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Judge Leonie Brinkema said a ‘dramatic’ forced sale may not be ‘easily enforceable’View the full article

Billionaire investor seeking to take investment group public as early as the first quarter of next yearView the full article

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said the new oath was necessary because prior leadership engaged in what it describes as "thuggery" during exams. Former CFPB officials rejected the agency's characterization of past actions. View the full article

A federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled the debtor could not prove she was injured by any alleged conduct by Nationstar or other defendants WSFS and A&D. View the full article

Saul Van Beurden, Wells Fargo's consumer banking CEO and former head of technology, will lead the way on harnessing artificial intelligence. View the full article

The average premium increase is 64% or $600 a year more, and in some states the rate would go up by more than $1,000, the comparison shopping platform found. 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. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Black Friday deals aren't just on physical products. While you can find discounts on everything from fitness trackers to Kindles, subscriptions also have Black Friday sales, too. Case in point: Apple TV—not Apple TV+ anymore, mind you. Apple's own subscription service typically costs a relatively expensive $12.99 per month. But as of today, Nov. 21, new and returning Apple TV customers can snag a six-month subscription to Apple TV for $5.99 per month. That amounts to more than a 50% discount on each month (53.89%, to be precise). You have some time to claim this price cut. This is a Black Friday deal, after all, so you'll be able to sign up now through Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. PT (Cyber Monday). Once you do, you'll be set for six months, but just make sure to keep an eye on the calendar: Once those six months are up, Apple will go back to charging you the full $12.99. You'll also need to subscribe through a method where Apple bills you directly. You won't be able to take advantage of the discount if you sign up for Apple TV through a third party. Finally, you won't be eligible if your account qualifies for a free trial. If you haven't been tuned in to Apple TV, now's a great time to check it out. The platform has surprisingly great catalogue, including popular shows like Severance, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking. Plus, there are a number of shows airing new episodes right now, like Pluribus, The Morning Show, and The Last Frontier. You can redeem the offer from any device that bills directly to Apple, or from Apple TV's official site. Does Apple do Black Friday?Yes, Apple participates in Black Friday, though you may want to compare its sales with other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but so far, the best Black Friday sale on an Apple product is the M4 MacBook on sale for cheaper than ever. Are Black Friday deals worth it?In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday?Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $349.99 (List Price $399.00) Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive — $169.99 (List Price $279.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Want to block ads on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad? wBlock is quickly becoming my favorite solution: it's free, open source, fast, and customizable. Ad blocking is in a weird place. Google, the company that makes more money from advertising than any other on Earth, is actively working to make ad blockers worse on Chrome while it also makes it harder to block ads on YouTube. Basically, it's a good time to not use Chrome. So it's nice that Apple users have another choice: Safari. And, as luck would have it, Safari has an extremely efficient API for ad blocking built right in. The ad blocker wBlock uses this, and the result is ads are blocked in a way that doesn't slow down your browsing. I wrote a few months ago about uBlock Origin for Safari, which doesn't use Apple's native blocking feature. I enjoyed how effective that application was at blocking ads, but over time I've found it does impact the performance of my browser a little. After setting up wBlock, everything feels snappy. You can install wBlock from the App Store on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. After doing so, you can choose which filter lists you want to use. Several are offered, or you can just stick with the defaults. Credit: Justin Pot You will also be asked if you want to enable any userscripts. The ones offered bring back YouTube's old interface and bypass paywalls. You can also install custom userscripts, if you want, meaning you won't need a separate application for that functionality. After that, you'll need to open Safari, head to the settings, and turn on all the wBlock entries you see on the extensions page. Do that and you should be able to browse the web without any ads. If you're curious about how this extension works and how it compares to other Safari ad blockers, I recommend checking out the documentation on Github—it goes over how this tool works and how it differs from other applications. I also encourage you to think about the pros and cons of blocking ads overall. View the full article

Expected move by chancellor Rachel Reeves next week faces strong pushback from businessesView the full article

If you've spent years curating playlists in Apple Music or another streaming service, you can now easily transfer your playlist to your Spotify library without needing to start from scratch or pay for a third-party service. Playlist transfers are now built into Spotify thanks to a new integration with TuneMyMusic, which facilitates music syncing, sharing, transfers, and backups across platforms. To initiate a playlist transfer from Apple Music or another streaming service (YouTube Music, Amazon Music, SoundCloud, etc.), open the Spotify mobile app and tap Your Library. Scroll to the bottom of the page, tap Import your music > Get Started, and follow the on-screen prompts to connect with TuneMyMusic. You can choose which platform to transfer music from, and your playlists will populate in Spotify. Your playlists will remain on the original platform, as they are simply being copied into Spotify. (This feature is currently rolling out to users, so you may need to update your Spotify app.) Data portability across music streamers has been very limited, but it's getting better: TuneMyMusic was already compatible with Spotify, but users had to sign up for a free trial with the service and were capped at just 500 songs before needing to upgrade to a paid plan. (Other third-party playlist transfer tools include FreeYourMusic and Soundiiz.) Apple Music has a music transfer feature built into its iOS and iPadOS (under Settings > Apps > Music) as well as the Apple Music app for Android and via the web. YouTube Music supports playlist imports and exports but requires a third-party service for platforms that don't permit direct transfers. View the full article

Silicon Valley’s giants crowd the list of the world’s most valuable companies, but drugmaker Eli Lilly is hot on their heels. The company topped a market capitalization of one trillion dollars on Friday, becoming the first business in the health industry to hit that milestone. Lilly’s achievement comes during a tense week for stock watchers. AI chipmaker Nvidia, which itself became the first $5 trillion company less than a month ago, beat expectations with its latest quarterly earnings. But with AI overrepresented among the world’s top businesses and massive AI investments making headlines every day, investors remain skittish that excitement over the tech might be overblown. While Lilly still sits just outside the global top ten most valuable companies, its rise demonstrates that non-tech businesses can still chart a path to the stock market’s upper echelons. In Lilly’s case, that rise was powered by spiking interest in weight loss drugs – a trend that has nothing to do with the white hot world of AI. Rise of GLP-1s The Indianapolis-based drugmaker enjoyed a massive 35% boost in its stock price this year, tapping into the rise of weight loss drugs with its own offering, tirzepatide. Lilly’s star drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, both package tirzepatide, with the former approved to treat Type 2 diabetes and the latter prescribed for weight loss or sleep apnea. Tirzepatide works by simulating two naturally-occurring gut hormones that influence digestion, appetite and help the body regulate blood sugar. Lilly’s two hot weight loss drugs earned the company more than $10 billion in the third quarter of the year, accounting for more than half of its $17.6 billion in sales during the same period. By the end of October, Mounjaro and Zepbound had already made the company $25 billion – more than the drugmaker’s total revenue in 2020. Keeping its growth going after such a landmark year poses a challenge, but Lilly is already deep into the development of a new weight loss drug in pill form that offers a convenient alternative to regular injections. That drug, orforglipron, is a candidate for early FDA approval, a process that could put it on the market very quickly. Eli Lilly bests the competition As Lilly races to release its weight loss pill, rival drugmaker Novo Nordisk is doing the same. Novo Nordisk is also currently awaiting FDA approval for its own oral weight loss drug under the agency’s new expedited process. Both drugmakers are also slashing the price of their injectable weight loss drugs after the The President administration called on them to lower prices. “I’m thrilled to announce that the two world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, have agreed to offer their most popular GLP-1 weight-loss drug—I call it the fat drug, remember—at drastic discounts,” The President said. While Eli Lilly is riding high on the weight loss craze this year, Novo Nordisk isn’t enjoying the same confidence from investors. Novo Nordisk’s value more than quintupled heading into last year, but the company’s shares fell sharply in 2025 as its first-mover advantage in the weight loss market dissolved and compounding pharmacies took a bite out of its business. Eli Lilly wasn’t first to market, but it made up ground quickly, securing FDA approval for diabetes drug Mounjaro and its weight-management counterpart Zepbound. Eli Lilly shares have soared since those drugs started hitting the market, showing no sign of flagging. “We’ve spent 150 years going after some of the hardest-to-treat disease states—like [developing] lifesaving insulin [for diabetes], eradicating polio, revolutionizing depression with Prozac—and we’re still laser-focused on innovation,” Eli Lilly’s Global Chief Customer Officer Jennifer Oleksiw told Fast Company recently. “But the game has changed. It’s not delivering medicine; it’s taking that medicine and adding the right solutions, services and content, and making it personalized, accessible and scalable.” View the full article

