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“Competency checking” is a practice that imposes extra scrutiny on Black professionals and people of color, challenging their qualifications, intellect, and ability to advance. There are three primary ways competency checking is deployed in the modern workplace. The first is the assumption of Black intellectual inferiority and/or a lack of qualifications. This can manifest in low expectations, marginalization, and extreme micromanagement. (More simply: If someone assumes, consciously or unconsciously, that all Black people are intellectually inferior, they may question the person and their qualifications more closely during an interview and, once hired, pay much more attention to their work while looking for any mistakes.) The second method of competency checking is the expression, particularly of surprise or unease, with open displays of Black intelligence, which can trigger requests or demands to confirm how it was acquired and whether it’s the result of rote memorization or actual, integrated knowledge. This can manifest as dismissal, quizzing, argument, and tokenization. (If a Black person knows something that their white coworker doesn’t already know, the coworker’s reaction isn’t “I didn’t know that!” but more often “How do you know that?”) The third method of competency checking is activation, specifically the feeling of fear when confronted with a Black person who holds any authority, especially someone in a leadership position. This can manifest as requests for identification, undefined feelings of unfairness, anger, unease, and what I would describe as an “autoimmune level” rejection of Black leadership. While competency checking can happen to other people of color and, to some extent, white women, there are specific historical and cultural reasons why Black people seem to bear the brunt of it. This book is an exploration of these methods; when, how, and why they were created and implemented; and how they continue to have an outsize impact on Black people and other people of color at work. The idea that it is not incompetence that is holding back Black professionals is for many a foreign concept. That’s understandable, given that the narrative surrounding Black people—and the reason the workplace looks the way it does today—is that they don’t value education or that there’s no one in the hiring pipeline because there are so few qualified Black people, or that Black people want special treatment. What’s interesting is that both anecdotal and empirical evidence suggests that Black workers are getting a type of “special” treatment, just not the type that many people think. In 2019, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) released research that revealed the impact of race and racism in the workplace. That year was a hot labor market, and the U.S. saw the longest economic expansion in its history, with more than 100 consecutive months of job growth and more than 21 million jobs added. But the EPI’s analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics and Local Area Unemployment Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau data uncovered some surprising things: Per their report, “Black workers are twice as likely to be unemployed as white workers overall, even Black workers with a college degree are more likely to be unemployed than similarly educated white workers.” That unemployment “gap,” apparently, is “a pattern that has persisted for more than 40 years. In fact, this 2-to-1 ratio holds in practically every state in the nation where Black workers make up a significant share of the workforce.” I believe that gap is linked, especially when it comes to new hires and leadership, to competency checking. And it starts with a name. In 2024, The New York Times reported on research from the National Bureau of Economic Research about the impact of a “Black- or white-sounding” name on job applications. In a 2019 study, researchers sent 80,000 fake résumés for 10,000 job openings at 100 companies. The résumés were modified to imply different racial and gender identities, using names like “Latisha” or “Amy” to indicate a Black or white woman, respectively, and “Lamar” or “Adam” for a Black or white man. According to the resulting data, “on average, candidates believed to be white received contact from employers about 9.5% more frequently compared to those thought to be Black. This type of research is known as an audit study, and it was the largest of its kind in the United States. Ultimately, it found that “the results demonstrate how entrenched employment discrimination is in parts of the U.S. labor market—and the extent to which Black workers start behind in certain industries.” It’s not all doom and gloom: Some companies showed little to no bias when it came to screening applicants for entry-level positions. And while there is much to learn from the companies that “got it right,” we must remember that this study pertains solely to entry-level positions that do not require a college degree or extensive work experience. It also does not cover aspects of career progression or advancement opportunities within these companies, which are equally critical to understanding the full scope of how competency checking shows up in the workplace. From the book Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work by Shari Dunn. Copyright © 2025 by Shari Dunn. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers. View the full article

