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Policymaker set to meet Donald The President on Wednesday for interview to be next chair of US central bankView the full article

The Great British Railways has a great British brand. The U.K.’s new public railway is leaning on well-known, classic symbolism for its visual identity unveiled this month. Train liveries for the new brand will show a design of a stylized Union Jack flag, while the new logo brings back an old double arrow concept designed in 1965 by Gerald Barney for the old state-run British Rail. The brand’s font is the simple, modern sans-serif Rail Alphabet 2, an updated version of the British Rail font designed in the 1960s by Margaret Calvert and Jock Kinneir. The new brand was designed in house by the U.K.’s Department for Transport and it will begin rolling out on trains, stations, signage, websites, and a ticketing app by spring 2026. The branding is an outward manifestation of a wider goal to deliver better public transportation. Already, they’ve frozen rail fare for the first time in 30 years. “This isn’t just a paint job,” U.K. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said in a statement. Instead, “it represents a new railway, casting off the frustrations of the past and focused entirely on delivering a proper public service for passengers.” A new take on an old brand Modern, minimalist, and geometric, Barney’s original 1965 double arrow logo for British Rail used the lines and angles of the U.K. flag to cleverly communicate two-way transportation. The mark also has staying power. Even after British Rail began to be privatized in the 1990s, the double arrow mark remained in use as an official rail symbol in the U.K. at stations and on tickets. And just as with classic mid-century civic design in the U.S., there’s similarly an audience for print standards manuals of the old British Rail brand. The U.K. is in the process of renationalizing its railway companies following challenges like a drop in riders following the pandemic and high ticket prices. Both Conservative and Labour governments have pushed to make more of the country’s railways public, and for now, nine train operators, representing a third of all passenger train traffic in Great Britain, are nationalized. The remaining seven are expected to be nationalized by October 2027. Bringing the double arrow logo back, refining an old, classic font, and using a flag-inspired livery design is a smart move that keeps the public’s ownership of the brand front and center with well known and widely understood symbolism. If Great British Railways can deliver on a better experience for riders, the brand could become an example of civic design and public ownership done right. View the full article

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day. Remember the letter-writer wondering whether to write a list of rules so a colleague, Paul, would treat them decently? Here’s the update. I’ve recently taken a step that commenters had advised — leaving the group. Getting Paul to leave (your excellent advice) wasn’t an option, though perhaps me leaving will push things in that direction. I alerted five people to why I was leaving, and a number of them seem to be realizing that the group has to address the “missing stair” of Paul. So we’ll see what happens! But for now, my stress level is definitely lower, and I can focus on other organizing work that is also meaningful to me. It was the right decision for me at this time to just leave the org. That’s the tl;dr. For the full story… After I wrote to you (and you and the commenters affirmed for me that I was not going to be able to write a list of rules that would solve my Paul problem), I decided to step away from my leadership role in the org and also change other commitments I had made so that Paul had as little reason as possible for interacting with me within that org. Magically, Paul somehow still managed to get involved with the things I was doing, even though they were part of different committees. They also kept trying to contact me through third parties. A long-distance partner of mine came along to one of the org’s activities and Paul was pretty weird about it. That reminded me about one of our early interactions where Paul ignored my boundaries: when they kept asking me to see a movie (over and over and over) despite me repeatedly declining. Perhaps obviously, I came to believe that despite what Paul had claimed about this being about “our friendship” … it really wasn’t about friendship for them. In theory, if the group eventually was able to create a code of conduct then Paul’s behavior could be addressed, so I hoped all summer that would move forward; however, Paul has long resisted a code of conduct, and they remain in leadership (and have been in that role longer than anyone else by a wide margin). Meanwhile, Paul and I also have another community in common, and Paul hung around me there a lot, especially standing behind me and watching me – so much so that a friend who knew nothing about the situation started asking me why that guy was staring at me so intently. All this escalated when Paul emailed me asking for mediation again. They also sat right behind my family at two different events, continuing this pattern of being really close (and specifically *behind* me). I told Paul I wasn’t interested in mediation and that I was leaving the org to hold the boundaries I needed. I also outlined those boundaries: don’t contact me, on any platform, including through third parties, don’t hover behind me, and don’t sit behind/near me and my family. Paul said they had never wanted me to leave the group but would honor these requests. My spirits started to lift, perhaps they were finally hearing me – and then at another event Paul sat about ten feet behind my family. They met my eyes when I walked into the room to join my family, and it was clear they knew what they were doing. So I told people within our other shared community as well. It’s been interesting to see how the two communities have responded, and some of that is because the one is “non-hierarchical” (in theory — but Paul has a lot of power!) and the other has clear leadership. It’s definitely proving you and the commenters right that the problem with the one org is that someone like Paul is allowed to stay and there’s no mechanism to get them out. In the non-hierarchical org, people are interested in addressing the Paul situation, but there’s no clear path to do so. I’ve left the org, so don’t really know what’s going on. I’m not guessing anything will happen quickly though. The other org immediately set up a meeting with me and someone else Paul had harassed, took our statements seriously, started crafting a harassment policy (since it didn’t exist), and gave Paul a warning. I’m still part of that org and feeling very supported there. Thanks again for the opportunity to think through these boundary issues with you and the great commenter community! It really helped me to feel clear about my decisions as I’ve navigated this situation (so far). Hopefully Paul loses interest in me and the org that I left is able to find a way toward dealing more effectively with this kind of behavior. At least I’ve brought it more to the surface as a problem by finally naming the missing stair. The post update: should I write a list of rules so a colleague treats me decently? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