Someone stealing your credit card information is the absolute worst. Opening your statement to see expensive charges you didn't make is stressful, and canceling your card—and dealing with all of your attached subscriptions—is a nightmare. So if you get a call about an unauthorized charge for a brand new iPhone, you're probably going to want to get to the bottom of it. Here's the thing: It's likely a scam. I speak from experience: My wife keeps getting calls from unknown numbers, all of which leave voicemails about charges for iPhones. The voicemail starts off with what sounds like standard holding music. Suddenly, a voice pops in, saying something to the affect of: "This is Amazon. This call is to authorize the payment of $999 for the recent order of Apple iPhone 16 Pro on your account. If you do not authorize this payment, please press "one" to speak to our customer support representative." Your call may also be about, "the payment of $1,099 for the recent order of Apple iPhone 17 Pro on your account." We are inundated with the calls, and besides the payment amount and the specific iPhone model, the rest of the message is identical. As you might expect, no such charges are actually present on either our Amazon account or in our credit card history. That's because no one bought an iPhone in our name, or by using our financial information: This was simply a scam. Had we answered the phone and pressed "one" to speak with a "customer support representative," or called the number back after listening to the voicemail, this is what would have likely happened: The "representative" would have assured us that they would be able to dispute the charge, but of course they'd need some information from us first. Perhaps they would have needed us to confirm the credit card information, and would ask us to read our digits out loud. Maybe they'd need to make sure we actually owned the Amazon account in question, and would ask for our two-factor authentication code to "confirm our identity." No matter what the case, the scammers would have been praying on our concern about the charge to extract some type of sensitive information from us, all for their own financial gain. Had we called back and complied, we would have almost assuredly handed the scammers the money we thought they were helping us get back. What to do if you get this voicemailIf you get a voicemail like this, don't call them back. If you pick up the phone, and you get this message, don't press "one;" just hang up. You are definitely being scammed, and there's no risk in simply ignoring the caller completely. If you'd like to verify their claims, don't involve the caller at all. Instead, head to your Amazon account, and check your order history. You'll be able to see if any such iPhones were ordered under your account—and, if they were, you can cancel the order here. Similarly, check your credit card history: If you don't see a charge for an iPhone, there wasn't one. If you do see one, reach out to the credit card company directly through their official contact information. Scammers rely on pressure tactics that stress you out, and make you feel like time is of the essence. It rarely ever is. While it might seem common practice for companies like Amazon to call customers about large charges, it really isn't. If you ever receive unsolicited communications from someone claiming to represent a company you belong to, you can always end the conversation, and reach out directly yourself. If you contact Amazon's official customer support, or the company that issues your credit card, they'll be able to confirm or deny the claim for you. While you can block the number, it might not do much good. Each time we've received a call, it's been from a different number, so my guess is they're not reusing numbers when calling you back. Instead, you should strongly consider using one of Apple's built-in anti-spam tools. If you're running iOS 26, you can choose to have your iPhone screen calls from unknown numbers, and ask for information before sending the call your way. No matter which version of iOS you have, you can also choose to silence unknown callers en masse, so you're never interrupted by any caller that isn't in your contacts. View the full article

I think back to freshman year, when my friends and I would cram onto a lumpy dorm-issue twin bed and huddle around one phone, collectively cringing as we swiped through Hinge. That was my first foray into dating apps. It took me a week—and a handful of dead-end chats—before I deleted it. As it turns out, I’m far from alone. According to mobile app analytics company AppsFlyer, 65% of dating apps downloaded in 2024 were deleted within a month. This year, that number has climbed to 69%, AppsFlyer told Fast Company. During the pandemic, dating apps were a lifeline. Gen Z spent much of their formative years—high school, early college—on Zoom, and online dating was a natural extension of a life in lockdown. Now, many young people want their love lives off-screen again. Dr. Wendy Walsh, in-house dating and relationship expert for DatingAdvice.com and psychology professor at California State University Channel Islands, explains that this generation lost at least two years of social learning during COVID. They’re often terrified of talking on the phone or meeting in person, and dating apps—designed to connect strangers—essentially translate to their worst fear. Yet younger adults continue to lead the way in online dating. According to Pew Research data from 2023, 53% of those under 30 have used a dating site or app, compared with 37% of adults ages 30 to 49, 20% of those 50 to 64, and 13% of adults 65 and older. Digital natives are swiping left on dating apps Last week, I conducted an informal poll of six Syracuse University students in their 20s who requested anonymity—largely because, as I noticed, they seemed embarrassed to be on dating apps in the first place. When I asked them about their experiences more broadly, disappointment came through. One pointed out that conversations on the apps rarely progressed beyond the texting stage. Another said they preferred meeting people in person and mostly used the apps for casual flings. Dating coach Grace Lee explained that college students often feel self-conscious about these platforms. “If you have any kind of social life, you’re ‘not supposed’ to need one,” she says, adding that college life comes with high expectations to be “out and about,” which dilates the feeling that there’s something “wrong” with you if you rely on a dating app. Most students I talked to seemed reluctant to discuss how often they engaged with the apps, while those who admitted to regular use did so with visible mortification. This frustration is far from isolated. A 2024 Forbes Health survey found that 79% of Gen Z users experience some degree of fatigue with dating apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble—they’re investing tons of time without finding genuine connections. Walsh says the burnout comes from the “paradox of choice.” Too many options lead the brain to value each one less. People swipe endlessly, believing something better is always one swipe away, which leaves them stuck in an algorithmic loophole. And the numbers back it up: A nationwide Kinsey Institute and DatingAdvice.com survey found that most Gen Zers would rather meet someone offline, with 90.24% of respondents saying they prefer social gatherings, bookstores, classes, and clubs. With a focus on self-care and authenticity, this generation feels that apps just don’t deliver the kind of natural, low-effort spark they’re looking for. It’s a flop era for online dating Dating app burnout isn’t just a Gen Z thing—the “swiping fatigue” is hitting the whole online dating scene. Match Group’s recent financial results underline the shift. The parent company of Tinder, Hinge, Match.com, OkCupid, and Plenty of Fish posted a fourth-quarter revenue forecast below expectations, signaling trouble converting casual users into paid subscribers. The company’s latest quarterly numbers show revenue at $914.3 million, up 2% compared to the same period last year, while “payers” declined by 5%. Match Group stock (Nasdaq: MTCH) has struggled this year. As of Friday, it’s down roughly 1.11% year to date, compared to the Nasdaq Composite’s growth of more than 15% during the same period. Tinder, once the company’s crown jewel, is wobbling: Revenue slid 3% year-over-year, and paying users dropped 7% to 9.3 million. Half of Tinder’s monthly active users are Gen Z, but with subscribers declining, the company is scrambling to find new ways to keep younger users engaged. Students I spoke with had similar thoughts on Tinder: “[It’s more for] hookup culture—fine for freshman year, but now I’m looking for something more serious.” Match Group’s competitor Bumble isn’t faring any better, reporting a 10% revenue decline and laying off 30% of its staff earlier this year. And yet, against all odds, Hinge is holding on tight. Gen Z accounts for 56% of its user base, and the app reported a 17% increase in paying users. Strong prompts and a focus on intentional dating seem to be working. As Match Group COO Spencer Rascoff echoed at the Goldman Sachs conference, “There’s this misconception that Gen Z doesn’t use dating apps. They do. Just look at Hinge.” Is betting on AI the right move? New non-automated modes, like Tinder’s Double Date and College Mode, are resonating—especially with younger users. Double Date has taken off: 92% of its users are under 30, and women who pair up are three times more likely to send a Like and four times more likely to match than when swiping solo, while College Mode is now used by one in four eligible student users. Dating companies are now betting that AI features will lure Gen Z back—but there’s a catch: Gen Z is actually more uncomfortable with AI than older generations. Several students I spoke with expressed discomfort with AI, noting that when it’s imposed in platforms, it feels unnatural and undermines the sense of authenticity. Dr. Justin Lehmiller, senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, told Fast Company that his research shows most single adults don’t want AI anywhere near their intimate lives. “That’s the potential pitfall for some apps,” Lehmiller says. “[If] they’re incorporating more of this technology that a lot of people don’t really trust, is that going to draw more folks in or is it just going to keep pushing them away?” A Bloomberg survey mirrors this sentiment, revealing that Gen Z is hesitant about AI-generated bios or messages and favors authenticity. How the big players are trying to win over Gen Z Tinder appears to recognize the tension surrounding high-tech features. In a statement to Fast Company, the company said it’s shifting toward “low-pressure, authentic experiences,” moving away from “transactional” connections. The app uses AI for security, photo selection, and safety prompts—without turning conversations into “my bot texting your bot,” as Match Group leaders emphasize. Similarly, Bumble CTO Vivek Sagi stated, “We want to harness the power of AI”, adding that, “Our goal is not to replace love or dating with technology, it’s to make human connection better and more compatible.” Hinge is also leaning into AI, focusing on tools that help users without impersonating them. This includes features like prompt feedback, or a built-in AI tool called “Top Photo,” and the “Are You Sure?” message filter. And the subtlety seems to be working: The students I spoke with didn’t even realize AI was involved in their daily swiping, and when I pointed it out, one gasped, “I didn’t put two and two together!” Hinge CEO Justin McLeod recently explained that generative AI is meant to support—not replace—people. “Authenticity deeply matters,” he said. And Gen Z seems to agree. View the full article