So many factors contribute to the success of your videos on YouTube: your video title, thumbnail, YouTube SEO, and (perhaps most importantly) the quality of your content. It’s a lot to consider, and it’s often not easy to pinpoint what will resonate with your YouTube subscribers the most. But thanks to our analysis of more than 1 million videos shared on YouTube, we can offer a little more concrete guidance on at least one of those factors: the best time to post on YouTube. As we’ll get into later on, this is not a magic bullet for content success — the factors I mentioned above have an outsized impact. But compared to all the work that goes into the rest of these processes, posting your YouTube videos and YouTube shorts when you’re most likely to get views is an easy box to tick. And it could give your content the boost it deserves. In our analysis, we compared the median views of more than a million videos shared at different times. This helped us pinpoint patterns in the posting times with the highest video views, which we recommend as the best time to post on YouTube. Of course, these are general recommendations — in this article, I'll also walk you through how to figure out the best time to post on YouTube for your audience, whether you’re a marketer, casual content creator, or full-time YouTuber. Jump to a section: The best time to post on YouTube The best time to post on YouTube daily at a glance The best and worst days to post on YouTube The best time to post YouTube Shorts Finding the best time for you to post YouTube videos and Shorts The best time to post on YouTubeThe best time to post on YouTube overall is Wednesday at 4 p.m. — we found that videos shared at that time tended to get the highest number of views. Other posting times that got high views are Thursday at 4 p.m. and Monday at 4 p.m. 🌞 Generally speaking, videos shared between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays tended to get the most views. In the heatmap graph above, the darkest slots represent the time slots with the highest video views (the best time to post on YouTube) while the lighter blocks are the time slots with the lowest video views (the upload times probably best avoided). You’ll see that audience behavior is pretty predictable, given that most YouTube users are working age — more than 40% of YouTube users are between the ages of 25 and 44, per Statista. These peak hours suggest that most YouTube users prefer to watch videos later in the day as their workday draws to a close, when they have time to watch longer videos. Views on videos posted earlier in the mornings tend to be lower, though views start to climb during midmornings, lunch breaks, and late afternoon and evening. The worst times to post on YouTube are generally between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., when most viewers are asleep. That said, there still are some good times to post videos on YouTube on the other days of the week that shouldn’t be overlooked. Here’s a closer look at the best time to post on YouTube for each day of the week. 🌍 Wait, what time zone? To make this data easier to understand, our data scientist Bufferoo has done some mathematical magic to make the recommended time zones universally applicable. In other words, no need to convert. Whether you're in EST (Eastern Standard Time), PST (Pacific Standard Time), or IST (Indian Standard Time), the times apply to you. At a glance: The best time to post on YouTubeOn most days of the week, anywhere between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. is a great time to post on YouTube. Here are the best times for every day of the week: Monday: 4 p.m.Tuesday: 3 p.m.Wednesday: 4 p.m.Thursday: 4 p.m.Friday: 3 p.m.Saturday: 5 p.m.Sunday: 3 p.m.The best time to post on YouTube on MondayThe best time to post on YouTube on Monday is 4 p.m., followed by 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., according to our data. YouTube content uploaded at 4 p.m. on Mondays saw the third-highest median views all week, making Monday afternoons an excellent time to post videos. The best time to post on YouTube on TuesdayThe best time to post on YouTube on Tuesday is 3 p.m., with other peak slots at 4 p.m., then 5 p.m. As is the case with Monday, late afternoon posting times tend to be when YouTube videos get the most views. The best time to post on YouTube on WednesdayThe best time to post on YouTube on Wednesday is at 4 p.m., followed by 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. YouTube videos posted at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays saw the highest median views of the entire week, our data found, making it the best time to post on YouTube overall. If you're looking for an excellent time to post on YouTube this is it — it's a must for your YouTube posting schedule. The best