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Chancellor says a deal ‘can be done’ with Washington but insists Britain will not lower food or auto standards View the full article

Join us for a powerful strategy session designed to help you stay visible, profitable, and one step ahead in 2025. The post The CMO’s Guide To Winning In AI Search With Ahrefs [Webinar] appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The US lender told the FT it was shutting its Spanish Costa del Sol office as part of a strategy to ‘simplify the firm’View the full article

Google unexpectedly decided not to implement a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies in Chrome, allowing ad tech companies to continue using this targeting technology in the world’s most popular web browser. “We’ve made the decision to maintain our current approach to offering users third-party cookie choice in Chrome, and will not be rolling out a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies,” Anthony Chavez, VP of Privacy Sandbox at Google, wrote in a blog post. Between the lines. While Google is stepping back from the cookie prompt, a third party consent mechanism first mentioned in February, it isn’t abandoning Privacy Sandbox entirely. The company plans to continue certain initiatives, including IP Protection for Chrome Incognito users, scheduled for Q3 deployment. Industry feedback prompted this change, according to Chavez: “It remains clear that there are divergent perspectives on making changes that could impact the availability of third-party cookies.” Google also noted its ongoing engagement with regulatory bodies, including UK competition and data privacy authorities. Why we care. Google’s decision not to implement a standalone cookie prompt in Chrome allows advertisers to continue using familiar third-party cookie tracking without disruption. This provides short-term stability for ad campaigns and preserves current targeting efficiency across Chrome’s dominant market share. However, advertisers should view this as a temporary reprieve rather than a permanent solution, as the broader industry shift toward privacy-first advertising hasn’t disappeared. First-party data will still be the most reliable source of truth. The big picture. Privacy Sandbox has faced criticism following its latest progress report earlier this year, which acknowledged technical challenges in its proposals, particularly for attribution. Despite active participation from companies like BidSwitch (owned by Criteo), Index Exchange, and Raptive, feedback highlighted fundamental issues: The system’s 1:1 design conflicts with ad tech’s multi-party structure. Scalability and real-time data processing remain problematic. Publishers have hesitated to fully commit, prioritizing immediate revenue through header bidding. Latency issues and limited video support have hindered adoption. What’s next. “We’ll engage with the industry to gather feedback and share an updated roadmap for these technologies, including our future areas of investment, in the coming months.” Chavez stated. Industry observers have described Privacy Sandbox as being “in limbo” as experimentation with the initiative has largely stalled. Google’s blog post. Next steps for Privacy Sandbox and tracking protections in Chrome View the full article

A bold new building at Spelman College in Atlanta is all about breaking down barriers. Designed by the architecture firm Studio Gang, the Center for Innovation and the Arts is the new home for collaboration between students of science, technology, art, and performance at the historically Black women’s liberal arts college. It will provide a new space where Spelman’s programs in dance, documentary filmmaking, photography, theater and performance, and music can tap into emerging technologies from the worlds of science and computer science. Studio Gang founder, Jeanne Gang, says the primary goals of the project were to help the college better connect its programs and events with the broader community, and to help its robust arts and science programs have more opportunity to overlap and intersect. “Our job was to make sure that there’s fluid connections between them,” Gang says. The four-story building is a mashup of labs, studios, and collaboration areas, with a publicly accessible performance hall on the ground floor, and college-only learning spaces above. There are design spaces, a recording studio, galleries, faculty offices, and a tech-filled Innovation Lab for experimentation and prototyping. All this is built around a central atrium that’s lit from above by a large skylight and either visibly or physically accessible from nearly every other space in the building. This central space, known as the Forum, is meant to be used for events, gatherings, exhibitions, and, most often, design critiques for students studying a range of creative disciplines. “Even if you’re not walking right through the middle of the crit space, you’re always circulating around it,” Gang says. “So it’s a way of giving character to this space where these interactions happen.” Giving so much of the building over to a central atrium was a decision informed by Gang’s own design school experience, as a student, as a professor, and as a seasoned designer with several university buildings in her firm’s portfolio. “People are comfortable staying in their silos,” she says. “How can you make it natural for people that are from different disciplines to interact?” That thinking extends to Spelman’s expansion beyond its campus gates. Located directly adjacent to the campus, the Center for Innovation and the Arts was intended from the start to be a way for the college to spread its impact past its historical edge. After the project had to pause for a few years during the pandemic, this aspiration felt even more relevant. Gang says that during the early research her firm did for this project, they found a smattering of small art galleries in the surrounding Westside neighborhood. By the time the project picked back up a few years ago, those had grown and more had followed. “It has really developed into a more full neighborhood,” she says. “It made sense to us for this project to be a center.” It also stands out. The 84,000-square-foot building is a large square peeking out through the neighborhood’s tree cover, and bordering on a popular public plaza. Gang says the building was designed to counter Atlanta’s heat, with its upper floors forming a shaded canopy over the ground floor, creating what she calls a “porch-like” feeling. The rest of the building is wrapped with a slitted facade of sun shades that resemble a woven basket—a notable departure from the traditional brick buildings that make up much of Spelman’s campus. The baffles are specifically tuned to block sunlight and glare from each part of the building, with a tighter weave on the south and southwest. “They’re very functional but also makes it feel more friendly,” Gang says. “It’s not a hard exterior of solid brick, and this lets it be more in the environment, breathing.” All of which helps the building foster connections with the surrounding neighborhood. But the main users will be the students of the college, and Gang says the fluidity of the spaces inside were essential elements of designing a building so focused on collaboration and innovation. “The building creates the relationships that you’re going to have with other people, other creators, and your own work,” she says, “so it’s really important to get it right.” View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader shares this story: I recently received what I believe to be a scam job offer. It seemed too good to be true, and I should have realized it was a scam, especially since I don’t remember applying for the position at the company that supposedly offered it to me. The most obvious red flag was that it seemed too good to be true, and the text in the email was clearly copied and pasted from a template. Still, in the excitement of the moment, I almost fell for it. Here’s how it went down: First email: A seemingly legitimate email from someone within the organization asked me to reply “yes” if I was interested in being considered for the position. I replied “yes,” as I have been applying for jobs almost daily for the past three weeks. It’s possible that I applied for this position and simply forgot. Given the large number of applicants applying for jobs through LinkedIn, I can understand the need for email verification. The name of the emailer and the email address appeared to be real enough, but the emailer did not list a phone number or job title, just an address (which was listed below his name and is a real address for a corporation in Wisconsin). I googled the company, and they are a legitimate organization involved in energy infrastructure. However, the emailer’s name and email address returned no search results. I then googled the emailer’s name by itself and found real people on LinkedIn with similar names, but none of them were employed by the company the emailer claimed to be working for. I reached out to these people on LinkedIn to ask if they had ever worked for the company, and those who replied said no. Second email: I received a job screening questionnaire that was way too generic to be legitimate. There was also a deadline to return the questionnaire by a certain time on the day of receipt. It took me a while to answer the questions, but I made the deadline. I also noticed that the emails sent by the emailer were usually during evening/early morning hours in the United States — certainly, non-standard workday hours for a recruiter, unless they work a third shift. I should have noticed this sooner, but I was still overly thrilled to have been offered a seemingly legitimate job, so I didn’t pay attention to the timing. Third email: After sending in the questionnaire before the deadline, I received an email during those non-working hours telling me that I had “got the job.” However, rather than offering me a salaried position, they said it would be hourly pay with weekly disbursements. This was the first red flag I noticed, as the questionnaire had listed the position as salaried, and now it was hourly. The next step was for me to forward my phone number, physical address, and full name to an HR email address, which