUse your social media accounts to interact with your audience, promote your brand, and sell your products and services. 2Sell Digital ProductsLeverage your social media channels to sell digital products such as templates, software, eBooks, and more. 3Join Networks and Promote Affiliate ProductsExpand your reach by joining affiliate network programs and earning commission for new leads or sales from your posts. 4Sell Your Music on SoundcloudUse your creative skills to sell your original music on Soundcloud and earn from plays and audience insights. 5Collaborate with BrandsUse your unique niche and large following to collaborate with brands and influence their target audience. 6Sell Coaching ServicesOffer your unique skills and knowledge as coaching services to those interested in self-development or learning new skills. 7YouTube Partner ProgramUnlock your YouTube channel's earning potential by joining the YouTube Partner Program and earning from ads on your content. 8Sell Rights to Your ImagesLeverage your social media account to sell rights to your digital artwork or photographs. 9Join Influencer NetworksUse your influence to market products for brands in an authentic way and earn income from sponsored posts and paid social sharing opportunities. 10Run a Facebook GroupCreate and manage a Facebook group to reach your target audience and build a community around common interests or goals. 11Manage a Social Media Account for Another BusinessUse your social media management skills to help other businesses in their social media outreach and earn an income from it. 12Charge for Sponsored PostsCreate sponsored content for companies and brands in need of social proof to market their goods and services. 13Advertise as a Blog Content WriterUse social media advertising to offer your services as a blog content writer. 14Become an InfluencerBuild a reputation for your knowledge and expertise on a specific topic, become an influencer, and earn from promoting products for brands. There is a lot of money to be made through employing social media business ideas. People are making a living without selling a single product. Those who have a large social following can use their profiles to get paid by brands, sell their knowledge, offer consultations, and more. Below are some ways where you can learn how to make money on social media. Promote your Small Business Products and Services on Social Media Social media accounts can help you interact with others by sharing and creating content through communities. With it, you can promote your brand and business, tell customers about your goods and services, find out what customers think of your business, attract new customers, and build stronger relationships with existing customers. Promoting your business through social media platforms is cost-effective. You can use it to promote and drive traffic to your online store and also supplement sales to your brick and mortar sales. Sell Digital Products Using Your Social Media Channels Besides promoting your business social media can be used to sell digital products as well. A nifty way to make money is through selling digital products simply through social media. Unlike websites, social media platforms are designed to help you sell digital products with little fanfare within just a few minutes. Plus, if the product you sell is digital you don’t have to worry about shipping or even inventory. With digital products such as templates, software, eBooks, photography, music and so you can sell them an unlimited number of times with little effort. Join Networks and Promote Affiliate Products You can also expand your reach to potential customers by joining networks and making money through affiliate marketing. Through affiliate marketing, you can earn money by just adding tracked affiliate links to the text of your social media content. By joining affiliate network programs, you stand to get paid in commissions for new leads or sales you bring when visitors click on the links. Sell Your Music on Soundcloud If you are creatively inclined you can sell your music through SoundCloud. Here you can sell your original music through SoundCloud if you sign up on the platform’s SoundCloud Pro or Pro Unlimited subscriptions. You get unlimited upload time, get paid for your plays, access to advanced audience insights, and more. Collaborate with Brands Social proof is the new word of mouth, more and more consumers today trust influencers over paid advertisements. Thanks to their huge following, bloggers today can talk directly to a company’s target audience. From posting product reviews to hosting video tutorials, bloggers have the power to influence large segments of consumers. If you have a unique niche, you can showcase your expertise to make your blog stand out while also collaborating with brands that might be tied to your niche in the process. Brands will benefit as their customers yearn for honest messages that speak to them from a user’s perspective. Earn Money Through Selling Coaching Services If you have a unique set of skills or are passionate about something, perhaps you can offer coaching services. Many people are looking for self-development or learning new skills. You can tap into this demand if you have a specific niche that is of value to other people. Make Money with the YouTube Partner Program Through blogging, you can unlock your YouTube channel’s earning potential as well. By joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) you not only get a strong platform but also access YouTube’s resources and features which includes getting access to ads being served on your content. However, you will need to keep in mind that you will need to get lots of views and clicks on YouTube to make meaningful revenues from your content. Sell Rights to the Images on Your Social Media Accounts If you have some great pictures or digital artwork of yours that people are interested in purchasing then you can use social media account to connect with people interested in purchasing your creations. Join Influencer Networks There are many ways to make money on social media. Sponsored posts are just one way that bloggers can earn an income from their blogs. Brands today are looking for influencers to market their products to their followers in an authentic way. Here, influencer networks are a great way to start with sponsored posts and paid social sharing opportunities. If you are early on in your blogging experience, it might be easier for you to start with using influencer marketing, which are third-party agencies that will do the hard work for you. These networks serve as intermediaries, connecting you with brands without requiring direct contact. This can create opportunities for you and provide valuable experience with sponsored posts, which you can showcase on your blogger resume. Influencers or bloggers can register to collaborate with a network, and brands associated with that network can access analytics for campaigns conducted within that group of influencers. Some networks might demand exclusive collaboration. Some examples of influencer networks include: izea CreatorIQ Upfluence AspireIQ Linqia Run a Facebook Group Facebook offers you a huge reach complements to its over 2 billion active monthly users. By creating Facebook groups of your own can be an inexpensive and effective way to reach your target audience. It helps you build a community around common interests or goals and drive can even help drive traffic to your blog or website. Manage a Social Media Account for Another Business In today’s marketplace, no business can ignore the importance of social media in achieving success. If you are a successful blogger who creates content that attracts a large audience, you can leverage this to assist other businesses with their social media outreach. By utilizing your skills, you can earn a decent income on the side by providing social media management services, with potential earnings ranging from $14 to $35 per hour. Charge for Sponsored Posts Companies and brands are ever more looking for social proof to market their goods and services. You can help them achieve these by producing sponsored content. This could be by way of product reviews, promotions, or backlinks to a sponsor’s website, but always remember to let your audience know that you are offering paid content. In terms of payment, several factors can play out, including your reach, your niche, and whether your posts include images, videos, and audio. Advertise as a Blog Content Writer You can also offer your services as a blogger by opting for social media advertising as well. For example, Google and Facebook ads offer an inexpensive option to get your targeted advertisement for your marketing needs as a blogger. Become an Influencer You can also try your hand as an influencer. An influencer is someone who has the skill set to influence people’s purchasing decisions through his or her authority, knowledge, or relationship with his or her audience. social media Influencers are people who have built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a specific topic and offer regular posts. Brands are more than willing to pay social media influencers as they help create trends and encourage their followers to buy products they promote. Top Tips to Get More Social Media Followers and Drive Sales It can be difficult to gather a huge following. As a blogger, you can only monetize your content when you have a huge following. When done right, you can easily generate a good following and build a reputation of a captivated audience. Below are some tips to get more social media followers and drive sales. Choose a Specific Niche and Target Audience Your blog’s success depends on you finding your passion and creating compelling content. Not only that your niche should not have too much competition as your blog will need to compete against highly rated sites. You should also avoid focusing on a smaller niche with little or no demand, as it will impact your potential following. Look to strike a balance between an overdone niche and one with little room for growth. Choose a subject that you are knowledgeable about and one that people can take insights from. Here you will also need to get an accurate picture of your target audience are whether in terms of age, level of knowledge of the subject matter, and other factors to make an impact. Focus on a Single Social Media Platform To start, you will need to focus your content on a single social media channel or risk not capturing the right amount of followers to make your blog worth looking into. You will need to identify your target readers and then identify the social networks that they prefer. If your blog post is geared more towards professionals and businesses, you might want to consider using LinkedIn. If your target followers are more visual you may sway towards Instagram or Pinterest. Increase Engagement Rates Part of increasing your fan base is to get more engaged followers. Make sure that your content is important enough or interesting enough that people share, link to, like, and even comment on it. Make sure to reply to comments as well as collaborate with other content creators Build Trust Building trust takes time. For readers, it is the little things that get them to trust you. It falls on your track record of creating useful content that serves them, and the consistency and reliability of your content. Offer Free Products Nothing attracts people more than free stuff. Offer up promotional coupons, free templates, how-to guides, and other useful stuff to integrate yourself with your audience. Create Content Regularly to Build a Social Media Presence You must consistently create content that your audience finds valuable. Establish a content production calendar and ensure that you produce content regularly and reliably. Use the Right Hashtags Hashtags are important as it helps direct more followers to your blog. Posts with hashtags have higher rates of engagement. Makes sure that the hashtags are funny, interesting, easily recalled, and in good taste. Provide Valuable Content Never forget that readers come to you because you offer them something that they need. So create content that is of value to your reader and an easy way to do this is to think from your readers’ perspective. Use Analytics to Understand Your Audience Use social media analytics to understand your audience. Through it, you get insights on who your followers are to tweak your content to align with their needs. Also, use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) technics to maximize your audience and income with ad sales. Have a Social Media Strategy You will need a social media strategy to help drive more traffic to your own website or blog. If done right a huge bulk of your readers can come from social media networks as such formulate a social media strategy that helps boosts your traffic. What social media platforms can you make money on? Twitter: You can earn money by ghostwriting tweets for individuals or brands looking to keep their accounts active, engaging in affiliate marketing by promoting products for a commission, selling your own products directly to your followers, or acting as an influencer where brands compensate you for promoting their products or services. Instagram: On this platform, you can learn how to make money on social media by collaborating with brands as an influencer, promoting affiliate links in your posts or bio to earn a percentage of the sales generated, or generating income from ads shown on your IGTV videos—this option is available to users with a significant follower count. Pinterest: On Pinterest, you