If you’re looking for free accounting software alternatives to QuickBooks, there are several options available that cater to various business needs. Wave stands out for its unlimited invoicing capabilities, whereas Zoho Books is ideal for micro businesses with its seamless application integration. ZipBooks offers an easy interface for managing contacts and payments, and GnuCash focuses on data privacy. Each software solution has unique features that can improve your accounting processes. Let’s explore these options further. Key Takeaways Wave offers unlimited invoicing and estimates with no income limits, making it ideal for small businesses. Zoho Books is perfect for micro businesses with under $50,000 in annual revenue, managing up to 1,000 invoices yearly. ZipBooks provides unlimited invoicing and integrates easily with payment processors like Square and PayPal for seamless transactions. GnuCash is an open-source option that prioritizes data privacy and supports multi-currency transactions for international accounts. Akaunting is a customizable open-source software with user-friendly financial reporting and community support for ongoing development. Wave: Best Free Accounting Software for Invoicing and Estimates When you’re looking for an efficient way to manage your finances, Wave stands out as the best free accounting software for invoicing and estimates. Unlike other free accounting software like QuickBooks, Wave allows you to send unlimited invoices and estimates without any income limits, making it ideal for freelancers and small businesses. Its user-friendly interface features receipt scanning, expense tracking, and sales tax management, all directly on invoices and bills. With mobile apps for iOS and Android, you can manage your finances on-the-go. Furthermore, Wave enables you to manage unlimited businesses under one account, simplifying organization for entrepreneurs. The Pro plan offers advanced features like recurring billing and automatic credit card processing, enhancing your payment efficiency. Zoho Books: Best Free Bookkeeping Software for Micro Businesses If you’re running a micro business with annual revenue under $50,000, Zoho Books could be your ideal bookkeeping solution. This free software not just offers extensive reporting features to help you analyze your financial performance, but it additionally comes with a user-friendly mobile app, allowing you to manage invoicing and expenses on the go. With its ability to integrate seamlessly with other Zoho applications, you can streamline your workflow and improve productivity effectively. Ideal for Micro Businesses For micro businesses looking to streamline their financial management, Zoho Books stands out as an ideal free bookkeeping solution. Designed particularly for businesses earning $50,000 or less annually, it allows you to manage up to 1,000 invoices each year. With support for one user and an accountant, it’s perfect for small teams. Key features include expense tracking and automation for recurring expenses, which improve your financial workflows. As free accounting software similar to QuickBooks, Zoho Books integrates seamlessly within the broader Zoho ecosystem, providing access to additional tools as your business grows. Plus, the mobile app guarantees you can invoice, get paid, and track time on-the-go, keeping your financial management efficient and accessible. Extensive Reporting Features Grasping your business’s financial health is crucial, and Zoho Books stands out in providing extensive reporting features that empower micro businesses to make informed decisions. As a free QuickBooks alternative, it offers over 40 customizable reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts, allowing you to track your financial status effectively. The platform automates report generation, delivering real-time insights into sales, expenses, and outstanding invoices. With visual dashboards showcasing key performance indicators (KPIs), you can quickly analyze financial data and understand trends. Zoho Books additionally supports multi-currency reporting, making it easier to manage finances across different currencies, and includes tax tracking features to help guarantee compliance with local regulations during tax filing. User-Friendly Mobile App Managing finances on the go is essential for micro-business owners, and the Zoho Books mobile app provides a user-friendly solution to streamline this process. This app simplifies bookkeeping tasks, making it an excellent choice among free software like QuickBooks. You can easily manage your finances with features such as: Create and send invoices directly from your phone. Receive payments and track time on the spot. Scan and categorize receipts for quick expense tracking. Access real-time reporting for informed decision-making. Enjoy a free plan if your business earns less than $50,000 annually. With its intuitive interface, even those without extensive accounting knowledge can efficiently navigate the app, making financial management straightforward and accessible. ZipBooks: Best Free Accounting App for Unlimited Contacts and Payments ZipBooks stands out as a top choice for those needing unlimited invoicing features and easy integration options. With its free plan, you can manage an unlimited number of invoices and contacts without worrying about hidden fees, making it perfect for freelancers and small businesses. Plus, the seamless integration with payment processors like Square and PayPal lets you accept payments effortlessly within the app, streamlining your financial operations. Unlimited Invoicing Features For small businesses seeking efficient invoicing solutions, ZipBooks stands out as a robust option that offers unlimited invoicing capabilities without the burden of additional costs. Unlike the free version of QuickBooks, ZipBooks allows you to manage unlimited contacts and automate billing with recurring invoices. Here are some key features: Send unlimited invoices directly to clients. Manage unlimited contacts for better organization. Choose between cash and accrual accounting methods. Integrate seamlessly with payment processors like Square and PayPal. Access a user-friendly dashboard for financial insights. These features help you maintain timely payments and track your business’s financial health effectively, making ZipBooks a compelling choice for growing enterprises. Easy Integration Options When looking for an accounting solution that streamlines your financial management, seamless integration options are essential for enhancing efficiency. ZipBooks stands out as a free QuickBooks replacement, allowing you to manage unlimited contacts and payments effortlessly. Its integration with popular payment gateways like Square and PayPal makes processing invoices a breeze. You can likewise access cash and accrual reporting, catering to various accounting needs. Feature Benefit Integration Unlimited Contacts Manage all your customers without limits Square, PayPal Expense Organization Keep track of expenses easily Easy setup Invoice Management Streamline invoicing for faster payment Quick connections The intuitive interface simplifies linking your business accounts, ensuring smooth financial management. GnuCash: Best Free Desktop Accounting Software for Data Privacy GnuCash stands out as one of the best free desktop accounting software options, especially for those who prioritize data privacy. As an open source QuickBooks replacement, it offers robust features that cater to your accounting needs during ensuring your sensitive data remains secure. Here are some key benefits: Double-entry accounting for accurate financial tracking Comprehensive reporting tools to analyze your finances Offline operation to keep your data on your local machine Invoicing and recurring billing capabilities for managing transactions Multi-currency support, allowing you to handle international accounts Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, GnuCash provides the flexibility you need during ensuring your financial information stays private and secure. Odoo: Best Free Accounting Software for Profit Tracking and Budgeting If you’re looking for free accounting software that stands out in profit tracking and budgeting, Odoo is a strong contender. This open source QuickBooks alternative offers a free accounting app that automates financial processes and allows unlimited user access, making it perfect for small businesses and startups. Odoo provides customizable KPI reports and analytics features, enabling you to track profits and manage budgets efficiently. Its user-friendly interface simplifies navigation through financial reports and expense management. Nevertheless, keep in mind that although the first app is free, additional apps require payment. Furthermore, Odoo lacks integrated payroll features, so you may need to explore other applications for thorough financial management. Feature Description User Access Unlimited users Automation Automates financial processes Customizable Reports KPI reports for tracking User Interface Easy navigation Payroll Features Lacks integrated payroll Akaunting: Best Open-Source Accounting Software for Customization Akaunting offers a robust open-source accounting solution that thrives in customization, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to tailor their financial management tools. As one of the top best free nonprofit QuickBooks alternatives, Akaunting provides a versatile platform with features that include: Unlimited invoicing and expense management Support for multiple currencies User-friendly financial reporting Accessible on both web and mobile devices Community-driven development with free resources You can easily customize your experience with various add-ons and integrations, allowing you to adapt the software to your specific needs without extra costs. This flexibility guarantees you’re equipped to manage your finances effectively, no matter your business’s unique requirements. NCH Express Accounts: Best Free Desktop Software for Small Teams NCH Express Accounts stands out as an excellent free desktop accounting software customized for small teams, enabling you to manage your finances efficiently without incurring subscription fees for up to five employees. This software offers features like invoice automation and expense tracking, empowering you to streamline your accounting processes. With over 20 customizable financial reports, you can gain valuable insights into your business’s performance. Moreover, it supports multiple currencies, making it a practical choice for businesses with international clients. You’ll appreciate its user-friendly interface, which simplifies creating and managing invoices as well as keeping accurate financial records. If you’re seeking a cheaper alternative to QuickBooks, NCH Express Accounts is compatible with both Windows and Mac, providing flexibility for your team. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Good Free Alternative to Quickbooks? If you’re looking for a good free alternative to QuickBooks, consider Wave, which offers unlimited invoicing and estimates without income limits. Another option is ZipBooks, featuring unlimited invoicing and integration with payment platforms like Square and PayPal. For smaller operations, Zoho Invoice allows free usage for up to five clients and includes customizable invoicing. Furthermore, GnuCash is open-source and supports detailed financial reporting, making it suitable for single-user businesses. What Are People Replacing Quickbooks With? People are replacing QuickBooks with several alternatives that better suit their needs. For instance, Wave offers free features like unlimited invoicing, making it ideal for small businesses. FreshBooks attracts freelancers with its user-friendly invoicing, though it requires a subscription. Zoho Books has a free tier for businesses earning under $50,000, whereas ZipBooks provides unlimited invoicing and integrates with popular payment platforms. GnuCash serves those who prefer a free, downloadable option with detailed reporting capabilities. Is There a Free Version of Intuit Quickbooks? No, Intuit QuickBooks doesn’t offer a free version beyond its 30-day trial. After that, you’ll need to choose a paid subscription plan, which can be costly for small businesses. QuickBooks provides valuable features like income tracking and invoicing, but these are locked behind a paywall. If you’re looking for free alternatives, consider options like Synder, ZipBooks, or Zoho Invoice, which offer crucial functionalities without ongoing subscription costs. Does Google Have a Free Bookkeeping Program? Google doesn’t offer a dedicated free bookkeeping program, but you can use Google Sheets to create customized spreadsheets for tracking your income and expenses. This allows you to tailor your bookkeeping process to your specific needs. You can additionally integrate Google Forms to collect expense data from clients, streamlining data entry. Although it lacks automated features typical of dedicated software, you might explore third-party add-ons within Google Workspace for improved functionality. Conclusion In conclusion, there are several effective free accounting software alternatives to QuickBooks that cater to various business needs. Wave stands out for its invoicing capabilities, whereas Zoho Books is ideal for micro businesses because of its seamless integrations. ZipBooks offers unlimited contacts, and GnuCash emphasizes data privacy. Odoo thrives in profit tracking, Akaunting provides customization options, and NCH Express Accounts is suitable for small teams. Each option can improve your financial management without incurring additional costs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Free Accounting Software Like QuickBooks" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking for free accounting software alternatives to QuickBooks, there are several options available that cater to various business needs. Wave stands out for its unlimited invoicing capabilities, whereas Zoho Books is ideal for micro businesses with its seamless application integration. ZipBooks offers an easy interface for managing contacts and payments, and GnuCash focuses on data privacy. Each software solution has unique features that can improve your accounting processes. Let’s explore these options further. Key Takeaways Wave offers unlimited invoicing and estimates with no income limits, making it ideal for small businesses. Zoho Books is perfect for micro businesses with under $50,000 in annual revenue, managing up to 1,000 invoices yearly. ZipBooks provides unlimited invoicing and integrates easily with payment processors like Square and PayPal for seamless transactions. GnuCash is an open-source option that prioritizes data privacy and supports multi-currency transactions for international accounts. Akaunting is a customizable open-source software with user-friendly financial reporting and community support for ongoing development. Wave: Best Free Accounting Software for Invoicing and Estimates When you’re looking for an efficient way to manage your finances, Wave stands out as the best free accounting software for invoicing and estimates. Unlike other free accounting software like QuickBooks, Wave allows you to send unlimited invoices and estimates without any income limits, making it ideal for freelancers and small businesses. Its user-friendly interface features receipt scanning, expense tracking, and sales tax management, all directly on invoices and bills. With mobile apps for iOS and Android, you can manage your finances on-the-go. Furthermore, Wave enables you to manage unlimited businesses under one account, simplifying organization for entrepreneurs. The Pro plan offers advanced features like recurring billing and automatic credit card processing, enhancing your payment efficiency. Zoho Books: Best Free Bookkeeping Software for Micro Businesses If you’re running a micro business with annual revenue under $50,000, Zoho Books could be your ideal bookkeeping solution. This free software not just offers extensive reporting features to help you analyze your financial performance, but it additionally comes with a user-friendly mobile app, allowing you to manage invoicing and expenses on the go. With its ability to integrate seamlessly with other Zoho applications, you can streamline your workflow and improve productivity effectively. Ideal for Micro Businesses For micro businesses looking to streamline their financial management, Zoho Books stands out as an ideal free bookkeeping solution. Designed particularly for businesses earning $50,000 or less annually, it allows you to manage up to 1,000 invoices each year. With support for one user and an accountant, it’s perfect for small teams. Key features include expense tracking and automation for recurring expenses, which improve your financial workflows. As free accounting software similar to QuickBooks, Zoho Books integrates seamlessly within the broader Zoho ecosystem, providing access to additional tools as your business grows. Plus, the mobile app guarantees you can invoice, get paid, and track time on-the-go, keeping your financial management efficient and accessible. Extensive Reporting Features Grasping your business’s financial health is crucial, and Zoho Books stands out in providing extensive reporting features that empower micro businesses to make informed decisions. As a free QuickBooks alternative, it offers over 40 customizable reports, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts, allowing you to track your financial status effectively. The platform automates report generation, delivering real-time insights into sales, expenses, and outstanding invoices. With visual dashboards showcasing key performance indicators (KPIs), you can quickly analyze financial data and understand trends. Zoho Books additionally supports multi-currency reporting, making it easier to manage finances across different currencies, and includes tax tracking features to help guarantee compliance with local regulations during tax filing. User-Friendly Mobile App Managing finances on the go is essential for micro-business owners, and the Zoho Books mobile app provides a user-friendly solution to streamline this process. This app simplifies bookkeeping tasks, making it an excellent choice among free software like QuickBooks. You can easily manage your finances with features such as: Create and send invoices directly from your phone. Receive payments and track time on the spot. Scan and categorize receipts for quick expense tracking. Access real-time reporting for informed decision-making. Enjoy a free plan if your business earns less than $50,000 annually. With its intuitive interface, even those without extensive accounting knowledge can efficiently navigate the app, making financial management straightforward and accessible. ZipBooks: Best Free Accounting App for Unlimited Contacts and Payments ZipBooks stands out as a top choice for those needing unlimited invoicing features and easy integration options. With its free plan, you can manage an unlimited number of invoices and contacts without worrying about hidden fees, making it perfect for freelancers and small businesses. Plus, the seamless integration with payment processors like Square and PayPal lets you accept payments effortlessly within the app, streamlining your financial operations. Unlimited Invoicing Features For small businesses seeking efficient invoicing solutions, ZipBooks stands out as a robust option that offers unlimited invoicing capabilities without the burden of additional costs. Unlike the free version of QuickBooks, ZipBooks allows you to manage unlimited contacts and automate billing with recurring invoices. Here are some key features: Send unlimited invoices directly to clients. Manage unlimited contacts for better organization. Choose between cash and accrual accounting methods. Integrate seamlessly with payment processors like Square and PayPal. Access a user-friendly dashboard for financial insights. These features help you maintain timely payments and track your business’s financial health effectively, making ZipBooks a compelling choice for growing enterprises. Easy Integration Options When looking for an accounting solution that streamlines your financial management, seamless integration options are essential for enhancing efficiency. ZipBooks stands out as a free QuickBooks replacement, allowing you to manage unlimited contacts and payments effortlessly. Its integration with popular payment gateways like Square and PayPal makes processing invoices a breeze. You can likewise access cash and accrual reporting, catering to various accounting needs. Feature Benefit Integration Unlimited Contacts Manage all your customers without limits Square, PayPal Expense Organization Keep track of expenses easily Easy setup Invoice Management Streamline invoicing for faster payment Quick connections The intuitive interface simplifies linking your business accounts, ensuring smooth financial management. GnuCash: Best Free Desktop Accounting Software for Data Privacy GnuCash stands out as one of the best free desktop accounting software options, especially for those who prioritize data privacy. As an open source QuickBooks replacement, it offers robust features that cater to your accounting needs during ensuring your sensitive data remains secure. Here are some key benefits: Double-entry accounting for accurate financial tracking Comprehensive reporting tools to analyze your finances Offline operation to keep your data on your local machine Invoicing and recurring billing capabilities for managing transactions Multi-currency support, allowing you to handle international accounts Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, GnuCash provides the flexibility you need during ensuring your financial information stays private and secure. Odoo: Best Free Accounting Software for Profit Tracking and Budgeting If you’re looking for free accounting software that stands out in profit tracking and budgeting, Odoo is a strong contender. This open source QuickBooks alternative offers a free accounting app that automates financial processes and allows unlimited user access, making it perfect for small businesses and startups. Odoo provides customizable KPI reports and analytics features, enabling you to track profits and manage budgets efficiently. Its user-friendly interface simplifies navigation through financial reports and expense management. Nevertheless, keep in mind that although the first app is free, additional apps require payment. Furthermore, Odoo lacks integrated payroll features, so you may need to explore other applications for thorough financial management. Feature Description User Access Unlimited users Automation Automates financial processes Customizable Reports KPI reports for tracking User Interface Easy navigation Payroll Features Lacks integrated payroll Akaunting: Best Open-Source Accounting Software for Customization Akaunting offers a robust open-source accounting solution that thrives in customization, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to tailor their financial management tools. As one of the top best free nonprofit QuickBooks alternatives, Akaunting provides a versatile platform with features that include: Unlimited invoicing and expense management Support for multiple currencies User-friendly financial reporting Accessible on both web and mobile devices Community-driven development with free resources You can easily customize your experience with various add-ons and integrations, allowing you to adapt the software to your specific needs without extra costs. This flexibility guarantees you’re equipped to manage your finances effectively, no matter your business’s unique requirements. NCH Express Accounts: Best Free Desktop Software for Small Teams NCH Express Accounts stands out as an excellent free desktop accounting software customized for small teams, enabling you to manage your finances efficiently without incurring subscription fees for up to five employees. This software offers features like invoice automation and expense tracking, empowering you to streamline your accounting processes. With over 20 customizable financial reports, you can gain valuable insights into your business’s performance. Moreover, it supports multiple currencies, making it a practical choice for businesses with international clients. You’ll appreciate its user-friendly interface, which simplifies creating and managing invoices as well as keeping accurate financial records. If you’re seeking a cheaper alternative to QuickBooks, NCH Express Accounts is compatible with both Windows and Mac, providing flexibility for your team. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Good Free Alternative to Quickbooks? If you’re looking for a good free alternative to QuickBooks, consider Wave, which offers unlimited invoicing and estimates without income limits. Another option is ZipBooks, featuring unlimited invoicing and integration with payment platforms like Square and PayPal. For smaller operations, Zoho Invoice allows free usage for up to five clients and includes customizable invoicing. Furthermore, GnuCash is open-source and supports detailed financial reporting, making it suitable for single-user businesses. What Are People Replacing Quickbooks With? People are replacing QuickBooks with several alternatives that better suit their needs. For instance, Wave offers free features like unlimited invoicing, making it ideal for small businesses. FreshBooks attracts freelancers with its user-friendly invoicing, though it requires a subscription. Zoho Books has a free tier for businesses earning under $50,000, whereas ZipBooks provides unlimited invoicing and integrates with popular payment platforms. GnuCash serves those who prefer a free, downloadable option with detailed reporting capabilities. Is There a Free Version of Intuit Quickbooks? No, Intuit QuickBooks doesn’t offer a free version beyond its 30-day trial. After that, you’ll need to choose a paid subscription plan, which can be costly for small businesses. QuickBooks provides valuable features like income tracking and invoicing, but these are locked behind a paywall. If you’re looking for free alternatives, consider options like Synder, ZipBooks, or Zoho Invoice, which offer crucial functionalities without ongoing subscription costs. Does Google Have a Free Bookkeeping Program? Google doesn’t offer a dedicated free bookkeeping program, but you can use Google Sheets to create customized spreadsheets for tracking your income and expenses. This allows you to tailor your bookkeeping process to your specific needs. You can additionally integrate Google Forms to collect expense data from clients, streamlining data entry. Although it lacks automated features typical of dedicated software, you might explore third-party add-ons within Google Workspace for improved functionality. Conclusion In conclusion, there are several effective free accounting software alternatives to QuickBooks that cater to various business needs. Wave stands out for its invoicing capabilities, whereas Zoho Books is ideal for micro businesses because of its seamless integrations. ZipBooks offers unlimited contacts, and GnuCash emphasizes data privacy. Odoo thrives in profit tracking, Akaunting provides customization options, and NCH Express Accounts is suitable for small teams. Each option can improve your financial management without incurring additional costs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Free Accounting Software Like QuickBooks" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Number 10 business adviser to remain in Downing Street with an expanded role View the full article

Google updated its JavaScript SEO best practices document, for the second time this week, this time to clarify canonicalization best practices for JavaScript. In short, Google said “setting the canonical URL to the same URL as in the original HTML or if that isn’t possible, to leave the canonical URL out of the original HTML.” What Google added. Google added a new section over here and it reads: “The rel=”canonical” link tag helps Google find the canonical version of a page. You can use JavaScript to set the canonical URL, but keep in mind that you shouldn’t use JavaScript to change the canonical URL to something else than the URL you specified as the canonical URL in the original HTML. The best way to set the canonical URL is to use HTML, but if you have to use JavaScript, make sure that you always set the canonical URL to the same value as the original HTML. If you can’t set the canonical URL in the HTML, then you can use JavaScript to set the canonical URL and leave it out of the original HTML.” Google on noindex. Google also warned about using JavaScript for noindex tags earlier this week. Google said “you do want the page indexed, don’t use a noindex tag in the original page code.” Why we care. So if you use JavaScript for setting a canonical link, make sure to also check in Google Search Console’s URL Inspection tool if it is being picked up. Review these updated best practices if you use JavaScript on your site, especially for canonical links. View the full article