This weekend, “Remove the Regime” protests in the capital are demanding an end to the The President administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., as well as President Donald The President’s impeachment, calling the deployment an overreach of presidential powers and politically motivated. A federal judge ruled Thursday that the troops’ deployment in D.C. is “unlawful.” This follows a similar ruling from a Tennessee state judge. The President has also deployed National Guard troops to a number of other American cities, including: Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles; Memphis, Tennessee; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago—all cities run by Democrats, under the pretense of crime reduction. Here’s what to know about the protests. What, where and when is the ‘Remove the Regime’ protest? On Saturday, November 22, organizers will hold a peaceful protest in Washington, D.C. calling for an end to this administration, including The President’s impeachment and removal from office. The main rally and march takes place starts at the Lincoln Memorial at noon with speakers, and a musical performance from The Dropkick Murphys. A ticketed fundraiser “One Cause, Four Bands” at 7:00 p.m. will wrap up the event with a concert from musicians Earth to Eve, Gwen Levey & the Breakdown, Allstrike & Freedom Futures Collective. The day before, on Friday, November 21, the group is also holding a Veterans’ Rally at 2:00 p.m. and a “Comedy Church” standup-comedy fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. “We will have fun, but this is not for fun,” the “Remove the Regime” website says. “We intend to change the trajectory in this country and the conversation around the world.” Saturday’s protest, follows the last No Kings protests, which drew an estimated 7 million people in all 50 states, as well as a number of other nationwide protests this year, including “Hands Off” and May Day gatherings in which Americans across red and blue states gathered to voice their concerns with the current state of U.S. democracy. Unlike those previous protests, “Remove the Regime” is only taking place in Washington, D.C. and focuses on what’s happening in The President’s own backyard. Who are the organizers behind the ‘Remove the Regime’ protest? The Removal Coalition is made up of nearly two dozen organizations, including: Indivisible, 50501, Citizen’s Impeachment, Gaslit Nation, Flare, Remember Your Oath, and Fourteenth Now. View the full article

When considering how to improve customer satisfaction, it’s crucial to implement effective CSAT questions in your surveys. These questions can range from overall satisfaction ratings to specific inquiries about your products, services, and customer support experiences. By focusing on key areas like onboarding and checkout processes, you can gather valuable insights. Comprehending what to ask helps pinpoint areas needing improvement. Next, you’ll learn about the fundamental questions you should incorporate into your surveys. Key Takeaways Utilize Likert scale questions to assess overall satisfaction, allowing customers to express varying levels of contentment effectively. Include open-ended questions to gather qualitative feedback, encouraging customers to describe specific experiences and suggestions for improvement. Ask about the onboarding experience to identify areas for enhancement that can boost customer confidence and retention rates. Measure customer support satisfaction by querying response times and effectiveness, which are crucial for fostering loyalty and satisfaction. Incorporate checkout process questions to uncover pain points that may lead to cart abandonment, enabling streamlined improvements for better user experience. What Is a CSAT Survey? A Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) survey serves as a crucial tool for businesses seeking to gauge customer contentment with their products, services, or experiences. This survey typically uses a straightforward rating scale from 1 to 5, allowing you to express your satisfaction level easily. Many CSAT questions incorporate emoticons that represent feelings ranging from ‘Very unsatisfied’ to ‘Very satisfied,’ making interpretation simple. CSAT software can help streamline this process, enabling businesses to collect and analyze responses efficiently. To quantify satisfaction, the CSAT score is calculated using the formula: (Number of satisfied customers / Number of survey responses) x 100. Follow-up questions in these surveys further improve comprehension by prompting you to elaborate on your ratings, providing valuable, actionable feedback. Importance of Measuring CSAT Score Measuring the CSAT score is essential for comprehending how well your business meets customer expectations. This score serves as a clear indicator of customer satisfaction, allowing you to assess your performance effectively. Typically, it’s calculated using the formula: (Number of satisfied customers / Number of survey responses) x 100, which simplifies tracking satisfaction over time. High CSAT scores often correlate with increased customer retention; for instance, a mere 5% improvement in satisfaction can boost profits by 25% to 95%. Regular measurement helps identify trends in feedback, so you can address areas needing improvement proactively. Moreover, utilizing software tools for real-time reporting improves your analysis, providing actionable insights that inform your strategic business decisions. Types of Customer Satisfaction Survey Questions Comprehending the types of customer satisfaction survey questions is crucial for gathering meaningful feedback that can inform your business strategies. Different question types serve various purposes, helping you understand customer sentiments more deeply: Likert scale questions: Measure satisfaction from “very satisfied” to “very dissatisfied,” providing nuanced feedback. Rating questions: Typically use a 1-5 scale for quick assessments, making them the most common in CSAT surveys. Open-ended questions: Allow customers to express their thoughts in their own words, offering valuable insights not captured by quantitative questions. Multiple-choice questions: Let customers select from predefined answers, streamlining responses and enabling efficient analysis. Combining these types in your surveys improves the depth of insights gathered, balancing quantitative data with qualitative feedback. Key Rating Questions to Ask How can you effectively gauge customer satisfaction through rating questions? Key rating questions in CSAT surveys typically use a scale from 1 to 5, allowing customers to express their satisfaction levels. For example, you might ask, “How satisfied are you with our customer service?” This question provides a direct measure of customer sentiment. Consistency in asking the same rating question over time helps you track changes in satisfaction and identify trends related to specific products or services. Furthermore, pairing rating questions with open-ended follow-ups can improve insights, such as asking, “What could we improve to enhance your experience?” Effective Follow-up Questions for Insight After gathering initial ratings from customers, it’s important to follow up with questions that encourage them to elaborate on their experiences. Effective follow-up questions can provide deeper insights into what drives satisfaction or dissatisfaction, leading to actionable improvements. Consider asking: “What specific aspects contributed to your satisfaction or dissatisfaction?” “How can we improve your experience during the onboarding process?” “Can you describe a memorable interaction with our customer support team?” “What changes would make our product more valuable to you?” These open-ended questions not only reveal valuable insights but also help categorize responses into themes. This structured approach can identify recurring issues, enabling you to make informed business decisions that improve overall customer satisfaction. Assessing Customer Support Satisfaction When you assess customer support satisfaction, focusing on timely responses is key, as delays can negatively impact a customer’s experience. Evaluating representative performance helps you identify strengths and weaknesses in your team, ensuring they meet customer expectations effectively. Furthermore, pinpointing areas for improvement allows you to refine your processes and training, ultimately enhancing overall service quality. Importance of Timely Responses Timely responses in customer support are crucial for enhancing customer satisfaction and nurturing loyalty. When you address customer complaints without delay, you greatly increase the chances of retaining them. Here are some key points to reflect on: 70% of consumers are more likely to stay loyal if their issues are resolved quickly. 62% of customers believe brands should prioritize speedy service, highlighting the demand for responsiveness. Quick resolutions lead to higher CSAT scores, as customers feel valued when their concerns are swiftly addressed. Implementing a structured follow-up process can improve perceptions of care and boost retention rates. Evaluating Representative Performance Evaluating representative performance in customer support is essential for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction, as it directly impacts brand loyalty. To assess support effectiveness, ask customers questions like, “How would you rate the support you received?” This question helps you gather insights on individual representatives. Moreover, feedback regarding hold times and resolution efficiency can shape perceptions of representative performance, influencing overall satisfaction. Regularly analyzing customer feedback allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding targeted training efforts. In addition, monitoring customer satisfaction scores after support interactions can inform resource allocation. Identifying Improvement Areas To effectively assess customer support satisfaction, identifying areas for improvement is crucial. By pinpointing specific issues, you can improve the overall customer experience. Consider these strategies: Ask direct questions like “How would you rate the support you received?” to gauge immediate reactions. Include follow-up inquiries such as “What specific issues were resolved during your interaction?” to uncover process inefficiencies. Monitor CSAT scores, recognizing that 70% of consumers are more likely to return when complaints are effectively managed. Analyze feedback patterns to identify recurring problems, like long hold times or insufficient product knowledge. Regular assessments help refine training programs for support staff, ensuring quality service and nurturing customer loyalty. Evaluating Pre-Purchase Information Satisfaction How can businesses guarantee customers feel fully informed before making a purchase? Evaluating pre-purchase information satisfaction is vital for identifying gaps in product descriptions, pricing, and availability. You might consider asking, “How satisfied are you with the information you received before purchase?” This question can yield valuable insights into your marketing materials’ effectiveness. Customer feedback is fundamental; 60% of consumers indicated they’d purchase more if they felt better informed. Timing is also significant; surveying customers immediately after they interact with product information provides the most accurate feedback. Understanding Onboarding Process Satisfaction A smooth onboarding process is essential for ensuring that customers feel confident and supported as they begin using a new product or service. This experience directly impacts customer retention and loyalty, with studies showing a potential 50% increase in retention rates. To gauge satisfaction, businesses should collect feedback immediately after onboarding, identifying areas for improvement in training materials or support resources. Consider these key points: Effective onboarding sets positive first impressions. Customer feedback can reveal gaps and improve processes. Timely surveys help refine onboarding strategies. Questions like, “How satisfied are you with our onboarding process?” provide actionable insights. Measuring Checkout Process Satisfaction Measuring checkout process satisfaction is crucial for creating a seamless shopping experience that encourages customers to complete their purchases. By identifying pain points, such as confusing payment options or slow page load times, you can improve the user experience and reduce cart abandonment. Implementing feedback from satisfaction surveys can lead to a more streamlined checkout process, in the end boosting your conversion rates. Importance of Streamlined Checkout Even though many factors contribute to e-commerce success, a streamlined checkout process stands out as one of the most crucial elements for retaining customers. A smooth checkout experience is vital, as nearly 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts because of complicated procedures. When you focus on measuring checkout satisfaction, you can improve user experience and potentially elevate conversion rates. 