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If you’re looking to start your own business without a hefty investment, exploring the cheapest franchises to own in 2025 might be your best bet. These opportunities typically require less than $50,000 to get started, making them accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs. From travel services like Cruise Planners to fitness options such as Jazzercise, there’s a range of choices available. Comprehending these options can help you make an informed decision about your future business venture. What factors should you consider before jumping in? Key Takeaways Micro-franchises cost under $1,000 and often operate from home or mobile setups, making them highly accessible. Service-based franchises, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, utilize personal skills and client relationships, offering a low-cost entry point. Popular options like Cruise Planners and Dream Vacations provide affordable starting points with strong brand support and training. Established franchises like JAN-PRO and SuperGlass Windshield Repair are known for their profitability and support systems for new franchisees. Average annual sales for franchises like Dream Vacations can reach around $336,971, demonstrating significant earnings potential despite low initial investments. Understanding Franchise Investment Tiers When you’re considering entering the domain of franchising, it’s vital to understand the various investment tiers that categorize these opportunities. Low cost franchises typically fall into four main categories. Micro-franchises, the cheapest franchise to own, cost under $1,000 and often involve home-based or mobile businesses, like direct sales. Service-based franchises, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, allow you to operate from home, using personal skills and client relationships, such as travel planning or tax preparation. Mobile and home-based operations, costing between $5,000 and $25,000, include services like cleaning or pet care, requiring minimal equipment. Finally, established service franchises, priced between $25,000 and $50,000, offer stronger brand recognition and extensive support systems, making them appealing to many entrepreneurs. Top 10 Cheapest Franchises for 2025 For those looking to plunge into franchising without breaking the bank, the top 10 cheapest franchises for 2025 present a variety of compelling options. Cruise Planners offers an inexpensive franchise entry into the cruise industry, complete with training and marketing support. JAN-PRO stands out as a leader in commercial cleaning, providing guaranteed initial customers in a high-demand market. SuperGlass Windshield Repair operates as a mobile service, boasting high profit margins with established partnerships. Dream Vacations provides a home-based travel advisor platform, making it accessible for newcomers to the travel sector. Ultimately, Jazzercise delivers an affordable fitness franchise with flexible class locations and a strong brand reputation, making these some of the best cheap franchises to buy and the lowest total investment franchise opportunities available. Benefits of Opening a Business Franchise Opening a business franchise offers numerous advantages that can greatly improve your entrepreneurial expedition. By choosing the least expensive franchise, you can benefit from a proven business model that minimizes risks and boosts your chances of success. You’ll gain brand recognition, leading to a larger customer base and the opportunity for substantial profits early on. Consider the following benefits: Established demand and support from a recognized brand. Initial investments often under $50,000, making it easier to start. Ongoing training and assistance from franchisors to optimize operations. Significant contributions to the U.S. economy, highlighting profitability potential. With options available among inexpensive restaurant franchises, you can explore the cheapest restaurant franchises that align with your business goals. Due Diligence Tips for Franchise Investors Conducting due diligence is essential for anyone considering investing in a franchise, as it helps you make informed decisions and reduces potential risks. Start by reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which outlines fees and support systems. Analyze Item 19 for historical performance insights. Connect with current and former franchisees to gather firsthand experiences, which can reveal challenges and franchisor support levels. Here’s a quick guide to help you: Key Due Diligence Steps Description Review the FDD Understand fees and support systems Analyze Earnings Potential Check Item 19 for past performance Speak with Franchisees Gain insights into their experiences Consider market demand to guarantee your chosen franchise, especially which franchise is easiest to get, has a viable customer base. Hidden Costs to Consider When you consider owning a franchise, it’s essential to recognize the hidden costs that can quickly add up. Insurance expenses, including liability and workers’ compensation, can greatly increase your annual budget, whereas technology fees for Microsoft software and maintenance might catch you off guard. Comprehending these factors will help you plan more effectively and guarantee the financial health of your business. Insurance Expenses Understanding insurance expenses is vital for franchisees, as these costs can greatly impact your bottom line. Insurance premiums can vary markedly based on your business type, location, and coverage limits, often accounting for 2% to 5% of gross sales. Many franchisors mandate specific insurance types and minimum coverage amounts, increasing your startup costs. Furthermore, hidden insurance costs should be part of your financial planning: Liability insurance for accidents or injuries Property insurance for physical assets Workers’ compensation insurance for employee safety Deductibles and co-pays that may arise Failing to maintain adequate coverage can lead to substantial financial liabilities and disruptions. Therefore, it’s important to budget thoroughly for these hidden costs to guarantee your franchise’s long-term success. Technology Fees As you manage insurance expenses, which is a critical part of your franchise budget, technology fees represent another significant area that can impact your overall financial planning. These fees can include costs for software subscriptions, point-of-sale systems, and website maintenance, potentially adding hundreds to thousands of dollars annually to your budget. You’ll additionally need to take into account regular updates and maintenance, which may incur additional charges, affecting profitability. Some franchises require you to purchase specific technology packages, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on complexity. Ongoing support services often come with monthly fees, contributing to long-term operational costs. It’s crucial to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) thoroughly to understand all technology-related fees and obligations associated with your franchise. Financing Your Franchise Startup Cost Financing your franchise startup cost can seem intimidating, especially since many franchises require a minimum cash investment ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Comprehending your options is essential for success. Here are some common financing methods: SBA loans: Government-backed loans that offer favorable terms for small businesses. Franchisor financing: Many franchisors provide financial assistance or partnerships with Bank of America to help new franchisees. Seller financing: Sometimes, the previous owner will finance part of the purchase, making it easier to acquire the franchise. Budget for additional costs: Don’t forget expenses like insurance, marketing, and technology fees, as these can add up quickly. Securing good credit and developing a solid business plan can increase your chances of obtaining financing. Industries With the Best Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities When considering low-cost franchise opportunities, service-based industries stand out, offering options like commercial cleaning and tutoring that typically require under $50,000 to start. Home-based and mobile franchises, often costing less than $1,000, provide flexibility and low overhead, making them ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs. Service-Based Franchise Opportunities Many aspiring entrepreneurs look to service-based franchises as a viable path to business ownership due to their affordability and accessibility. With initial investments typically ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, these franchises are often easier to enter for those seeking lower financial risk. Many can operate from home offices, minimizing overhead costs. Established brands provide strong support systems and training, increasing your chances of success. Here are some popular service-based franchise options: Cleaning services, which require minimal tools and equipment Pet care franchises that cater to a growing market Mobile repair services meeting consumer convenience needs Travel planning and tax preparation, often leveraging home office setups These options demonstrate the potential for a successful business with a manageable investment. Home-Based Business Models Home-based business models offer a compelling opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the franchise market with minimal investment. Many franchises require less than $10,000 to start, making entrepreneurship more accessible. Industries like travel planning, education, and consulting provide excellent low-cost options that you can operate from home, allowing for flexible work schedules. For instance, Dream Vacations has a startup cost of $9,800, enabling you to break into the travel industry with established brand support. Furthermore, franchises such as TSS Photography and Global Financial Training offer extensive training and ongoing assistance, ensuring you have the tools needed to succeed. The demand for home-based models continues to rise, allowing you to serve local markets while keeping overhead low. Mobile Service Franchises Broadening your entrepreneurial path can likewise lead you to mobile service franchises, which present some of the best low-cost opportunities in the franchise market. These franchises typically require initial investments between $5,000 and $25,000, making them accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs. They often include businesses like cleaning services, pet care, and mobile repair, allowing you to operate without a costly storefront. Key benefits include: Flexibility in scheduling to meet local demand Minimal equipment requirements Strong brand recognition that improves customer trust Extensive support systems to boost your success rate This low barrier to entry makes mobile service franchises an attractive option for those seeking a service-oriented business model with significant profit potential. Earnings Potential From Low-Cost Franchises Earnings potential from low-cost franchises can be quite impressive, with some owners achieving annual incomes that exceed six figures. For instance, franchises like Dream Vacations report average annual sales of about $336,971, whereas Showhomes Home Staging averages around $377,258. In the janitorial cleaning service sector, Image One can generate potential revenue of up to $1 million annually, highlighting significant earnings opportunities. It’s vital to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), particularly Item 19, which outlines earnings representations and profitability potential. Moreover, comprehending ongoing fees, such as royalty percentages ranging from 1% to 10% of gross revenue, is critical for evaluating the net profit of low-cost franchises. This financial insight can guide your decision-making effectively. Franchisee Support Quality in Affordable Options When considering affordable franchise options, it’s vital to understand the quality of support you’ll receive as a franchisee. Support can vary markedly among low-cost franchises, but many offer thorough training and ongoing assistance to guarantee your success. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is fundamental for evaluating the support quality, as it details the training programs and operational help you can expect. Furthermore, interviewing existing franchisees can provide valuable insights into their support experiences. Many franchises invest in marketing and operational systems. High franchisee satisfaction often indicates strong support systems. Ongoing training helps new franchisees navigate challenges. Testimonials reveal the effectiveness of provided assistance. Resources for Franchise Research and Support To successfully navigate the franchise environment, it’s imperative to tap into a variety of resources that can improve your research and support efforts. Start by exploring Business.com, which offers expert research on small business solutions and dedicated support through its business.com+ platform for franchisees. Utilize industry reports and franchise directories to make informed decisions about potential opportunities. Keeping up with articles and insights on market trends is fundamental for comprehending the franchise terrain. Networking through franchisee communities and events can provide invaluable insights from experienced owners. Finally, don’t overlook the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD); it includes critical information about investment requirements, fees, and support systems that are indispensable for evaluating franchise opportunities effectively. Frequently Asked Questions Which Franchise Is the Best and Cheapest? Determining the best and cheapest franchise depends on your specific needs and goals. Look for franchises with low initial investments, like Dream Vacations or TSS Photography, which offer affordable entry points. Furthermore, consider home-based options for flexibility. Evaluate potential earnings as well; franchises like Image One can yield significant annual revenues. Research established brands with training support, such as JAN-PRO, to guarantee you’re making a well-informed decision for your investment. What Franchise Is the Most Profitable to Own? When considering the most profitable franchise to own, examine service-based options like cleaning and tutoring. These franchises typically report higher profit margins because of lower overhead costs. Furthermore, established brands such as JAN-PRO offer brand recognition and operational support, enhancing earnings potential. Reviewing Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can provide insights into profitability. Finally, consider multi-unit ownership, which often maximizes efficiency and revenue across locations. Why Is It Only $10,000 to Open a Chick-Fil-A? Opening a Chick-Fil-A requires a mere $10,000 since the company covers most startup costs, including equipment and real estate. This low initial fee is part of a unique franchise model designed to attract dedicated franchisees who align with Chick-Fil-A’s values. Furthermore, the profit-sharing structure allows you to benefit from higher overall earnings, during the strong brand recognition often leads to quicker sales and a faster return on your investment. Which Franchise Is Best for Beginners? When considering which franchise is best for beginners, look for options that require a low initial investment, typically under $50,000. Many beginners thrive in service-based franchises or mobile operations, aligning with their skills. Choose franchises that offer robust training and ongoing support, helping you navigate early challenges. Proven business models, like those found in home-based franchises, often feature low overhead and minimal royalty fees, maximizing your profit margins as you start your entrepreneurial path. Conclusion In summary, exploring affordable franchise options can be a smart move for aspiring entrepreneurs. The top 10 cheapest franchises for 2025 offer low initial investments and valuable support, making them accessible paths to business ownership. By conducting thorough research and considering potential hidden costs, you can identify opportunities that align with your goals. In the end, these franchises not just provide a chance for financial independence but additionally the support necessary to succeed in a competitive market. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Cheapest Franchises to Own : Top 10 Options" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to start your own business without a hefty investment, exploring the cheapest franchises to own in 2025 might be your best bet. These opportunities typically require less than $50,000 to get started, making them accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs. From travel services like Cruise Planners to fitness options such as Jazzercise, there’s a range of choices available. Comprehending these options can help you make an informed decision about your future business venture. What factors should you consider before jumping in? Key Takeaways Micro-franchises cost under $1,000 and often operate from home or mobile setups, making them highly accessible. Service-based franchises, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, utilize personal skills and client relationships, offering a low-cost entry point. Popular options like Cruise Planners and Dream Vacations provide affordable starting points with strong brand support and training. Established franchises like JAN-PRO and SuperGlass Windshield Repair are known for their profitability and support systems for new franchisees. Average annual sales for franchises like Dream Vacations can reach around $336,971, demonstrating significant earnings potential despite low initial investments. Understanding Franchise Investment Tiers When you’re considering entering the domain of franchising, it’s vital to understand the various investment tiers that categorize these opportunities. Low cost franchises typically fall into four main categories. Micro-franchises, the cheapest franchise to own, cost under $1,000 and often involve home-based or mobile businesses, like direct sales. Service-based franchises, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, allow you to operate from home, using personal skills and client relationships, such as travel planning or tax preparation. Mobile and home-based operations, costing between $5,000 and $25,000, include services like cleaning or pet care, requiring minimal equipment. Finally, established service franchises, priced between $25,000 and $50,000, offer stronger brand recognition and extensive support systems, making them appealing to many entrepreneurs. Top 10 Cheapest Franchises for 2025 For those looking to plunge into franchising without breaking the bank, the top 10 cheapest franchises for 2025 present a variety of compelling options. Cruise Planners offers an inexpensive franchise entry into the cruise industry, complete with training and marketing support. JAN-PRO stands out as a leader in commercial cleaning, providing guaranteed initial customers in a high-demand market. SuperGlass Windshield Repair operates as a mobile service, boasting high profit margins with established partnerships. Dream Vacations provides a home-based travel advisor platform, making it accessible for newcomers to the travel sector. Ultimately, Jazzercise delivers an affordable fitness franchise with flexible class locations and a strong brand reputation, making these some of the best cheap franchises to buy and the lowest total investment franchise opportunities available. Benefits of Opening a Business Franchise Opening a business franchise offers numerous advantages that can greatly improve your entrepreneurial expedition. By choosing the least expensive franchise, you can benefit from a proven business model that minimizes risks and boosts your chances of success. You’ll gain brand recognition, leading to a larger customer base and the opportunity for substantial profits early on. Consider the following benefits: Established demand and support from a recognized brand. Initial investments often under $50,000, making it easier to start. Ongoing training and assistance from franchisors to optimize operations. Significant contributions to the U.S. economy, highlighting profitability potential. With options available among inexpensive restaurant franchises, you can explore the cheapest restaurant franchises that align with your business goals. Due Diligence Tips for Franchise Investors Conducting due diligence is essential for anyone considering investing in a franchise, as it helps you make informed decisions and reduces potential risks. Start by reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which outlines fees and support systems. Analyze Item 19 for historical performance insights. Connect with current and former franchisees to gather firsthand experiences, which can reveal challenges and franchisor support levels. Here’s a quick guide to help you: Key Due Diligence Steps Description Review the FDD Understand fees and support systems Analyze Earnings Potential Check Item 19 for past performance Speak with Franchisees Gain insights into their experiences Consider market demand to guarantee your chosen franchise, especially which franchise is easiest to get, has a viable customer base. Hidden Costs to Consider When you consider owning a franchise, it’s essential to recognize the hidden costs that can quickly add up. Insurance expenses, including liability and workers’ compensation, can greatly increase your annual budget, whereas technology fees for Microsoft software and maintenance might catch you off guard. Comprehending these factors will help you plan more effectively and guarantee the financial health of your business. Insurance Expenses Understanding insurance expenses is vital for franchisees, as these costs can greatly impact your bottom line. Insurance premiums can vary markedly based on your business type, location, and coverage limits, often accounting for 2% to 5% of gross sales. Many franchisors mandate specific insurance types and minimum coverage amounts, increasing your startup costs. Furthermore, hidden insurance costs should be part of your financial planning: Liability insurance for accidents or injuries Property insurance for physical assets Workers’ compensation insurance for employee safety Deductibles and co-pays that may arise Failing to maintain adequate coverage can lead to substantial financial liabilities and disruptions. Therefore, it’s important to budget thoroughly for these hidden costs to guarantee your franchise’s long-term success. Technology Fees As you manage insurance expenses, which is a critical part of your franchise budget, technology fees represent another significant area that can impact your overall financial planning. These fees can include costs for software subscriptions, point-of-sale systems, and website maintenance, potentially adding hundreds to thousands of dollars annually to your budget. You’ll additionally need to take into account regular updates and maintenance, which may incur additional charges, affecting profitability. Some franchises require you to purchase specific technology packages, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on complexity. Ongoing support services often come with monthly fees, contributing to long-term operational costs. It’s crucial to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) thoroughly to understand all technology-related fees and obligations associated with your franchise. Financing Your Franchise Startup Cost Financing your franchise startup cost can seem intimidating, especially since many franchises require a minimum cash investment ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Comprehending your options is essential for success. Here are some common financing methods: SBA loans: Government-backed loans that offer favorable terms for small businesses. Franchisor financing: Many franchisors provide financial assistance or partnerships with Bank of America to help new franchisees. Seller financing: Sometimes, the previous owner will finance part of the purchase, making it easier to acquire the franchise. Budget for additional costs: Don’t forget expenses like insurance, marketing, and technology fees, as these can add up quickly. Securing good credit and developing a solid business plan can increase your chances of obtaining financing. Industries With the Best Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities When considering low-cost franchise opportunities, service-based industries stand out, offering options like commercial cleaning and tutoring that typically require under $50,000 to start. Home-based and mobile franchises, often costing less than $1,000, provide flexibility and low overhead, making them ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs. Service-Based Franchise Opportunities Many aspiring entrepreneurs look to service-based franchises as a viable path to business ownership due to their affordability and accessibility. With initial investments typically ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, these franchises are often easier to enter for those seeking lower financial risk. Many can operate from home offices, minimizing overhead costs. Established brands provide strong support systems and training, increasing your chances of success. Here are some popular service-based franchise options: Cleaning services, which require minimal tools and equipment Pet care franchises that cater to a growing market Mobile repair services meeting consumer convenience needs Travel planning and tax preparation, often leveraging home office setups These options demonstrate the potential for a successful business with a manageable investment. Home-Based Business Models Home-based business models offer a compelling opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the franchise market with minimal investment. Many franchises require less than $10,000 to start, making entrepreneurship more accessible. Industries like travel planning, education, and consulting provide excellent low-cost options that you can operate from home, allowing for flexible work schedules. For instance, Dream Vacations has a startup cost of $9,800, enabling you to break into the travel industry with established brand support. Furthermore, franchises such as TSS Photography and Global Financial Training offer extensive training and ongoing assistance, ensuring you have the tools needed to succeed. The demand for home-based models continues to rise, allowing you to serve local markets while keeping overhead low. Mobile Service Franchises Broadening your entrepreneurial path can likewise lead you to mobile service franchises, which present some of the best low-cost opportunities in the franchise market. These franchises typically require initial investments between $5,000 and $25,000, making them accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs. They often include businesses like cleaning services, pet care, and mobile repair, allowing you to operate without a costly storefront. Key benefits include: Flexibility in scheduling to meet local demand Minimal equipment requirements Strong brand recognition that improves customer trust Extensive support systems to boost your success rate This low barrier to entry makes mobile service franchises an attractive option for those seeking a service-oriented business model with significant profit potential. Earnings Potential From Low-Cost Franchises Earnings potential from low-cost franchises can be quite impressive, with some owners achieving annual incomes that exceed six figures. For instance, franchises like Dream Vacations report average annual sales of about $336,971, whereas Showhomes Home Staging averages around $377,258. In the janitorial cleaning service sector, Image One can generate potential revenue of up to $1 million annually, highlighting significant earnings opportunities. It’s vital to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), particularly Item 19, which outlines earnings representations and profitability potential. Moreover, comprehending ongoing fees, such as royalty percentages ranging from 1% to 10% of gross revenue, is critical for evaluating the net profit of low-cost franchises. This financial insight can guide your decision-making effectively. Franchisee Support Quality in Affordable Options When considering affordable franchise options, it’s vital to understand the quality of support you’ll receive as a franchisee. Support can vary markedly among low-cost franchises, but many offer thorough training and ongoing assistance to guarantee your success. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is fundamental for evaluating the support quality, as it details the training programs and operational help you can expect. Furthermore, interviewing existing franchisees can provide valuable insights into their support experiences. Many franchises invest in marketing and operational systems. High franchisee satisfaction often indicates strong support systems. Ongoing training helps new franchisees navigate challenges. Testimonials reveal the effectiveness of provided assistance. Resources for Franchise Research and Support To successfully navigate the franchise environment, it’s imperative to tap into a variety of resources that can improve your research and support efforts. Start by exploring Business.com, which offers expert research on small business solutions and dedicated support through its business.com+ platform for franchisees. Utilize industry reports and franchise directories to make informed decisions about potential opportunities. Keeping up with articles and insights on market trends is fundamental for comprehending the franchise terrain. Networking through franchisee communities and events can provide invaluable insights from experienced owners. Finally, don’t overlook the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD); it includes critical information about investment requirements, fees, and support systems that are indispensable for evaluating franchise opportunities effectively. Frequently Asked Questions Which Franchise Is the Best and Cheapest? Determining the best and cheapest franchise depends on your specific needs and goals. Look for franchises with low initial investments, like Dream Vacations or TSS Photography, which offer affordable entry points. Furthermore, consider home-based options for flexibility. Evaluate potential earnings as well; franchises like Image One can yield significant annual revenues. Research established brands with training support, such as JAN-PRO, to guarantee you’re making a well-informed decision for your investment. What Franchise Is the Most Profitable to Own? When considering the most profitable franchise to own, examine service-based options like cleaning and tutoring. These franchises typically report higher profit margins because of lower overhead costs. Furthermore, established brands such as JAN-PRO offer brand recognition and operational support, enhancing earnings potential. Reviewing Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) can provide insights into profitability. Finally, consider multi-unit ownership, which often maximizes efficiency and revenue across locations. Why Is It Only $10,000 to Open a Chick-Fil-A? Opening a Chick-Fil-A requires a mere $10,000 since the company covers most startup costs, including equipment and real estate. This low initial fee is part of a unique franchise model designed to attract dedicated franchisees who align with Chick-Fil-A’s values. Furthermore, the profit-sharing structure allows you to benefit from higher overall earnings, during the strong brand recognition often leads to quicker sales and a faster return on your investment. Which Franchise Is Best for Beginners? When considering which franchise is best for beginners, look for options that require a low initial investment, typically under $50,000. Many beginners thrive in service-based franchises or mobile operations, aligning with their skills. Choose franchises that offer robust training and ongoing support, helping you navigate early challenges. Proven business models, like those found in home-based franchises, often feature low overhead and minimal royalty fees, maximizing your profit margins as you start your entrepreneurial path. Conclusion In summary, exploring affordable franchise options can be a smart move for aspiring entrepreneurs. The top 10 cheapest franchises for 2025 offer low initial investments and valuable support, making them accessible paths to business ownership. By conducting thorough research and considering potential hidden costs, you can identify opportunities that align with your goals. In the end, these franchises not just provide a chance for financial independence but additionally the support necessary to succeed in a competitive market. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Cheapest Franchises to Own : Top 10 Options" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Plenty of people have been waiting for a good excuse to grab Samsung’s newest foldable, and today’s deal could be the nudge they needed. The 512GB Galaxy Z Fold 7 now sits at $1,719.99, down from its regular price of $2,119.99, a $400 drop. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Cell Phone, Jet Black $1,719.99 at Amazon $2,119.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,719.99 at Amazon $2,119.99 Save $400.00 This discount also comes at a time when the Pixel 10 lineup has been drawing plenty of attention, so shoppers comparing the two ecosystems might find the price shift helpful. The real eyebrow-raiser is the pricing gap. The 512GB model is only $120 more than the 256GB version, so you’re paying only a small premium for double the storage. Michelle Ehrhardt, our Associate Tech Editor, even called the Fold 7 “the best foldable you can get” in her review. The Fold 7 feels like a polished two-in-one for anyone who wants a phone that can easily shift into a tablet. Open it up and you get a roomy, almost-square display that is built for multitasking, long reads, and video without chunky black bars. Fold it back down, and it behaves like a more traditional smartphone for quick messaging or maps. Samsung tightened up the hinge this year, making it slimmer, sturdier, and more comfortable in your hand than older versions. The camera setup holds its own, with dependable performance in daylight and low light, plus crisp results for video calls and social posts. It's not perfect—Samsung’s multitasking still takes some getting used to—but it's one of the closest things to a tablet that still fits in your pocket. If you lean more toward the compact foldable style, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 has its own solid deal running right now. The 256GB version is priced at $899.99, and adding $290 bumps you to the 512GB Jet Black model with a pair of Buds 3 Pro thrown in. Both the Fold 7 and Flip 7 share Samsung’s sharp displays, durable build, and the kind of foldable design that is still turning heads. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $294.99 (List Price $649.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus 1080p Security Camera (White) — $99.99 (List Price $179.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