As eBay unveils its year-end отчет, eBay Collected, small business owners have a unique opportunity to capitalize on emerging trends within the collectibles market. The report highlights key collectibles and athletes capturing attention in 2025, showcasing essential data sourced directly from eBay’s marketplace. With the collectibles market booming, understanding these shifts can provide significant advantages for small business sellers looking to diversify or improve their inventory. Adam Ireland, VP and GM of Global Collectibles at eBay, noted, “For 30 years, eBay has been the destination for collectors and fans to find, sell, and shop for the things they love, and it’s fascinating to watch trends emerge and evolve.” This year, trends such as the rise of blind box collectibles and the sustained demand for icons like Shohei Ohtani reveal that small businesses should keep a pulse on these emerging preferences. Key Takeaways: Trending Collectibles: Special attention should be paid to items like rare Labubus figures and rookie trading cards for athletes such as Shohei Ohtani, whose popularity surged by 110% this year. Global Searches Reflect Local Interests: Small business owners need to recognize that local fandom can dramatically influence what items sell. For instance, Lewis Hamilton topped searches in the U.K. while Connor Bedard and Victor Wembanyama dominated searches in Canada and France, respectively. Trading Cards Still Rule: The Pokémon franchise remains a strong performer, with the Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions and Destined Rivals sets leading searches. Additionally, Magic: The Gathering gaming cards have witnessed a remarkable resurgence. In practical terms, small business owners can benefit from these insights by adjusting their stock to include trending items. For example, if a local business has connections to the gaming community, stocking up on trending trading card sets could attract new customers and drive sales. Similarly, if you’re in the toy sector, keeping plush toys like Jellycats and Smiski figures on hand could tap into an expanding market. eBay’s report also emphasizes the phenomenon of fandom-driven collectibles, which surged this year due to adaptations in popular culture. With over one million manga listings available at any one time, small businesses that align their inventory with trending media can find opportunities for heightened engagement and increased sales. However, there are potential challenges to consider. The collectibles market can be unpredictable, with demand for certain items fluctuating dramatically. While some collectibles may see explosive growth, others may fall flat. Small business owners must be diligent about monitoring trends and consumer sentiment to avoid being stuck with stock that doesn’t move. Additionally, competition among sellers can be intense. The allure of limited-edition items means many sellers vie for customer attention. It’s crucial to build a strong online presence and create engaging marketing strategies that highlight unique offerings. Regularly updating listings and showcasing trending collectibles can give small businesses a competitive edge. To further engage the audience, eBay is hosting a live shopping event led by Storage Wars star Rene Nezhoda on December 20, where participants can bid on high-value collectibles, with proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This presents a chance for small business owners to interact with the collectibles community in real-time and observe popular items firsthand. The eBay Collected report serves as a roadmap for small business owners in the collectibles sector, underscoring the significance of staying informed about market dynamics. By leveraging these insights, businesses can strategically position themselves to benefit from the thriving world of collectibles, all while interacting with a community that values unique and historical items. For more detailed insights, you can access the original report here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "eBay Unveils 2025’s Hottest Collectibles in Year-End Trend Report" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As eBay unveils its year-end отчет, eBay Collected, small business owners have a unique opportunity to capitalize on emerging trends within the collectibles market. The report highlights key collectibles and athletes capturing attention in 2025, showcasing essential data sourced directly from eBay’s marketplace. With the collectibles market booming, understanding these shifts can provide significant advantages for small business sellers looking to diversify or improve their inventory. Adam Ireland, VP and GM of Global Collectibles at eBay, noted, “For 30 years, eBay has been the destination for collectors and fans to find, sell, and shop for the things they love, and it’s fascinating to watch trends emerge and evolve.” This year, trends such as the rise of blind box collectibles and the sustained demand for icons like Shohei Ohtani reveal that small businesses should keep a pulse on these emerging preferences. Key Takeaways: Trending Collectibles: Special attention should be paid to items like rare Labubus figures and rookie trading cards for athletes such as Shohei Ohtani, whose popularity surged by 110% this year. Global Searches Reflect Local Interests: Small business owners need to recognize that local fandom can dramatically influence what items sell. For instance, Lewis Hamilton topped searches in the U.K. while Connor Bedard and Victor Wembanyama dominated searches in Canada and France, respectively. Trading Cards Still Rule: The Pokémon franchise remains a strong performer, with the Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions and Destined Rivals sets leading searches. Additionally, Magic: The Gathering gaming cards have witnessed a remarkable resurgence. In practical terms, small business owners can benefit from these insights by adjusting their stock to include trending items. For example, if a local business has connections to the gaming community, stocking up on trending trading card sets could attract new customers and drive sales. Similarly, if you’re in the toy sector, keeping plush toys like Jellycats and Smiski figures on hand could tap into an expanding market. eBay’s report also emphasizes the phenomenon of fandom-driven collectibles, which surged this year due to adaptations in popular culture. With over one million manga listings available at any one time, small businesses that align their inventory with trending media can find opportunities for heightened engagement and increased sales. However, there are potential challenges to consider. The collectibles market can be unpredictable, with demand for certain items fluctuating dramatically. While some collectibles may see explosive growth, others may fall flat. Small business owners must be diligent about monitoring trends and consumer sentiment to avoid being stuck with stock that doesn’t move. Additionally, competition among sellers can be intense. The allure of limited-edition items means many sellers vie for customer attention. It’s crucial to build a strong online presence and create engaging marketing strategies that highlight unique offerings. Regularly updating listings and showcasing trending collectibles can give small businesses a competitive edge. To further engage the audience, eBay is hosting a live shopping event led by Storage Wars star Rene Nezhoda on December 20, where participants can bid on high-value collectibles, with proceeds benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This presents a chance for small business owners to interact with the collectibles community in real-time and observe popular items firsthand. The eBay Collected report serves as a roadmap for small business owners in the collectibles sector, underscoring the significance of staying informed about market dynamics. By leveraging these insights, businesses can strategically position themselves to benefit from the thriving world of collectibles, all while interacting with a community that values unique and historical items. For more detailed insights, you can access the original report here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "eBay Unveils 2025’s Hottest Collectibles in Year-End Trend Report" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Real employee stories, not polished slogans, are winning the war for talent. MOVE Like This With Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk. View the full article

Real employee stories, not polished slogans, are winning the war for talent. MOVE Like This With Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article

Google updated its JavaScript SEO docs with new guidance on canonical URLs for JavaScript-rendered pages. Keep canonicals consistent before and after rendering. The post Google Updates JavaScript SEO Docs With Canonical Advice appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Ryan Coogler’s bluesy vampire thriller “Sinners,” the big screen musical “Wicked: For Good” and the Netflix phenomenon “KPop Demon Hunters” are all a step closer to an Oscar nomination. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released shortlists for 12 categories Tuesday, including for best song, score, international and documentary film, cinematography and this year’s new prize, casting. “Sinners” and “Wicked: For Good” received the most shortlist mentions with eight each, including makeup and hair, sound, visual effects, score, casting and cinematography. Both have two original songs advancing as well. For “Wicked” it’s Stephen Schwartz’s “The Girl in the Bubble” and “No Place Like Home.” For “Sinners,” it’s Ludwig Göransson, Miles Caton and Alice Smith’s “Last Time (I Seen the Sun),” and Göransson and Raphael Saadiq’s “I Lied to You.” The “KPop Demon Hunters” hit “Golden,” by EJAE and Mark Sonnenblick, was another shortlisted song alongside other notable artists like: Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner for “Train Dreams”; John Mayer, Ed Sheeran and Blake Slatkin for the “F1” song “Drive”; Sara Bareilles, Brandi Carlile and Andrea Gibson for “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet” from “Come See Me In the Good Light”; and Miley Cyrus, Simon Franglen, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for “Dream as One” from “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Diane Warren also might be on her way to a 17th nomination with “Dear Me” from “Diane Warren: Relentless.” One of the highest profile shortlist categories is the best international feature, where 15 films were named including “Sentimental Value” (Norway), “Sirât” (Spain), “No Other Choice” (South Korea), “The Secret Agent” (Brazil), “It Was Just an Accident” (France), “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia), “Sound of Falling” (Germany) and “The President’s Cake” (Iraq). Notable documentaries among the 15 include “My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow,” “The Perfect Neighbor,” “The Alabama Solution,” “Come See Me in the Good Light,” “Cover-Up” and Mstyslav Chernov’s “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a co-production between The Associated Press and PBS Frontline. The Oscars’ new award for casting shortlisted 10 films that will vie for the five nomination slots: “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “The Secret Agent,” “Sentimental Value,” “Sinners,” “Sirāt,” “Weapons,” and “Wicked: For Good.” Notably “Jay Kelly and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery” did not make the list. Composers who made the shortlist for best score include Göransson (“Sinners”), Jonny Greenwood (“One Battle After Another”), Max Richter (“Hamnet”), Alexandre Desplat (“Frankenstein”) and Kangding Ray (“Sirāt”). For the most part, shortlists are determined by members in their respective categories, though the specifics vary from branch to branch: Some have committees, some have minimum viewing requirements. As most of the shortlists are in below-the-line categories celebrating crafts like sound and visual effects, there are also films that aren’t necessarily the most obvious of Oscar contenders like “The Alto Knights,” shortlisted in hair and makeup, as well as the widely panned “Tron: Ares” and “The Electric State,” both shortlisted for visual effects. “Tron: Ares” also made the lists for score and song with Nine Inch Nails’ “As Alive As You Need Me To Be”. The lists will narrow to five when final nominations are announced on Jan. 22. The 98th Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will air live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET. —Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer View the full article