can make money by promoting a brand’s pins to your followers, promoting affiliate products within the platform where you’ll earn a commission on any sales, or selling your own products directly to users who discover your pins. Facebook: You can make money on Facebook by promoting other brands through sponsored posts or your own Facebook page, engaging in affiliate marketing where you get a percentage of any sales made through your affiliate links, or selling your own products directly to your followers through a Facebook shop. LinkedIn: On LinkedIn, you can earn money by running advertisements for brands as part of their marketing strategies, incorporating affiliate links into your posts or articles, and directly selling your own products or services to fellow professionals within your network. YouTube: You can monetize this platform by posting video content and earning ad revenue once you reach a certain number of subscribers and watch hours, engaging in affiliate marketing by promoting products in your videos for a commission, making sponsored posts where brands pay you to feature their products, or collaborating with brands on video content. TikTok: On TikTok, you can make money through brand partnerships, live stream gifts, the TikTok Creator Fund, affiliate marketing, or selling your own products or services. TikTok also provides an opportunity for influencers to get paid for sponsored posts. Snapchat: Snapchat offers opportunities for monetization through Snapchat’s partner program, where creators can earn a share of the revenue from ads shown in their stories. Influencers can also make money by partnering with brands for sponsored posts. Reddit: While it may not be as conventional as other platforms, you can still learn how to make money on social media through Reddit by promoting a brand, engaging in affiliate marketing, or directing traffic to your own website or product. Keep in mind that Reddit has stringent rules regarding self-promotion, so it’s crucial to provide valuable content and adhere to community guidelines. Twitch: On Twitch, users can earn money by becoming a Twitch Partner or Affiliate, which allows them to earn a share of the revenue from ads shown on their streams. Users can also receive direct donations from their viewers, get a cut from the sale of games promoted on their page, or earn money from sponsored streams. How many followers do you need on social media to make money? To start monetizing from your social media, you will need to have a huge following. For example, with Instagram, you need a minimum of 5,000 Instagram followers and 308 sponsored posts a year to generate $100,000. Youtubers will need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year to start earning. With Facebook, you will need to have at least 10,000 followers and 30,000 +1 minute views. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Make Money on Social Media: Tips for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Netflix's March slate has plenty of variety, from reality TV to true crime docs to sci-fi comedy. John Mulaney is back this month with a new live weekly talk show, Everybody's Live with John Mulaney, a sequel to his 2024 live event Everybody's in L.A. The show, which will include on-screen guests and live calls from the audience, will premiere on March 12 at 10 p.m. ET with 12 weekly episodes on consecutive Wednesdays. Netflix also has new comedy hours in March from Andrew Schulz (LIFE, March 4), Bert Kreischer (Lucky, March 18), and Chelsea Handler (The Feeling, March 25). For reality TV fans, there's a new installment of Love is Blind: Sweden (March 13) as well as the follow-up to the first season, After the Altar (March 6). Netflix is also taking over Temptation Island (March 12), which originally aired in 2001 and was revived in 2019 for five seasons. The new competition show Million Dollar Secret (March 26) is Netflix's response to Peacock's popular series The Traitors, putting strangers through a series of games to figure out the identity of the millionaire. Netflix has a handful of true-crime documentaries this month, starting with the film Chaos: The Manson Murders (March 7), based on the 2019 titular book by Tom O'Neill and directed by Errol Morris. At the end of the month, Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer (March 31) will look at the Gilgo Beach murders from the perspective of the victims. The series is directed by Emmy winner Liz Garbus. Finally, The Electric State (March 14) is a new sci-fi comedy film directed by the Russo brothers and starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt. The film is adapted from Simon Stålenhag's graphic novel of the same name and follows an orphaned teen's quest to find her brother after a robot rebellion. Here's everything coming to Netflix in March—including the next installment of Formula 1: Drive to Survive (March 7) and lifestyle show With Love, Meghan (March 4)—and everything that's leaving. What's coming to Netflix in March 2025Available soonKhakee: The Bengal Chapter—Netflix Series Available March 1The Potato Lab—Netflix Series SAKAMOTO DAYS—Netflix Anime 50 First Dates Annie (2014) Beginners Black Hawk Down Blade Runner: The Final Cut Blood and Bone Cell 211 Do the Right Thing Friday High-Rise The Holiday Ma National Security Next Friday Pride & Prejudice Runaway Jury See No Evil, Hear No Evil Sicario Ted Vampires Wedding Crashers Available March 3Hot Wheels Let's Race: Season 3—Netflix Family Available March 4Andrew Schulz: LIFE—Netflix Comedy Special The Graham Norton Show: Best Bits: Week of February 21, 2025 With Love, Meghan—Netflix Series Available March 5Just One Look—Netflix Series The Leopard—Netflix Series Medusa—Netflix Series Available March 6Barbie & Teresa: Recipe For Friendship Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black: Season 1 Part 2—Netflix Series Larissa: The Other Side of Anitta—Netflix Documentary Love is Blind: Sweden: Season 1: After the Altar—Netflix Series Power Rangers Available March 7Chaos: The Manson Murders—Netflix Documentary Delicious—Netflix Film Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 7—Netflix Documentary Nadaaniyan—Netflix Film Plankton: The Movie—Netflix Family When Life Gives You Tangerines—Netflix Series Available March 8SAKAMOTO DAYS—Netflix Anime Available March 10American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden—Netflix Documentary Available March 12Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney—Netflix Live Event Temptation Island—Netflix Series Welcome to the Family—Netflix Series Available March 13Adolescence—Netflix Series Love is Blind: Sweden: Season 2—Netflix Series Available March 14Audrey The Electric State—Netflix Film Available March 15SAKAMOTO DAYS—Netflix Anime Available March 17CoComelon Lane: Season 4—Netflix Family Inside: Season 2—Netflix Series The Walking Dead: Dead City: Season 1 Available March 18Bert Kreischer: Lucky—Netflix Comedy Special Love & Hip Hop New York: Seasons 3-4 The Outrun Available March 19Twister: Caught in the Storm—Netflix Documentary Woman of the Dead: Season 2—Netflix Series Available March 20Bet Your Life—Netflix Series Den of Thieves 2: Pantera The Residence—Netflix Series Wolf King—Netflix Family Available March 21Go!—Netflix Series Little Siberia—Netflix Film Revelations—Netflix Film Available March 22SAKAMOTO DAYS—Netflix Anime Available March 25Chelsea Handler: The Feeling—Netflix Comedy Special Available March 26Caught—Netflix Series I Survived a Crime: Season 2 Million Dollar Secret—Netflix Series Available March 27Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn's Treasure—Netflix Documentary Survival of the Thickest: Season 2—Netflix Series Available March 28The Lady's Companion—Netflix Series The Life List—Netflix Film Available March 31Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer—Netflix Documentary Promised Hearts—Netflix Film Rhythm + Flow Italy: Season 2—Netflix Series What's leaving Netflix in March 2025Leaving March 121 Bridges A Haunted House A Haunted House 2 Aloha Blended Cinderella Man Due Date Free State of Jones Green Lantern In the Heart of the Sea Inception Legends of the Fall Little Mr. Peabody & Sherman Oblivion Scooby-Doo Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed Seven Years in Tibet Sixteen Candles Stand by Me Still Alice The Angry Birds Movie The Other Guys Leaving March 3Ravenous Leaving March 15The Autopsy of Jane Doe Leaving March 16A Walk Among the Tombstones Leaving March 23The Machine Leaving March 24Oldboy Leaving March 25No Escape Leaving March 27Happy!: Seasons 1-2 Leaving March 30Godzilla vs. Kong Mad Max: Fury Road Leaving March 31The Windsors: Seasons 1-3 View the full article

Billionaire owner says overhauled section will focus on ‘underserved’ viewpoints View the full article

Oh, you’re here because you captured the image of someone’s Instagram Story and want to know if they’ll get a notification about the screenshot, à la Snapchat? We’ve all been there, but they’re not going to find out if you took a screenshot of their grid post or story, at least not through a notification. There are a few instances where an Instagram user might be made aware that you’re sharing their content, though, or at least filing it away for later. Here’s everything you need to know about taking screenshots, saving, and sharing in Instagram, so you can lurk in relative peace. Can you screenshot someone's Instagram Story or grid post?If you screenshot someone’s grid or Story post, they do not get a notification. Ditto for screen-recording a video post. For better or worse, I am extremely good at creeping around on the app; I do it all the time. If any of the people whose content I was saving got a notification about it, I’d know by now. And I’d tell you. Can you screenshot Instagram direct messages?This is where things get dicey. In a standard Instagram direct message, you can screenshot with no problems. If you toggle on vanish mode, however, you lose that ability. This is a new change to vanish mode that appears to have only gone into effect within the past few weeks. I saw a few people posting about it and tested it myself. It's true: If someone screenshots your chat thread in vanish mode, you get a notification that says, "@theperson took a screenshot." If you screenshot the thread, you also see the notification that "you took a screenshot." It makes sense because vanish mode is supposed to be more private. When you toggle it on (by holding the bottom of your screen and dragging up within the thread), all the messages you send and receive in that chat disappear when you back out of the screen. The other person you're chatting with is supposed to have a reasonable expectation that their messages won't stick around for long, so it stands to reason they deserve to know if you took a recording. This does not apply to messages that are sent in chat threads without vanish mode turned on. It looks like this: The new way Instagram narcs on you. Credit: @ellefs0n/Instagram Has Instagram ever alerted users to other screenshots of their content?That said, there used to be one other way people could see if you’d taken a screenshot of something on Instagram. It was minor, but that’s what made it insidious: Up until very recently, if someone sent a photo directly to you via Instagram direct messaging, using the in-DM camera feature, and you took a screenshot of it, they would get a notification. It looked like this: The old way Instagram used to narc on you. Credit: @ellefs0n/Instagram To demonstrate how that looked, I asked my recipient to screenshot the first picture I sent and to open and view, but not screenshot, the second. The photos were sent in real time, using the camera icon in the bottom left, next to the typing box. As you can see, a little circle icon (it looks like a camera shutter) appeared next to the first one, which meant a screenshot was taken of it. A photo taken with the regular camera and sent from the camera roll did not produce a screenshot notification. Why am I telling you this? Instagram only recently changed this, but it did so in phases. The last time I checked, three months ago, if you screenshot a photo taken with the in-app camera, there was no longer a notification. Now, Instagram prevents it with a pop-up message that says, "You can't screenshot or record this. It's only meant to be replayed once." If the sender toggles on the "replay" option for the photo taken with the in-app camera and the receiver screenshots that, there is still no notification. That's a major change from just a year ago, when a notification would pop up, so this is clearly something always in flux. If and when it changes again, I'll let you know. Other ways to see if people are sharing your Instagram contentTaking screenshots on Instagram is safe, as we've discovered, but there are other ways a person might be able to figure out if you’re disseminating their content or saving it for future review. Technically, you'll still be anonymous, but it could be traced back to you with a little bad luck. If you have a business account, not a personal one, you have access to some additional features that can come in handy if you want to know whether people are sharing your content among themselves. Under your grid posts, you’ll see a button that says “View insights.” Tapping this will bring you to a page that shows how many accounts were reached, how many were engaged, how many people tapped through to see your profile, how many were following you already, and all kinds of other interesting data. You’ll also see, right at the top, a string of four numbers: How many accounts liked