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Freelancers Union is pleased to introduce Elle Toussi as Interim Executive Director. Elle first joined Freelancers Union as a member, helping to organize local LA Spark events that fostered community, collaboration, and connection among independent workers. Her commitment to strengthening the freelancer community led her to serve as a Member Representative on the Board of Directors, after which she was elected as a permanent Board Member and, two years ago, chosen by her peers to serve as Chair of the Board. With more than 15 years of experience in journalism and production, Elle has built her career around storytelling and advocacy for creative and independent professionals. She is also the founder of Boom Dia Media, a production company dedicated to producing impact-driven films and media projects that elevate stories designed to inspire change. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to amplifying the voices of independent workers and advancing a more equitable future for the freelance workforce. Have questions? Email us at community@freelancersunion.org. View the full article

Freelancers Union is pleased to introduce Elle Toussi as Interim Executive Director. Elle first joined Freelancers Union as a member, helping to organize local LA Spark events that fostered community, collaboration, and connection among independent workers. Her commitment to strengthening the freelancer community led her to serve as a Member Representative on the Board of Directors, after which she was elected as a permanent Board Member and, two years ago, chosen by her peers to serve as Chair of the Board. With more than 15 years of experience in journalism and production, Elle has built her career around storytelling and advocacy for creative and independent professionals. She is also the founder of Boom Dia Media, a production company dedicated to producing impact-driven films and media projects that elevate stories designed to inspire change. Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to amplifying the voices of independent workers and advancing a more equitable future for the freelance workforce. Have questions? Email us at community@freelancersunion.org. View the full article

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has defended the resource-intensive use of AI by comparing it to all the energy—and food—that humans require, sparking a wave of backlash across social media. That comparison, experts in climate and tech spaces say, is misguided, downplays the climate risks associated with AI, and illustrates the disconnect between tech CEOs and the rest of society. Altman’s comments came while speaking to the Indian Express at the India AI Impact summit. The outlet asked him to address some of the common criticisms of AI, including the amount of energy and water the technology requires. “One of the things that is always unfair in this comparison is people talk about how much energy it takes to train an AI model relative to how much it costs a human to do one inference query,” Altman says. “But it also takes a lot of energy to train a human,” he continues. “It takes like 20 years of life, and all of the food you eat during that time, before you get smart. And not only that, it took the very widespread evolution of the 100 billion people who have ever lived.” When considering the energy needed to “train a human,” Altman claims in the interview that AI has “probably” already caught up to humans in terms of energy efficiency. Misguided comparison But the tech CEO’s blunt comparison is “misguided,” says Sasha Luccioni, climate lead of the AI platform Hugging Face. “On a fundamental level, humans and AI models don’t use energy and natural resources in the same manner, and comparing the two makes no sense,” she says in an email to Fast Company. AI models are trained on human data, Luccioni points out, so if comparing the two, “you should also take into account the time and resources that went into writing the books and creating the data used to train AI models.” To Luccioni, Altman’s comments illustrate a “fundamental disconnect” between Big Tech leaders and broader society. “These billionaires have built their fortunes on exploiting human knowledge and the earth’s natural resources, and continue taking both for granted while getting richer by the day,” she adds. Fast Company reached out to OpenAI for comment. AI’s water and energy use Altman’s comparison has drawn particular ire from those in the climate space, including Michael Mann, a climatologist and coauthor, with scientist Peter Hotez, of the 2025 book Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces That Threaten Our World. Indeed, the CEO’s statements tie into the very themes of the book. According to Mann, the book argues that forces like “plutocrats, pros, petrostates, phonies, and the press” promote anti-science rhetoric, which then hampers humanity’s ability to tackle everything from pandemics to the climate crisis. Exact calculations about AI’s water and energy use vary, but many experts have raised alarms about its enormous power and resource needs. A 2026 report from Global Water Intelligence projects that “water demand from the AI-driven New Economy will surge 129% by 2050,” putting even more pressure on strained utility systems alongside climate threats. The International Energy Agency has likewise projected that total data center consumption, driven by AI, will double by 2030. Though Altman dismissed concerns over AI’s water use, he did say that energy consumption is a concern, and that because the “world is using so much AI . . . we need to move toward nuclear or wind and solar very quickly.” So far, the AI boom has led to an increase in natural gas power plants, even though it’s cheaper to build and run new clean energy projects. Longtermism and techno-utopianism According to Mann, Altman’s comments reek of controversial and potentially dangerous viewpoints that he says are common among tech executives, like longtermism and techno-utopianism. Longtermism promotes the idea that positively influencing the long-term future is a key moral imperative; it’s a belief that has been linked to the “effective altruism” movement. Looking long-term would suggest caring about climate change, because the effects of sustained fossil fuel emissions will have disastrous impacts on humans for years to come. But “longtermists” don’t tend to regard climate change as an “existential risk.” Instead, they focus on threats that they say technology can solve. Techno utopianism, similarly, is a belief that technological advances are the way to achieve a “perfect” future society. As Mann sees it, Altman along with other tech CEOs promote an idea that society should focus on the benefits of AI and other technologies while “implicitly downplaying the risks and threats posed in the immediate term, including the climate crisis.” “There is, as I would remind Altman and his ilk, no economy on a dead planet,” Mann adds. View the full article

As AI use continues to grow, so is frustration with the technology. From strange responses that don’t make any sense to learning curves to how it’s implemented at work, there’s no shortage of AI quirks to get used to. However, how users are responding to those annoyances is vastly different. According to a new report from Adobe Acrobat and Firefly, frustrations are not few. In fact, of the 1,008 AI users survey, 91% said they have abandoned generative AI tasks in favor of non-AI methods over said emotion. Mostly, that’s because writing quality AI prompts is a key strategy in effectively using the tool, but it’s not always totally intuitive. There’s a definite learning curve when it comes to writing prompts that lead to the best output. However, most users have a breaking point. For example, when it comes to using AI tools that generate images, respondents said they expect a quality result after four attempts. By the seventh try, most simply give up. For text tasks, users aren’t quite so patient. When it comes to prompting AI to write emails or social media posts, users want a solid response after two attempts and give up altogether by the fourth. Some users do more than just give up on writing prompts, however. Some users actually take to yelling at the technology. When it comes to responding in anger, the response is fairly gendered: Men are overwhelmingly more likely to scold AI. Per the report, men said they shouted at the technology in all caps 80% more often than women, believing it may somehow help to improve the result. Meanwhile, the trend of being polite to AI is more common in certain industries. Those in finance and banking reported using pleasantries like “please” 43% of the time. Similarly, those who work in education, transportation, and logistics did so 42%. Creative arts and healthcare workers only did so at 38% and 36%, respectively. Interestingly, regardless of the fact that men are more prone to yelling at AI, they also seem oozing with confidence at their ability to use the technology well. Per the report, men were 15% more confident in their prompting abilities than women. However, their confidence did not match their genuine skill level: The prompts were only better 5% of the time.. Confidence aside, per the report, some helpful strategies to keeping frustrations at bay and getting better results include breaking the tasks into steps, saving your strongest prompts to reuse, fact-checking and giving solid examples. Unfortunately, pleasantries won’t help with better output. Likewise, neither will yelling at it. (Sorry, guys.) View the full article

As a freelance professional, saving for the future — especially if you have children — is critical. A new federal program, created under the Working Families Tax Cuts introduces a tool that may become useful for freelancers and their families: “The President Accounts.” Although these accounts were designed primarily as long‑term savings vehicles for children, it's important freelancers understand the structure of the program. Anyone can contribute to a child’s “The President Account” (up to the annual limit of up to an aggregate of $5,000 cap per child for 2026 and 2027, to be subject to cost-of-living adjustment in the following years), freelancers with supportive family networks may benefit from grandparents contributing to reduce their own taxable estates, charitable organizations making qualified contributions, or community groups. Here is what you need to know about “The President Accounts” and if they can benefit you as a freelance professional. What Are “The President Accounts” and Can They Benefit Freelancers?“The President Accounts” are special savings and investment accounts for children under age 18. An adult opens the account for a child in the child’s name, under child’s Social Security number, and the money is invested to grow over many years. When the child turns 18, the account automatically converts into a traditional IRA. A child is eligible if they are under 18 when the account is opened, have a Social Security number, and they do not need earned income to contribute. This is a major departure from traditional IRA rules, which normally require earned income to make contributions. Like traditional IRAs, “The President Accounts” grow tax‑deferred. This means there are no taxes on investment gains while the money grows, and potentially decades of compounding before the child accesses the funds. For freelancers who may not always be able to contribute consistently, tax‑deferred growth helps maximize the impact of small contributions. Additionally, for any taxable year ending during the growth period, a contribution is counted for the year in which the contribution is made (a contribution made in January 2027, is for 2027 and cannot be applied to 2026; as is possible for considered as made for previous calendar year). After the “growth period” (January 1st of the calendar year in which the account beneficiary reaches the age of 18), distributions from this account are subject to the rules that apply to distributions from a traditional IRA. Earnings grow tax-deferred but are taxed as ordinary income upon withdrawal (after the beneficiary reaches the age of 18). Withdrawals are penalty-free for specific expenses, like higher education or a first-time home purchase (similar to IRA rules) — unlike 529 plans — where qualified education expenses related withdrawals are tax-free. This account continues to be designated as a “The President Account”, and even after the growth period, it can never receive contributions under a Sec 408(k) SEP arrangement or Sec 408(p) SIMPLE IRA plan. It can never be aggregated with other IRA account when allocating basis related to a distribution from either the “The President Account” or another IRA account. There is also a temporary federal incentive. To receive a free $1,000 government deposit, the child must be a U.S. citizen born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. The government will begin depositing this $1,000 into eligible accounts starting July 4, 2026. “The President Accounts” can be created beginning in tax year 2026, with contributions allowed starting from July 4, 2026 and onward. To open an account or request the $1,000 federal deposit for qualified child, families must use the federal portal. Can Freelance Business Owners Can Use The President Accounts?Freelancers often lack access to employer‑sponsored retirement plans, matching contributions, or predictable income streams. “The President Accounts” don’t replace retirement accounts for adults, but they do create new opportunities for freelancers to reduce taxable income in certain cases and use employer‑style benefits in their own businesses. Under the new law, employers can contribute up to $2,500 per year (subject to the cost-of-living adjustment for years after 2027, per employee and not per the dependent of the employee) to an employee’s child’s “The President Accounts”, and these contributions do not count as taxable income for the employee. Employer contributions count toward the child’s $5,000 annual contribution limit but remain tax‑advantaged. When the child turns 18, the account becomes a traditional IRA. The employer $2,500 contribution is excludible from the gross income of the employee under Section 128(b)(1). This contribution is deductible by the employer. In some cases, this contribution may be offered under a Section 125 cafeteria plan as a salary reduction if it is made to the “The President Account” of the employees’ dependent, but not if the contribution is made to the The President account of the employee; where it would be a deferred compensation under Section 125(d)(2)(A), since the employee would have a vested right to compensation that may be payable in a later year. What Does This Mean for You?As a freelancer, you can leverage the tax benefits of “The President Accounts”. Automating contributions can help ensure consistency even during periods of variable income. Balancing “The President Account” contributions with personal retirement savings vehicles such as SEP IRAs or Solo 401(k)s is something to consider as you review your options. “The President Accounts” | Internal Revenue Service “The President Accounts” View the full article