would supposedly begin the hiring process, and I would start training immediately. The second red flag was that the email’s text was clearly a copy-paste job — too many spaces between phrases, inconsistent font, capitalization of certain words, and still no job title or phone number for the mysterious emailer. The language also seemed unprofessional for someone working at a company involved in energy infrastructure. The third red flag came when the emailer mentioned that the company would be sending me a check for work expenses and equipment. Having worked in higher education for almost 20 years, I know that reimbursement and expense processes are never that simple, especially when done over email! I was about to reply with the details requested, but I couldn’t shake the “it’s all too good to be true” feeling, especially since I had never communicated with the emailer in person, over the phone, or via Zoom. I still didn’t know their position at the company or how to contact them other than by email. I’ve never been offered a job this quickly or this easily. It just couldn’t be real. So, I replied to the third email with the following: Just a few questions before I confirm or deny the position offered: What is your official position at the company? There is no phone number listed with your email — could you please provide one so I can call you? Please provide the phone number for a human resources representative so I can verify the details you’ve provided. No response as of yet. I even called the corporate headquarters of the company they said they were from and spoke with the head of human resources, and they had no clue who the person was and no record of anybody by that name working there or at any office, and asked me to forward the emails to them so they can investigate for fraud. I now understand how this happened: I have a website that hosts my professional portfolio, resume, and projects. I also list this email address as a contact, so it wouldn’t be hard for someone to craft a scam email based on the information available on my website. I was almost fooled, but it was the small inconsistencies in the text that eventually led me to question the legitimacy of this “job offer.” The most embarrassing part of it all is that I almost fell for it. It was the small things that really added up that made me really question if it was legitimate. Me again. A couple more red flags to note, as well: If that initial email literally just asked you to reply with “yes” … that’s weird and not typical for hiring. Something like “please let us know if you’re still interested,” sure. But “send back the word ‘yes'” is pretty spammy. Offering you the job without a single interview or giving either side a chance to actually talk to each other: huge red flag. It can happen in some pretty narrow circumstances, but it’s incredibly rare for professional jobs. Thanks for sharing this! View the full article

A 25 per cent drop in sales at Kering’s biggest brand underline the huge challenge faced by Gucci’s new creative directorView the full article

Former employees of OpenAI are asking the top law enforcement officers in California and Delaware to stop the company from shifting control of its artificial intelligence technology from a nonprofit charity to a for-profit business. They’re concerned about what happens if the ChatGPT maker fulfills its ambition to build AI that outperforms humans, but is no longer accountable to its public mission to safeguard that technology from causing grievous harms. “Ultimately, I’m worried about who owns and controls this technology once it’s created,” said Page Hedley, a former policy and ethics adviser at OpenAI, in an interview with the Associated Press. Backed by three Nobel Prize winners and other advocates and experts, Hedley and nine other ex-OpenAI workers sent a letter this week to the two state attorneys general. The coalition is asking California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, both Democrats, to use their authority to protect OpenAI’s charitable purpose and block its planned restructuring. OpenAI is incorporated in Delaware and operates out of San Francisco. OpenAI said in response that “any changes to our existing structure would be in service of ensuring the broader public can benefit from AI.” It said its for-profit will be a public benefit corporation, similar to other AI labs like Anthropic and tech billionaire Elon Musk’s xAI, except that OpenAI will still preserve a nonprofit arm. “This structure will continue to ensure that as the for-profit succeeds and grows, so too does the nonprofit, enabling us to achieve the mission,” the company said in a statement. The letter is the second petition to state officials this month. The last came from a group of labor leaders and nonprofits focused on protecting OpenAI’s billions of dollars of charitable assets. Jennings said last fall she would “review any such transaction to ensure that the public’s interests are adequately protected.” Bonta’s office sought more information from OpenAI late last year but has said it can’t comment, even to confirm or deny if it is investigating. OpenAI’s cofounders, including current CEO Sam Altman and Musk, originally started it as a nonprofit research laboratory on a mission to safely build what’s known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI, for humanity’s benefit. Nearly a decade later, OpenAI has reported its market value as $300 billion and counts 400 million weekly users of ChatGPT, its flagship product. OpenAI already has a for-profit subsidiary but faces a number of challenges in converting its core governance structure. One is a lawsuit from Musk, who accuses the company and Altman of betraying the founding principles that led the Tesla CEO to invest in the charity. While some of the signatories of this week’s letter support Musk’s lawsuit, Hedley said others are “understandably cynical” because Musk also runs his own rival AI company. The signatories include two Nobel-winning economists, Oliver Hart and Joseph Stiglitz, as well as AI pioneers and computer scientists Geoffrey Hinton, who won last year’s Nobel Prize in physics, and Stuart Russell. “I like OpenAI’s mission to ‘ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity,’ and I would like them to execute that mission instead of enriching their investors,” Hinton said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m happy there is an effort to hold OpenAI to its mission that does not involve Elon Musk.” Conflicts over OpenAI’s purpose have long simmered at the San Francisco institute, contributing to Musk quitting in 2018, Altman’s short-lived ouster in 2023 and other high-profile departures. Hedley, a lawyer by training, worked for OpenAI in 2017 and 2018, a time when the nonprofit was still navigating the best ways to steward the technology it wanted to build. As recently as 2023, Altman said advanced AI held promise but also warned of extraordinary risks, from drastic accidents to societal disruptions. In recent years, however, Hedley said he watched with concern as OpenAI, buoyed by the success of ChatGPT, was increasingly cutting corners on safety testing and rushing out new products to get ahead of business competitors. “The costs of those decisions will continue to go up as the technology becomes more powerful,” he said. “I think that in the new structure that OpenAI wants, the incentives to rush to make those decisions will go up and there will no longer be anybody really who can tell them not to, tell them this is not OK.” Software engineer Anish Tondwalkar, a former member of OpenAI’s technical team until last year, said an important assurance in OpenAI’s nonprofit charter is a “stop-and-assist clause” that directs OpenAI to stand down and help if another organization is nearing the achievement of better-than-human AI. “If OpenAI is allowed to become a for-profit, these safeguards, and OpenAI’s duty to the public can vanish overnight,” Tondwalkar said in a statement Wednesday. Another former worker who signed the letter puts it more bluntly. “OpenAI may one day build technology that could get us all killed,” said Nisan Stiennon, an AI engineer who worked at OpenAI from 2018 to 2020. “It is to OpenAI’s credit that it’s controlled by a nonprofit with a duty to humanity. This duty precludes giving up that control.” The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement that allows OpenAI access to part of AP’s text archives. —Matt O’Brien, AP Technology Writer View the full article

Reputational damage to the Fed and US assets will not be easily reversed View the full article

Staff are hard to find. Change your processes. By Jody Padar The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Staff are hard to find. Change your processes. By Jody Padar The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Netflix's May slate kicks off with a new comedy miniseries starring Tina Fey and Steve Carell: The Four Seasons (May 1) is an adaptation of Alan Alda's 1981 film in which three married couples take one of their quarterly weekend getaways, on which they discover that one is about to divorce. The series also features Marco Calvani, Colman Domingo, Will Forte, Erika Henningsen, and Kerri Kenney-Silver. Also on the comedy slate is black comedy series Sirens (May 22), in which Julianne Moore plays a socialite with a cult-like life of luxury. Kevin Bacon also stars. May brings the eighth and final season of adult animated sitcom Big Mouth (May 23), which includes a long list of guest stars in addition to the main cast voiced by Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, and others. Netflix is releasing several new installments of its Untold sports documentary series in May. Untold: Shooting Guards (May 6) covers the gambling dispute that led to a locker room standoff between NBA players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton, while Untold: The Liver King (May 13) tells the story of a steroid scandal centered on fitness and "ancestral living" influencer Brian Johnson. Untold: The Fall of Favre (May 20) is an exposé on Brett Favre's controversial career. Netflix also has new sports content on F1 (F1: The Academy, May 28) and NASCAR (Full Speed, May 7). The May standup comedy lineup includes new hours from Sarah Silverman (Postmortem, May 