it, how many comments it got, how many shares it got, and how many saves it got. Credit: @ellefs0n/Instagram The shares and saves are important here. The rightward facing arrow that looks like a paper plane is your shares. The rectangle with a triangular cutout that looks like a bookmark is your saves. If you check this, you can’t see who is sharing or saving it, but you can get a sense of how many opps (or fans!) you have. Above, see that nine people shared my post and six saved it. What were their intentions? These are the questions that keep me up at night, but alas, I may never uncover the culprits. Bear in mind that if you save or share a post—meaning you send it to someone else via DM, share it to your own Story, or copy the link to send it to someone off-app—if the person has a business profile, they’ll at least know someone did. Depending on the content of the post and how many followers they have, they could narrow it down to you. (To check if someone has a business account, tap their profile. If there’s a descriptor under their name, like Journalist, Blogger, or Public figure, or buttons like “Contact,” they have a business profile.) If you're the one worried someone has shared your post with ill intentions, don't get ahead of yourself. Ask yourself first if you shared your own post to your Story, which would count as a share and increase the number next to that paper plane icon. Speaking of Stories, anyone with a business profile can also see the data related to their Story posts, both when the posts are active in the 24 hours after they are shared and in the Story archive. Next to the eye-shaped icon that indicates viewers, there will be an icon with three rectangles that looks like a bar graph. It reveals how many accounts were reached, how many engaged with the post, how many replies it got, etc. It also reveals shares. Below is an example of a time one of my Stories got 11 shares. I was able to figure out who shared it by looking through the views and taking note of the viewers who were not my followers. Sensing nasty intentions, I blocked the original sharer. If you share someone’s Story in-app, the accounts with whom you share it will appear on the story’s viewership list, which could easily implicate you. Credit: @ellefs0n/Instagram Does any of this matter? No, we should all launch our phones into the nearest trash can Sabrina van der Woodsen-style and go touch grass. But there are ways people can sniff out whether you’re sharing or saving their Instagram posts, even though they won’t get a notification if you screenshot. View the full article

Purchases of new single-family homes decreased 10.5% last month to a 657,000 annualized rate, according to government data issued Wednesday. View the full article

As a leadership advisor, I’ve worked with countless executives who wrestle with failure—some fearing it to the point of paralysis, others glorifying it without extracting real lessons. Failure is inevitable. Growth is optional. The difference between leaders who thrive and those who stagnate isn’t the absence of failure—it’s how they respond to it. Fear of failure holds many organizations back, stifling creativity, slowing innovation, and fostering a culture of risk aversion. But failure, when embraced correctly, is one of the most powerful catalysts for growth. The problem? Too many leaders either avoid failure altogether or celebrate it without reflection. The key is courageous failure—the kind that fuels insight, builds resilience, and sets the stage for transformative breakthroughs. Why leaders fear failure Despite the lip service given to “failing fast,” many leaders still operate in fear of mistakes. The reasons are clear: Ego and Identity: Leaders often tie their worth to their success, making failure feel deeply personal. When setbacks occur, they don’t just see it as a professional challenge but as a reflection of their own competence and value. Cultural Stigma: Organizations reward wins but often penalize failure, even when it leads to progress. This creates an environment where employees become risk-averse, opting for predictable outcomes over bold innovation. Short-Term Pressures: Quarterly earnings, investor expectations, and performance metrics discourage experimentation. Leaders feel the pressure to deliver immediate results, making it difficult to justify long-term bets that may initially appear as failures. Psychological Safety Issues: When failure is punished rather than examined, employees hide mistakes instead of learning from them. This lack of psychological safety stifles open communication, preventing valuable lessons from emerging and limiting the organization’s ability to adapt. When fear dominates, organizations fall into a risk-averse cycle—defaulting to safe decisions, missing opportunities, and becoming stagnant. The courageous failure framework Not all failures are created equal. Reckless failures, failures due to negligence, lack of preparation, or poor execution, should be avoided. But courageous failures—those that come from thoughtful experimentation, calculated risks, and boundary-pushing innovation—are the seeds of progress. Leaders who want to leverage failure must foster an environment where learning is valued more than perfection. Here’s how: Define What ‘Good’ Failure Looks Like. Not all failures are worth celebrating. A good failure is one that teaches something valuable, aligns with strategic goals, and moves the organization forward. Clearly define the difference between reckless mistakes and courageous failures. Reframe Failure as Data. Instead of seeing failure as a dead end, treat it as an information-gathering exercise. Amazon’s Fire Phone flopped, but the underlying technology led to Alexa’s development—one of its most successful innovations. Encourage Micro-Failures. Instead of placing massive bets that can sink an initiative, create low-risk experiments to test ideas before scaling. This approach minimizes damage while maximizing insights. Normalize Transparent Debriefs. Establish post-failure debrief rituals that focus on what was learned, not who was to blame. Bridgewater Associates, for example, operates with radical transparency, analyzing mistakes openly to prevent them from repeating. Publicly Recognize Productive Failures. If employees only see success being rewarded, they’ll avoid risk. Celebrate well-intentioned failures that led to key learnings, just as you would a big win. Lessons from leaders who failed forward When Sara Blakely started Spanx, she made countless mistakes in manufacturing and marketing but saw each misstep as part of the process. She credits her father for encouraging her to talk about what she failed at each day—instilling a mindset of resilience and growth. Another great example is Oprah Winfrey, who, when she was fired from her first TV job, used the setback to refine her approach and ultimately built one of the most influential media empires in history. Companies that fear failure more than stagnation are already losing ground. The leaders who fail forward faster—learning, iterating, and growing—will define the future. So, before your next big decision, ask yourself: Am I playing it safe to avoid failure, or am I willing to take a calculated risk that could lead to something extraordinary? Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s the bridge to it. The only real mistake is not learning from the ones you make along the way. View the full article

If you get an email from PayPal, proceed with caution: Scammers are using a legitimate PayPal address to send fraudulent purchase notifications to users in an attempt to gain remote access to your computer by convincing you to download malware. The phishing emails are being sent from service@paypal.com, which makes them seem real—but as Bleeping Computer reports, scammers have managed to exploit PayPal settings in order to trick recipients. How to spot the PayPal scamUsers targeted for this scam are receiving emails from PayPal notifying them that they've added a new mailing address to their account. According to Bleeping Computer, users who received this message did not actually add new addresses to PayPal, and in some cases, these notices are being sent to email addresses that aren't even linked to a PayPal account at all. The phishing email also includes variations of the following message: "Confirmation: Your shipping address for the MacBook M4 Max 1 TB ($1098.95) has been changed. If you did not authorize this update, please reach out to PayPal at +1-888-668-2508'" Scammers are hoping users will call the number to reach PayPal support about a suspected fraudulent MacBook purchase. But if you do, you'll speak with someone who will scare you into believing your account has been hacked and direct you to download and run software to fix it. Instead, though, scams like this intend to take over your system in order to run malware and steal money and/or personal information. Obviously, a phishing email received from a legitimate PayPal address is worrisome—plus, it can get past security and spam filters. As Bleeping Computer's reporting found, the scammers are first utilizing the platform's "gift address" feature (which is just an additional shipping address you can add to your account) and then automatically forwarding the confirmation with the fraudulent message through a mailing list so it looks like it came from PayPal. How to avoid falling victim to the PayPal scam One way to identify phishing scams is to check the address that the message is sent from, which may seem legit on the surface but clearly not when you look closer. In this case, that may not help much, but you should always be wary of messages that provoke an emotional response (like fear). If you get this email, you can ignore and delete it, though you can log into your PayPal account by going directly to the website or app and make sure nothing has been added to your account. Do not click links or call phone numbers listed in suspicious emails—instead, go directly to the website to access your account and locate official customer service channels if needed. Finally, never download anything from a suspicious email to your device. View the full article

Purchase volume was flat last week and up just 3% compared to the same time a year ago when the market faced similar rates in the high 6% range. View the full article

Brussels hopes a ‘more flexible’ policy will reduce market disruptionView the full article

You've no doubt explored the app that came along with your smart lights, and found several handy tricks within—from getting your lights to turn on at scheduled times, to cycling between different colors and brightness settings over the course of the day. There's plenty more you can do, however, with the help of IFTTT. IFTTT (If This Then That) is a long-established web and mobile app for plugging different services into each other. It can, for example, automatically share Instagram photos to X (but only when a specific hashtag is used); forward SMS messages to your email; export Fitbit stats to Google Sheets; and plenty more—there are a wealth of options to explore. The tool plugs into several smart-light platforms, too, including Philips Hue, Lifx, TP-Link, Nanoleaf, and Govee. That means you're able to link certain triggers from all kinds of apps and services to automated actions on your smart lights. You can sign up for and use IFTTT free of charge. There are also Pro accounts available, which start at $3 a month: These give you access to more automations (known as applets), a greater selection of triggers and actions to choose from, access to AI enhancements, and a few additional features. How to set up an IFTTT applet It won't take you long to set up your first applet. Credit: Lifehacker Once you've registered an account with IFTTT and got yourself into the web interface, you can start building applets. Click Create, then choose Add next to If This. This is the trigger that will kick the automation into action. It could be anything from a new message in Google Chat to a new track from your favorite band on SoundCloud. You can also use times and dates as triggers. As you build your applet, you'll need to sign in to all the various services you're making use of, and give IFTTT access to your account credentials (which you can revoke at any time). If there's an app or service not available in IFTTT, it's most likely because there isn't an option for third-party plug-ins to attach themselves to it. You'll often be given options for your trigger—if you're connecting Dropbox, for example, you can specify a particular folder that IFTTT monitors for activity. These options give you more fine-grained control over when triggers are launched, which can be useful in terms of controlling your smart lights. With your trigger selected, you can choose your action: Click Add next to Then That. (For the purposes of this article, you'll want to connect your smart lights of choice, but there are plenty of other options for building applets—you can have emails sent to your inbox, or notifications sent to your phone.) The selection is slightly different for actions compared to triggers, and again, there are usually some customization options available. You'll need to log in and connect any new apps or services you connect to, and then you're almost done. Click Continue for an overview of the new applet, then click Done to confirm. You can manage your active applets through the My Applets section of IFTTT. They can be temporarily paused or fully deleted whenever you like. IFTTT applets to try with your smart lightsNow that you know how to build applets, you can turn your