When Jennifer Austin met Molly in second grade, they quickly became best friends. They giggled through classes until the teacher separated them, inspiring them to come up with their own language. They shared sleepovers and went on each other’s family vacations. But they gradually drifted apart after Austin’s family moved to Germany before the girls started high school. Decades passed before they recently reconnected as grown women. “Strong friendships really do stay for the long haul,” Austin, 51, said. “Even if there are pauses in between and they fade, that doesn’t mean they completely dissolve or they go forgotten. They’re always there kind of lingering like a little light in the back.” Early friendships are some of the deepest: the schoolmates who shared bike rides and their favorite candy. The roommates who offered comfort after breakups. The ones who know us, sometimes better than we know ourselves. But as adults take on jobs and the responsibilities of homes and families, it can be challenging to stay connected with everyone we’ve loved. Technology plays a role, too. Loneliness has increased since the television was invented and intensified with the introduction of smartphones, according to psychologist Marisa Franco, a University of Maryland assistant clinical professor and author of “Platonic,” a book about the science of attachment. Once they’ve lost touch with friends, some people are reluctant to reach out, fearing rejection. But most of those on the receiving end appreciate the effort more than we expect, Franco said. “People are delighted to hear from their old friends and open to connections,” she said. Franco suggests reminiscing about a shared memory to span the time and distance. It can be something as simple as, “This pic came up and I just realized I wanted to check in on you,” she said. Propose a meetup. If the friend lives far away, try scheduling a phone date to catch up. Below, six people who tried to rekindle lost friendships reflect on distance, loss, and reconnection. A missing piece Heather Robb and Laine DiPasquantonio were nearly inseparable in their 20s, when they both lived in Boston. They went to concerts and vacationed together. DiPasquantonio was there when Robb met her future husband and attended their wedding as a bridesmaid. But sometime after Robb married and DiPasquantonio moved to Colorado, their circle of friends scattered. They became busy raising children, juggling jobs, and caring for aging parents. “It’s terrible because you don’t know it’s happening,” Robb, 60, said in a joint interview. “I think it was simply space and time. We were all in different cities, we were all in that busy time of toddlers.” Years passed with occasional holiday cards and texts but few meaningful interactions. DiPasquantonio saw photos on social media of Robb skiing and traveling with other friends. “I wasn’t sure there was so much room for me, from a distance,” she said. “Aww, I feel badly about that,” Robb replied. “I would argue that’s the bad side of social media.” The women found their way back to each other when Robb, president of Heather Robb Communications, had a business trip to Denver in April. She called to see if DiPasquantonio wanted to get dinner. “I didn’t know if she was going to be that happy to hear from me. I actually had some trepidation in reaching out,” Robb said. When she did, Robb learned her friend was about to undergo surgery for breast cancer. Instead of meeting for dinner, DiPasquantonio, a placement specialist at Harmony Senior Referrals, invited Robb to stay for the weekend. A mutual friend flew out to join them. “I was so tickled that you called and wanted to get together. It was awesome,” DiPasquantonio, 63, said during their interview. “What took us so long, right?” They’ve remained close since. “It just feels so good. It feels like there was a missing piece,” Robb said. Just do it Reyna Dominguez, 18, had the same best friend since first grade. But when Dominguez moved from Long Island to Brooklyn, her friend began college. Dominguez started working in a salon and their schedules didn’t align. About six months passed without communication. After graduating from cosmetology school, Dominguez texted her friend to share the news. “I was a bit anxious that she was not going to respond. But she did, and I was so relieved and happy,” Dominguez said. Now they’re in touch about once a month and planning to get together. “It’s important to stay in touch because sometimes I do get lonely, like I have no one to really talk to,” Dominguez said. “But with her, she knows all about my life.” Dominguez encourages anyone considering reaching out to an old friend to go ahead. “I say just do it. You have nothing to lose,” she said. “I guess the worst they could do is not respond to you, but I feel like you’ll still be happy with the thought, ‘I tried.’” Staying close Andrew Snyder’s best friend since 5th grade lives a plane ride away, but that hasn’t stopped them from keeping in touch. They call or email each other at least once a month and see each other several times per year. At key points in their lives, they’ve visited each others’ homes “so when we talk about things, we actually can understand,” said Snyder, 50, who teaches philosophy and economics in New York City. Living in different cities means it requires work to stay connected, but it’s important to Snyder, who feels that friendships are thinning out as people spend more time looking at cellphone screens. “Friendship and cooking your own food, and exercising and being outside, these are the things that used to be real life, and now I think they’re all fading,” Snyder said. “I don’t think the real issue is time anymore. I think the real issue is a sense of overwhelm and a sense of depletion that we all feel.” No regrets Kim Ventresca, 22, drifted from her best friend while attending college. She reached out a few times and they reconnected when the friend was having a rough time. But they stopped talking again when Ventresca was going through mental health and relationship challenges. Eventually, the other young woman told Ventresca she no longer wanted to be friends. “I’ve got some new friends now, and I feel like it’s probably better because some things happen for a reason,” she said. “I’m hoping that she’s alright and that she is doing OK.” Ventresca, who works as a social media manager and receptionist in New Jersey, said she still recommends reaching out to missed friends, even if it’s awkward. “The worst thing that happens is you get ‘left on read’ or delivered or declined,” she said. Secret language After Austin’s family moved to Germany, she didn’t see her childhood best friend again for 20 years, through a chance meeting on a New York City subway platform. They reconnected briefly, but contact lapsed again. Molly’s 2021 visit with one of her children to a college near Austin’s home provided another chance to restore the friendship. They’ve remained close since. “Something at that point just shifted,” Austin, owner of KindPoint Communications, said. “Things really picked up and we just basically outright said, ’Let’s just keep this momentum going. Let’s not wait another 20 years.’” —Cathy Bussewitz, The Associated Press Send your wellness questions and story ideas to cbussewitz@ap.org. Follow AP’s Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet, and mental health at https://apnews.com/hub/be-well. View the full article

The Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday it is lifting all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed at 40 major airports during the country’s longest government shutdown. Airlines can resume their regular flight schedules beginning Monday at 6 a.m. EST, the agency said. The announcement was made in a joint statement by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. Citing safety concerns as staffing shortages grew at air traffic control facilities during the shutdown, the FAA issued an unprecedented order to limit traffic in the skies. It had been in place since Nov. 7, affecting thousands of flights across the country. Impacted airports included large hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. The flight cuts started at 4% and later grew to 6% before the FAA on Friday rolled the restrictions back to 3%, citing continued improvements in air traffic controller staffing since the record 43-day shutdown ended on Nov. 12. The number of flights canceled this weekend was at its lowest point since the order took effect and was well below the 3% cuts the FAA was requiring for Saturday and Sunday. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium showed that less than 1% of all flights were canceled this weekend. The flight tracking website FlightAware said 149 flights were cut Sunday and 315 were canceled on Saturday. The FAA statement said an agency safety team recommended the order be rescinded after “detailed reviews of safety trends and the steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities.” The statement said the FAA “is aware of reports of non-compliance by carriers over the course of the emergency order. The agency is reviewing and assessing enforcement options.” It did not elaborate. Cancellations hit their highest point Nov. 9, when airlines cut more than 2,900 flights because of the FAA order, ongoing controller shortages and severe weather in parts of the country. Conditions began to improve throughout last week as more controllers returned to work amid news that Congress was close to a deal to end the shutdown. That progress also prompted the FAA to pause plans for further rate increases. The agency had initially aimed for a 10% reduction in flights. Duffy had said worrisome safety data showed the move was necessary to ease pressure on the aviation system and help manage worsening staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities as the shutdown entered its second month and flight disruptions began to pile up. Air traffic controllers were among the federal employees who had to continue working without pay throughout the shutdown. They missed two paychecks during the impasse. Duffy hasn’t shared the specific safety data that prompted the cuts, but he cited reports during the shutdown of planes getting too close in the air, more runway incursions, and pilot concerns about controllers’ responses. Airline leaders have expressed optimism that operations would rebound in time for the Thanksgiving travel period after the FAA lifted its order. —Rio Yamat and Josh Funk, Associated Press View the full article

In an era where effective communication is pivotal for small businesses, Google’s latest updates to its Gemini Live AI tool promise to revolutionize how entrepreneurs and their teams engage with technology. With nuanced understanding of speech patterns and adaptive learning capabilities, Gemini is set to enhance interactions for business owners, making learning and communication far more intuitive. Google’s updates aim to create conversations that resonate with the complexity of human speech, encapsulating everything from tone to rhythm. Adopting this technology can provide significant advantages to small business owners keen on streamlining their operations or enhancing customer engagement. One of the most impactful benefits lies in the tool’s ability to tailor learning experiences. As noted by a Google spokesperson, “Imagine you’re a student tackling a complex subject like business analytics. You can ask Gemini to explain a topic in your lesson plan and then say, ‘Okay, speed up,’ to get a crash course on the way to your next class.” This personalized pace fosters a more adaptable learning environment that can suit various needs. For small businesses, this means staff members can quickly upskill or become more proficient in areas specific to their roles. Imagine a marketing manager needing to learn about data analytics on short notice; with Gemini, they can request immediate explanations and adjust the learning speed based on their grasp of the subject. This flexibility not only saves time but could also translate to better performance in day-to-day tasks. Moreover, the AI’s adaptive communication style allows businesses to enhance customer service significantly. Businesses can deploy Gemini to interact with customers using natural, conversational language. This boosts customer satisfaction as clients feel understood and valued. A small restaurant, for example, could use Gemini for real-time menu inquiries, allowing staff to focus on providing a great dining experience without the distraction of repetitive questions. While the benefits seem promising, small business owners should also be aware of potential challenges. Implementing new technologies can require a learning curve, particularly for teams that may not be tech-savvy. Ensuring that staff become comfortable and proficient with Gemini is critical. Additionally, data privacy concerns regarding AI interactions may arise. Business owners should carefully assess how they handle sensitive information to maintain customer trust. Another factor to consider is the integration of this technology into existing workflows. Depending on the business structure, varying degrees of adaptation might be necessary to successfully leverage Gemini’s capabilities. Investing time and resources into training can lead to more seamless usage, yet that upfront commitment might seem daunting for small businesses already stretched thin. As technological advancements continue to shape the landscape of small business operations, Gemini’s latest updates present an opportunity for entrepreneurs to enhance their communication and learning strategies. While navigating the introduction of new tools can be complicated, the long-term benefits may very well outweigh the initial challenges. As this technology continues to evolve, small business owners who take advantage of these new capabilities can prepare their teams for a future where adaptability and personalized communication become the norm. In a world where conversation matters, Gemini positions itself as a valuable ally, ready to enrich both employee and customer interactions. For further details on these updates, small business owners can visit the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gemini’s Update Enhances Conversations with Nuanced Speech Recognition" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era where effective communication is pivotal for small businesses, Google’s latest updates to its Gemini Live AI tool promise to revolutionize how entrepreneurs and their teams engage with technology. With nuanced understanding of speech patterns and adaptive learning capabilities, Gemini is set to enhance interactions for business owners, making learning and communication far more intuitive. Google’s updates aim to create conversations that resonate with the complexity of human speech, encapsulating everything from tone to rhythm. Adopting this technology can provide significant advantages to small business owners keen on streamlining their operations or enhancing customer engagement. One of the most impactful benefits lies in the tool’s ability to tailor learning experiences. As noted by a Google spokesperson, “Imagine you’re a student tackling a complex subject like business analytics. You can ask Gemini to explain a topic in your lesson plan and then say, ‘Okay, speed up,’ to get a crash course on the way to your next class.” This personalized pace fosters a more adaptable learning environment that can suit various needs. For small businesses, this means staff members can quickly upskill or become more proficient in areas specific to their roles. Imagine a marketing manager needing to learn about data analytics on short notice; with Gemini, they can request immediate explanations and adjust the learning speed based on their grasp of the subject. This flexibility not only saves time but could also translate to better performance in day-to-day tasks. Moreover, the AI’s adaptive communication style allows businesses to enhance customer service significantly. Businesses can deploy Gemini to interact with customers using natural, conversational language. This boosts customer satisfaction as clients feel understood and valued. A small restaurant, for example, could use Gemini for real-time menu inquiries, allowing staff to focus on providing a great dining experience without the distraction of repetitive questions. While the benefits seem promising, small business owners should also be aware of potential challenges. Implementing new technologies can require a learning curve, particularly for teams that may not be tech-savvy. Ensuring that staff become comfortable and proficient with Gemini is critical. Additionally, data privacy concerns regarding AI interactions may arise. Business owners should carefully assess how they handle sensitive information to maintain customer trust. Another factor to consider is the integration of this technology into existing workflows. Depending on the business structure, varying degrees of adaptation might be necessary to successfully leverage Gemini’s capabilities. Investing time and resources into training can lead to more seamless usage, yet that upfront commitment might seem daunting for small businesses already stretched thin. As technological advancements continue to shape the landscape of small business operations, Gemini’s latest updates present an opportunity for entrepreneurs to enhance their communication and learning strategies. While navigating the introduction of new tools can be complicated, the long-term benefits may very well outweigh the initial challenges. As this technology continues to evolve, small business owners who take advantage of these new capabilities can prepare their teams for a future where adaptability and personalized communication become the norm. In a world where conversation matters, Gemini positions itself as a valuable ally, ready to enrich both employee and customer interactions. For further details on these updates, small business owners can visit the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gemini’s Update Enhances Conversations with Nuanced Speech Recognition" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The most dangerous day of retirement is a psychological challenge more than a financial one. By Rory Henry CFP®, BFA™ For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Rory Henry. View the full article