time to post on YouTube on ThursdayThe best time to post on YouTube on Thursday is 4 p.m., followed by (you guessed it) 3 p.m., and 5 p.m., respectively. Videos uploaded on Thursdays at 4 p.m. saw the second-highest median views of the week, making it a great slot for your YouTube posting schedule. The best time to post on YouTube on FridayThe best time to post on YouTube on Friday is between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The time slot with the highest views was 3 p.m., with other peak slots at 4 p.m., then 5 p.m. The best time to post on YouTube on SaturdayThe best time to post YouTube videos on Saturday is in the late afternoon, at 5 p.m., then 3 p.m., then 4 p.m. That said, Saturday is a slower day on the platform, so, if you can, it might be best to keep Saturday off your posting schedule. The best time to post on YouTube on SundayThe best time to post on YouTube on Sunday is in line with the rest of the week: 3 p.m. is the best slot, with other peak hours at 4 p.m., then 5 p.m. However, Sunday is the worst day of the week to post on YouTube — our analysis showed that videos shared on Sundays tended to get lower views than the rest of the week. The best and worst days to post on YouTubeThe best days of the week to post on YouTube are Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. According to our data, those three posting days are tied for median video views. For best results, publish YouTube videos between 3 and 5 p.m. on these days. Sunday is the worst day of the week to post YouTube videos, followed by Saturday. Videos posted on weekends tend to get lower views than the rest of the week, so it could be worthwhile experimenting with a weekday-only posting schedule. 🌏Just as there’s no one-size-fits-all best time to post, there’s no single best time to post across all social platforms, either. Here’s the best time to post on Instagram, the best time to post on TikTok, the best time to post on Facebook, and the best time to post on LinkedIn.The best time to post YouTube ShortsThe best time to post YouTube Shorts is Wednesday at 4 p.m., with 4 p.m. on Thursday and 4 p.m. on Monday coming a close second and third, respectively. Our dataset weighed the median views of all YouTube videos, including YouTube Shorts, so the graphs and data in this article apply to both long-form videos and YouTube Shorts. So, you can safely post YouTube Shorts during the time slots mentioned above, too. ⚡Give your YouTube Shorts the best possible chance of success by scheduling them to go live at peak viewing times with Buffer. Sign up (for free!) here ➡️Finding your best time to post on YouTubeAs we often share on this blog, every audience is different. Videos with the most views are generally uploaded in the timeslots above — but they may not be the right fit for your audience and their behavior. So, your best time to post on YouTube might be slightly different to what we've shared here. Your YouTube posting schedule, like all things in content marketing, has to be finetuned and figured out for your specific audience. But how do you do that? The good news is that YouTube Analytics makes this pretty easy. Their metrics are extensive and updated in real-time. Here, you’ll get a good sense of when to post videos for your target audience — if you know where to look. Here’s a step-by-step guide. 1. Go to YouTube StudioFirst up, head over to YouTube Studio. While there are several routes via your YouTube channel when logged in, it’s easiest to head straight to studio.youtube.com. If you’re just starting, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the tool (here’s how to use YouTube Studio for newbies). In a nutshell, YouTube Studio is your channel's control room, where you’ll go to upload your videos and shorts, keep on top of your subscribers and comments, manage monetization, and monitor your video performance. 2. Check out your YouTube analyticsOf all the native social media analytics tools, YouTube Studio is one of the best. Not only does it offer you a wealth of stats and numbers, but it also does an excellent job of helping you understand and take action from all those metrics. To access all this good stuff, click on the Analytics tab on the left-hand side of your screen. Here, you’ll find your YouTube analytics Overview, with insights into your overall viewership, watch time, subscriber growth, engagement metrics, and more. Visiting this space should be a regular task on your social media marketing checklist. 