ResidentialBusiness

A federal court cannot modify a preliminary injunction to compel the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to request funding for the agency, the Department of Justice said. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When you buy a house, you buy a long list of projects that stretch into the distant future. Planning your time and budget for everything that will need to be done can be a challenge, but it’s worth it for the comfort, security, and financial cushion that home ownership offers. That doesn’t mean it can’t get a little stressful from time to time, though, which is why we could all use a few small tricks that can make a big difference as a homeowner. Here are 10 essential hacks that every homeowner should know. Enlarge rooms with paintOne of the most common reasons for a home-buyer’s remorse is size. It can be difficult to gauge how you’ll use a space until you’re actually in it, and our lives don’t always go according to plan. As a result, it’s not uncommon for folks to feel like their house seems a bit too small for their liking. Adding onto a house is expensive—a much more budget-friendly approach is to use visual tricks to make your house feel larger. Paint is a powerful tool for this. By leveraging color theory, you can make a room feel larger by using lighter colors on the walls and glossy white on the ceiling, and using a single color on all the walls to erase the edges that define the space, thus making it appear larger. If you don’t have a handy fortune to throw at a major home renovation, a low-cost paint project can give you the feeling of a larger room, at least. No-dig fencesIf you’ve ever been house-hunting, you’re familiar with one surprising fact: A lot of houses, especially new builds, don’t have fencing. You walk into the backyard and it’s just an open field, with invisible property lines somewhere in the near distance. Fencing can be expensive if you hire someone to install it, with a price tag potentially in the thousands of dollars. Installing a fence on your own, DIY-style, is labor-intensive, especially if your yard is rocky. If all you need is a perimeter fence, however, a no-dig fence like this one is an easy solution that will mark off your property and pen in small pets without the effort or expense of a traditional fence project. Dowel pin screw hole repairWhether your house is new, lightly used, or historical in nature, eventually you’re going to deal with loose screws, especially in your door and cabinet hinges. Hinges carry so much weight and get so much use, the screws inevitably work themselves loose. You can fix this a few times just by tightening everything up again, but over time, this pattern will result in stripped screw holes and permanently sagging doors. At that point, you can either try to reposition the hinge so you can bite into fresh wood, or replace the door frame or cabinets at great expense. That is, unless you know the dowel hack. All you need are some wooden dowel pins and some wood glue. Fill the stripped screw hole with glue, insert a dowel, trim as needed, and let the glue set. Then you can drill a fresh hole, and your screws will bite like new again, all for less than $10. Rain-X on shower doorsOne of the mysteries of the universe is the fact that bathrooms in general aren’t self-cleaning. How can a space doused with soap and water on a regular basis be so filthy? One reason is the mineral content of your water, and the tendency for soap to transmogrify into soap scum. These two elements combine to turn glass shower doors into opaque, cloudy barriers that never look clean. Cleaning those hard water and scum stains off the glass requires a lot of elbow grease, and it’s the sort of chore we put off for months (or longer) simply because of the effort involved. The trick is, once you do clean those glass doors, you should spray them with Rain-X. This is a product made for car windshields, but it will work a charm in your bathroom, too. It’s a water repellent, so your shower water will bead up on the glass, making it super easy to squeegee it off before it can evaporate and leave behind all those mineral deposits and soap residue. Using it on a regular basis when you clean your shower will keep those glass doors clear and free of build-up. Deodorize with vodkaVodka doesn’t have much of a taste, it has almost no odor, and it’s typically about 40% alcohol. All this means that vodka—even the cheap stuff—is actually a very good disinfectant and deodorizer. Many theater companies and theme parks use a mixture of vodka and water to spray down costumes between performances when there’s no time to send them out for cleaning. The alcohol kills off germs and odor-creating bacteria, and once it dries, there’s no smell or residue. You can use this in your house, too. If your bedding, shoes, or towels have gotten a bit musty, a good spray with a 50/50 mix of vodka and water will deodorize and sanitize them effectively. You can add a drop of an essential oil too, if you want a light scent left behind. Paint your roofPeople typically don’t think about the roof of their house until it leaks—which is a mistake, because roofs are expensive to fix, even more expensive to replace, and a failing roof can allow water damage to destroy other parts of your home. Becoming a roofing expert isn’t in the cards for most of us, but one thing any homeowner can do (usually as a DIY project) is coat the roof. Specialty coatings for flat roofs and shingles protect your roof from sun damage, fill in microscopic cracks before they can develop into leaks, and can extend the life of your roof by years, saving you a lot of money over time. Run appliances at nightThe modern house is an energy-sucking monster. We run lights, heat and cooling systems, televisions, computers, washers, dryers—the list is almost endless. And all of these devices and appliances require electricity, which, as you may have noticed, is expensive stuff. If you can commit to running a lot of appliances at night, you can generally save money, however. That’s because electricity rates have “peak” and “off-peak” hours, so running your washing machine at night instead of the afternoon can cost a lot less. Some utility companies offer formal Time of Use plans, where you are charged a higher rate during peak hours, but a much lower rate during off-peak hours. If you can be disciplined about your power use, you can save a lot of money this way. Get a ladder LevlerDoing DIY work around the house can be dangerous, and ladders are often involved. People often don’t know the proper way to position and secure a ladder, try to carry stuff while climbing, or forget that gravity is a thing and try to reach stuff they really shouldn’t while standing twelve feet in the air on an improperly balanced ladder. And then there’s the fun experience of having tools and fasteners in your pockets while you’re clinging to a ladder for dear life. That can all be solved with this gizmo: The Ladder Levler. This gadget makes it safer to use your ladder on uneven surfaces (like stairs or sloped yards), and it’s also a storage bin that clips right onto your ladder, leaving your hands free to, you know, hold on like your life depends on it. Leak detectorsWater will destroy your house if you’re not careful. Roof, pipe, and appliance leaks can persist for a long time before they become apparent, and every day a leak remains active means potential mold, dry rot, and structural damage to your home. And if you’re not home when a pipe or water heater bursts, sending gallons of water to gleefully rampage throughout your home, the cost of cleanup and repair can be astronomical. That’s why leak detectors and alarms are an essential hack. Having these seeded throughout the house means you’ll never be caught by surprise—the moment moisture is detected, the alarms will sound, and you can deal with the problem before it ruins everything. You can get detectors that will ing you on your phone or other devices so you’ll be warned even if you’re not home, and you can often pair them with automatic shutoff valves on your water supply, stopping the flow of water the instant it becomes a threat to your home. Thorny home securityKeeping your house secure usually involves technology like alarm systems and doorbell cameras, often backed up by a security service that can contact the police on your behalf. That’s always a sound idea, but it can be expensive and occasionally intrusive (especially if you find yourself having to reset systems and call off false alarms regularly). But there’s also a passive way to enhance your home’s security: landscaping. A few thorny bushes near windows and thoughtful management of tree branches and ground covers can go a long way toward making your home less likely to be robbed. While this isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it kind of security plan, you’re going to have to manage some amount of landscaping anyway, so why not make choices in your outdoor spaces that actually make your home more secure while you're at it. View the full article

PepsiCo plans to cut prices and eliminate some of its products under a deal with an activist investor announced Monday. The Purchase, New York-based company, which makes Cheetos, Tostitos, and other Frito-Lay products as well as beverages, said it will cut nearly 20% of its product offerings by early next year. PepsiCo said it will use the savings to invest in marketing and improved value for consumers. It didn’t disclose which products or how much it would cut prices. PepsiCo said it also plans to accelerate the introduction of new offerings with simpler and more functional ingredients, including Doritos Protein and Simply NKD Cheetos and Doritos, which contain no artificial flavors or colors. The company also recently introduced a prebiotic version of its signature cola. PepsiCo is making the changes after prodding from Elliott Investment Management, which took a $4 billion stake in the company in September. In a letter to PepsiCo’s board, Elliott said the company is being hurt by a lack of strategic clarity, decelerating growth, and eroding profitability in its North American food and beverage businesses. In a joint statement with PepsiCo Monday, Elliott Partner Marc Steinberg said the firm is confident that PepsiCo can create value for shareholders as it executes on its new plan. “We appreciate our collaborative engagement with PepsiCo’s management team and the urgency they have demonstrated,” Steinberg said. “We believe the plan announced today to invest in affordability, accelerate innovation, and aggressively reduce costs will drive greater revenue and profit growth.” Elliott said it plans to continue working closely with the company. PepsiCo shares were flat in after-hours trading Monday. PepsiCo said it expects organic revenue to grow between 2% and 4% in 2026. The company’s organic revenue rose 1.5%. the first nine months of this year. PepsiCo also said it plans to review its supply chain and continue to make changes to its board, with a focus on global leaders who can help it reach its growth and profitability goals. “We feel encouraged about the actions and initiatives we are implementing with urgency to improve both marketplace and financial performance,” PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said in a statement. PepsiCo said in February that years of double-digit price increases and changing customer preferences have weakened demand for its drinks and snacks. In July, the company said it was trying to combat perceptions that its products are too expensive by expanding distribution of value brands like Chester’s and Santitas. —Dee-Ann Durbin, AP business writer View the full article

Most AI chats have no commercial intent, users usually ask short questions, and most conversations end after just two turns. Those findings come from a recent analysis by Dan Petrovic, director of AI SEO agency Dejan, who examined millions of conversational turns to show how people actually use AI assistants. Why we care. As SEOs and marketers race to “optimize for AI,” Petrovic’s analysis suggests the industry is misreading how people actually use AI assistants. Most chats function as multi-step tasks, not keyword-style queries. And users aren’t flooding AI with “buy” queries – they’re exploring problems and comparing options. By the numbers. Petrovic analyzed 4.4 billion characters, 613 million words, and 3.9 million conversation turns: Median chat: 2 turns (a quick question, quick answer). Averages hide a long tail of heavy sessions driven by users pasting documents for summarization or analysis. Median words per session: 430 More than 80% of chats are under 1,000 words. Only 4.2% exceed 2,500 words, and these typically represent the most complex, highest-value tasks: editing, coding, tutoring, and data analysis. Mean words: 732 This is heavily skewed by long document drops. Assistant output: ~1.5x the user’s. Median user contribution: 16-17% of the conversation. How people actually use AI assistants. Petrovic classified 24,259 sessions across 42 intent categories and found that most AI chats aren’t commercial – 64.6% sit outside any purchase funnel. Users write, brainstorm, plan, learn, analyze, or simply chat. Here’s the breakdown: Other: 25% Jailbreak attempts, roleplay scenarios, and highly specialized requests dominated here. Brainstorming: 7.7% Planning: 6.5% Conversation / emotional support: 6.2% Analysis: 5.7% Learning: 4.7% Transformation (summaries, translations): 4.6% Creation (writing, code, docs): 3.9% 35.4% of chats showed any commercial intent. And most were early funnel. Other findings: Awareness (10%) and consideration (8.5%) together made up 18.5%, which Petrovic highlighted as the strongest territory for product content. Post-purchase needs (5.1%) outranked transactional support (4.8%), discovery (4.1%), and decision support (2.8%), indicating that users turned to AI more for “how do I use or fix this?” than “should I buy this?” Bottom line. AI assistants are used far more for creation, cognition, and conversation than for commerce. The report. How do people use AI assistants? View the full article

The company's latest funding announcement caps off a year of tailwinds that propelled growth for home equity investment platforms and related lending products. View the full article

President Donald The President said Monday that he would allow Nvidia to sell an advanced type of computer chip used in the development of artificial intelligence to “approved customers” in China. There have been concerns about allowing advanced computer chips to be sold to China, as it could help the country better compete against the U.S. in building out AI capabilities. But there has also been a desire to develop the AI ecosystem with American companies such as chipmaker Nvidia. The chip, known as the H200, is not Nvidia’s most advanced product. Those chips, called Blackwell and the upcoming Rubin, were not part of what The President approved. The President said on social media that he had informed China’s leader Xi Jinping about his decision and “President Xi responded positively!” “This policy will support American jobs, strengthen U.S. manufacturing, and benefit American taxpayers,” The President said in his post. Nvidia said in a statement that it applauded The President’s decision, saying the choice would support domestic manufacturing and that by allowing the Commerce Department to vet commercial customers, it would “strike a thoughtful balance” on economic and national security priorities. But a group of Democratic senators objected to the chip sales. “Access to these chips would give China’s military transformational technology to make its weapons more lethal, carry out more effective cyberattacks against American businesses and critical infrastructure, and strengthen their economic and manufacturing sector,” said the statement. The group included Sens. Chris Coons of Delaware, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Elissa Slotkin of Michigan. The senators noted that Chinese AI company DeepSeek recently said the lack of access to advanced American-designed chips was their biggest challenge in competing with U.S. companies involved in AI, with companies, including OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity, and Palantir making major investments in developing the technology. The President said the Commerce Department was “finalizing the details” for other chipmakers such as AMD and Intel to sell their technologies abroad. The approval of the licenses to sell Nvidia H200 chips reflects the increasing power and close relationship that the company’s founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, enjoys with the president. But there have been concerns that China will find ways to use the chips to develop its own AI products in ways that could pose national security risks for the U.S., a primary concern of the Biden administration that sought to limit exports. Nvidia has a market cap of $4.5 trillion and The President’s announcement appeared to drive the stock slightly higher in after hours trading. —By Josh Boak, Associated Press View the full article

Rising costs in consumer unit are a ‘big part’ of overall increase in spendingView the full article

Forty percent of Americans planning to buy or sell a home in 2026 worry about a potential market crash, according to a new report from Clever Offers. View the full article

CoreWeave stock dropped 8% Monday after the AI cloud computing company announced plans to raise another $2 billion, this time through convertible debt, to finance its rapid build-out of new data centers. On Tuesday, the company said it would increase the total offering to $2.25 billion. CoreWeave, which sells access to powerful Nvidia GPUs to run AI models, may be a bellwether in an industry placing unprecedented bets on an AI boom they believe is around the corner. CoreWeave is a “pick-and-shovel” infrastructure company in AI (like Nvidia) whose fortunes may test the narrative that tech companies — and their stock values — are riding the long wave of the next technological transformation. CoreWeave’s stock may be an especially twitchy meter because investors’ rosiest expectations for how that narrative will play out appear to be already priced in. An 8% drop suggests investor skepticism of the reality and sustainability of the AI boom is growing. The new convertible notes are targeted at investors willing to loan CoreWeave money at relatively low interest (1.75%), in exchange for the option of converting the notes to equity shares when they mature in 2031. The company also plans to grant initial purchasers an option to buy an additional $300 million in notes. CoreWeave said it raised $1.75 billion through the sale of similar notes during the third quarter. But the new debt raise comes at a sensitive time. Coreweave continues to aggressively raise and spend money for its infrastructure expansion, even as its margins fall, making some investors nervous. The company has already raised roughly $14 billion through debt and equity this year alone ($25 billion in total). It reported paying $311 million in interest in Q3 2025, triple the amount it paid in the same quarter a year earlier. The company already has 41 data centers in its portfolio, CEO Mike Intrator said. The company also buys data center space from third-parties. CoreWeave executives believe the company will spend between $12 billion and $14 billion during 2025, and that that amount will double in 2026. CoreWeave has seen its revenue surge: It rose 134% year-over-year to $1.36 billion in Q3. But its operating margins have suffered, falling to 4% compared to 20% in the year-earlier quarter (or 16% from 21% when non-operational expenses are factored out), as its infrastructure expenses mounted. The company remains unprofitable, posting an adjusted net loss of $41 million in Q3. Meanwhile, demand for AI computing is high, and the company has been struggling to keep enough GPUs humming to fulfill it. Its shares plunged 45% in November after the company gave full-year revenue guidance below analyst expectations. Company executives said CoreWeave has a backlog of contracted but not yet recognized revenue worth $55.6 billion, nearly double the $30.1 billion reported in Q2. The company says it has major contracts with Meta ($14.2 billion), OpenAI ($22.4 billion across multiple agreements), and Nvidia ($6.3 billion). But the backlog may not fully translate into revenue, investors worry, especially given CoreWeave’s expansion problems. And yet the company expects capital expenditures to more than double in 2026 compared to 2025, raising questions about how much more debt it will need to take on. Investors’ reaction to CoreWeave’s sour full-year revenue guidance may not have been so dramatic if much of the market wasn’t already fearful of a so-called “AI bubble,” or the idea that AI-heavy companies like CoreWeave are way overvalued and overleveraged. CoreWeave’s decision to issue short-term debt reflects management’s strong belief that the data center capacity the money will fund will quickly translate into increased revenues. While equity investors reacted negatively to the offer of the convertible notes, the corporate bond market has shown strong demand for them in the past. Initially, the new convertible notes will be offered to institutional investors in private transactions. However, CoreWeave’s past debt offerings have seen strong investor demand–in part because of bullishness about the company’s business prospects and in part because of the relatively high interest rates (9% and 9.25%). In fact the tech sector’s biggest players are now placing unprecedented bets on AI. The market caps of these companies, and by extension the wider stock market, seem to rest on the idea that AI models will soon transform business and bring about untold efficiencies and abundance. The big questions are whether or not said AI transformation will happen fast enough and last long enough to sustain VC-backed AI startups, and the stock prices of larger, publicly traded tech companies. Some long-time investors are reminded of the “irrational exuberance” that propped up the ill-fated dot com companies of the late 1990s. View the full article

Some targets are long-term overhauls, others have been dogged by delays. But ministers failed to focus on delivery early onView the full article