attention to your smart lights—ways to use your lights as an alternative notification system for something, rather than checking your phone or email. For these examples I'll use Philips Hue lights, as those are the ones I've got, but various smart platforms are supported. You can, for example, get your smart lights to tell you about a new episode of your favorite podcast on Spotify. Choose Spotify and New followed show as the trigger, then set Philips Hue and Blink lights as the action. You don't have to blink the lights across your whole house—you can choose one individual light for this or any other action. Get an alert every time there's a new podcast on Spotify. Credit: Lifehacker Getting weather alerts is a fun one, because you can make use of the colors on your smart lights. Choose Weather Underground then Current condition changes to as the trigger, and select Rain as the condition (your location should be detected automatically). The trigger for Philips Hue lights then needs to be Change color—set it to "blue" to get rain warnings, or tweak the settings for any different conditions. What about if your Android phone is in another room or in a desk and you want to know when it needs charging? Pick Android Battery then Low battery as the trigger, then Philips Hue and Set a scene in a room—you can specify a light change to warn you a recharge is needed. For this to work, you need the IFTTT Android app installed on your phone to monitor battery levels. Another potentially useful way of using your lights is with your schedule. IFTTT lets you select Google Calendar and Any event starts as a trigger—you can then set a blink or a color change in the Philips Hue action to signify that an event is starting within a specified number of minutes. You can set this for a specific calendar in your account (like your meetings calendar), so you're not overwhelmed with notifications. You can also connect IFTTT to your Google Calendar. Credit: Lifehacker Or what about connecting your smart lights to your video doorbell? If you pick Ring and New Ring Detected as your trigger, the resulting action could then be a color or scene change on your Philips Hue lights, or a quick blink of some or all of them. If you don't have a doorbell you can hear easily, or instant access to your phone, this can be truly handy. These are just a few options you can explore across the IFTTT platform, and there's a lot more that's possible. IFTTT plugs into iOS Shortcuts too, for example, giving you even more ways to mix and match your automated connections. View the full article

For transgender students involved in a very special project at a culinary school in Pakistan, there is more to a class than just learning the art of cooking. Neha Malik used to dance at parties and weddings for a living and was, occasionally, a sex worker. Since January, she has been enrolled in a new course for the trans community at the Culinary & Hotel Institute of Pakistan. The free six-month program in the city of Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural capital, welcomed its first group of 25 trans students in January; the second group of 25 began training on February 1. Now, Malik, 31, dreams of working as a chef in Dubai, the futuristic, skyscraper-studded city in the United Arab Emirates. She never misses a class. “I am so absorbed in learning that I don’t have time to dance anymore,” she added. Many Pakistanis have entrenched beliefs on gender and sexuality, and trans people are often considered outcasts in the conservative Muslim-majority country. Some are forced into begging, dancing, and even prostitution to earn money. They also live in fear of attacks. The U.N. development agency said last year that the majority of trans people in Pakistan reported experiencing violence or abuse and that most reported being denied employment opportunities because of their gender identity. Just 7% were employed in formal sectors, the UNDP added. Trans women in public office and the media have raised awareness about a marginalized and misunderstood community, and overall, the community has seen some progress in the protection of their rights. Supreme Court rulings allow them to self-identify as a third gender, neither male nor female, and have underscored they have the same rights as all Pakistani citizens. Last year, Lahore got its first ride-sharing service for trans people and women in an effort to protect them from discrimination and harassment, and in 2022 Pakistan launched a hotline for trans people. “Society usually looks down on us,” said Malik. “We have to change this mindset. Now, people come up to me and ask what I do when they see me in a chef’s coat and hat.” Since classes started, students file into the Lahore culinary school with backpacks and beaming smiles, swapping their colorful clothes for white uniforms. However, it’s a struggle. They each get a monthly stipend of 8,000 rupees, around $26—nowhere near enough to live on as a student. “How can we survive on that when my rent is 15,000 rupees?” said 26-year-old Zoya Khan. Her utility bills swallow up most of it, she said. So she performs at a few events a month. “I used to earn a decent amount (from dancing), I won’t lie,” she added. But “there was no respect in it.” “Why do we come here? It’s because we see hope,” said Khan, who wants to start her own business after graduating—a roadside cafe. Nadia Shehzad, the institute’s chief executive, said the project will help the trans community, a “rejected and ignored sector of society” get equal recognition. The school is trying to get government officials to help the aspiring chefs with visas to go abroad for work, Shehzad said. There are also talks with local hotels and restaurants about jobs once the students graduate—with wages of up to 30,000 rupees, or about $107. Still, it’s not easy for for trans people to leave behind dancing, begging and sex work for the culinary program, said Shabnam Chaudry, a trans community leader. Many wonder if society would give them work—or if people at restaurants would eat food cooked by trans chefs. In the past, Chaudry said she had seen many trans people taking makeup and sewing courses, only to fail to find jobs afterward and be forced to return to begging and dancing to survive. She is also concerned about their prospects of finding a job: Pakistan has hundreds of thousands of young people with skills and degrees who cannot find work. “In the face of this tough competition, who will give jobs to trans people,” Chaudry asked. “People are not ready to shake hands with us.” —Babar Dogar, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Google Pixel 7 (5G, Unlocked) is down to $279.99 on Woot for the next three days, or until it sells out. That’s more than 50% off its original $599 price, making this a steal for anyone in need of a flagship phone at a mid-range cost. Google Pixel 7 (5G, Unlocked) $279.99 at Woot $599.00 Save $319.01 Get Deal Get Deal $279.99 at Woot $599.00 Save $319.01 The deal is available in the Snow color, and Prime members get free standard shipping—everyone else pays $6. Woot won’t ship to Alaska, Hawaii, PO boxes, or APO addresses. Also, this is backed by a 90-day Woot Limited Warranty, not Google’s standard coverage. But considering this phone was PCMag’s Best Android Phone of 2022, it still holds up well in 2024, especially at this price. The Pixel 7 is built for those who want a smooth, no-nonsense Android experience. It has a 6.3-inch OLED display (2,400 x 1,080 pixels) with a 90Hz refresh rate—not the 120Hz you’ll see on pricier models, but still much smoother than a standard 60Hz screen. The build is recycled aluminum, which is nice for the eco-conscious, and it’s covered in Gorilla Glass Victus on both sides, giving it solid durability. It also meets an IP68 rating, meaning it can handle dust and water without worry. Internally, the Tensor G2 chip and 8GB RAM make everyday tasks feel incredibly fluid. The 256GB storage is generous, though there’s no microSD slot, so what you see is what you get. Battery life isn’t top-tier, but its 4,355mAh battery should last about 12 hours with moderate to high usage. It supports 30W wired charging, Qi wireless charging, and even wireless battery sharing for accessories, notes this PCMag review. Where the Pixel 7 really shines is its camera setup. The 50MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide lens deliver some of the best photos you’ll get on a phone at this price. It has optical and electrical image stabilization, making shots sharper even in low light. Google’s software tricks—Magic Eraser, Night Sight, Motion Mode, and Face Unblur (among others)—make a noticeable difference, giving your photos a professional touch with minimal effort. The 10.8MP front camera is great for selfies and video calls. On the connectivity side, it’s packed with 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and GPS, ensuring you’re covered for fast speeds and seamless connections. View the full article

Reform UK leader’s earnings boosted by reality show appearance in late 2023View the full article

There are times when eggs are non-negotiable in a recipe—like egg drop soup or quiche—but when eggs play a minor role, then why not use a replacement? Egg wash is a prime example. Using it adds color and shine to finished baked goods like dinner rolls and pies, but when eggs are selling at a premium price, it’s hard to justify using an egg wash at all. Finding a good egg wash alternative isn’t only useful for saving a buck, but it can be a handy back-up even when eggs are plentiful. There’s always the occasion where you just ran out, or you have folks coming over that are on egg-free diets. After some browsing on the internet, butter, mayo, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, and sour cream seem to be the common substitutes. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I whipped up a batch of my favorite biscuits and painted them with different finishes so I could compare them after baking. You can see in the picture above that there are eight biscuits. In addition to the six alternatives I mentioned, I did one with actual egg wash so we can track what we're striving for, and one with absolutely nothing on it as a control. 25 minutes later, the results were in and I was actually pretty surprised. Each topping produced a different result; some more obvious than others. When egg wash is used as a topping (as opposed to a binder), its primary function is to impart color, shine, and leave no trace of flavor, so that's what I was looking for. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Here are the results from top left to right, and bottom left to right. Egg wash: Goal browning and shine Sour cream: Best browning, high gloss (outshined the egg) Heavy cream: Light browning, a slight shine Whole milk: Well-browned, slight shine No wash: Light browning, matte Maple syrup: Well-browned, no shine Mayonnaise: Medium browning, medium shine Butter: Light browning, no shine Hands-down, the winner was sour cream. Dare I say it performed even better than the actual egg wash. (I tried to capture the blinding shine in the picture below.) The color of the baked sour cream coated biscuit was a beautiful dark brown, and the shine surpassed even the egg wash standard. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Runners-up were mayonnaise and whole milk for their middle-of-the-road performance in both categories. For a vegan option, maple syrup imparted gorgeous brown coloring, but it had a decidedly un-shiny finish and it leaves behind a subtle sweet flavor (which might be good or bad depending on your preferences). Butter turned out the worst performance. I would be sad, but I’ve been fooled by butter before so I was expecting the disappointment. On both counts, the finish paled in comparison to its competitors. Butter aside, at least you have some options for the next time you make a batch of biscuits, rolls, pastries, or pies. Save the eggs for when they matter most. View the full article