20) and Mike Birbiglia (The Good Life, May 26) plus the coverage of Conan O'Brien's acceptance of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which took place at the Kennedy Center in March. Finally, there are a handful of drama-filled original documentaries coming to the platform, including American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (May 14), Britain and the Blitz (May 5), and Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story (May 14). Here's everything coming to Netflix in May, and everything that's leaving. What's coming to Netflix in May 2025Available soonLosmen Bu Broto: The Series—Netflix Series Lost in Starlight—Netflix Film Mad Unicorn—Netflix Series Rhythm + Flow: Poland—Netflix Series Available May 1Angi: Fake Life, True Crime—Netflix Documentary The Biggest Fan—Netflix Film The Four Seasons—Netflix Series Airport Airport '77 Airport 1975 Ali American Gangster American Graffiti Burn After Reading Constantine Crazy, Stupid, Love. Dawn of the Dead Eat Pray Love The Equalizer 2 Hanna Home The Jerk The Lego Movie Mid90s he Mule Ocean's Eleven Ocean's Thirteen Ocean's Twelve The Paper Tigers Past Lives Sisters Starship Troopers The Sugarland Express Trainwreck Trolls Twilight The Twilight Saga: New Moon The Twilight Saga: Eclipse The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Available May 2Peninsula Train to Busan Unseen: Season 2—Netflix Series Available May 4Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor—Netflix Comedy Special Available May 5Britain and The Blitz—Netflix Documentary Mighty Monsterwheelies: Season 2—Netflix Family Available May 6The Devil's Plan: Season 2—Netflix Series Untold: Shooting Guards—Netflix Sports Film Available May 7Full Speed: Season 2—Netflix Sports Series Last Bullet—Netflix Film Available May 8Blood of Zeus: Season 3 FOREVER—Netflix Series Heart Eyes Karol G: Tomorrow was Beautiful—Netflix Documentary Available May 9A Deadly American Marriage—Netflix Documentary Bad Influence—Netflix Film Nonnas—Netflix Film The Royals—Netflix Series Available May 11ABBA: Against the Odds Available May 12Tastefully Yours—Netflix Series Available May 13All American: Season 7 Bad Thoughts—Netflix Series Untold: The Liver King—Netflix Sports Film Available May 14American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden—Netflix Documentary Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story—Netflix Documentary Married at First Sight: Season 17 Smile Snakes and Ladders—Netflix Series Available May 15Bet—Netflix Series Love, Death & Robots: Volume 4—Netflix Series Franklin—Netflix Series Pernille: Season 5—Netflix Series Secrets We Keep—Netflix Series Thank You, Next: Season 2—Netflix Series Vini Jr.—Netflix Documentary Available May 16Dear Hongrang—Netflix Series Football Parents—Netflix Series The Quilters—Netflix Documentary Rotten Legacy—Netflix Series Available May 20Sarah Silverman: Postmortem—Netflix Comedy Special Untold: The Fall of Favre—Netflix Sports Film Available May 21Newly Rich, Newly Poor—Netflix Series Real Men—Netflix Series Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark—Netflix Series The UnXplained with William Shatner: Season 6 Available May 22Sirens—Netflix Series Tyler Perry’s She The People—Netflix Series Available May 23Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds—Netflix Documentary Big Mouth: Season 8—Netflix Series Fear Street: Prom Queen—Netflix Film Forget You Not—Netflix Series Off Track 2—Netflix Film Available May 24Our Unwritten Seoul—Netflix Series The Wild Robot Available May 26CoComelon: Season 13—Netflix Family Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders—Netflix Documentary Mike Birbiglia: The Good Life—Netflix Comedy Special Available May 28F1: The Academy—Netflix Sports Series Available May 29Dept. Q—Netflix Series Available May 30A Widow's Game—Netflix Film The Heart Knows—Netflix Film Available May 31Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event—Netflix Live Event What's leaving Netflix in May 2025Leaving May 1About Time Annie Apollo 13 Blade Runner: The Final Cut Dallas Buyers Club Definitely, Maybe Erin Brockovich Europa Report The Flintstones Friday The Frozen Ground Fury King Kong Maid in Manhattan Next Friday Notting Hill Out of Africa Pompeii Public Enemies Queen & Slim Schindler's List Spider-Man Spider-Man 2 Spider-Man 3 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse This Is 40 Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All by Myself Waterworld Wedding Crashers The Whale Whiplash The Wiz You, Me and Dupree Leaving May 4Insidious: The Red Door Leaving May 5The Peanut Butter Falcon Leaving May 9The Lost City Resident Evil: Death Island Leaving May 10Rambo Rambo: Last Blood Leaving May 15The Clovehitch Killer Crossroads Madam Secretary: Seasons 1-6 Leaving May 16The Sum of All Fears Tully Leaving May 19A Simple Favor Leaving May 28Burnt Leaving May 29The Silencing View the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Adriana Kugler said tighter monetary policy has proved to be less impactful on nonbank lenders during the post-pandemic era. View the full article

Key Takeaways Growing Market: The waxing franchise industry is a lucrative opportunity, driven by increasing demand for personal grooming services and self-care.Franchise Benefits: Joining a waxing franchise provides advantages like brand recognition, operational support, targeted training, and exclusive territories that enhance business success.Investment Requirements: Initial investments for waxing franchises vary, often ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with franchise fees typically between $20,000 and $50,000.Key Steps to Launch: Success involves thorough research, understanding the franchise disclosure document, securing financing, choosing the right location, and attending franchise training.Effective Marketing Strategies: Utilize targeted marketing, social media, local SEO, and community engagement to attract customers and enhance brand visibility.Quality and Satisfaction: Maintaining high service standards and soliciting customer feedback are crucial for ensuring satisfaction and fostering long-term client relationships. Are you looking to dive into a booming business opportunity? The waxing franchise industry might just be your ticket to success. With a growing demand for personal grooming services, more entrepreneurs are turning to waxing franchises to capitalize on this trend. Owning a waxing franchise not only offers a chance to tap into a lucrative market but also allows you to provide essential services that boost confidence and enhance beauty. As people increasingly prioritize self-care, investing in a waxing franchise can be a rewarding venture both financially and personally. Overview Of Waxing Franchise The waxing franchise industry presents a promising business opportunity for small business owners. As personal grooming continues to rise in popularity, becoming a franchisee in this sector offers both financial potential and the chance to provide valuable services. What Is A Waxing Franchise? A waxing franchise is a business model where a franchisee operates a waxing salon under a franchisor’s established brand. In this arrangement, you benefit from the franchisor’s support, brand recognition, and proven operational systems. This franchise system allows you to provide hair removal services while leveraging marketing strategies and business protocols designed for success. Benefits Of Joining A Waxing Franchise Joining a waxing franchise comes with numerous benefits: Brand Recognition: You gain immediate access to a recognized brand, attracting customers who trust established names in personal care. Franchise Support: You receive ongoing assistance from the franchisor, including training, operational manuals, and marketing strategies. Franchise Training: The franchisor typically offers targeted training programs, ensuring you and your staff understand the best practices for service delivery and customer satisfaction. Exclusive Territory: Many franchisors provide an exclusive territory, reducing competition and enhancing your market position. Franchise Marketing: You leverage the franchisor’s marketing expertise, helping attract and retain customers without developing strategies from scratch. With these advantages, a waxing franchise positions you for success in a thriving industry. Popular Waxing Franchises The waxing franchise industry features a variety of successful business models that appeal to aspiring franchisees. Understanding these franchises can enhance your knowledge about potential investment opportunities in this growing market. Top Waxing Franchises In The Market European Wax Center Franchising Since: 2006 Locations: Over 888 in the USA, more than 893 globally. Initial Investment: $397,000 to $555,000. Franchise Fee: $45,000. Royalty Fee: 6.00%. Services: Provides various waxing services alongside a line of skincare, body, and brow products. Waxing the City Franchising Since: 2010 Locations: Over 133 in the USA. Initial Investment: $311,000 to $541,000. Franchise Fee: $42,500. Services: Offers exclusive waxes like “Cera Naranja” and “Cerasuave Yellow,” as well as body waxing and eyebrow treatments. Radiant Waxing Franchising Since: 2013 (formerly LunchboxWax). Locations: 64 in the USA. Comparison Of Services Offered Franchise Name Waxing Services Offered Skincare Products Additional Services European Wax Center Full body waxing, brow and bikini waxing Body and brow products Skincare treatments Waxing the City Body waxing, eyebrow treatments, exclusive waxes Extensive line Specialty products and treatments Radiant Waxing Body waxing Not specified Focus on customer experience and training Each franchise model offers unique services that cater to different customer needs. Evaluating these options helps you determine which franchise opportunity aligns with your goals, provides brand recognition, and supports your journey toward financial success in the waxing business. Starting A Waxing Franchise Starting a waxing franchise combines a strong business model with the benefits of brand recognition and support from a franchisor. Investing in this franchise opportunity allows you to tap into the growing personal grooming market while benefiting from an established franchise network. Investment