A personal background check is a detailed review of your history, including criminal records, employment history, and even social media activity. It’s crucial for uncovering inaccuracies that could hinder your job prospects or housing applications. By conducting this check, you can address potential issues like identity theft before they become a problem. Comprehending what goes into a background check can empower you to present the best version of yourself to employers and landlords alike. So, what should you know about the components involved? Key Takeaways A personal background check is an examination of an individual’s history through records like criminal searches and employment verification. It helps identify errors or inaccuracies that may arise from misreporting or identity theft. Conducting a self background check provides insights into what potential employers or landlords may discover. It enhances your professional image by allowing you to clean up social media profiles and address past issues. Understanding your background check is essential for managing reputation and preparing for personal history questions during applications. Understanding Personal Background Checks When you consider a personal background check, it’s important to understand that this process involves a thorough examination of your history through various records. A detailed background check typically includes an SSN trace, national and state criminal searches, and checks against global watchlists and sex offender registries. You might wonder how to check my background record for free; there are options available online, even though results may vary in depth. This process is crucial for identifying errors or inaccuracies that could stem from misreporting or identity theft. By conducting a personal background check, you can proactively address these issues and anticipate questions from potential employers or landlords regarding your history. Third-party providers like Checkr offer FCRA-compliant services that streamline the review and correction of your records, ensuring you present the most accurate version of your background. Importance of Conducting a Self Background Check Conducting a self-background check is vital, as it allows you to uncover potential inaccuracies in your records that could impact your future opportunities. By taking this proactive step, you can identify any issues that may arise from misreporting or even identity theft. Here’s why it matters: You’ll gain insights into what employers or landlords might see, letting you address concerns beforehand. You can reveal any past criminal history, driving records, or employment verification issues that may hinder job opportunities. It helps improve your professional image by cleaning up your social media presence and online profiles. You’ll have peace of mind and be better prepared for questions about your personal history. Knowing how to get your criminal history and correcting discrepancies can greatly influence your career and housing prospects, making a self-background check an important part of your preparation. Components of a Personal Background Check Report A personal background check report contains several key components that provide a detailed overview of an individual’s history and current standing. First, it includes a Social Security number (SSN) trace, offering basic information about the SSN, such as associated names and addresses. Next, a national criminal search reveals felony and misdemeanor convictions, whereas federal criminal searches uncover any federal offenses. You’ll furthermore find state and county criminal searches that detail convictions within specific jurisdictions. Moreover, the report checks global watchlists and sex offender registries to identify individuals who may pose a risk. If you’re learning how to search criminal records effectively, these components are fundamental. Finally, driving records and civil court records improve your comprehension of an individual’s background, providing a thorough view that can be vital for various purposes, from employment to personal safety. Legal Considerations for Background Checks When you’re considering a background check, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements that come with it, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This law mandates that you must provide consent before any check is conducted, and you have the right to review and dispute any inaccuracies. Furthermore, many jurisdictions enforce Ban the Box laws, which prevent employers from asking about criminal history until a conditional job offer is made, promoting fair hiring practices. FCRA Compliance Requirements Grasping FCRA compliance requirements is crucial for employers conducting background checks, as it guarantees adherence to legal standards and protects both the employer and the individual. To comply with FCRA, make certain you: Obtain written consent from candidates before running background checks. Allow individuals to access and dispute any inaccuracies in their reports. Provide a “pre-adverse action” notice if a negative employment decision is made based on a background check. Limit reporting of negative information, typically to seven years, for most employment purposes. Understanding these elements not only helps you maintain compliance but also guides you on how to check criminal record online responsibly. Following FCRA requirements can minimize potential liabilities and promote trust in your hiring processes. Ban the Box Laws Ban the Box laws represent a significant shift in how employers approach the hiring process, as they prohibit inquiries about an applicant’s criminal history on job applications. These laws, enacted in over 30 states and numerous cities, promote fair chance hiring by allowing candidates to be evaluated based on their qualifications first. By delaying criminal history inquiries until later in the hiring process—typically after a conditional offer—Ban the Box laws help reduce bias, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by incarceration. Employers must comply with these laws to avoid legal repercussions, including fines and potential lawsuits for discriminatory practices. In the end, Ban the Box laws aim to create a more equitable job market for all applicants. Methods to Obtain Your Background Check Obtaining your background check can be a straightforward process, especially if you know where to look. You can learn how to get my police record and more through several methods: Third-party providers: Services like Checkr provide online requests for personal background checks, covering criminal and driving records. Self-background checks: Though this process may incur fees and take time, platforms like iprospectcheck offer quicker results, typically within an hour for basic checks. Always verify that your background check complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to protect your rights and guarantee accurate reporting. Utilizing Professional Services for Background Checks When you consider utilizing professional services for background checks, you gain access to accurate and timely information that meets legal standards. These services not just guarantee compliance with FCRA guidelines but likewise provide extensive reports that cover crucial aspects like criminal history and employment verification. Benefits of Professional Services Utilizing professional services for background checks offers numerous advantages, particularly in ensuring compliance with legal standards like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These services provide reliable information during the screening process, protecting individual rights. Here are some key benefits: Fast turnaround times, with basic checks often ready within an hour. Access to thorough reports, including criminal records and social media analysis. Organized results that improve the reliability of background checks. Reduced risk of errors, thanks to expert knowledge and up-to-date data sources. Compliance With Legal Standards Guaranteeing compliance with legal standards is a critical aspect of conducting background checks, especially in today’s complex regulatory environment. Utilizing professional services for criminal background checks helps you navigate these requirements seamlessly. Here’s a table summarizing key legal considerations: Aspect Requirement Notes Written Consent Mandatory under FCRA Obtain consent before any check Report Access Must provide copies if decisions are impacted Transparency for candidates Industry Specific Compliance Customized to different sectors Meets unique legal obligations Local Regulation Navigation Adheres to state laws like Texas Government Code 411 Guarantees lawful handling of criminal data Fair Hiring Practices Complies with the Fair Chance to Compete Act Prevents premature inquiries about history Accuracy and Timeliness Assurance Accurate and timely background checks are essential for making informed hiring decisions, especially in a competitive job market. Utilizing professional services guarantees accuracy and timeliness assurance, allowing you to confidently assess candidates. Here’s how these services can improve your background checks: They source information from verified databases, reducing errors compared to DIY methods. FCRA-compliant providers assure adherence to federal regulations, protecting individual rights. Fast turnaround times mean you can receive detailed reports within hours. Access to industry experts allows for organized results and thorough research. If you want to know how to look up criminal background efficiently, relying on these professionals is your best bet for reliable and current information. Benefits of Running a Background Check on Yourself Many people find that running a personal background check can be a valuable step in managing their reputation and future opportunities. By reviewing your records, you can identify and correct inaccuracies, which might arise from misreporting or identity theft. This proactive approach helps you anticipate potential questions from employers or landlords regarding your history, allowing you to address concerns confidently. Moreover, conducting a self-background check gives you peace of mind, confirming there are no unexpected issues that could hinder your personal or professional growth. It furthermore allows you to improve your online presence by removing unprofessional social media content before potential employers look at your profiles. Finally, completing a personal background check saves you time and money compared to gathering information independently. Plus, it equips you with the knowledge needed to understand how to see if someone has a criminal record, ensuring you’re fully prepared for any employment screenings. Common Misconceptions About Background Checks Though it might seem straightforward, there are several common misconceptions about background checks that can lead to confusion. Many people think all background checks are the same, but they vary greatly in purpose and scope. Here are some key points to reflect on: Background checks don’t just focus on criminal history; they likewise include credit and employment verification. Privacy concerns often arise, but reputable providers follow legal standards to guarantee ethical checks. Accuracy is vital; inaccuracies can result in serious consequences like job loss. Laws like Ban the Box restrict when employers can ask about criminal history, guaranteeing fair treatment. If you’re wondering how to find out if someone has a criminal history, it’s important to understand these misconceptions to navigate the process effectively. By clarifying these points, you can approach background checks with a more informed perspective. How Background Checks Impact Employment Opportunities Background checks play a significant role in shaping your employment opportunities, as they help employers verify your work history and assess your reliability. If you have a criminal record, it can impact your chances of being interviewed, with studies showing you might be 50% less likely to get a call back. Furthermore, employers often examine your social media presence, which can further influence their perception of your suitability for a position. Employment Verification Importance Employers rely heavily on employment verification to guarantee that the information candidates provide is accurate and trustworthy. This process is essential for preventing hiring fraud and ensuring candidates possess the necessary skills and experience. With about 30% of applicants providing inaccurate information, employment verification plays a key role in maintaining organizational integrity. It can reveal discrepancies in employment dates, job titles, and reasons for leaving, which greatly influence hiring decisions. Moreover, many employers in regulated industries must conduct these checks to comply with legal standards. Candidates with verified employment histories are often regarded as more reliable, improving their chances of securing job offers. Confirms accuracy of work history Prevents hiring fraud Maintains organizational integrity Improves candidate credibility Criminal Record Influence When considering potential hires, many companies look closely at an applicant’s criminal history, as it can greatly influence hiring decisions. A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 69% of employers conduct background checks, with 33% eliminating candidates because of criminal records. Although Ban the Box laws limit inquiries about criminal history, employers may still consider records further along in the hiring process. If you want to know how to find out if someone has a police record, you can access public records or use online databases. Candidates must be notified of adverse actions based on their history under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, allowing them to dispute inaccuracies. Clean records typically lead to quicker hiring and better opportunities. Social Media Screening Effects In today’s hiring environment, many candidates may not realize how essential their social media presence can be in the job application process. Social media screening effects can notably influence your employment opportunities. Here are key points to keep in mind: 70% of employers research candidates on social media. 54% have reconsidered a candidate because of unprofessional posts. A strong online image can increase your hiring chances by 40%. 45% of employers eliminate candidates based on inappropriate content. Given these insights, it’s important to actively manage your digital footprint. Your online behavior often reflects your personality, which employers weigh heavily in their hiring decisions. Being aware of how social media impacts your job prospects can help you present yourself more favorably. Key Areas Employers Focus on During Background Checks A thorough background check involves several key areas that can greatly impact a candidate’s chances of landing a job. Employers often focus on criminal records, as serious offenses can hinder career opportunities and reflect on your trustworthiness. If you’re unsure how to look up criminal background information, many online resources can help. Verification of work history is vital; employers check employment dates and titles to confirm accuracy and avoid inflated resumes. Education verification is likewise common; employers need to guarantee candidates hold the degrees or certifications they claim, as exaggerations can harm reputations. For financial roles, employers may review credit history, as poor credit scores can indicate higher risks for misconduct. Finally, employers increasingly scrutinize social media presence to guarantee alignment with company values and to identify any potentially controversial content that could impact hiring decisions. Steps to Prepare for a Background Check Preparing for a background check is an important step in the job application process, especially after comprehending the key areas employers focus on. Here are some steps to help you get ready: Update your resume to reflect accurate work history, as discrepancies can raise red flags. Review your social media profiles and remove any unprofessional content that could impact your image. Conduct a self-background check to verify the accuracy of your personal records, including how to find arrest records, allowing you to address any discrepancies proactively. Gather strong references in advance to help mitigate minor background issues and reinforce your credibility. Being transparent about any past issues can likewise demonstrate personal growth and accountability, which may positively influence hiring decisions. The Role of Background Checks in Tenant Screening Although many landlords recognize the importance of tenant screening background checks, they may not fully understand how these assessments can greatly impact their rental decisions. Background checks allow you to assess potential tenants by evaluating their rental history, creditworthiness, and any prior evictions or criminal records. Approximately 80% of landlords conduct these checks to reduce financial risk and guarantee informed choices about who occupies their properties. Comprehensive background checks reveal critical information, such as income verification, employment status, and previous landlord references—essential for determining a tenant’s ability to pay rent consistently. Furthermore, criminal searches can uncover problematic histories that may pose risks to your property and community. Many states have regulations governing these practices, emphasizing compliance with laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Taking Control of Your Background Information Understanding the information that employers and landlords see in a background check can empower you to take control of your personal narrative. By conducting self-background checks, you can identify inaccuracies or errors that may affect your opportunities. Here’s how to check your police record and manage your information effectively: Use services like Checkr for thorough personal background checks. Regularly review your records to guarantee accuracy and prevent identity theft. Be proactive in addressing any discrepancies you find. Prepare for discussions about your history during hiring processes. Taking control of your background information not just improves your professional image but additionally provides peace of mind. Knowing what’s out there allows you to tackle potential concerns head-on, making sure you’re ready for any questions that may arise from employers or landlords. This awareness can greatly improve your chances in job searches or housing applications. Frequently Asked Questions Why Get a Personal Background Check? Getting a personal background check helps you identify any inaccuracies or potential issues in your records, such as errors or identity theft. It allows you to review your social media presence, ensuring it aligns with your professional image. By addressing concerns proactively, you can prepare for interviews more effectively. In the end, this process provides peace of mind, confirming there are no unexpected problems that could hinder your job search or leasing opportunities. What Is the Hardest Background Check to Pass? The hardest background check to pass often involves extensive criminal history assessments. If you have serious felonies or multiple misdemeanors, these can severely affect your job prospects. Employers may conduct thorough federal criminal searches, revealing significant offenses that influence hiring decisions. Furthermore, checks for financial history, like credit reports, pose challenges for those with poor credit. Scrutiny of social media can likewise disqualify candidates as a result of unprofessional behavior, complicating the job application process. What Is a Red Flag in a Background Check? A red flag in a background check indicates potential issues that could concern employers. These can include criminal records, gaps in employment, or discrepancies in your education. If your resume doesn’t match the background check results, it might signal dishonesty, leading to disqualification. Furthermore, poor credit history can raise alarms for financially responsible roles, and an unprofessional social media presence can negatively impact your chances of getting hired. What Does a Background Check Actually Check For? A background check typically examines several key areas. It traces your Social Security number to reveal associated names and addresses. Background Checks searches look for felony and misdemeanor convictions at various levels. Employment and education verifications confirm the accuracy of your claims. Furthermore, driving records may be reviewed, especially for jobs involving vehicle operation. Some checks even include searches against global watchlists and sex offender registries to guarantee safety compliance. Conclusion In conclusion, a personal background check is vital for ensuring accuracy in your records, which can greatly impact employment and housing opportunities. By comprehending its components and the process involved, you can proactively address any inaccuracies or potential identity theft issues. Conducting a self background check empowers you to present a trustworthy image to employers and landlords alike. In the end, taking control of your background information is an important step in safeguarding your future opportunities. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Personal Background Check and Why Is It Necessary?