As a freelance professional, saving for the future — especially if you have children — is critical. A new federal program, created under the Working Families Tax Cuts introduces a tool that may become useful for freelancers and their families: “The President Accounts.” Although these accounts were designed primarily as long‑term savings vehicles for children, it's important freelancers understand the structure of the program. Anyone can contribute to a child’s “The President Account” (up to the annual limit of up to an aggregate of $5,000 cap per child for 2026 and 2027, to be subject to cost-of-living adjustment in the following years), freelancers with supportive family networks may benefit from grandparents contributing to reduce their own taxable estates, charitable organizations making qualified contributions, or community groups. Here is what you need to know about “The President Accounts” and if they can benefit you as a freelance professional. What Are “The President Accounts” and Can They Benefit Freelancers?“The President Accounts” are special savings and investment accounts for children under age 18. An adult opens the account for a child in the child’s name, under child’s Social Security number, and the money is invested to grow over many years. When the child turns 18, the account automatically converts into a traditional IRA. A child is eligible if they are under 18 when the account is opened, have a Social Security number, and they do not need earned income to contribute. This is a major departure from traditional IRA rules, which normally require earned income to make contributions. Like traditional IRAs, “The President Accounts” grow tax‑deferred. This means there are no taxes on investment gains while the money grows, and potentially decades of compounding before the child accesses the funds. For freelancers who may not always be able to contribute consistently, tax‑deferred growth helps maximize the impact of small contributions. Additionally, for any taxable year ending during the growth period, a contribution is counted for the year in which the contribution is made (a contribution made in January 2027, is for 2027 and cannot be applied to 2026; as is possible for considered as made for previous calendar year). After the “growth period” (January 1st of the calendar year in which the account beneficiary reaches the age of 18), distributions from this account are subject to the rules that apply to distributions from a traditional IRA. Earnings grow tax-deferred but are taxed as ordinary income upon withdrawal (after the beneficiary reaches the age of 18). Withdrawals are penalty-free for specific expenses, like higher education or a first-time home purchase (similar to IRA rules) — unlike 529 plans — where qualified education expenses related withdrawals are tax-free. This account continues to be designated as a “The President Account”, and even after the growth period, it can never receive contributions under a Sec 408(k) SEP arrangement or Sec 408(p) SIMPLE IRA plan. It can never be aggregated with other IRA account when allocating basis related to a distribution from either the “The President Account” or another IRA account. There is also a temporary federal incentive. To receive a free $1,000 government deposit, the child must be a U.S. citizen born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. The government will begin depositing this $1,000 into eligible accounts starting July 4, 2026. “The President Accounts” can be created beginning in tax year 2026, with contributions allowed starting from July 4, 2026 and onward. To open an account or request the $1,000 federal deposit for qualified child, families must use the federal portal. Can Freelance Business Owners Can Use The President Accounts?Freelancers often lack access to employer‑sponsored retirement plans, matching contributions, or predictable income streams. “The President Accounts” don’t replace retirement accounts for adults, but they do create new opportunities for freelancers to reduce taxable income in certain cases and use employer‑style benefits in their own businesses. Under the new law, employers can contribute up to $2,500 per year (subject to the cost-of-living adjustment for years after 2027, per employee and not per the dependent of the employee) to an employee’s child’s “The President Accounts”, and these contributions do not count as taxable income for the employee. Employer contributions count toward the child’s $5,000 annual contribution limit but remain tax‑advantaged. When the child turns 18, the account becomes a traditional IRA. The employer $2,500 contribution is excludible from the gross income of the employee under Section 128(b)(1). This contribution is deductible by the employer. In some cases, this contribution may be offered under a Section 125 cafeteria plan as a salary reduction if it is made to the “The President Account” of the employees’ dependent, but not if the contribution is made to the The President account of the employee; where it would be a deferred compensation under Section 125(d)(2)(A), since the employee would have a vested right to compensation that may be payable in a later year. What Does This Mean for You?As a freelancer, you can leverage the tax benefits of “The President Accounts”. Automating contributions can help ensure consistency even during periods of variable income. Balancing “The President Account” contributions with personal retirement savings vehicles such as SEP IRAs or Solo 401(k)s is something to consider as you review your options. “The President Accounts” | Internal Revenue Service “The President Accounts” View the full article