Creating an official brand subreddit is one of the hardest marketing spaces to get right. Why? Because it’s hostile ground for traditional brand messaging, with some of the internet’s snarkiest users watching every move. But if you strike the right balance, the payoff is huge. Just look at r/fidelityinvestments. This brand subreddit has grown into a self-sustaining community. Members trade tips, ask questions, and help resolve issues before the company’s reps even show up. Fidelity’s still there, keeping things on track. But because the users trust the brand and the space, conversations flow without much hand-holding. So how do you get there? This guide breaks it down. With details on when to create a brand subreddit, when to skip it, and what separates vibrant communities from ghost towns. (Plus, tons of examples from standout company-owned subreddits.) Shoutout to Olena Bomko, go-to-market strategist, for sharing her insights from building a brand subreddit in 2025. Free Resource: Get the Brand Subreddit Launch Kit. It’s everything you need to confidently plan, launch, and manage your community. Do You Need a Brand Subreddit? For most brands, the answer is no. But for a select few, it can become a long-term asset. You know you’re one of them if: Your customers already talk about you in at least three subreddits You can engage daily without pitching You’ve got a Reddit native to run your subreddit You see complaints as free market research, not an insult Miss one, and you’ll struggle to keep your subreddit alive. So, let’s look at each in detail. Is Your Audience Already on Reddit? Start by confirming whether your audience already talks about you on Reddit. Run a quick check and look for: Multiple subreddits covering your category Regular mentions of your brand or competitors Questions or troubleshooting threads about your product space Use Reddit’s search bar as your starting point. Type in your brand name, your competitors, or keywords related to your industry. Then, see what comes up. For example, when I search “Semrush enterprise,” I find frequent mentions of Semrush in SEO subreddits. Users debate its pros and cons, compare it with competitors, and discuss its product features. That’s organic energy already in motion. So, a brand subreddit just gives it a home. Related reading: Audience Research: Stop Guessing What Your Buyers Care About Another thing: Some product types just naturally fit Reddit’s community culture, including: Technical or complex tools: SaaS, software, or tools where users want support and feature breakdowns Niche ecommerce brands: Mattresses, supplements, and other high-consideration DTC products people love to compare and review Finance and service tools: Banks, brokers, and budgeting apps where transparency matters Gaming and entertainment: Games or media with built-in fandoms Consumer tech: Gadgets and devices that need troubleshooting and setup discussions News and media brands: Outlets and publishers where audiences already debate coverage and breaking stories Are You Committed to Building a Community? If your only goal is to “control the narrative,” stop right here. (I can already hear the Reddit mob sharpening their pitchforks.) Yes, a brand subreddit can absolutely strengthen your reputation. But only as a byproduct of serving your community first. Your reason for being should be to create a space where users can connect and feel heard. For example, r/fidelityinvestments is a customer care channel with official Fidelity associates. But it’s also a community. Where members troubleshoot for each other, share feedback, and even defend the brand when criticisms pop up. Do You Have an Assigned Moderator? Someone has to own your brand subreddit. And they need to be there every day: Sparking conversations and posting prompts. Plus, modelling the tone you want until the community naturally mirrors it. That takes a rare mix of skills: Technical familiarity with your product Context across marketing, support, and PR Sharp community instinct and tone awareness Without that person, keeping your subreddit healthy will always feel like a grind. Are You Cool with Public Scrutiny? Even the best teams take hits on Reddit. The question is: Can you handle it? Because you will get complaints, and you will get called out. Sometimes, it’s a full-blown PR storm. Like when REI’s CEO hosted an AMA and got flooded with employee complaints about wages, hours, and sales quotas. Other times, it’s smaller. Like when a Sonos marketing email revealed someone’s password. Big or small, the spotlight’s the same. And the internet expects one thing: That you stand there, take it, and handle it in stride. (To their credit, both the REI CEO and u/keithfromSonos did just that.) So, ask yourself: “Do we have a team that can handle that pressure and keep the tone steady?” If not, skip the brand subreddit rather than lose your cool in public for everyone to screenshot. Alternatives to a Brand Subreddit If you don’t meet the above conditions, it doesn’t mean you can’t be on Reddit. You can still build visibility without launching an official community. Start by getting active in existing unofficial brand-related subreddits. GoPro, for example, doesn’t run r/gopro. Yet, it’s one of the most vibrant product spaces on the platform. Another option is to create a non-branded subreddit around your niche. For example, if you sell hiking gear, launch r/TrailTips or r/UltralightKit. You still get visibility without the pressure of running an official branded space. Another alternative is using your user account as your brand’s central presence. Many media companies do this well. Like The Washington Post at u/washingtonpost/ and Drop.com at u/drop_official/. How to Create a Company Subreddit (5 Steps) Think a company subreddit fits your brand? Perfect! When done right, it can deliver real results, including: Deeper customer insights A self-sustaining community More visibility in SEO and large language models (LLMs) “Our share of voice has definitely improved. Two months ago, Reddit Answers didn’t even mention Favikon when I searched for the best influencer marketing platforms. Now, it’s up there in Reddit’s search results.” – Olena Bomko Ready to build yours? Let’s get into it. Step 0: Meet the Minimum Requirements Before creating a subreddit, become a Redditor first. Spend time on the platform and learn the culture. Observe how conversations flow, how moderators maintain order, and what earns trust. Further reading: Reddit Marketing in 3 Hours/Week: From 0 Karma to Real Cred Reddit also has minimum requirements before you can create a community: Your account must be at least 30 days old You need positive karma (the exact threshold isn’t public) Translation: You have to earn your place before you can build one. Step 1. Get Clear on Your Goals Before you create a brand subreddit, pick one primary goal for your community. This dictates how you run the subreddit: What you post How you show up How you measure success (We’ll talk about cadence, staffing, and moderation in later steps.) Plus, when everyone knows the “why,” every post naturally lines up with it. Side note: Your community can support other goals. But your primary goal should define how you measure success. That’s what makes it easier to see whether it’s actually working. For example, a support-first subreddit focuses on speed, accuracy, and trust. It needs moderators who know the product and can solve problems publicly. r/fidelityinvestments is an example of this. Verified associates answer customer questions, while pinned announcements guide users through service updates. And, if they were tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), they’d likely focus on response time and resolution rate. Now, compare that to a community-first subreddit. It usually thrives on curation, conversation, and peer support. Moderators act more like hosts, encouraging user-generated content (UGC) and keeping discussions flowing. r/LifeOnPurple runs this way. The mattress brand posts lightly, shares occasional updates, and lets UGC drive momentum. Their key metrics probably include: Percentage of UGC Active users Returning posters Common Brand Subreddit Goals Here are the top three core goals most brand subreddits serve. Choose one, commit to it, and let the rest orbit naturally to keep your subreddit focused. Goal Type Main Tasks Typical Post Types Brand Presence & Awareness Customer Care Reduce support load and create a searchable archive FAQs, tutorials, outage updates, support megathreads Shape conversation, build credibility, maintain visibility Community & Advocacy Build loyalty, spark UGC, encourage co-creation “Show & Tell” threads, contests, polls, feedback loops Announcements, AMAs, explainers, curated news Brand Presence & Awareness Shape conversation, build credibility, maintain visibility UGC ratio, non-brand posts/week, returning posters Engagement rate, sentiment, referral traffic Step 2: Put People (and Rules) in Place Once you’ve set your goals, decide who’ll run the subreddit. And how. The right person (or team) makes sure that: Questions get answered quickly Moderation feels fair Brand messaging stays consistent Start by assigning one primary moderator. They’ll be accountable for growth, moderation quality, and reporting insights. In most teams, that’s your community manager, social media lead, or support head. Preferably, someone who knows the product and understands community dynamics. But a great subreddit is rarely a one-person show. So, make sure your moderator has access to others in the company. Here’s how that can look depending on your subreddit type: Support-heavy subreddits: Include a product specialist or customer service rep who can jump in fast Community-first spaces: Bring in someone from marketing or content to spark conversations or highlight great posts Developer or technical subs: Involve a product manager or engineer who can step in when discussions get technical For example, r/SEMrush is run by Semrush employees who actively join conversations and clarify product questions when needed. In contrast, r/hubspot’s moderators are a combination of members from the HubSpot support team and a power user. Bring Key People to Your Subreddit You should also have a few “guest stars” lined up. These are your execs, product managers (PMs), or team leads. They don’t need to be available all the time. But, having them join conversations signals two things: access and accountability. For example, as Favikon builds its company subreddit in its early stages, the team regularly runs AMAs with leaders and associates. Define Your Ground Rules Everyone who represents your brand on Reddit should know exactly how to show up. So, create an internal guide — like a company subreddit playbook — outlining how your brand speaks and behaves on Reddit. At a minimum, cover these areas: Brand tone: How your company sounds when it speaks Disclosure: Make it clear you’re speaking for the brand. Use verified handles or flairs like “Official Response” or “From the CEO.” Confidentiality: Define what can be shared publicly vs. what stays internal Escalation: Outline how moderators flag issues to support, PR, or product teams Response guidelines: When to jump in, when to step back, and when to let the community self-resolve Moderation scenarios: How to handle misinformation, conflict, or spam consistently and fairly Crisis protocols: Who leads if a post goes viral, a complaint snowballs, or a product issue surfaces Reality check: You don’t need an extensive playbook on day one. Start with the essentials that help moderators act confidently. Then, evolve it as your subreddit — and your instincts — mature. Step 3: Set Up Your Subreddit With your moderators and rules ready, it’s time to build the actual space. To set it up, use a desktop. It’s much smoother than mobile. Start by clicking “Start a ccommunity” in the left-hand sidebar. You’ll see a pop-up window that walks you through setup. Here’s what matters most in each step. Pick the Right 3 Topics First, you’ll be asked to choose three topics your community belongs to. These help Reddit’s discovery algorithm surface your subreddit to the right users. So, your topic choice could affect who finds you. In other words: Treat topic selection like SEO for community discovery. Choose Your Community Type Next, decide how open your subreddit will be: Public: Best for most brand launches Restricted: Useful for soft launches Private: Good for internal pilots or early betas Mature (18+): Only if your content genuinely requires age restriction. Most brands should go “Public” for organic reach. But there are also situations where “Private” or “Restricted” makes sense. For example, if you want to keep everything hidden while you build, set it to “Private.” And, if you’re not launching yet — but you want to own the URL before someone else grabs it — go “Restricted.” Just remember, switching later requires Reddit’s approval. Name Your Subreddit Next comes naming your community. This one’s permanent. So, check spelling and capitalization. Stick with r/YourBrand or r/yourbrand when possible. If it’s taken, use a clear variant such as r/YourBrandOfficial, r/YourProduct, or r/YourBrandSupport. Here are a few examples: r/0xPolygon (Polygon Labs) r/SEMrush (Semrush) r/LifeOnPurple (Purple Mattress) Next, add a short description in the field below the subreddit name. You can update this anytime. So, keep it simple for now. (Unless you’ve already got a strong one.) An effective subreddit description should: Say who it’s for Say what members can do Set expectations For example, Favikon’s description clearly states what the community is for and what the brand will provide. It’s obvious that the space serves both the community (creators) and the brand’s updates. Fidelity’s description, on the other hand, is clear that it’s a customer care channel. With Fidelity associates answering product-related questions. It also clarifies that they don’t handle account-specific issues: A small but crucial detail that manages expectations early. Add Visuals to Make It Look Official After writing your description, it’s time to add visuals: Specifically, your icon and banner. For your icon, upload a recognizable asset, such as your logo. This helps users instantly see that the subreddit is official. Next, add your banner. A 1920 x 384 pixel image works best, though Reddit also allows slimmer options like 1920 x 256 or 1920 x 128. Your banner should reflect your brand identity without feeling like an ad. The r/LifeOnPurple subreddit, for example, uses the Purple Mattress logo and a clean purple banner consistent with its brand design. But r/MobileLegendsGame uses detailed artwork that fits its gaming audience. Once you’ve uploaded your logo and banner, click “Create Community.” And voila! That’s your subreddit live. Step 4: Personalize and Prepare for Launch Once your subreddit exists, the next step is to make it feel alive. Do these four things to make it feel welcoming: Add clear community rules Write and pin a welcome post Add a few starter threads Set up sticky highlights Let’s walk through each. Define Community Rules Every subreddit needs community rules. They define the kind of space you’re building. You don’t need a long list, especially at the start. Four to six guidelines are enough to set expectations and boundaries. Cover the basics first: No spam Be respectful Don’t share personal information Then, add one or two brand-specific rules. For example, r/mintmobile, a community with heavy customer engagement, adds a rule against spreading false information. Plus, a reminder not to post personal details. While r/hubspot, a fairly new subreddit, has only three rules. To add rules, click “Mod Tools” at the top right sidebar of your subreddit page. Then, scroll down to the “MODERATION” section in the left sidebar. Click “Rules” > “Create Rule.” Pro tip: Spend time exploring Mod Tools. That’s where you customize your subreddit’s look, rules, and automation. The more familiar you are with that panel, the smoother your moderation as the community grows. Write the Welcome Post A welcome post helps new visitors understand what the subreddit’s for and how to participate. There’s no single right format. Just make it clear and approachable. r/reolinkcam, for example, uses a pinned “Please Read This Before Posting” thread. It starts with short, practical guidance, followed by a quick intro, links to product setup guides, and an FAQ section. r/Comcast_Xfinity takes a different approach. Its welcome post lays out the community code of conduct, explains how to use flairs, and summarizes key rules. To create your first post, click “Create Post.” It’s at the top right corner of your subreddit page. Post Conversation Starters Once your welcome post is live, add a few early posts to make your community feel active. Some threads you can write include: FAQ: Answer common support or sales questions your team already gets Product updates or announcements: Share new releases to keep people in the loop Community guidelines: Restate the rules and add context, like where to report bugs or how to tag posts How to/tutorial: Solve a top recurring problem. It reduces tickets and becomes a reusable resource. Pin Community Highlights Sticky posts are the first thing visitors see when they land on your subreddit. They’re pinned to the top of your feed. When used well, they double as trust signals. A kind of proof that your brand is active and organized. Start by pinning your “Welcome Post,” then layer in others as your community grows. For example, r/SEMrush keeps its biggest updates (like the AI Visibility Toolkit launch) and company news pinned. This way, new visitors instantly see what’s new. Meanwhile, r/fidelityinvestments often features Engagement prompts Weekly Q&As Official announcements To make any post sticky, open the post, scroll down, and click the shield icon. Then, select “Add to highlights.” That post will now appear at the top of your subreddit. Step 5: Launch Your Subreddit Now that everything’s in place, it’s time to spark the first lights of community. Invite Founding Members Founding members help set the tone and the tempo of your brand subreddit. Ideally, they’re your superfans. People who already share your enthusiasm. They’re usually: Power users who love your product Loyal customers who actively engage Industry peers who enjoy sharing what they know These voices bring authenticity and fill your first threads with real conversation. They’ll also help define your culture. So, treat them like subreddit co-founders, not just early users. How do you get them? Start with a simple, genuine invitation. A one-on-one message always beats a mass announcement. “Hey [name],We’re launching a small community on Reddit. It’s going to be a place to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape how our products evolve. You’ve been one of the most insightful voices in our space. I would love for you to be part of it from the start.” [Your name] Announce It Publicly (But Frame It Right) Once you’ve got a few active members and threads, announce your subreddit in your owned channels, including: Email Slack community Social media Company website But don’t pitch it as “a place to follow us.” Frame it as a shared space where your team and users exchange insights, solve problems, and showcase projects. You can also invite followers from other platforms when there’s something happening — like an AMA or live discussion. The way Olena does it on X, for example. This approach builds awareness and attracts people who genuinely want to be part of your community. Cross-Promote in Related Subreddits (Carefully) If you or your team already participates in related subreddits, mention your new community when it genuinely adds value to a discussion. Side note: Always check each subreddit’s rules first. Many ban self-promotion. This tactic works best when your user account already has credibility in that subreddit. If people recognize your username from your past helpful comments, the subreddit mention feels natural, not sneaky. Pro tip: NEVER ask employees to pose as independent users to promote your brand. That’s called astroturfing — and it’s one of the fastest ways to destroy credibility on Reddit. How to Keep Your Brand Subreddit Alive Once your founding members are active, the real work begins: Keeping your subreddit alive and thriving. You don’t need dozens of posts a day, but you do need steady participation. Moderate and Engage Consistently How often you show up depends on your subreddit’s purpose, but the principle stays the same: Be present. Respond quickly: Aim to reply within 24 hours Enforce rules fairly: Remove spam and toxic behavior, but don’t over-police Check in daily (or at least on weekdays): Even 15–20 minutes a day keeps threads from going unanswered For example, moderators in r/Comcast_Xfinity regularly pin troubleshooting threads and reply to outage questions. From their flairs alone, you can tell they’re listening and available. Side note: A flair is a small label that appears next to a username or post title. It adds instant context to every interaction. You can customize flairs in Mod Tools. Start Meaningful Rituals and Events Rituals keep communities alive and give people a reason to come back. Some easy ones to start include: Weekly or monthly megathreads for support or feedback Recurring posts like “Feedback Friday” or “Tutorial Tuesday” Regular AMAs with your CEO or product team Community contests or creative prompts Keep these rituals going long enough, and people start showing up out of habit. It becomes a place where regulars connect through shared threads and interests. And that’s how your subreddit turns from just another space into a familiar home. Not sure where to start? Look at non-brand subreddits for inspiration. For example, r/bullcity — Durham, North Carolina’s official subreddit — has a biweekly anything goes thread. This is where people can add any posts that “would otherwise be considered spam” into the thread. It’s pinned in the community highlights and keeps local conversations active and open. Encourage User Contributions Invite members to share their own tips, advice, and projects. Then, amplify their participation: Make a special flair for “Top Contributor” Highlight the most useful tips Feature a “Member of the Month” These small bits of recognition let people know their voice matters. And can turn a casual user into a loyal regular. Pro tip: Reddit’s spam filter can be overzealous. Keep an eye on auto-removed posts so real users don’t lose motivation. Handle Criticism Transparently (and With Grace) Negative posts are inevitable, and deleting them is the worst move you can make. Instead, respond honestly. Acknowledge the issue, and explain what’s being done about it. Even if your answer isn’t perfect, that transparency helps build credibility. To see how it’s done well, look at how other brands handle criticism or answer tough questions. For example, Beardbrand owner, u/bandholz, once replied to the question: “Is Beardbrand just not great anymore?” in a calm and factual way. This turned a critical post into a constructive discussion. Track Your Subreddit Engagement and Growth To grow your subreddit, think less about control and more about connection. And always watch the engagement: Are members helping each other? Are discussions happening without you prompting them? When activity dips, nudge it with a new prompt or AMA. When it grows, resist the urge to overmanage. Then, use Reddit Analytics to see whether the community is growing or slowing. This helps you quickly gauge what’s working. “I spend time in Reddit’s native analytics tools. They’re not super detailed, but I can track member growth and weekly contributions. I can also see daily numbers for posts, comments, and unique users. For what I do — and what I need to track right now — that’s more than enough.” Make Your Brand Subreddit the Hub Your brand subreddit works best as part of a complete Reddit presence, not in isolation. Once it’s well-established, blend it with smart Reddit marketing, including ads, partnerships, and organic participation. That’s when Reddit stops being just another forum and becomes an ecosystem that grows your visibility and your credibility at the same time. The post How to Build a Brand Subreddit: Full Setup Guide (+ Examples) appeared first on Backlinko. View the full article