The most dangerous day of retirement is a psychological challenge more than a financial one. By Rory Henry CFP®, BFA™ For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Rory Henry. View the full article

President Donald The President said House Republicans should vote to release the files in the Jeffrey Epstein case, a startling reversal after previously fighting the proposal as a growing number of those in his own party supported it. “We have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party,” The President wrote on social media late Sunday after landing at Joint Base Andrews following a weekend in Florida. The President’s statement followed a fierce fight within the GOP over the files, including an increasingly nasty split with Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had long been one of his fiercest supporters. The president’s shift is an implicit acknowledgement that supporters of the measure have enough votes to pass it in the House, although it has an unclear future in the Senate. It is a rare example of The President backtracking because of opposition within the GOP. In his return to office and in his second term as president, The President has largely consolidated power in the Republican Party. “I DON’T CARE!” The President wrote in his social media post. “All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT.” Lawmakers who support the bill have been predicting a big win in the House this week with a “deluge of Republicans” voting for it, bucking the GOP leadership and the president. In his opposition to the proposal, The President even reached out to two of the Republican lawmakers who signed it. One, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, met last week with administration officials in the White House Situation Room to discuss it. The bill would force the Justice Department to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal prison. Information about Epstein’s victims or ongoing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted. “There could be 100 or more” votes from Republicans, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., among the lawmakers discussing the legislation on Sunday news show appearances. “I’m hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.” Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., introduced a discharge petition in July to force a vote on their bill. That is a rarely successful tool that allows a majority of members to bypass House leadership and force a floor vote. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had panned the discharge petition effort and sent members home early for their August recess when the GOP’s legislative agenda was upended in the clamoring for an Epstein vote. Democrats also contend the seating of Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., was stalled to delay her becoming the 218th member to sign the petition and gain the threshold needed to force a vote. She became the 218th signature moments after taking the oath of office last week. Massie said Johnson, The President and others who have been critical of his efforts would be “taking a big loss this week.” “I’m not tired of winning yet, but we are winning,” Massie said. The view from GOP leadership Johnson seems to expect the House will decisively back the Epstein bill. “We’ll just get this done and move it on. There’s nothing to hide,” adding that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has been releasing “far more information than the discharge petition, their little gambit.” The vote comes at a time when new documents are raising fresh questions about Epstein and his associates, including a 2019 email that Epstein wrote to a journalist that said The President “knew about the girls.” The White House has accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the Republican president. Johnson said The President “has nothing to hide from this.” “They’re doing this to go after President The President on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not,” Johnson said. The President’s association with Epstein is well-established and the president’s name was included in records that his own Justice Department released in February as part of an effort to satisfy public interest in information from the sex-trafficking investigation. The President has never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and the mere inclusion of someone’s name in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise. Epstein, who killed himself in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, also had many prominent acquaintances in political and celebrity circles besides The President. Khanna voiced more modest expectations on the vote count than Massie. Still, Khanna said he was hoping for 40 or more Republicans to join the effort. “I don’t even know how involved The President was,” Khanna said. “There are a lot of other people involved who have to be held accountable.” Khanna also asked The President to meet with those who were abused. Some will be at the Capitol on Tuesday for a news conference, he said. Massie said Republican lawmakers who fear losing The President’s endorsement because of how they vote will have a mark on their record, if they vote “no,” that could hurt their political prospects in the long term. “The record of this vote will last longer than Donald The President’s presidency,” Massie said. A MAGA split On the Republican side, three Republicans joined with Massie in signing the discharge petition: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Boebert. The President publicly called it quits with Greene last week and said he would endorse a challenger against her in 2026 “if the right person runs.” Greene attributed the fallout with The President as “unfortunately, it has all come down to the Epstein files.” She said the country deserves transparency on the issue and that The President’s criticism of her is confusing because the women she has talked to say he did nothing wrong. “I have no idea what’s in the files. I can’t even guess. But that is the questions everyone is asking, is, why fight this so hard?” Greene said. The President’s feud with Greene escalated over the weekend, with The President sending out one last social media post about her while still sitting in his helicopter on the White House lawn when he arrived home late Sunday, writing “The fact is, nobody cares about this Traitor to our Country!” Even if the bill passes the House, there is no guarantee that Senate Republicans will go along. Massie said he just hopes Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., “will do the right thing.” “The pressure is going to be there if we get a big vote in the House,” Massie said, who thinks “we could have a deluge of Republicans.” Massie appeared on ABC’s “This Week,” Johnson was on “Fox News Sunday,” Khanna spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and Greene was interviewed on CNN’s “State of the Union.” —Kevin Freking and Chris Megerian, Associated Press Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report. View the full article

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

By CPA Trendlines Research You don’t have to temporarily lose tax clients once their returns have been filed. You can help them through the year. MORE Listicles here Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today. … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