3. Navigate to ‘Audience’This is where things get interesting. In YouTube Studio’s Audience tab (at the top of the screen), you can dig into some fascinating info about your audience as a whole — not just your subscribers. You’ll find insights into things like which videos are growing your audience (definitely a set of metrics to pay attention to if your goal is to grow your YouTube channel), a host of audience demographics like location, age, and gender, as well as the type of content your audience usually watches on YouTube (YouTube Shorts, Lives, or longer videos). But when it comes to the best time to post on YouTube for you, the most helpful analytics segment is 'When your viewers are on YouTube.' To find this graph, scroll down a bit on the Audience tab. Here, you’ll find a unique heat map set in your local time, indicating the specific times your audience is on YouTube. As with Buffer’s graphs, their most active times will be in the darkest purple and the least active times in the lightest purple. These slots are a great indicator of the best time to post on YouTube for your target audience. You’ll see in the screenshot above that Buffer’s YouTube audience is most active around 5 p.m. on weekdays. It’s well worth checking on these numbers regularly. The data applies to the last 28 days, so peak times may shift periodically. Your checklist for high-performing YouTube videos and YouTube ShortsWhile it might offer your channel a little boost to upload YouTube videos at the best time to post, it’s not the be-all and end-all. There are many factors to consider to give your videos the best chance of success. For more guidance on this, check out our guide to getting more subscribers on YouTube. Here’s a quick cheat sheet to get you started: 1. Optimize your channel: Make sure you have unique, high-quality channel art (a profile picture, banner image, and video watermark), write a comprehensive channel description, and create a video spotlight or trailer for your channel. 2. Get to grips with the YouTube algorithm: The YouTube algorithm determines how your YouTube content is ranked in the platform’s various feeds. It weighs specific signals — like views, watch time, engagement, and more, to pinpoint how valuable your video content is and who to show it to. Here’s our guide to the YouTube algorithm and YouTube Short’s algorithm to walk you through it. 3. Tap into YouTube SEO: YouTube is owned by Google, and its search algorithm works similarly. Conduct keyword research with a search engine optimization (SEO) tool, and make sure you use those keywords in your channel description, video title, and video description. 4. Create thumbnails that stop the scroll: YouTube thumbnails can make or break the success of your YouTube video. Studies have shown that YouTube creators with thumbnails that feature faces and emotions, are colorful, and contain branding or text generally perform better. 5. Deliver value upfront: There's no point in uploading videos at the best time to post on YouTube if your audience is going to close the video within a few seconds. You've caught their attention, now make sure you hold it. Ditch long, winding intros and start delivering on your video’s promise from the get-go to capture viewers’ attention. 6. Use pattern interrupts: Talking-head videos get real boring, real fast. Keep your viewers engaged with subtle edits that keep things interesting — think text, transitions, b-roll footage, animations, stickers, and more. 7. Start a series: Give your audience a reason to keep coming back to your channel. Build successful videos out into a series, and, if it makes sense for your audience, deliver the next installment at regular intervals (use this 'best time to post on YouTube' guide to create your posting schedule if you're not sure when will work best). 8. Don’t sleep on YouTube Shorts: With more than 70 billion views daily, YouTube’s answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels can be a brilliant way to draw in new subscribers. Here are 15+ YouTube Shorts Ideas For Your Next Video to get you started. 9. Post consistently: Whether it’s a video or a short, keep your YouTube channel as active as possible with a consistent posting schedule. All social media platform algorithms reward their creators for consistency, YouTube included. A social media content calendar is a must-have to help you maintain your chosen cadence of quality content creation. 10. Engage with your audience: Replying to and liking viewer comments is table stakes. Go the extra mile and screenshot their comments to feature in videos, encourage discussion by asking questions in your scripts, and moderate your comments to keep your community safe and healthy. You could even ask them when they're most likely to watch videos, to help you pinpoint your best time to post on YouTube. 11. Keep going: YouTube success is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t expect virality with your first video—it will probably need some work! And don't expect leveraging the best time to post on YouTube to do all the work for you. Take the pressure off and know that your content and video quality are improving with each upload. Stick with it, pay attention to content performance, and subscribers will come. View the full article

Confrontation comes after Taipei launched crackdown on Beijing’s ‘shadow fleet’View the full article