To thrive in today’s competitive market, improving your sales skills is crucial. Investing in targeted training courses can equip you with effective cold calling techniques, strategies for cross and up selling, and the ability to create compelling sales presentations. By focusing on your specific challenges, you can build stronger customer relationships and improve your overall performance. Curious about the specific courses that can enhance your skills and boost your revenue? Let’s explore the seven crucial training options available. Key Takeaways Sales fundamentals courses provide a strong foundation in essential selling techniques and concepts for new and experienced sales professionals. Advanced cold calling workshops enhance skills, focusing on building rapport and overcoming objections to improve call success rates. Cross-selling and upselling training teaches effective strategies for increasing customer satisfaction and deal size, boosting overall sales performance. Compelling presentation skills courses emphasize storytelling, visual aids, and tailored presentations to engage audiences and improve closing rates. Continuous learning programs, including workshops and online courses, foster skill development and adaptability in a rapidly changing sales environment. How to Cold Call and Build New Customers Cold calling can be a vital tool for broadening your sales pipeline, especially since studies reveal that 57% of decision-makers prefer phone contact for business discussions. To maximize your cold calling success, consider enrolling in advanced sales training or sales training courses that focus particularly on this skill. Effective techniques involve thorough preparation, including researching prospects and crafting personalized pitches, leading to a potential 20% increase in successful calls. Building rapport quickly is important; it can improve your conversion rates by up to 50%. Furthermore, practicing objection handling during sales training for inside sales prepares you to respond confidently, making you 40% more likely to overcome rejections. Incorporating role-playing scenarios can boost your confidence by 30% when making actual calls. Cross and Up Selling When executed effectively, cross and up selling can greatly improve both customer satisfaction and sales revenue. Training in these techniques boosts your ability to identify win-win opportunities, ensuring customers feel valued. Satisfied customers are more likely to return, increasing loyalty and retention. You can greatly increase your average deal size and overall sales performance by up to 30%. Effective cross and up selling strategies focus on comprehending customer needs, communication, and timing, which is vital for making relevant suggestions. Consider enrolling in free sales training programs or sales courses online free with certification to develop these fundamental skills. Benefit Customer Impact Sales Impact Improved satisfaction Increased loyalty Higher deal size Enhanced communication Better customer experience Shortened sales cycles Increased revenue potential Repeat purchases Boosted overall performance Compelling Sales Presentations Compelling sales presentations play a crucial role in engaging potential clients and effectively communicating your value proposition. By utilizing effective storytelling, you can increase audience retention by up to 70%. Incorporating visual aids improves comprehension, with studies showing that visuals enhance recall by 65%. A clear value proposition can boost your chances of closing a sale by 30%. Practicing presentation skills through role-playing scenarios can lead to a 57% improvement in your sales performance. Tailoring your presentations to address specific customer needs can result in a 50% increase in engagement during meetings. Consider enrolling in sales training seminars near me or sales representative courses, along with sales strategy courses, to improve these critical skills for your success. Sales Essentials Subscription The Sales Fundamentals Subscription gives you access to six extensive courses that cover key practical sales tools and techniques. You’ll explore fundamental topics like prospecting, closing deals, and customer engagement strategies, all designed to boost your sales performance. This flexible format allows you to learn at your own pace, making it easier to balance your training with your work commitments. Comprehensive Course Access Accessing the Sales Fundamentals Subscription not just equips you with six thorough courses but furthermore improves your overall sales effectiveness. This subscription is a valuable investment in your professional development, offering crucial skills and techniques for traversing the sales environment. Here are some benefits you can expect: Extensive coverage of practical sales tools. Real-world applications for immediate implementation. Continuous learning to stay updated on industry trends. Improved performance metrics, contributing to a robust sales pipeline. Flexibility in training formats to suit your needs. Whether you’re pursuing b2b sales certification or exploring sales training prices, these sales and marketing training courses provide a solid foundation for enhancing your sales capabilities and driving revenue growth. Practical Sales Tools Releasing your potential in sales starts with the Sales Fundamental Subscription, which provides six practical courses aimed at enhancing your foundational skills. These sales and marketing courses cover crucial topics like prospecting, relationship-building, and closing techniques, ensuring you gain actionable strategies. Each course is designed for real-world application, allowing you to implement what you learn immediately in your sales processes. Whether you’re taking inside sales courses or a sales consultant course, the flexible learning format enables you to progress at your own pace. Sales Effectiveness Subscription When you invest in the Sales Effectiveness Subscription, you’re equipping your sales team with eleven extensive courses intended to improve critical skills throughout the sales cycle. This subscription not only improves overall sales performance but additionally helps your team navigate complex sales environments. Here are some key benefits: Practical tools for effective communication and negotiation Techniques focused on closing deals and securing commitments Continuous access to updated content reflecting industry trends Improved win rates leading to increased revenue generation A culture of ongoing learning, with trained reps 57% more effective Though there’s a sales training cost associated, consider the value it provides compared to free sales certification courses and other sales and marketing courses online. Closing the Sale by Building Customer Relationships To close a sale effectively, you need to understand your customer’s needs and build lasting connections. Engaging with clients throughout the sales process not just cultivates trust but likewise helps you tailor your approach to what they truly value. Understanding Needs Effectively How can awareness of customer needs transform your sales approach? When you recognize what your customers truly want, you can customize your sales techniques to meet their specific requirements. This knowledge is crucial for closing deals and cultivating loyalty. Here are key practices to improve your awareness: Ask insightful questions to uncover motivations. Engage in active listening to grasp pain points. Utilize empathy to connect with customers. Attend sales training programs for customized strategies. Search for sales seminars near me to refine your skills. Building Lasting Connections Building lasting connections with customers is a fundamental aspect of successful sales. Through effective sales training, you learn to ask insightful questions and actively listen, which are critical for comprehending customer needs. When you prioritize relationship-building, you not only improve loyalty but also create a more lucrative sales pipeline. Training in marketing and sales emphasizes the importance of forming important connections, which contributes considerably to closing sales effectively. By enrolling in sales classes near me, you can develop these indispensable skills, leading to higher win rates and improved overall performance. Cultivating strong relationships allows you to engage customers throughout the sales process, eventually driving better results and ensuring long-term success in your sales career. Engaging Throughout Process Engaging customers throughout the sales process plays a crucial role in effectively closing deals, as it nurtures trust and loyalty. By focusing on relationship-building, you can improve your sales performance considerably. Here are key strategies to implement: Ask questions to uncover customer needs and pain points. Actively listen to customer feedback and concerns. Personalize interactions to create a customized experience. Maintain consistent communication to cultivate connection. Participate in sales workshops and technical sales training courses for skills improvement. Consider enrolling in free online sales and marketing courses with certificates to further develop these vital skills. Engaging your customers effectively sets the stage for successful sales closures and a lucrative sales pipeline. Develop Essential Sales Skills in Your Organization Investing in essential sales training courses can greatly improve your organization’s overall sales performance. By enrolling your team in free sales and marketing courses or short-term courses in sales and marketing, you’ll improve their effectiveness and adaptability. Customized sales rep courses focus on specific challenges like negotiation and relationship building, which boost confidence and skill mastery. Continuous learning opportunities are important; when sales representatives dedicate nearly 20% of their time to upskilling, they remain competitive. Implementing personalized training solutions that reflect real-world scenarios leads to shorter sales cycles and improved customer engagement. In the end, these strategies contribute to your organization’s growth, driving revenue and nurturing lasting relationships with clients. Frequently Asked Questions How to Improve Your Skills in Sales? To improve your skills in sales, focus on continuous learning through relevant training programs. Practice effective prospecting techniques, boost your ability to identify customer needs, and refine your negotiation skills. Engage in role-playing scenarios that simulate real-world situations, allowing you to build confidence. Seek feedback from experienced professionals and consistently evaluate your performance to identify areas for growth. Emphasize relationship-building, as strong connections with clients can lead to sustained sales success. What Kind of Training Does a Salesperson Need? A salesperson needs training that improves their product knowledge, enhances negotiation skills, and builds strong customer relationships. Training should focus on effective prospecting techniques and grasping customer needs. Incorporating role-playing scenarios helps in practicing real-world situations, boosting confidence during interactions. Continuous education is crucial for adapting to market changes, making ongoing training programs necessary. In the end, developing these competencies markedly impacts a salesperson’s ability to close deals successfully and maintain a competitive edge. Which Certification Is Best for Sales? Choosing the best certification for sales depends on your experience and goals. For newer sales reps, the Salesforce Sales Representative Certification is suitable, focusing on customer-centric strategies. If you’re looking to improve interpersonal skills, consider Dale Carnegie’s training, which emphasizes relationship-building. For a psychological approach, Sandler Training offers thorough reinforcement. The RAIN Group provides insights into consultative selling. Assess your needs and select a certification that aligns with your career aspirations. What Are the Three Most Important Skills in Sales? The three most important skills in sales are effective communication, strong negotiation, and relationship building. You need to communicate clearly to convey value and engage customers. Excelling in negotiation techniques helps you close deals more efficiently. Finally, building and nurturing relationships promotes loyalty and repeat business. By focusing on these skills, you improve your ability to understand customer needs, respond appropriately, and ultimately drive sales growth in a competitive market. Conclusion Investing in these crucial sales training courses can greatly improve your skills and performance in the competitive sales environment. By focusing on key areas such as cold calling, relationship building, and effective presentations, you can develop a versatile skill set that meets the demands of today’s market. Continuous learning through subscriptions and customized workshops guarantees you stay adaptable and effective. Prioritizing your training will not merely improve your sales outcomes but additionally strengthen your connections with clients, finally driving revenue growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Sales Training Courses to Boost Skills" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