By CPA Trendlines Research You don’t have to temporarily lose tax clients once their returns have been filed. You can help them through the year. MORE Listicles here Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today. … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Snap Selling is a strategic sales approach aimed at helping you connect with busy buyers who often feel overwhelmed by information. By focusing on four core principles—simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization—you can engage customers more effectively. This method positions you as a trusted advisor, which nurtures trust and urgency in your interactions. Comprehending how to implement these principles can greatly improve your sales effectiveness. Ready to explore how to apply these strategies in real-world situations? Key Takeaways SNAP Selling is a methodology designed to engage busy buyers through simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization. It simplifies the sales process by promoting clear communication, reducing confusion and information overload. By positioning sales professionals as trusted advisors, SNAP Selling builds trust and enhances buyer confidence. The approach aligns sales offerings with buyers’ goals, addressing specific pain points for greater relevance. SNAP Selling creates urgency by highlighting critical issues, accelerating decision-making and improving conversion rates. Understanding SNAP Selling Grasping SNAP Selling is crucial for modern sales professionals looking to engage busy buyers effectively. This methodology, introduced by Jill Konrath, emphasizes simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization. By applying SNAP Selling techniques, you can overcome the common challenges that prospects face, such as information overload and decision paralysis. This approach focuses on clear communication, ensuring that your message resonates with potential buyers. As you position yourself as a trusted advisor, you’ll provide insights and solutions customized to their specific needs. In addition, by raising priorities, you create a sense of urgency that encourages quicker decision-making. In short, perfecting SNAP Selling can greatly improve your chances of achieving successful snap sales in today’s competitive marketplace. The Four Core Principles of SNAP Comprehending the four core principles of SNAP Selling is essential for sales professionals aiming to engage effectively with busy buyers. First, Keep It Simple emphasizes clear communication, allowing you to respect the buyer’s time and minimize confusion. Next, Be Invaluable means positioning yourself as a trusted advisor, providing unique value through data-driven insights that address specific pain points. Always Align requires you to understand and respond to the buyer’s current goals and challenges, nurturing a stronger connection. Finally, Raise Priorities encourages you to create urgency by emphasizing critical issues, helping buyers visualize the gap between their current state and an ideal future. Together, these principles form a robust framework for effective selling in today’s fast-paced environment. Benefits of Implementing SNAP Selling Implementing SNAP Selling offers significant advantages for sales professionals endeavoring to connect with busy prospects effectively. This approach simplifies the sales process by promoting clear and concise communication, allowing buyers to grasp solutions without feeling inundated. By positioning yourself as an invaluable partner, you build trust and credibility, encouraging prospects to engage more readily. SNAP Selling aligns your offerings with buyer goals, ensuring your solutions address their specific pain points. Furthermore, the methodology emphasizes raising priorities, which highlights the urgency of critical issues, accelerating decision-making and shortening sales cycles. In the end, adopting SNAP Selling techniques improves your sales effectiveness by nurturing high-quality interactions that cater to buyer needs, leading to improved conversion rates. Strategies for Engaging Frazzled Customers Engaging frazzled customers demands a comprehension of their overwhelming state, often marked by anxiety about their choices and a pressing need for clarity. Simplifying your communication is vital; it alleviates stress and helps customers make quicker decisions. Position yourself as a trusted advisor, addressing their specific pain points to improve their confidence. Additionally, raise priorities by emphasizing urgent issues and crafting a compelling vision for their future. Utilizing tools like the Buyer’s Matrix allows you to understand their unique pressures, enabling more personalized engagement. Here’s a quick overview of strategies: Strategy Description Keep It Simple Avoid overwhelming details; focus on clarity. Be Invaluable Position as a trusted partner. Always Align Understand and align with buyers’ goals. Raise Priorities Emphasize urgent decisions and create focus. Use Buyer’s Matrix Personalize engagement through insights. Real-World Applications of SNAP Selling The practical application of SNAP Selling principles can greatly improve sales effectiveness across various industries. In healthcare, simplifying product presentations helps address patient privacy concerns, boosting trust with providers. Real estate agents personalize property showings to align with clients’ lifestyles, leading to quicker decisions and higher satisfaction. Technology firms can tailor security solutions to specific industry needs, making their offerings more relevant. Retail businesses leverage AI to provide personalized product recommendations, resonating with customer preferences and driving sales. Consulting firms align services with client objectives, clearly demonstrating measurable impacts on business outcomes. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the SNAP Selling Method? The SNAP Selling method is a sales approach designed for engaging busy prospects effectively. It emphasizes four core principles: Keep It Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. By simplifying communication, adding value, aligning with buyers’ needs, and prioritizing key decisions, you improve your chances of success. This method helps you cut through information overload, positioning you as a trusted advisor who understands and addresses the unique challenges faced by your prospects. What Is the Snap Sales Strategy? The SNAP sales strategy focuses on four key principles: Keep it Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. By simplifying communication, you engage busy prospects more effectively. Positioning yourself as a trusted partner allows you to provide valuable insights customized to their needs. Aligning your solutions with their current priorities guarantees relevance, whereas emphasizing important decisions helps facilitate quicker choices. This approach improves your overall sales effectiveness and strengthens buyer-seller relationships. What Is the Snap Framework in Sales? The SNAP framework in sales stands for Keep it Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. It focuses on simplifying the sales process for busy buyers by promoting clear communication and relevant interactions. You guarantee your solutions align with buyers’ needs, adding value at every touchpoint. What Does Snap Stand for in Sales? In sales, SNAP stands for four key principles: Keep it Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. Keeping it simple guarantees clear communication, preventing information overload. Being invaluable positions you as a trusted advisor who offers customized insights. Always aligning means your solutions should reflect the buyer’s goals and challenges. Raising priorities emphasizes the critical issues that need attention, helping you create a compelling vision for the buyer’s desired outcomes. Conclusion In conclusion, Snap Selling offers a strategic framework that can greatly improve your sales approach. By focusing on simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization, you can better engage busy customers and address their needs effectively. Implementing the core principles of SNAP not just streamlines communication but additionally positions you as a trusted advisor. By adopting these strategies, you can enhance sales effectiveness, increase conversion rates, and cultivate meaningful interactions that resonate with today’s frazzled buyers. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Snap Selling and How Can It Enhance Sales?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Snap Selling is a strategic sales approach aimed at helping you connect with busy buyers who often feel overwhelmed by information. By focusing on four core principles—simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization—you can engage customers more effectively. This method positions you as a trusted advisor, which nurtures trust and urgency in your interactions. Comprehending how to implement these principles can greatly improve your sales effectiveness. Ready to explore how to apply these strategies in real-world situations? Key Takeaways SNAP Selling is a methodology designed to engage busy buyers through simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization. It simplifies the sales process by promoting clear communication, reducing confusion and information overload. By positioning sales professionals as trusted advisors, SNAP Selling builds trust and enhances buyer confidence. The approach aligns sales offerings with buyers’ goals, addressing specific pain points for greater relevance. SNAP Selling creates urgency by highlighting critical issues, accelerating decision-making and improving conversion rates. Understanding SNAP Selling Grasping SNAP Selling is crucial for modern sales professionals looking to engage busy buyers effectively. This methodology, introduced by Jill Konrath, emphasizes simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization. By applying SNAP Selling techniques, you can overcome the common challenges that prospects face, such as information overload and decision paralysis. This approach focuses on clear communication, ensuring that your message resonates with potential buyers. As you position yourself as a trusted advisor, you’ll provide insights and solutions customized to their specific needs. In addition, by raising priorities, you create a sense of urgency that encourages quicker decision-making. In short, perfecting SNAP Selling can greatly improve your chances of achieving successful snap sales in today’s competitive marketplace. The Four Core Principles of SNAP Comprehending the four core principles of SNAP Selling is essential for sales professionals aiming to engage effectively with busy buyers. First, Keep It Simple emphasizes clear communication, allowing you to respect the buyer’s time and minimize confusion. Next, Be Invaluable means positioning yourself as a trusted advisor, providing unique value through data-driven insights that address specific pain points. Always Align requires you to understand and respond to the buyer’s current goals and challenges, nurturing a stronger connection. Finally, Raise Priorities encourages you to create urgency by emphasizing critical issues, helping buyers visualize the gap between their current state and an ideal future. Together, these principles form a robust framework for effective selling in today’s fast-paced environment. Benefits of Implementing SNAP Selling Implementing SNAP Selling offers significant advantages for sales professionals endeavoring to connect with busy prospects effectively. This approach simplifies the sales process by promoting clear and concise communication, allowing buyers to grasp solutions without feeling inundated. By positioning yourself as an invaluable partner, you build trust and credibility, encouraging prospects to engage more readily. SNAP Selling aligns your offerings with buyer goals, ensuring your solutions address their specific pain points. Furthermore, the methodology emphasizes raising priorities, which highlights the urgency of critical issues, accelerating decision-making and shortening sales cycles. In the end, adopting SNAP Selling techniques improves your sales effectiveness by nurturing high-quality interactions that cater to buyer needs, leading to improved conversion rates. Strategies for Engaging Frazzled Customers Engaging frazzled customers demands a comprehension of their overwhelming state, often marked by anxiety about their choices and a pressing need for clarity. Simplifying your communication is vital; it alleviates stress and helps customers make quicker decisions. Position yourself as a trusted advisor, addressing their specific pain points to improve their confidence. Additionally, raise priorities by emphasizing urgent issues and crafting a compelling vision for their future. Utilizing tools like the Buyer’s Matrix allows you to understand their unique pressures, enabling more personalized engagement. Here’s a quick overview of strategies: Strategy Description Keep It Simple Avoid overwhelming details; focus on clarity. Be Invaluable Position as a trusted partner. Always Align Understand and align with buyers’ goals. Raise Priorities Emphasize urgent decisions and create focus. Use Buyer’s Matrix Personalize engagement through insights. Real-World Applications of SNAP Selling The practical application of SNAP Selling principles can greatly improve sales effectiveness across various industries. In healthcare, simplifying product presentations helps address patient privacy concerns, boosting trust with providers. Real estate agents personalize property showings to align with clients’ lifestyles, leading to quicker decisions and higher satisfaction. Technology firms can tailor security solutions to specific industry needs, making their offerings more relevant. Retail businesses leverage AI to provide personalized product recommendations, resonating with customer preferences and driving sales. Consulting firms align services with client objectives, clearly demonstrating measurable impacts on business outcomes. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the SNAP Selling Method? The SNAP Selling method is a sales approach designed for engaging busy prospects effectively. It emphasizes four core principles: Keep It Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. By simplifying communication, adding value, aligning with buyers’ needs, and prioritizing key decisions, you improve your chances of success. This method helps you cut through information overload, positioning you as a trusted advisor who understands and addresses the unique challenges faced by your prospects. What Is the Snap Sales Strategy? The SNAP sales strategy focuses on four key principles: Keep it Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. By simplifying communication, you engage busy prospects more effectively. Positioning yourself as a trusted partner allows you to provide valuable insights customized to their needs. Aligning your solutions with their current priorities guarantees relevance, whereas emphasizing important decisions helps facilitate quicker choices. This approach improves your overall sales effectiveness and strengthens buyer-seller relationships. What Is the Snap Framework in Sales? The SNAP framework in sales stands for Keep it Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. It focuses on simplifying the sales process for busy buyers by promoting clear communication and relevant interactions. You guarantee your solutions align with buyers’ needs, adding value at every touchpoint. What Does Snap Stand for in Sales? In sales, SNAP stands for four key principles: Keep it Simple, Be Invaluable, Always Align, and Raise Priorities. Keeping it simple guarantees clear communication, preventing information overload. Being invaluable positions you as a trusted advisor who offers customized insights. Always aligning means your solutions should reflect the buyer’s goals and challenges. Raising priorities emphasizes the critical issues that need attention, helping you create a compelling vision for the buyer’s desired outcomes. Conclusion In conclusion, Snap Selling offers a strategic framework that can greatly improve your sales approach. By focusing on simplicity, value, alignment, and prioritization, you can better engage busy customers and address their needs effectively. Implementing the core principles of SNAP not just streamlines communication but additionally positions you as a trusted advisor. By adopting these strategies, you can enhance sales effectiveness, increase conversion rates, and cultivate meaningful interactions that resonate with today’s frazzled buyers. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Snap Selling and How Can It Enhance Sales?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's new series Pluribus has earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. It's just an excellent show, featuring an end-of-the-world science fiction story with a wildly inventive apocalypse: instead of zombies or nuclear bombs, Pluribus' world ends with humanity literally coming together. Through a transmission from space, everyone on Earth is melded into a single consciousness, so there's no more conflict or hunger, but there's no more individuality, either. Mysteriously, a handful of people were left out of the great melting, including Carol (Rhea Seehorn) a cynical, hard-drinking writer who refuses to give in to the collective. The only thing I don't like about Pluribus is that I can't watch all the episodes right now. If you're in the same place, below are 15 movies and TV shows you can watch while you wait for the new episode of Pluribus to drop on Friday. Invasion of the Body Snatchers If you like fiction where everyone has been taken over by a collective, you have to start with Invasion of the Body Snatchers. The 1950s red scare paranoia-fest created the blueprint that's been followed since. Snatchers is rebooted every few decades, with the pod people representing a different cultural fear—they were communists in the original, "Me Generation" therapy addicts in the 1978 version, and suburban normies and military types in 1993's Body Snatchers—but the core "I'm the only individual left and everyone is out to get me" undercurrent is consistent and fits in perfectly with Pluribus. Where to stream: Prime, MGM+ Breaking Bad Vince Gilligan created Pluribus and Breaking Bad, and while the two series are very different on the surface, they share a surprising amount of DNA. Gilligan's gritty "science teacher makes meth" series and his sci-fi "author is the last human on Earth" series both are meticulously plotted but unpredictable stories set in sun-blasted middle-of-nowhere locations where morality is a complicated gray area. Where to stream: Netflix Mrs. Davis We might all be linked together as a hive mind like Pluribus, but Mrs. Davis is evidence that there's something to the idea of a collective consciousness. It was developed at the same time as Pluribus by another famous show creator (Damon Lindelof, father of Lost) and features a similar central plot device: an AI has taken over and everyone on Earth does its bidding in exchange for peace and prosperity. Mrs. Davis feels like a first draft of Pluribus, before the creator decided to make the tone more serious and take out all the goofy claptrap about The Holy Grail. Where to stream: Peacock The Leftovers Like Pluribus, The Leftovers features ordinary people navigating a world-altering catastrophe. The catastrophe in The Leftover is the sudden, inexplicable disappearance of 2% of the world's population. Like Pluribus, the human drama is as important and weighty as the sci-fi premise, and both series are driven by "what does this all mean?" energy. Where to stream: HBO Max Children of Men The gigantic, mysterious event at the center of Pluribus makes the world a better place in a lot of ways, but when women inexplicably become infertile in Children of Men, the result is bleakness and chaos. If you like a combination of action and philosophical questions, watch (or re-watch) Children of Men. Where to stream: Rent or buy on Prime or YouTube Black Mirror Pluribus could be an extended episode of Black Mirror. The British anthology series came out of nowhere in 2011 and captured the world's imagination with its speculative, near-future (usually) sci-fi stories that explore the point where technology meets humanity. Standout episodes for Pluribus fans include S3, E6 "Hated in the Nation," in which Autonomous Drone Insects start murdering people based on a hashtag; S6,E1, "Joan is Awful" with its black comedy vibe and maximum paranoia premise; and S7, E4's "Plaything," in which a nerdy writer's obsession with a 1990s video game sets off a world-altering technological revolution. Where to stream: Netflix The Twilight Zone Pluribus could be also be an extended episode of the original Twilight Zone, a series that used science fiction and fantasy to explore human ethics and morality before most Pluribus fans were born. If you can put up with the stage-like vibe of the show, there are a lot of great episodes that cover the same ground as Pluribus, like S1, E22, "The Monster Are Due on Maple Street," in which a nice suburban community unravels over fear of a alien invasion; and S5, E20, "Stopover in a Quiet Town" a darkly funny episode in which an ordinary couple confronts an all-encompassing mystery. Also, don't miss S1, E21, "Mirror Image." It doesn't have a lot to do with Pluribus, but it's the creepiest, most suspenseful television episode ever made and I think you should watch it. Where to stream: Tubi, Prime 12 Monkeys 12 Monkeys pairs perfectly with Pluribus. In it, a virus wipes out most of humanity, and one man is sent back in time to stop the end of everything. Like Pluribus, it’s a carefully plotted story rife with moral ambiguity, dark humor, and characters struggling against forces far bigger than themselves. Where to stream: Available to rent or buy on Prime The Prisoner The Prisoner was way ahead of its time, and its portrayal of an MI5 secret agent trapped in a mysterious town for reasons unknown is a perfect precursor to the existential paranoia and surveillance-heavy themes in Pluribus. A mash-up of spy thriller, psychological drama, and allegorical science fiction, The Prisoner's exploration of the tension between individuality and conformity still works. Plus, it's occasionally unhinged in that specific 1960s way that Austin Powers parodied. Where to stream: Prime Her It hasn't taken long for real life to catch up with 2013's Her. This strange rom-com details the relationship between nerdy everyman Theodore and the AI he falls in love with. Like Pluribus, Her questions how technology and modernity are changing our idea of what it means to be human, but Her is intensive instead of extensive, deeply exploring one person's (and one bot's) story without as much focus on the larger world. Where to stream: Available to rent or buy on Prime and Apple TV+ Severance One of the things I like about Pluribus is that it's clear Vince Gilligan was provided with the resources, freedom, and time to fully realize his vision, a luxury that seems to be becoming increasingly rare in entertainment. Severance is another example of a high concept, intelligent science fiction story that feels creatively free. Its exploration of alienation and identity is a perfect match with Pluribus. Where to stream: Apple TV+ The Man Who Fell to Earth Modern science fiction shows like Pluribus and Severance remind me of the heady, pre-Star Wars sci-fi of the 1970s, where science fiction tropes like spaceships and aliens were used to explore philosophical and cultural ideas in ways realism can't reach. The Man Who Fell to Earth takes on big ideas like isolation, the corrupting influence of capitalism, and what it means to be human (or not human) while wrapping them in a surreal, otherworldly story. Plus, it stars David Bowie as an alien, so it's a must-watch. Where to stream: Tubi, Pluto TV. Russian Doll Russian Doll follows Nadia, an average, urban woman stuck in a time loop. She repeatedly dies and wakes up at her birthday party, like an edgier version of Groundhog Day. Like Pluribus, Russian Doll blends high-concept science fiction with dark humor and explorations of identity, choice, and the meaning of life. The show is clever, fast-paced, and smart—perfect for viewers who like their fantastical stories with a side of introspection and absurdity. Where to stream: Netflix The Good Place There haven't been many (or maybe any) straight-up comedies that explore philosophical ideas like The Good Place does, so it's hard to believe that its big ideas and sit-com style jokes could blend together so smoothly. But they do, and the result is a wholly original show. If Pluribus was played strictly for laughs instead of partly for laughs, it might look something like The Good Place. Where to stream: Apple TV+ Ex Machina Ex Machina is a cerebral thriller about a young programmer administering the Turing test to an AI-powered robot named Ava. Like Pluribus, it explores big questions about consciousness and free will, while also playing with the blurred lines between creator and creation. This smart, stylish flick is a must-watch for anyone interested in the philosophical side of sci-fi. Where to stream: Buy or rent on Prime or YouTube View the full article