At WordCamp Asia 2025 Q&A, Matt Mullenweg struggled to answer where WordPress will be in five years The post WordCamp Asia: No Plans For WordPress In 5 Years appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Last year was terrible for Tesla. Bad financials. Multiple recalls. Abysmal safety record. Lawsuits. The Cybertruck disaster and cratering sales. All of it tied to design problems and lack of innovation. Add to that the dip in brand loyalty thanks to CEO Elon Musk’s toxic political activity, of course. And now two of Tesla’s top designers have left the company, according to a report from Electrek. It’s no coincidence that one of Tesla’s biggest market supporters is now warning that the company may implode in 2025. The stars are aligning for a reckoning. The departed are David Imai and Bernard Lee, two veteran designers instrumental in shaping Tesla’s vehicles, including the Model 3. Imai announced his exit to a boat design studio two weeks ago. This ends a nearly 14-year career at the car company, the last five years as director of design. Perhaps even more troubling is Lee’s departure, because of his history at Tesla, including being a founding member of its design studio. The ex-Mazda designer came to Tesla in 2008, participating in every vehicle as lead or supporting designer since the Tesla Roadster (but apparently not the Cybertruck). While two top designers leaving a company might not be a nail in the coffin, it’s impossible to separate the news from its context: namely that Tesla has been getting deeper and deeper into a design, sales, safety, and quality assurance crisis. (Tesla did not respond to requests for comment on this story.) The cherry on a cake of pain In recent years, Tesla has faced increasing scrutiny because of poor quality, poor design choices, and the poor personal choices of its founder. Until very recently, the Texas-based automaker has been able to ride out those storms by being the only game in town. But as the legacy manufacturers upped their electric vehicle game and stepped into the market, Tesla’s many faults have became more obvious. Tesla’s sales growth has slowed in recent quarters, and the company is facing increasing competition from established automakers like Ford, GM, and Hyundai, all in the midst of rapidly expanding their EV offerings. Perhaps even more significant is the increasing dominance of China, especially BYD, in the EV market. Chinese auto manufacturers have been putting out futuristic designs that consumers seem to love. As a result they are dominating Asia and aggressively moving into Europe and the rest of the world. BYD is now the biggest electric carmaker on the planet, beating Tesla. Another concerning trend for Tesla is the radical erosion of brand loyalty among its customers, which was already suffering in 2023 and early 2024 because of the company’s quality problems. The loss of two experienced designers with a deep knowledge of the company and its situation could further hinder Tesla’s ability to act in a time of crisis. It could be an opportunity for Tesla to radically change its tired design strategy, but doing so now, when the company is in dire need of a cheap, competitive model, seems suicidal. Tesla canceled plans for a cheaper car as it poured more time, money, and energy into the Cybertruck. After the latter’s disaster, now Musk is promising a cheap Tesla again. The picture is bleak, and it’s hard to imagine how the company can get itself out of this perfect hurricane. It seems to me its only way forward is President Donald Trump’s Sharpie. View the full article

In a rural pocket of western Pennsylvania, along the leafy banks of Sewickley Creek, a small, jagged pipe juts just above the waterline, its cement casing carpeted in moss. The pipe releases treated wastewater into the creek—a popular spot for kayaking and fishing—from a landfill that handles some of the state’s most toxic industrial waste, including from oil and gas drilling. Two new signs on the opposite shore correct the impression of a forgotten relic. “Warning! Hazardous Waste Discharge Point,” they read. “Arsenic, lead, cyanide, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and more are permitted substances for discharge at this site.” Colleen O’Neil of the Mountain Watershed Association fixes a crooked sign posted near a landfill’s discharge pipe that flows into Sewickley Creek in Yukon, Pennsylvania. [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] The Max Environmental Technologies landfill has been out of compliance with requirements set under the Clean Water Act for most of the past three years and with the federal hazardous waste law, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, known as RCRA for short, since July 2023. Pollution has taken a toll on the creek: Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University tested Max Environmental’s outfall and found radioactivity in the sediment downstream of the discharge point was 1.4 times higher than upstream. The researchers connected this radioactivity to the landfill’s intake of oil and gas waste, which spiked earlier in Pennsylvania’s fracking boom. A close-up of a discharge pipe from the Yukon landfill: A sign warns that arsenic, lead, cyanide, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium are permitted substances for discharge here. [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] “I wouldn’t eat the fish. I wouldn’t swim in the water,” said John Stolz, a professor of environmental microbiology at Duquesne, who coauthored the study and has researched oil and gas waste in