Costs And Funding Options Investment costs for opening a waxing franchise can vary based on the brand and location. For instance, a Waxing The City franchise demands a total investment between $311,000 and $541,000, which includes the initial franchise fee of $42,500, along with expenses for leasehold improvements, equipment, and marketing. General estimates for other waxing franchises range from $100,000 to $500,000, where initial franchise fees typically fall between $20,000 and $50,000. Funding options are available to assist in covering these initial investment costs: Small Business Loans: Traditional loans or those from the Small Business Administration (SBA) provide avenues for financing startup expenses. Essential Steps To Launch A Waxing Franchise Launching a waxing franchise involves several essential steps to ensure compliance and success: Research: Conduct thorough franchise research, exploring different franchise models and their unique offerings. Identify brands like European Wax Center and Radiant Waxing that fit your business goals. Review Franchise Disclosure Document: Carefully review the franchise disclosure document, which provides critical information about fees, obligations, and the franchise system. Seek Franchise Financing: Evaluate and secure financing options that suit your budget and objectives. Explore loan opportunities through banks or SBA. Select Your Location: Perform a location analysis to identify the best territory for your franchise. Strong foot traffic and demographics play crucial roles in success. Complete the Franchise Agreement: Finalize and sign the franchise agreement, understanding the royalty fees and terms of operation. Attend Franchise Training: Participate in franchise training to familiarize yourself with franchise operations, customer service standards, and marketing strategies provided by the franchisor. Launch Marketing Initiatives: Develop a franchise marketing plan that aligns with the brand’s guidelines, promoting your new waxing salon effectively to your target audience. By following these steps, you position your waxing franchise for growth and profitability while adhering to brand standards and maximizing opportunities in the franchise industry. Success Tips For Waxing Franchise Owners Success in the waxing franchise industry hinges on several strategic elements. Focus on these key areas to enhance your franchise operations. Marketing Strategies For Your Franchise Implement a targeted franchise marketing strategy that aligns with your brand identity. Utilize social media platforms to promote special offers, customer testimonials, and educational content about waxing benefits. Leverage local SEO to enhance online visibility for your salon in the designated exclusive territory. Attend franchise expos and community events to build brand recognition and foster relationships. Consider email marketing for reaching existing customers with promotions and updates, ensuring they remain engaged with your franchise. Maintaining Quality And Customer Satisfaction Prioritize maintaining high standards for service quality to ensure customer satisfaction. Regularly review the franchise operations manual for the latest procedures and customer service protocols. Provide ongoing franchise training for your staff to ensure consistency and professionalism in client interactions. Solicit feedback through customer surveys to identify areas for improvement, reinforcing a culture of excellence. Adhere to franchise compliance guidelines to uphold the franchisor’s brand reputation, crucial for client retention and franchise growth. Conclusion Investing in a waxing franchise offers a unique opportunity to tap into the booming personal grooming market. With the right franchise model you can enjoy brand recognition and ongoing support that sets you up for success. By focusing on quality service and effective marketing strategies you’ll not only attract customers but also build a loyal client base. The combination of financial potential and personal fulfillment makes this venture an appealing choice for aspiring entrepreneurs. As you consider this path remember that thorough research and strategic planning are key to thriving in the waxing industry. Embrace the journey and watch your business flourish. Frequently Asked Questions What is a waxing franchise? A waxing franchise is a business model where an individual (the franchisee) operates a waxing salon under a franchisor’s established brand. This arrangement provides brand recognition, training, and support, making it easier for franchisees to succeed in the growing personal grooming market. Why invest in a waxing franchise? Investing in a waxing franchise offers a promising financial opportunity due to the increasing demand for personal grooming services. Franchisees benefit from established brands, support, and marketing strategies that enhance their chances for success while contributing to clients’ self-care and confidence. What are the costs associated with opening a waxing franchise? The initial investment costs for opening a waxing franchise can range from $100,000 to $541,000. These costs depend on factors like the brand, location, and required equipment. It’s essential to review the franchise disclosure document for detailed financial expectations. What financing options are available for a waxing franchise? Aspiring franchisees can explore various financing options, including small business loans, personal savings, and investment partners. It’s crucial to assess both personal finances and potential funding sources to secure adequate capital for starting the franchise. What are some popular waxing franchises? Popular waxing franchises include European Wax Center, Waxing the City, and Radiant Waxing. Each brand offers unique services, franchise fees, and investment costs, helping potential franchisees choose opportunities that align with their goals and market needs. How can I ensure success in my waxing franchise? To succeed in a waxing franchise, focus on targeted marketing strategies, maintain high service quality, and prioritize customer satisfaction. Ongoing staff training, community engagement, and adherence to franchise standards are vital in building a loyal customer base and brand reputation. What steps should I follow to start a waxing franchise? Starting a waxing franchise involves several key steps: conduct thorough research, review the franchise disclosure document, secure financing, choose a prime location, complete the franchise agreement, attend training, and launch marketing initiatives to attract clients. Image Via Envato This article, "Unlocking Success: The Benefits of Investing in a Waxing Franchise Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Growing Market: The waxing franchise industry is a lucrative opportunity, driven by increasing demand for personal grooming services and self-care.Franchise Benefits: Joining a waxing franchise provides advantages like brand recognition, operational support, targeted training, and exclusive territories that enhance business success.Investment Requirements: Initial investments for waxing franchises vary, often ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with franchise fees typically between $20,000 and $50,000.Key Steps to Launch: Success involves thorough research, understanding the franchise disclosure document, securing financing, choosing the right location, and attending franchise training.Effective Marketing Strategies: Utilize targeted marketing, social media, local SEO, and community engagement to attract customers and enhance brand visibility.Quality and Satisfaction: Maintaining high service standards and soliciting customer feedback are crucial for ensuring satisfaction and fostering long-term client relationships. Are you looking to dive into a booming business opportunity? The waxing franchise industry might just be your ticket to success. With a growing demand for personal grooming services, more entrepreneurs are turning to waxing franchises to capitalize on this trend. Owning a waxing franchise not only offers a chance to tap into a lucrative market but also allows you to provide essential services that boost confidence and enhance beauty. As people increasingly prioritize self-care, investing in a waxing franchise can be a rewarding venture both financially and personally. Overview Of Waxing Franchise The waxing franchise industry presents a promising business opportunity for small business owners. As personal grooming continues to rise in popularity, becoming a franchisee in this sector offers both financial potential and the chance to provide valuable services. What Is A Waxing Franchise? A waxing franchise is a business model where a franchisee operates a waxing salon under a franchisor’s established brand. In this arrangement, you benefit from the franchisor’s support, brand recognition, and proven operational systems. This franchise system allows you to provide hair removal services while leveraging marketing strategies and business protocols designed for success. Benefits Of Joining A Waxing Franchise Joining a waxing franchise comes with numerous benefits: Brand Recognition: You gain immediate access to a recognized brand, attracting customers who trust established names in personal care. Franchise Support: You receive ongoing assistance from the franchisor, including training, operational manuals, and marketing strategies. Franchise Training: The franchisor typically offers targeted training programs, ensuring you and your staff understand the best practices for service delivery and customer satisfaction. Exclusive Territory: Many franchisors provide an exclusive territory, reducing competition and enhancing your market position. Franchise Marketing: You leverage the franchisor’s marketing expertise, helping attract and retain customers without developing strategies from scratch. With these advantages, a waxing franchise positions you for success in a thriving industry. Popular Waxing Franchises The waxing franchise industry features a variety of successful business models that appeal to aspiring franchisees. Understanding these franchises can enhance your knowledge about potential investment opportunities in this growing market. Top Waxing Franchises In The Market European Wax Center Franchising Since: 