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A personal background check is a detailed review of your history, including criminal records, employment history, and even social media activity. It’s crucial for uncovering inaccuracies that could hinder your job prospects or housing applications. By conducting this check, you can address potential issues like identity theft before they become a problem. Comprehending what goes into a background check can empower you to present the best version of yourself to employers and landlords alike. So, what should you know about the components involved? Key Takeaways A personal background check is an examination of an individual’s history through records like criminal searches and employment verification. It helps identify errors or inaccuracies that may arise from misreporting or identity theft. Conducting a self background check provides insights into what potential employers or landlords may discover. It enhances your professional image by allowing you to clean up social media profiles and address past issues. Understanding your background check is essential for managing reputation and preparing for personal history questions during applications. Understanding Personal Background Checks When you consider a personal background check, it’s important to understand that this process involves a thorough examination of your history through various records. A detailed background check typically includes an SSN trace, national and state criminal searches, and checks against global watchlists and sex offender registries. You might wonder how to check my background record for free; there are options available online, even though results may vary in depth. This process is crucial for identifying errors or inaccuracies that could stem from misreporting or identity theft. By conducting a personal background check, you can proactively address these issues and anticipate questions from potential employers or landlords regarding your history. Third-party providers like Checkr offer FCRA-compliant services that streamline the review and correction of your records, ensuring you present the most accurate version of your background. Importance of Conducting a Self Background Check Conducting a self-background check is vital, as it allows you to uncover potential inaccuracies in your records that could impact your future opportunities. By taking this proactive step, you can identify any issues that may arise from misreporting or even identity theft. Here’s why it matters: You’ll gain insights into what employers or landlords might see, letting you address concerns beforehand. You can reveal any past criminal history, driving records, or employment verification issues that may hinder job opportunities. It helps improve your professional image by cleaning up your social media presence and online profiles. You’ll have peace of mind and be better prepared for questions about your personal history. Knowing how to get your criminal history and correcting discrepancies can greatly influence your career and housing prospects, making a self-background check an important part of your preparation. Components of a Personal Background Check Report A personal background check report contains several key components that provide a detailed overview of an individual’s history and current standing. First, it includes a Social Security number (SSN) trace, offering basic information about the SSN, such as associated names and addresses. Next, a national criminal search reveals felony and misdemeanor convictions, whereas federal criminal searches uncover any federal offenses. You’ll furthermore find state and county criminal searches that detail convictions within specific jurisdictions. Moreover, the report checks global watchlists and sex offender registries to identify individuals who may pose a risk. If you’re learning how to search criminal records effectively, these components are fundamental. Finally, driving records and civil court records improve your comprehension of an individual’s background, providing a thorough view that can be vital for various purposes, from employment to personal safety. Legal Considerations for Background Checks When you’re considering a background check, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements that come with it, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This law mandates that you must provide consent before any check is conducted, and you have the right to review and dispute any inaccuracies. Furthermore, many jurisdictions enforce Ban the Box laws, which prevent employers from asking about criminal history until a conditional job offer is made, promoting fair hiring practices. FCRA Compliance Requirements Grasping FCRA compliance requirements is crucial for employers conducting background checks, as it guarantees adherence to legal standards and protects both the employer and the individual. To comply with FCRA, make certain you: Obtain written consent from candidates before running background checks. Allow individuals to access and dispute any inaccuracies in their reports. Provide a “pre-adverse action” notice if a negative employment decision is made based on a background check. Limit reporting of negative information, typically to seven years, for most employment purposes. Understanding these elements not only helps you maintain compliance but also guides you on how to check criminal record online responsibly. Following FCRA requirements can minimize potential liabilities and promote trust in your hiring processes. Ban the Box Laws Ban the Box laws represent a significant shift in how employers approach the hiring process, as they prohibit inquiries about an applicant’s criminal history on job applications. These laws, enacted in over 30 states and numerous cities, promote fair chance hiring by allowing candidates to be evaluated based on their qualifications first. By delaying criminal history inquiries until later in the hiring process—typically after a conditional offer—Ban the Box laws help reduce bias, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by incarceration. Employers must comply with these laws to avoid legal repercussions, including fines and potential lawsuits for discriminatory practices. In the end, Ban the Box laws aim to create a more equitable job market for all applicants. Methods to Obtain Your Background Check Obtaining your background check can be a straightforward process, especially if you know where to look. You can learn how to get my police record and more through several methods: Third-party providers: Services like Checkr provide online requests for personal background checks, covering criminal and driving records. Self-background checks: Though this process may incur fees and take time, platforms like iprospectcheck offer quicker results, typically within an hour for basic checks. Always verify that your background check complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to protect your rights and guarantee accurate reporting. Utilizing Professional Services for Background Checks When you consider utilizing professional services for background checks, you gain access to accurate and timely information that meets legal standards. These services not just guarantee compliance with FCRA guidelines but likewise provide extensive reports that cover crucial aspects like criminal history and employment verification. Benefits of Professional Services Utilizing professional services for background checks offers numerous advantages, particularly in ensuring compliance with legal standards like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). These services provide reliable information during the screening process, protecting individual rights. Here are some key benefits: Fast turnaround times, with basic checks often ready within an hour. Access to thorough reports, including criminal records and social media analysis. Organized results that improve the reliability of background checks. Reduced risk of errors, thanks to expert knowledge and up-to-date data sources. Compliance With Legal Standards Guaranteeing compliance with legal standards is a critical aspect of conducting background checks, especially in today’s complex regulatory environment. Utilizing professional services for criminal background checks helps you navigate these requirements seamlessly. Here’s a table summarizing key legal considerations: Aspect Requirement Notes Written Consent Mandatory under FCRA Obtain consent before any check Report Access Must provide copies if decisions are impacted Transparency for candidates Industry Specific Compliance Customized to different sectors Meets unique legal obligations Local Regulation Navigation Adheres to state laws like Texas Government Code 411 Guarantees lawful handling of criminal data Fair Hiring Practices Complies with the Fair Chance to Compete Act Prevents premature inquiries about history Accuracy and Timeliness Assurance Accurate and timely background checks are essential for making informed hiring decisions, especially in a competitive job market. Utilizing professional services guarantees accuracy and timeliness assurance, allowing you to confidently assess candidates. Here’s how these services can improve your background checks: They source information from verified databases, reducing errors compared to DIY methods. FCRA-compliant providers assure adherence to federal regulations, protecting individual rights. Fast turnaround times mean you can receive detailed reports within hours. Access to industry experts allows for organized results and thorough research. If you want to know how to look up criminal background efficiently, relying on these professionals is your best bet for reliable and current information. Benefits of Running a Background Check on Yourself Many people find that running a personal background check can be a valuable step in managing their reputation and future opportunities. By reviewing your records, you can identify and correct inaccuracies, which might arise from misreporting or identity theft. This proactive approach helps you anticipate potential questions from employers or landlords regarding your history, allowing you to address concerns confidently. Moreover, conducting a self-background check gives you peace of mind, confirming there are no unexpected issues that could hinder your personal or professional growth. It furthermore allows you to improve your online presence by removing unprofessional social media content before potential employers look at your profiles. Finally, completing a personal background check saves you time and money compared to gathering information independently. Plus, it equips you with the knowledge needed to understand how to see if someone has a criminal record, ensuring you’re fully prepared for any employment screenings. Common Misconceptions About Background Checks Though it might seem straightforward, there are several common misconceptions about background checks that can lead to confusion. Many people think all background checks are the same, but they vary greatly in purpose and scope. Here are some key points to reflect on: Background checks don’t just focus on criminal history; they likewise include credit and employment verification. Privacy concerns often arise, but reputable providers follow legal standards to guarantee ethical checks. Accuracy is vital; inaccuracies can result in serious consequences like job loss. Laws like Ban the Box restrict when employers can ask about criminal history, guaranteeing fair treatment. If you’re wondering how to find out if someone has a criminal history, it’s important to understand these misconceptions to navigate the process effectively. By clarifying these points, you can approach background checks with a more informed perspective. How Background Checks Impact Employment Opportunities Background checks play a significant role in shaping your employment opportunities, as they help employers verify your work history and assess your reliability. If you have a criminal record, it can impact your chances of being interviewed, with studies showing you might be 50% less likely to get a call back. Furthermore, employers often examine your social media presence, which can further influence their perception of your suitability for a position. Employment Verification Importance Employers rely heavily on employment verification to guarantee that the information candidates provide is accurate and trustworthy. This process is essential for preventing hiring fraud and ensuring candidates possess the necessary skills and experience. With about 30% of applicants providing inaccurate information, employment verification plays a key role in maintaining organizational integrity. It can reveal discrepancies in employment dates, job titles, and reasons for leaving, which greatly influence hiring decisions. Moreover, many employers in regulated industries must conduct these checks to comply with legal standards. Candidates with verified employment histories are often regarded as more reliable, improving their chances of securing job offers. Confirms accuracy of work history Prevents hiring fraud Maintains organizational integrity Improves candidate credibility Criminal Record Influence When considering potential hires, many companies look closely at an applicant’s criminal history, as it can greatly influence hiring decisions. A study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 69% of employers conduct background checks, with 33% eliminating candidates because of criminal records. Although Ban the Box laws limit inquiries about criminal history, employers may still consider records further along in the hiring process. If you want to know how to find out if someone has a police record, you can access public records or use online databases. Candidates must be notified of adverse actions based on their history under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, allowing them to dispute inaccuracies. Clean records typically lead to quicker hiring and better opportunities. Social Media Screening Effects In today’s hiring environment, many candidates may not realize how essential their social media presence can be in the job application process. Social media screening effects can notably influence your employment opportunities. Here are key points to keep in mind: 70% of employers research candidates on social media. 54% have reconsidered a candidate because of unprofessional posts. A strong online image can increase your hiring chances by 40%. 45% of employers eliminate candidates based on inappropriate content. Given these insights, it’s important to actively manage your digital footprint. Your online behavior often reflects your personality, which employers weigh heavily in their hiring decisions. Being aware of how social media impacts your job prospects can help you present yourself more favorably. Key Areas Employers Focus on During Background Checks A thorough background check involves several key areas that can greatly impact a candidate’s chances of landing a job. Employers often focus on criminal records, as serious offenses can hinder career opportunities and reflect on your trustworthiness. If you’re unsure how to look up criminal background information, many online resources can help. Verification of work history is vital; employers check employment dates and titles to confirm accuracy and avoid inflated resumes. Education verification is likewise common; employers need to guarantee candidates hold the degrees or certifications they claim, as exaggerations can harm reputations. For financial roles, employers may review credit history, as poor credit scores can indicate higher risks for misconduct. Finally, employers increasingly scrutinize social media presence to guarantee alignment with company values and to identify any potentially controversial content that could impact hiring decisions. Steps to Prepare for a Background Check Preparing for a background check is an important step in the job application process, especially after comprehending the key areas employers focus on. Here are some steps to help you get ready: Update your resume to reflect accurate work history, as discrepancies can raise red flags. Review your social media profiles and remove any unprofessional content that could impact your image. Conduct a self-background check to verify the accuracy of your personal records, including how to find arrest records, allowing you to address any discrepancies proactively. Gather strong references in advance to help mitigate minor background issues and reinforce your credibility. Being transparent about any past issues can likewise demonstrate personal growth and accountability, which may positively influence hiring decisions. The Role of Background Checks in Tenant Screening Although many landlords recognize the importance of tenant screening background checks, they may not fully understand how these assessments can greatly impact their rental decisions. Background checks allow you to assess potential tenants by evaluating their rental history, creditworthiness, and any prior evictions or criminal records. Approximately 80% of landlords conduct these checks to reduce financial risk and guarantee informed choices about who occupies their properties. Comprehensive background checks reveal critical information, such as income verification, employment status, and previous landlord references—essential for determining a tenant’s ability to pay rent consistently. Furthermore, criminal searches can uncover problematic histories that may pose risks to your property and community. Many states have regulations governing these practices, emphasizing compliance with laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Taking Control of Your Background Information Understanding the information that employers and landlords see in a background check can empower you to take control of your personal narrative. By conducting self-background checks, you can identify inaccuracies or errors that may affect your opportunities. Here’s how to check your police record and manage your information effectively: Use services like Checkr for thorough personal background checks. Regularly review your records to guarantee accuracy and prevent identity theft. Be proactive in addressing any discrepancies you find. Prepare for discussions about your history during hiring processes. Taking control of your background information not just improves your professional image but additionally provides peace of mind. Knowing what’s out there allows you to tackle potential concerns head-on, making sure you’re ready for any questions that may arise from employers or landlords. This awareness can greatly improve your chances in job searches or housing applications. Frequently Asked Questions Why Get a Personal Background Check? Getting a personal background check helps you identify any inaccuracies or potential issues in your records, such as errors or identity theft. It allows you to review your social media presence, ensuring it aligns with your professional image. By addressing concerns proactively, you can prepare for interviews more effectively. In the end, this process provides peace of mind, confirming there are no unexpected problems that could hinder your job search or leasing opportunities. What Is the Hardest Background Check to Pass? The hardest background check to pass often involves extensive criminal history assessments. If you have serious felonies or multiple misdemeanors, these can severely affect your job prospects. Employers may conduct thorough federal criminal searches, revealing significant offenses that influence hiring decisions. Furthermore, checks for financial history, like credit reports, pose challenges for those with poor credit. Scrutiny of social media can likewise disqualify candidates as a result of unprofessional behavior, complicating the job application process. What Is a Red Flag in a Background Check? A red flag in a background check indicates potential issues that could concern employers. These can include criminal records, gaps in employment, or discrepancies in your education. If your resume doesn’t match the background check results, it might signal dishonesty, leading to disqualification. Furthermore, poor credit history can raise alarms for financially responsible roles, and an unprofessional social media presence can negatively impact your chances of getting hired. What Does a Background Check Actually Check For? A background check typically examines several key areas. It traces your Social Security number to reveal associated names and addresses. Background Checks searches look for felony and misdemeanor convictions at various levels. Employment and education verifications confirm the accuracy of your claims. Furthermore, driving records may be reviewed, especially for jobs involving vehicle operation. Some checks even include searches against global watchlists and sex offender registries to guarantee safety compliance. Conclusion In conclusion, a personal background check is vital for ensuring accuracy in your records, which can greatly impact employment and housing opportunities. By comprehending its components and the process involved, you can proactively address any inaccuracies or potential identity theft issues. Conducting a self background check empowers you to present a trustworthy image to employers and landlords alike. In the end, taking control of your background information is an important step in safeguarding your future opportunities. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Personal Background Check and Why Is It Necessary?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Though the film series petered out after only a couple of movies, Rick Riordan's middle-grade Camp Half-Blood have been revived as a mega-popular Disney+ streaming series. The breathing room offered by a series format seems to have been the key to unlocking their potential as an adaptation, allowing for a more fully realized exploration of this atypical (at least on our side of Mount Olympus) coming-of-age story. In its first season, the show found a good balance between fantasy action and teen drama while also having a ton of fun poking at the conventions of ancient myth. Season two is just out, and more is on the way, but it's likely to be a bit of a wait. In the meantime, here are 12 more shows that offer a similar mix of coming-of-age angst, action, and myths and legends. Once Upon a Time (2011 – 2018) Doing for fairy tales what Percy Jackson does for Greek mythology, this long-running prime time drama stars Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, a struggling bail bond agent who travels to the Maine town of Storybrooke (subtle!) to reconnect with the son who she gave up for adoption. In the process, she discovers that she’s the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, given up to protect her from the machinations of Regina (Lana Parrilla), the evil queen who is also responsible for the curse that dropped an endless number of fairy tale characters into this small town to live dreary normal lives without any memories of their past adventures (at least at first). Stream Once Upon a Time on Disney+ and Hulu. Once Upon a Time at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ His Dark Materials (2019 – 2022) The tone is very different, but there are thematic and plot similarities aplenty in this appropriately dark fantasy, adapted from the beloved YA series by Philip Pullman and set in an alternate world in which human souls exist outside the body in the form of animal companions called daemons. Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) is an orphaned girl living at Jordan College, Oxford who finds herself involved in a murder plot that brings her into the orbit of the powerful Magisterium, the world's overarching and oppressive religious authority—caught between her mother (Ruth Wilson), a powerful figure in the Magisterium, and her extremist heretic father (James McAvoy). From her steampunk-ish world, Lyra and her daemon Pan travel across a multiverse that includes our very own Earth. Stream His Dark Materials on HBO Max. His Dark Materials at HBO Max Learn More Learn More at HBO Max Fate: The Winx Saga (2021 – 2022) An update to the Winx Club Nickelodeon animated series from back in the day, this show follows five fairies attending a prestigious boarding school for magical types. Not entirely unlike Percy Jackson, our lead fire fairy Bloom soon discovers that her parentage is more alien (literally) than she'd ever known. After a slow start, the show builds into an impressive coming-of-age story, and a rare fantasy series genuinely geared to its teenage target audience. It was cancelled after two seasons, but if you find yourself hooked, a series of graphic novels continues the story. Stream Fate: The Winx Saga on Netflix. Fate: The Winx Saga at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Blood of Zeus (2020 – 2025) If "unacknowledged love children of gods" is your thing, well, Greek mythology has you covered. Set in an ancient Greek of myth, this adult-oriented animated series introduces Heron, an original character who nevertheless fits firmly in the tradition; here, he's a young miner, illegitimate and thus scorned by his fellow villagers. When demons attack, Heron discovers he's the secret son of Zeus, and that he'll need to help lead humanity defeat flesh-eating creatures born from the blood of fallen titans. Intimately plotted and with an increasingly epic scope, the show blends Greek myth with anime style to tell an addictive original story. Stream Blood of Zeus on Netflix. Blood of Zeus at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Moving (2023 – ) The South Korean import became Disney/Hulu's most-watched K-drama, and did solid business globally (even if the English-language title doesn't suggest major thrills). As the series opens, we meet Kim Bong-seok (Lee Jung-ha), literally weighted down by his mom (as in: she gives him weights to fill his pockets) as he's heading off to school; we soon learn that it's because he can't quite control his ability to fly, and is prone to floating off unexpectedly. Athlete Jang Hui-soo (Go Youn-jung) heals instantly from injuries, while class president Lee Gang-hoon (Kim Do-hoon) is fast and incredibly strong. As it turns out, all of these kids' parents were bred and trained as part of a black ops program from which they've escaped, passing along their abilities to their kids—who have to stifle their powers, lest they draw the attention of spies hunting them down. Stream Moving on Disney+ and Hulu. Moving (2023 – ) Learn More Learn More Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018 – 2020) No Greek mythology here (well, we do get a gorgon or two), but Sabrina is also the story of a young woman coming to terms with her destiny at a special school for people with unique powers while having (dark) adventures. Rather than the daughter of a god, Sabrina is a literal child of Lucifer. Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) is an old-school witch in a household that’s not at all unlike the Addams family: two witchy aunts (played by Miranda Otto and Lucy Davis) alongside her warlock cousin (Chance Perdomo) and her loyal familiar, Salem the cat, all of them living their witchy lives just out of view of the local normies. At the outset, Sabrina's forced to choose between signing her name in Satan’s book and becoming a full-fledged witch, or staying in high school with her human friends. Instead, she refuses to choose. Cannibalism, human sacrifice, and blood rituals result, as Sabrina is called upon to save her family, and the world, from dark forces. Stream Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix The Owl House (2020 – 2023) In this animated series, teenager Luz Noceda (Sarah-Nicole Robles) finds herself trapped in the Demon Realm and there befriends a nonconformist witch Eda Clawthorne (Wendie Malick), who undertakes to teach the non-magical Luz everything she can about magic. Luz is determined to become a full-fledged witch despite her complete lack of prior experience, which is entirely refreshing given the volume of narratives about kids who just kinda discover that they're super-powered nepo babies. Busting open the doors for LGBTQ+ representation on the Disney Channel, this show is chock full of queer characters, and it remained both creatively offbeat and adorable throughout its now completed run. Stream The Own House on Disney+. The Owl House at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Legacies (2018 – 2022) A (sorta) standalone spin-off from the rather extensive Vampire Diaries universe, Legacies follows Hope Mikaelson (Danielle Rose Russell), an orphan descended from bloodlines that include vampires, witches, and werewolves—meaning the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted suits her perfectly. Supernatural beings of all sorts attend, and it serves as a secret haven and training ground for those with powers. It's a place where they can learn to control and/or conceal their abilities—sort of a cross between Wednesday's Nevermore Academy and Camp Half-Blood. The drama is a little more YA to Percy's middle-grade, and naturally, teen angst and romance abound. Stream Legacies on Netflix. Legacies (2018 – 2022) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Spellbound (2023 – 2024) Fifteen-year-old American Cece Parker Jones travels to Paris to join the prestigious dance school, only to discover that she's an actual witch from a family with a history of magic. She struggles to balance dance, magic, and her desire to be a normal teenager while dealing with the Mystics, natural enemies to Cece's type of witch. It's a solidly entertaining blend of teen drama, magical duels, and uniquely, ballet. (it's a standalone successor to the time travel-focused Find Me in Paris, which is also on Hulu). Stream Spellbound on Hulu. Spellbound (2023 – 2024) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu American Born Chinese (2023) Based on the seminal, semi-autobiographical 2006 graphic novel from Gene Luen Yang, this adaptation introduces Jin Wang (Ben Wang), a nerdy and rather ordinary son of Taiwanese immigrants. He befriends confident, generally loud and proud exchange student Wei-Chen (Jimmy Liu), who's embarrassing and inspiring in equal measure. It's soon revealed that Wei-Chen is no ordinary kid, but rather the son of legendary Chinese figure the Monkey King, and he's on Earth looking for the ordinary teenager he believes can help him stop an uprising against Heaven. Ke Huy Quan co-stars as the former child star of a deeply stereotypical '80s sitcom, and Michelle Yeoh appears as goddess of compassion Guanyin. It's disappointing that this only lasted one season, but it tells a fairly complete story nonetheless. Stream American Born Chinese on Disney+. American Born Chinese at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Lockwood & Co. (2023) In an alternate modern Britain, ghosts are an everyday sight, which is not to say they aren't a nuisance—their touch is deadly. Technological progress has largely ground to a halt, while ghost-hunting agencies are common and, since adults lose the ability to sense ghosts directly, kids and teens are the ones on the front lines. Ruby Stokes (Bridgerton) plays Lucy Carlyle, an extremely sensitive listener who was cast aside when she was unfairly blamed for several deaths at her first job. With nowhere else to go, she joins up with the shady, unregulated Lockwood & Co., a two-orphan operation working outside the law. It's a solidly spooky teen drama with a fair bit of action and a beating heart, in and among all of the dead people. Stream Lockwood & Co. on Netflix. Lockwood & Co. at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Troy: Fall of a City (2018) This one's definitely not for the young ones, but if you're a grown-up-type person looking for a bit more on Greek mythology, you could do worse than this BBC take on The Iliad (and other Trojan War narratives). Adapting events in and around Homer's work, we begin with the judgment of Paris (Louis Hunter), who's asked by Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite to award an apple to the one he favors most; the goddesses here appear as human-esque characters, marking a change from older takes that saw giants watching from Olympus, and more recent adaptations that do away with gods altogether. We then meet Helen (Bella Dayne), a Spartan citizen in a loveless marriage, before following the action to Troy. The show has a lush, bronze-age aesthetic and displays an impressive fidelity to its varied source material. Stream Troy: Fall of a City on Prime Video and Netflix. Troy: Fall of a City (2018) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video View the full article

When selecting a video shop editor, it’s crucial to take into account various features that can improve your editing experience. Look for tools that allow you to trim, merge, and adjust playback speed easily. Moreover, sound editing options, visual effects, and customizable text overlays can greatly elevate your video’s overall quality. An intuitive interface and compatibility with multiple formats are equally important. Comprehending these features will help you make an informed decision, but there’s more to explore regarding usability and support options. Key Takeaways Look for trimming and merging capabilities to easily cut and combine clips for seamless storytelling. Ensure the editor offers sound editing options, including custom music and voice-over recording for personalized narration. Check for visual effects and color correction tools to enhance video quality and match desired moods. Consider export and sharing options, including social media compatibility and quality settings up to 720p. User-friendly navigation and clear instructions are essential for a smooth editing experience, especially for beginners. Essential Editing Tools When you’re choosing a video editing software, it’s vital to focus on the editing tools that will best meet your needs. A video shop editor should include trimming and merging capabilities to cut unnecessary parts and seamlessly combine clips. Look for slow-motion and stop-motion options, which give you creative control over video speed. Robust visual editing tools, such as filters and color correction, can improve your video’s quality considerably. Moreover, the ability to rotate or resize clips is important. Text overlay functionality is fundamental; it should allow you to customize fonts and colors for subtitles or captions. The videoshop app should support these features to guarantee your final product is polished and engaging. Sound Editing Capabilities Sound editing is just as important as visual editing in creating a compelling video. With Videoshop, you can improve your project by adding custom background music from your iPod library or purchasing music clips, creating a richer auditory experience. The app furthermore provides a range of sound effects, including audience laughter and ambient noises, making your content more engaging. You can record voice-overs directly, allowing personalized narration that aligns with your video’s theme. In addition, the sound editing features support lip syncing, helping you match audio with video effectively. With the ability to adjust audio levels and incorporate multiple sound elements, Videoshop offers an all-encompassing sound editing suite, making it suitable for various video projects. Visual Effects and Filters When you’re working on your video projects, visual effects and filters can greatly improve your content. With options for creative filtering and layering, you can match your video’s mood and theme as you add depth and interest. Whether you’re applying slow-motion effects or superimposing images, these tools allow you to create unique and engaging compositions that capture your audience’s attention. Essential Visual Enhancements To raise your video projects, Videoshop provides a robust selection of significant visual improvements, including filters and visual effects that can greatly improve video quality. You can apply various styles and moods to your clips, enhancing their overall appeal. The app furthermore features advanced effects like slow motion and reverse playback, which enable you to tell stories in unique ways. Moreover, the superimpose feature allows you to layer images and videos, adding depth to your edits. For a polished look, utilize color correction options to adjust brightness and tone. Techniques like Kenburns and tiltshift introduce dynamic movement and focus effects, making your videos more engaging and visually striking, eventually elevating your content to a professional standard. Creative Filtering Options Videoshop’s creative filtering options offer a range of tools that greatly upgrade your video editing experience. You can apply various filters to improve video quality, achieving professional-looking visual effects with just a few taps. The app also provides advanced editing capabilities like color correction, allowing you to adjust the mood and tone of your videos effectively. Additionally, you can incorporate fun distortion effects and superimpose images, adding an engaging creative layer to your projects. Techniques like Kenburns and tiltshift enable unique visual storytelling, creating dynamic movement within still images. With regular updates, Videoshop continuously expands its library of filters and effects, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in video editing aesthetics. Layering and Superimposing Effects Layering and superimposing effects in video editing can transform your projects by allowing you to blend multiple clips or images into a single cohesive composition. With the right tools, you can improve storytelling and creativity in your videos. Here are some key features to keep in mind: Overlay graphics or text to add depth and engage viewers. Apply various filters for improved visual quality and mood. Utilize distortion effects to create unique, eye-catching visuals. Explore advanced techniques like Kenburns and tiltshift for dynamic presentations. Combine clips seamlessly to craft compelling narratives. Text and Title Customization When you’re looking to improve your video’s visual appeal, customizing text and titles can make a significant difference. Videoshop offers customizable text overlays with various fonts and colors, boosting your content’s attractiveness. You can likewise use animated titles for engaging introductions, making your videos stand out. Resizing text overlays is simple with a pinch-to-zoom gesture, even though it’s not clearly indicated. Furthermore, you can add subtitles for better accessibility, helping viewers understand without sound. Explore unlabeled slide controls to adjust text timing and appearance for the best results. Feature Description Benefit Custom Text Overlays Various fonts and colors available Boosts visual appeal Animated Titles Engaging introductions Captivates audience attention Subtitle Support Adds subtitles for accessibility Improves viewer comprehension Pinch-to-Zoom Resize text overlays easily Customizes appearance Adjustable Timing Unlabeled controls for timing Fine-tunes text presentation User-Friendly Interface When choosing a video shop editor, look for an interface that prioritizes intuitive navigation, making it easy for you to find tools without feeling lost. Clear instructions for each feature will guide you through crucial tasks like trimming and merging, ensuring you can edit efficiently. Plus, responsive editing controls allow for quick adjustments, so you can focus on your creative process without unnecessary delays. Intuitive Navigation Design An intuitive navigation design is essential in a video shop editor, as it greatly augments your editing experience and makes the process more accessible. A well-structured interface allows you to focus on creativity rather than getting lost in complex menus. Look for these key features: Clearly labeled tools and controls for easy identification Support for pinch-to-zoom functionality to resize elements effortlessly A well-organized layout that streamlines your editing process Accessible menus that help you find features quickly Regular updates that improve usability based on user feedback Clear Tool Instructions Clear tool instructions play a fundamental role in creating a user-friendly interface within a video editing app like Videoshop. When editing options like filters, shifts, and text overlays are clearly labeled, you minimize confusion and improve usability. Intuitive controls are important; unlabeled slide controls can hinder your editing experience considerably. Feature Importance Labeled Controls Reduces confusion Tutorial Prompts Boosts comprehension Regular Updates Enhances clarity over time Incorporating tutorial prompts or tooltips within the app helps you grasp each tool’s purpose and functionality, making your editing process more efficient. Overall, clear tool instructions contribute greatly to a smoother and more satisfying editing experience. Responsive Editing Controls A user-friendly interface is key to a seamless video editing experience in apps like Videoshop, particularly concerning responsive editing controls. When editing, you’ll want tools that respond quickly to your commands, ensuring you can make adjustments without delay. This feature is especially important for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by complex software. Intuitive controls for trimming and merging Clear labeling of features and tools Immediate results from adjustments An effective undo feature for quick corrections Minimal delays during editing These elements contribute to a smoother editing process, allowing you to focus on creativity rather than steering through confusion. A responsive interface ultimately improves your ability to produce polished videos efficiently. Performance and Stability When using Videoshop, you’ll find that the app usually provides responsive editing tools, though some users occasionally experience minor delays during their editing sessions. It’s important to mention that issues can arise with the Display editing feature, such as a stalled progress bar; nonetheless, restarting the process usually resolves these problems. The developers frequently release updates, which contribute to overall performance stability and address potential issues. After these updates, users typically encounter no further complications, showcasing the developers’ commitment to improvement. Furthermore, Videoshop’s ability to handle various video formats and provide quality adjustments up to 720p improves stability, making it a versatile choice for different projects. Export and Sharing Options Videoshop offers a variety of export and sharing options that make it easy for you to distribute your edited videos across multiple platforms. You can connect with your audience by sharing directly to popular social media sites. Furthermore, saving your videos to the Camera Roll allows for quick access and further edits. The app guarantees your video length meets social media requirements, optimizing your content for each platform. You can choose from various export quality options, up to 720p, depending on your storage needs. Plus, you have the flexibility to crop videos to a 1:1 ratio or maintain the original aspect ratio. Direct sharing to social media Save to Camera Roll Length compliance indicators Export quality options Video cropping flexibility Compatibility With Social Media Sharing edited videos on social media has never been easier, thanks to the extensive compatibility features of the Videoshop app. You can share your creations directly to platforms like Vine, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, enhancing convenience for any content creator. The app includes indicators to help guarantee your video length meets specific social media requirements, making it simple to create shareable content. You can export videos in various quality options, ranging from low to high (up to 720p), allowing for flexibility based on platform needs. Furthermore, Videoshop supports cropping for a 1:1 ratio or maintaining the original aspect ratio with black bars, catering to different display preferences. Its multilingual support guarantees creators from diverse backgrounds can easily edit and share videos. Subscription and Pricing Models When considering Videoshop’s subscription and pricing models, you can choose between a monthly plan at $3.99 or an annual plan for $23.99, both offering a free trial for new users. If you prefer not to commit to a subscription, the app is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99, making it a budget-friendly option. Furthermore, in-app purchases allow you to remove watermarks or buy tokens for extra features, giving you flexibility in how you use the app. Monthly vs. Annual Plans Choosing between monthly and annual subscription plans can greatly impact your experience with Videoshop, especially if you’re weighing how long you’ll use the app. The monthly plan, priced at $3.99, is ideal for short-term use, offering full access without watermarks. Conversely, the annual subscription at $23.99 provides better value for long-term users, saving you money overall. Here are some key points to evaluate: Monthly plan for flexibility and short-term needs Annual plan for cost savings if you stay long-term Free trial available for both options Access to all features, including watermark-free exports Customize with in-app purchases if needed Weigh your options carefully to choose the best fit for your video editing needs. In-App Purchase Options In-App Purchase Options provide users with a variety of ways to improve their Videoshop experience beyond the standard subscription plans. You can choose a monthly subscription for $3.99 or an annual one for $23.99, both offering a free trial. If you prefer not to commit to a subscription, you can remove all watermarks for a one-time fee of $2.99. For those wanting full access without ongoing fees, the lifetime Videoshop Pro option is available for $99.99. Furthermore, you can purchase tokens to augment your editing capabilities—$0.99 for a Bag of Tokens, $1.99 for a Suitcase, and $2.99 for a Chest. These purchases allow you to access premium content and features as needed. Free Trial Availability A free trial is available for both the monthly and annual subscription plans of Videoshop, allowing you to explore the app’s features without any initial commitment. This trial is a great opportunity to assess its editing capabilities before deciding on a payment plan. Here’s what you can expect: Monthly subscription at $3.99: Ideal if you need flexibility. Annual subscription for $23.99: A cost-effective choice for regular users. In-app purchases: Options to remove watermarks or secure a lifetime Pro license. Tokens for features: Purchase varying amounts to access specific tools. Regular updates: Guarantees the app evolves to improve user experience. Take advantage of the free trial to find the best fit for your editing needs. In-App Purchases Many users appreciate the variety of in-app purchases available in Videoshop, which greatly improve the editing experience. For just $2.99, you can remove all watermarks from your videos, giving them a professional touch. If you’re looking for a more thorough option, consider the lifetime Videoshop Pro for $99.99, which grants access to all features without any recurring costs. Instead, you can choose a monthly subscription at $3.99 or an annual subscription for $23.99, both of which offer a free trial. Moreover, you can purchase tokens in various quantities, starting from $0.99 for a Bag of Tokens to $2.99 for a Chest of Tokens, allowing you to access extra features and tools for improved video editing capabilities. Regular Updates and Support Regular updates and responsive support play a significant role in improving the Videoshop experience for users. Frequent updates show the developer’s commitment to enhancing the app, offering you the latest features and crucial bug fixes. This ongoing effort contributes to overall performance stability, making your editing tasks smoother. Furthermore, the app’s support team is quick to address any issues you encounter, ensuring customer satisfaction. Consider these benefits of regular updates and support: Access to new features and improvements Improved app stability and performance Timely bug fixes for a seamless experience Dedicated customer support for prompt issue resolution A competitive edge in the video editing market These factors keep Videoshop user-friendly and relevant for your editing needs. Language and Accessibility Features Videoshop offers robust language and accessibility features that improve the editing experience for its users. The app supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish, which caters to a diverse user base. You can easily access language options in the app’s settings, allowing you to select your preferred language for a more personalized experience. This user-friendly design guarantees that language barriers won’t hinder your editing process, especially for non-native English speakers. Additionally, Videoshop’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its regular updates, which may include additional language support, enhancing accessibility for users around the world. This focus on multilingual capabilities makes it easier for everyone to create and edit videos effectively. Alternatives