To thrive in today’s competitive market, improving your sales skills is crucial. Investing in targeted training courses can equip you with effective cold calling techniques, strategies for cross and up selling, and the ability to create compelling sales presentations. By focusing on your specific challenges, you can build stronger customer relationships and improve your overall performance. Curious about the specific courses that can enhance your skills and boost your revenue? Let’s explore the seven crucial training options available. Key Takeaways Sales fundamentals courses provide a strong foundation in essential selling techniques and concepts for new and experienced sales professionals. Advanced cold calling workshops enhance skills, focusing on building rapport and overcoming objections to improve call success rates. Cross-selling and upselling training teaches effective strategies for increasing customer satisfaction and deal size, boosting overall sales performance. Compelling presentation skills courses emphasize storytelling, visual aids, and tailored presentations to engage audiences and improve closing rates. Continuous learning programs, including workshops and online courses, foster skill development and adaptability in a rapidly changing sales environment. How to Cold Call and Build New Customers Cold calling can be a vital tool for broadening your sales pipeline, especially since studies reveal that 57% of decision-makers prefer phone contact for business discussions. To maximize your cold calling success, consider enrolling in advanced sales training or sales training courses that focus particularly on this skill. Effective techniques involve thorough preparation, including researching prospects and crafting personalized pitches, leading to a potential 20% increase in successful calls. Building rapport quickly is important; it can improve your conversion rates by up to 50%. Furthermore, practicing objection handling during sales training for inside sales prepares you to respond confidently, making you 40% more likely to overcome rejections. Incorporating role-playing scenarios can boost your confidence by 30% when making actual calls. Cross and Up Selling When executed effectively, cross and up selling can greatly improve both customer satisfaction and sales revenue. Training in these techniques boosts your ability to identify win-win opportunities, ensuring customers feel valued. Satisfied customers are more likely to return, increasing loyalty and retention. You can greatly increase your average deal size and overall sales performance by up to 30%. Effective cross and up selling strategies focus on comprehending customer needs, communication, and timing, which is vital for making relevant suggestions. Consider enrolling in free sales training programs or sales courses online free with certification to develop these fundamental skills. Benefit Customer Impact Sales Impact Improved satisfaction Increased loyalty Higher deal size Enhanced communication Better customer experience Shortened sales cycles Increased revenue potential Repeat purchases Boosted overall performance Compelling Sales Presentations Compelling sales presentations play a crucial role in engaging potential clients and effectively communicating your value proposition. By utilizing effective storytelling, you can increase audience retention by up to 70%. Incorporating visual aids improves comprehension, with studies showing that visuals enhance recall by 65%. A clear value proposition can boost your chances of closing a sale by 30%. Practicing presentation skills through role-playing scenarios can lead to a 57% improvement in your sales performance. Tailoring your presentations to address specific customer needs can result in a 50% increase in engagement during meetings. Consider enrolling in sales training seminars near me or sales representative courses, along with sales strategy courses, to improve these critical skills for your success. Sales Essentials Subscription The Sales Fundamentals Subscription gives you access to six extensive courses that cover key practical sales tools and techniques. You’ll explore fundamental topics like prospecting, closing deals, and customer engagement strategies, all designed to boost your sales performance. This flexible format allows you to learn at your own pace, making it easier to balance your training with your work commitments. Comprehensive Course Access Accessing the Sales Fundamentals Subscription not just equips you with six thorough courses but furthermore improves your overall sales effectiveness. This subscription is a valuable investment in your professional development, offering crucial skills and techniques for traversing the sales environment. Here are some benefits you can expect: Extensive coverage of practical sales tools. Real-world applications for immediate implementation. Continuous learning to stay updated on industry trends. Improved performance metrics, contributing to a robust sales pipeline. Flexibility in training formats to suit your needs. Whether you’re pursuing b2b sales certification or exploring sales training prices, these sales and marketing training courses provide a solid foundation for enhancing your sales capabilities and driving revenue growth. Practical Sales Tools Releasing your potential in sales starts with the Sales Fundamental Subscription, which provides six practical courses aimed at enhancing your foundational skills. These sales and marketing courses cover crucial topics like prospecting, relationship-building, and closing techniques, ensuring you gain actionable strategies. Each course is designed for real-world application, allowing you to implement what you learn immediately in your sales processes. Whether you’re taking inside sales courses or a sales consultant course, the flexible learning format enables you to progress at your own pace. Sales Effectiveness Subscription When you invest in the Sales Effectiveness Subscription, you’re equipping your sales team with eleven extensive courses intended to improve critical skills throughout the sales cycle. This subscription not only improves overall sales performance but additionally helps your team navigate complex sales environments. Here are some key benefits: Practical tools for effective communication and negotiation Techniques focused on closing deals and securing commitments Continuous access to updated content reflecting industry trends Improved win rates leading to increased revenue generation A culture of ongoing learning, with trained reps 57% more effective Though there’s a sales training cost associated, consider the value it provides compared to free sales certification courses and other sales and marketing courses online. Closing the Sale by Building Customer Relationships To close a sale effectively, you need to understand your customer’s needs and build lasting connections. Engaging with clients throughout the sales process not just cultivates trust but likewise helps you tailor your approach to what they truly value. Understanding Needs Effectively How can awareness of customer needs transform your sales approach? When you recognize what your customers truly want, you can customize your sales techniques to meet their specific requirements. This knowledge is crucial for closing deals and cultivating loyalty. Here are key practices to improve your awareness: Ask insightful questions to uncover motivations. Engage in active listening to grasp pain points. Utilize empathy to connect with customers. Attend sales training programs for customized strategies. Search for sales seminars near me to refine your skills. Building Lasting Connections Building lasting connections with customers is a fundamental aspect of successful sales. Through effective sales training, you learn to ask insightful questions and actively listen, which are critical for comprehending customer needs. When you prioritize relationship-building, you not only improve loyalty but also create a more lucrative sales pipeline. Training in marketing and sales emphasizes the importance of forming important connections, which contributes considerably to closing sales effectively. By enrolling in sales classes near me, you can develop these indispensable skills, leading to higher win rates and improved overall performance. Cultivating strong relationships allows you to engage customers throughout the sales process, eventually driving better results and ensuring long-term success in your sales career. Engaging Throughout Process Engaging customers throughout the sales process plays a crucial role in effectively closing deals, as it nurtures trust and loyalty. By focusing on relationship-building, you can improve your sales performance considerably. Here are key strategies to implement: Ask questions to uncover customer needs and pain points. Actively listen to customer feedback and concerns. Personalize interactions to create a customized experience. Maintain consistent communication to cultivate connection. Participate in sales workshops and technical sales training courses for skills improvement. Consider enrolling in free online sales and marketing courses with certificates to further develop these vital skills. Engaging your customers effectively sets the stage for successful sales closures and a lucrative sales pipeline. Develop Essential Sales Skills in Your Organization Investing in essential sales training courses can greatly improve your organization’s overall sales performance. By enrolling your team in free sales and marketing courses or short-term courses in sales and marketing, you’ll improve their effectiveness and adaptability. Customized sales rep courses focus on specific challenges like negotiation and relationship building, which boost confidence and skill mastery. Continuous learning opportunities are important; when sales representatives dedicate nearly 20% of their time to upskilling, they remain competitive. Implementing personalized training solutions that reflect real-world scenarios leads to shorter sales cycles and improved customer engagement. In the end, these strategies contribute to your organization’s growth, driving revenue and nurturing lasting relationships with clients. Frequently Asked Questions How to Improve Your Skills in Sales? To improve your skills in sales, focus on continuous learning through relevant training programs. Practice effective prospecting techniques, boost your ability to identify customer needs, and refine your negotiation skills. Engage in role-playing scenarios that simulate real-world situations, allowing you to build confidence. Seek feedback from experienced professionals and consistently evaluate your performance to identify areas for growth. Emphasize relationship-building, as strong connections with clients can lead to sustained sales success. What Kind of Training Does a Salesperson Need? A salesperson needs training that improves their product knowledge, enhances negotiation skills, and builds strong customer relationships. Training should focus on effective prospecting techniques and grasping customer needs. Incorporating role-playing scenarios helps in practicing real-world situations, boosting confidence during interactions. Continuous education is crucial for adapting to market changes, making ongoing training programs necessary. In the end, developing these competencies markedly impacts a salesperson’s ability to close deals successfully and maintain a competitive edge. Which Certification Is Best for Sales? Choosing the best certification for sales depends on your experience and goals. For newer sales reps, the Salesforce Sales Representative Certification is suitable, focusing on customer-centric strategies. If you’re looking to improve interpersonal skills, consider Dale Carnegie’s training, which emphasizes relationship-building. For a psychological approach, Sandler Training offers thorough reinforcement. The RAIN Group provides insights into consultative selling. Assess your needs and select a certification that aligns with your career aspirations. What Are the Three Most Important Skills in Sales? The three most important skills in sales are effective communication, strong negotiation, and relationship building. You need to communicate clearly to convey value and engage customers. Excelling in negotiation techniques helps you close deals more efficiently. Finally, building and nurturing relationships promotes loyalty and repeat business. By focusing on these skills, you improve your ability to understand customer needs, respond appropriately, and ultimately drive sales growth in a competitive market. Conclusion Investing in these crucial sales training courses can greatly improve your skills and performance in the competitive sales environment. By focusing on key areas such as cold calling, relationship building, and effective presentations, you can develop a versatile skill set that meets the demands of today’s market. Continuous learning through subscriptions and customized workshops guarantees you stay adaptable and effective. Prioritizing your training will not merely improve your sales outcomes but additionally strengthen your connections with clients, finally driving revenue growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Sales Training Courses to Boost Skills" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Following the major image editing upgrades added to Google Gemini back in August—under the whimsical codename Nano Banana—it's OpenAI's turn to supercharge the tools you get for image manipulations inside ChatGPT. The new update is called GPT Image 1.5, and is rolling out now for all users. One of the key improvements here, as was the case with Nano Banana, is the way that ChatGPT can now edit a specific part of an image while keeping everything else consistent. You can add or remove something, or change the color or style of something, without ending up with an entirely different looking picture. Another feature ChatGPT has now borrowed from Gemini: the ability to combine multiple images together in one scene. Want you and your best friend in front of Sydney Harbour Bridge? No problem—just supply the source pictures and the AI will do the rest. You can also change visual styles while maintaining consistent details. OpenAI says the new image editor and generator is able to follow instructions "more reliably," and render pictures up to four times faster than before. Text can be more varied in style and size, and images should be more realistic and error-free in general—though OpenAI also admits there's still room for improvement. It's the best image generator tool we've ever seen in ChatGPT, and it all looks impressive at first glance—but how does it stack up in practice against Gemini and Nano Banana? I put the two models to the test via the $20-per-month plan on both platforms (that's ChatGPT Plus and Google AI Pro, respectively) to see how they compared. Rendering and editing imagesOpen up ChatGPT on the web or on mobile and you'll see there's a new Images tab on the left-hand navigation pane. This takes you to a library of your existing pictures, together with some new prompts for creating images. You get some suggestions for prompts, plus an assortment of preset portrait image styles you can apply. A journalist, lamp, and countryside scene courtesy of Gemini. Credit: Gemini A journalist, lamp, and countryside scene courtesy of ChatGPT. Credit: ChatGPT I tested out the new GPT Image 1.5 model by getting ChatGPT to generate a busy tech journalist, a lamp in the middle of an empty warehouse, and a cartoon-style rolling landscape of hills in the fog. I then got Gemini to create the same pictures with the same prompts. While the results were pretty varied, in terms of quality and realism they were pretty equal—the occasional issue with weird physics and repetition, but nothing too bad. Both ChatGPT and Gemini are now quite competent at clean image edits, too: Both AI bots seamlessly switched the journalist's clothing to a shirt and tie without touching any other part of the picture. This would have taken a significant amount of time to do manually, even by a Photoshop expert, and shows just how transformative AI imaging is becoming. Color changes were all handled with aplomb, but the AIs struggled a bit with perspective changes, where I asked to see the same shot from another angle. In these cases, instructions were less well-followed and the images were less consistent (as new areas needed to be rendered), though ChatGPT did a little better than Gemini at getting good results. Clothing can now be swapped out in seconds (Gemini edition). Credit: Gemini Clothing can now be swapped out in seconds (ChatGPT edition). Credit: ChatGPT The classic "remove an object from this picture" challenge was handled with aplomb: Both Gemini and ChatGPT were able to remove a cottage from the countryside scene with surgical precision, leaving everything else intact. Again, these are the kind of time-intensive image edits that would previously have needed a lot of careful effort, and that can now be done in seconds. Gemini's attempt at removing a cottage. Credit: Gemini ChatGPT's attempt at removing a cottage. Credit: ChatGPT Combining and remixing imagesAnother talent ChatGPT and Gemini now have is being able to combine images together. So you can have separate photos of you and your parents, put them together in the same shot, and then add in a background of wherever you like. You can get perfect family photos without actually gathering together your relatives together or going anywhere. This was an area where Gemini and ChatGPT did struggle a bit more: The editing dexterity was still impressive, but the results didn't always look like a single, coherent scene. Lighting is sometimes off, or elements from different images appear at different scales, and you'll have to do a bit more tweaking and editing and reprompting to get everything right. ChatGPT did fare slightly better at blending different images and elements together, and changing the overall look of a picture. When I tried to get the AIs to mix all my images together in a moody film noir shot, ChatGPT produced something pretty consistent—the Gemini effort looked a lot more like a cut-and-paste job. It can be fun remixing photos again and again—adding new people, changing the weather, moving the location—and both these bots are now capable of some rather incredible results. Remixing photos of family and friends will be popular, but it's not all that easy: With people you know, any generative AI that gets added tends to look wrong, because neither ChatGPT nor Gemini knows exactly what these people look like, how they smile, how they're built, or how they tend to stand or sit. Gemini can combine images—but they look like different images. Credit: Gemini ChatGPT did a better job at creating a new image that looked correct. Credit: ChatGPT In terms of ChatGPT vs. Gemini, they're both at a high level now—a level that puts advanced Photoshop-style editing capabilities at everyone's fingertips. If either AI model has the edge right now, it's ChatGPT's, but there's not much in it. It's also going to be fascinating to see where these image editing capabilities go next. View the full article