Pennsylvania for 15 years. Water quality data for Sewickley Creek from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency shows that much of it is classified as “impaired.” For decades, residents have raised the alarm about the 160-acre landfill’s impact on the town, blaming its operations for serious harms to their health, their children, their animals, their waterways, and their land. They say exposure to pollution from the landfill has led to more cancers, miscarriages, respiratory distress, and neurological diseases. Over three generations, since the landfill’s opening in 1964, they’ve endured odors, dust, noise, and spills. They’ve watched their neighbors fall ill, die, or move out, and they live in fear for their own health. The EPA ranks Yukon higher for key health problems like cancer and heart disease than state and national averages. Just as Sewickley Creek is a single branch of a larger watershed, the landfill’s outfall is one node in a vast network of waste disposal that stretches across Pennsylvania and the United States. In addition to taking industrial waste like plastic battery pieces, lead paint debris, and fly ash, Max Environmental’s Yukon site is one of more than 25 landfills in Pennsylvania that accept the solid waste that comes from oil and gas drilling. Yukon is a small town of a few hundred people, but the problems at Max Environmental are indicative of a national crisis. Oil and gas companies and the government agencies responsible for regulating them have never fully reckoned with it, in part because the industry successfully lobbied for federal regulations that exempt most of its waste from stricter rules that govern “hazardous” waste. As Pennsylvania’s natural gas production soared during the 21st-century fracking rush, so too has the industry’s solid waste and wastewater. The state first required companies to report volumes of solid oil and gas waste in 2010. In 2023, the most recent figures, there were 929,216 tons of solid waste generated, and 96% of that was sent to landfills or waste treatment facilities. The town of Yukon, Pennsylvania [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] Wastewater production, meanwhile, skyrocketed from around 168 million gallons per year before the boom in 2003 to more than 3.3 billion in 2023. This waste poses enormous regulatory challenges for state and federal authorities because it’s highly toxic and often radioactive. Options for disposing of it have ranged from injecting it underground, a practice linked to earthquakes in other states, to repackaging the often extremely salty water as a dust suppressant for public roads, where it can contaminate soil and water—and of course, sending it to landfills. Each of them is deeply flawed as a long-term solution. Activists and scientists say the government has failed to contend with the massive amount of this waste being created every day. Even basic details like where fracking waste ends up are often difficult to confirm. In 2023, a study of landfills by Duquesne University and University of Pittsburgh researchers concluded that state records tracking oil and gas waste in Pennsylvania were “conflicting and inadequate.” They found significant discrepancies between the amount that companies reported delivering to landfills and what the landfills said they accepted. These discrepancies make it much harder to assess the environmental impacts. “Part of the problem is that nobody can really get a handle on how much waste is actually there,” said Stolz, a coauthor of the study. [Image: Paul Horn/Inside Climate News] Meanwhile, the problem keeps growing: Natural gas production in Pennsylvania alone topped 7.5 million cubic feet in 2023, the most recent figure, a 47-fold increase over two decades. That production reached record highs during the Biden years, and the Trump administration’s energy policies may push that ceiling higher. In January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” aimed at increasing oil and gas development in the U.S. There’s also evidence that new wells drilled in Pennsylvania tend to become less productive faster than older wells, said Ted Auch, the Midwest director at the Pennsylvania-based FracTracker, an organization that studies the impacts of oil and gas development. “The life span of a given well is shorter for newer wells than it was at the outset of the fracking boom,” Auch said. “What that means is that the industry is using more and more water, generating more and more waste, using more and more stuff to wring that unit of gas out of the shale rock.” “Significant Noncompliance” In 2017, Connecticut-based private equity firm Altus Capital Partners purchased Max Environmental and its two landfill facilities in Yukon and Bulger, Pennsylvania. Max Environmental’s new chief operating officer, Bill Follett, said the change in management and access to more funding would position the company for “future success while ensuring environmental compliance.” Instead, violations continued. Max Environmental is now under two consent orders from the EPA to improve its operations. The agency temporarily required the landfill to stop disposing