2006 Locations: Over 888 in the USA, more than 893 globally. Initial Investment: $397,000 to $555,000. Franchise Fee: $45,000. Royalty Fee: 6.00%. Services: Provides various waxing services alongside a line of skincare, body, and brow products. Waxing the City Franchising Since: 2010 Locations: Over 133 in the USA. Initial Investment: $311,000 to $541,000. Franchise Fee: $42,500. Services: Offers exclusive waxes like “Cera Naranja” and “Cerasuave Yellow,” as well as body waxing and eyebrow treatments. Radiant Waxing Franchising Since: 2013 (formerly LunchboxWax). Locations: 64 in the USA. Comparison Of Services Offered Franchise Name Waxing Services Offered Skincare Products Additional Services European Wax Center Full body waxing, brow and bikini waxing Body and brow products Skincare treatments Waxing the City Body waxing, eyebrow treatments, exclusive waxes Extensive line Specialty products and treatments Radiant Waxing Body waxing Not specified Focus on customer experience and training Each franchise model offers unique services that cater to different customer needs. Evaluating these options helps you determine which franchise opportunity aligns with your goals, provides brand recognition, and supports your journey toward financial success in the waxing business. Starting A Waxing Franchise Starting a waxing franchise combines a strong business model with the benefits of brand recognition and support from a franchisor. Investing in this franchise opportunity allows you to tap into the growing personal grooming market while benefiting from an established franchise network. Investment Costs And Funding Options Investment costs for opening a waxing franchise can vary based on the brand and location. For instance, a Waxing The City franchise demands a total investment between $311,000 and $541,000, which includes the initial franchise fee of $42,500, along with expenses for leasehold improvements, equipment, and marketing. General estimates for other waxing franchises range from $100,000 to $500,000, where initial franchise fees typically fall between $20,000 and $50,000. Funding options are available to assist in covering these initial investment costs: Small Business Loans: Traditional loans or those from the Small Business Administration (SBA) provide avenues for financing startup expenses. Essential Steps To Launch A Waxing Franchise Launching a waxing franchise involves several essential steps to ensure compliance and success: Research: Conduct thorough franchise research, exploring different franchise models and their unique offerings. Identify brands like European Wax Center and Radiant Waxing that fit your business goals. Review Franchise Disclosure Document: Carefully review the franchise disclosure document, which provides critical information about fees, obligations, and the franchise system. Seek Franchise Financing: Evaluate and secure financing options that suit your budget and objectives. Explore loan opportunities through banks or SBA. Select Your Location: Perform a location analysis to identify the best territory for your franchise. Strong foot traffic and demographics play crucial roles in success. Complete the Franchise Agreement: Finalize and sign the franchise agreement, understanding the royalty fees and terms of operation. Attend Franchise Training: Participate in franchise training to familiarize yourself with franchise operations, customer service standards, and marketing strategies provided by the franchisor. Launch Marketing Initiatives: Develop a franchise marketing plan that aligns with the brand’s guidelines, promoting your new waxing salon effectively to your target audience. By following these steps, you position your waxing franchise for growth and profitability while adhering to brand standards and maximizing opportunities in the franchise industry. Success Tips For Waxing Franchise Owners Success in the waxing franchise industry hinges on several strategic elements. Focus on these key areas to enhance your franchise operations. Marketing Strategies For Your Franchise Implement a targeted franchise marketing strategy that aligns with your brand identity. Utilize social media platforms to promote special offers, customer testimonials, and educational content about waxing benefits. Leverage local SEO to enhance online visibility for your salon in the designated exclusive territory. Attend franchise expos and community events to build brand recognition and foster relationships. Consider email marketing for reaching existing customers with promotions and updates, ensuring they remain engaged with your franchise. Maintaining Quality And Customer Satisfaction Prioritize maintaining high standards for service quality to ensure customer satisfaction. Regularly review the franchise operations manual for the latest procedures and customer service protocols. Provide ongoing franchise training for your staff to ensure consistency and professionalism in client interactions. Solicit feedback through customer surveys to identify areas for improvement, reinforcing a culture of excellence. Adhere to franchise compliance guidelines to uphold the franchisor’s brand reputation, crucial for client retention and franchise growth. Conclusion Investing in a waxing franchise offers a unique opportunity to tap into the booming personal grooming market. With the right franchise model you can enjoy brand recognition and ongoing support that sets you up for success. By focusing on quality service and effective marketing strategies you’ll not only attract customers but also build a loyal client base. The combination of financial potential and personal fulfillment makes this venture an appealing choice for aspiring entrepreneurs. As you consider this path remember that thorough research and strategic planning are key to thriving in the waxing industry. Embrace the journey and watch your business flourish. Frequently Asked Questions What is a waxing franchise? A waxing franchise is a business model where an individual (the franchisee) operates a waxing salon under a franchisor’s established brand. This arrangement provides brand recognition, training, and support, making it easier for franchisees to succeed in the growing personal grooming market. Why invest in a waxing franchise? Investing in a waxing franchise offers a promising financial opportunity due to the increasing demand for personal grooming services. Franchisees benefit from established brands, support, and marketing strategies that enhance their chances for success while contributing to clients’ self-care and confidence. What are the costs associated with opening a waxing franchise? The initial investment costs for opening a waxing franchise can range from $100,000 to $541,000. These costs depend on factors like the brand, location, and required equipment. It’s essential to review the franchise disclosure document for detailed financial expectations. What financing options are available for a waxing franchise? Aspiring franchisees can explore various financing options, including small business loans, personal savings, and investment partners. It’s crucial to assess both personal finances and potential funding sources to secure adequate capital for starting the franchise. What are some popular waxing franchises? Popular waxing franchises include European Wax Center, Waxing the City, and Radiant Waxing. Each brand offers unique services, franchise fees, and investment costs, helping potential franchisees choose opportunities that align with their goals and market needs. How can I ensure success in my waxing franchise? To succeed in a waxing franchise, focus on targeted marketing strategies, maintain high service quality, and prioritize customer satisfaction. Ongoing staff training, community engagement, and adherence to franchise standards are vital in building a loyal customer base and brand reputation. What steps should I follow to start a waxing franchise? Starting a waxing franchise involves several key steps: conduct thorough research, review the franchise disclosure document, secure financing, choose a prime location, complete the franchise agreement, attend training, and launch marketing initiatives to attract clients. Image Via Envato This article, "Unlocking Success: The Benefits of Investing in a Waxing Franchise Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I love Kindle e-readers, and have been using them since the first Kindle Paperwhite came out in 2012. One thing I've been looking forward to since I first had one in my hands is the color version. It finally came out in November with the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition, which is on sale for $224.99 (originally $279.99), the lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-tracking tools. Right now, you can also get it with three months of free Kindle Unlimited (it'll auto-renew unless you cancel it), and if you're a Prime Member, you can fill it up with some free e-books. Here's what you can expect from the Colorsoft. Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition (32 GB) $279.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $279.99 at Amazon The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is exactly what it sounds like: It's a Kindle e-reader with color. It's essentially the same hardware and design as the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, with the same dimensions, weight, and 32GB of storage. It also has the same features, like the automatically adjusting front light, the IPX8 rating waterproof rating, wireless charging, and an ad-free lock screen that either shows the cover for the book you're reading, or generic wallpapers. The battery life is shorter than a Paperwhite, with eight weeks compared to 12, but still plenty for most people. The seven-inch color E Ink display seems to be the industry standard 300 pixels per inch (ppi) for black-and-white content and 150ppi for color, according to PCMag's review. If you love reading comics, this is where the Colorsoft Signature Edition shines. The colors look like printed newspaper quality, and there's a feature that provides a close-up of each comic panel so you can enjoy the art and read it without having to zoom in. Although the screen doesn't get too bright (94 nits of brightness), the screen does a good job at deflecting glare. The auto light adjuster is nice if you're coming indoors and outdoors a lot. I personally love the warm and cool front-light settings, as I like to read at night and not stress my eyes before bed. Considering it's only $25 more to upgrade from the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition to the color version, it makes it a great deal for anyone who needs a bit more color in their life. View the full article