If you’re looking to get your background check, you have several options at your disposal. Start by exploring reputable Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) that offer online requests for your report. You could additionally approach your local law enforcement agency or your state’s department of public safety for access to criminal history records. Nevertheless, it’s essential to understand the legal implications and costs involved in this process before proceeding. What steps should you take next to guarantee compliance and accuracy? Key Takeaways Visit a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) for comprehensive background checks that comply with FCRA guidelines. Check with your state’s Department of Justice or equivalent agency for state-specific criminal history reports. Use online platforms like Checkr for quick and easy background checks with transparent pricing. Contact local law enforcement agencies for basic criminal background checks or records. Ensure you have proper consent and identification ready when requesting your background check. Understanding Background Checks A background check is a critical step in the hiring process that helps employers verify candidates’ qualifications and guarantee they make informed hiring decisions. If you’re asking, “where do I go to get my background check,” it’s vital to comprehend the types of checks available. Employers often look into criminal records, employment history, and educational credentials to confirm accuracy. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the process, mandating that employers provide notice and obtain consent before conducting checks. This protects your privacy and rights. In Texas, specific laws, like the Texas Mini-FCRA, limit reporting certain criminal records to those within the last seven years for jobs paying under $75,000. Knowing these regulations can help you navigate the process effectively. Grasping background checks not just prepares you for what employers might see but likewise empowers you to clarify any misinformation that could arise during the hiring process. Types of Background Checks Available Various types of background checks can provide employers with vital insights into a candidate’s qualifications and history. One common type is a criminal history check, which reveals details about offenses, severity, and disposition, giving you a clear view of an individual’s legal background. Employment verification confirms past job titles, employment dates, and reasons for leaving, helping to establish work history. Education verification validates degrees earned and institutions attended, ensuring the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant. Furthermore, professional license verification checks the status of licenses held by an applicant, which is fundamental for roles requiring specific certifications. If you’re considering an FBI background check status, it’s important to know that this type of check will provide thorough data, including any federal offenses. Grasping these various checks can help you make informed decisions when selecting candidates for employment. How to Initiate a Background Check To initiate a background check, start by choosing a reliable screening provider that fits your needs, whether it’s an online service or a local agency. Next, gather all required information, such as the individual’s full name, date of birth, and any other pertinent details to guarantee an accurate search. Finally, submit your background check request according to the provider’s guidelines, making sure you comply with any legal requirements, like obtaining written consent if necessary. Choose Screening Provider Choosing a reliable screening provider is crucial when you’re ready to initiate a background check. A reputable Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), like iprospectcheck, can offer you customized services that meet your needs. Make sure the provider complies with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations, which mandate obtaining written consent from the individual before any checks are conducted. Evaluate the types of checks available, such as criminal history, employment verification, and education validation, to align with your hiring criteria. Consider factors like turnaround times; for instance, Checkr delivers 89% of criminal searches within an hour, enhancing efficiency. Finally, verify the provider’s credentials and confirm customer support is available to assist you throughout the process, including inquiries about your FBI background check status. Gather Required Information Initiating a background check requires you to gather essential personal information to guarantee accurate results. Start by collecting the following items: Your full name Date of birth Social Security number Any aliases or previous names used This information helps maintain the accuracy of your background check. Next, determine the type of check you need, such as criminal history or employment verification, to inform your choice of service provider. Research reputable agencies that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations. Additionally, be prepared to provide consent for the background check, as most providers will require your written permission, especially for services like FBI fingerprint clearance. Finally, consider any potential fees associated with the checks you select. Submit Background Check Request Once you’ve gathered the necessary personal information, submitting a background check request is the next step. In Texas, you can request a criminal history report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) online or by mail. If you need an FBI background check status, consider using IdentoGO, where you can submit your information at their designated centers. For employment or education verification, contact previous employers or educational institutions directly. Many companies, like iprospectcheck, offer customized background check services, delivering reports quickly. Legal Considerations for Background Checks When considering background checks in Texas, it’s essential to understand the legal framework that governs them. You’ll need to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires you to notify candidates and obtain their consent before proceeding. Moreover, be aware that Texas laws can influence what information you can use, particularly regarding the reporting of older convictions and the expungement of certain records. Texas Background Check Laws Comprehending Texas background check laws is vital for both employers and job applicants, as these regulations shape the hiring process and the handling of personal information. Here are four key points to take into account: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of consumer reports, ensuring privacy rights are protected. The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (TRCA) requires employers to delay criminal history inquiries until after a conditional job offer. Under the Texas Mini-FCRA, conviction records older than seven years can’t be reported for jobs paying under $75,000, with certain exceptions. If negative information arises, employers must follow the FCRA’s adverse action process for transparency. Fair Hiring Practices Fair hiring practices are essential for creating an equitable job market, especially in relation to conducting background checks. To comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you must obtain written consent before performing any checks, including checking your FBI background check status. In Texas, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (TRCA) prevents local jurisdictions from implementing Ban the Box laws, meaning you can only inquire about criminal history after extending a conditional job offer. Federal laws likewise limit early inquiries for federal contractors, ensuring fairness in hiring. Furthermore, employers are required to conduct individualized assessments of criminal records, adhering to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits blanket exclusions based solely on convictions. Compliance With FCRA Grasping compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is crucial for any employer considering background checks. To guarantee you meet legal requirements, keep these key points in mind: Obtain written consent from candidates before conducting any background checks. Notify applicants if adverse actions are taken based on information from the checks, allowing them to dispute inaccuracies. Be aware that certain information, like bankruptcies over ten years old or criminal convictions over seven years old for lower-salary jobs, can’t be reported. Use a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that follows FCRA guidelines to maintain accuracy and relevance. Costs Associated With Background Checks When considering a background check, it’s important to understand that costs can vary considerably based on several factors, including the provider, the type of report you need, and how often you require these checks. For instance, detailed reports typically range from $20 to $100 or more, whereas name-based checks start around $5. Standard criminal history checks usually cost between $20 and $30, depending on the depth of the search. If you’re looking into motor vehicle records, expect costs from $4.50 to $22, depending on your state and provider. Furthermore, if you’re conducting in-house checks, consider extra costs for staff time and resources. If you need extensive services, utilizing a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) can help reduce overhead costs. Finally, the FBI background check status can be an important factor, but it’s often priced higher because of the extensive nature of the checks involved. Choosing the Right Background Check Provider How can you guarantee you’re choosing the right background check provider? Start by verifying they meet industry standards. Here are four key factors to evaluate: Accreditation: Look for providers accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) to confirm compliance with regulations. Comprehensive Services: Choose a provider offering services like criminal history checks, employment verification, and educational credential checks to get a complete picture. Turnaround Time: Assess how quickly they deliver reports. Some providers, such as Checkr, can provide criminal searches in as little as one hour, which is vital for urgent hiring. Transparent Pricing: Understand the costs involved, as they can vary greatly. Verify the provider complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and local laws, such as those concerning FBI background check status, to protect your company and candidates. Frequently Asked Questions Where Do I Obtain a Background Check? You can obtain a background check from several sources. Local law enforcement agencies often provide criminal history checks for a fee. Online services, like commercial background check GoodHire, offer quick results for various checks, including employment verification. The Texas Department of Public Safety has an online portal for statewide criminal history information. Furthermore, IdentoGO offers personal history checks and fingerprint services, ensuring secure transmission to the FBI. Always get written consent, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Alaska? In Alaska, a basic criminal history background check costs about $20 through the Department of Public Safety. If you opt for a fingerprint-based check, expect to pay between $35 and $50. Private companies may charge between $30 and $100, depending on the services offered. For more detailed checks, including credit history and employment verification, prices can range from $50 to $200. Some online platforms likewise provide discounted bundled services for multiple reports. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Louisiana? In Louisiana, background check costs typically range from $15 to $30, depending on the type of check and provider. A state police criminal history record check costs about $26 when obtained through the Louisiana State Police. If you need a fingerprint-based check for specific jobs, expect to pay around $50. Some local jurisdictions may offer free or reduced-cost checks, particularly for volunteer organizations or non-profits, so it’s worth exploring those options. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Ohio? In Ohio, background check costs vary between $5 and $50, depending on the type of check and provider. A basic criminal check typically costs around $30, whereas more thorough checks, like employment or education verification, may be higher. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation charges $22 for a standard check. Employers sometimes cover these costs, but candidates might need to pay for their own, especially when using third-party services. Conclusion To summarize, obtaining your background check involves choosing the right method and provider to guarantee accuracy and compliance with legal standards. You can access your report through reputable Consumer Reports or local law enforcement. Be mindful of the costs involved and the specific type of background check you need, as this can vary based on purpose. By following these steps, you can effectively gather the information you need during adherence to the relevant laws and regulations. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Where Do I Go to Get My Background Check?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to get your background check, you have several options at your disposal. Start by exploring reputable Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) that offer online requests for your report. You could additionally approach your local law enforcement agency or your state’s department of public safety for access to criminal history records. Nevertheless, it’s essential to understand the legal implications and costs involved in this process before proceeding. What steps should you take next to guarantee compliance and accuracy? Key Takeaways Visit a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) for comprehensive background checks that comply with FCRA guidelines. Check with your state’s Department of Justice or equivalent agency for state-specific criminal history reports. Use online platforms like Checkr for quick and easy background checks with transparent pricing. Contact local law enforcement agencies for basic criminal background checks or records. Ensure you have proper consent and identification ready when requesting your background check. Understanding Background Checks A background check is a critical step in the hiring process that helps employers verify candidates’ qualifications and guarantee they make informed hiring decisions. If you’re asking, “where do I go to get my background check,” it’s vital to comprehend the types of checks available. Employers often look into criminal records, employment history, and educational credentials to confirm accuracy. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the process, mandating that employers provide notice and obtain consent before conducting checks. This protects your privacy and rights. In Texas, specific laws, like the Texas Mini-FCRA, limit reporting certain criminal records to those within the last seven years for jobs paying under $75,000. Knowing these regulations can help you navigate the process effectively. Grasping background checks not just prepares you for what employers might see but likewise empowers you to clarify any misinformation that could arise during the hiring process. Types of Background Checks Available Various types of background checks can provide employers with vital insights into a candidate’s qualifications and history. One common type is a criminal history check, which reveals details about offenses, severity, and disposition, giving you a clear view of an individual’s legal background. Employment verification confirms past job titles, employment dates, and reasons for leaving, helping to establish work history. Education verification validates degrees earned and institutions attended, ensuring the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant. Furthermore, professional license verification checks the status of licenses held by an applicant, which is fundamental for roles requiring specific certifications. If you’re considering an FBI background check status, it’s important to know that this type of check will provide thorough data, including any federal offenses. Grasping these various checks can help you make informed decisions when selecting candidates for employment. How to Initiate a Background Check To initiate a background check, start by choosing a reliable screening provider that fits your needs, whether it’s an online service or a local agency. Next, gather all required information, such as the individual’s full name, date of birth, and any other pertinent details to guarantee an accurate search. Finally, submit your background check request according to the provider’s guidelines, making sure you comply with any legal requirements, like obtaining written consent if necessary. Choose Screening Provider Choosing a reliable screening provider is crucial when you’re ready to initiate a background check. A reputable Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA), like iprospectcheck, can offer you customized services that meet your needs. Make sure the provider complies with Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations, which mandate obtaining written consent from the individual before any checks are conducted. Evaluate the types of checks available, such as criminal history, employment verification, and education validation, to align with your hiring criteria. Consider factors like turnaround times; for instance, Checkr delivers 89% of criminal searches within an hour, enhancing efficiency. Finally, verify the provider’s credentials and confirm customer support is available to assist you throughout the process, including inquiries about your FBI background check status. Gather Required Information Initiating a background check requires you to gather essential personal information to guarantee accurate results. Start by collecting the following items: Your full name Date of birth Social Security number Any aliases or previous names used This information helps maintain the accuracy of your background check. Next, determine the type of check you need, such as criminal history or employment verification, to inform your choice of service provider. Research reputable agencies that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations. Additionally, be prepared to provide consent for the background check, as most providers will require your written permission, especially for services like FBI fingerprint clearance. Finally, consider any potential fees associated with the checks you select. Submit Background Check Request Once you’ve gathered the necessary personal information, submitting a background check request is the next step. In Texas, you can request a criminal history report from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) online or by mail. If you need an FBI background check status, consider using IdentoGO, where you can submit your information at their designated centers. For employment or education verification, contact previous employers or educational institutions directly. Many companies, like iprospectcheck, offer customized background check services, delivering reports quickly. Legal Considerations for Background Checks When considering background checks in Texas, it’s essential to understand the legal framework that governs them. You’ll need to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires you to notify candidates and obtain their consent before proceeding. Moreover, be aware that Texas laws can influence what information you can use, particularly regarding the reporting of older convictions and the expungement of certain records. Texas Background Check Laws Comprehending Texas background check laws is vital for both employers and job applicants, as these regulations shape the hiring process and the handling of personal information. Here are four key points to take into account: The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of consumer reports, ensuring privacy rights are protected. The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (TRCA) requires employers to delay criminal history inquiries until after a conditional job offer. Under the Texas Mini-FCRA, conviction records older than seven years can’t be reported for jobs paying under $75,000, with certain exceptions. If negative information arises, employers must follow the FCRA’s adverse action process for transparency. Fair Hiring Practices Fair hiring practices are essential for creating an equitable job market, especially in relation to conducting background checks. To comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you must obtain written consent before performing any checks, including checking your FBI background check status. In Texas, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act (TRCA) prevents local jurisdictions from implementing Ban the Box laws, meaning you can only inquire about criminal history after extending a conditional job offer. Federal laws likewise limit early inquiries for federal contractors, ensuring fairness in hiring. Furthermore, employers are required to conduct individualized assessments of criminal records, adhering to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits blanket exclusions based solely on convictions. Compliance With FCRA Grasping compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is crucial for any employer considering background checks. To guarantee you meet legal requirements, keep these key points in mind: Obtain written consent from candidates before conducting any background checks. Notify applicants if adverse actions are taken based on information from the checks, allowing them to dispute inaccuracies. Be aware that certain information, like bankruptcies over ten years old or criminal convictions over seven years old for lower-salary jobs, can’t be reported. Use a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) that follows FCRA guidelines to maintain accuracy and relevance. Costs Associated With Background Checks When considering a background check, it’s important to understand that costs can vary considerably based on several factors, including the provider, the type of report you need, and how often you require these checks. For instance, detailed reports typically range from $20 to $100 or more, whereas name-based checks start around $5. Standard criminal history checks usually cost between $20 and $30, depending on the depth of the search. If you’re looking into motor vehicle records, expect costs from $4.50 to $22, depending on your state and provider. Furthermore, if you’re conducting in-house checks, consider extra costs for staff time and resources. If you need extensive services, utilizing a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) can help reduce overhead costs. Finally, the FBI background check status can be an important factor, but it’s often priced higher because of the extensive nature of the checks involved. Choosing the Right Background Check Provider How can you guarantee you’re choosing the right background check provider? Start by verifying they meet industry standards. Here are four key factors to evaluate: Accreditation: Look for providers accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) to confirm compliance with regulations. Comprehensive Services: Choose a provider offering services like criminal history checks, employment verification, and educational credential checks to get a complete picture. Turnaround Time: Assess how quickly they deliver reports. Some providers, such as Checkr, can provide criminal searches in as little as one hour, which is vital for urgent hiring. Transparent Pricing: Understand the costs involved, as they can vary greatly. Verify the provider complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and local laws, such as those concerning FBI background check status, to protect your company and candidates. Frequently Asked Questions Where Do I Obtain a Background Check? You can obtain a background check from several sources. Local law enforcement agencies often provide criminal history checks for a fee. Online services, like commercial background check GoodHire, offer quick results for various checks, including employment verification. The Texas Department of Public Safety has an online portal for statewide criminal history information. Furthermore, IdentoGO offers personal history checks and fingerprint services, ensuring secure transmission to the FBI. Always get written consent, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Alaska? In Alaska, a basic criminal history background check costs about $20 through the Department of Public Safety. If you opt for a fingerprint-based check, expect to pay between $35 and $50. Private companies may charge between $30 and $100, depending on the services offered. For more detailed checks, including credit history and employment verification, prices can range from $50 to $200. Some online platforms likewise provide discounted bundled services for multiple reports. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Louisiana? In Louisiana, background check costs typically range from $15 to $30, depending on the type of check and provider. A state police criminal history record check costs about $26 when obtained through the Louisiana State Police. If you need a fingerprint-based check for specific jobs, expect to pay around $50. Some local jurisdictions may offer free or reduced-cost checks, particularly for volunteer organizations or non-profits, so it’s worth exploring those options. How Much Does a Background Check Cost in Ohio? In Ohio, background check costs vary between $5 and $50, depending on the type of check and provider. A basic criminal check typically costs around $30, whereas more thorough checks, like employment or education verification, may be higher. The Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation charges $22 for a standard check. Employers sometimes cover these costs, but candidates might need to pay for their own, especially when using third-party services. Conclusion To summarize, obtaining your background check involves choosing the right method and provider to guarantee accuracy and compliance with legal standards. You can access your report through reputable Consumer Reports or local law enforcement. Be mindful of the costs involved and the specific type of background check you need, as this can vary based on purpose. By following these steps, you can effectively gather the information you need during adherence to the relevant laws and regulations. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Where Do I Go to Get My Background Check?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Based on our analysis of the Zillow Home Value Index, U.S. home prices are up just +0.2% year-over-year between January 2025 and January 2026. That marks a deceleration from the +2.6% growth rate a year earlier—though national price growth has recently stabilized, ticking a tad higher from a low of -0.01% in August 2025. In the first half of 2025, the number of major metro area housing markets seeing year-over-year declines climbed. That count has since pretty much stopped ticking up. 31 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 10% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Jan. 2024 to Jan. 2025 window. 42 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 14% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Feb. 2024 to Feb. 2025 window. 60 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 20% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the March 2024 to March 2025 window. 80 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 27% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the April 2024 to April 2025 window. 96 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 32% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the May 2024 to May 2025 window. 110 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 36% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the June 2024 to June 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 36% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the July 2024 to July 2025 window. 109 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Aug. 2024 to Aug. 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Sept. 2024 to Sept. 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Oct. 2024 to Oct. 2025 window. 98 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 33% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Nov. 2024 to Nov. 2025 window. 106 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Dec. 2024 to Dec. 2025 window. 100 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 33% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the Jan. 2025 to Jan. 2026 window. As you can see above, in the first half of 2025, there was a notable increase in the number of housing markets slipping into year-over-year price declines as the supply–demand equilibrium (as measured by inventory) shifted more quickly toward homebuyers. Over the past seven months, however, the list of declining markets has begun to stabilize and inventory growth has also decelerated. Home prices are still climbing a little year-over-year in many regions where active inventory remains well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, such as pockets of the Northeast and Midwest. In contrast, some pockets in states like Texas, Florida, and Colorado—where active inventory exceeds pre-pandemic 2019 levels by a solid clip—are seeing modest home price pullbacks or flat pricing. Click here for an interactive version of the chart below Many of the housing markets seeing the most softness, where homebuyers have gained the most leverage, are primarily located in Sun Belt regions, particularly the Gulf Coast and Mountain West. Many of these areas saw even greater price surges during the Pandemic Housing Boom, with home price growth outpacing local income levels. As pandemic-driven domestic migration slowed and mortgage rates rose in 2022, markets like Tampa and Austin faced challenges, relying on local income levels to support frothy home prices. That Sun Belt softening was further compounded by an abundance of new home supply in the Sun Belt. Builders are often willing to lower prices or offer affordability incentives to maintain sales, which also has a cooling effect on the resale market. As a result, some buyers who might have previously opted for existing homes are instead choosing new construction with more attractive deals—which added further upward pressure to resale inventory growth over the past few years. Of course, while 100 of the nation’s 300 largest metro area housing markets are seeing year-over-year home price declines, another 200 are seeing year-over-year home price increases. Where are home prices still up on a year-over-year basis? See the map below. Below is a historical chart showing the year-over-year change in home prices across the 50 largest metro housing markets, with the yellow line representing the national aggregate, dating back to 2000. While the “range” [see chart above] between the strongest and weakest metro area housing markets right now is fairly normal historically speaking, the “bifurcation” (i.e., direction) itself—the share of markets with rising home prices versus those with falling prices—is wider than normal, given that national appreciation has stabilized into a softer market with growth barely above +0.0%. And the longer some markets remain in the “rising” camp while others stay in the “falling” camp, the wider the gulf can become between the relatively more resilient markets and the weaker ones. For example, home prices in the Hartford, CT metro area are now +21.2% above their 2022 peak, while home prices in the Austin, TX metro area sit -27.8% below their 2022 peak. Some of that “bifurcation” boils down to mean reversion, with many of the outright home price declines occurring in markets that overheated further during the Pandemic Housing Boom. Note: For the historical chart below, we analyzed the 200 largest markets rather than the 300 used above, as some markets ranked 201 to 300 lack complete data going back to 2000. When weighted by population (not visualized), the housing market appears slightly weaker than the chart below suggests—which aligns with the fact that, among just the 50 largest housing markets, 25 (roughly 50%) are currently posting negative year-over-year price growth, and nationally aggregated home prices are up just +0.2% year-over-year using the Zillow Home Value Index. View the full article