to Consider As you explore video editing options, it’s worth considering some alternatives to Videoshop that may better fit your specific needs or preferences. Here are a few notable options: TunesKit AceMovi: Ideal for PC users, it offers a free version and flexible subscription plans. InShot: A mobile app with intuitive features, perfect for quick edits on the go. KineMaster: Provides multi-layer editing and real-time previews, catering to advanced editing needs. FilmoraGo: A user-friendly option that allows easy video creation with various templates and effects. Adobe Premiere Rush: A streamlined version of Premiere Pro, suitable for users wanting professional quality on mobile and desktop. Exploring these alternatives can help you find the right fit for your editing projects. Frequently Asked Questions What Do People Look for in a Video Editor? When choosing a video editor, you’ll likely prioritize an intuitive interface that makes navigation straightforward. Crucial features include trimming, merging, and adding effects like slow motion or voice-overs. Easy sharing options to social media platforms improve usability. Customization is likewise key—look for various filters, shifts, and text overlays to personalize your videos. Finally, consider the importance of regular updates and responsive support to guarantee the software remains functional and effective for your needs. How to Evaluate a Video Editor? To evaluate a video editor effectively, start by appraising the range of editing tools it offers, like trimming and merging. Check its sound editing capabilities, ensuring you can add background music and voice-overs easily. Look for a user-friendly interface, as this impacts your editing efficiency. Review the export options available for sharing on social media and saving in various formats. Finally, consider the developer’s commitment to updates and responsiveness to user feedback for ongoing support. What Are 321 Rules of Video Editing? The 321 rule of video editing emphasizes having three copies of your project files, stored on two different devices, with one copy kept off-site. This approach minimizes the risk of losing valuable footage because of hardware failures or accidents. By following the 321 guideline, you guarantee data integrity, especially in high-stakes projects. Regularly updating and verifying these backups is essential for maintaining an organized workflow, finally saving you time and resources. What Does a Video Editor Need to Know? As a video editor, you need to master crucial editing tools like trimming, merging, and adding shifts for fluid video sequences. You should additionally integrate audio elements, such as music and sound effects, to improve viewer engagement. Familiarity with visual effects can raise your work, whereas comprehension of export options guarantees your videos play well on various platforms. Finally, knowing the app’s interface and features, like text overlays, can streamline your editing process. Conclusion In conclusion, when selecting a video shop editor, prioritize key features like trimming, merging, and sound editing capabilities. Look for visual effects, customizable text, and a user-friendly interface to improve your editing experience. Consider in-app purchases, regular updates, and accessibility options to guarantee the software meets your needs over time. By evaluating these aspects, you’ll find an editor that helps you create high-quality videos effectively and efficiently, making it easier to share your work across various platforms. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Features to Look for in a Video Shop Editor?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When selecting a video shop editor, it’s crucial to take into account various features that can improve your editing experience. Look for tools that allow you to trim, merge, and adjust playback speed easily. Moreover, sound editing options, visual effects, and customizable text overlays can greatly elevate your video’s overall quality. An intuitive interface and compatibility with multiple formats are equally important. Comprehending these features will help you make an informed decision, but there’s more to explore regarding usability and support options. Key Takeaways Look for trimming and merging capabilities to easily cut and combine clips for seamless storytelling. Ensure the editor offers sound editing options, including custom music and voice-over recording for personalized narration. Check for visual effects and color correction tools to enhance video quality and match desired moods. Consider export and sharing options, including social media compatibility and quality settings up to 720p. User-friendly navigation and clear instructions are essential for a smooth editing experience, especially for beginners. Essential Editing Tools When you’re choosing a video editing software, it’s vital to focus on the editing tools that will best meet your needs. A video shop editor should include trimming and merging capabilities to cut unnecessary parts and seamlessly combine clips. Look for slow-motion and stop-motion options, which give you creative control over video speed. Robust visual editing tools, such as filters and color correction, can improve your video’s quality considerably. Moreover, the ability to rotate or resize clips is important. Text overlay functionality is fundamental; it should allow you to customize fonts and colors for subtitles or captions. The videoshop app should support these features to guarantee your final product is polished and engaging. Sound Editing Capabilities Sound editing is just as important as visual editing in creating a compelling video. With Videoshop, you can improve your project by adding custom background music from your iPod library or purchasing music clips, creating a richer auditory experience. The app furthermore provides a range of sound effects, including audience laughter and ambient noises, making your content more engaging. You can record voice-overs directly, allowing personalized narration that aligns with your video’s theme. In addition, the sound editing features support lip syncing, helping you match audio with video effectively. With the ability to adjust audio levels and incorporate multiple sound elements, Videoshop offers an all-encompassing sound editing suite, making it suitable for various video projects. Visual Effects and Filters When you’re working on your video projects, visual effects and filters can greatly improve your content. With options for creative filtering and layering, you can match your video’s mood and theme as you add depth and interest. Whether you’re applying slow-motion effects or superimposing images, these tools allow you to create unique and engaging compositions that capture your audience’s attention. Essential Visual Enhancements To raise your video projects, Videoshop provides a robust selection of significant visual improvements, including filters and visual effects that can greatly improve video quality. You can apply various styles and moods to your clips, enhancing their overall appeal. The app furthermore features advanced effects like slow motion and reverse playback, which enable you to tell stories in unique ways. Moreover, the superimpose feature allows you to layer images and videos, adding depth to your edits. For a polished look, utilize color correction options to adjust brightness and tone. Techniques like Kenburns and tiltshift introduce dynamic movement and focus effects, making your videos more engaging and visually striking, eventually elevating your content to a professional standard. Creative Filtering Options Videoshop’s creative filtering options offer a range of tools that greatly upgrade your video editing experience. You can apply various filters to improve video quality, achieving professional-looking visual effects with just a few taps. The app also provides advanced editing capabilities like color correction, allowing you to adjust the mood and tone of your videos effectively. Additionally, you can incorporate fun distortion effects and superimpose images, adding an engaging creative layer to your projects. Techniques like Kenburns and tiltshift enable unique visual storytelling, creating dynamic movement within still images. With regular updates, Videoshop continuously expands its library of filters and effects, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest trends in video editing aesthetics. Layering and Superimposing Effects Layering and superimposing effects in video editing can transform your projects by allowing you to blend multiple clips or images into a single cohesive composition. With the right tools, you can improve storytelling and creativity in your videos. Here are some key features to keep in mind: Overlay graphics or text to add depth and engage viewers. Apply various filters for improved visual quality and mood. Utilize distortion effects to create unique, eye-catching visuals. Explore advanced techniques like Kenburns and tiltshift for dynamic presentations. Combine clips seamlessly to craft compelling narratives. Text and Title Customization When you’re looking to improve your video’s visual appeal, customizing text and titles can make a significant difference. Videoshop offers customizable text overlays with various fonts and colors, boosting your content’s attractiveness. You can likewise use animated titles for engaging introductions, making your videos stand out. Resizing text overlays is simple with a pinch-to-zoom gesture, even though it’s not clearly indicated. Furthermore, you can add subtitles for better accessibility, helping viewers understand without sound. Explore unlabeled slide controls to adjust text timing and appearance for the best results. Feature Description Benefit Custom Text Overlays Various fonts and colors available Boosts visual appeal Animated Titles Engaging introductions Captivates audience attention Subtitle Support Adds subtitles for accessibility Improves viewer comprehension Pinch-to-Zoom Resize text overlays easily Customizes appearance Adjustable Timing Unlabeled controls for timing Fine-tunes text presentation User-Friendly Interface When choosing a video shop editor, look for an interface that prioritizes intuitive navigation, making it easy for you to find tools without feeling lost. Clear instructions for each feature will guide you through crucial tasks like trimming and merging, ensuring you can edit efficiently. Plus, responsive editing controls allow for quick adjustments, so you can focus on your creative process without unnecessary delays. Intuitive Navigation Design An intuitive navigation design is essential in a video shop editor, as it greatly augments your editing experience and makes the process more accessible. A well-structured interface allows you to focus on creativity rather than getting lost in complex menus. Look for these key features: Clearly labeled tools and controls for easy identification Support for pinch-to-zoom functionality to resize elements effortlessly A well-organized layout that streamlines your editing process Accessible menus that help you find features quickly Regular updates that improve usability based on user feedback Clear Tool Instructions Clear tool instructions play a fundamental role in creating a user-friendly interface within a video editing app like Videoshop. When editing options like filters, shifts, and text overlays are clearly labeled, you minimize confusion and improve usability. Intuitive controls are important; unlabeled slide controls can hinder your editing experience considerably. Feature Importance Labeled Controls Reduces confusion Tutorial Prompts Boosts comprehension Regular Updates Enhances clarity over time Incorporating tutorial prompts or tooltips within the app helps you grasp each tool’s purpose and functionality, making your editing process more efficient. Overall, clear tool instructions contribute greatly to a smoother and more satisfying editing experience. Responsive Editing Controls A user-friendly interface is key to a seamless video editing experience in apps like Videoshop, particularly concerning responsive editing controls. When editing, you’ll want tools that respond quickly to your commands, ensuring you can make adjustments without delay. This feature is especially important for beginners who may feel overwhelmed by complex software. Intuitive controls for trimming and merging Clear labeling of features and tools Immediate results from adjustments An effective undo feature for quick corrections Minimal delays during editing These elements contribute to a smoother editing process, allowing you to focus on creativity rather than steering through confusion. A responsive interface ultimately improves your ability to produce polished videos efficiently. Performance and Stability When using Videoshop, you’ll find that the app usually provides responsive editing tools, though some users occasionally experience minor delays during their editing sessions. It’s important to mention that issues can arise with the Display editing feature, such as a stalled progress bar; nonetheless, restarting the process usually resolves these problems. The developers frequently release updates, which contribute to overall performance stability and address potential issues. After these updates, users typically encounter no further complications, showcasing the developers’ commitment to improvement. Furthermore, Videoshop’s ability to handle various video formats and provide quality adjustments up to 720p improves stability, making it a versatile choice for different projects. Export and Sharing Options Videoshop offers a variety of export and sharing options that make it easy for you to distribute your edited videos across multiple platforms. You can connect with your audience by sharing directly to popular social media sites. Furthermore, saving your videos to the Camera Roll allows for quick access and further edits. The app guarantees your video length meets social media requirements, optimizing your content for each platform. You can choose from various export quality options, up to 720p, depending on your storage needs. Plus, you have the flexibility to crop videos to a 1:1 ratio or maintain the original aspect ratio. Direct sharing to social media Save to Camera Roll Length compliance indicators Export quality options Video cropping flexibility Compatibility With Social Media Sharing edited videos on social media has never been easier, thanks to the extensive compatibility features of the Videoshop app. You can share your creations directly to platforms like Vine, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, enhancing convenience for any content creator. The app includes indicators to help guarantee your video length meets specific social media requirements, making it simple to create shareable content. You can export videos in various quality options, ranging from low to high (up to 720p), allowing for flexibility based on platform needs. Furthermore, Videoshop supports cropping for a 1:1 ratio or maintaining the original aspect ratio with black bars, catering to different display preferences. Its multilingual support guarantees creators from diverse backgrounds can easily edit and share videos. Subscription and Pricing Models When considering Videoshop’s subscription and pricing models, you can choose between a monthly plan at $3.99 or an annual plan for $23.99, both offering a free trial for new users. If you prefer not to commit to a subscription, the app is available for a one-time purchase of $1.99, making it a budget-friendly option. Furthermore, in-app purchases allow you to remove watermarks or buy tokens for extra features, giving you flexibility in how you use the app. Monthly vs. Annual Plans Choosing between monthly and annual subscription plans can greatly impact your experience with Videoshop, especially if you’re weighing how long you’ll use the app. The monthly plan, priced at $3.99, is ideal for short-term use, offering full access without watermarks. Conversely, the annual subscription at $23.99 provides better value for long-term users, saving you money overall. Here are some key points to evaluate: Monthly plan for flexibility and short-term needs Annual plan for cost savings if you stay long-term Free trial available for both options Access to all features, including watermark-free exports Customize with in-app purchases if needed Weigh your options carefully to choose the best fit for your video editing needs. In-App Purchase Options In-App Purchase Options provide users with a variety of ways to improve their Videoshop experience beyond the standard subscription plans. You can choose a monthly subscription for $3.99 or an annual one for $23.99, both offering a free trial. If you prefer not to commit to a subscription, you can remove all watermarks for a one-time fee of $2.99. For those wanting full access without ongoing fees, the lifetime Videoshop Pro option is available for $99.99. Furthermore, you can purchase tokens to augment your editing capabilities—$0.99 for a Bag of Tokens, $1.99 for a Suitcase, and $2.99 for a Chest. These purchases allow you to access premium content and features as needed. Free Trial Availability A free trial is available for both the monthly and annual subscription plans of Videoshop, allowing you to explore the app’s features without any initial commitment. This trial is a great opportunity to assess its editing capabilities before deciding on a payment plan. Here’s what you can expect: Monthly subscription at $3.99: Ideal if you need flexibility. Annual subscription for $23.99: A cost-effective choice for regular users. In-app purchases: Options to remove watermarks or secure a lifetime Pro license. Tokens for features: Purchase varying amounts to access specific tools. Regular updates: Guarantees the app evolves to improve user experience. Take advantage of the free trial to find the best fit for your editing needs. In-App Purchases Many users appreciate the variety of in-app purchases available in Videoshop, which greatly improve the editing experience. For just $2.99, you can remove all watermarks from your videos, giving them a professional touch. If you’re looking for a more thorough option, consider the lifetime Videoshop Pro for $99.99, which grants access to all features without any recurring costs. Instead, you can choose a monthly subscription at $3.99 or an annual subscription for $23.99, both of which offer a free trial. Moreover, you can purchase tokens in various quantities, starting from $0.99 for a Bag of Tokens to $2.99 for a Chest of Tokens, allowing you to access extra features and tools for improved video editing capabilities. Regular Updates and Support Regular updates and responsive support play a significant role in improving the Videoshop experience for users. Frequent updates show the developer’s commitment to enhancing the app, offering you the latest features and crucial bug fixes. This ongoing effort contributes to overall performance stability, making your editing tasks smoother. Furthermore, the app’s support team is quick to address any issues you encounter, ensuring customer satisfaction. Consider these benefits of regular updates and support: Access to new features and improvements Improved app stability and performance Timely bug fixes for a seamless experience Dedicated customer support for prompt issue resolution A competitive edge in the video editing market These factors keep Videoshop user-friendly and relevant for your editing needs. Language and Accessibility Features Videoshop offers robust language and accessibility features that improve the editing experience for its users. The app supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish, which caters to a diverse user base. You can easily access language options in the app’s settings, allowing you to select your preferred language for a more personalized experience. This user-friendly design guarantees that language barriers won’t hinder your editing process, especially for non-native English speakers. Additionally, Videoshop’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its regular updates, which may include additional language support, enhancing accessibility for users around the world. This focus on multilingual capabilities makes it easier for everyone to create and edit videos effectively. Alternatives to Consider As you explore video editing options, it’s worth considering some alternatives to Videoshop that may better fit your specific needs or preferences. Here are a few notable options: TunesKit AceMovi: Ideal for PC users, it offers a free version and flexible subscription plans. InShot: A mobile app with intuitive features, perfect for quick edits on the go. KineMaster: Provides multi-layer editing and real-time previews, catering to advanced editing needs. FilmoraGo: A user-friendly option that allows easy video creation with various templates and effects. Adobe Premiere Rush: A streamlined version of Premiere Pro, suitable for users wanting professional quality on mobile and desktop. Exploring these alternatives can help you find the right fit for your editing projects. Frequently Asked Questions What Do People Look for in a Video Editor? When choosing a video editor, you’ll likely prioritize an intuitive interface that makes navigation straightforward. Crucial features include trimming, merging, and adding effects like slow motion or voice-overs. Easy sharing options to social media platforms improve usability. Customization is likewise key—look for various filters, shifts, and text overlays to personalize your videos. Finally, consider the importance of regular updates and responsive support to guarantee the software remains functional and effective for your needs. How to Evaluate a Video Editor? To evaluate a video editor effectively, start by appraising the range of editing tools it offers, like trimming and merging. Check its sound editing capabilities, ensuring you can add background music and voice-overs easily. Look for a user-friendly interface, as this impacts your editing efficiency. Review the export options available for sharing on social media and saving in various formats. Finally, consider the developer’s commitment to updates and responsiveness to user feedback for ongoing support. What Are 321 Rules of Video Editing? The 321 rule of video editing emphasizes having three copies of your project files, stored on two different devices, with one copy kept off-site. This approach minimizes the risk of losing valuable footage because of hardware failures or accidents. By following the 321 guideline, you guarantee data integrity, especially in high-stakes projects. Regularly updating and verifying these backups is essential for maintaining an organized workflow, finally saving you time and resources. What Does a Video Editor Need to Know? As a video editor, you need to master crucial editing tools like trimming, merging, and adding shifts for fluid video sequences. You should additionally integrate audio elements, such as music and sound effects, to improve viewer engagement. Familiarity with visual effects can raise your work, whereas comprehension of export options guarantees your videos play well on various platforms. Finally, knowing the app’s interface and features, like text overlays, can streamline your editing process. Conclusion In conclusion, when selecting a video shop editor, prioritize key features like trimming, merging, and sound editing capabilities. Look for visual effects, customizable text, and a user-friendly interface to improve your editing experience. Consider in-app purchases, regular updates, and accessibility options to guarantee the software meets your needs over time. By evaluating these aspects, you’ll find an editor that helps you create high-quality videos effectively and efficiently, making it easier to share your work across various platforms. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Features to Look for in a Video Shop Editor?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small business owners across the globe may want to take note of a remarkable trend: during the recent Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend, Shopify merchants collectively achieved a groundbreaking $14.6 billion in sales. This marks a 27% increase compared to last year, showcasing the growing opportunities for independent businesses. As Shopify reports, over 81 million customers participated in this retail frenzy, contributing to minute sales reaching an astounding $5.1 million at peak times. For small business owners, these numbers are not just impressive statistics; they highlight significant trends and opportunities in e-commerce that can inform their strategies moving forward. The data points illustrate thriving sectors and consumer behaviors. Among the most popular product categories were cosmetics, clothing tops and pants, and activewear, all of which saw significant sales during the weekend. The average cart price settled at $114.70, emphasizing that consumers are willing to spend on quality products when presented with the right offer. Shop Pay also played a noteworthy role in these sales figures, demonstrating a 39% year-over-year increase in sales made through this payment platform. Interestingly, 32% of all BFCM orders utilized Shop Pay, indicating a growing preference for streamlined, efficient transaction processes. For small business owners, integrating multiple payment options could enhance customer experience and possibly boost sales. Additionally, cross-border orders accounted for 16% of all global transactions, showcasing a clear trend toward international consumer engagement. This should encourage small business owners to consider globalization strategies to reach wider audiences, tapping into markets beyond their local communities. Entrepreneurs made their mark as well, with more than 15,800 newcomers achieving their first sale on Shopify. This statistic signifies that the platform continues to empower new businesses to enter the marketplace and find success. More than 94,900 merchants celebrated their highest sales day ever, underscoring the potential for even smaller startups to capture significant market share during peak shopping periods. While these data points paint an overall positive picture, small business owners should approach the landscape cautiously. Increased sales are promising, but the competitive nature of the BFCM season can pose challenges. For instance, managing inventory and logistics during a surge in demand requires precise planning. Utilizing tools like the Shop App, which tracked 136 million+ packages globally, can aid in streamlining shipping processes and improving customer communication about deliveries. Moreover, with heightened consumer interest in unique, independent brands, business owners must distinguish themselves amid the noise. Crafting a compelling brand story and fostering genuine connections with customers can be decisive factors in earning loyalty from new and returning buyers. Shopify’s data reflects a transformative moment for independent businesses. “We are once again in awe of the raw, unstoppable power of founders with the guts to go after a dream,” remarked a Shopify representative. This sentiment encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seize the moment and leverage the current market trends to expand their brands. As the holiday season approaches, small business owners should consider updating marketing strategies based on the insights gained from BFCM. Emphasizing product uniqueness, improving user experience, and harnessing the power of data to make informed decisions will be vital steps to capitalize on the ongoing consumer trend of supporting independent businesses. In a digital shopping landscape characterized by fierce competition and ever-evolving consumer preferences, the latest data from Shopify equips small business owners with valuable insights that can serve as a foundation for significant growth. To access the complete data and insights, check out Shopify’s official announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Shopify Merchants Achieve Record $14.6B in Sales Black Friday and Cyber Monday Weekend" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small business owners across the globe may want to take note of a remarkable trend: during the recent Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend, Shopify merchants collectively achieved a groundbreaking $14.6 billion in sales. This marks a 27% increase compared to last year, showcasing the growing opportunities for independent businesses. As Shopify reports, over 81 million customers participated in this retail frenzy, contributing to minute sales reaching an astounding $5.1 million at peak times. For small business owners, these numbers are not just impressive statistics; they highlight significant trends and opportunities in e-commerce that can inform their strategies moving forward. The data points illustrate thriving sectors and consumer behaviors. Among the most popular product categories were cosmetics, clothing tops and pants, and activewear, all of which saw significant sales during the weekend. The average cart price settled at $114.70, emphasizing that consumers are willing to spend on quality products when presented with the right offer. Shop Pay also played a noteworthy role in these sales figures, demonstrating a 39% year-over-year increase in sales made through this payment platform. Interestingly, 32% of all BFCM orders utilized Shop Pay, indicating a growing preference for streamlined, efficient transaction processes. For small business owners, integrating multiple payment options could enhance customer experience and possibly boost sales. Additionally, cross-border orders accounted for 16% of all global transactions, showcasing a clear trend toward international consumer engagement. This should encourage small business owners to consider globalization strategies to reach wider audiences, tapping into markets beyond their local communities. Entrepreneurs made their mark as well, with more than 15,800 newcomers achieving their first sale on Shopify. This statistic signifies that the platform continues to empower new businesses to enter the marketplace and find success. More than 94,900 merchants celebrated their highest sales day ever, underscoring the potential for even smaller startups to capture significant market share during peak shopping periods. While these data points paint an overall positive picture, small business owners should approach the landscape cautiously. Increased sales are promising, but the competitive nature of the BFCM season can pose challenges. For instance, managing inventory and logistics during a surge in demand requires precise planning. Utilizing tools like the Shop App, which tracked 136 million+ packages globally, can aid in streamlining shipping processes and improving customer communication about deliveries. Moreover, with heightened consumer interest in unique, independent brands, business owners must distinguish themselves amid the noise. Crafting a compelling brand story and fostering genuine connections with customers can be decisive factors in earning loyalty from new and returning buyers. Shopify’s data reflects a transformative moment for independent businesses. “We are once again in awe of the raw, unstoppable power of founders with the guts to go after a dream,” remarked a Shopify representative. This sentiment encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seize the moment and leverage the current market trends to expand their brands. As the holiday season approaches, small business owners should consider updating marketing strategies based on the insights gained from BFCM. Emphasizing product uniqueness, improving user experience, and harnessing the power of data to make informed decisions will be vital steps to capitalize on the ongoing consumer trend of supporting independent businesses. In a digital shopping landscape characterized by fierce competition and ever-evolving consumer preferences, the latest data from Shopify equips small business owners with valuable insights that can serve as a foundation for significant growth. To access the complete data and insights, check out Shopify’s official announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Shopify Merchants Achieve Record $14.6B in Sales Black Friday and Cyber Monday Weekend" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The decision in a New York case that is also undergoing federal review puts pressure on related parties to get things right within a statute of limitations. View the full article

Product management is a way to organize the development, positioning and pricing of your product. It helps you manage every step of the process that sees your product go from concept to market. As you might imagine, having project management software helps plan, manage and track this work, but if you’re not using such tools, there are product management templates that can help you steer the course. ProjectManager is award-winning project management software, but we understand that not everyone is ready to upgrade right away. For those of you managing product development projects, here are some of the product management templates we offer for free download on our site. 1. Product Requirements Document Template For your product to achieve its objectives and meet the quality expectations of your end-users, many requirements must be met. A product requirements document (PRD) lists the features you’ll include in your product release. Our free product requirements document template for Word should be part of any product development to communicate to the product team what’s required when building the product. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Product-requirements-document-screenshot.jpg You’ll find everything you need for your product to reach a successful conclusion and it’ll guide the development team throughout the release process. Some of the fields in our customizable template include the objects and goals, which help define what you’re building, assumptions and constraints, the problem or niche you’re targeting and how your organization is a good strategic fit for the project. There’s also room for user stories and, of course, requirements, features, release criteria, success metrics and more. 2. Product Roadmap Template A product roadmap is an essential tool in product management. It shares the product plan with the team by showing all phases on one page. This includes the vision of the project, its direction, priorities and even the progress over time. All of this can be mapped out on our free product roadmap template for Excel. It helps with strategic decision-making and communicating the product development to the entire team. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ProjectManager-Excel-Roadmap-Template.jpg Using the product management template is easy. It’s divided into two parts. On the left side is a simple spreadsheet where you can list all the tasks in your product development. You can add the states when those tasks will start and end as well as their duration. The right side is the visual timeline of your product roadmap. Once you’ve added to the spreadsheet, the roadmap timeline automatically populates so you can see the entire project in one place with color-coded phases to make it easier to read. 3. Agile Sprint Plan Template The roadmap is an overview, but it’s not a tool that’ll be used by your development team. They need different tools to plan and execute the various sprints that will take the project from start to finish. Agile and cross-functional teams prefer the visual workflow of kanban boards and they can use our free agile sprint plan template to get their work done collaboratively. /wp-content/uploads/2022/02/agile-sprint-plan-for-optinmonster.jpg Many of our product management templates can be downloaded as Excel or Word files or opened in our software for a more dynamic experience. The free agile sprint plan template opens in ProjectManager and collects the backlog from the product owner. The development team plans their sprints together with the product owner, who can update items on the product backlog when necessary. Best of all, you can use the kanban board for agile teams, but others can switch to one of our multiple project views. Developers can use task lists and more traditional departments can track progress on Gantt charts. All views update at the same time with real-time data. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. 4. Product Backlog Template A product backlog is a prioritized list of everything that needs to be done to build or maintain a product — features, improvements, bug‑fixes, and other work items. This product backlog template for Excel acts as a “to‑do list” for the project team and helps ensure work is aligned with business value and user needs. By keeping all tasks in one backlog ordered by priority, teams stay focused on what matters most, avoid losing track of ideas or requests, and adapt quickly as requirements change. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Product-backlog-template-new.png Using the template, you can log each backlog item with details such as description, type (feature, bug, improvement, etc.), priority, status, estimated effort and assignee. It organizes everything in a single, structured sheet, making it easier to review, update and reorder items as priorities shift. This clarity ensures your team always knows what’s next, helps avoid overlooked tasks and supports efficient planning, whether you use agile methods (like sprints) or a more flexible workflow. 5. Marketing Plan Template Getting your product developed is part of a larger initiative of getting it to the market and in front of your target audience. This involves marketing and promotion. That’s a project for its own sake and one that involves cross-functional teams to succeed. That’s why you need to use our free marketing plan template for Word to properly go through all the phases, activities and scheduling necessary for your campaign. /wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marketing-Plan-Screenshot.jpg Of the product management templates, this one is designed to help you plan for the marketing and advertising goals you have over a specific period. To do that, there’s a place to schedule tasks on a timeline with start and finish dates. You can also define the key performance indicators (KPIs) that’ll allow you to track the campaign and make sure you’re hitting the marks from your performance baseline. There’s even a place to profile the target market and audience. 6. Marketing Budget Template It’s no surprise that all of these phases of product development cost money. Product owners have to forecast those costs to build an accurate budget that can cover all expenses required to build, test and bring to market your product and deliver a return on your investment. For a thorough estimate of how much it’ll cost to promote your product use our free marketing budget template for Excel./wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Marketing-Budget-Screenshot.jpg The marketing plan template is broken up into categories and subsets for smaller tasks. There’s a column to capture the budget for the entire marketing budget but also each subtask and category. You can chart the year-to-date spending to track how much you’re spending each quarter. There’s also a column that shows what you have left in your budget. There’s room to map your marketing budget across the four quarters of the year to further ensure you’re keeping to your budget. 7. Customer Journey Map Template A customer journey map turns user insights into actionable product decisions, helping product managers create products that better satisfy users and meet business goals. Use this customer journey map template for a structured layout to capture personas, stages, touchpoints, actions, feelings and pain points in one place. /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/customer-journey-map-template.png It helps align teams across product, marketing, UX and support by providing a shared format. The template highlights friction points and opportunities, supports data-driven prioritization of improvements and is flexible and shareable, making it easy to update, customize and export for stakeholders. 8. Competitive Analysis Template Competitive analysis gives you a clearer picture of your market: what similar products exist, how they’re positioned, what features they offer (or lack), their pricing and strengths/weaknesses. Use this competitive analysis template for Excel to help product managers make smarter, data-driven decisions. It provides a clear view of competitors’ features, pricing, strengths and weaknesses, revealing market gaps and opportunities for differentiation. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/competitive-analysis-template.png That context helps you make smarter decisions about what you build, how you price it and who you target. It reduces risk by highlighting potential threats, supports feature prioritization and roadmap planning, ensures consistent, organized data and makes insights easier to share with stakeholders, ultimately helping teams build more competitive and user-focused products. 9. Product Launch Template Developing and making the product only gets you to the starting line. If you can’t deliver the product to your target audience, then it’s dead on arrival. Of course, that’s easier said than done. You need to have a well-thought-out product launch, which involves a lot of organization to deliver on the potential of your product. Our free product launch template is designed to connect your product to the market it’s serving. /wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Product-launch-template-argo-redesign.jpg Open the product launch template in ProjectManager and you have everything you need to deliver your product to market. First, track workflows on our aforementioned kanban boards. Customize columns to represent your workflow and use task cards to track whatever you need, from user stories, prototypes, user feedback and more. Then switch to the Gantt chart to view the product launch timeline. Again, whatever project view you use, the data is the same and it’s always up to date. 10. Go-to-Market Strategy Plan Template A go-to-market (GTM) strategy helps your product reach the right audience with clarity and purpose; it defines who the ideal customers are (“who”), what value you offer, how you’ll communicate that value and through which channels you’ll deliver it. Use this go-to-market plan template to plan every step, from defining customer personas and value propositions to mapping channels, budgets and launch activities. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/go-to-market-plan-template.png Because everything is laid out in a shared, centralized document, it ensures cross‑team alignment, from marketing and sales to product and customer success, which helps the entire launch run more smoothly. 11. Statement of Work Template There are product management templates that you need before you even start the project. One of those is a statement of work (SOW). It shows the steps of the process you’ll be using, including activities and deliverables, to capture the essential project data. You don’t want to neglect anything critical and have it come to haunt you when in production. That’s why we have a free statement of work template for Word to help you manage the process. /wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Statement-of-Work-Screenshot.jpg The SOW template doesn’t just detail the project but communicates that information to the product and development team or any other relevant parties. Our free template includes everything you’ll need, from background to the purpose of the project, the scope of work, schedule, deliverables, milestones and more. Plus, it’s customizable. Anything that you don’t need can be deleted and anything not included, you can easily add to ensure it’s as thorough as possible. 12. Media Plan Template Download this free media plan template for Excel for a structured framework to plan, execute and track marketing campaigns across channels. It helps marketers identify target audiences, select the most effective media outlets, allocate budgets and schedule content or ads efficiently. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/media-plan-template.png By consolidating all media activities in one place, the template improves coordination, ensures campaigns align with product goals, and allows teams to measure performance against KPIs. This leads to more strategic, cost-effective and impactful marketing efforts. 13. Work Order Template Not all products are built in-house. There’s often the need to outsource some part of the product to contractors. In order to make sure that work is done to your specifications, you need a contract between all parties involved. Our free work order template for Excel organizes the tasks you require in order to keep you on schedule and deliver the product as you want and when you want it. /wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Work-Order-Screenshot.jpg When you download our free work order template, you’ll see that it has fields for your company information and dates to define the work that’s being contracted. There’s also a place to describe that work so it’s clear and there are no misunderstandings as to what’s expected of the contractor. Finally, after everyone reviews the work order, there’s a place to date and sign it to create a legally binding document. 14. Purchase Order Template If you need to source products or services from outside vendors, you’ll want to use our free purchase order template for Excel. This acts as a contract between a buyer and a seller and is an essential document to keep the product development moving forward without incident. You need to have an agreement and the purchase order is that legal document that covers both the product owner and whichever vendor they’re working with. /wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Purchase-Order-Screenshot.jpg You’ll find everything you need to make the transaction smooth between you and the seller. There’s vendor management information, including contact information, shipping details and inventory that includes what items are being purchased and a place to sign and date the document to make it legally binding. You don’t want to leave loose ends that might make the item unavailable when you need it. 15. Cost-Benefit Analysis Template We’ve saved one of the most important product management templates for last. Use our free cost-benefit analysis template for Excel to see if the product is worth the time and effort you’ll have to put into it. This template will help you determine if the money you invest in the project is going to have a return on that investment, whether in terms of making money or providing some valuable benefit that makes it something you’ll want to pursue./wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Cost-Benefit-Analysis-Screenshot.jpg How does a cost-benefit analysis work? It’s not that hard, though collecting all the information takes time. Basically, you’re adding up the quantitative costs, whether direct, intangible and opportunity and the quantitative benefits, such as direct, indirect, intangible and competitive. Then you compare the two and see if the costs are worth the benefits. 