President Donald The President indicated Sunday that he plans to meet with New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and said they’ll “work something out,” in what could be a detente for the Republican president and Democratic political star who have cast each other as political foils. The President has for months slammed Mamdani, falsely labeling him as a “communist” and predicting the ruin of his hometown, New York, if the democratic socialist was elected. He also threatened to deport Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a naturalized American citizen, and to pull federal money from the city. Mamdani rose from an obscure state lawmaker to become a social media star and symbol of the resistance against The President during his mayoral campaign. He campaigned on an array of progressive policies and a message that was stark in its opposition to the aggressive, anti-immigrant agenda The President has rolled out in his second White House term. The 34-year-old appealed to a broad cross-section of New Yorkers and defeated one of its political heavyweights, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, by nearly 9 percentage points. In his election night victory speech, Mamdani said he wanted New York to show the country how to defeat the president. But the day after, while speaking about his plans for “The President-proofing” New York once he takes office in January, the incoming mayor also said he was willing to work with anyone, including the president, if it can help New Yorkers. Representatives for Mamdani did not have an immediate comment Sunday night on the president’s remarks, but a spokesperson pointed to the mayor-elect’s remarks last week when he said he planned to reach out to the White House “because this is a relationship that will be critical to the success of the city.” The President expressed a similar sentiment on Sunday. “The mayor of New York, I will say, would like to meet with us. We’ll work something out,” The President told reporters as he prepared to fly back to Washington after spending the weekend in Florida. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified shortly after that The President was referring to Mamdani and said no date had been set for such a meeting. “We want to see everything work out well for New York,” The President said. The President’s comments came as he also said the U.S. may hold discussions soon with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, after a military buildup near the South American country: “I’ll talk to anybody,” The President said. —Michelle L. Price and Chris Megerian, Associated Press Associated Press writer Jake Offenhartz contributed to this report. View the full article

You open Instagram to grab a trending audio for a reel. Just one quick thing. Two hours later, you're still scrolling. You haven't created anything. You haven't even saved the audio you meant to find. And now it's 10 p.m., and you're mentally exhausted — and a little sad, tbh — from consuming content instead of making it. (Seriously, why is Instagram's search function on the Explore page?) Oh, wait, that was me. Hi. 👋 High up on the list of Things I Do Not Have Time For (along with low-carb diets, marathons, and the new season of Stranger Things) is doomscrolling. I'm a mom with a full-time job, and I'm an active creator. I also have ADHD. For what it's worth, I actually really enjoy my life and feel very lucky I've found a way to balance my responsibilities with my passions. But I've had to get really intentional about how I protect my focus when it comes to social media. One of the things that has helped me the most is actually quite simple. It's more of a mindset shift than a full-blown strategy: mentally splitting my time into two distinct modes — creation mode and consumption mode. Let's unpack what that means, exactly — along with the tools (it's me, of course, there are tools!) I use to put this mindset into practice. First, let's not add more guilt to the mixBefore we dig in, I really want to emphasize something. Getting sucked into a scroll is not a sign of 'weakness' or failure on your part as a creator. The algorithms are engineered to work like this. Every time you open Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn to post something, you're walking into an environment specifically designed to hold your attention. For creators, this creates a weird paradox. We need to be on these platforms to grow our audiences and stay on top of trends. But the very act of being on the platform makes it harder to find time to actually create. For new creators especially — people creating while holding down a 9-to-5 job, managing family responsibilities, and actually living their lives — this loop (open social platform to post → get sucked into scrolling instead) can be a dealbreaker. Unintentional scrolls can steal anything from 15 minutes (if I'm lucky) to 3 hours of my time. I do not have that kind of time. Not if I want to stay active on my chosen platforms and, you know, sleep. Which is where my create vs. consume mindset shift comes in. What are 'creation mode' and 'consumption mode'?I'd love to share a fun anecdote or 'aha' moment when I started thinking in this way. I don't really have one, though. It's something that started happening kind of organically in my internal chat. ("Right, Kirsti, today we're not scrolling, we're replying to comments." — whispered under my breath to myself x 10). But the idea really crystallized when we started chatting about product shifts at Buffer. We're all active creators and talk a lot about how we manage to stay consistent. We know that consistency is essential for success on every platform, but tools to help folks do this were something we started to feel were really lacking. I think I must have raised the idea of being very intentional about when you're online to scroll vs. when you're online to create, and it may have been Hailley Griffis who coined "creation vs. consumption" mode. Even having that language to explain what I was doing helped me refine my process. Creation mode is when I'm actively making content. Gathering ideas, writing captions and scripts, filming and editing videos, scheduling posts, and replying to comments. This is focused, intentional work with a clear output at the end. Consumption mode is when I'm scrolling for inspiration, staying on top of trends, or engaging with other creators' content. This is also valuable work for a creator — but it's a completely different mindset, and it needs clear boundaries. Here's a helpful way to draw a line between the two: Creation mode = This work will directly impact the growth of my audience.Consumption mode = This work might impact the growth of my audience, but less directly.These two modes don't mix. At all. When I try to do both at the same time I end up doing neither well. So now, I treat them as separate activities that happen at different times and — most importantly — in different tools. My creation mode workflow + toolsHere's where things get practical. The biggest game-changer has been using other tools in creation mode, so I don't need to open the apps to create. With this stack, I can save ideas, write captions, schedule posts — all without opening the actual social media apps. Now, with the launch of Community, I don't even have to be on the platform to reply to comments. Here's how I do it: 1. Ideation: BufferEvery idea I have, no matter how half-baked, gets added as a card to my Create Space. A view of my Create space in Buffer2. Writing: Buffer + NotionPosts are written in Buffer and move from the Create space right into my content calendar, where they're scheduled or saved as a draft. Scripts sometimes require more formatting and are usually written and stored in Notion. 3. Video editing: CapCutI often create short-form vlogs and other videos for TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and even LinkedIn. I usually edit these on the desktop version of CapCut, but there are loads of other great video options out there. 4. Posting: BufferI've been scheduling using Buffer since before I joined the team. Since I'm active on multiple platforms, it makes it easy to crosspost similar content across all of them. My simple, clean calendar in Buffer. ⚡️ Pro tip: For videos, I save two versions in CapCut: One with music and subtitles and one without. The first version is scheduled automatically on LinkedIn and YouTube. The second version I schedule to TikTok and Instagram via notification posting. When the time comes to post, I'll get a notification on my phone for each post, which I can tap on to open the video and caption within TikTok and Instagram's composer. From there, it takes me 2-3 minutes to add native captions and trending audio in the editors and post. Native captions help the algorithms properly categorize the content and serve it to the most relevant audience. Adding the audio within the apps gives me access to new music without copyright issues. Best part? Buffer opens my content directly within the platform's composer, so there's no risk of falling into a feed. 5. Engaging: Buffer's CommunityI use Buffer's Community feature to reply to comments without opening the apps. I can stay on top of engagement across Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky from one single, calm interface. No notifications pulling me in ten directions, or accidentally falling into a scroll hole while trying to reply to a comment. This last one is a biggie, so let's unpack that a little more: Managing engagement without losing hoursOne of the trickiest parts of being a creator is staying on top of comments. We know from a recent Buffer study that replying to comments boosts your engagement significantly — we're talking 42% on Threads, 30% on LinkedIn, 21% on Instagram. But staying on task when you set out to engage can be incredibly tough. Native platform notifications are chaotic. And some of them don't even apply to you! "So-and-So posted his first Thread, would you like to see it?" "Thingamajig shared a reel edited with Edits, download the app!" "Whatshisname is getting loads of traction on his post, you should check it out!". It's all competing for attention in an overwhelming feed. Unlike this, Buffer's Community feature actually respects my time and wants to make the process as calm and efficient as possible: All my comments in one place. I can see comments from Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Bluesky, X, and LinkedIn in a single dashboard. No app-hopping required.Notifications that actually help. I can choose to get notified when new comments arrive, organized in a way that makes sense. I can filter by unanswered comments, newest, oldest, or resolved.Comments don't disappear. On native platforms, comments get buried under follow notifications and profile views. In Buffer, every comment stays visible until I respond or dismiss it.A Comment Score feature to add some extra dopamine to the mix. This tracks my engagement habits across consistency, reply speed, and response rate. For a competitive person like me, this has been surprisingly fun! I'm only competing against myself, but still — it's a bit like having an accountability buddy.Consumption mode: making scrolling intentionalI'm not saying you should never scroll. As a creator, staying on top of trends and finding inspiration is part of the job. Consumption mode is necessary work. But it needs to be intentional. When I do go into consumption mode, I'm deliberate about it: I set a time limit. "I'm scrolling TikTok for 20 minutes to find trending audios." Not two hours of aimless scrolling.I have a clear purpose. Am I looking for content ideas? Saving audio that will fit my style? Looking for inspiration from other creators in my niches? Whatever it is, I name it.I save things to come back to. If I find a trending audio or a post format I want to try, I save it in a collection. Unless I'm super inspired (this happens!) I don't create on the spot. That's creation mode work, and I'll do it later in Buffer.The key is going into the scroll with this mindset: "I'm in consumption mode right now. This is part of my work as a creator, and I don't need to feel guilty about it." But I also know that consumption mode has a clear start and end time. It's not the default state I slip into whenever I open my phone. The surprising compound effect of this shiftSince I started being more intentional about creation mode vs. consumption mode, a few things have changed: I actually finish what I start. I sit down to create three posts, and I create three posts. I'm not distracted mid-flow by something in my feed.I'm more consistent. Consistency can be make or break when it comes to success as a creator (we have loads of data to back this up — one of our biggest studies showed that consistency can 5X your engagement). When I'm not losing hours to distraction, I have way more capacity to show up regularly.I feel less guilty about scrolling. Because I've given consumption mode its own space and time, I don't feel like I'm "wasting time" when I do scroll. It's part of the job.My engagement has gone up. Because I'm using Buffer to manage comments across all my platforms in one place, I'm way more responsive — and this shows. Just this week, I had a LinkedIn post that got 48 comments!If you're reading this while procrastinating on your next postHere's my challenge to you: try separating creation mode from consumption mode this week. Pick one session — maybe an hour on a Friday — where you commit to pure creation mode. Do not open the social media platform! It’s just you and Buffer (or whatever tools you use). Then, later that day or week, give yourself dedicated consumption mode time. Scroll intentionally. Save what inspires you. But when the timer goes off, close the app. The platforms want you in consumption mode all the time because that's what keeps their ad revenue flowing. But you're a creator. Your job is to make things, not just consume them. 🌱 Want to try creation mode without the distractions? Start using Buffer for free and see how much more you can create when you're not battling the algorithm for your own attention. You can manage your content creation, scheduling, analytics, and engagement across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, and Bluesky — all from one calm interface designed to help you actually get stuff done. And if you want to chat about this — or share your own strategies for staying in creation mode — come find me on LinkedIn or Threads. I'd love to hear what's working for you. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When it comes to the common, everyday tools we use to do quick maintenance and repair work around the house, there’s a tendency to just stick with what you have. If you have a measuring tape or clamp in your tool chest, you’re probably not going to think about getting a new one until the old one breaks. Usually, that’s a good practice—if a tool is doing its job, why waste money on a new one? One reason is to upgrade that tool. Just because the standard spirit level you’ve been using for the last decade still does the job doesn’t mean an upgraded version won’t do the job better. These upgraded versions of common, everyday tools make every project just a bit easier—and that makes them worth the investment. A waterproof notebookIf you’re like me, you have to make a lot of notes when you’re working around the house. I learned long ago that I need to be a “measure 15 times, cut once” kind of DIYer, so I tend to jot down measurements and other details in a little notebook—it's much better than writing on the wall, or your hand. That is, unless you’re working in damp conditions that turn your notebook into mush. That’s why buying a few of these weatherproof notebooks is such a powerful upgrade: Water, oil, dirt, sweat—it all just beads and rolls off, but you can write on it with a #2 pencil or a pen designed for all-weather use (you can use any old pen or pencil when its dry). Even when you’re knee-deep in a flooded crawl space, you’ll be able to make notes easily. Improved markersThough I like my little notebook, sometimes you’re in a tight space and you just need to mark something or make a notation anywhere. A standard marker is usually fine for this, but if you’re working in damp, dirty spaces, not only will standard markers fail, they’ll also get damaged. Enter these Inkzall markers. They’ll write on anything, even if it’s wet, dirty, or greasy. And if you’ve ever tried to write on a rough surface like concrete, you know that it will chew up a standard marker tip. These markers are made to handle rough surfaces, though, and will write just fine. Double-sided measuring tapesIt’s such a small innovation, but having a tape measure with markings on both sides removes one minor frustration with standard tape measures: When the tape gets twisted around, or you need to hook it onto something but read from underneath. This tape measure from Lufkin is not only double-sided, it has hooks on both sides as well, so you can just slap it into place and get a measurement. Plus, the matte black finish means zero glare from work lights, and makes it a little easier to read in dim spots. Crescent Lufkin 1-3/16" x 25' Black Widow Black Dual Sided Tape Measure - L1025B $26.98 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $26.98 at Amazon An adjustable clampClamps are the DIYer’s best friend—they’re the second set of hands you need to get things done on your own. Standard bar clamps have one limitation: their length. If you need to clamp something larger than the span of the clamp, you’ve got a problem—unless you have this clever clamp. Using 2x4 lumber, you can create a clamp of just about any length on the fly. The heads can be positioned anywhere along the 2x4, secured in place, and moved as needed. Stable work lightsWorking in dark, constricted spaces can be stressful and frustrating. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve set up a work light in my crawl space or in a tight spot under a floor, only to knock it over when I’m awkwardly moving about. That’s why the Wobblelight is a godsend. It’s a powerful work light that you literally can’t knock over. It will just ... wobble, and right itself. This way, even if you do accidentally knock into it, you can just keep working without having to extricate yourself, retrieve your light, and re-insert yourself to get back to work. A digital levelWe all have a spirit level in our tool collection. Whether it’s a small, plastic number or a more robust version, they all work the same way: You place the level on top of something and then squint to see the tiny bubble and judge whether it’s exactly level or maybe just slightly off. And if you’re me, you always realize it’s “slightly off” after you’ve finished the job. That’s where a digital level comes in. With a large display screen (and a second display on top), you’ll get an extremely accurate measurement from various angles or from a distance. And an audible beep will tell you when you’re level, so you don’t even have to look at it while you work. A universal socketThe standard procedure in my house when working with sockets is a) choose the wrong size; b) become frustrated; c) repeat until you pick the right socket. But with this universal socket, it just fits automatically every time. While you might not want to throw your socket set away in favor of this, you’ll definitely be using it less, especially for those random moments when you need a socket to remove a stuck bolt or have bolts of varying sizes to deal with. Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $294.99 (List Price $649.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus 1080p Security Camera (White) — $99.99 (List Price $179.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $298.00 (List Price $429.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