On a snowy Friday in January, dignitaries from both political parties braved the chill of a central New York winter for the groundbreaking ceremony of Micron Technology’s planned $100 billion manufacturing complex in Clay, a town not far from Syracuse. Over the next 20 years, Micron is promising the region thousands of jobs and the revitalization of a community hard hit by the decline of manufacturing. Since President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, billions of public dollars have flowed into domestic semiconductor manufacturing as the United States seeks to revitalize an industry that was born in the U.S. before it was largely outsourced to East Asia. Both Democrats and Republicans have argued that domestic chip production is essential to national security, citing the role advanced semiconductors play in military systems as well as in critical infrastructure like financial and telecommunications networks. In order to expedite the development of up to four fabrication plants in central New York state, Micron may receive as much as $25 billion in public subsidies, including $6.1 billion from the federal CHIPS Act, $5.5 billion from New York state and billions more in refundable manufacturing tax credits. But some residents and advocates question whether the Micron project, as it’s currently planned, will bring more harm than good. The facility will consume vast amounts of water and energy while producing substantial hazardous waste, according to the company’s environmental impact statement. Emissions and contaminated wastewater and soil from the notoriously dirty semiconductor industry pose potential environmental and health risks for surrounding areas, while exposure to its toxic chemicals has been linked to cancers and reproductive harm. Community members want enforcement measures to ensure the company follows through on promised environmental safeguards and its pledge to create 9,000 jobs. “We’re not trying to stop any progress, but we don’t want this just bulldozed into our area,” said Gracia Roulan, a nurse practitioner who has lived in Clay all her life and is part of the local group Neighbors for a Better Micron. Roulan said advocates like her want to ensure the project is “truly better for the community,” and raised concerns about potential pollution of the local water system and the clearing of the “beautiful marshes all around the area,” which provide a home to endangered species. To make way for the new structures, the project will fill more than 200 acres of wetlands. For its part, the company touts the project’s benefits to the region, including a promise to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in education, worker training and affordable housing over the next two decades. “Micron is committed to being a great member of the community and a responsible environmental steward,” Anna Newby, a Micron spokesperson, said in an email to Capital & Main. The company has committed to developing new wetlands to offset those that will be destroyed. Newby said the environmental review process Micron undertook for its central New York project was “thorough.” Yet just hours before Micron broke ground, Neighbors for a Better Micron, alongside national worker advocacy group Jobs to Move America, filed a lawsuit against the project in New York Supreme Court for Albany County, arguing that the state permitting process was “unnecessarily rushed” and did not adequately consider public input. The suit names Micron along with state and local agencies, contending that despite the state’s reputation for having some of the strongest environmental laws in the country, the review process fell short, particularly given the size and scope of the project. “The lawsuit points to the agency’s failure to balance economic benefits and environmental harms,” said Meredith Stewart, litigation director at Jobs to Move America. She said the court should reverse the environmental approval and require agencies to revisit the impact of the project in order to ensure harms are adequately addressed. But in New York and elsewhere around the country, proponents of semiconductor projects would like to see less, not more, environmental review. Lawmakers in famously eco-friendly California recently approved legislation allowing semiconductor companies to bypass environmental impact studies. In 2024, President Biden signed a law exempting most publicly funded semiconductor projects from federal environmental review, a move supporters said would speed construction and help the U.S. compete with China. Micron’s project nonetheless underwent federal — as well as state — scrutiny, with the federal review triggered by its impact on wetlands. Under the new law, the Commerce Department oversaw the federal process, and at Micron’s groundbreaking, Secretary Howard Lutnick praised his agency’s rapid pace. “See, this groundbreaking only got scheduled at the end of December — because the The President administration cleared out all of the environmental and other things that tend to get in the way,” Lutnick said. The lawsuit brought by advocates asserts that community members were given insufficient time — just 32 business days — to review and provide public comment on an environmental impact statement that exceeds 700 pages or roughly 22,000 pages including supportive materials. “Environmental review is one of the only levers that the public has to learn what the impact [of a project] might be on their community,” said Judith Barish, director of CHIPS Communities United, a coalition of unions and community groups advocating for a safer and more equitable semiconductor industry. Some residents worry that the project will strain local infrastructure. When the project is completed, the company expects it to use 48 million gallons of water from Lake Ontario each day, enough to supply more than 585,000 homes. The county is developing a new wastewater treatment plant, and upgrading an existing one, to deal with the increase in volume. The project also poses risks to resident and worker health, advocates say, as the semiconductor industry has a well-documented history of toxic pollution. In order to transform raw silicon into the advanced components that power nearly all modern devices, chipmaking relies on hundreds of chemicals, many of them harmful. One of the biggest culprits, according to advocates, is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), so-called forever chemicals that do not easily break down in the environment and are central to semiconductor manufacturing. Communities near semiconductor manufacturing facilities have faced contamination of soil and groundwater, while workers in chip fabrication plants have reported elevated rates of cancers and reproductive health issues. Beyond environmental risks, many activists say that Micron’s claims about the project’s benefits are vague or lack the teeth of enforcement. They would like to see the billions of dollars in subsidies awarded to the company conditioned on whether it delivers on its promise to create thousands of jobs. Advocates also want the company to hire from the community and are concerned they may simply import workers into the area. A 2023 study found that more than a third of projects subsidized by state governments between 2004 and 2015 failed to meet their job creation goals. Researchers said the true figure may be higher because many states have weak disclosure requirements. Roulan pointed to a history of industrial projects in the region that came with pledges to improve the community but instead left behind pollution, the most famous example being the now defunct Allied Corporation’s contamination of Syracuse’s Onondaga Lake, which contributed to the lake being designated a Superfund site. “We want development, we want to see jobs come here,” Roulan said. “But not at any cost.” Last month, a separate coalition of advocacy groups in the Syracuse area, including Jobs to Move America, launched an effort to urge Micron to sign a legally binding community benefits agreement, a contract negotiated between a private company and community stakeholders that outlines benefits and mitigations that the company agrees to provide. The group, Central New York United for Community Benefits, sent a letter to Micron’s CEO just days after the groundbreaking ceremony, requesting a meeting. A community benefits agreement, the group said, could help ensure strong wages and benefits for the project’s permanent workforce and protect residents’ access to clean air and water. Micron has pledged to hire 80% of its initial construction workforce locally and to use a project labor agreement, ensuring unionized construction labor. Newby said in an email that the company had already invested more than $15 million in local organizations and educational institutions as part of its pledge to invest $250 million over 20 years in a state fund aimed at developing the semiconductor manufacturing workforce in central New York state as well as supporting “community needs” such as affordable housing. Meanwhile, Roulan is already seeing changes following the groundbreaking — “giant trees going out by the truckful” and “tons of traffic changes” around the area, which she said were signs of major disruption to come. —Kalena Thomhave, Capital & Main This piece was originally published by Capital & Main. View the full article

Small businesses are taking bold steps into 2026, choosing to increase their marketing budgets even amid economic uncertainty. A recent report from Constant Contact reveals that 68% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) expect to boost their marketing expenditures to combat looming inflation, highlighting a resilient mindset in a challenging economic landscape. Amidst ongoing concerns about rising costs—cited as the primary worry by 41% of small business owners—the data suggests a strategic pivot. Instead of retreating from marketing efforts, these entrepreneurs are gearing up to seize new opportunities. “Small business owners are entering 2026 with a clear directive: do more, but do it smarter,” said Smita Wadhawan, Chief Marketing Officer at Constant Contact. This insight underlines a collective shift in thinking about marketing as an essential investment rather than a discretionary expense. The report shows that 74% of small business owners plan to invest more time in marketing strategies in 2026. With apprehension about economic pressures, the focus is on maximizing the effectiveness of both financial resources and time spent. Key findings from the Q1 2026 Small Business Now report reflect a landscape where investment in marketing is outpacing fears of economic downturn: Refusal to Cut Budgets: While almost half of SMB owners highlight inflation as a major concern, 74% plan to invest more time into marketing, and 68% are setting aside larger budgets. Notably, only 14% anticipate cuts in their marketing budgets. Barriers to Engagement: The quest for engaging customers remains a significant challenge. The report identifies customer engagement as the top barrier to effective marketing in 2026, with 44% of respondents indicating difficulty in connecting with their audiences. In response, 50% of SMBs are experimenting with efficiency strategies, and 33% are eager to test new marketing tools and technologies. The Rise of AI: More than half of the surveyed small business owners (54%) are already leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in their marketing efforts. Many are enhancing their strategies, with 45% using AI to analyze trends and 44% employing it to create content. Preference for Digital Channels: With a clear shift from traditional advertising, social media (68%) and email marketing (41%) are poised to be the leading channels for driving business in 2026. In-person events (29%) and traditional advertising (26%) lag behind, echoing the larger trend towards digital engagement. For small business owners, this focus on digital marketing opens up new avenues, but also introduces potential hurdles. Businesses will need to closely monitor customer engagement while ensuring that their increased marketing efforts yield tangible results. The pressing question is: how do they connect effectively with an audience that increasingly demands authentic and engaging content? The findings underscore a pivotal moment for small businesses. As they allocate more resources to marketing, understanding the dynamics of digital engagement becomes crucial. Employing AI tools could streamline these efforts, freeing up time and energy for more creative and strategic pursuits. In an environment where customer connections are paramount, the practical application of enhanced marketing budgets cannot be understated. Small businesses that leverage efficiency strategies while embracing innovative tools may find themselves at a distinct advantage in navigating both economic challenges and customer expectations. The report suggests that as 2026 unfolds, small business owners aiming to thrive will need to stay adaptable. Balancing the need for increased marketing with an eye on efficiency and engagement can help to ensure sustainability and growth, even in tough economic times. To read more about the findings of the Constant Contact report, visit Constant Contact. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Small Businesses Boost Marketing Budgets Amid Economic Uncertainty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small businesses are taking bold steps into 2026, choosing to increase their marketing budgets even amid economic uncertainty. A recent report from Constant Contact reveals that 68% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) expect to boost their marketing expenditures to combat looming inflation, highlighting a resilient mindset in a challenging economic landscape. Amidst ongoing concerns about rising costs—cited as the primary worry by 41% of small business owners—the data suggests a strategic pivot. Instead of retreating from marketing efforts, these entrepreneurs are gearing up to seize new opportunities. “Small business owners are entering 2026 with a clear directive: do more, but do it smarter,” said Smita Wadhawan, Chief Marketing Officer at Constant Contact. This insight underlines a collective shift in thinking about marketing as an essential investment rather than a discretionary expense. The report shows that 74% of small business owners plan to invest more time in marketing strategies in 2026. With apprehension about economic pressures, the focus is on maximizing the effectiveness of both financial resources and time spent. Key findings from the Q1 2026 Small Business Now report reflect a landscape where investment in marketing is outpacing fears of economic downturn: Refusal to Cut Budgets: While almost half of SMB owners highlight inflation as a major concern, 74% plan to invest more time into marketing, and 68% are setting aside larger budgets. Notably, only 14% anticipate cuts in their marketing budgets. Barriers to Engagement: The quest for engaging customers remains a significant challenge. The report identifies customer engagement as the top barrier to effective marketing in 2026, with 44% of respondents indicating difficulty in connecting with their audiences. In response, 50% of SMBs are experimenting with efficiency strategies, and 33% are eager to test new marketing tools and technologies. The Rise of AI: More than half of the surveyed small business owners (54%) are already leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in their marketing efforts. Many are enhancing their strategies, with 45% using AI to analyze trends and 44% employing it to create content. Preference for Digital Channels: With a clear shift from traditional advertising, social media (68%) and email marketing (41%) are poised to be the leading channels for driving business in 2026. In-person events (29%) and traditional advertising (26%) lag behind, echoing the larger trend towards digital engagement. For small business owners, this focus on digital marketing opens up new avenues, but also introduces potential hurdles. Businesses will need to closely monitor customer engagement while ensuring that their increased marketing efforts yield tangible results. The pressing question is: how do they connect effectively with an audience that increasingly demands authentic and engaging content? The findings underscore a pivotal moment for small businesses. As they allocate more resources to marketing, understanding the dynamics of digital engagement becomes crucial. Employing AI tools could streamline these efforts, freeing up time and energy for more creative and strategic pursuits. In an environment where customer connections are paramount, the practical application of enhanced marketing budgets cannot be understated. Small businesses that leverage efficiency strategies while embracing innovative tools may find themselves at a distinct advantage in navigating both economic challenges and customer expectations. The report suggests that as 2026 unfolds, small business owners aiming to thrive will need to stay adaptable. Balancing the need for increased marketing with an eye on efficiency and engagement can help to ensure sustainability and growth, even in tough economic times. To read more about the findings of the Constant Contact report, visit Constant Contact. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Small Businesses Boost Marketing Budgets Amid Economic Uncertainty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Your iPhone is likely currently running iOS 26.3 (assuming you've been keeping up with the operating system updates), but there's another version currently in the works over at Apple HQ. Right now, beta testers have their hands on iOS 26.4, which is shaping up to be a much bigger update than the last. Among the changes, Apple is debuting end-to-end encryption for RCS chats, so texts with Android users will no longer be insecure, and the Reminders app is getting an "Urgent" section for any entries you've labeled as such. But perhaps no part of iOS is getting a larger update with 26.4 than Apple Music—both the app, and Apple's paid subscription service. Apple seems to have decided that Music needed a bit of a facelift, as well as some quality of life changes that will make the app and service easier to use. Whether you use Apple Music for streaming or you rely on it to store your digital library, you're going to notice the updates when iOS 26.4 drops in the near future. Some of these features will be free and some only available to paid subscribers; I've reached out to Apple to confirm which is which, and I will update this piece if I hear back. Apple Music now lets you generate playlists with AIDo you like making playlists, or do you know someone who does? The robots are coming for your hobby, too. With iOS 26.4, Apple Music is rolling out "Playlist Playground," a new feature that lets you generate playlists from natural language prompts. In layman's terms, that means you tell the AI what kind of music you want to hear, and it will generate a playlist from that request. That could something hyper-specific, like "Taylor Swift country tracks," or something more general, like "morning coffee vibes." The AI will choose 25 songs it thinks match your query. If it doesn't get it quite right, you can ask it to make changes, and you can change things yourself, like the playlist's title, description, and cover image. I'm interested to try this out, if for no other reason than music discovery: I like Apple Music's curated playlists already, but I am intrigued as to whether asking Apple's AI to select certain types of songs for me will help me find new music any better than the platform's human curators. I also don't think this will stop me from making my own playlists, or looking for playlists from friends. Sure, maybe the AI is good at picking 25 songs that match a specific theme, but there is an art to hand-picking tracks that work well together—plus, it's just fun. Apple is far from the first company to roll out such a feature. YouTube Music recently launched something similar, while Spotify has two different AI playlist features (AI Playlist and Prompted Playlist) available on its platform. Apple Music's design changes look awesomeWhen you start exploring Apple Music after updating to iOS 26.4, you'll likely notice something right away: The UX, which is normally white or black (whether your iPhone is in light or dark mode) now matches the color scheme of the artwork for the album or playlist you're checking out. The effect is especially cool when the album art supports full-screen motion, like the following: This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Apple has made some divisive design decisions in recent years, but I think this change is going to be a crowd pleaser. The difference between the current design on iOS 26.3 and the new look is stark, and, while there's nothing wrong with how things stand now, it already looks super dated next to the full-screen color matching designs. You can now add songs to multiple playlists at onceSpeaking of playlists, you can now add songs to multiple at once—just in case you still need some human intervention when it comes to these playlists. When you go to add a song to a playlist, you'll notice a new button in the bottom right. Tap it, and Apple Music opens up the ability to select multiple playlists at once, and send the song to all of them. It's a small change, but a helpful one, especially if you frequently add new music to more than one playlist at a time. I could see myself using this to add a song to my personal new discoveries playlist, as well as a shared playlist of new music I keep with friends. iOS 26.4 adds a new "Ambient Music" widget for your Home ScreenNot all music is made to active listening. If you use Apple Music for background music, especially when sleeping, working, or zoning out, you might be interested in the new "Ambient Music" widget, which lets you launch one of four different ambient playlists from the Home Screen: Sleep, which plays "Sleep Sounds;" Chill, which plays "Today's Chill;" Productivity, which plays "Productivity;" or Wellbeing, which plays "Pure Meditation." I still can't quite shake the habit of relying on YouTube for my "focus music" needs, especially since these tracks mess with my Apple Music algorithms. But it might make sense to start relying on the platform I actually pay for when I want music to work or fall asleep to—unless that music is only available elsewhere. Apple Music will help you find concerts near youApple Music is also making it easier to listen to music outside of the app. The platform is rolling out a "Concerts Near You" section, which shows you artists playing in your area. You can see popular artists and their concert dates, as well as shows that are coming up this week. You can sort by both date and genre, and you can update the location when you want to know where shows are going to be in different areas. View the full article

Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, will head to the Pentagon on Tuesday to meet with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about how the military uses the company’s artificial intelligence models. And it’s likely to be a tense meeting, as sources first told Axios. Contract talks between the AI startup and the Department of Defense have gone off course in recent weeks as Anthropic has insisted on some safeguards for how its technology will be used. While the San Francisco-based company is willing to loosen some of its usage restrictions for the Department of Defense, it doesn’t want its models used for at least two specific purposes: spying on Americans or developing autonomous weapons. Heading into Tuesday’s meeting, the two factions seem to have differing views on how those contract talks have been proceeding. While a spokesperson for Anthropic said in a statement Monday that the company is having “productive conversations, in good faith” with the Pentagon, a Defense Department spokesman said last week that Anthropic’s relationship with the Pentagon is under review. “Anthropic knows this is not a get-to-know-you meeting,” a senior Defense official told Axios. “This is not a friendly meeting.” ANTHROPIC’S ROLE IN NATIONAL SECURITY Anthropic is currently the only AI company available in the military’s classified networks and was among several companies awarded a $200 million contract with the Defense Department to in July “advance U.S. national security.” The company has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to supporting national security, including again on Monday. In June, it announced Claude Gov, a suite of models it built exclusively for U.S. national security customers. And yet, Amodei has become vocal about balancing the opportunities that AI presents with the concerns that it poses. In a lengthy piece published last month, the Anthropic co-founder warned: “Humanity is about to be handed almost unimaginable power, and it is deeply unclear whether our social, political, and technological systems possess the maturity to wield it.” At the India AI Impact Summit last week, Amodei that he’s concerned about the autonomous behavior of AI systems and the potential for misuse of AI by individuals and governments. THE MADURO FACTOR Another factor that’s strained the relationship between Anthropic and the Pentagon came to light last week: Claude was used in the U.S. military’s operation at the start of the year to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as The Wall Street Journal reported. That mission would seem to violate Anthropic’s usage guidelines that prohibit, among other things, that Claude not be used to incite violence or for criminal justice and surveillance. The company’s usage policy, most-recently updated in September, is intended to “strike an optimal balance between enabling beneficial uses and mitigating potential harms.” But Anthropic also notes that the company “may enter into contracts with certain governmental customers that tailor use restrictions to that customer’s public mission and legal authorities if, in Anthropic’s judgment, the contractual use restrictions and applicable safeguards are adequate to mitigate the potential harms.” POKING THE BEAR Anthropic has tried to set itself apart from the rest of the universe of AI developers with a “safety-first” approach that’s even seen it take a swipe, via a Super Bowl ad, at OpenAI’s recent decision to incorporate ads into the ChatGPT platform. While Amodei has emerged as a contrarian of sorts, at times, by pushing back on unrestricted use of its Claude AI model for the U.S. military, Amodei is effectively poking the bear that is Hegseth. As Axios reported last week, Hegseth has threatened that the Pentagon could declare Anthropic to be a “supply chain risk,” which would void its contracts and force other companies that work with the Pentagon to certify they aren’t using Claude in any related workflows. “Our nation requires that our partners be willing to help our warfighters win in any fight,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told media outlets last week. “Ultimately, this is about our troops and the safety of the American people.” View the full article

A reader writes: I work for a small nonprofit in the U.S. A colleague and I were invited to attend a conference later this year through our service on an external committee where we represent our agency. All conference expenses would be covered by the external partner; the only cost to our organization would be our salaries during that time. Our executive director approved both of us attending, but with the condition that we use PTO for the days we’re away. The rationale given was that the conference is not required by our organization, is considered voluntary professional development, and the agency lacks funding to offer comparable opportunities to the rest of the staff. We’ve agreed to these terms, but it feels off to use PTO for what is essentially a work-related trip where we’re representing our employer. I understand employers have discretion over PTO policies, but I’m wondering whether this is standard practice and how reasonable it is. How would you recommend raising this concern or advocating for this time to be treated as paid work rather than PTO, especially in a small nonprofit context? No, this isn’t standard practice and it isn’t reasonable. That doesn’t change because you’re at a small nonprofit. In fact, it’s almost more offensive because it’s a small nonprofit: you’re probably already not making a ton of money, and now they’re going to make you use PTO to attend a work conference on top of that? But even if you were well-paid, this should be a no-brainer: you’d be representing your employer, the conference is work-related, it’s work time. In fact, I’d recommend that you not attend at all if you have to use PTO for it. It’s absurd that you’d lose multiple days of vacation time in order to do something for work. If you want to give it one more shot, though, then say this: “We don’t want to give up X days of vacation time for a work trip where we would be working and representing the organization. Does our attending have value to Org? If so, this should be considered work time, not vacation time. If it doesn’t have value to Org, then it won’t make sense for us to attend and we’ll plan not to.” The post should we have to use PTO to attend a work conference? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Friday’s news of a major shakeup at Microsoft’s Xbox division caught the gaming world by surprise. Phil Spencer, who has run Xbox for almost 12 years, announced his retirement, effective immediately—just months after Microsoft insisted he was “not retiring anytime soon.” Asha Sharma, the president of Microsoft’s CoreAI product, was tapped to run the division. Once a powerhouse earner, Xbox has seen its profitability and influence shrink in recent years. (Xbox president Sarah Bond, long seen as Spencer’s heir apparent, was passed over and also left the company.) Sharma may face an uphill battle. Microsoft has not reported updated Xbox console sales or Game Pass subscription numbers in years. The available figures haven’t been encouraging. Xbox hardware revenue fell 32% year over year in the recent holiday quarter. Overall gaming revenue dropped 9%, and Xbox content and services, which includes Game Pass, declined 5%. Sharma has already taken some knocks online for lacking a deep history in video games. Some of that online blowback reflects the sexism that often runs rampant in gaming. (Sharma will be the first woman to run a major console manufacturer.) But criticism of her gaming pedigree also reflects a kind of gatekeeping. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two Interactive Software, has said he was not a gamer when he took charge—and still isn’t. Yet Take-Two has delivered a string of hits under his leadership, most notably the Grand Theft Auto franchise, and its share price has increased 15-fold since he took the job. “I don’t think anyone wants or needs my specific creative expertise, such as it is,” Zelnick once said. “It’s my job to attract, retain and provide the resources to the best creative talent in the business.” Dwindling sales and a divided focus Time will tell if Sharma follows that same path. But if she does, instead of focusing on big individual launches, she’ll have to persuade gamers to buy both hardware—and a subscription service that increasingly makes that hardware feel optional. The Xbox Series X and Series S have faced inventory issues in recent months and remain expensive when available. With memory shortages affecting a wide range of consumer technology products, a price cut anytime soon appears unlikely. At the same time, Microsoft has been pivoting away from consoles, expanding Game Pass across multiple platforms, including as an app on Samsung TVs. (An Xbox mobile store was planned but never launched.) Despite that shift, Microsoft has also been working on a next-generation Xbox, once expected to debut next year, though that timeline could slip due to component shortages. Starting over? Sharma’s promotion could mark a reset, shifting focus back to consoles and exclusive titles rather than the “Xbox anywhere” strategy of recent years. Even then, some hurdles remain. Microsoft’s hands are tied with its biggest franchise, Call of Duty, which it acquired through the Activision-Blizzard takeover three years ago. Under its agreement with regulators, Microsoft must continue offering those games and features to Sony through 2033. Still, the company has deep development resources, even after steep layoffs. The Halo franchise has struggled but could rebound with a strong release. Bethesda Softworks, acquired in 2021, is developing a new Elder Scrolls title and controls proven franchises such as Fallout and Doom. Microsoft also has Gears of War, Fable, Forza, and strong relationships with independent developers. Refocusing on consoles could require changes to Game Pass. The service’s appeal lies in offering new titles on Day One without requiring individual purchases. But with AAA games now costing $200 million or more to develop, Game Pass will need either a surge in subscribers or structural changes to remain viable. (A price increase could be challenging, as the top tier already costs $30 per month.) Whatever direction Sharma chooses, she faces a steep climb. Spencer may have been beloved by gamers, but Microsoft’s biggest bets of the past six years have largely fallen short. And as headwinds gather across the gaming industry, Microsoft is no longer the dominant force it was in the Xbox 360 era. Regaining that ground will require steady leadership. View the full article