27% of customers feel a seamless checkout boosts their satisfaction. Feedback from checkout surveys can increase completed purchases by up to 50%. 88% of consumers are less likely to return after a bad checkout experience. Optimizing the process helps reduce cart abandonment rates considerably. Streamlining your checkout is key to building customer loyalty and driving sales. Identifying Pain Points How can you effectively pinpoint the pain points in your checkout process to improve customer satisfaction? Start by asking, “How satisfied are you with our checkout process?” This question gives you a direct gauge of the customer experience. Next, follow up with open-ended inquiries like, “What challenges did you face during the checkout process?” These questions reveal specific issues that may be causing frustration. Analyzing your CSAT scores related to the checkout can uncover trends over time, indicating whether changes have improved or detracted from customer satisfaction. Enhancing User Experience Comprehending customer satisfaction in the checkout process is vital for improving user experience and reducing cart abandonment. With 69.57% of online shoppers leaving their carts, measuring satisfaction through CSAT surveys is imperative. A focused question like “How satisfied are you with our checkout process?” can reveal specific pain points. Streamlining the experience based on feedback can boost conversion rates considerably. Identify areas needing improvement Improve clarity and accessibility for customers Cultivate loyalty and encourage repeat purchases Track improvements over time using CSAT scores Gathering General Customer Experience Feedback Why is gathering general customer experience feedback so crucial for businesses? It helps you identify areas for improvement, enhancing overall customer satisfaction and loyalty. A well-crafted customer satisfaction survey should assess various aspects of the customer experience, including service quality and product satisfaction. Using a Likert scale allows you to quantify satisfaction levels, ranging from ‘very unsatisfied’ to ‘very satisfied,’ providing valuable data. Furthermore, open-ended follow-up questions enable customers to elaborate on their ratings, offering qualitative insights that guide your improvements. Timing surveys to coincide with specific interactions, like post-purchase or after customer support sessions, guarantees you receive accurate and relevant feedback, making it easier to analyze and implement changes effectively for a better customer experience. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Best Questions for CSAT Survey? To create effective CSAT survey questions, focus on specific customer interactions. Ask about satisfaction with support received or the ease of the purchasing process. Use a Likert scale for responses, allowing customers to rate their experience from “Very unsatisfied” to “Very satisfied.” Incorporate open-ended follow-up questions to gather detailed feedback, such as “What could we improve?” Tailor questions to different stages of the customer experience for the best insights. Regularly update these questions to stay relevant. What Are the 5 Basic Questions for Surveys? When creating a survey, five basic questions can improve the quality of your feedback. You might start with, “How satisfied are you with our product/service?” followed by a scale. Next, ask, “What specific aspect did you like most?” This helps identify strengths. Then, inquire, “What could we improve?” to find areas needing development. Furthermore, include, “How likely are you to recommend us?” and finish with an open-ended question for further comments. What Are 10 Good Survey Questions? To create effective surveys, consider these ten good questions: How satisfied are you with our service? What can we do to improve your experience? Which feature do you value the most? Would you recommend our service to others? Please rate our customer support on a scale from 1 to 5. What additional services would you like to see? How often do you use our product? What’s your primary reason for using us? What challenges have you faced? What Are Some Good Customer Service Questions to Ask? To improve your customer service, consider asking focused questions. For instance, inquire, “How satisfied are you with our response time?” This helps gauge efficiency. You might likewise ask, “What could we do to improve your experience?” to gather detailed feedback. Using a Likert scale, ask, “How likely are you to recommend our service?” Furthermore, follow up with, “What specific issue did you encounter?” to identify areas needing improvement and address customer concerns effectively. Conclusion In summary, utilizing these 10 crucial CSAT questions can greatly improve your comprehension of customer satisfaction. By addressing various aspects such as customer support, onboarding, and the checkout process, you can gather valuable insights that pinpoint areas for improvement. Regularly evaluating these factors not just helps track trends over time but additionally cultivates a better overall customer experience. Implementing well-crafted surveys guarantees you remain attuned to your customers’ needs and expectations, ultimately driving business success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential CSAT Questions to Practice" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When considering how to improve customer satisfaction, it’s crucial to implement effective CSAT questions in your surveys. These questions can range from overall satisfaction ratings to specific inquiries about your products, services, and customer support experiences. By focusing on key areas like onboarding and checkout processes, you can gather valuable insights. Comprehending what to ask helps pinpoint areas needing improvement. Next, you’ll learn about the fundamental questions you should incorporate into your surveys. Key Takeaways Utilize Likert scale questions to assess overall satisfaction, allowing customers to express varying levels of contentment effectively. Include open-ended questions to gather qualitative feedback, encouraging customers to describe specific experiences and suggestions for improvement. Ask about the onboarding experience to identify areas for enhancement that can boost customer confidence and retention rates. Measure customer support satisfaction by querying response times and effectiveness, which are crucial for fostering loyalty and satisfaction. Incorporate checkout process questions to uncover pain points that may lead to cart abandonment, enabling streamlined improvements for better user experience. What Is a CSAT Survey? A Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) survey serves as a crucial tool for businesses seeking to gauge customer contentment with their products, services, or experiences. This survey typically uses a straightforward rating scale from 1 to 5, allowing you to express your satisfaction level easily. Many CSAT questions incorporate emoticons that represent feelings ranging from ‘Very unsatisfied’ to ‘Very satisfied,’ making interpretation simple. CSAT software can help streamline this process, enabling businesses to collect and analyze responses efficiently. To quantify satisfaction, the CSAT score is calculated using the formula: (Number of satisfied customers / Number of survey responses) x 100. Follow-up questions in these surveys further improve comprehension by prompting you to elaborate on your ratings, providing valuable, actionable feedback. Importance of Measuring CSAT Score Measuring the CSAT score is essential for comprehending how well your business meets customer expectations. This score serves as a clear indicator of customer satisfaction, allowing you to assess your performance effectively. Typically, it’s calculated using the formula: (Number of satisfied customers / Number of survey responses) x 100, which simplifies tracking satisfaction over time. High CSAT scores often correlate with increased customer retention; for instance, a mere 5% improvement in satisfaction can boost profits by 25% to 95%. Regular measurement helps identify trends in feedback, so you can address areas needing improvement proactively. Moreover, utilizing software tools for real-time reporting improves your analysis, providing actionable insights that inform your strategic business decisions. Types of Customer Satisfaction Survey Questions Comprehending the types of customer satisfaction survey questions is crucial for gathering meaningful feedback that can inform your business strategies. Different question types serve various purposes, helping you understand customer sentiments more deeply: Likert scale questions: Measure satisfaction from “very satisfied” to “very dissatisfied,” providing nuanced feedback. Rating questions: Typically use a 1-5 scale for quick assessments, making them the most common in CSAT surveys. Open-ended questions: Allow customers to express their thoughts in their own words, offering valuable insights not captured by quantitative questions. Multiple-choice questions: Let customers select from predefined answers, streamlining responses and enabling efficient analysis. Combining these types in your surveys improves the depth of insights gathered, balancing quantitative data with qualitative feedback. Key Rating Questions to Ask How can you effectively gauge customer satisfaction through rating questions? Key rating questions in CSAT surveys typically use a scale from 1 to 5, allowing customers to express their satisfaction levels. For example, you might ask, “How satisfied are you with our customer service?” This question provides a direct measure of customer sentiment. Consistency in asking the same rating question over time helps you track changes in satisfaction and identify trends related to specific products or services. Furthermore, pairing rating questions with open-ended follow-ups can improve insights, such as asking, “What could we improve to enhance your experience?” Effective Follow-up Questions for Insight After gathering initial ratings from customers, it’s important to follow up with questions that encourage them to elaborate on their experiences. Effective follow-up questions can provide deeper insights into what drives satisfaction or dissatisfaction, leading to actionable improvements. Consider asking: “What specific aspects contributed to your satisfaction or dissatisfaction?” “How can we improve your experience during the onboarding process?” “Can you describe a memorable interaction with our customer support team?” “What changes would make our product more valuable to you?” These open-ended questions not only reveal valuable insights but also help categorize responses into themes. This structured approach can identify recurring issues, enabling you to make informed business decisions that improve overall customer satisfaction. Assessing Customer Support Satisfaction When you assess customer support satisfaction, focusing on timely responses is key, as delays can negatively impact a customer’s experience. Evaluating representative performance helps you identify strengths and weaknesses in your team, ensuring they meet customer expectations effectively. Furthermore, pinpointing areas for improvement allows you to refine your processes and training, ultimately enhancing overall service quality. Importance of Timely Responses Timely responses in customer support are crucial for enhancing customer satisfaction and nurturing loyalty. When you address customer complaints without delay, you greatly increase the chances of retaining them. Here are some key points to reflect on: 70% of consumers are more likely to stay loyal if their issues are resolved quickly. 