OpenAI backer Sebastian Siemiatkowski says tech industry is committing too much money to huge computing infrastructureView the full article

Whether it’s Google signing Reddit to a deal to deepen its AI partnership, more traditional SEO results that have favored Reddit content, or Reddit’s share of ChatGPT references (down but still leading among social platforms), there are plenty of compelling reasons to prioritize Reddit in your organic strategy. That’s why it’s one of the first initiatives we tackle for new clients who aren’t yet building an organic Reddit presence. For clients already well underway with their core SEO strategies, we add it as a complementary layer. On its own, Reddit offers a strong pocket of qualified leads in discrete sub-verticals. Paired with the catnip-like appeal of its content to search engines and large language models (LLMs), it becomes a clear opportunity – even if the platform can be thorny and not the friendliest soil for brand marketers. Here’s how to get your head around the fundamentals of Reddit optimization, including: Objectives. Pros and cons. Finding target subreddits. Content types to test. General strategies to increase engagement. Align your objectives with Reddit’s strengths and weaknesses Is Reddit a direct-response engine? No, and it might never be. Don’t enter into a Reddit initiative thinking you’ll see a straight line from engagement to conversions. Do expect to: Increase brand visibility within relevant subreddits and communities. Drive qualified traffic through authentic engagement. Boost branded and unbranded mentions to build SEO and GEO visibility on other platforms. Position your brand as an industry thought leader. Dig deeper: A smarter Reddit strategy for organic and AI search visibility Understand Reddit’s advantages – and potential drawbacks Let’s start with Reddit’s drawbacks, since you need to be well-versed in them before posting. The most important thing to keep in mind, from a cautionary perspective, is that Reddit users are extremely leery of overt marketing or self-promotion. Content and engagement must be done in an authentic way that leads with the intent to provide value to the Reddit community. There are other factors to weigh. Any real investment in optimizing your Reddit presence will be resource-intensive. Reddit requires consistent monitoring and timely engagement. (In other words, responding to a thread months after it’s posted won’t do a lot for you.) There can be an extremely steep learning curve with Reddit. Each subreddit has a unique culture and set of rules and red tape. It’s easy to get frustrated if you’re not anticipating that in advance, so the recommendation here is to ask subreddit moderators for their rules before you try posting. Now for the good stuff. A presence on Reddit gives your brand direct access to target audience decision-makers and communities. Even if you don’t know their real names, getting their attention has huge potential dividends. Reddit’s active, dynamic communities provide you with the opportunity to shape conversations organically and establish authority. Put another way, you don’t want a competitor jumping in to build a narrative in a vacuum. In a world where external links on third-party sites matter in a very different way than blackhat link building, URLs that lead to blogs, guides, and other resources are assets to deploy (strategically and authentically) for SEO visibility. Dig deeper: Reddit: Your new online reputation challenge How do you find your communities? Identifying the best subreddits for your brand is a crucial step in optimizing your Reddit presence. When defining your ideal subreddit mix, balance high-traffic and niche communities where engagement is both deep and authentic, and the conversation reflects your brand’s target audiences. Start by searching Reddit for industry keywords and audience interests, then use tools like redditlist.com or Google (site:reddit.com [topic] subreddit). Check each community’s size, activity level, and rules for relevance and openness to brand participation. If you’re not seeing results from a subreddit, consider tweaks to your approach. And monitor the subreddit landscape – particularly if your brand is in an industry that changes rapidly, since subreddits will emerge as things shift. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Plan the types of content you’ll deploy on Reddit Storytelling, thought leadership, and education play very well on Reddit. Self-promotion absolutely does not. With that in mind, here are the types of content I work with my clients to develop. 1. Extremely soft brand promotion Add helpful, non-salesy comments or posts. Naturally mention products/services with links to blogs or resources. Look for active threads where users are asking for advice, reviews, or solutions related to your industry. 2. Ask Me Anything (AMA) pitches For these, make sure you’re featuring executives and/or experts from your brand. Example title: “I’m a [role] at [brand]. Ask Me Anything about [topic].” Pitch these in subreddits that allow AMA events, often promoted in weekly mod posts or pinned calendars. 3. Product or educational roundups Join threads like “What’s the best [product/service]?” Share resources, case studies, guides, or UGC visuals. Monitor recurring recommendation threads or search past posts using keywords like “best,” “recommend,” or “any advice on.” 4. Educational guides Post Reddit-native summaries with clear takeaways. Link to blogs, case studies, or deeper guides for more info. Find subreddits where users are confused or debating a topic and offer simplified, value-first explanations. 5. Customer stories and UGC features Share real customer success stories or photos. Prioritize authentic storytelling over sales pushes. Source from positive reviews, testimonials, or user-submitted content, then adapt them into relatable Reddit posts. Before posting anything on this list, ask yourself if you’d be a tad annoyed to see this content on a different topic, one that’s relevant to you on a personal level. If you even have to hesitate, do not post that content. Dig deeper: 4 ways to use Semrush to discover Reddit opportunities Use best practices to boost engagement These are the nuts and bolts of the Reddit strategies I’ve seen work most effectively: Branded account: Create u/[BrandOfficial] with a clear, professional bio. Community manager: Assign a person to monitor and engage your subreddits. Monitoring: Track keywords and mentions (e.g., “[brand name],” “[industry terms]”). Amplification: Thank and upvote organic mentions. Highlight positive engagement. Cadence: At least weekly engagement, trend monitoring, and AMA sessions. Reddit optimization is an ongoing practice Optimizing for Reddit isn’t optimizing for algorithms. It’s optimizing according to real-time behavior from actual people. As a result, you need to remain extremely open to learning as you progress. Make sure to build reporting that shows you what’s working and what’s not. Don’t get stubborn about things you assume will work if Reddit users (an opinionated bunch) are telling you otherwise. Easy and linear? No. But Reddit optimization has been gaining in importance for years, and that trend figures to continue. Dig deeper: Reddit for SMBs: A hidden SEO and engagement goldmine View the full article