Behind every smooth construction project is tight document control. When shop drawings, material data and product samples start moving between contractors and design teams, things can quickly get messy. A well-managed submittal log keeps that flow organized, prevents approval delays and protects your project schedule from unnecessary disruption. What Is a Submittal In a Construction Project? In practical terms, a construction submittal is any shop drawing, product data sheet, material sample or technical document a contractor sends to the architect or engineer for review before work proceeds. Its purpose is simple: confirm that what will be purchased, fabricated or installed matches the project specifications and contract documents. What Is a Submittal Log? A submittal log is a structured tracking document used in construction projects to manage and control the entire submittal process from identification to final approval. It lists every required construction submittal pulled from the project specifications and tracks who is responsible, when it must be submitted, how long it has been under review and whether it is approved, rejected or pending resubmission. By centralizing this information, the submittal log gives the project team a clear, organized record that supports document control, protects the project schedule and ensures compliance with contract requirements. ProjectManager is an award-winning construction project management software that’s designed for managing construction projects from start to finish. It’s equipped with features such as Gantt charts, timesheets, workload management charts and real-time dashboards and reports. In addition to its core construction planning, scheduling and tracking tools, it offers unlimited cloud-based document storage, online collaboration tools and AI project management insights that help project managers ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA-1600x772.pngLearn more What Should Be Included in a Submittal Log for a Construction Project? In construction, a submittal is a formal document or physical sample submitted by a contractor or subcontractor to the architect or engineer for review and approval before fabrication, procurement or installation. Construction submittals verify that materials, equipment and systems comply with the contract documents and technical specifications. Shop drawings: Detailed drawings prepared by subcontractors or fabricators that show dimensions, materials, connections and installation methods for structural steel, HVAC systems, electrical layouts or other building components. Product data: Manufacturer-issued technical sheets describing performance characteristics, materials, model numbers and installation requirements, ensuring selected products meet the project specifications and design intent. Material samples: Physical samples of finishes such as flooring, paint, roofing or façade materials submitted for aesthetic approval and quality verification before bulk ordering and installation. Equipment data and cut sheets: Technical documentation for major equipment like chillers, generators or elevators, including capacity, power requirements and compliance certifications needed for engineering review. Mix designs: Concrete or asphalt mix design submittals prepared by suppliers that specify proportions, strength requirements and testing data to confirm compliance with structural performance criteria. Testing and inspection reports: Laboratory and field reports verifying that installed materials, welds, soil compaction or fireproofing meet quality control standards and contract requirements. Operation and maintenance manuals: Comprehensive documentation submitted near project closeout containing warranties, maintenance procedures and manufacturer guidance for building systems and equipment. Get your free Construction Submittal Log Template Use this free Construction Submittal Log Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File What Is the Purpose of a Submittal Log? Across a construction project, submittals don’t just “flow” on their own—they require tracking, follow-up and coordination to move from preparation to approval. The purpose of a submittal log is to actively manage that workflow by assigning responsibility, setting submission dates, tracking review turnaround times and documenting approval status. By clearly showing what has been sent, what is under review, what was rejected and what must be resubmitted, it prevents gaps in communication, reduces procurement risk and protects the project schedule from avoidable delays tied to document control failures. Beyond that primary objective, a submittal log can also achieve the following secondary purposes: Improves coordination between the general contractor, subcontractors and design team by clearly identifying who must prepare, review and approve each shop drawing, product data sheet or material sample before procurement begins. Supports procurement tracking by linking approved submittals to material orders, helping teams avoid purchasing non-compliant products that could trigger rework, change orders or costly schedule impacts. Creates a documented approval trail that protects the contractor during disputes by showing when submittals were sent, how long reviews took and whether delays were outside the contractor’s control. Helps forecast potential schedule risks by highlighting long-lead items and overdue reviews that could affect critical path activities or disrupt planned construction sequencing. Strengthens overall document control by centralizing submittal numbers, specification references and revision histories in one place, reducing confusion across RFIs, project schedules and quality control processes. When to Make a Submittal Log Most project teams create the submittal log immediately after contract award and before construction activities begin. As soon as the project schedule is being developed and procurement planning starts, the project manager or document control lead compiles submittals from the specifications to avoid early delays. As construction progresses, the submittal log becomes a live tracking tool that’s reviewed in coordination meetings and updated alongside the construction schedule. It flags overdue reviews, tracks resubmittals and highlights long-lead items affecting procurement. Throughout the build, it supports document control, protects the critical path and keeps subcontractors accountable. Who Is Responsible for Maintaining a Construction Submittal Log? On most construction projects, the general contractor is responsible for creating and maintaining the submittal log. In practice, this task is typically handled by the project manager, project engineer or document control specialist. They build the log from the project specifications, update it regularly and coordinate with subcontractors and the design team to keep submittals moving and aligned with the project schedule. Project manager: Oversees the entire submittal process, reviews the submittal log during coordination meetings and ensures that pending approvals, long-lead items and critical path activities are not delayed due to incomplete or overdue submittals. Project engineer: Often manages the day-to-day tracking of submittals by updating the log, assigning submittal numbers, following up on review turnaround times and coordinating resubmissions when items are rejected or require revisions. Subcontractors: Prepare and submit shop drawings, product data and material samples in accordance with the specifications, while responding to review comments and providing corrected resubmittals to keep procurement and fabrication on track. Architect or engineer of record: Reviews submitted documents for compliance with the contract documents, marks them as approved, approved as noted or rejected and returns them within the agreed review period to avoid impacting the project timeline. Document control specialist: Maintains organized records of all submissions, approval statuses, revision histories and correspondence, ensuring that the submittal log remains accurate, auditable and consistent with other project documentation such as RFIs and change orders. Submittal Log Template for Excel This construction submittal log template for Excel helps project teams track, review and manage submittals from receipt through approval. It captures specification references, submission dates, review cycles, status updates and responsible parties, giving contractors clear visibility into pending actions, approval timelines and potential schedule impacts. /wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Construction-submittal-log-for-Excel.png Submittal Log Example Imagine a residential construction project consisting of a 250-unit apartment complex with structured parking, a swimming pool, fitness center and shared amenities. Multiple subcontractors are submitting shop drawings, product data and material samples while procurement and field work move in parallel. Below is a simplified submittal log example for that project. Submittal No. Specification Section Description Responsible Subcontractor Date Submitted Status 033000-01 033000 – Cast-in-Place Concrete Concrete mix design for foundations and podium slab Concrete Contractor 03/10/2026 Approved 051200-02 051200 – Structural Steel Structural steel shop drawings for parking structure Steel Fabricator 03/18/2026 Approved as Noted 084413-03 084413 – Glazed Aluminum Curtain Walls Curtain wall product data and shop drawings Facade Contractor 03/25/2026 Under Review 233000-04 233000 – HVAC Air Distribution HVAC equipment data and ductwork shop drawings Mechanical Contractor 04/02/2026 Rejected – Resubmit 093000-05 093000 – Tiling Tile material samples for pool deck and bathrooms Finishes Subcontractor 04/08/2026 Approved Free Related Construction Project Management Templates ProjectManager offers dozens of free construction project management templates designed to help teams track progress, control costs, manage documentation and stay aligned with the project schedule from preconstruction through closeout. Construction Daily Report Template This construction daily report template helps project teams document site activity, labor hours, equipment usage, weather conditions and work completed each day, creating a reliable record that supports progress tracking and dispute resolution. Request for Information (RFI) Template The RFI template provides a structured format for submitting and tracking clarification requests related to drawings, specifications or scope gaps, helping prevent delays, miscommunication and costly rework during construction execution. Change Log Template Use the change log template to record scope changes, design revisions and approved change orders, giving project managers a centralized view of cost impacts, schedule adjustments and decision history throughout the project lifecycle. ProjectManager Is Ideal for Managing Construction Projects ProjectManager is award-winning construction project management software built to support projects from planning through closeout. It includes robust tools for creating construction schedules, allocating resources, tracking costs and comparing estimates against actual project performance. With unlimited cloud-based document storage and AI-driven project insights, teams can manage drawings, costs and progress in one centralized platform. Watch the video below to see how it works. Related Construction Project Management Content Our content library features over 100 construction blogs, templates, ebooks and other types of content to help construction project managers better understand the many moving parts that must be managed to deliver successful construction projects. Here are some of them. 48 Construction Documents (Templates Included) Construction Reporting: Types of Construction Reports What Are Construction Submittals and Why Are They So Important? Construction Document Management: A Quick Guide ProjectManager is online project management software with the tools you need for construction project management. Our features make planning, monitoring and reporting on your project more efficient and effective. Being online means our software is accessible everywhere and at any time. Plus, the data you get is more accurate because it’s updated immediately. Try ProjectManager for free today. The post Submittal Log in Construction: Example & Free Template appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

It’s a good day to be the pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. This morning, the company unveiled its latest innovation in the weight-loss drug wars: the KwikPen. Per a press release , the KwikPen contains a months-worth of Zepbound, Eli Lilly’s GLP-1 designed to combat obesity, and it’s designed to make taking the medicine more convenient. Alongside the announcement of this new innovation, Eli Lilly’s main competitor, Novo Nordisk, dropped the news that its experimental drug, CagriSema, perfomed worse for patient weight loss in a head-to-head trial against Eli Lilly’s proprietary drug, tirzepatide. A November study from the health policy non-profit KFF found that about one in eight American adults were using a GLP-1 for weight loss or to treat a chronic condition. And as the weight-loss drug market soars, its two most dominant players—Eli Lilly and competitor Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic—are battling it out to offer the most convenient, most effective, and least expensive iterations of their respective drugs. Right now, Eli Lilly appears to be the leader in the GLP-1 race amidst multiple difficult headwinds for Novo Nordisk. As of this writing, Novo Nordisk stock is down nearly 16% since market open, while Eli Lilly is up by nearly 5%. Weight-loss drugs take new, more convenient forms Over the past several months, both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have invested in novel drug formats to retain customers and reach new audiences. Back in December, Novo Nordisk received FDA approval for a first-of-its-kind, once-daily pill for weight loss. The pill, which is an oral form of Novo Nordisk’s GLP-1 Wegovy, offers a less invasive way for users to administer weight-loss drugs, which are typically delivered via an injector. Eli Lilly is currently in the testing phases of its own oral GLP-1, but it does not yet offer anything similar to the Wegovy pill. In the meantime, the KwikPen will presumably make taking Zepbound a bit easier for Eli Lilly’s customer base. Currently, patients use a separate autoinjector for each of their weekly doses of the drug. Each KwikPen, by contrast, comes pre-loaded with four doses, meaning one pen lasts for a full month. It’s available in six strengths, ranging from 2.5 mg to 15 mg. For cash-paying patients, the KwikPen will be available via Eli Lilly’s direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect. Eli Lilly pulls ahead Eli Lilly may be lagging behind Novo Nordisk in GLP-1 pill design, but it’s notched several more significant wins against its top competitor in recent months. Novo Nordisk has been fighting an uphill battle as the weight-loss drug market becomes more crowded, including by the proliferation of compounded (aka copycat) versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro made by smaller manufacturers. In its fourth quarter report, released in early February, Novo Nordisk announced strong revenue of $12.34 billion, but warned that its sales and profit growth would decline by between 5% and 13% in 2026 amidst growing competition and lower U.S. prices. These same struggles have caused the company’s stock price to plummet by more than 55% year-over-year. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly has been buoyed by the major success of Zepbound since its 2023 debut, as customers opt for the medicine given its greater effectiveness for weight loss than Ozempic. In its February fourth quarter report, Eli Lilly boasted revenue of $19.3 billion and guided for its sales to grow by a whopping 25% in 2026. The company’s stock has risen by more than 25% year-over-year. Now, Novo Nordisk is taking yet another blow, as a Feburary 23 report showed that its new experimental drug CagriSema could not demonstrate non-inferiority against Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide. Based on Novo Nordisk’s report, “if all people adhered to treatment, people treated with CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg achieved a weight loss of 23.0% after 84 weeks compared to 25.5% with tirzepatide 15 mg.” As GLP-1 usage continues to become more mainstream, pharmaceutical giants will be fighting an increasingly competitive battle for market share. View the full article

Advertisers contacting Google Ads support may now need to grant explicit authorization before they can even submit a help request — giving a Google specialist permission to access and make changes directly inside their account. Here’s what’s happening. Users are first routed to a beta AI chat. If they opt to submit a support form instead, they must tick an “Authorisation” box. The wording allows a Google Ads specialist, on behalf of the company, to reproduce and troubleshoot issues by making changes directly in the account. The fine print is clear. Google doesn’t guarantee results. Any adjustments are made at the advertiser’s own risk. And the advertiser remains solely responsible for the impact on campaign performance and spending. Why we care. The required checkbox shifts more responsibility onto advertisers at a time when automation and AI already limit hands-on control. If support makes changes, the performance and spend risk still sits with the advertiser. Between the lines. This creates a trade-off between speed and control. Granting access could accelerate troubleshooting, but it also opens the door to account-level changes that may affect live campaigns — without any assurance of improved outcomes. The bottom line. Getting support may now mean temporarily handing over the keys — while keeping full accountability for whatever happens next. First seen. This new caveats to getting support was spotted by PPC specialist Arpan Banerjee who shared spotting the message on LinkedIn. View the full article