Anjan Roy was studying with friends at Missouri State University when he got an email that turned his world upside down. His legal status as an international student had been terminated, and he was suddenly at risk for deportation. “I was in literal shock, like, what the hell is this?” said Roy, a graduate student in computer science from Bangladesh. At first, he avoided going out in public, skipping classes and mostly keeping his phone turned off. A court ruling in his favor led to his status being restored this week, and he has returned to his apartment, but he is still asking his roommates to screen visitors. More than a thousand international students have faced similar disruptions in recent weeks, with their academic careers—and their lives in the U.S.—thrown into doubt in a widespread crackdown by the The President administration. Some have found a measure of success in court, with federal judges around the country issuing orders to restore students’ legal status at least temporarily. In addition to the case filed in Atlanta, where Roy is among 133 plaintiffs, judges have issued temporary restraining orders in states including New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Judges have denied similar requests in some other cases, saying it was not clear the loss of status would cause irreparable harm. International students challenge grounds for their status revocation Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month the State Department was revoking visas held by visitors who were acting counter to national interests, including some who protested Israel’s war in Gaza and those who face criminal charges. But many affected students said they have been involved only in minor infractions, or it’s unclear altogether why they were targeted. The attorney for Roy and his fellow plaintiffs, Charles Kuck, argued the government did not have legal grounds to terminate the students’ status. He speculated in court last week the government is trying to encourage these students to self-deport, saying “the pressure on these students is overwhelming.” He said some asked him if it was safe to leave their homes to get food, and others worried they wouldn’t receive a degree after years of work or feared their chances of a career in the U.S. were shot. “I think the hope is they’ll just leave,” Kuck said. “The reality is these kids are invested.” An attorney for the government, R. David Powell, argued the students did not suffer significant harm because they could transfer their academic credits or find jobs in another country. At least 1,100 students at 174 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records. The AP is working to confirm reports of hundreds more students who are caught up in the crackdown. In a lawsuit filed Monday by four people on student visas at the University of Iowa, attorneys detail the “mental and financial suffering” they’ve experienced. One graduate student, from India, “cannot sleep and is having difficulty breathing and eating,” the lawsuit reads. He has stopped going to school, doing research or working as a teaching assistant. Another student, a Chinese undergraduate who expected to graduate this December, said his revoked status has caused his depression to worsen to the point that his doctor increased his medication dosage. The student, the lawsuit says, has not left his apartment out of fear of detention. Tiny infractions made students targets for the crackdown Roy, 23, began his academic career at Missouri State in August 2024 as an undergraduate computer science student. He was active in the chess club and a fraternity and has a broad circle of friends. After graduating in December, he began work on a master’s degree in January and expects to finish in May 2026. When Roy received the university’s April 10 email on his status termination, one of his friends offered to skip class to go with him to the school’s international services office, even though they had a quiz in 45 minutes. The staff there said a database check showed his student status had been terminated, but they didn’t know why. Roy said his only brush with the law came in 2021, when he was questioned by campus security after someone called in a dispute at a university housing building. But he said an officer determined there was no evidence of any crime and no charges were filed. Roy also got an email from the U.S. embassy in Bangladesh telling him his visa had been revoked and that he could be detained at any time. It warned that if he was deported, he could be sent to a country other than his own. Roy thought about leaving the U.S. but decided to stay after talking to a lawyer. Anxious about being in his own apartment, Roy went to stay with his second cousin and her husband nearby. “They were scared someone was going to pick me up from the street and take me somewhere that they wouldn’t even know,” Roy said. He mostly stayed inside, turned off his phone unless he needed to use it, and avoided internet browsers that track user data through cookies. His professors were understanding when he told them he wouldn’t be able to come to classes for a while, he said. New doubts about students’ future in the U.S. After the judge’s order Friday, he moved back to his apartment. He learned Tuesday his status had been restored, and he plans to return to class. But he’s still nervous. He asked his two roommates, both international students, to let him know before they open the door if someone they don’t know knocks. The judge’s restoration of his legal status is temporary. Another hearing scheduled for Thursday will determine whether he keeps that status while the litigation continues. Roy chose the U.S. over other options in Canada and Australia because of the research opportunities and potential for professional connections, and he ultimately wanted to teach at an American university. But now those plans are up in the air. His parents, back in Dhaka, have been watching the news and are “freaked out,” he said. His father mentioned to him that they have family in Melbourne, Australia, including a cousin who’s an assistant professor at a university there. _ AP reporters Christopher L. Keller in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, contributed to this story. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Kate Brumback, Associated Press View the full article

Long-maturity Treasury yields tumbled Wednesday as part of a broader rally in dollar-denominated risk assets, after US President Donald The President said he wasn't inclined to fire the head of the Federal Reserve and suggested tariffs on Chinese imports could drop. View the full article

I create video content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn, so I’m always looking for new tools to make the process smoother — and I may just have found my new favorite. Instagram has just launched their brand-new video editing app, Edits by Instagram, and it’s already way surpassed my expectations. If you’ve ever tried to edit a reel with Instagram’s native video editing tools, you’ll know why I was a bit skeptical. Optimistic, but skeptical. But Edits has not disappointed. The new app is lightyears ahead of Instagram’s built-in editing capabilities — which makes sense, given that this new app is meant to rival CapCut, the Swiss Army knife of video editing tools. Edits is sleek, powerful, and surprisingly easy to use. I suspect that anyone creating content on mobile will really enjoy this (completely free!) app — whether you’re a video veteran or just starting out. After some serious hands-on time with Edits by Instagram, here’s my everything guide, from getting started to tips and tricks to take you to the next level. How to use Instagram Edits: The basicsBefore we get into the tips, here’s a quick crash course in using Edits. Step 1: Download + sign inHead to the **App Store or Google Play**, search for “Instagram Edits,” and download the app. Then, log in using your Instagram account — no new profile is needed. Step 2: Create a projectOnce you’re in, you can either record directly in the app (up to 10 minutes of footage) or upload existing clips from your camera roll. Handy if you’re editing on the go or batch-shooting for later. To add media from your camera roll, tap the ‘+’ button on the bottom right of the app.To record your own footage right in Edits, tap the ‘record’ button on the bottom menu bar.⚡️ Pro tip: If you plan to record new clips and use footage from your camera roll, start by adding the footage first. You can record directly in the editor, too. Step 3: Edit with the timelineNifty new features aside, the basics are where things are vastly improved from Instagram’s built-in editing tools — no more fiddly dragging and fumbling fingers. The frame-accurate timeline lets you trim, split, rearrange, and sync your clips with precision. To zoom in on the timeline and get ultra-precise, pinch your fingers together. Pull them apart to zoom out.To reorder your clips, tap and hold on the one you want to move. Keep holding while you drop it into position.Here’s a quick overview of all the changes you can make to your clips in the timeline (tap on the clip you want to edit to highlight it, and these options will appear): Split: Cut your clip at a specific point in the timelineVolume: Adjust or mute the soundAdjust: Play around with brightness, contrast, warmth, etc.Speed: Slow the clip down or speed it up (up to 10x speed).Delete: Remove the clip from the timeline (don't worry, there’s a handy ‘undo’ arrow above the timeline).Filters: Choose from a range of filters (including a few IG OG’s like ‘Paris’ and ‘Jakarta’).Green screen: This opens your camera roll and removes your background, so you can record yourself over the footage already in your timeline. (More on this below.)Effects: Apply a handful of interesting effects, from zooms to strobe lights.Voice FX: Apply an effect to spoken audio from squeaky ‘Helium’ to creepy ‘Alien.’Extract audio: Detach the audio from a clip.Mirror: Flip the footage vertically.Replace: Swap the clip out with another one (maintaining the length).Slip: A handy way to select another moment from a clip.Duplicate: Add an exact copy of a clip to the timeline.