16. Product Development Template Use this free product development template to help turn an idea into a viable product in the marketplace. Organize tasks and build a roadmap to turn a concept into a reality. This project management template opens in ProjectManager, which gives users real-time data, a collaborative platform and access to resource, risk and task management tools as well as dashboards and reports. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gantt_Manufacturing_Wide_Zoom-175_Focus-on-Tasklist_Spreadsheet.jpg Some of the benefits of using the free product management template are that users get customized views, built-in columns, subtasks, real-time data and the ability to attach documents, images, schematics and more. There are also multiple views to execute the product management template on kanban boards, Gantt charts and more. See the whole product development on a roadmap and keep the team’s workload balanced so they stay productive. 17. Kanban Board Template This kanban board template for Excel helps visualize the workflow. The kanban board is a popular tool with DevOps, software developers and more. The process stages are represented by columns and tasks are set on cards that move through production, column by column. /wp-content/uploads/2023/03/thumbnail.png This product management template is customizable and can easily be made to reflect any production schedule. The cards are also customizable. They are outlined with space to define the task title, describe what the task is, who it’s assigned to and the due date. 18. Inventory Template This free inventory template for Excel is used to document the level of inventory one has in stock and monitor the inventory turnover to ensure that there is always enough inventory to keep production moving uninterrupted. This free product management template lists all the inventory businesses use in their operations. /wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Inventory-template-v2.jpg Manufacturers use this free product management template to make sure they have adequate stock to keep work moving smoothly by tracking turnover and knowing how much to reorder and when to do so to avoid any gaps in production. 19. SWOT Analysis Template SWOT analysis is a method of evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in an organization, both internal and external. This knowledge will inform the work one is planning to do and help to invest in the right projects that will deliver a return on investment or some such benefit to the company. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Swot-analysis-template-screenshot.jpg The SWOT analysis product management template is divided into four parts, one for strength, one for weakness, one for opportunity and one for threats. These are then defined as either internal or external, positive or negative. Once the four quadrants are filled, product managers have the information they need to make a strategic plan. 20. Capacity Planning Template Capacity planning allows product managers to know how much production capacity is needed to meet the demand for their products. This is especially crucial as demand is constantly changing and this free capacity planning template for Excel allows product managers to better manage resources, time, teams and work. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Capacity-Planning-Template.png This free product management template lists tasks and their duration, including start and end dates. It also lists the associated resources for those tasks and the hourly rate for the resources and maps this on a project timeline. Using this product management template helps with resource availability and the resource utilization rate. How ProjectManager Helps With Product Management These free product management templates are useful, but as we noted earlier, they all fall shy of what project management software can do. ProjectManager isn’t a static spreadsheet or Word document. It’s online software that updates in real time. You don’t have to constantly be manually adding data. Plus, it’s collaborative even for cross-functional product and development teams. Everyone is always working with real-time data, whether they’re in the next office or another time zone. Create Robust Roadmaps on Gantt Charts You need to see the whole product development in one place to better understand how to best allocate your resources. Our roadmap shows you every stage of the product management process on a visual timeline. See all the product tasks and milestones and even link all four types of task dependencies to avoid costly delays. You can toggle to the kanban view so teams can manage their sprints or the calendar view to plan your product launch. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Roadmap_Wide_Zoom-175.jpg Track Your Progress With Real-Time Dashboards When you set a baseline on the Gantt chart, you capture the product plan and are then able to compare it to your actual progress to make sure you’re staying on schedule. Get a high-level view of your time, tasks, workload and more with our live dashboards. There’s no time-consuming configuration as with lightweight alternatives. Our dashboard is ready when you are. /wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Dashboard-Marketing.jpg When you want to get more detail than a dashboard provides, use our project reports which can generate status reports, reports on variance, timesheets and much more, all with a keystroke. Each report can be filtered to show only the data you want to see and then easily shared with stakeholders to keep them updated. Related Product Management Content We’ve only scratched the surface on the subject of product management. There’s so much more that can be explored on our site. We published weekly blogs, videos, guides and free templates on everything product and project management-related. Here is some free content on product management if you want to go deeper. How to Create a Product Roadmap: Example & Template Included Product Management Software How to Plan a Successful Product Launch Product Backlog and Sprint Backlogs How to Make a Product Vision Product Manager Job Description ProjectManager is award-winning software that empowers teams to better plan, manage and track their product development in real time. Use our task management, risk management and resource management features to help stay on track and keep to your budget. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 20 Free Product Management Templates for Excel, Word and More appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Paramount Skydance’s hostile takeover bid of Warner Bros. Discovery places CNN and its sister cable networks squarely back into what is likely to be an extended period of management limbo. There was some relief at CNN with last Friday’s announcement that Netflix was buying Warner’s studio and streaming businesses, since the cable network would not be a part of that deal. But that quickly changed on Monday with Paramount’s announced bid, which includes the cable assets that Netflix doesn’t want and, if successful, opens the possibility of a combined CNN and CBS News. The management uncertainty adds to what is already a challenging time at CNN, where there was no doubt who was in charge before swashbuckling founder Ted Turner sold his company in 1996. “That era might as well be the roaring ’20s for how long ago it feels,” said Ross Benes, senior analyst at emarketer.com. The dueling bids between Paramount and Netflix now “lead to more uncertainty and greater anxiety among the current CNN staff and among those of us who served for many years as leaders of CNN under Ted,” said Tom Johnson, former CNN president in the 1990s. Paramount’s bid, which must be approved by shareholders and regulators, could be seen favorably by President Donald The President, who is closely allied with Paramount Skydance chairman and CEO David Ellison as well as his father, Oracle founder Larry Ellison. But The President has already expressed anger at the company on social media for Sunday’s 60 Minutes report on former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Prior to Friday’s announcement, Warner Bros. Discovery had said it planned to spin off its cable television networks, including CNN, Discovery, HGTV, the Food Network, and TLC, into a separate company. The growth of streaming has made cable networks an unattractive business. CNN’s television ratings have tumbled to the extent that it is firmly the third-rated cable news network behind Fox News Channel and MS NOW, formerly MSNBC. Its CEO, Mark Thompson, has aggressively moved into digital with a new subscription service and said that management of Discovery Global, the spin-off company, has already approved a 2026 budget investing in the plan. “I know this strategic review has been a period of inevitable uncertainty across CNN and indeed the whole of WBD,” Thompson told staff in a memo Friday. “Of course, I can’t promise you that the media attention and noise around the sale of our parent will die down overnight. But I do think the path to the successful transformation of this great news enterprise remains open.” Thompson had no additional comment on Monday, a spokeswoman said. Since Paramount’s takeover of CBS News this past summer, the network has taken steps to appeal to more conservative viewers with the installation of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. Weiss is moderating a prime-time discussion this weekend with Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During an appearance on CNBC Monday, Ellison answered, “yeah,” when asked if he would combine CNN’s news-gathering operation with CBS News. What exactly that means is unclear. “We want to build a scaled news service that is basically, fundamentally, in the trust business, that is in the truth business, and that speaks to the 70% of Americans that are in the middle,” Ellison said. The President has spoken highly of both Ellison and his billionaire father. But he was clearly angry about Lesley Stahl’s 60 Minutes interview with former MAGA supporter Greene, who broke with him and recently resigned from Congress. The President said on Truth Social that his real problem with the show is that the new corporate ownership allowed it to air. “THEY ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OLD OWNERSHIP,” The President said, adding he believed that 60 Minutes had gotten worse from his perspective since the changeover. CNN is not likely to find out soon who its new owners would be. Even before the Paramount bid, experts had predicted the Netflix deal would face more than a year of regulatory hurdles. “There is such a need for independent, unbiased news services,” Johnson said. “I so hope that the new CNN owners will see that as their fundamental mission.” If Netflix eventually wins, emarketer.com’s Benes predicted it would be likely that the spin-off company, Discovery Global, would be shopped around to other buyers. “CNN will be in limbo for a while, no matter which bidder purchases CNN,” he said. —By David Bauder, AP media writer 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 asking how to live down a reputation for being “extra”? Here’s the update. Thank you so much for publishing my letter a year ago. I really appreciated your advice and the kind responses in the comments. Looking back, I was in a dark place emotionally and a toxic work environment when I wrote. I don’t think I really recognized how anxious and unhappy I was until I was beyond it. Believe it or not, I’ve remained in the same workplace and things have dramatically improved. The primary reason for the positive shift: staffing changes. I got a new supervisor who is completely removed from our insular middle management cluster, and a number of my most gossipy coworkers moved on one-by-one, replaced by fresh faces. A couple of more outspoken peers joined our larger organization so that I’m not the only — or first — person to speak up in meetings. I’ve had fewer opportunities to mix with cliquey middle management. And the former supervisor who told me in a one-on-one that I had an “extra” reputation has risen to an upper leadership position … which is actually great because now they’re in a separate building, so there’s an even bigger buffer between me and them. It’s like a fire has been denied oxygen. I’ve basically spent the past year really digging into my work, avoiding workplace scuttlebutt, connecting with the local community my site serves, and focusing on how best to help customers. And it’s paid off. My pool of clients has expanded dramatically, which is wonderful in itself, but it also means I pull in impressive statistics that upper admin absolutely notices. Even the staffer who called me “Little Miss Too Much” recently mentioned my “eye-popping” program numbers (unprompted); so I feel like whether or not coworkers want to be my BFF, I’ve garnered a certain amount of respect within our organization. I’ve conducted some mentoring within my field of late, so there are people who now see me as a sort of “senior scholar” and ask for my advice. I’ve landed another grant for our organization. And I just received a promotion! I literally went from singing along to Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” in my car at the end of work to bellowing Beyonce. A few things I’ve learned in all of this: First, I probably never need to rise into management — at least not within my current organization. The people who occupy middle and upper leadership roles here are just so … complicated. At least for me. I can interact with them on an occasional basis and behave politely, but they aren’t my main focus. My clients are, and that’s where I’m directing my energy. At the end of the day, I have very impressive numbers and I frequently overhear my customers agreeing I’m the best at what I do. That’s what the job’s about. Second, I now make sure to heap lots of sincere praise on coworkers, including those above me. This helps spread goodwill. And third, this may sound petty, but I’ve been in this workplace now long enough that if I sit in a meeting where someone freaks out because “it has to be this way because we’ve always done it this way” or a peer proposes an initiative I think is sheer lunacy, nine times out of ten I can sit quietly, nod, and then just quietly do things the way I think is best without dramatic repercussions. Our organization is big enough, our departments are siloed enough that as long as chain of command is respected and observed, we have a fair degree of latitude in the way we conduct our activities. Alison, thank you again for taking my question. I’m glad I was able to provide a happy update to a fraught query. The post update: how do I live down a reputation for being “extra”? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Serviceman was killed away from enemy lines during test of ‘new defensive capability’View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your campaign planning, consider using free marketing calendar templates. These templates, including options for social media, SEO strategies, and email marketing, help organize your efforts efficiently. They provide a structured way to track activities, ensuring your team collaborates effectively. By implementing these resources, you can streamline workflows and boost accountability. Explore how these templates can transform your marketing strategies and what specific benefits each one offers. Key Takeaways Utilize a Social Media Calendar Template to efficiently schedule and manage posts across various platforms for enhanced audience engagement. Implement an SEO Strategy Calendar Template to track keyword research and content optimization efforts, ensuring alignment with search engine trends. Use an Event Marketing Calendar Template to coordinate logistics, manage timelines, and enhance team collaboration for successful event execution. Leverage an Annual Marketing Strategy Calendar Template to outline key campaigns and milestones, maintaining organizational focus throughout the year. Adopt an Email Marketing Planner Template to streamline campaign tracking and improve accountability across email initiatives, boosting overall effectiveness. Social Media Calendar Template To effectively manage your social media presence, a social media calendar template is essential, as it helps you organize and schedule posts across multiple platforms. With a marketing calendar template in Excel or a free marketing calendar template, you can streamline content planning efficiently. These templates typically include fields for the date, platform, content type, concepts, publish time, and relevant hashtags, ensuring your posts align with marketing strategies. They likewise help identify peak audience engagement times, enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns. Furthermore, you can manage influencer partnerships and track performance, allowing you to assess the impact of your efforts. SEO Strategy Calendar Template An SEO Strategy Calendar Template is crucial for efficiently tracking your SEO tasks, from keyword research to content optimization. It helps you coordinate these efforts by laying out task descriptions, deadlines, and project owners, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. Task Tracking Efficiency Even though managing SEO tasks can often feel overwhelming, using an SEO Strategy Calendar Template can greatly improve your task tracking efficiency. This template helps you track timelines for SEO tasks, guaranteeing that vital activities are organized and prioritized effectively. With fundamental elements like task descriptions, project owners, deadlines, and status updates, you gain clarity on project progress and accountability within your team. By coordinating on-page and technical SEO tasks, the template improves overall efficiency, which can lead to better search engine rankings and visibility. Regular updates and maintenance of the SEO Strategy Calendar are significant, as they confirm it reflects current priorities, keeping your team aligned with evolving SEO strategies and reducing confusion about responsibilities and timelines. Keyword Research Coordination Effective keyword research coordination is vital for optimizing your marketing campaigns and achieving better search engine visibility. Using an SEO Strategy Calendar Template helps manage timelines and tasks related to keyword research and optimization strategies, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. This template typically includes fields for task descriptions, project owners, deadlines, status updates, and relevant links. By tracking these SEO tasks, you can align your content ideation with keyword strategies, enhancing search visibility. A well-maintained calendar encourages collaboration by providing clarity on project progress and deadlines, which are critical for timely execution. Regular updates allow your team to adapt to changes in search engine algorithms or shifts in target audience behavior, maintaining the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. Event Marketing Calendar Template When planning a successful event, using an Event Marketing Calendar Template can streamline your efforts and keep your team organized. This template tracks all aspects of event planning to guarantee thorough execution. Here are three key benefits: Organized Coordination: It includes crucial fields like event name, date, and location, helping you coordinate marketing initiatives effectively. Enhanced Visibility: You can customize it with status updates, resource links, and notes, which improves accountability among team members. Efficient Logistics Management: Regular updates enable your team to manage logistics, booth setups, and attendee engagement activities, making sure everything is aligned. Annual Marketing Strategy Calendar Template An Annual Marketing Strategy Calendar Template serves as a vital tool for any marketing team, providing a structured layout of your marketing goals, key campaigns, and content themes for each month. This template typically includes elements like marketing focus, key milestones, and links to resources, making it easy to track progress and adjust strategies as needed. By outlining overarching marketing strategies, the calendar aids in brand awareness, lead generation, and customer retention efforts, serving as a roadmap for teams. Utilizing this template improves visibility and organization, allowing you to plan effectively for seasonal campaigns and major marketing initiatives. Regular updates to the calendar are important for maintaining relevance and ensuring all team members are aligned on objectives and deadlines. Email Marketing Planner Template To streamline your email marketing efforts, using an Email Marketing Planner Template can be a game-changer. This template allows you to track individual email campaigns effectively, making the planning process smoother. Here are three key benefits: Organized Campaign Tracking: You can keep a detailed record of campaign names, email types, audience segments, send dates, and subject lines. Goal Setting: Set specific goals and KPIs for each campaign, which improves the effectiveness of newsletters and promotional emails. Improved Coordination: Regularly updated templates increase visibility into email initiatives, helping your team coordinate campaigns across different channels and maintain accountability. Content Marketing Calendar Template A Content Marketing Calendar Template is crucial for streamlining your content scheduling, allowing you to plan various types of content like blog posts and social media updates effectively. By enhancing team collaboration, it guarantees everyone is aligned on publication dates, topics, and promotional channels. Furthermore, incorporating performance tracking metrics helps you assess the effectiveness of each piece, enabling you to refine your strategy over time. Streamlined Content Scheduling Streamlined content scheduling is vital for effective content marketing, and using a Content Marketing Calendar Template can greatly improve this process. This template helps you organize and schedule various content types, ensuring consistency in creation and publication. It includes fundamental elements such as: Publication dates and topics to keep track of what’s due. Authors and promotion channels for clear accountability. Key performance metrics to measure effectiveness. Enhanced Team Collaboration Though effective communication is crucial in any workplace, it becomes even more important in content marketing, where collaboration can