Boom Supersonic wants to build the world’s first commercial supersonic airliner. Founded in 2014, the company set out to make air travel dramatically faster — up to twice the speed of today’s passenger jets — while also aiming for a smaller environmental footprint. For years, Boom has focused on developing the high-performance engine technology needed to sustain supersonic flight. Though the company has not yet debuted its revolutionary jet, last year it identified a new and potentially lucrative application for its novel technology: generating electricity for the data centers powering the artificial intelligence boom. Many of these data centers want the kind of flexible, around-the-clock energy associated with combined-cycle natural gas turbines. These heavy-duty machines burn gas to spin turbines and generate electricity, then capture the associated heat and use it to spin the turbines some more. As far as fossil fuel generation goes, they are among the most efficient options for dispatchable baseload power. But with demand for these turbines surging and supply increasingly tight, developers are turning to creative alternatives. The upshot of all this creativity is clear: Much of the data center build-out is poised to be powered by natural gas — and the climate consequences that come with it. Boom Supersonic inked a $1.25 billion agreement with a developer called Crusoe, which is building a suite of data centers for the artificial-intelligence startup OpenAI. The turbine company agreed to provide Crusoe with 29 jet-engine gas turbines that the developer could position at data centers across the U.S. The deal is just one example of developers and tech companies straining to find power sources for the data centers sprouting up nationwide. Meta’s data center in El Paso, Texas, will draw fuel from more than 800 different mobile mini-turbines. Meanwhile, the construction equipment company Caterpillar has supplied gas engines to a data center in West Virginia. And the developer Crusoe used “aeroderivative” turbines based on airplane models for its massive Stargate data-center campus in Abilene, Texas, where power demand is a whopping 1.2 gigawatts. It’s not just the U.S. New proposed natural gas capacity has surged worldwide over the past year. The energy analysis firm Global Energy Monitor reports that projects totaling more than 1,000 gigawatts of gas-fired power are now in development worldwide — a roughly 31 percent jump in just the last year. The United States leads the pack, accounting for about a quarter of that pipeline. More than a third of the new U.S. capacity will power data centers. The analysis also notes that two-thirds of gas project developers in the U.S. have yet to identify who will manufacture their natural gas turbines. This rush to build out natural gas generation will have serious consequences for the climate. Early boosters of the data center boom suggested that new AI facilities would draw power from renewable sources such as solar and wind farms. While that has happened in some cases, developers are also rapidly locking in years of additional fossil fuel usage. An analysis from researchers at Cornell University found that the build-out could add as much as 44 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere by 2030, equivalent to the annual emissions of around 10 million passenger cars. “This is a huge proposed build-out,” said Cara Fogler, deputy director of research, strategy, and analysis at the nonprofit Sierra Club, which has been tracking gas plant expansions by utilities. “Existing coal that’s not coming offline and planned gas that’s trying to come online are potentially boxing out clean energy.” As Silicon Valley’s AI boom drives demand for ever more computing power, data center developers have struggled to keep up, largely because securing the massive amounts of electricity needed to run these facilities has become so difficult. The rush has led to long wait times to secure power from traditional utilities. As a result, developers and tech companies are increasingly taking matters into their own hands by generating power on-site. According to an analysis by Cleanview, a data firm tracking the energy transition, at least 46 data centers with a combined capacity of 56 gigawatts — equivalent to that of roughly 27 Hoover Dams — are using this “behind-the-meter” approach, as it’s known in industry parlance. The chief executive of Bloom Energy, a startup that builds behind-the-meter fuel cells for data centers, said in a recent call with investors that the startup’s order backlog has more than doubled over the past year. “On-site power has moved from being a decision of last resort to a vital business necessity,” said company executive K.R. Sridhar. He noted that while most of the company’s previous business was in states like California with high electricity costs, now “states where we are growing fastest have robust natural gas infrastructure and favorable regulatory and policy frameworks for on-site power generation.” One of those states is Texas, which is the epicenter of the build-out so far. Unconventional gas power will anchor campuses like that of Titus Low Carbon Ventures, which is building half a dozen data center parks across the Lone Star State. In September, the company signed a deal with power developer Gruppo AB to source Jennbacher gas generating engines, each of which provides just a few megawatts of power. The company will plug in hundreds of these boxy generators to provide baseload power alongside solar and wind. “We could’ve elected to go with gas turbines,” said Jeff Ferguson, the president of Titus, in an interview with Grist. Instead of sourcing traditional gas turbines, he opted to buy “reciprocating engines,” which are smaller gas-powered generators that are similar to passenger car engines. “We think that reciprocating engines are a better solution for data centers,” he said, adding that ”the difference is in the ability to manage transient loads,” or rapid fluctuations in power demand that are very common at the facilities. Not only is it unlikely that 200 generators will ever go offline all at once, but the engines are also much faster to start up and stop than turbines — they can come online in around a minute, as opposed to an hour for a traditional power plant. Ferguson likened it to the difference between accelerating in a Corvette and a jet plane. But experts say these substitute gas sources are even worse for the climate than traditional power plants, which use more efficient combined-cycle turbines that employ both gas and steam. The worst offenders are not turbines at all but rather internal-combustion engines like the ones in most automobiles. “Internal combustion [engines] have better ramp up/down time[s] but are less efficient when compared to a gas turbine,” said Jenny Martos, a researcher who runs the gas plant tracker for Global Energy Monitor. “All gas power technologies produce emissions, but generally engines produce more emissions than the others.” Texas has almost 58 gigawatts of natural gas power in various stages of planning and construction, according to the latest estimates from Global Energy Monitor. That’s more than the next four states combined, and more than every country on Earth except for China. Nearly half of the power plants under construction in Texas will provide power exclusively to data centers, without connecting to regional energy grids. These projects span the state, from OpenAI’s Stargate campus in central Abilene to Meta’s data center in El Paso, where the company has contracted with a Houston-based microgrid developer to set up 813 modular generators. The projects are also popping up in rural areas of the country with few other economic development prospects. A developer called BorderPlex is proposing a $165 billion data center campus called Project Jupiter in southern New Mexico, powered by two microgrids that operate on simple-cycle gas turbines, which just burn gas to generate energy without capturing and deploying their waste heat. The project’s 2,880 megawatts of generation are more than the entire generation capacity of central New Mexico’s main utility. “I’ve never seen something quite this big before, dollar-wise, scale-wise,” said Colin Cox, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, which is opposing the project. “To call this a microgrid defies common sense.” Remaining behind the meter allows the project to avoid seeking approval from regulators who would enforce compliance with the state’s climate laws — even though Project Jupiter’s carbon emissions alone could outweigh the actions that New Mexico has taken to lower emissions over the past several years. The project’s developer has promised jobs and tax revenue to rural Doña Ana County, but the future is murky. It remains unclear whether demand for artificial intelligence products will keep up with the historic capital expenditures being made by companies like OpenAI. If the bubble were to pop, the state would be left with a gas turbine that didn’t serve any users — an asset that the state would not need and that, under its climate laws, it would not be allowed to use. “They’ll just be stranded assets,” said Cox. “You can’t do anything with a gas turbine besides run gas through it to make it spin.” View the full article

To effectively boost your social media marketing, you need to implement strategies that align with your business goals and audience preferences. Setting clear and measurable objectives is essential, as is comprehending who your audience is. Choosing the right platforms and creating engaging content will keep your brand relevant. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, whereas nurturing community engagement builds loyalty. Curious about how to integrate these elements for maximum impact? Let’s explore the details further. Key Takeaways Set SMART goals for social media marketing to ensure clarity and measurable success in your campaigns. Understand your target audience by analyzing demographics and utilizing social listening tools for insights. Choose the appropriate social media platforms based on your audience demographics and content type. Collaborate with relevant influencers to enhance brand visibility and engagement within niche markets. Foster community engagement through interactive content and consistent communication to build brand loyalty. Set Clear and Measurable Goals Setting clear and measurable goals is crucial for any successful social media marketing strategy. To effectively promote your brand, you need to set clear and measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Using the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound—can help you establish these objectives. For example, you might aim to increase Instagram followers by 20% in six months or generate a set number of leads through targeted campaigns within a quarter. Regularly reviewing your progress with tools like Google Analytics guarantees you’re on track and allows you to refine your strategies. By implementing these social media strategy services, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your marketing efforts and boost return on investment. Understand Your Target Audience To succeed in social media marketing, it’s essential to comprehend your target audience. Analyzing demographics like age, gender, location, and income level helps you tailor your messaging effectively. Utilize social media monitoring tools to gain insights into audience behavior and engagement patterns, guiding your content strategy. Creating detailed buyer personas can humanize your audience, enabling personalized communication that resonates with their needs. Furthermore, social listening tools allow you to monitor sentiment and feedback, helping you adjust your strategies in real-time. Engaging your audience through polls and open-ended questions can provide valuable direct feedback, refining your grasp of their interests and improving content relevance. Comprehending your target audience is key to enhancing your marketing effectiveness. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms Grasping your target audience lays the groundwork for selecting the right social media platforms. Choosing the right social media platforms is crucial, as different platforms cater to distinct demographics. For example, TikTok and Instagram attract younger users, whereas LinkedIn is popular among professionals aged 30 and above. Research shows that 73% of marketers find their social marketing efforts effective, underscoring why social marketing is important. Platform Best For Instagram Visual content TikTok Short, engaging videos LinkedIn Professional networking X (formerly Twitter) Concise updates and trends Create Engaging and Relevant Content Creating engaging and relevant content starts with developing clear content pillars that align with your audience’s interests and needs. Incorporating high-quality visuals and storytelling techniques can greatly boost your posts’ appeal, making them more memorable and relatable. Content Pillars Development Developing content pillars is essential for establishing a consistent and impactful social media presence, as they serve as the foundation for your messaging strategy. Start by identifying core themes that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience. This guarantees your messaging framework remains consistent across all platforms. Tailor your content formats to suit each platform; for example, use visually rich storytelling on Instagram and professional insights on LinkedIn. Create educational and entertaining content, as combining these elements is increasingly favored by consumers. Utilize audience insights and analytics tools to refine your strategies based on engagement metrics. Encourage user-generated content through campaigns that motivate your audience to share their experiences, thereby enhancing community engagement and broadening your brand’s reach. Visual and Video Appeal When you leverage visual and video content in your social media strategy, you greatly improve your ability to engage with your audience. Here are key strategies to improve your visual and video appeal: Use high-quality images, as posts with visuals receive 94% more views. Create videos, since 80% of consumers prefer watching them over reading text. Incorporate short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels to capture younger audiences. Utilize storytelling in your visuals to cultivate emotional connections, boosting brand recall by 22%. Storytelling Techniques Integration Storytelling techniques are essential tools in social media marketing, allowing brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways. By integrating storytelling techniques, you can create engaging and relevant content that resonates with consumers. For instance, incorporating user-generated stories and testimonials can promote authenticity, as 79% of consumers say this type of content influences their purchasing decisions. Moreover, visual storytelling through compelling images and videos can greatly boost engagement, with posts featuring visuals attracting 94% more views. Highlighting your brand’s values through consistent narratives can increase consumer trust by 23%. This storytelling techniques integration not only improves emotional connections but also solidifies brand identity, making your marketing efforts more effective and impactful in the long run. Collaborate With Influencers To effectively collaborate with influencers, you first need to identify those who align with your brand values and target audience. Building authentic partnerships won’t just improve credibility but additionally increase engagement through shared content. Furthermore, leveraging multi-channel strategies can maximize your reach, ensuring that your message resonates across various platforms. Identify Relevant Influencers How can you effectively identify the right influencers for your brand? As a social marketing expert, you’ll want to focus on influencers who resonate with your audience. Here are four steps to guide you: Define Your Audience: Understand who your target customers are and what they value. Use Tools: Utilize platforms like BuzzSumo or Influencity to find influencers within your niche. Analyze Engagement: Look for micro-influencers with 1,000 to 100,000 followers, as they typically have higher engagement rates. Check Authenticity: Verify the influencers share relatable content that aligns with your brand values and not just promotional messages. Build Authentic Partnerships Identifying the right influencers is just the beginning; building authentic partnerships is where the real value lies. Collaborating with influencers can greatly improve your brand’s visibility, as 82% of consumers trust social media posts from favored creators in their purchase decisions. Micro-influencers, with their smaller yet more engaged audiences, often yield better results and are a cost-effective option. Brands engaging in influencer marketing typically see an impressive return of $6.50 for every dollar spent. Authentic partnerships build trust; 61% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand endorsed by someone they follow. Moreover, utilizing influencer-generated content can enhance your brand storytelling, as 79% of consumers are swayed by user-generated content, boosting your social media presence effectively. Leverage Multi-Channel Strategies Leveraging multi-channel strategies through influencer collaborations can greatly improve your brand’s visibility and engagement. To maximize social media advertising effectiveness, consider these key points: Collaborate with influencers whose values match your brand; 70% of consumers prefer brands that align with their beliefs. Utilize micro-influencers, as they often yield 60% higher engagement rates owing to their authentic connections with niche audiences. Recognize that posts featuring influencers can generate engagement rates 2-5 times higher than traditional brand posts. Track your ROI; influencer campaigns typically return an average of $6.50 for every dollar spent, showcasing their financial potential. Monitor Performance and Adjust Strategies To effectively monitor performance and adjust your social media strategies, it’s essential to regularly utilize the built-in analytics tools provided by each platform. Start by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, reach, and follower growth to understand the impact of social media on business. Analyze metrics like click-through and conversion rates to evaluate your campaigns and identify what resonates with your audience. Set aside time weekly or monthly to review this data, allowing you to make timely adjustments based on audience engagement patterns. Implement A/B testing for posts to experiment with different visuals and captions. Use insights from your analysis to refine your overall marketing strategies, ensuring future content aligns with audience interests and maximizes your return on investment (ROI). Foster Community Engagement and Interaction Building on the insights gained from performance monitoring, cultivating community engagement and interaction plays a key role in improving your social media presence. To effectively boost your social media marketing, consider these strategies: Engage with your audience regularly through comments, likes, and shares, as 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them. Use interactive content like polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions to increase user interaction and community involvement. Highlight user-generated content to build trust and encourage participation, since 79% of people say it influences their purchasing decisions. Maintain consistent communication by responding to messages and comments within 24 hours to promote brand loyalty and make followers feel valued. Implementing these strategies can lead to stronger community ties and improve your overall marketing efforts. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media is a strategy that suggests sharing five pieces of original content, five from other sources, and five that engage directly with your audience. This balanced approach guarantees a diverse feed, promoting both valuable information and community interaction. What Is the Best Strategy for Social Media Marketing? The best strategy for social media marketing involves aligning your goals with your target audience’s preferences. Start by defining clear objectives, like increasing engagement or generating leads. Use analytics tools to track performance metrics, such as reach and conversion rates. Customize your content for each platform, maintain consistency in posting, and engage your audience with interactive elements. Finally, regularly assess and refine your strategies based on the data collected to improve effectiveness. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media is a content strategy that suggests you allocate your posts as follows: 50% should be engaging and entertaining, 30% should provide educational or informative content, and 20% can focus on promotional messages. By following this approach, you balance audience engagement with sales, ensuring your followers receive value without feeling overwhelmed by constant promotions. This strategy can improve brand loyalty and help you measure content performance effectively. What Are the 7 P’s of Social Media Marketing? The 7 P’s of social media marketing are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical Evidence. You need to guarantee that your product meets your audience’s needs as your pricing reflects its value. Choose the right platforms for Place to effectively reach your audience. Use engaging content and targeted promotions to communicate your brand message. Consider the People involved and the Processes that support your strategy, along with the Physical Evidence of your brand presence. Conclusion By implementing these seven strategies, you can markedly improve your social media marketing efforts. Setting clear goals helps you measure success, whereas comprehending your audience guarantees your content resonates. Choosing the right platforms is vital for reaching your target demographic, and engaging content keeps them interested. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, and monitoring performance allows for necessary adjustments. Finally, cultivating community engagement builds loyalty, guaranteeing your brand remains relevant and effective in a competitive environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Social Media Marketing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