Don't build links without first understanding these facts about trust and authority. The post The Facts About Trust Change Everything About Link Building appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Shares of publicly traded companies operating in the cannabis space continue to perform strongly as the The President administration considers reclassifying marijuana. Reports first emerged last week that the The President administration might change marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug, which would lessen restrictions on it. On Monday, President The President told reporters that he was “considering” the reclassification. “We are considering that because a lot of people want to see it—the reclassification, because it leads to tremendous amounts of research that can’t be done unless you reclassify,” The President stated, according to CNN. “So, we are looking at that very strongly.” Prior to The President’s announcement, a White House official told Fast Company that the administration had yet to make a final decision about reclassification. We have reached out to the White House about its current plans and will update this post if we hear back. Cannabis brands see their shares rise The potential of a reclassification has been enough to bolster shares of cannabis companies since the opening bell on Friday. Below are just some of the impressive jumps to watch. Tilray Brands Inc. (Nasdaq:TLRY) Closing on Tuesday: 27.54% Five-day growth: 71.97% Premarket growth on Wednesday: 3.66% Cresco Labs Inc (OTCQX: CRLBF) Closing on Tuesday: 34.93% Five-day growth: 123.11% After-hours growth: -0.23% Canopy Growth Corp. (Nasdaq:CGC) Closing on Tuesday: 10.24% Five-day growth: 61.49% Premarket growth on Wednesday: 6.01% Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTCQX:CURLF) Closing on Tuesday: 23.18% Five-day growth: 67.89% After-hours growth: 0.38% Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CNSX: TRUL) Closing on Tuesday: 12.58% Five-day growth: 76.40% After-hours and premarket: N/A Each of these stocks are still significantly down from highs in early 2021, during the early Biden era, when marijuana reform excitement seemingly peaked. What’s the difference between Schedule I and Schedule III? The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) defines Schedule I drugs as those “with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Marijuana currently sits on this list alongside heroin, ecstasy, LSD, peyote, and more. The DEA states that Schedule III drugs are those “with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Right now, that list includes anabolic steroids, ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and testosterone. If the change occurs, marijuana would be considered less dangerous than Schedule II drugs, which have a “high potential for abuse,” such as Adderall, cocaine, fentanyl, and Ritalin. Reclassifying marijuana would have no impact on its federal legality. View the full article

A federal judge said Tuesday he’s leaning toward denying a preservationist group’s request to temporarily halt President Donald The President’s White House ballroom project, saying the organization failed to show that “irreparable harm” would be caused if the project moves forward. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said he could issue a final decision on the restraining order by Wednesday. But Leon said he plans to hold another hearing in January on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s request to pause the ballroom project until it goes through multiple independent reviews and wins approval from Congress. In the meantime, Leon warned the administration to not make decisions on underground work, such as the routing of plumbing and gas lines, that would dictate the scope of future ballroom construction above ground. If that were to happen, Leon said, “the court will address it, I assure you of that.” The President, speaking Tuesday night at a Hannukah event, thanked the judge for the “courage in making the proper decision.” He also described the ballroom as costing $400 million, though its previously listed price tag was $300 million. Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, said it remained “fully committed to upholding the interests of the American people and advocating for compliance with the law, including review by the National Capital Planning Commission and an opportunity for the public to provide comment and shape the project.” The President went ahead with the ballroom construction before seeking input from a pair of federal review panels, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission of Fine Arts. The President has stocked the planning commission with allies, including the chairman, Will Scharf, who recently said he expected to receive the ballroom plans sometime this month. Leon made a couple of references during the hearing to the administration having just two weeks to submit the plans. Adam Gustafson, the principal deputy assistant attorney general, said the administration had “initiated outreach” to the panel to do just that, but no date had been set. The President recently dismissed all members of the fine arts panel. He has yet to name replacements. Gustafson argued at the hearing that the Trust has no standing in the case to sue and that underground construction must continue for national security reasons that were not outlined in open court. He also said The President is exempt from federal laws the Trust said he has failed to follow. Gustafson said the Trust cannot show “irreparable harm” because the ballroom plans have not been finalized and construction above ground was not scheduled to begin until April at the earliest. Tad Heuer, the attorney representing the Trust — a private, nonprofit organization — said that with every day that construction is allowed to proceed absent the independent reviews, the government gets to say “wait and find out” what the ballroom will look like. “It’s not about the need for a ballroom. It’s about the need to follow the law,” Heuer said of the case. The White House announced the ballroom project over the summer and by late October, The President had demolished the East Wing of the White House to build in its place a ballroom that he said will be big enough to fit 999 people at an estimated cost of $300 million in private funding. —Darlene Superville, Associated Press View the full article

More than any other Apple product, the Vision Pro is still—to quote Bob Dylan by way of Steve Jobs—busy being born. Announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 5, 2023 and shipped the following February, the $3,500 spatial computing headset has evolved some since its first release. This year brought a meaty operating system upgrade and a slightly revised version of the device sporting Apple’s powerful new M5 chip. But much of the progress the Vision Pro has made hasn’t stemmed from the routine tick-tock of software and hardware updates. Apple has also been throwing itself into the equally vital work of getting third-party developers and creators to build experiences that will help the rest of us understand what, exactly, its headset is good for. That was the goal of a Vision Pro developer event the company held at its Cupertino campus in late October. Unlike the sprawling, online-first WWDC confab, this gathering—part of an ongoing series called “Meet with Apple”—was intimate and focused. Yes, a worldwide audience tuned in via livestream, and Apple later posted videos from the event on YouTube. But in-person attendees got to mix, mingle, and witness onstage presentations in the Apple Developer Center’s Big Sur theater, a 200-seat venue named after the 2020 MacOS release. And every minute of the two-day meeting was devoted to sharing best practices about the art and science of creating immersive media for the Vision Pro. The fact that there are best practices to share reflects Apple’s own growing confidence as a creator of experiences for its own device. “We’ve seen a lot of great momentum over the last several months with third-party creators,” says senior director of Apple Vision Pro product marketing Steve Sinclair. “And a lot of that is steeped in learnings that we’ve had over the last 12 to 18 months of making this type of content.” Such advances are essential to the Vision Pro’s future. In August, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman argued that the headset was stuck in a catch-22 situation. Without a sizable base of Vision Pro customers, Apple wasn’t incentivized to release vast quantities of content in Apple Immersive Video, its format for 3D 8K video with spatial video. But the lack of such content made the Vision Pro a less tempting purchase, even for people with a spare $3,500 to spend on it. Gurman did say that third-party creators might help increase the amount of available content. He also noted the release of two products from Blackmagic Design: its $33,000 Ursa Cine Immersive camera and a new version of the DaVinci Resolve video editor capable of handling Apple Immersive Video. They will help independent creators tackle immersive production, a process that has historically involved, as Blackmagic business development manager Dave Hoffman puts it, “rigs that were bespoke and really kind of science projects.” At Apple’s event, I spoke with filmmakers and developers who are already producing Apple Immersive Video and other forms of Vision Pro content. (The terminology can get tricky: Not everything on the headset that’s immersive and/or video is Apple Immersive Video, a specific technical specification.) Given the venue, it’s not shocking that they spoke highly of the assistance the company has given them. Yet they also talked about the adventure of diving into a medium that’s still finding its way. Figuring out immersive storytelling “has kind of felt like sailing off into the unknown and drawing the map as you go,” says cinematographer Ben Allan, the author, along with his wife, writer-director Clara Chong, of a book about Apple Immersive Video filmmaking. For now, there aren’t that many content consumers along for the trip. But if it some eventual version of Apple Vision becomes a mainstream hit, the pioneers currently adopting the medium will share in the credit. “In music video, in documentaries, and scripted content, there are things that are working extremely well and that [can] be used as a template for the future,” says Victor Agulhon, the CEO of Targo, whose Vision Pro interactive documentary app D-Day: The Camera Soldier, produced in collaboration with Time magazine, was an Emmy and Apple App Store Awards finalist this year. “How much time it’s going to take to get to a hundred million users, we don’t know. But I do believe that the kind of experience you can get on these headsets today is definitely worth having by hundreds of millions of users.” Really, truly immersive In the grand scheme of things, the Vision Pro’s new features scratch timeless itches. Certainly, the desire to conjure up you-are-there experiences was foundational to movie-making as a medium. As VisionOS design evangelist Serenity Caldwell noted onstage at Apple’s event, audiences were thrilled by the realism of the Lumière brothers’ 50-second 1896 film showing a train arriving in a French station. (One contemporaneous reaction: “It speeds right at you—watch out!”) By putting 23 million pixels of 3D video directly in front of your eyes, the Vision Pro can create effects the Lumières wouldn’t have dared to dream about. Ultimately, though, the headset’s twin Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays, eye-tracking sensors, front-facing cameras, and other technologies go only so far to shape the platform. It’s still up to creators and developers to determine how to draw users into stories in ways that are inviting rather than off-putting or disorienting. That involves a bevy of decisions, some of which Caldwell walked through during her talk. Should you keep the real world surrounding the user fully visible, dim it a bit, or block it out entirely? Is it better to unleash visual spectacle as quickly as possible, or to kick off an experience with more subtle effects? How do you use gestures to ensure that users feel like they’re in control? Anyone creating Mac apps builds on more than 40 years of lessons about how to put users at ease; the iPhone, iPad, and even the Apple Watch are also mature platforms at this point. The Vision Pro is different. “Immersion is a powerful tool for media experiences, but we have a responsibility as storytellers to consider the audience experience whenever we use it,” urged Caldwell. “Remember, this is still a new platform. Your app might be the first thing someone sees on VisionOS and the first thing they try, so it’s important to make sure that that experience is a great one.” Even if that’s a sobering responsibility, it can also be an exciting opportunity. Filmmakers Allan and Chong saw it that way. “We saw this technology at the early stages, and just went, ‘Wow, this is going to be a thing, and we want to get in on it as soon as we can,’” recalls Allan. Each has around 30 years of movie-making experience and an appreciation for new tech. In the previous decade, they’d even made a family film projected on a wraparound 5:1 screen at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, a project Chong calls “a really big head start” in understanding the Vision Pro’s potential. Allan and Chong have recently completed two Apple Immersive Video films: a five-minute documentary on the most Instagrammed cake in the world and a romantic drama. Both are far afield of the eye-popping extravaganza typical in early Vision Pro experiences. Indeed, their drama consists entirely of two characters talking to each other, something that can be a challenge to make compelling even in a non-interactive 2D movie. “We thought, ‘Well, if we can pull that off, you can do anything cinematically with this format,’” says Chong. Director and photographer Anton Tammi had an eminently practical reason for getting into Vision Pro storytelling: Singer-songwriter The Weeknd asked him to. The two have worked together on music videos for years. “I guess my style was something that the artist himself really felt that would make sense in the immersive format,” muses Tammi. Their video, for The Weeknd’s “Open Hearts” single, was released in November 2024. “Because it was one of the very early-stage projects, I guess almost like an R&D project with Apple Immersive, I felt like I really was taken good care of by the Immersive team,” says Tammi. “I learned a lot. I almost went through this school of immersive filmmaking.” The Weeknd The video’s vibe isn’t a radical departure from The Weeknd and Tammi’s previous collaborations. It’s just that Apple Immersive Video both opens it up and brings it closer. Over three and a half minutes, it drops you into several worlds, featuring everything from majestic galloping horses to gritty Los Angeles cityscapes to a surrealistic conclusion I won’t spoil here. You also get face-to-face with The Weeknd, who at times seems to be just millimeters away. (Right after removing the headset, I watched the same video on my iPad, where he looked trapped behind glass by compsarison.) Despite totally feeling like a Weeknd video, “Open Hearts” required Tammi to rethink his filmmaking techniques and priorities. “Because of the crazy attention span shortening that’s happening around us, music videos and social media stories and whatever have extremely fast-paced cutting,” he explains. With Apple Immersive Video, “You can’t do that, and I don’t think the viewers need that.” He estimates that a previous Weeknd video he directed, “Blinding Lights,” includes 300 to 400 cuts. “Open Hearts” has around 30. History via headset Even unleashed on the Vision Pro, “Open Hearts” remains a music video in the classic sense. Targo’s D-Day: The Camera Soldier is tougher to nail down. Part app, part documentary, it painstakingly weaves together new and archival footage with still images, CGI video, and 3D artifacts such as WWII dog tags and medals. “It’s a 20-minute experience, and there was a nine-month production,” says CEO Agulhon. It’s easy to imagine the real-life story that inspired it—involving a Connecticut woman learning about her father’s work as a combat cameraman during the Allies’ landing at Omaha Beach—being told in a conventional documentary. But the Vision Pro both demands and rewards attention in a way that differs from other media. “If you look at the data of what people do when they watch TV, for instance, everyone’s actually on their phones and doing something else,” says Agulhon. Not so once you’ve slipped on Apple’s headset. Consequently, the 20-minute running length isn’t a fluke. Targo has eight years of experience making interactive documentaries for platforms such as Meta Quest, ranging from 10 to 40 minutes. According to Agulhon, at 20 minutes, “the time flies by for [viewers], but it’s still a very intense experience.” Targo’s D-Day: The Camera Soldier Targo built parts of D-Day using a game engine, but it’s not gamelike: Nothing the viewer does affects the flow of the narrative or its outcome. Instead, the app has some of the feel of an uncommonly rich museum exhibit, where touching some of the items—if only virtually—is not only allowed but a defining feature. “One concept we leaned into was that we could transform moments of time into places that people can explore,” says Agulhon. “That’s an effect that only immersive can bring to you.“ Another immersive media studio, Rogue Labs, leaned into an entirely different use for the Vision Pro: Helping people learn to fly helicopters. (Not coincidentally, its founder also owns a helicopter flight school.) Released in November, its app, Flight Sight, melds Apple Immersive Video, CGI helicopters and scenes, and flat videos and maps. To recreate real-world instruction, Rogue staffers shot POV video by strapping a Blackmagic Ursa Cine Immersive camera into the seat where a student pilot would sit. Since helicopters are—in Rogue creative and technical director John Racine’s words—“giant vibration machines,” the filmmakers had to both stabilize the camera and perform additional stabilization in post-production. Flight Sight isn’t a flight simulator or an FAA-accredited way to log training hours, but that isn’t the point. “It’s more of a supplemental tool that will help you become familiar with the helicopter, hopefully more quickly, and hopefully help you save some money from time that you would spend in the helicopter watching your instructor do some of these maneuvers over and over again,” says Rogue Labs president Cory Hill. The company also hopes to grow the community of helicopter pilots by sparking the imagination of Apple Vision owners. “Everybody we show it to, whether they’re full-on pilots or someone who’s never been in a helicopter before, they watch it, and they instantly say, ‘This makes me want to learn how to fly a helicopter,’ which is what we want to do,” says Racine. That said, Rogue is also filming additional content in scenic locales, such as Catalina Island and Channel Islands National Park, whose splendor might draw in those of us who are happy to keep our ‘copter piloting strictly virtual. Even the coolest single immersive video or app won’t silence all doubts about the Vision Pro being a sufficiently enticing consumer product to lead to bigger things for Apple. But a flurry of recent announcements involving high-profile names might help. In September, the company unveiled a new slate of Apple Immersive Video shows with partners such as the BBC, CNN, CANAL+, and Red Bull, ranging from classical music concerts to a documentary about emperor penguins. A month later, it revealed that select Los Angeles Lakers 2025-2026 season games will stream live, courtesy of Spectrum SportsNet. Ultimately, as with every new Apple platform before it, the odds are decent that the Vision Pro will end up being defined not by items the company had an active hand in willing into existence, but rather ones nobody saw coming. “There are a lot of stories that people want to tell, and they’re seeing that the immersive capabilities of Vision Pro and the toolsets that we offer, and some of our partners offer, really give them a chance to tell those stories in new ways,” says Apple‘s Sinclair. And some of those new ways are yet to come, Take longer-form immersive narratives, which Blackmagic Design’s Hoffman contends nobody has yet mastered. “From my perspective, the tools are there now, and I know there’s a couple of people that are trying to figure out what the challenges are,” he says. “How do we work out situations where you used to do cross shots and closeups and mid-range shots and all that kind of stuff? That dialogue is going on right now, and someone’s going to hit it. Some filmmaker is going to be like, ‘Yeah, this is how we do it.’” A few more of those epiphanies, and the Vision Pro might eliminate any residual sense that it’s uncharted territory for storytellers. 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. For anyone who’s ever been tempted by Marshall’s signature guitar-amp look in headphone form but couldn’t justify the premium price, the Major V wireless on-ears just hit their lowest price ever, according to price trackers. Originally $169.99, they’re now available on Amazon for $89.99. That’s a 47% drop for a pair of headphones that stand out mostly for their sound signature, battery life, and retro design. Marshall Major V On-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones $89.99 at Amazon $169.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $89.99 at Amazon $169.99 Save $80.00 You don’t get active noise cancellation or high-end audio codecs like LDAC, but you do get over 100 hours of battery life (real-life usage may vary), punchy bass, and a retro-inspired design that folds up easily. The headphones run on 40mm dynamic drivers, and the tuning leans toward deep bass and crisp highs. They produce clean, rumbling sub-bass that doesn’t distort even at higher volumes, notes this PCMag review. Vocals stay clear thanks to subtle sculpting in the upper range. It’s not studio-flat audio, but it’s definitely fun. You can further tweak the sound in the Marshall app, which also lets you remap the M button for Spotify Tap or voice assistant access. The joystick on the right earcup handles volume and playback and feels intuitive, something many pricier headphones still haven’t nailed. That said, there are trade-offs. You don’t get ANC, which means outside noise will creep in, especially with the on-ear design. There’s no Fast Pair, and no pouch to protect them when tossed into a bag. But you do get Bluetooth 5.3, support for wired playback, and surprisingly decent internal mics for calls. Battery life, again, is the standout—well over 100 hours per charge with USB-C or wireless charging via the right earcup. That alone makes the discounted price easier to swallow. If you want headphones that look good, sound bold, and don’t need to block out a plane engine, the Major V makes a strong case, especially while they're under $90. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $209.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Meta Quest 3 512GB Mixed Reality VR Headset with Controllers — (List Price $499.99 With Code "QUEST50") Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