Understanding the intricate relationship between customer experience (CX) and brand loyalty is a must in today’s dynamic business landscape. As consumer behavior evolves, so does the concept of brand devotion. In this article, we go into 60 essential customer experience statistics, shedding light on the impact of positive experiences, customer loyalty, and emerging trends. Defining Customer Experience Customer experience (CX) refers to the overall perception and interaction a customer has with a brand throughout their entire journey. It encompasses every touchpoint, from initial awareness to post-purchase support. CX extends beyond individual transactions; it’s about building lasting relationships and fostering trust. The Role of Customer Experience in Today’s Business Landscape In the hyper-competitive business world, CX has become a strategic differentiator. Here’s why it matters: Customer Retention: Exceptional CX leads to higher customer retention rates. Satisfied customers are more likely to stay loyal and recommend your brand. Brand Advocacy: Positive experiences turn customers into brand advocates. They share their positive encounters with others, amplifying your brand’s reach. Revenue Impact: Research shows that companies prioritizing CX outperform their competitors in terms of revenue growth. Competitive Edge: In a crowded market, superior CX sets you apart. Customers are willing to pay more for a seamless experience. AspectDescriptionBenefits Customer RetentionExceptional CX leads to higher customer retention rates. Satisfied customers are more likely to stay loyal and recommend your brand.- Increased loyalty and repeat business - Lower churn rates - Enhanced customer lifetime value Brand AdvocacyPositive experiences turn customers into brand advocates. They share their positive encounters with others, amplifying your brand’s reach.- Word-of-mouth promotion - Higher trust and credibility - Expansion of customer base through referrals Revenue ImpactResearch shows that companies prioritizing CX outperform their competitors in terms of revenue growth.- Higher sales from repeat customers - Increased conversion rates - Premium pricing opportunities Competitive EdgeIn a crowded market, superior CX sets you apart. Customers are willing to pay more for a seamless experience.- Differentiation from competitors - Ability to command higher prices - Attraction of new customers seeking quality experiences Top Customer Experience Statistics From the undeniable influence of customer satisfaction—where 86% of buyers express a willingness to invest more for superior experiences—to the repercussions of negative encounters, with 82% of customers severing ties with a company after a disappointing interaction, each statistic paints a vivid picture of consumer expectations and preferences. Through exploring themes such as omnichannel engagement, personalized interactions, and the transformative power of employee engagement, we aim to redefine the way we perceive and prioritize customer experiences in today’s ever-evolving marketplace. Join us as we navigate through these illuminating insights, poised to unlock unparalleled growth opportunities and foster enduring brand relationships. The Impact of Positive Customer Experience 97% of consumers and 98% of contact center managers say customer service interactions impact whether consumers stay loyal to a brand. 61% of consumers will pay at least 5% more if they know they’ll get a good customer experience. 60% of consumers have switched brands due to a negative contact center experience. 70% of brands see a direct connection between customer service and performance. 87% of customers actively avoid buying from brands they don’t trust. 74% of CX leaders say improving content and knowledge delivery to customers and employees is important. According to customer experience statistics, 81% of customers report that having a positive customer service experience increases their likelihood of making a repeat purchase. 95% of consumers say customer service impacts their brand loyalty. 64% of leaders say customer service has a positive impact on their company’s growth. 60% of leaders say customer service improves customer retention. Customer Loyalty and Experience Statistics 88% of buyers say experience matters as much as a company’s products or services. 12. When customer service effectively resolves their issues, 80% of consumers report feeling a stronger emotional connection to a brand. 13. 54.7% of customers are loyal to 1 to 5 brands. 14. 86% of consumers would leave a brand after as few as two poor experiences. 15. 49% of consumers have left a brand in the past year due to poor customer experience. 16. On average, companies that put in the work to improve customer experience see a 42% improvement in customer retention. 17. 82% of companies agree that retention is cheaper than acquisition. 18. 75% of consumers say they favor companies that offer rewards. 19. 56% of customers stay loyal to brands that “get them”. 20. 65% of a company’s business comes from existing customers. Key Trends in Customer Experience Generative AI in CX has endless potential uses, from generating dynamic marketing campaigns and personalized user guides to streamlining customer service and gaining deeper insights into customers and loyalty. The shift towards subscription services enables businesses to nurture ongoing relationships and drive up lifetime value. 23. Customers will willingly pay higher prices for good experiences. 24. CX quality fell for 19% of brands recently, the lowest rate in 17 years. Only 3% of U.S. companies are customer-obsessed, reflecting a decrease of 7% from the previous period. Strategies for Positive Customer Experiences Companies that actively engage in listening to their customers see a 25% increase in customer satisfaction. Moreover, ineffective listening can lead to misunderstandings, costing companies approximately $62.4 billion per year. Utilizing customer feedback is crucial, as 73% of consumers worldwide expect companies to understand their unique needs and expectations. Additionally, businesses that personalize experiences based on customer feedback can see consumers spend an average of 38% more. Implementing effective feedback systems can lead to significant performance improvements. For instance, employees who receive regular feedback are more engaged, with 80% of such employees being fully engaged. Companies using APIs (Application Programming Interface) are 21% faster in solving customers’ problems, and their customers spend 35% less time waiting for responses. Three to four buyer personas account for over 90% of a company’s sales. Moreover, brands that use personalization, which includes understanding buyer personas, can reduce marketing and sales costs by 10-20%. Loyal Customers and Customer Interactions: Statistics and Insights 96% of customers feel that customer service is crucial for brand loyalty. 32. 89% of customers express they would switch brands after an unpleasant experience, and CX handles over 60% of brand loyalty. 33. 77% of the customers who experience positive CX are likely to recommend the brand to a friend. 34. 72% of global customers feel loyalty toward at least one brand or company. 35. Price is the #1 factor keeping customers loyal to their favorite brands. The Personalized Experience: Future Trends With the rapid advancements in technology, data, and analytics, marketers are on the cusp of being able to create much more personal and “human” experiences across various moments, channels, and buying stages. This humanizing customer experience has the potential to dramatically improve interactions. The idea of physical spaces is being transformed to enhance customer journeys beyond a brand’s entrance as digital innovations improve the customer experience in both physical and virtual settings. 66% of customers anticipate that businesses will recognize their individual needs and expectations, underscoring the significance of personalized customer experiences. Customers are likely to spend more with companies that provide excellent service, with statistics showing that a good customer experience can lead to customers spending up to 140% more than they would after a negative experience. Companies that are customer-centric and focus on delivering superior customer experiences are found to be 60% more profitable compared to those that do not prioritize the customer experience. The Rise of Personalized Customer Experience Providing highly personalized customer experiences to millions of individual customers through the use of proprietary data is challenging for competitors to replicate. 42. Today’s personalization leaders have found proven ways to drive 5 to 15 percent increases in revenue and 10 to 30 percent increases in marketing spend efficiency. When implemented at scale, personalization can result in a 1 to 2 percent increase in overall sales for grocery companies, with even greater gains for other types of retailers. 44. 80% of consumers would be more likely to do business with a company that offered experiences tailored just for them. Customer Satisfaction: A Key Indicator of The Customer Experience 66% of customers reported that they expect brands to understand their needs and wants. 52% of customers reported that brand satisfaction increases due to personalization. 63. 62% of consumers reported feeling they had lost control over their private information 87% of customers actively avoid buying from brands they don’t trust. According to customer experience statistics, 81% of customers report that having a positive customer service experience increases their likelihood of making a repeat purchase. 95% of consumers say customer service impacts their brand loyalty. 64% of leaders say customer service has a positive impact on their company’s growth. 60% of leaders say customer service improves customer retention. 89% of businesses compete primarily based on customer experience – an increase from just 36% in the past. Personalization and Satisfaction: A Look at Future Customer Experience Trends The global revenue of customer experience personalization and optimization software is projected to surpass 9.5 billion U.S. dollars. 55. Many companies are already spending more than half of their budgets on personalization efforts today. 56. 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions. 57. 76% of consumers get frustrated when companies don’t deliver personalized interactions. 58. Companies that grow faster drive 40% more of their revenue from personalization than their slower-growing counterparts. 59. 49% of marketing professionals report that increased customer retention is one of the top benefits realized from a successful personalization strategy. 60. 43% of marketing professionals report that improved customer experience and increased engagement are significant results of effective personalization. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bL_D-qyva0c%3Fsi%3Dmc4DZ5SZLXtXenIe FAQs: Customer Experience Statistics What are the 3 C’s of customer experience? The 3 C’s of customer experience refer to Consistency, Convenience, and Communication. Consistency ensures that customers receive the same level of service across all touchpoints. Convenience involves making it easy for customers to interact with your brand. Communication emphasizes the importance of clear and effective communication throughout the customer journey. What are the 4 E’s of customer experience? The 4 E’s of customer experience are Engage, Empower, Emotion, and Effortless. Engage involves creating meaningful interactions with customers. Empower focuses on giving customers the tools and resources to solve their own problems. Emotion highlights the importance of creating emotional connections with customers. Effortless refers to streamlining processes to make the customer experience as smooth as possible. What are some surprising customer experience statistics? Some surprising customer experience statistics include: 82% of customers stop doing business with a company after a bad customer experience. 87% of customers actively avoid buying from brands they don’t trust. 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase when brands offer personalized experiences. How does a positive customer experience impact loyalty? A positive customer experience leads to higher customer loyalty. Satisfied customers are more likely to stay loyal to a brand, make repeat purchases, and recommend the brand to others. Positive experiences create emotional connections with customers, fostering long-term relationships and brand advocacy. What are common challenges businesses face in improving customer experience? Common challenges businesses face in improving customer experience include: Lack of customer data and insights. Difficulty in creating effective customer journey maps. Inconsistencies in the customer journey across different channels. Adapting to the evolving expectations of mobile customer experience. Addressing issues highlighted in customer experience reports. How have trends in customer experience changed over the years? Trends in customer experience are evolving to focus on personalization, omnichannel engagement, and technology integration. Companies are increasingly utilizing customer data to tailor interactions and foresee customer needs. Additionally, there is a heightened focus on delivering seamless experiences across various channels, including mobile platforms. What are some success stories of businesses that have significantly improved customer experience? Several businesses have successfully improved customer experience and achieved notable success. For example, companies like Amazon, Zappos, and Airbnb are renowned for their customer-centric approach and dedication to delivering exceptional experiences. These companies prioritize customer satisfaction and invest in innovative solutions to enhance the customer journey. How do loyal customers respond to positive customer experiences? Loyal customers respond positively to exceptional customer experiences by demonstrating higher levels of brand loyalty, making repeat purchases, and advocating for the brand. They are more likely to engage with the brand across various channels, provide positive reviews and recommendations, and contribute to the brand’s long-term success. Are customer-centric companies more successful? Yes, customer-centric companies tend to be more successful in today’s competitive market. By prioritizing customer needs and preferences, these companies create memorable experiences that drive customer loyalty, increase retention rates, and ultimately lead to higher profitability. Customer-centric organizations understand the value of building strong relationships with customers and continuously strive to exceed their expectations. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Exploring Loyalty: Customer Experience Statistics" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Understanding the intricate relationship between customer experience (CX) and brand loyalty is a must in today’s dynamic business landscape. As consumer behavior evolves, so does the concept of brand devotion. In this article, we go into 60 essential customer experience statistics, shedding light on the impact of positive experiences, customer loyalty, and emerging trends. Defining Customer Experience Customer experience (CX) refers to the overall perception and interaction a customer has with a brand throughout their entire journey. It encompasses every touchpoint, from initial awareness to post-purchase support. CX extends beyond individual transactions; it’s about building lasting relationships and fostering trust. The Role of Customer Experience in Today’s Business Landscape In the hyper-competitive business world, CX has become a strategic differentiator. Here’s why it matters: Customer Retention: Exceptional CX leads to higher customer retention rates. Satisfied customers are more likely to stay loyal and recommend your brand. Brand Advocacy: Positive experiences turn customers into brand advocates. They share their positive encounters with others, amplifying your brand’s reach. Revenue Impact: Research shows that companies prioritizing CX outperform their competitors in terms of revenue growth. Competitive Edge: In a crowded market, superior CX sets you apart. Customers are willing to pay more for a seamless experience. AspectDescriptionBenefits Customer RetentionExceptional CX leads to higher customer retention rates. Satisfied customers are more likely to stay loyal and recommend your brand.- Increased loyalty and repeat business - Lower churn rates - Enhanced customer lifetime value Brand AdvocacyPositive experiences turn customers into brand advocates. They share their positive encounters with others, amplifying your brand’s reach.- Word-of-mouth promotion - Higher trust and credibility - Expansion of customer base through referrals Revenue ImpactResearch shows that companies prioritizing CX outperform their competitors in terms of revenue growth.- Higher sales from repeat customers - Increased conversion rates - Premium pricing opportunities Competitive EdgeIn a crowded market, superior CX sets you apart. Customers are willing to pay more for a seamless experience.- Differentiation from competitors - Ability to command higher prices - Attraction of new customers seeking quality experiences Top Customer Experience Statistics From the undeniable influence of customer satisfaction—where 86% of buyers express a willingness to invest more for superior experiences—to the repercussions of negative encounters, with 82% of customers severing ties with a company after a disappointing interaction, each statistic paints a vivid picture of consumer expectations and preferences. Through exploring themes such as omnichannel engagement, personalized interactions, and the transformative power of employee engagement, we aim to redefine the way we perceive and prioritize customer experiences in today’s ever-evolving marketplace. Join us as we navigate through these illuminating insights, poised to unlock unparalleled growth opportunities and foster enduring brand relationships. The Impact of Positive Customer Experience 97% of consumers and 98% of contact center managers say customer service interactions impact whether consumers stay loyal to a brand. 61% of consumers will pay at least 5% more if they know they’ll get a good customer experience. 60% of consumers have switched brands due to a negative contact center experience. 70% of brands see a direct connection between customer service and performance. 87% of customers actively avoid buying from brands they don’t trust. 74% of CX leaders say improving content and knowledge delivery to customers and employees is important. According to customer experience statistics, 81% of customers report that having a positive customer service experience increases their likelihood of making a repeat purchase. 95% of consumers say customer service impacts their brand loyalty. 64% of leaders say customer service has a positive impact on their company’s growth. 60% of leaders say customer service improves customer retention. Customer Loyalty and Experience Statistics 88% of buyers say experience matters as much as a company’s products or services. 12. When customer service effectively resolves their issues, 80% of consumers report feeling a stronger emotional connection to a brand. 13. 54.7% of customers are loyal to 1 to 5 brands. 14. 86% of consumers would leave a brand after as few as two poor experiences. 15. 49% of consumers have left a brand in the past year due to poor customer experience. 16. On average, companies that put in the work to improve customer experience see a 42% improvement in customer retention. 17. 82% of companies agree that retention is cheaper than acquisition. 18. 75% of consumers say they favor companies that offer rewards. 19. 56% of customers stay loyal to brands that “get them”. 20. 65% of a company’s business comes from existing customers. Key Trends in Customer Experience Generative AI in CX has endless potential uses, from generating dynamic marketing campaigns and personalized user guides to streamlining customer service and gaining deeper insights into customers and loyalty. The shift towards subscription services enables businesses to nurture ongoing relationships and drive up lifetime value. 23. Customers will willingly pay higher prices for good experiences. 24. CX quality fell for 19% of brands recently, the lowest rate in 17 years. Only 3% of U.S. companies are customer-obsessed, reflecting a decrease of 7% from the previous period. Strategies for Positive Customer Experiences Companies that actively engage in listening to their customers see a 25% increase in customer satisfaction. Moreover, ineffective listening can lead to misunderstandings, costing companies approximately $62.4 billion per year. Utilizing customer feedback is crucial, as 73% of consumers worldwide expect companies to understand their unique needs and expectations. Additionally, businesses that personalize experiences based on customer feedback can see consumers spend an average of 38% more. Implementing effective feedback systems can lead to significant performance improvements. For instance, employees who receive regular feedback are more engaged, with 80% of such employees being fully engaged. Companies using APIs (Application Programming Interface) are 21% faster in solving customers’ problems, and their customers spend 35% less time waiting for responses. Three to four buyer personas account for over 90% of a company’s sales. Moreover, brands that use personalization, which includes understanding buyer personas, can reduce marketing and sales costs by 10-20%. Loyal Customers and Customer Interactions: Statistics and Insights 96% of customers feel that customer service is crucial for brand loyalty. 32. 89% of customers express they would switch brands after an unpleasant experience, and CX handles over 60% of brand loyalty. 33. 77% of the customers who experience positive CX are likely to recommend the brand to a friend. 34. 72% of global customers feel loyalty toward at least one brand or company. 35. Price is the #1 factor keeping customers loyal to their favorite brands. The Personalized Experience: Future Trends With the rapid advancements in technology, data, and analytics, marketers are on the cusp of being able to create much more personal and “human” experiences across various moments, channels, and buying stages. This humanizing customer experience has the potential to dramatically improve interactions. The idea of physical spaces is being transformed to enhance customer journeys beyond a brand’s entrance as digital innovations improve the customer experience in both physical and virtual settings. 66% of customers anticipate that businesses will recognize their individual needs and expectations, underscoring the significance of personalized customer experiences. Customers are likely to spend more with companies that provide excellent service, with statistics showing that a good customer experience can lead to customers spending up to 140% more than they would after a negative experience. Companies that are customer-centric and focus on delivering superior customer experiences are found to be 60% more profitable compared to those that do not prioritize the customer experience. The Rise of Personalized Customer Experience Providing highly personalized customer experiences to millions of individual customers through the use of proprietary data is challenging for competitors to replicate. 42. Today’s personalization leaders have found proven ways to drive 5 to 15 percent increases in revenue and 10 to 30 percent increases in marketing spend efficiency. When implemented at scale, personalization can result in a 1 to 2 percent increase in overall sales for grocery companies, with even greater gains for other types of retailers. 44. 80% of consumers would be more likely to do business with a company that offered experiences tailored just for them. Customer Satisfaction: A Key Indicator of The Customer Experience 66% of customers reported that they expect brands to understand their needs and wants. 52% of customers reported that brand satisfaction increases due to personalization. 63. 62% of consumers reported feeling they had lost control over their private information 87% of customers actively avoid buying from brands they don’t trust. According to customer experience statistics, 81% of customers report that having a positive customer service experience increases their likelihood of making a repeat purchase. 95% of consumers say customer service impacts their brand loyalty. 64% of leaders say customer service has a positive impact on their company’s growth. 60% of leaders say customer service improves customer retention. 89% of businesses compete primarily based on customer experience – an increase from just 36% in the past. Personalization and Satisfaction: A Look at Future Customer Experience Trends The global revenue of customer experience personalization and optimization software is projected to surpass 9.5 billion U.S. dollars. 55. Many companies are already spending more than half of their budgets on personalization efforts today. 56. 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions. 57. 76% of consumers get frustrated when companies don’t deliver personalized interactions. 58. Companies that grow faster drive 40% more of their revenue from personalization than their slower-growing counterparts. 59. 49% of marketing professionals report that increased customer retention is one of the top benefits realized from a successful personalization strategy. 60. 43% of marketing professionals report that improved customer experience and increased engagement are significant results of effective personalization. https://youtube.com/watch?v=bL_D-qyva0c%3Fsi%3Dmc4DZ5SZLXtXenIe FAQs: Customer Experience Statistics What are the 3 C’s of customer experience? The 3 C’s of customer experience refer to Consistency, Convenience, and Communication. Consistency ensures that customers receive the same level of service across all touchpoints. Convenience involves making it easy for customers to interact with your brand. Communication emphasizes the importance of clear and effective communication throughout the customer journey. What are the 4 E’s of customer experience? The 4 E’s of customer experience are Engage, Empower, Emotion, and Effortless. Engage involves creating meaningful interactions with customers. Empower focuses on giving customers the tools and resources to solve their own problems. Emotion highlights the importance of creating emotional connections with customers. Effortless refers to streamlining processes to make the customer experience as smooth as possible. What are some surprising customer experience statistics? Some surprising customer experience statistics include: 82% of customers stop doing business with a company after a bad customer experience. 87% of customers actively avoid buying from brands they don’t trust. 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase when brands offer personalized experiences. How does a positive customer experience impact loyalty? A positive customer experience leads to higher customer loyalty. Satisfied customers are more likely to stay loyal to a brand, make repeat purchases, and recommend the brand to others. Positive experiences create emotional connections with customers, fostering long-term relationships and brand advocacy. What are common challenges businesses face in improving customer experience? Common challenges businesses face in improving customer experience include: Lack of customer data and insights. Difficulty in creating effective customer journey maps. Inconsistencies in the customer journey across different channels. Adapting to the evolving expectations of mobile customer experience. Addressing issues highlighted in customer experience reports. How have trends in customer experience changed over the years? Trends in customer experience are evolving to focus on personalization, omnichannel engagement, and technology integration. Companies are increasingly utilizing customer data to tailor interactions and foresee customer needs. Additionally, there is a heightened focus on delivering seamless experiences across various channels, including mobile platforms. What are some success stories of businesses that have significantly improved customer experience? Several businesses have successfully improved customer experience and achieved notable success. For example, companies like Amazon, Zappos, and Airbnb are renowned for their customer-centric approach and dedication to delivering exceptional experiences. These companies prioritize customer satisfaction and invest in innovative solutions to enhance the customer journey. How do loyal customers respond to positive customer experiences? Loyal customers respond positively to exceptional customer experiences by demonstrating higher levels of brand loyalty, making repeat purchases, and advocating for the brand. They are more likely to engage with the brand across various channels, provide positive reviews and recommendations, and contribute to the brand’s long-term success. Are customer-centric companies more successful? Yes, customer-centric companies tend to be more successful in today’s competitive market. By prioritizing customer needs and preferences, these companies create memorable experiences that drive customer loyalty, increase retention rates, and ultimately lead to higher profitability. Customer-centric organizations understand the value of building strong relationships with customers and continuously strive to exceed their expectations. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Exploring Loyalty: Customer Experience Statistics" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that a worrying mystery illness is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The unknown disease has so far sickened hundreds and killed dozens since reports of it first emerged in early January. Here’s what to know about the outbreaks so far. What is the disease? At this time, health officials do not know what the disease is. In the WHO’s weekly bulletin for the February 10- 16 period, the agency says the unknown disease “poses a significant public health threat.” The disease is currently active in two regional clusters, according to the report, and worryingly, of those who have died from it, nearly half of the deaths happened within just 48 hours of symptoms emerging. The first regional cluster where the disease made itself known is in the Boloko Village, in the Bolomba Health Zone region of the DRC. In that village, three children reportedly died from the disease between January 10-13. Then in early February, the disease reportedly spread to its second regional cluster in Bomate Village, Basankusu Health Zone, located in the northwest of the DRC. Initially, there were 20 reported deaths from the disease there between January 30 and February 9. As Reuters reports, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic told a briefing on Tuesday that “The outbreaks, which have seen cases rise rapidly within days, pose a significant public health threat. The exact cause remains unknown.” How many people have died or become sick? Unfortunately, health authorities now say that both the number of cases and the number of deaths have risen sharply since the first initial reports came in for both outbreak clusters. WHO says that as of February 15, a total of 431 people have become sick across both clusters. In total, there have been 53 known deaths from the illness. That represents a case fatality rate (CFR) of 12.2%. When breaking down the illnesses and deaths by regional clusters, 12 cases and 8 deaths have occurred in the Bolomba Health Zone, where the disease was first reported. That means that in that single zone, the disease has a case fatality rate of 66.7%. But it is the second cluster, in the Basankusu Health Zone, where the majority of cases and deaths have occurred. In the Basankusu Health Zone, there have been 419 cases with 45 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 10.7%. How far has the disease spread? As of the WHO’s bulletin, the unknown disease has only been reported in the Bolomba Health Zone and Basankusu Health Zone in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The two areas are relatively close to each other and are located in the northwestern portion of the country. Currently, the disease is not reported to have spread to any other areas of the DRC or neighboring countries How does the disease spread? It is currently unknown how the disease spreads. Health authorities have reported that trace-back data shows the outbreak is thought to have first happened in the Bolomba Health Zone. Multiple children became sick with the disease. According to WHO, “Reports indicate that the children had consumed a bat carcass prior to onset of signs and symptom.” This suggests that the disease may be spread by the consumption of animals that are harboring it, but this is not a certainty. It is unknown if researchers have discovered a direct link between bat consumption and the outbreak of the disease. Diseases can also have multiple routes of transmission. What are the symptoms of the disease? The WHO’s bulletin states that the children who first came down with symptoms after eating the bat suffered from the following: fever headache diarrhoea fatigue Those symptoms later transitioned into: subconjunctival haemorrhage epistaxis haematemesis However, the range of symptoms across all cases is more broad. Health authorities say infected persons may produce a number of symptoms, including: fever chills headache myalgia body aches sweating rhinorrhea neck stiffness cough vomiting diarrhoea abdominal cramps Could this be the start of another pandemic? It is much too early to say whether the mystery illness that has broken out in the DRC could be the beginning of the next pandemic. Health authorities simply know too little about the disease and how it spreads at this time. However, it’s worth noting that in December, there were reports of another mystery illness in the DRC, and that disease was later found out to be severe malaria, reported Reuters. In other words, just because the disease is a “mystery” right now, doesn’t mean it’s not simply an existing illness that health officials have previously identified. However, WHO does say that tests have ruled out other diseases, including Ebola and Marburg. The exclusion of these diseases raises “concerns about a severe infectious or toxic agent” being behind the as-of-yet-unknown disease. Other possibilities for the mystery disease include “malaria, viral haemorrhagic fever, food or water poisoning, typhoid fever, and meningitis,” according to WHO. Or it could turn out to be something totally new. For now, health authorities simply need more time to determine what it is. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. While it can be fulfilling to put in the work and make your home spotless, we simply don't always have the time. You might already have a robot vacuum zooming around to collect dust and dirt on your behalf, but there are a surprising number of lesser-known—and equally convenient—cleaning gadgets that could also be pitching in. From window cleaners to toilet scrubbers, here are some tech tools you can buy to outsource whatever chore you most despise. Automatically clean your glassLet’s start off with windows, which can be tedious to clean and still end up infuriatingly streaky when all is said and done. The Hobot-298 window cleaning robot is certainly a splurge at $299 on Amazon (though price-tracking tool Camelcamelcamel says that's lower than its average price of $435), but it's effective: Fill it with water, attach it to a window, and let it mist and polish away. It's particularly useful if your home has large, tall windows that are hard to reach. There is a cheaper option, too: The FMART T9Pro Window Cleaning Robot for $134.79. FMART T9Pro Window Cleaning Robot $134.79 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $189.78 Save $54.99 Shop Now Shop Now $134.79 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $189.78 Save $54.99 You can also consider this cordless window vacuum from Sharper Image. It sprays down the glass and removes the water, sorting it into a separate reservoir so the clean and dirty water never mix. It's just $63.99. Automatically clean hard floorsYes, you likely know all about robot vacuums, but what about robot mops? The iRobot Braava Jet, $309 on Amazon, uses a precise jet spray to make your floors gleam, and it connects to your phone or smart home devices, learns the layout of your house, and can work in concert with Roomba robot vacuums to, per the company, “team up to vacuum to mop automatically in perfect sequence.” Then again, try a robot that does it all for the ultimate automatic experience. There are some great robot vacuum/mop combos on the market, though they can be pretty expensive, so it might be worth it to start small and see how you like a cheaper version. Consider one from ROPVACNIC for just $139.98. EyeVac Home touchless vacuum automatic dustpan $149.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $149.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Finally, if you sweep a lot (I'm looking at you, people with long hair or fluffy pets) it might be worth it to upgrade to a stationary dust pan. It's kind of like a big vacuum that sits in the corner and you use your broom to direct dirt to it. From there, it just sucks it up. It's not fully automatic, since you still have to sweep, but it's more convenient than what you're doing now, isn't it? It's $149 on Amazon. Automatically clean the toilet Fluidmaster 8300 Flush 'n Sparkle $10.59 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $17.91 Save $7.32 Shop Now Shop Now $10.59 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $17.91 Save $7.32 Consider the beautifully named Fluidmaster 8300 Flush 'n Sparkle toilet cleaning system. You stick it in your tank and it disperses a little bleach whenever you flush. It can last up to three months, which is a long time to go without having to scrub your bowl, and it's only $10.59. Automatically take care of the trashThe future is now, baby, because you can even have a robot take care of the trash for you. The Airdeer automatic trash can ($219) packs your trash, seals the bag, and adds a new bag to the container with the touch of a button—basically, it does everything besides actually taking out the trash. It comes with six refill rings, each of which holds 20 trash bags. Automatically clean up after the catFor the most part, cats are the most self-cleaning pet you can get, but that doesn't mean it isn't annoying and nasty to deal with their litter boxes. Some self-cleaning litter boxes are on the spendy side, but you can find quality alternatives on Amazon. For instance, the Autoscooper 11 not only has a fantastic name, but is just $179.99. It is open on the top to not only reduce odors, but help your cat with the transition from regular litter box to fancier model, as other litter robots on the market fully enclose your kitty and might be a little too stressful. PetPivot Autoscooper 11 $179.99 at Amazon $239.99 Save $60.00 Shop Now Shop Now $179.99 at Amazon $239.99 Save $60.00 Automatically clean your dishwasherAgain, you can do this yourself, but you shouldn't have to (or that's what I think, anyway). Clean your dishwasher by stuffing a cleaning pod into the space you'd normally put a detergent pod, then let it rip. It's just $8.99 for six tablets on Amazon. View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Total active U.S. housing inventory for sale recently fell by 42,133 homes, from 871,509 in December 2024 to 829,376 in January 2025, according to the latest Realtor.com data. Historically, national active inventory usually declines during this seasonal month-over-month window, with the average decline since 2017 being -69,646 between December and January. The fact that inventory is rising year-over-year, combined with January’s smallest inventory decline for the month since Realtor.com began publishing data in summer 2016, strongly suggests that national active housing inventory for sale is likely to end the year higher. Heading into 2025, the average forecast model tracked by ResiClub projected U.S. active inventory for sale to increase by 12.5% in 2025. Through the end of January 2025, active inventory is growing at a rate of 25% on a year-over-year basis. In markets that maintain this (or greater) level of inventory growth, homebuyers will gain more leverage and power. Some markets that are sellers markets could become balanced markets, and some markets that are balanced markets could become buyers markets. Historically speaking, national active inventory usually begins its seasonal decline around August, and then begins to rise again around March. (Note: The seasonal cycle for new listings is a little different; it usually begins to rise around January and tops out around June.) While national active inventory is rising (+25% on a year-over-year basis), national active inventory at the end of January 2025 (829,376) was still 25% below pre-pandemic January 2019 levels (1,110,636). And that story varies a lot by market. The Northeast and Midwest remain fairly tight, while the Gulf region has softened. Generally speaking, housing markets where inventory (i.e., active listings) has returned to pre-pandemic levels have experienced weaker home price growth (or outright declines) over the past 30 months. Conversely, housing markets where inventory remains far below pre-pandemic levels have generally experienced stronger home price growth over the past 30 months. View the full article

Leonardo’s planned joint venture would give Turkish company longed-for access to Europe’s marketView the full article