To effectively boost your social media marketing, you need to implement strategies that align with your business goals and audience preferences. Setting clear and measurable objectives is essential, as is comprehending who your audience is. Choosing the right platforms and creating engaging content will keep your brand relevant. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, whereas nurturing community engagement builds loyalty. Curious about how to integrate these elements for maximum impact? Let’s explore the details further. Key Takeaways Set SMART goals for social media marketing to ensure clarity and measurable success in your campaigns. Understand your target audience by analyzing demographics and utilizing social listening tools for insights. Choose the appropriate social media platforms based on your audience demographics and content type. Collaborate with relevant influencers to enhance brand visibility and engagement within niche markets. Foster community engagement through interactive content and consistent communication to build brand loyalty. Set Clear and Measurable Goals Setting clear and measurable goals is crucial for any successful social media marketing strategy. To effectively promote your brand, you need to set clear and measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Using the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound—can help you establish these objectives. For example, you might aim to increase Instagram followers by 20% in six months or generate a set number of leads through targeted campaigns within a quarter. Regularly reviewing your progress with tools like Google Analytics guarantees you’re on track and allows you to refine your strategies. By implementing these social media strategy services, you can make data-driven decisions that improve your marketing efforts and boost return on investment. Understand Your Target Audience To succeed in social media marketing, it’s essential to comprehend your target audience. Analyzing demographics like age, gender, location, and income level helps you tailor your messaging effectively. Utilize social media monitoring tools to gain insights into audience behavior and engagement patterns, guiding your content strategy. Creating detailed buyer personas can humanize your audience, enabling personalized communication that resonates with their needs. Furthermore, social listening tools allow you to monitor sentiment and feedback, helping you adjust your strategies in real-time. Engaging your audience through polls and open-ended questions can provide valuable direct feedback, refining your grasp of their interests and improving content relevance. Comprehending your target audience is key to enhancing your marketing effectiveness. Choose the Right Social Media Platforms Grasping your target audience lays the groundwork for selecting the right social media platforms. Choosing the right social media platforms is crucial, as different platforms cater to distinct demographics. For example, TikTok and Instagram attract younger users, whereas LinkedIn is popular among professionals aged 30 and above. Research shows that 73% of marketers find their social marketing efforts effective, underscoring why social marketing is important. Platform Best For Instagram Visual content TikTok Short, engaging videos LinkedIn Professional networking X (formerly Twitter) Concise updates and trends Create Engaging and Relevant Content Creating engaging and relevant content starts with developing clear content pillars that align with your audience’s interests and needs. Incorporating high-quality visuals and storytelling techniques can greatly boost your posts’ appeal, making them more memorable and relatable. Content Pillars Development Developing content pillars is essential for establishing a consistent and impactful social media presence, as they serve as the foundation for your messaging strategy. Start by identifying core themes that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience. This guarantees your messaging framework remains consistent across all platforms. Tailor your content formats to suit each platform; for example, use visually rich storytelling on Instagram and professional insights on LinkedIn. Create educational and entertaining content, as combining these elements is increasingly favored by consumers. Utilize audience insights and analytics tools to refine your strategies based on engagement metrics. Encourage user-generated content through campaigns that motivate your audience to share their experiences, thereby enhancing community engagement and broadening your brand’s reach. Visual and Video Appeal When you leverage visual and video content in your social media strategy, you greatly improve your ability to engage with your audience. Here are key strategies to improve your visual and video appeal: Use high-quality images, as posts with visuals receive 94% more views. Create videos, since 80% of consumers prefer watching them over reading text. Incorporate short-form videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels to capture younger audiences. Utilize storytelling in your visuals to cultivate emotional connections, boosting brand recall by 22%. Storytelling Techniques Integration Storytelling techniques are essential tools in social media marketing, allowing brands to connect with their audience in meaningful ways. By integrating storytelling techniques, you can create engaging and relevant content that resonates with consumers. For instance, incorporating user-generated stories and testimonials can promote authenticity, as 79% of consumers say this type of content influences their purchasing decisions. Moreover, visual storytelling through compelling images and videos can greatly boost engagement, with posts featuring visuals attracting 94% more views. Highlighting your brand’s values through consistent narratives can increase consumer trust by 23%. This storytelling techniques integration not only improves emotional connections but also solidifies brand identity, making your marketing efforts more effective and impactful in the long run. Collaborate With Influencers To effectively collaborate with influencers, you first need to identify those who align with your brand values and target audience. Building authentic partnerships won’t just improve credibility but additionally increase engagement through shared content. Furthermore, leveraging multi-channel strategies can maximize your reach, ensuring that your message resonates across various platforms. Identify Relevant Influencers How can you effectively identify the right influencers for your brand? As a social marketing expert, you’ll want to focus on influencers who resonate with your audience. Here are four steps to guide you: Define Your Audience: Understand who your target customers are and what they value. Use Tools: Utilize platforms like BuzzSumo or Influencity to find influencers within your niche. Analyze Engagement: Look for micro-influencers with 1,000 to 100,000 followers, as they typically have higher engagement rates. Check Authenticity: Verify the influencers share relatable content that aligns with your brand values and not just promotional messages. Build Authentic Partnerships Identifying the right influencers is just the beginning; building authentic partnerships is where the real value lies. Collaborating with influencers can greatly improve your brand’s visibility, as 82% of consumers trust social media posts from favored creators in their purchase decisions. Micro-influencers, with their smaller yet more engaged audiences, often yield better results and are a cost-effective option. Brands engaging in influencer marketing typically see an impressive return of $6.50 for every dollar spent. Authentic partnerships build trust; 61% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand endorsed by someone they follow. Moreover, utilizing influencer-generated content can enhance your brand storytelling, as 79% of consumers are swayed by user-generated content, boosting your social media presence effectively. Leverage Multi-Channel Strategies Leveraging multi-channel strategies through influencer collaborations can greatly improve your brand’s visibility and engagement. To maximize social media advertising effectiveness, consider these key points: Collaborate with influencers whose values match your brand; 70% of consumers prefer brands that align with their beliefs. Utilize micro-influencers, as they often yield 60% higher engagement rates owing to their authentic connections with niche audiences. Recognize that posts featuring influencers can generate engagement rates 2-5 times higher than traditional brand posts. Track your ROI; influencer campaigns typically return an average of $6.50 for every dollar spent, showcasing their financial potential. Monitor Performance and Adjust Strategies To effectively monitor performance and adjust your social media strategies, it’s essential to regularly utilize the built-in analytics tools provided by each platform. Start by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, reach, and follower growth to understand the impact of social media on business. Analyze metrics like click-through and conversion rates to evaluate your campaigns and identify what resonates with your audience. Set aside time weekly or monthly to review this data, allowing you to make timely adjustments based on audience engagement patterns. Implement A/B testing for posts to experiment with different visuals and captions. Use insights from your analysis to refine your overall marketing strategies, ensuring future content aligns with audience interests and maximizes your return on investment (ROI). Foster Community Engagement and Interaction Building on the insights gained from performance monitoring, cultivating community engagement and interaction plays a key role in improving your social media presence. To effectively boost your social media marketing, consider these strategies: Engage with your audience regularly through comments, likes, and shares, as 64% of consumers want brands to connect with them. Use interactive content like polls, quizzes, and open-ended questions to increase user interaction and community involvement. Highlight user-generated content to build trust and encourage participation, since 79% of people say it influences their purchasing decisions. Maintain consistent communication by responding to messages and comments within 24 hours to promote brand loyalty and make followers feel valued. Implementing these strategies can lead to stronger community ties and improve your overall marketing efforts. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media is a strategy that suggests sharing five pieces of original content, five from other sources, and five that engage directly with your audience. This balanced approach guarantees a diverse feed, promoting both valuable information and community interaction. What Is the Best Strategy for Social Media Marketing? The best strategy for social media marketing involves aligning your goals with your target audience’s preferences. Start by defining clear objectives, like increasing engagement or generating leads. Use analytics tools to track performance metrics, such as reach and conversion rates. Customize your content for each platform, maintain consistency in posting, and engage your audience with interactive elements. Finally, regularly assess and refine your strategies based on the data collected to improve effectiveness. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media is a content strategy that suggests you allocate your posts as follows: 50% should be engaging and entertaining, 30% should provide educational or informative content, and 20% can focus on promotional messages. By following this approach, you balance audience engagement with sales, ensuring your followers receive value without feeling overwhelmed by constant promotions. This strategy can improve brand loyalty and help you measure content performance effectively. What Are the 7 P’s of Social Media Marketing? The 7 P’s of social media marketing are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, People, Process, and Physical Evidence. You need to guarantee that your product meets your audience’s needs as your pricing reflects its value. Choose the right platforms for Place to effectively reach your audience. Use engaging content and targeted promotions to communicate your brand message. Consider the People involved and the Processes that support your strategy, along with the Physical Evidence of your brand presence. Conclusion By implementing these seven strategies, you can markedly improve your social media marketing efforts. Setting clear goals helps you measure success, whereas comprehending your audience guarantees your content resonates. Choosing the right platforms is vital for reaching your target demographic, and engaging content keeps them interested. Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach, and monitoring performance allows for necessary adjustments. Finally, cultivating community engagement builds loyalty, guaranteeing your brand remains relevant and effective in a competitive environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Social Media Marketing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If Domino’s earnings on Monday prove anything, it’s that people are still eating pizza—even if fast food sales, in general, are slumping. “There seems to be a narrative out there that pizza is a challenged and declining category,” Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner said in an earnings call on Monday. “That is just not true, looking back to 2019, you’ll find a category that has generally grown approximately 1-2% each year, including last year 2025.” Weiner did, however, acknowledge the market was “mature.” The pizza giant reported strong fourth-quarter earnings results, with revenue coming in at 1.54 billion, beating estimates of $1.52 billion. It also reported a 15% quarterly dividend hike, but missed earnings estimates, posting adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.35 for the fourth quarter, compared to estimates of $5.39. The Ann-Arbor based company also said its New York Style Pizza and Parmesan Stuffed Crust were massive hits in 2025. Shares of the Domino’s Pizza Inc. (DPZ) rose 6.4% in morning trading on the news, and were up 2.2% by early midday trading at the time of this writing. “In 2025 we demonstrated that when we execute our Hungry for MORE strategy it delivers MORE sales, MORE stores, and MORE profits,” Weiner also said in an earnings release. Domino’s same-store sales in the U.S. grew 3.7% for the fourth quarter—a 3% growth for fiscal 2025. In the earnings call, Domino’s chief financial officer Sandeep Reddy also mentioned how the company plans to capitalize on its competitor’s recent store closings. “We opened 25 [stores] with a massive gap against all of our competitors including the bigger national competitors,” Reddy said. “Guess what’s happened since that time? One of our national competitors has announced that they’ve had a negative same store sales in the mid single digits. And they also talked about closing a number of stores up to 250 stores in the first half of the year.” (As Fast Company previously reported, Pizza Hut has said it is closing 250 restaurants this year.) “All this plays into our strategy to continue to gain market share because we will go into that one to 2% growth in the industry with less doors outside, which we can actually take share from effectively and grab those sales,” Reddy added. Meanwhile, good news for fast food lovers: Domino’s is also expanding quite a bit. The chain reported it opened over 700 stores globally and in the U.S. last year. Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the largest pizza company in the world, with more than 22,100 stores in over 90 markets across the globe. It posted global retail sales of over $20.1 billion in 2025. The company had a market capitalization of $13.36 billion at the time of this writing. View the full article

The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The conservative-majority court agreed to take up a case from Boulder, Colorado, one of multiple lawsuits alleging the companies deceived the public about how fossil fuels contribute to climate change. Governments around the country have sought damages totaling billions of dollars, arguing it’s necessary to help pay for rebuilding after wildfires, rising sea levels and severe storms worsened by climate change. The lawsuits come amid a wave of legal actions in states including California, Hawaii and New Jersey and worldwide seeking to leverage action through the courts. The case out of Boulder County will likely have implications for those other lawsuits. Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil appealed to the Supreme Court after Colorado’s highest court let the Boulder case proceed. The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should be heard in federal court, where similar suits have been tossed out. “The use of state law to address global climate change represents a serious threat to one of our Nation’s most critical sectors,” attorneys wrote. President Donald The President‘s administration weighed in to support the companies and urge the justices to reverse the Colorado Supreme Court decision, saying it would mean “every locality in the country could sue essentially anyone in the world for contributing to global climate change.” The President, a Republican, criticized the lawsuits in an executive order, and the Justice Department has sought to head some off in court. Attorneys for Boulder had agued that the litigation is still in early stages and should stay in state court. “There is no constitutional bar to states addressing in-state harms caused by out-of-state conduct, be it the negligent design of an automobile or sale of asbestos,” they wrote. City officials said the case was about dealing with problems people are facing in Colorado. “Our case is, fundamentally, about fairness. Boulder is already experiencing the effects of a rapidly warming climate, and the financial burden of adaptation should not fall solely on local taxpayers,” said Jonathan Koehn, its climate initiatives director. The Supreme Court also asked the two sides to present arguments on whether the case is truly ready to be heard by the justices. Arguments are expected in the fall. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press View the full article

SerpApi filed a motion to dismiss Google's DMCA lawsuit, arguing the search giant lacks standing to invoke copyright law over publicly visible search results. The post SerpApi Challenges Google’s Right To Sue Over SERP Scraping appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article