62% of customers believe brands should prioritize speedy service, highlighting the demand for responsiveness. Quick resolutions lead to higher CSAT scores, as customers feel valued when their concerns are swiftly addressed. Implementing a structured follow-up process can improve perceptions of care and boost retention rates. Evaluating Representative Performance Evaluating representative performance in customer support is essential for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction, as it directly impacts brand loyalty. To assess support effectiveness, ask customers questions like, “How would you rate the support you received?” This question helps you gather insights on individual representatives. Moreover, feedback regarding hold times and resolution efficiency can shape perceptions of representative performance, influencing overall satisfaction. Regularly analyzing customer feedback allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding targeted training efforts. In addition, monitoring customer satisfaction scores after support interactions can inform resource allocation. Identifying Improvement Areas To effectively assess customer support satisfaction, identifying areas for improvement is crucial. By pinpointing specific issues, you can improve the overall customer experience. Consider these strategies: Ask direct questions like “How would you rate the support you received?” to gauge immediate reactions. Include follow-up inquiries such as “What specific issues were resolved during your interaction?” to uncover process inefficiencies. Monitor CSAT scores, recognizing that 70% of consumers are more likely to return when complaints are effectively managed. Analyze feedback patterns to identify recurring problems, like long hold times or insufficient product knowledge. Regular assessments help refine training programs for support staff, ensuring quality service and nurturing customer loyalty. Evaluating Pre-Purchase Information Satisfaction How can businesses guarantee customers feel fully informed before making a purchase? Evaluating pre-purchase information satisfaction is vital for identifying gaps in product descriptions, pricing, and availability. You might consider asking, “How satisfied are you with the information you received before purchase?” This question can yield valuable insights into your marketing materials’ effectiveness. Customer feedback is fundamental; 60% of consumers indicated they’d purchase more if they felt better informed. Timing is also significant; surveying customers immediately after they interact with product information provides the most accurate feedback. Understanding Onboarding Process Satisfaction A smooth onboarding process is essential for ensuring that customers feel confident and supported as they begin using a new product or service. This experience directly impacts customer retention and loyalty, with studies showing a potential 50% increase in retention rates. To gauge satisfaction, businesses should collect feedback immediately after onboarding, identifying areas for improvement in training materials or support resources. Consider these key points: Effective onboarding sets positive first impressions. Customer feedback can reveal gaps and improve processes. Timely surveys help refine onboarding strategies. Questions like, “How satisfied are you with our onboarding process?” provide actionable insights. Measuring Checkout Process Satisfaction Measuring checkout process satisfaction is crucial for creating a seamless shopping experience that encourages customers to complete their purchases. By identifying pain points, such as confusing payment options or slow page load times, you can improve the user experience and reduce cart abandonment. Implementing feedback from satisfaction surveys can lead to a more streamlined checkout process, in the end boosting your conversion rates. Importance of Streamlined Checkout Even though many factors contribute to e-commerce success, a streamlined checkout process stands out as one of the most crucial elements for retaining customers. A smooth checkout experience is vital, as nearly 70% of online shoppers abandon their carts because of complicated procedures. When you focus on measuring checkout satisfaction, you can improve user experience and potentially elevate conversion rates. 27% of customers feel a seamless checkout boosts their satisfaction. Feedback from checkout surveys can increase completed purchases by up to 50%. 88% of consumers are less likely to return after a bad checkout experience. Optimizing the process helps reduce cart abandonment rates considerably. Streamlining your checkout is key to building customer loyalty and driving sales. Identifying Pain Points How can you effectively pinpoint the pain points in your checkout process to improve customer satisfaction? Start by asking, “How satisfied are you with our checkout process?” This question gives you a direct gauge of the customer experience. Next, follow up with open-ended inquiries like, “What challenges did you face during the checkout process?” These questions reveal specific issues that may be causing frustration. Analyzing your CSAT scores related to the checkout can uncover trends over time, indicating whether changes have improved or detracted from customer satisfaction. Enhancing User Experience Comprehending customer satisfaction in the checkout process is vital for improving user experience and reducing cart abandonment. With 69.57% of online shoppers leaving their carts, measuring satisfaction through CSAT surveys is imperative. A focused question like “How satisfied are you with our checkout process?” can reveal specific pain points. Streamlining the experience based on feedback can boost conversion rates considerably. Identify areas needing improvement Improve clarity and accessibility for customers Cultivate loyalty and encourage repeat purchases Track improvements over time using CSAT scores Gathering General Customer Experience Feedback Why is gathering general customer experience feedback so crucial for businesses? It helps you identify areas for improvement, enhancing overall customer satisfaction and loyalty. A well-crafted customer satisfaction survey should assess various aspects of the customer experience, including service quality and product satisfaction. Using a Likert scale allows you to quantify satisfaction levels, ranging from ‘very unsatisfied’ to ‘very satisfied,’ providing valuable data. Furthermore, open-ended follow-up questions enable customers to elaborate on their ratings, offering qualitative insights that guide your improvements. Timing surveys to coincide with specific interactions, like post-purchase or after customer support sessions, guarantees you receive accurate and relevant feedback, making it easier to analyze and implement changes effectively for a better customer experience. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Best Questions for CSAT Survey? To create effective CSAT survey questions, focus on specific customer interactions. Ask about satisfaction with support received or the ease of the purchasing process. Use a Likert scale for responses, allowing customers to rate their experience from “Very unsatisfied” to “Very satisfied.” Incorporate open-ended follow-up questions to gather detailed feedback, such as “What could we improve?” Tailor questions to different stages of the customer experience for the best insights. Regularly update these questions to stay relevant. What Are the 5 Basic Questions for Surveys? When creating a survey, five basic questions can improve the quality of your feedback. You might start with, “How satisfied are you with our product/service?” followed by a scale. Next, ask, “What specific aspect did you like most?” This helps identify strengths. Then, inquire, “What could we improve?” to find areas needing development. Furthermore, include, “How likely are you to recommend us?” and finish with an open-ended question for further comments. What Are 10 Good Survey Questions? To create effective surveys, consider these ten good questions: How satisfied are you with our service? What can we do to improve your experience? Which feature do you value the most? Would you recommend our service to others? Please rate our customer support on a scale from 1 to 5. What additional services would you like to see? How often do you use our product? What’s your primary reason for using us? What challenges have you faced? What Are Some Good Customer Service Questions to Ask? To improve your customer service, consider asking focused questions. For instance, inquire, “How satisfied are you with our response time?” This helps gauge efficiency. You might likewise ask, “What could we do to improve your experience?” to gather detailed feedback. Using a Likert scale, ask, “How likely are you to recommend our service?” Furthermore, follow up with, “What specific issue did you encounter?” to identify areas needing improvement and address customer concerns effectively. Conclusion In summary, utilizing these 10 crucial CSAT questions can greatly improve your comprehension of customer satisfaction. By addressing various aspects such as customer support, onboarding, and the checkout process, you can gather valuable insights that pinpoint areas for improvement. Regularly evaluating these factors not just helps track trends over time but additionally cultivates a better overall customer experience. Implementing well-crafted surveys guarantees you remain attuned to your customers’ needs and expectations, ultimately driving business success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential CSAT Questions to Practice" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Reeves and colleagues aim to reassure investors, business leaders and MPs they are laying the foundations for prosperityView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. When it comes to how I live, there are a few basic facts: I dwell in a small apartment and I am constantly "working on it." Sometimes, this involves overhauling my entire organizational system. Other times, I'm overcome with the sudden desire to wallpaper the kitchen. I am constantly in a state of decorating, cleaning, rearranging, and generally improving. Lately, that's involved a lot of tech and appliance upgrades to make my environment better and more serviceable, not just nice to look at. One of the best things I've gotten my hands on is the Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat, which is both a heater and a fan. I'm picky about both because I always want to be warmer and need a heater, but I also like the noise of a fan at night to fall asleep (while I'm safe from the cool air under my blanket). Having both in one has been awesome and, now that the device is $150 off ahead of Black Friday, you should consider getting one, too. Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat $249.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal Get Deal $249.99 at Amazon $399.99 Save $150.00 The Shark TurboBlade dealFirst of all, I always want to be upfront when I've been given something by a company so I can review it. That's what happened here. I don't write a nice review if something stinks, though, so here I am, saying this thing is extremely useful. Typically, the TurboBlade Cool + Heat is $400. That's a lot, although it makes economic sense if you don't want to spend a bunch of money on a good fan and a good heater separately. It also makes sense for someone like me in a little apartment. It's frustrating to have to store two large devices when I could just have one. Still, the discount, which puts this at $250 for the shopping holiday, is much appreciated. The fanThe TurboBlade Cool + Heat is bladeless and modern-looking, which I like. It's also powerful. You can adjust it up to 10 levels of air-blasting, so you can get just a touch or a whole wind storm. I opt for a level-10 wind storm because I am especially interested in white noise at bedtime, but it comes with a convenient little remote so if it gets too loud or too airy, I don't have to get up to adjust it. The heat option, which is easy to toggle on, has three modes. There's a filter at the bottom that looks easy to clean, but I haven't had to do that yet. Credit: SharkNinja/Lindsey Ellefson You can turn the vents horizontally or vertically, plus it can tilt and oscillate on its own. If you're going to pay a few hundred bucks for something, it should do a few cool tricks, and this does. You can also dim the control panel, which I do because I like to sleep in pitch darkness. Some tech specs: It has 1,400 watts, its air flow capacity is 1,180 cubic feet per minute, and its top speed is 10 RPM. It has a 120 voltage and weighs a little over 21 pounds. I am a simple person, so I don't pay attention to any of those things except the weight. It doesn't come put-together, so I foolishly assembled it in the middle of my entryway (which was perfectly easy to do and took me maybe five minutes), then had to haul it around, assembled and heavy, to place it where I wanted it. Is 21 pounds a ton of weight? No, but it was tricky for me to push it up the ladder into my lofted bedroom and I do wish I had assembled it in the room where I planned to use it. Just a word of advice. What stores have the best sales on Black Friday? Nowadays, both large retailers and small businesses compete for Black Friday shoppers, so you can expect practically every store to run sales through Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” sales depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to come from larger retailers who can afford lower prices: think places like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our live blog. Are Black Friday deals worth it? In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday? Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $349.99 (List Price $399.00) Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive — $169.99 (List Price $279.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Freshworks has recently launched significant new features for its AI-powered IT management platform, Freshservice, aimed at enhancing employee experience (EX) and streamlining service delivery. These capabilities come in response to a pressing issue in the industry: the growing complexity and fragmentation of IT tools which has been contributing to employee burnout and reduced productivity. At a recent event, Freshworks highlighted the need for organizations to overcome the challenges presented by cumbersome software, which nearly 20% of IT leaders say leads to team burnout. Additionally, 29% of employees report productivity loss due to inefficient tools. These insights come from Freshworks’ latest Cost of Complexity Report, shedding light on a critical pain point for many small businesses struggling to maintain operational efficiency. “Many teams are stuck battling complexity, leading to fragmented processes and reactive practices,” said Srini Raghavan, Chief Product Officer at Freshworks. The new updates aim to address this by embedding AI-powered capabilities that enhance service delivery, allowing teams to resolve issues proactively rather than reactively. Among the most notable features is the enhanced Freddy AI Agents, which simplify self-service processes for employees. These agents integrate seamlessly with popular platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Drive, allowing users to get assistance without breaking their workflow. This integration could be particularly beneficial for small businesses, where employees often juggle multiple tools and responsibilities. Another significant enhancement is the AI-powered Intelligent Routing. This feature ensures that once an IT support ticket is raised, it is directed to the appropriate team instantly based on their workload and expertise. This not only speeds up resolution times but also improves the overall experience for employees who rely on IT support. The integration of Digital Employee Experience (DEX) platforms allows for real-time device health insights, enabling IT teams to prevent issues before they impact employees. For instance, when a user’s laptop begins to slow down, the system can automatically gather telemetry data—like CPU and memory usage—and generate a ticket with all the necessary information. This proactive approach helps IT teams resolve issues remotely, minimizing downtime. Companies like Porsche eBike Performance have already seen the benefits of these capabilities, leveraging Freshservice’s AI-driven features to improve their IT efficiency. The multilingual knowledge base and conversational support provided by Freshservice have made it easier for users to find the help they need quickly, which is crucial in small business environments where time is always of the essence. However, integrating these advanced technologies does present challenges. Smaller businesses may encounter hurdles in the form of initial setup complexity or a learning curve as employees adapt to new systems. Owners must also weigh the investment against potential returns, particularly if their existing tools are serving their needs adequately. Despite these concerns, the value proposition of adopting AI-driven solutions is compelling. For example, Freshworks reports that organizations using Freddy AI Insights have improved their first-contact resolution rates significantly, with Fox Communities Credit Union achieving a 96% success rate in this area. Such efficiencies can be transformative for small businesses, enabling them to scale their IT support and focus on core operations. Freshworks has garnered positive feedback in recent market evaluations, being named a strong performer in The Forrester Wave for Enterprise Service Management Platforms. The report highlighted strengths in areas such as ease of use, proactive alert management, and customer service excellence. As small business owners navigate the complex landscape of IT management, leveraging tools that integrate AI for operational efficiency and enhanced employee support could prove essential. While the benefits are clear, careful consideration of deployment and adaptation is crucial for maximizing these solutions’ potential impact on business growth and employee satisfaction. For additional information on these updates and their implications, visit Freshworks’ official announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Freshworks Unveils AI Enhancements to Streamline IT Service Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Freshworks has recently launched significant new features for its AI-powered IT management platform, Freshservice, aimed at enhancing employee experience (EX) and streamlining service delivery. These capabilities come in response to a pressing issue in the industry: the growing complexity and fragmentation of IT tools which has been contributing to employee burnout and reduced productivity. At a recent event, Freshworks highlighted the need for organizations to overcome the challenges presented by cumbersome software, which nearly 20% of IT leaders say leads to team burnout. Additionally, 29% of employees report productivity loss due to inefficient tools. These insights come from Freshworks’ latest Cost of Complexity Report, shedding light on a critical pain point for many small businesses struggling to maintain operational efficiency. “Many teams are stuck battling complexity, leading to fragmented processes and reactive practices,” said Srini Raghavan, Chief Product Officer at Freshworks. The new updates aim to address this by embedding AI-powered capabilities that enhance service delivery, allowing teams to resolve issues proactively rather than reactively. Among the most notable features is the enhanced Freddy AI Agents, which simplify self-service processes for employees. These agents integrate seamlessly with popular platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Drive, allowing users to get assistance without breaking their workflow. This integration could be particularly beneficial for small businesses, where employees often juggle multiple tools and responsibilities. Another significant enhancement is the AI-powered Intelligent Routing. This feature ensures that once an IT support ticket is raised, it is directed to the appropriate team instantly based on their workload and expertise. This not only speeds up resolution times but also improves the overall experience for employees who rely on IT support. The integration of Digital Employee Experience (DEX) platforms allows for real-time device health insights, enabling IT teams to prevent issues before they impact employees. For instance, when a user’s laptop begins to slow down, the system can automatically gather telemetry data—like CPU and memory usage—and generate a ticket with all the necessary information. This proactive approach helps IT teams resolve issues remotely, minimizing downtime. Companies like Porsche eBike Performance have already seen the benefits of these capabilities, leveraging Freshservice’s AI-driven features to improve their IT efficiency. The multilingual knowledge base and conversational support provided by Freshservice have made it easier for users to find the help they need quickly, which is crucial in small business environments where time is always of the essence. However, integrating these advanced technologies does present challenges. Smaller businesses may encounter hurdles in the form of initial setup complexity or a learning curve as employees adapt to new systems. Owners must also weigh the investment against potential returns, particularly if their existing tools are serving their needs adequately. Despite these concerns, the value proposition of adopting AI-driven solutions is compelling. For example, Freshworks reports that organizations using Freddy AI Insights have improved their first-contact resolution rates significantly, with Fox Communities Credit Union achieving a 96% success rate in this area. Such efficiencies can be transformative for small businesses, enabling them to scale their IT support and focus on core operations. Freshworks has garnered positive