Personal trainers are in more demand than ever as more people look to stay fit and improve their health. This has created a huge opportunity for people who want to work in this industry. Follow these steps to learn how to start a personal training business and take advantage of the growing personal fitness segment. How to Start a Personal Training Business: Key Steps Starting requires the following: You need to determine your specialty or niche. To decide on one, consider market demand, your expertise, and your interests. Some options include strength training, sports training, weight loss, and rehabilitation. Industry-specific certifications include those from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and others that consist of a self-paced online program. Once you have created a business plan, the next step is to register your business and secure liability insurance. As a trainer, it’s important to invest in equipment such as mats, resistance bands, and weights. Starting a Personal Training Business: Step-by-Step Guide Follow these steps to a successful business. Types of Personal Trainers Trends are essential in the personal trainer market. Personalized nutrition plans and wearable technology can help personal trainers meet client expectations. You need to understand your competition and the specialized training methods they use, too. Remember, the industry offers a wide variety of specializations and roles so that you can carve out an individual niche. Gym-Based Trainer Trainers based in gyms operate within health clubs, fitness centers, and gyms. They may also utilize spaces set aside for yoga and group fitness classes. One benefit of this business model is that every day can be different, and you can work with diverse clients. Challenges include having to work irregular hours to accommodate them. Independent Trainer As the name suggests, independent personal trainers use a different business model. They work outside the traditional gym settings, taking advantage of greater flexibility and opportunity. These trainers can work in public parks, rented studio spaces, clients’ homes, or virtually. One challenge is that they need to develop business skills like marketing and finance. The income can vary and be inconsistent at times. However, one of the big bonuses here is the potential to scale their business by hiring staff and leveraging digital tools. Specialized Fitness Trainer Consider several niche areas if you’re starting your enterprise. For A Specific Sport: Personal trainers need to have a good understanding of the agility, endurance skills, and strength required for a particular sport. For example, someone opening a business dealing with golf would need to understand the biomechanics of a swing. For Rehabilitation: These trainers help people recover from surgery or injuries. The goal is to help patients regain mobility, flexibility, and strength. Business owners here need to understand psychology, anatomy, and healing processes deeply. For Strength and Conditioning: These trainers work with athletes from various sports to boost their performance levels and physical capabilities. To satisfy prospective clients, they must be familiar with and employ scientifically based training practices and regimes. Online Personal Trainer The trend of online trainers is on the rise. A key benefit of this business model is its global reach and flexible scheduling options. Online trainers can benefit from lower overhead costs, and digital platforms allow for easy scaling according to demand. AspectGym-Based TrainerIndependent TrainerSpecialized Fitness TrainerOnline Personal Trainer SettingHealth clubs, fitness centers, gyms, yoga, and group fitness classes.Public parks, rented studio spaces, clients' homes, or virtually.Varied settings depending on the niche, e.g., sports facilities for specific sports, rehab centers, or gyms for strength and conditioning.Virtual platforms. BenefitsDiversity in daily work and client base.Greater flexibility and opportunity; potential for business scaling by hiring staff and leveraging digital tools.Deep expertise in a niche area can attract dedicated clientèle; can become recognized as an expert in the field.Global reach, flexible scheduling, reduced overhead, and scalability of digital platforms. ChallengesIrregular hours to accommodate diverse clients.Need for business skills like marketing and finance; income can be inconsistent.Need for specialized knowledge in a specific area, which requires continuous education and keeping up with the latest research.Requires effective online engagement and marketing strategies to attract and retain clients. Income StabilityRelatively stable as they often work for an employer.Can vary and be inconsistent due to the nature of being self-employed.Depends on niche demand and the trainer's ability to market their specialized skills.Can be variable; depends on the ability to attract and retain clients online. Client InteractionDirect, face-to-face in a gym setting.Direct, but in various settings like parks, homes, or online.Direct, often with a specialized focus, which might require a more tailored approach.Primarily online, which may require different engagement strategies compared to in-person training. Potential for ScalingLimited by the physical space of the gym and the trainer's availability.High, especially if leveraging digital tools and hiring additional staff.Moderate to high, depending on the demand for the niche and the business model (e.g., hiring other specialized trainers).High, due to the nature of digital platforms and the ability to reach a global audience. Special RequirementsCertifications required by the gym or fitness center; CPR/AED might be necessary.Business skills, personal training certification, insurance, and possibly equipment.In-depth knowledge in a specific area (e.g., sport, rehabilitation, strength conditioning), certifications, and possibly advanced degrees.Strong online presence, engaging digital content, and knowledge of online training platforms and tools. Conduct Market Research Understanding the fitness niche is critical, and that’s where this research comes in. Outline what you want to achieve. Are you adding a service or location? To find potential clients, it’s important to take into account factors such as age, gender, income level, location, and lifestyle. Remember to use location and lifestyle when you’re defining your target market. Obtain Certifications and Education Getting a professional certification is a must-have. People with a certified private trainer certificate understand exercise science, nutrition psychology and anatomy. These trainers also have education in other essential areas like First Aid and CPR. Ongoing education in the dynamic fitness industry is necessary for specific regions like senior fitness and strength conditioning. Personal trainer certification is invaluable. Choosing a Business Structure There are a few different types of business structures to choose from. Each one has implications for taxes and liability. The sole proprietorship is the most straightforward choice. The income is reported on the owner’s taxes, and there is unlimited personal liability. A Limited Liability Company (LLC) offers flexibility by combining the tax implications of a partnership or sole proprietorship and a corporation’s liability protection. This choice protects against personal liability but is more complicated to set up than a sole proprietorship. Register Your Personal Training Business Research the top fitness business names for inspiration, and then check if your business name is available in your state’s database. There’s a Secretary of State office you’ll need to file with. Getting a general business license and maybe even a specific health or fitness service provider license is essential. Check with your local city or county government. So you can maintain credibility, make sure to file for copyright protection for your logos, workout programs, and marketing materials. Secure Insurance Insurance needs to be covered. Deal with a local agent or research small business insurance online. Consider the following types: Professional liability insurance covers claims centering around misconduct, negligence, and failure to deliver services. It’s essential for these trainers because it could involve allegations of injury. General liability insurance protects against third-party claims for personal injury, property damage, and bodily injury. If your business involves selling fitness equipment and supplements, it’s essential to have product liability insurance. Commercial property insurance protects the location of your enterprise and the contents from theft and fire. Craft Your Business Plan A well-designed business plan is the cornerstone of a successful enterprise. It must include detailed information on your services, like online coaching and group training. The pricing strategy needs to include package deals and membership fees, as well as whether you’ll charge per session or have a tiered pricing structure. The financial projections are the meat and potatoes of a business plan, and they need to include revenue streams and startup costs. Source Exercise Equipment If you’re looking to start your business outside of the gym, it’s essential to think about how to start a personal training business. One important aspect to consider is sourcing quality equipment. Here are a few key points to keep in mind. The quality of the choices you make will reflect on your company. High-quality equipment fosters a professional image. Line up your equipment with the type of training that you’re offering. For example, strength and conditioning training should include resistance bands, free weights, and kettlebells. Quality equipment is designed with safety in mind and is more durable. Look for secure locking mechanisms and non-slip surfaces. Ultimately, higher-quality choices allow for a more extensive range of exercises and a better revenue stream. Managing Finances Managing your finances properly is essential for several significant reasons. Top of the list is maintaining a cash flow to cover operational costs and invest in growth. Opening a Business Bank Account Having a business bank account helps you to track your finances accurately. It’s the bedrock for budgeting and forecasting with your own business. Separating personal and business finances simplifies tax reporting. Getting started requires an EIN (Employer Identification Number) and personal identification documents. Financing Your Business Here are some options for funding your business. Personal Savings Using your money allows you to control the operations completely. Small Business Loans With one of these loans, you can expand your business and invest in more equipment without giving up any ownership of your enterprise. Get Investors Venture capitalists can bring in industry connections and expertise as well as mentorship. Marketing Your Personal Training Business A multifaceted strategy is best when you’re marketing your business. Free webinars and online courses can be offered to generate leads. A resource section blog with infographics, videos, and articles works well. A professional website that’s mobile-friendly and optimized is critical. Selecting the appropriate social media platforms varies from LinkedIn to Facebook, based on your target audience. Local networking can include attending industry events. Consistently showcasing testimonials on your website has a good impact. Embracing Technology in Your Services Digital tools and platforms can help you succeed. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems and software can manage client data, improve customer service, and track interactions. Video conferencing software boosts virtual training sessions. Analytics can help track the performance of your social media channels and website. Finally, don’t forget to use social media management tools to schedule posts and manage all your accounts from one place. Scaling Your Personal Training Business Expanding a fitness business means hiring professionals, mining niche markets, and leveraging tech to offer online sessions. Offer subscription models with a library of workout videos with your personal training business. Scale your business up to include mental wellness workshops and nutrition counseling. Seek out staff members who hold certifications in specialized areas such as strength training and Pilates. Launching Your Personal Trainer Business Personal training services motivate people to change their well-being and health positively. Train clients using tech, build relationships and streamline your operations. Passion, knowledge, and personalized experience can make a difference in your client’s goals and struggles as a certified personal trainer. https://youtube.com/watch?v=KdnXMYAa9Lg%3Fsi%3DYlSRX9CXhLbUPVn0 FAQs: How to Start a Personal Training Business Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about these fitness professionals. How profitable is personal training? Wondering “how much money do personal trainers make?” Good profits can be made but they depend on your business model expertise, clientele, and location. How much does it cost to start a personal training business? The expenses can differ significantly. A simple at-home or online setup typically requires just a few hundred dollars. If you already possess some basic equipment, you might even be able to start a business with no money. On the other hand, establishing a fully equipped gym, complete with equipment, insurance, and marketing, can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. What’s the best way to find clients when starting out? Offer free social media workshops and/or partner with local health businesses to get started. Can I specialize in more than one fitness area as a personal trainer? Yes, there are many low cost business ideas to start in the fitness industry, and many services you can offer under the umbrella of personal training. Doing this can broaden your client base. Image: Envato Elements This article, "How to Start a Personal Training Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article