For years, PPC advertisers have considered Performance Max (and Smart Shopping before it) to be a black box, even a black hole. While its powerful automation drives convincing results, the lack of transparency into channel performance has been a persistent frustration. Now, Google is beginning to provide some answers. The rollout of the new Channel Performance report marks a significant step toward the transparency advertisers have been demanding. This guide explains what the report is, highlights its strengths and weaknesses, and shows you how to use it. What is the Channel Performance report – and why is it a big deal? The Channel Performance report is essentially a pre-built network report (we can discuss the semantics of channel versus network another day), which can be found under Campaigns > Insights and Reports > Channel Performance (beta). It offers tabular network data and an interactive flow diagram from impressions down through conversions. The Channel Performance report only works for Performance Max campaigns. However, credible clues suggest that this report may support additional campaign types in the future. This is important because, while Performance Max is (in)famously a “channel soup,” all campaign types are capable of serving across different ad networks within Google’s grasp, and many of them do so by default. Previously, untangling this mix to see which channels were actually performing was a task left to manual reports or, in the case of PMax, third-party scripts based on guesswork. The Channel Performance report is Google’s native solution. A tour of the Channel Performance report The report is composed of two main elements: An account-level view that offers a compact summary of each campaign’s channel data (plus some hidden features). A campaign-level view that offers a neat but, in my opinion, deeply flawed Sankey diagram, and another data table, more detailed than at the account level. Furthermore, there are various customization options, which can be saved as preferred views, and multiple export options. 1. The account-level overview: Channel data in the palm of your hand The account view is a newer addition to the Channel Performance report, and in some ways my favorite view. Previously, when you accessed this report, you’d land on a blank page prompting you to select an individual Performance Max campaign. Now, this handy table is the first thing you’ll see. It has a series of rows for each campaign, nested rows for each channel, and columns for the performance metrics. One thing I love is that each nested row has the channel icon next to it. Tabular data can sometimes make my eyes cross, but this simple visual aid makes the data much easier to skim. By default, the campaign rows are sorted alphabetically, and you’ll likely want to sort by something more practical, like impressions, costs, revenue, etc. After that, you can really leap down the page easily, comparing the distribution of your key campaigns. But that’s the obvious part. My top tip for this view is that you can change your segment, and among the options, two really stand out for me: Ads using product data. Ad event type (under Segment > Conversions). The first allows you to see the volume and performance of “ads using product data” (feed-based ads) versus “ads not using product data” (asset-based ads). Yes, that’s right, finally a simple comparison of feed ads and asset ads. Besides network performance, this has been one of the most contentious and least transparent areas in PMax, prompting numerous advertisers to run so-called “feed-only” PMax campaigns. Now you can easily see what’s going on with this performance facet across all your PMax campaigns, plus an account-level summary row at the bottom. Whether you like or dislike what you’re seeing, you can head over to your asset-group-level and asset-level reporting to dig deeper. Be cautious when judging the performance of asset-based ads. They should not be held to the same efficiency standards. The second segment, ad event type, might sound non-descript, but it’s really important. It lets you easily understand the volume and performance of your click-through versus view-through conversions. This has been (yet another) divisive topic in PMax: Do view-based conversions belong mixed together with standard conversions? Does this inflate performance? Now you can answer these questions per campaign and also at the account view in the summary row. But what if you want even more detail? What if, for example, you want to learn your feed versus asset share in, say, YouTube specifically? That’s not possible at the account level, but it certainly is at the campaign level. Just click on any campaign and it will load a new page drilling down to the next reporting level. 2. The campaign-level view: Data visualization and detailed analysis The first thing you’ll notice on this page is the large Sankey diagram. It’s visually striking and has become a signature of the Channel Performance report. That said, we need to set it aside for now. Scroll down to the data table below, which is similar to the one you just saw. The campaign data table: A deeper dive While the Sankey diagram gives a high-level view, the table below is where real analysis happens. It’s more reliable for decision-making because it shows the raw numbers without visual distortion. The table breaks performance down by channel and ad type – the feed-based versus asset-based split we discussed earlier. For each segment, you can review multiple metrics by default, but my top tip is to go to Columns > Conversions. There, you can select Conv. value / Cost (a.k.a. ROAS) and Cost / Conv. (a.k.a. CPA). These are hidden by default, but you can indeed see them, and I don’t think I have to tell you why they are interesting to know. Crucially, the table also includes an export function, plus scheduling options, allowing you to pull the raw data for deeper analysis in a spreadsheet. The Sankey diagram: Visualizing the flow As noted earlier, this visualization – officially called the Channels-to-Goals chart – is visually striking, but it has limitations. Before addressing those issues, let’s clarify its purpose and what it can tell us. The Sankey diagram presents a visual breakdown of performance across the channels within your PMax campaign. It maps the customer journey within your campaign – how users move from seeing an ad (impressions) to clicking or engaging with it (interactions), and, ultimately, to converting (results or conversions). This is great. For the first time, advertisers can see the flow of core funnel metrics right in Google Ads, all segmented by the specific channel driving the traffic. This allows you to understand how PMax allocates your budget and which parts of its vast inventory are actually working for you. Decoding the channels People often look at the Sankey and get stuck. “Where’s my Shopping data?” is probably the single biggest example of this. As we’ve discussed, a key feature of the report is how it segments ads into feed-based and asset-based ads. When we combine that dimension with the network or “channel” dimension, we can translate the labels into more familiar terms: Search Ads using product data: These are your Shopping ads. Other ads: This represents your Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) and Responsive Search Ads (RSA) traffic. Display Ads using product data: These are Dynamic Product Ads, which in my assessment is likely a lot of Dynamic Remarketing and some Dynamic Prospecting. Other ads: These are your standard Responsive Display ads. These are my interpretations of the data, which might not be perfect. It would be extremely helpful if Google offered more detailed documentation on what’s included. For example, feed-based YouTube ads can comprise a variety of formats and placements, some of which, such as “GMC Image Shorts,” are not documented anywhere. Google’s guidance is quite vague. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. The limitations of the native report While a welcome addition, the report has some shortcomings. The misleading Sankey diagram The visual proportions of the diagram are not based on volume, which makes it extremely misleading at a glance. A channel that appears to drive significant traffic may actually account for only a tiny share of your impressions. In the example below, the asset-based Search ads segment appears to have a couple hundred thousand impressions, but in reality only has 4,500 impressions. This makes the chart almost useless for quick, accurate analysis, which is the entire point of data visualization. The lack of ratios in the data table The data table provides useful raw data, but it lacks key calculated metrics needed for analysis, such as conversion rate and cost per click. To see the full picture, you must export the data and do your own calculations. This feels, to be honest, a bit petty of Google. They could easily add these columns, but it seems they would prefer not to. Grab your calculator. How to make the most of the report Despite its limitations, you can still extract valuable insights into which channels deliver what. The key is to focus on asset quality and traffic quality, because direct channel control is limited. Analyze placement data for quality control While the report doesn’t let you directly control channel mix, it helps you monitor traffic quality. Use the placement reports to see exactly where your Display and YouTube ads are showing. Export this data into Google Sheets. Note that, frustratingly, it only contains impression data. Use built-in functions like =GOOGLETRANSLATE() to understand foreign-language placements and the integrated =AI() function to help categorize domains and videos for brand safety. Exclude low-quality or irrelevant placements or content at the account level, prioritizing bad placements that are higher in volume. Build your own Sheets-based reporting or try scripts Google has confirmed that API access and MCC-level reporting are coming to the Channel Performance report. I also expect this data to be supported in the Report Editor. In the meantime, you can export the report as a .csv or send it directly to Google Sheets. With a smart setup, these exports enable you to calculate custom metrics, build charts, apply heatmaps, and reshape the data as needed. To help the community, I helped build a script that enhances Google’s report in several practical ways: Adds key metrics like conversion rate, CTR, CPC, CPM, and more. Applies clear, common-sense labels such as “Shopping” and “Responsive Display.” Includes charts with proportional visuals for more accurate interpretation. Cleans and parses columns to remove friction. The script works for individual PMax campaigns, not the account-level view. I’m waiting for Google’s feature set and scripting options to stabilize before expanding the script. What’s next for PMax reporting? We know Search Partner data is coming, along with API access, MCC-level reporting, and likely support for additional campaign types such as Demand Gen. It’s encouraging to see Google share this level of detail, and there’s reason to believe this momentum will continue. The Channel Performance report already addresses one of the most persistent criticisms of Performance Max – that it operates as a black box. Three years ago, it would have been hard to imagine Google responding to advertiser feedback at this scale, particularly on transparency. Still, better visibility doesn’t automatically translate into better decisions. Interpreting this data correctly takes time, context, and careful analysis – and that work remains firmly in the hands of advertisers. View the full article

Ice cream lovers rejoice: Ben & Jerry’s has something new and exciting to introduce to the world. The Vermont-based ice cream company announced that it will add ice cream bars to its lineup. The new ice cream bars will be available in these five flavors: Caramel Blondie Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cookie Dough PB Pretzel Strawberry Cheesecake A December 10 company news release noted that each ice cream bar “features decadent ice cream, plenty of chunks and swirls, dipped in a chocolatey coating with cookie pieces.” The new product line will be available at retail stores as soon as January 2026. Each box will feature four ice cream bars. The company will also offer single Cookie Dough ice cream bars, which will be sold at convenience stores beginning next spring. How can I try the new flavors? Ice cream lovers don’t have to wait until the new year to try the new ice cream bar flavors. ​To celebrate the news, Ben & Jerry’s will be doing a free ice cream “bar drop” at 150 Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops nationwide. The bar drops are happening today: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, in shops from Los Angeles to New York. More than 20,000 ice cream bars will be given away for free, according to the company. To find out whether your closest Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop will be participating in the event, check out the brand’s interactive store locator map, and do the following: Enter your city Make sure “Free Bar Drop Shop” is selected A list of participating shops will populate Ben & Jerry’s urges customers to “Get ’em before they’re gone!” View the full article