greatly influence project outcomes. A Content Marketing Calendar Template serves as a centralized platform, permitting you to track content creation, publication timelines, and responsibilities among team members. By including key elements like topic, author, publish date, and promotion channels, the template aligns everyone on your content objectives and deadlines. It organizes various content types, such as blog posts, videos, and eBooks, nurturing clarity regarding roles in the marketing strategy. This calendar additionally improves communication, reducing miscommunication by providing a clear overview of ongoing projects and upcoming deliverables, while enhancing accountability by clearly assigning ownership and tracking progress. Performance Tracking Metrics Effective performance tracking is vital for evaluating the success of your content marketing efforts. To guarantee your campaigns are effective, focus on these key performance metrics: Website Traffic: Monitor the number of visitors to your content to assess reach and interest. Engagement Rates: Track social shares, comments, and likes to gauge how your audience interacts with your content. Conversion Rates: Measure how well your content drives actions, such as sign-ups or purchases. Importance and Organization of a Marketing Calendar A marketing calendar is essential for any organization aiming to streamline its marketing efforts and maintain clarity across teams. It serves as a central tool for tracking project timelines and objectives, improving overall organization and visibility. By listing key dates and events, you can manage multiple deliverables and keep everyone aware of significant deadlines. Regular updates are important, as accuracy allows your team to adapt to changing plans effectively. Additionally, assigning responsibilities within the calendar boosts accountability, ensuring tasks are clearly delineated. Key Benefits Impact on Teams Tracks timelines Reduces confusion Lists key events Improves collaboration Improves organization Boosts accountability Adapts to changes Keeps everyone aligned Frequently Asked Questions What Software Is Best for Editing Marketing Calendar Templates? In terms of editing marketing calendar templates, software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are excellent choices because of their flexibility and ease of use. These programs allow you to customize templates with formulas, colors, and formatting. If you prefer a more visual approach, tools like Canva offer user-friendly design options. For collaboration, consider using project management software like Trello or Asana, which can help keep your team aligned on marketing timelines and tasks. Can I Customize These Templates for My Brand’S Needs? Yes, you can customize these templates to fit your brand’s specific needs. Most marketing calendar templates allow for modifications, like adjusting colors, fonts, and layouts. You can add your logo, change dates, and include relevant events or campaigns. This flexibility guarantees that the calendar aligns with your brand identity and marketing strategies. Just make certain to keep the design consistent with your overall branding for a cohesive look. Are There Templates for Specific Industries or Niches? Yes, there are templates designed for specific industries and niches. Many marketing resources provide templates customized to sectors like retail, healthcare, or technology. These templates often include relevant metrics, timelines, and promotional strategies unique to each industry. By using these specialized templates, you can streamline your planning process and guarantee that your marketing efforts align with your brand’s goals. Explore various sources to find options that best fit your needs and objectives. How Often Should I Update My Marketing Calendar? You should update your marketing calendar regularly to stay aligned with your goals. Aim for monthly reviews to assess progress and adjust strategies as needed. Furthermore, update it whenever there are significant changes, like new campaigns or shifts in your target audience. This proactive approach guarantees you stay relevant and efficient. By keeping your calendar current, you can better allocate resources, track deadlines, and improve overall campaign effectiveness. Do These Templates Support Team Collaboration Features? Yes, many marketing calendar templates support team collaboration features. These templates often include options for shared access, allowing team members to view and edit the calendar simultaneously. You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and leave comments, enhancing communication and coordination. Look for templates that integrate with tools like Google Workspace or project management software, as these integrations can streamline the collaboration process, making it easier for your team to stay aligned and organized. Conclusion Incorporating free marketing calendar templates into your campaign planning can greatly improve your organization and efficiency. By utilizing tools like social media, SEO strategy, and email marketing planners, you’ll be able to streamline your efforts and maintain focus on your objectives. These templates not only improve collaboration among team members but likewise help you adapt to changes effectively. By implementing these resources, you can optimize your marketing strategies and achieve better results in your campaigns. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Free Marketing Calendar Templates to Enhance Campaign Planning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your campaign planning, consider using free marketing calendar templates. These templates, including options for social media, SEO strategies, and email marketing, help organize your efforts efficiently. They provide a structured way to track activities, ensuring your team collaborates effectively. By implementing these resources, you can streamline workflows and boost accountability. Explore how these templates can transform your marketing strategies and what specific benefits each one offers. Key Takeaways Utilize a Social Media Calendar Template to efficiently schedule and manage posts across various platforms for enhanced audience engagement. Implement an SEO Strategy Calendar Template to track keyword research and content optimization efforts, ensuring alignment with search engine trends. Use an Event Marketing Calendar Template to coordinate logistics, manage timelines, and enhance team collaboration for successful event execution. Leverage an Annual Marketing Strategy Calendar Template to outline key campaigns and milestones, maintaining organizational focus throughout the year. Adopt an Email Marketing Planner Template to streamline campaign tracking and improve accountability across email initiatives, boosting overall effectiveness. Social Media Calendar Template To effectively manage your social media presence, a social media calendar template is essential, as it helps you organize and schedule posts across multiple platforms. With a marketing calendar template in Excel or a free marketing calendar template, you can streamline content planning efficiently. These templates typically include fields for the date, platform, content type, concepts, publish time, and relevant hashtags, ensuring your posts align with marketing strategies. They likewise help identify peak audience engagement times, enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns. Furthermore, you can manage influencer partnerships and track performance, allowing you to assess the impact of your efforts. SEO Strategy Calendar Template An SEO Strategy Calendar Template is crucial for efficiently tracking your SEO tasks, from keyword research to content optimization. It helps you coordinate these efforts by laying out task descriptions, deadlines, and project owners, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. Task Tracking Efficiency Even though managing SEO tasks can often feel overwhelming, using an SEO Strategy Calendar Template can greatly improve your task tracking efficiency. This template helps you track timelines for SEO tasks, guaranteeing that vital activities are organized and prioritized effectively. With fundamental elements like task descriptions, project owners, deadlines, and status updates, you gain clarity on project progress and accountability within your team. By coordinating on-page and technical SEO tasks, the template improves overall efficiency, which can lead to better search engine rankings and visibility. Regular updates and maintenance of the SEO Strategy Calendar are significant, as they confirm it reflects current priorities, keeping your team aligned with evolving SEO strategies and reducing confusion about responsibilities and timelines. Keyword Research Coordination Effective keyword research coordination is vital for optimizing your marketing campaigns and achieving better search engine visibility. Using an SEO Strategy Calendar Template helps manage timelines and tasks related to keyword research and optimization strategies, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. This template typically includes fields for task descriptions, project owners, deadlines, status updates, and relevant links. By tracking these SEO tasks, you can align your content ideation with keyword strategies, enhancing search visibility. A well-maintained calendar encourages collaboration by providing clarity on project progress and deadlines, which are critical for timely execution. Regular updates allow your team to adapt to changes in search engine algorithms or shifts in target audience behavior, maintaining the effectiveness of your SEO efforts. Event Marketing Calendar Template When planning a successful event, using an Event Marketing Calendar Template can streamline your efforts and keep your team organized. This template tracks all aspects of event planning to guarantee thorough execution. Here are three key benefits: Organized Coordination: It includes crucial fields like event name, date, and location, helping you coordinate marketing initiatives effectively. Enhanced Visibility: You can customize it with status updates, resource links, and notes, which improves accountability among team members. Efficient Logistics Management: Regular updates enable your team to manage logistics, booth setups, and attendee engagement activities, making sure everything is aligned. Annual Marketing Strategy Calendar Template An Annual Marketing Strategy Calendar Template serves as a vital tool for any marketing team, providing a structured layout of your marketing goals, key campaigns, and content themes for each month. This template typically includes elements like marketing focus, key milestones, and links to resources, making it easy to track progress and adjust strategies as needed. By outlining overarching marketing strategies, the calendar aids in brand awareness, lead generation, and customer retention efforts, serving as a roadmap for teams. Utilizing this template improves visibility and organization, allowing you to plan effectively for seasonal campaigns and major marketing initiatives. Regular updates to the calendar are important for maintaining relevance and ensuring all team members are aligned on objectives and deadlines. Email Marketing Planner Template To streamline your email marketing efforts, using an Email Marketing Planner Template can be a game-changer. This template allows you to track individual email campaigns effectively, making the planning process smoother. Here are three key benefits: Organized Campaign Tracking: You can keep a detailed record of campaign names, email types, audience segments, send dates, and subject lines. Goal Setting: Set specific goals and KPIs for each campaign, which improves the effectiveness of newsletters and promotional emails. Improved Coordination: Regularly updated templates increase visibility into email initiatives, helping your team coordinate campaigns across different channels and maintain accountability. Content Marketing Calendar Template A Content Marketing Calendar Template is crucial for streamlining your content scheduling, allowing you to plan various types of content like blog posts and social media updates effectively. By enhancing team collaboration, it guarantees everyone is aligned on publication dates, topics, and promotional channels. Furthermore, incorporating performance tracking metrics helps you assess the effectiveness of each piece, enabling you to refine your strategy over time. Streamlined Content Scheduling Streamlined content scheduling is vital for effective content marketing, and using a Content Marketing Calendar Template can greatly improve this process. This template helps you organize and schedule various content types, ensuring consistency in creation and publication. It includes fundamental elements such as: Publication dates and topics to keep track of what’s due. Authors and promotion channels for clear accountability. Key performance metrics to measure effectiveness. Enhanced Team Collaboration Though effective communication is crucial in any workplace, it becomes even more important in content marketing, where collaboration can greatly influence project outcomes. A Content Marketing Calendar Template serves as a centralized platform, permitting you to track content creation, publication timelines, and responsibilities among team members. By including key elements like topic, author, publish date, and promotion channels, the template aligns everyone on your content objectives and deadlines. It organizes various content types, such as blog posts, videos, and eBooks, nurturing clarity regarding roles in the marketing strategy. This calendar additionally improves communication, reducing miscommunication by providing a clear overview of ongoing projects and upcoming deliverables, while enhancing accountability by clearly assigning ownership and tracking progress. Performance Tracking Metrics Effective performance tracking is vital for evaluating the success of your content marketing efforts. To guarantee your campaigns are effective, focus on these key performance metrics: Website Traffic: Monitor the number of visitors to your content to assess reach and interest. Engagement Rates: Track social shares, comments, and likes to gauge how your audience interacts with your content. Conversion Rates: Measure how well your content drives actions, such as sign-ups or purchases. Importance and Organization of a Marketing Calendar A marketing calendar is essential for any organization aiming to streamline its marketing efforts and maintain clarity across teams. It serves as a central tool for tracking project timelines and objectives, improving overall organization and visibility. By listing key dates and events, you can manage multiple deliverables and keep everyone aware of significant deadlines. Regular updates are important, as accuracy allows your team to adapt to changing plans effectively. Additionally, assigning responsibilities within the calendar boosts accountability, ensuring tasks are clearly delineated. Key Benefits Impact on Teams Tracks timelines Reduces confusion Lists key events Improves collaboration Improves organization Boosts accountability Adapts to changes Keeps everyone aligned Frequently Asked Questions What Software Is Best for Editing Marketing Calendar Templates? In terms of editing marketing calendar templates, software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are excellent choices because of their flexibility and ease of use. These programs allow you to customize templates with formulas, colors, and formatting. If you prefer a more visual approach, tools like Canva offer user-friendly design options. For collaboration, consider using project management software like Trello or Asana, which can help keep your team aligned on marketing timelines and tasks. Can I Customize These Templates for My Brand’S Needs? Yes, you can customize these templates to fit your brand’s specific needs. Most marketing calendar templates allow for modifications, like adjusting colors, fonts, and layouts. You can add your logo, change dates, and include relevant events or campaigns. This flexibility guarantees that the calendar aligns with your brand identity and marketing strategies. Just make certain to keep the design consistent with your overall branding for a cohesive look. Are There Templates for Specific Industries or Niches? Yes, there are templates designed for specific industries and niches. Many marketing resources provide templates customized to sectors like retail, healthcare, or technology. These templates often include relevant metrics, timelines, and promotional strategies unique to each industry. By using these specialized templates, you can streamline your planning process and guarantee that your marketing efforts align with your brand’s goals. Explore various sources to find options that best fit your needs and objectives. How Often Should I Update My Marketing Calendar? You should update your marketing calendar regularly to stay aligned with your goals. Aim for monthly reviews to assess progress and adjust strategies as needed. Furthermore, update it whenever there are significant changes, like new campaigns or shifts in your target audience. This proactive approach guarantees you stay relevant and efficient. By keeping your calendar current, you can better allocate resources, track deadlines, and improve overall campaign effectiveness. Do These Templates Support Team Collaboration Features? Yes, many marketing calendar templates support team collaboration features. These templates often include options for shared access, allowing team members to view and edit the calendar simultaneously. You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and leave comments, enhancing communication and coordination. Look for templates that integrate with tools like Google Workspace or project management software, as these integrations can streamline the collaboration process, making it easier for your team to stay aligned and organized. Conclusion Incorporating free marketing calendar templates into your campaign planning can greatly improve your organization and efficiency. By utilizing tools like social media, SEO strategy, and email marketing planners, you’ll be able to streamline your efforts and maintain focus on your objectives. These templates not only improve collaboration among team members but likewise help you adapt to changes effectively. By implementing these resources, you can optimize your marketing strategies and achieve better results in your campaigns. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Free Marketing Calendar Templates to Enhance Campaign Planning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

President Donald The President will road-test his claims that he’s tackling Americans’ affordability woes at a Tuesday rally in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania—shifting an argument made in Oval Office appearances and social media posts to a campaign-style event. The trip comes as polling consistently shows that public trust in The President’s economic leadership has faltered. Following dismal results for Republicans in last month’s off-cycle elections, the White House has sought to convince voters that the economy will emerge stronger next year and that any anxieties over inflation have nothing to do with The President. The president has consistently blamed his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, for inflation even as his own aggressive implementation of policies has pushed up prices that had been settling down after spiking in 2022 to a four-decade high. Inflation began to accelerate after The President announced his sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs in April. Companies warned that the import taxes could be passed along to consumers in the form of higher prices and reduced hiring, yet The President continues to insist that inflation has faded. “We’re bringing prices way down,” The President said at the White House on Monday. “You can call it ‘affordability’ or anything you want—but the Democrats caused the affordability problem, and we’re the ones that are fixing it.” The president’s reception in the county hosting his Tuesday rally could give a signal of just how much voters trust his claims. Monroe County flipped to The President in the 2024 election after having backed Biden in 2020, helping the Republican to win the swing state of Pennsylvania and return to the White House after a four-year hiatus. As home to the Pocono Mountains, the county has largely relied on tourism for skiing, hiking, hunting, and other activities as a source of jobs. Its proximity to New York City—under two hours by car—has also attracted people seeking more affordable housing. It’s also an area that could help decide control of the House in next year’s midterm elections. The President is holding his rally in a congressional district held by freshman Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan, who is a top target of Democrats and won his 2024 race by about 1.5 percentage points, among the nation’s closest. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat, is running for the nomination to challenge him. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said on the online conservative talk show “The Mom View” that The President would be on the “campaign trail” next year to engage supporters who otherwise might sit out a congressional race. Wiles, who helped manage The President’s 2024 campaign, said most administrations try to localize midterm elections and keep the president out of the race, but she intends to do the opposite of that. “We’re actually going to turn that on its head,” Wiles said, “and put him on the ballot because so many of those low-propensity voters are The President voters.” Wiles added, “So I haven’t quite broken it to him yet, but he’s going to campaign like it’s 2024 again.” The President has said he’s giving consumers relief by relaxing fuel efficiency standards for autos and signing agreements to reduce list prices on prescription drugs. The President has also advocated for cuts to the Federal Reserve’s benchmark interest rate—which influences the supply of money in the U.S. economy. He argues that would reduce the cost of mortgages and auto loans, although critics warn that cuts of the scale sought by The President could instead worsen inflation. The U.S. economy has shown signs of resilience with the stock market up this year and overall growth looking solid for the third quarter. But many Americans see the prices of housing, groceries, education, electricity, and other basic needs as swallowing up their incomes, a dynamic that the The President administration has said it expects to fade next year with more investments in artificial intelligence and manufacturing. Since the elections in November when Democrats won key races with a focus on kitchen table issues, The President has often dismissed the concerns about prices as a “hoax” and a “con job” to suggest that he bears no responsibility for inflation, even though he campaigned on his ability to quickly bring down prices. Just 33% of U.S. adults approve of The President’s handling of the economy, according to a November survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. —Josh Boak and Marc Levy, Associated Press View the full article