You’re staring at the escalation queue again. Same ticket, third reformat this week. Priority disappeared when it crossed from Zendesk to Jira. Custom fields such as business unit, revenue impact, compliance flags are all missing. Now you’re manually rebuilding the context your L2 team needs to route this properly, while the SLA (Service Level Agreement) clock keeps running. Your upstream team followed procedure. They documented everything in their system. But their “Critical” priority doesn’t exist in your priority schema. Their custom fields don’t map to your field structure. The ticket crossed the system boundary, and the metadata that makes escalation decisions possible either vanished or got dumped into comments as unstructured text. The real question isn’t why tickets arrive inconsistent in structure. It’s whether your integration approach can preserve ticket integrity during escalation, or if you’re stuck reformatting forever. Why escalated tickets arrive inconsistent Ticket fragmentation happens because different platforms architect fields differently. Zendesk stores priority as a dropdown with four options. ServiceNow uses urgency and impact matrices that combine into priority. Jira treats priority as a separate field with customizable values per project. When you escalate between these systems, there’s no universal translation layer available, so priority in one system becomes freeform text in another. Your upstream team isn’t being careless. They filled out every field correctly in their system. But their “Critical” priority doesn’t map to your system’s priority scale. Their custom fields don’t exist in your field schema. The ticket crosses the system boundary, and those fields either disappear entirely or get dumped into a comments section as unstructured text. Field architecture incompatibility is the root cause, not process breakdown. Native integrations sync what both systems recognize as standard fields: ticket ID, title, description, basic status. Everything else, like your carefully designed custom fields that route escalations correctly, get lost or transformed into something your system can’t process automatically. You end up with tickets that technically transferred but lack the structure your team needs to act on them. So you manually reconstruct the missing information, reformatting tickets to match your system’s requirements. This feels like a people problem because people are doing the reformatting work, but it’s actually a systems integration problem that you’re solving manually because the tooling can’t handle it. What breaks during ticket escalation Field integrity and relationship context fragment when tickets cross system boundaries. Different data architectures, missing translation layers, and incomplete sync capabilities create the gaps you’re manually filling. Field mapping failures across platforms Priority and urgency are the most obvious casualties, but the fragmentation runs deeper. Status fields don’t align. What Zendesk calls “Open” might map to “New” in Jira, or get interpreted as “Assigned” in ServiceNow depending on how someone configured the integration. Assignment rules break because user accounts don’t sync with the same identifiers. Tags become categories become labels, and none of them map cleanly to equivalent structures in the receiving system. Timestamps get worse. Some systems track “created date” and “updated date.” Others add “first response time” and “resolution due date.” During escalation, the receiving system might reset these timestamps to reflect when the ticket entered their system, not when the issue actually originated. Your SLA clock starts over, making it look like you have more time than you do. Or worse, making it look like you already missed the deadline because the escalation delay counted against response time. Custom field data that disappears Custom fields carry the context that makes escalation decisions possible. You built fields for affected product versions, customer tier, regulatory requirements, revenue at risk, internal escalation path. These aren’t nice-to-haves. They’re the criteria your L2 and L3 teams use to route and prioritize work. But these fields don’t exist in the receiving system’s schema. When the ticket escalates, the integration has nowhere to put that information. Some connectors dump everything into the description field or add a comment with field values as plain text. Now your team is reading through paragraphs hunting for key details that should be filterable, sortable fields. Relationships between tickets fragment during escalation too. You link related tickets in your support system: duplicate reports of the same issue, tickets tracking sub-tasks, escalation chains showing the history. Those relationships exist as references within one system’s database. When you escalate, the receiving system doesn’t understand those relationships. It sees one isolated ticket, disconnected from the context that explains why three other teams are already working on related issues. You can’t search for “all tickets related to this API outage” anymore. You can’t see that this P2 escalation is actually connected to five other tickets your team already resolved, suggesting the customer’s problem is something else entirely. The relational structure that makes ticket data useful gets flattened into isolated records. Why native connectors miss the mark Built-in integrations handle the fields both systems recognize as standard. That’s typically title, description, status, and maybe assignee. These connectors work fine if your escalation workflow only needs those basics. But support ticket escalation relies on metadata that distinguishes urgent issues from routine ones, and that metadata lives in custom fields that native connectors can’t translate. Native ServiceNow-to-Jira connectors sync incident records to issues. They create the ticket in Jira when something escalates from ServiceNow. But your “Business Impact” field in ServiceNow has no equivalent in Jira’s default schema. The connector skips it because it doesn’t know what to do with it. Your engineering team gets a ticket that says “system down” but has no context about which system or who’s affected. One-way sync breaks update loops. Most native integrations push data in one direction: escalation creates the ticket, and that’s it. If your L2 team updates the ticket in Jira (changes priority, adds investigation notes, links to related code changes), that information doesn’t flow back to ServiceNow. Your support team looking at the original ticket has no visibility into what’s happening downstream. They ping Slack asking for updates instead of just checking the ticket because the ticket doesn’t reflect current status. Bidirectional updates require mapping rules that native connectors don’t provide. If you want status changes in Jira to update status in ServiceNow, someone needs to define how “In Progress” translates back to “Investigating.” Native integrations rarely give you that control. They use fixed mappings that work for simple cases and break as soon as your workflow requires nuance. Custom field architecture is where native connectors hit their limit. You spent months designing fields that capture the information your escalation process needs. Severity vs. priority. Customer tier. Product area. Compliance flags. Native connectors can’t replicate that architecture across systems. They lack the interface to say “map this custom field in System A to that custom field in System B, and translate values according to these rules.” So you end up with basic ticket transfer (IDs, titles, descriptions) and manual reformatting for everything that actually matters to your workflow. What effective ticket standardization requires Maintaining ticket integrity during escalation means preserving both field-level structure and contextual relationships across system boundaries. This requires integration capabilities that go beyond simple data transfer. Bidirectional sync with field-level control Maintaining ticket integrity during escalation means updates flow both directions, preserving changes made in either system. When your engineering team changes priority in Jira from Medium to Critical, that update should reflect in ServiceNow immediately. When your support team adds customer impact details in ServiceNow, those details should appear in Jira without copy-paste. Bidirectional sync alone isn’t enough if it only covers standard fields. You need field-level control: the ability to define exactly which fields sync and how their values translate between systems. “Critical” in ServiceNow maps to “Highest” in Jira. “In Progress” in Jira maps to “Work In Progress” in ServiceNow. These aren’t default mappings. They’re specific to how your teams use these systems, and they need to be configurable at the field level. Field-level mapping also controls what doesn’t sync. Some fields are system-specific and shouldn’t transfer. Internal support notes that are relevant in Zendesk might not belong in Jira where external contractors see tickets. Some status changes trigger workflows in one system that you don’t want triggered in another. Effective standardization provides you with granular control over which fields sync, in which direction, and under what conditions. Custom field and relationship preservation Your custom fields need to survive escalation. That means the integration must handle fields that don’t exist in the target system by creating them or mapping them to equivalent fields you specify. If you track “Customer Health Score” in Zendesk, the integration should map that to a corresponding field in Jira, not drop it into comments where it’s no longer structured data. Relationship preservation keeps context intact during escalation. When you escalate a ticket that’s linked to five related issues, the integration should maintain those relationships in the receiving system. That might mean syncing all related tickets together. It might mean creating links in the target system that reference the source tickets. The specific mechanism matters less than the outcome: your team in the receiving system can see the full context, not just an isolated ticket. Terminology translation maintains semantic meaning across systems. “Urgency” in ServiceNow and “Priority” in Jira might represent similar concepts but use different scales. Effective standardization translates between these terminologies based on rules you define, so “Urgency: High and Impact: Medium” in ServiceNow correctly becomes “Priority: Major” in Jira. This isn’t simple field copying. It’s a logical translation that preserves what the field values mean. Timestamp preservation is part of this. When a ticket escalates, the receiving system should reflect the original creation date, not treat the escalated ticket as new. SLA clocks should continue running based on original timelines, not reset. This requires the integration to explicitly map timestamp fields and maintain their values during transfer. Evaluating your current escalation process Start with a test escalation. Pick a ticket that uses your custom fields: customer tier, business impact, product version, whatever fields your team actually relies on. Escalate it through your current process and check what arrives in the receiving system. Do your custom fields appear as structured, filterable fields? Or did they get dumped into comments as text? Can you sort by customer tier in the receiving system, or is that information buried in the description? If custom fields disappeared or became unstructured text, your current approach isn’t standardizing. It’s just transferring basic data. Check whether updates flow back. After the ticket arrives in the receiving system, make a change there: update priority, change status, add investigation notes. Now look at the original ticket in the source system. Did those changes appear? How long did it take? If updates don’t sync back, or if they take hours to appear, your teams are working with stale information and coordinating through Slack instead of through the tickets themselves. Test relationship integrity. If the ticket you escalated was linked to related issues in the source system, do those relationships exist in the receiving system? Can your L2 team see what other tickets are connected to this one? If not, they’re missing context that affects how they should handle the escalation. Questions to ask integration vendors: Can you map custom fields that don’t exist in both systems by default, and does sync work bidirectionally with configurable rules per field? Red flags that indicate your process is fragile: If you’re reformatting tickets manually more than twice per escalation, that’s structural fragmentation. If your team asks “what’s the status of this?” instead of checking the ticket, that’s a failed bidirectional sync. If your L2 team regularly says “we need more context,” that’s custom field loss during transfer. Moving from data transfer to true standardization The difference between moving ticket data and maintaining ticket structure determines whether your escalation process helps teams coordinate or just creates more administrative work. Data transfer gets information from Point A to Point B. Standardization preserves the field-level structure that makes that information actionable in both systems. Remember that sinking feeling watching critical tickets languish because the context didn’t transfer? That stress of explaining another missed escalation to your manager? It doesn’t have to be your reality. Effective standardization requires integration capabilities that go beyond what native connectors provide: bidirectional sync with field-level mapping control, custom field preservation across different schemas, relationship integrity for linked tickets, and terminology translation that maintains semantic meaning. These capabilities aren’t optional features. They’re the difference between tickets that your escalation team can actually use versus tickets that require manual reformatting before anyone can act on them. See how Unito handles escalations with field-level control during escalation, eliminating manual reformatting without requiring custom development. With granular mapping for custom fields and bidirectional sync that preserves ticket relationships, IT teams can escalate with confidence that the context arrives intact. View the full article

Real-world cases reveal how failures in LLM systems spread harm and misattribute sources. Here are concrete actions SEOs can take now. The post LLMs Are Changing Search & Breaking It: What SEOs Must Understand About AI’s Blind Spots appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Ministers’ plan to attract more cash into London-listed stocks could fall short, it saysView the full article

As of this writing, shares in Quantum Computing Inc. (Nasdaq: QUBT) are spiking in premarket trading, with the stock price up over 15%. That’s a relatively large swing, even for a quantum computing firm, where stocks have been especially volatile this year. Here’s what to know: Why is QUBT rising today? While quantum computing stocks have been volatile this year due in part to the speculative nature of the space, the main reason for Quantum Computing’s share price surge this morning seems more to do with the company’s finances than just standard run-of-the-mill quantum speculation. On Friday, Quantum Computing Inc. released its third-quarter 2025 financials—and the company announced an unexpected earnings and revenue beat. As noted by Investor’s Business Daily, Quantum Computing reported earnings per share of 1 cent. Investors had been expecting the company to post a 6-cent-per-share loss. The company also reported revenue for the quarter of $384,000. Analysts had been expecting revenue of just $100,000. In a press release announcing its revenue beat, Quantum Computing said that the revenue increase “is primarily due to increases in the number of, size of and level of effort performed on research and development services and custom hardware contracts.” Stock’s reaction underscores quantum computing volatility A quarterly revenue of just $384,000 might not excite investors in many other companies, but the revenue jump at Quantum Computing Inc. seems to have sparked a rally. A little good news sent QUBT shares surging 15% this morning in premarket—good for QUBT shareholders. Yet those same moves also highlight the volatility of QUBT shares—and quantum computing stocks in general. While QUBT is getting a boost today, as of Friday’s close, the stock’s price was down nearly 36% year to date. And yet, that included a nearly 19% gain over the last six months and also a nearly 51% drop over the past month. Those highs and lows underscore quantum computing’s volatility as Wall Street digests day-to-day news about the industry and navigates varying opinions on whether the technology will usher in the computing revolution that many exerts believe it will. But today, at least in premarket, it seems like QUBT is experiencing what most investors would consider “good” volatility, with its 15% gains. But where the stock goes from here is anyone’s guess. Over the last year, the stock has risen more than 140%. View the full article