⚡️ Pro tip: Don’t miss checking out the filters. There are some really lovely, subtle ones that enhance your footage rather than make it look weird. Step 4: Add effects, text, and audioBeyond the fundamental edits, there are some really fun features in Edits that will help elevate your video. To access these options, make sure that no footage is selected on your timeline: Audio: Add sounds from within the Instagram app (any audio you’ve saved on Instagram will appear here, too).Text: Add text to your video. More on this below.Voice: Record a voiceover.Captions: Automatically detect captions.Overlay: Add an image or clip over the footage already in your timeline.Sound FX: Add fun sound effects. More on this below.Cutout: Add a portion of an image or clip as an overlay. More on this below, too.Sticker: It wouldn’t be Instagram without stickers, would it? Add some beloved and new sticker designs and GIFs.Step 5: Export + post anywhereOnce you’re happy with the result, export in high-quality, watermark-free format (up to 4K!) — perfect for posting to Instagram, or any other short-form video platforms. The video will save to your camera roll, and you’ll also be prompted to post directly on Instagram or Facebook. 7 Instagram Edits tips and tricks to help you level up your next videoEdits is not Instagram — there’s so much more you can do here than you would be able to in the social media platform’s own, basic editing tools. Here are some ways you can get the most out of the new app: 1. Save ideas and inspirationIf you’re anything like me, you get your best ideas while anywhere but your desk — so having a place to store them all on the go is really handy. With Edits, you can save ideas as cute sticky notes inside the app by tapping the sticky note icon on the bottom left. To create a new note, tap the ‘+’ icon on the bottom right. Here, you’ll also find all your saved reels from Instagram by tapping the ‘Saved’ button at the top, as well as your Instagram collections. ⚡️ Pro tip: Get into the habit of saving any reels that feature audio you’d like to use on Instagram. They’ll appear right in your Edits app, complete with a ‘Use audio’ button that automatically creates a new project with that audio already on the timeline. 2. Experiment with new fontsIf you’re a little tired of Instagram’s native fonts, you’ll be delighted to hear that Modern, Classic, Typewriter, and co. are far from the only options. There are around 50 new fonts to experiment with in the app, all helpfully organized into categories like ‘Simple,’ ‘Bold,’ and ‘Handwritten.’ Each font can be customized, too, with scores of fun animations, styles (also animated), and background options to play with. Discovering aesthetic combinations is one of my favorite new Edits features. There are enough fonts for you to really experiment, but not so many that it becomes overwhelming (I’m talking to you, CapCut). 3. Use the green screen for low-edit winsAdding a talking head overlay is one of the best ways to explain something on video — but the editing can be really, really fiddly. The only tool to have really made this simple is TikTok, but as seasoned creators will know, it’s best not to upload videos made in TikTok to Instagram (unless you’re comfortable removing the watermark). Enter Edits: The app has made recording off-the-cuff green screen videos really smooth. To do so, add your background footage or image to a new project first, then tap the green screen button underneath the timeline (pictured above). You can play around with the placement and size of your green screen overlay by pinching your fingers and dragging it around. As you record, the background video will play, so you can actually see what you’re talking about as you film. The only drawback to this approach is that there is no way to edit the green screen recording once you’re done, but I found I rather liked the simplicity of this. Cutting and moving green screen footage around can often make more of a mess than whatever you’re trying to clean up. Of course, there is a way to record an editable green screen — though you won’t see your background footage as you film. You’ll just need to use your regular phone camera to film the green screen clip, then use the cutout feature, below. 4. Get creative with cutoutsThis might just be my favorite Edit’s feature — it just has so much potential for some really creative, well, edits. Cutout lets you add a portion of another clip or image over another. You can manually choose what part of the media you want, or Edits chooses it automatically. Here’s how it auto-selected this cutout: I was able to layer several of the same clip on top of each other with this feature, having my daughter appear three times in the same scene. All that said, my hope was that this feature would allow me to layer cutouts over text (a bit like I’ve done in this video, which took ages of fiddly work on CapCut desktop). But, a bit frustratingly, you can’t add a cutout over text in Edits right now. It will always appear on top of all the elements in your timeline. Here’s hoping the Instagram team adds this soon! 🤞 5. Don’t be shy with sound effectsOne of my favorite hacks for elevating a video from good to scroll-stopping is to add sound effects. But many video editors don’t have these built in, and those that do (CapCut again) always seem to be oddly named, so it’s difficult to find what you’re after. Not only does Edits have its own sound effects you can add right in the app — there are around 50 here too — they’re also organized into neat categories and feature their own icons. Easy to find exactly what you need at a glance. To use sound effects to their best advantage, I like to add things like bubble pops or clicks when text appears on screen, or even subtle swooshes for rapid transitions. 6. Scroll through trends to get inspiredFinding fun formats and trending audio on Instagram can be a little tricky — you have to rely on the algorithm, hoping to stumble on something that will work for you. But Edits pulls them right into their native video tab. It’s your reels feed, but only with trending videos. Tap on the video icon at the bottom left of the app to navigate there, and get scrolling. When you find an audio you like, you can even tap the ‘Use audio’ button to open a new project with that audio already on the timeline. 7. Let insights guide your next moveEdits has made it even easier to learn from your Instagram analytics by bringing them right into the app. Tapping the graph icon on the bottom right of Edits will open real-time Insights for all your reels for the last 7-60 days. Tapping on one will open up in-depth metrics, including some interesting ones exclusive to the Edits experience (like skip rate, like rate, and share rate). There’s even a retention graph that shows you when your viewers started dropping off the video (helping you pinpoint what works and what makes your audience lose interest. If you’re an Instagram creator, Edits is a no-brainerEdits brings your entire video process — ideas, filming, editing, exporting — into one intuitive, creator-first space. There are new features coming soon, too, like: Key frames: Pinpoint exact moments for adjustments to your video's timing, motion and effects.Modify: Change the look and feel of your videos with AI effects, using prompts.Collaboration: Share drafts with your team, other creators, or brands for feedback.More effects: Even more fonts, text animations, transitions, voice effects, filters, and music options, including royalty-free.Will Edits replace CapCut? If you’re an Instagram-first creator, absolutely. But if you’re focused on longer, more complicated videos, say, for YouTube, you’ll probably be inclined to stick with your current set-up (especially if you prefer to create on desktop). Edits is brilliant for short-form content, but it’s probably not best suited for advanced creators who want all the bells and whistles they can get from more comprehensive tools. But if you’re looking for a beginner-friendly video editing app, Edits might be exactly what you need. 🎥 Edits is available now on iOS and Android. View the full article

Max is joining the lineup of streaming platforms limiting users sharing a single subscription to those in the same household—unless you pay $7.99 per month for an "extra member" add-on. Adding an extra member to an existing streaming plan costs a little bit less than purchasing a new, separate subscription, though these users are limited to one profile and one supported device at a time. The best value for extra members typically comes with the most expensive plans. On Max, that's Premium, which costs $20.99 per month. How Max's "extra member" option stacks upMax subscribers on any plan (except Disney+/Hulu/Max bundles) can add one extra member at $7.99 per month if the plan is billed directly through WarnerMedia. Those who pay through third-party apps and mobile and TV providers are ineligible. Extra members get their own account login but only one profile and streaming via one device at a time. Extra members also have to be 18 and in the same country as the primary subscriber. As noted, the best deal is on Max's $20.99-per-month Premium plan and a decent one on Standard, which costs $16.99 per month. An entire Basic with Ads subscription at $9.99 per month is barely more than an extra member, especially if you buy a whole year upfront for $100. Plus, as 9to5Mac notes, Max often runs promos that bring subscriptions down to $2.99 per month. Other streamers with "extra member" plansMax isn't the only streamer cracking down on password sharing with extra member pricing. Netflix allows users on its Standard plan to add one member outside the account holder's household—two for those on a Premium subscription—at $6.99 per extra member per month with ads and $8.99 per extra member per month without. Netflix charges $7.99 per month for its Standard plan with ads, $17.99 per month for ad-free, and $24.99 per month for Premium subscriptions. Disney+ subscribers can also add one extra member to any Disney+ plan billed directly by Disney+ as well as bundles billed by Disney+ or Hulu. (Hulu + Live TV plans are excluded.) Fees range from $6.99 per extra member per month on Disney+ Basic to $14.99 per extra member per month for the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ Premium bundle. The same standalone plans cost $9.99 per month and $26.99 per month, respectively. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: The letter you posted from the volunteer who didn’t disclose something to a student’s teacher and parents reminded me about something that happened to me a while ago with an outside mentor for an after-school program, especially since I was a lot like Marvin in that letter (without the expensive romantic overtures). I was the only girl in a STEM club at my high school, and the mentor was, let’s say, a teapot designer who also trained teapot drivers. Bob wasn’t actually a teacher at my school. He was a volunteer who worked at a well-known organization that the club was associated with, which other schools were involved in. I was 14, and he was in his mid-40s(?). I was that straight-A nerdy gifted-and-talented kid just like Marvin who barely socialized with my peers and gravitated towards teachers instead. I especially gravitated towards Bob because it was/is my dream to be a teapot driver. We had a very close mentor-student relationship, and he always regaled me with stories of his job. After I graduated high school, I stayed in touch with Bob. We would go out to lunches whenever we were in the same city and have long text conversations. I never thought anything was off because our conversations always focused on changes in the industry, scientific discoveries and theories, learning new languages, literature, etc. It was like being friends with Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society. However, after I graduated college, I off-handedly mentioned to him that I had broken up with someone I had been dating. That was when Bob nervously confessed to me, “I’m a bit embarrassed to say this, but I’m attracted to you.” My mind did a complete record-scratch. The only thing I could manage to say was, “Sorry, I don’t date married men.” (Even though him being married was obviously the least of my concerns.) It was the last time I saw him (January 2021). He texted me exactly three times since that occurred — August 2021, January 2022, and February 2022. I ignored all of them, and it was the last I ever heard from him. I had spent the following years questioning myself and my ability to read his intentions (especially after an autism diagnosis that came shortly after). I suddenly remembered a time when he visited me at college. When we were at an ice cream shop, he joked, “A lot of the people there were looking at us thinking I was some old guy dating a young lady like you.” I thought nothing of it at the moment and took it at face value. When he was driving me back to my dorm, he patted my leg and said, “You must be cold! You have goosebumps!” And I laughed then because I actually was cold! And when he offered to take me to his hotel, his intentions flew completely over my head, and I told him that it was late and that I had a mid-term in the morning. (It wasn’t even an excuse! I actually did have a mid-term and truly had no idea he was implying sex!) It made me feel so gross and confused. Did I unknowingly encourage it all because of my autism? Should I have seen the signs either way? Did Bob actually enjoy any of our intellectual conversations, or was he just playing some long game to get into my pants? How long did he have those feelings? Did he become attracted to me after I graduated high school or before? I blocked it all out for the last five years because I didn’t want to think about it. I never even told a therapist about it. A friend suggested I talk to someone at RAINN for advice, but I don’t want to misuse their services since Bob never actually tried to rape or even kiss me. I’m now 28. After I read the Marvin letter, I googled Bob. He’s still in that organization. I feel like I need to say something to someone to stop him from potentially doing this to another student, but I have no idea where to begin or what consequences would arise if I bring it to light. I have no idea if this is something legitimate to warn someone about, or if I’m overreacting, or if it’s been too many years. I’m scared of it turning into a mess of “he said, she said” and having it blow up in everyone’s face. It wasn’t an actual crime that could be applied in a legal sense, so I can’t go to the police. Is there anything I should do? I’m very sorry this happened to you. Bob positioned himself as an older, wiser authority figure and mentor, someone you could trust, and then he abused that trust by trying to sexualize the relationship. Of course you’re now questioning whether he ever enjoyed your conversations the way you thought he did or whether it was all a long game to groom you. I don’t think we’ll ever know the answer to that for sure, but what I do know for sure is that you didn’t encourage it. This was a person who had been mentoring you since you were a child. Think about how young the 14-year-olds you know are, and how unreasonable it would be to expect any of them to screen all their interactions with adults through the lens of “am I encouraging this adult to view me sexually?” You paid him the respect of assuming that he was being genuine with you and that he wasn’t a predatory creep. It’s not your fault that he hid it for a while. That’s what dudes like this do. That’s part of how they do it; they know they wouldn’t get anywhere if they made their intentions clear up-front (and in some cases that would get them sent to prison, and rightly so). He took advantage of the access the mentoring program gave him, and he took advantage of the trust you had in him. You aren’t responsible for his choice to do that; that’s 100% on him and no one else. And for the sake of thoroughness, sure, it’s possible that Bob’s interest in you was utterly wholesome for years and then one day, once you were solidly into adulthood, that changed. It still wouldn’t be okay that he didn’t think about or care how violated it might make you feel to be hit on by someone who had been mentoring you since you were 14. (And his visiting you at college and then suggesting you come back to his hotel with him is just … ugh. You might have been technically an adult, but there’s no world where that’s appropriate for the man who’s mentored you since you were a child to do while you’re in college.) As for what to do now … first, you absolutely can contact RAINN, even though Bob didn’t assault you. What he did was a violation, and it’s making you question the same sorts of things people often question after they are assaulted, and the question is around a trusted figure who has made you feel preyed upon. I am confident that they would be happy to talk with you. (Even if they’re not, they’d just explain that; they won’t be outraged that you asked. But again, I’m sure they’ll talk to you. Please call them if you want to!) You would also be on very solid ground in contacting the organization Bob still volunteers for. You’re not asking for an extensive investigation that becomes “he said, she said.” You’d simply be contacting them to say, “I want to let you know that one of your volunteers formed a mentor relationship with me through your program when I was 14, stayed in close contact with me after I graduated, and then propositioned me while I was in college and then a second time after I graduated. It felt very much like an abuse of his access to teenage girls, and I want to make you aware of it.” What they do from there is up to them, but you get to tell them that it happened and that it shouldn’t have. View the full article

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Gmail already adds an Unsubscribe button to every promotional email or newsletter you receive in your inbox. That way, you can stop someone from sending you emails without first visiting their website. The service is now going one step forward, giving you a single place to manage all your subscriptions, and an option to unsubscribe from each with just a tap—kind of like the Subscriptions screen on YouTube. Manage Subscriptions is rolling out nowThere's a clear advantage to the new Manage Subscriptions feature. With it, you no longer need to go through your entire inbox to find all the newsletters, as Gmail will instead surface them for you. You'll see the names and email addresses of senders of both newsletter subscriptions and promotional emails. The feature is rolling out on Android, iOS, and on the web, but according to Google, it's going to be a gradual rollout, so it might take time to show up on your devices. For example, I can access it on Gmail's iPad app, but not on my iPhone or the web, even though they're all logged into the same account. How to easily unsubscribe to email newsletters en masseFirst, let's find a list of all your subscriptions. To do this on iPhone or Android, tap the three-lined Menu in the top left, and choose Manage Subscriptions. On the Gmail website, you'll have to click the More button to expand the sidebar options and find Manage Subscriptions. Credit: Khamosh Pathak You'll now see a list of all the people who send you newsletters, and an estimate of recently received emails. If you tap on a sender name, Gmail will show you a list of all of their recent emails. To unsubscribe from a newsletter, tap Unsubscribe on the right (the button that looks like a mail icon with a minus sign). Credit: Khamosh Pathak Gmail will then ask you for a confirmation. Just tap Unsubscribe, and you're done. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Gmail will tell you that it has unsubscribed you from the newsletter on your behalf, but that it might take a few days to stop receiving those emails. For most newsletters, the ones that have a clear-cut Unsubscribe button, this is how it will work. But in some cases, Gmail won't be able to unsubscribe automatically on your behalf. In such cases, you'll see Go to website instead, where Gmail will open the website for confirmation. But that's just one extra tap, and is still easy to do. Credit: Khamosh Pathak View the full article