feedback in recent market evaluations, being named a strong performer in The Forrester Wave for Enterprise Service Management Platforms. The report highlighted strengths in areas such as ease of use, proactive alert management, and customer service excellence. As small business owners navigate the complex landscape of IT management, leveraging tools that integrate AI for operational efficiency and enhanced employee support could prove essential. While the benefits are clear, careful consideration of deployment and adaptation is crucial for maximizing these solutions’ potential impact on business growth and employee satisfaction. For additional information on these updates and their implications, visit Freshworks’ official announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Freshworks Unveils AI Enhancements to Streamline IT Service Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The diplomatic rift between Beijing and Tokyo is also a test of Washington’s appetite for engagement with the regionView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. Back in the pre-pandemic days of 2019, I was looking for a universal travel adapter to accompany me across the world. I stumbled upon this older one by Epicka and bought it almost without thinking, something I rarely do. That turned out to be one of my best purchase decisions ever, because that travel adapter is still going strong. I've taken it to multiple countries and have used it extensively while traveling to remote locations in India, where you don't always have a reliable power supply. Last year, I gave it away to a friend I met during a meditation retreat, and she's been happily using it since then. This is the first time I've had a travel adapter for that long. I'd bought a few crappy ones before and they couldn't always reliably charge multiple devices or last very long. This Epicka unit was quite impressive in that regard, but it did have a couple of limitations. It was a fairly slow charger, and it had only one USB-C port. I've been looking to upgrade to a better travel adapter for about a year now, and I think I'm going to do it this time. Epicka has another model with three USB-C ports and support for up to 75W charging, which makes it ideal for me. That one is now down to its lowest ever price in an early Black Friday deal. Epicka Universal Travel Adapter, GaN 75W $45.00 at Amazon $60.00 Save $15.00 Get Deal Get Deal $45.00 at Amazon $60.00 Save $15.00 Even at the deal price of $45 (15% off), it is a bit pricey, but I think the premium is worth paying for a fast charger from a brand with a good track record. I will say that this product is a bit bulky and some people will prefer to travel with a more compact charging adapter, but its size never bothered me much. You also get two USB-A ports (one on each side) in this adapter, which is good for those with older charging cables. This Epicka universal travel adapter has a 4.8 rating on Amazon, with a total of 336 reviews at time of writing. The general consensus among Amazon reviewers is that this is a great product. One review says that if you charge multiple devices, this adapter splits power evenly across the devices, which means that all devices will be charged reasonably quickly. It has plugs for the US, UK, Australia, and EU, and a nice locking mechanism to keep the plugs in place. Note, though, that if you're planning to use high-wattage electronics such as hair dryers with this adapter, then it's not for you. This adapter is also not a voltage converter, so be sure to check if your electronics ship with a built-in converter when using the Epicka adapter in other countries. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage, so you probably won't have to worry about it much, but safety first. How long do Black Friday deals really last? Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Are Black Friday deals worth it? In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Are Cyber Monday deals better than Black Friday? Black Friday used to be bigger for major retailers and more expensive tech and appliances, while Cyber Monday was for cheaper tech and gave smaller businesses a chance to compete online. Nowadays, though, distinction is almost meaningless. Every major retailer will offer sales on both days, and the smart move is to know what you want, use price trackers or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you, and don’t stress over finding the perfect timing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $349.99 (List Price $399.00) Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive — $169.99 (List Price $279.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team 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. Black Friday sales officially start Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over. Follow our live blog to stay up-to-date on the best sales we find. Browse our editors’ picks for a curated list of our favorite sales on laptops, fitness tech, appliances, and more. Subscribe to our shopping newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox. Sales are accurate at the time of publication, but prices and inventory are always subject to change. When buying a new device, it takes me a long time to actually click the "buy" button. I grew out of using my iPhone and Mac to read ebooks a few years ago, but I waited until this year to finally grab the e-reader I'd been eyeing since 2020. It's the Kindle Paperwhite, which I bought on discount a few months ago. I love it, which is why I'm happy to report that it's now on sale for Black Friday and is down to its lowest ever price. Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (Ad-Supported) $125.00 at Amazon $160.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal Get Deal $125.00 at Amazon $160.00 Save $35.00 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (Ad-Free) $145.00 at Amazon $180.00 Save $35.00 Get Deal Get Deal $145.00 at Amazon $180.00 Save $35.00 Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $150.00 at Amazon $200.00 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $150.00 at Amazon $200.00 Save $50.00 SEE 0 MORE I know what you might be about to say, but buying a Kindle doesn't mean that you're forced to opt into Amazon's ebook ecosystem. I've successfully de-Amazoned my Kindle, and it's been going fine so far. You have lots of Amazon alternatives to buy ebooks, and I've made the most of the opportunity to read many of the DRM-free ebooks purchased over the years. The Kindle Paperwhite itself is a great device, too. It's quite snappy and doesn't show any performance issues even if you turn a lot of pages back-to-back. It's water-resistant, which means that you can use it by the pool, beach, or even while doing the dishes. And yes, there was a time when I got so locked into a book that I actually was reading the series even while doing the dishes. It was a bit annoying to stop and turn the page every minute or so, but the point is that I never worried about causing any water damage to my Kindle Paperwhite. Yes, there is a cheaper Kindle, too, but it lacks water resistance and has about half the battery life of a Paperwhite, which makes it less appealing to me. If you can afford to do so, I think buying the Kindle Paperwhite is the smart choice. But there still are a few more decisions to factor in. One is the color. The Paperwhite is available in black, green, and pink colors and all are currently at their lowest ever price. Once you've figured out your color, you need to choose if you're buying your Kindle with ads or ad-free. I always recommend spending the extra 20 bucks to get the ad-free version, but if lock screen ads don't bother you, then you can get the lower priced model. The third and final choice is whether you want to stretch your budget for the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition. This variant has 32GB of built-in storage (double that of the regular Paperwhite), an auto-adjusting front light, and support for wireless charging. It's just $5 more than the ad-free Kindle Paperwhite at time of writing, and it's worth remembering that this variant also doesn't have ads. Personally, I think the choice is really between an ad-supported Paperwhite at $125 or an ad-free Paperwhite Signature Edition at $150. Both are great devices, so no matter what, you can't really go wrong. How long do Black Friday deals really last? Black Friday sales officially begin Friday, November 28, 2025, and run throughout “Cyber Week,” the five-day period that runs from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. But Black Friday and Cyber Monday dates have expanded as retailers compete for customers. You can get the same Black Friday sales early, and we expect sales to wind down by December 3, 2025. Does Amazon have Black Friday deals? Yes, Amazon has Black Friday sales, but prices aren’t always what they seem. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or refer to guides like our live blog that use price trackers for you. And if you have an Amazon Prime membership, make the most of it. Are Black Friday deals worth it? In short, yes, Black Friday still offers discounts that can be rare throughout the rest of the year. If there’s something you want to buy, or you’re shopping for gifts, it’s a good time to look for discounts on what you need, especially tech sales, home improvement supplies, and fitness tech. Of course, if you need to save money, the best way to save is to not buy anything. Our Best Editor-Vetted Early Black Friday Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $219.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $279.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $249.99 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $349.99 (List Price $399.00) Western Digital 14TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive — $169.99 (List Price $279.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

New research has found that AI-powered content moderation systems from Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, and DeepSeek don’t always come to the same conclusions about bad language on the internet. View the full article

Creating a monthly social media calendar is vital for streamlining your content strategy and maximizing engagement. By comprehending your audience’s demographics, you can select the right platforms and tailor your content effectively. Planning content themes in advance allows for a consistent posting schedule, whereas incorporating flexibility helps you stay relevant with trends. There are several key strategies to contemplate that can improve your approach. Let’s explore these fundamental tips to boost your social media presence. Key Takeaways Analyze your audience demographics to select the right platforms for effective engagement. Establish a consistent posting schedule based on audience activity patterns for maximum visibility. Plan monthly content themes to enhance creativity and maintain a steady flow of quality posts. Incorporate flexibility in your calendar to adjust for trending topics and current events. Regularly review performance metrics to optimize content strategy and improve engagement rates. Understand the Purpose of a Social Media Calendar To effectively manage your social media presence, it’s crucial to understand the purpose of a social media calendar. This strategic tool helps you plan, organize, and manage your upcoming posts across various platforms. By outlining key details like publish dates, content types, and messaging, you guarantee consistency and alignment with your marketing goals. Calendar examples demonstrate how to cover important dates and seasonal trends, engaging your audience based on their interests. A monthly social media calendar prevents content creation ruts, allowing you to maintain a steady flow of quality posts. In the end, a well-structured calendar promotes efficiency, improves content quality, and aligns your marketing efforts with your business objectives, making certain that you stay organized and on track. Choose the Right Platforms for Your Audience Selecting the right social media platforms is vital for effectively reaching your target audience. Start by analyzing your audience demographics to identify which platforms they frequent. For instance, 73% of U.S. adults use YouTube, whereas 69% are on Facebook, presenting significant engagement opportunities. If you’re targeting younger consumers, consider TikTok, where 60% of users are aged 16-24. Each platform has its unique trends; Instagram stands out in visual content, making it ideal for lifestyle brands, and LinkedIn is fundamental for B2B marketing. Use analytics tools to track engagement, as 63% of marketers see improved sales through social media. Finally, diversify your content across platforms—short videos thrive on TikTok, whereas long-form articles work best on LinkedIn. Plan Content Themes and Types Ahead of Time Planning content themes and types ahead of time is crucial for maintaining a cohesive narrative that aligns with your marketing objectives. By identifying key dates, holidays, and seasonal trends, you can create relevant content that resonates with your audience and boosts engagement rates. Researching audience preferences in advance helps you select effective content types, increasing the likelihood of capturing attention and driving interaction. A well-structured monthly theme improves creativity, allowing your team to brainstorm ideas within a specific context, thereby avoiding content fatigue. Utilizing a social media calendar template streamlines the planning process, making it easier to visualize content distribution. This guarantees a balanced mix of formats and messaging, in the end supporting your overall marketing strategy. Establish a Consistent Posting Schedule To establish a consistent posting schedule, you need to determine the ideal times for your audience and align your content with relevant events. Regular posting not just keeps your brand visible but additionally helps your audience anticipate your updates, boosting engagement. Determine Optimal Posting Times Many brands overlook the importance of determining ideal posting times, yet this step is crucial for maximizing engagement and reach on social media platforms. Analyzing your audience’s activity patterns can reveal when they’re most active, allowing you to post at prime times. Tools like Sprout Social’s ViralPost® can suggest the best posting times based on historical data and audience behavior. Maintaining a consistent posting schedule not merely boosts brand visibility but additionally nurtures audience trust. The ideal frequency differs by platform; for instance, aim for 1-2 posts daily on Instagram and 3-10 on Twitter. Regularly testing and adjusting your posting times based on metrics like engagement rates can improve your performance and strengthen your connection with your audience over time. Align Content With Events Aligning your content with relevant events and holidays can greatly boost audience engagement, as timely posts resonate more with followers who have an interest in those themes. Establishing a consistent posting schedule based on key dates improves visibility, with 60% of consumers expecting regular updates. A social media calendar can help diversify content, mixing promotional and engaging posts customized to audience interests. Event/Holiday Content Type Posting Frequency New Year Inspirational Quotes Weekly Valentine’s Day Promotional Offers Bi-weekly Earth Day Educational Posts Monthly Halloween Interactive Content Weekly Tracking engagement patterns will inform future strategies, leading to a potential 30% increase when aligned with expectations. Incorporate Flexibility for Timely Trends To effectively incorporate flexibility into your social media calendar, you should monitor current events and trending topics closely. By adapting your content strategy based on audience engagement and using relevant hashtags, you can greatly improve your reach and interaction rates. This approach not just keeps your brand relevant but likewise allows you to seize opportunities that arise from timely discussions. Monitor Current Events Even though planning your social media calendar is vital, it’s equally important to stay attuned to current events and trending topics. By monitoring these, you can tap into timely content that improves engagement by 30% among interested audiences. Flexibility in your calendar allows for quick adjustments to incorporate relevant news or viral content, potentially increasing your post reach by up to 50%. Utilizing social listening tools helps identify emerging trends, enabling you to craft posts that resonate with your audience. Effective monitoring can lead to higher engagement rates, as real-time content generates up to six times more interactions than pre-scheduled posts. Scheduling buffer periods in your calendar can help maintain relevance and responsiveness to capitalize on fast-moving trends. Adapt to Audience Engagement Incorporating flexibility into your social media calendar is vital for adapting to audience engagement effectively. Make room for timely trends and spontaneous content that resonates with your audience’s current interests, as this can greatly improve engagement rates. Regularly monitor real-time analytics and audience feedback to identify trending topics that fit seamlessly into your content strategy. Utilizing social listening tools will help you stay informed about emerging conversations that can connect you with your audience. Each month, allocate time to review and adjust your calendar based on audience engagement patterns. Striking a balance between scheduled posts and spontaneous content is important, especially since 78% of consumers prefer brands that respond to cultural and social trends. Use Trending Hashtags Using trending hashtags is a strong strategy to boost your social media presence and engage your audience effectively. Incorporating these hashtags into your monthly social media calendar can considerably increase your content’s visibility, as posts with hashtags see 12.6% more engagement. Monitoring ongoing trends allows you to stay relevant and join real-time conversations, potentially increasing user engagement by 33%. Flexibility in your content calendar is essential; it lets you quickly adapt and include trending hashtags, ensuring your posts resonate with current audience interests. Tools like Sprout Social can help identify these trending hashtags and analyze performance metrics, leading to data-driven content strategies. Engaging with trending topics improves brand awareness, as 70% of users prefer content tied to current events. Utilize Performance Metrics for Optimization To effectively optimize your social media strategy, it is essential to regularly monitor key performance metrics such as engagement rates, click-through rates (CTR), and conversion rates. Utilizing tools like Sprout Social helps generate reports that reveal which content types drive the highest engagement. Analyzing audience behavior patterns, like peak engagement times, allows you to align your posting schedule with when your audience is most active. Focus on high-performing content themes and formats, as indicated by your engagement data, to improve your overall content strategy. Continuously refine your social media calendar based on performance insights to boost ROI and guarantee your content strategy evolves with audience preferences and engagement trends. Metric Description Action Required Engagement Rate Measures interactions with posts Adjust content style Click-Through Rate Indicates link effectiveness Optimize call-to-action Conversion Rate Tracks completed desired actions Refine target audience Collaborate With Your Team for Better Engagement Collaborating with your team can greatly boost engagement on social media, as it brings together diverse perspectives that lead to more creative and compelling content. Regular team meetings to discuss strategies align everyone on goals, making it easier to track progress and adjust plans as needed. Using collaboration tools like Sprout Social increases efficiency, allowing team members to provide feedback, comment on drafts, and streamline the approval process. Involving individuals from different departments can offer unique insights, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of your posts. Studies show that companies with strong collaborative cultures are five times more likely to be high-performing, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving social media success. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Good Social Media Calendar? To make a good social media calendar, start by defining your content themes and categories, ensuring they align with your brand and audience. Incorporate various content formats like videos and infographics to boost engagement. Schedule posts at ideal times for each platform, using tools like Buffer or Hootsuite for consistency. Organize your calendar in a customizable template, and aim to plan your content 2–4 weeks in advance for flexibility and alignment with campaigns. What Is a Social Media Calendar for the Month? A social media calendar for the month is a structured plan that outlines your scheduled posts across different platforms. It includes details like posting dates, times, content types, and channels, ensuring you maintain a consistent and strategic approach to your marketing efforts. What Is the Best Calendar for Social Media Planning? The best calendar for social media planning combines customizable templates with collaborative tools, allowing you to define your posting schedule and content types clearly. Options like Google Sheets and AirTable offer flexibility for tracking posts and ideas. For a more integrated approach, consider specialized software like Sprout Social or CoSchedule, which enable planning, scheduling, and performance tracking across various platforms, ensuring your social media efforts align with your marketing goals effectively. How Do You Determine the Best Posting Frequency for Your Social Media Calendar? To determine the best posting frequency for your social media calendar, analyze your audience’s engagement patterns. Typically, brands benefit from posting 1-2 times daily, but this varies by platform. For instance, Twitter thrives on multiple daily posts, whereas Instagram and Facebook favor fewer, high-quality updates. Monitor competitors’ activity for insights, and use social media tools to identify ideal posting times. Regularly review performance metrics to refine your strategy effectively. Conclusion In conclusion, creating a monthly social media calendar requires careful planning and analysis. By comprehending your audience, selecting appropriate platforms, and establishing a consistent posting schedule, you can improve engagement. Flexibility for current trends and using performance metrics will help optimize your strategy. Collaborating with your team can yield varied insights, ensuring your content remains relevant. Regularly reviewing feedback allows you to adapt your approach, eventually leading to a more effective social media presence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Tips for Your Monthly Social Media Calendar" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article