of hazardous waste on-site, a process that has since restarted. “We identified significant noncompliance at Max,” said Jeanna Henry, chief of the air, RCRA and toxics branch in the enforcement and compliance assurance division of the EPA’s Mid-Atlantic region, in a November interview. One key issue is Max Environmental’s treatment process for hazardous waste. “With the sampling that they’re doing, some of the batches are passing and some of those are failing,” she said. “I’m not sure I could say at this point if we’ve seen improvement, but they are doing the work that they’re required to perform under the order.” In a statement to Inside Climate News in December, Carl Spadaro, the environmental general manager at Max Environmental, said initial testing of its treated waste showed compliance “about 90% of the time,” which is “consistent” with historical results. Max Environmental Documents Obtained through a Right to Know request to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), public documents provide more detail about the government’s inspections, monitoring, and correspondence with Max Environmental about the Yukon facility. (View them here.) “Any treated waste that does not pass initial testing has always and continues to be retreated until it meets required standards. This kind of practice is common in the hazardous waste management industry,” Spadaro said. In December, Spadaro said the company is “in compliance with our permits.” But in a January 16 email, the EPA responded to questions about Max Environmental’s permits with this sentence in boldface: “Max is not currently in compliance with either RCRA or NPDES permits related to the Yukon site.” NPDES is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, under which permits are issued to facilities that discharge pollutants into waterways. The Mountain Watershed Association posted signs next to Sewickley Creek warning about hazardous waste from the Max Environmental landfill. [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] There was no public indication of the wastewater pipe’s contents until March 2024, when a local environmental group, the Mountain Watershed Association, installed the warning signs. People who use the water downstream for recreation are often unaware of the outfall’s existence. The creek flows to meet the Youghiogheny River, known as the Yough, which empties into the Monongahela River, one of Pittsburgh’s three iconic waterways. The Mountain Watershed Association purchased land along the creek to allow access for testing and monitoring. The orange plastic marks a designated area of land. [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] “I tell people that Sewickley Creek is likely the most polluted waterway in the entire Yough watershed, and it’s because of many things, but more than anything, Max is there,” said Eric Harder, the Youghiogheny Riverkeeper at the Mountain Watershed Association (MWA), which has conducted independent testing at the outfall and advocated for residents’ interests with the state government. Testing in October suggested the company exceeded its permit limits for heavy metals like zinc and lead, and total suspended solids, an indicator of poor water quality. These echo similar findings by the EPA, which in 2023 said Max Environmental exceeded its permit limits for cadmium, zinc, nitrogen, and other pollutants. “It’s basically a time bomb that’s built over empty coal mines,” Harder said. “And in a rural setting where people have been impoverished and underserved for many years.” For Stacey Magda, managing community organizer at the MWA, the state of the outfall is emblematic. “It’s not maintained properly. It’s in really bad shape, and that’s really the norm for the whole facility,” she said, standing on the opposite bank, dry leaves crackling underfoot as she stared at the outfall. The pipe looks like it belongs to an earlier time, like the abandoned mining buildings in the woods nearby. She watched the pipe dripping, the leaves drifting in the current. Prolonged drought in Pennsylvania in 2024 exposed twisty roots and thick stripes of sediment on the eroding creek banks. When the creek is high, the pipe is not visible at all. Stacey Magda, managing community organizer at the Mountain Watershed Association, walks next to Max Environmental’s Yukon landfill. [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] The Max Environmental site’s long history as an industrial landfill, its location atop two former coal mines, and its close proximity to homes and farms make it a particularly demanding site to monitor and contain. “The regulators really didn’t either have the capacity, the resources, or the understanding to take those concerns and complaints seriously,” Magda said. “They are now, and it’s significant that they are now, but there’s a strong sense that it’s still too late.” Regulatory actions by the EPA and the Pennsylvania DEP in the past two years have slowed operations at the landfill, but it’s not hard to see why the people of Yukon aren’t optimistic about the future, given the site’s past. “There have been so many violations over the years,” said Debbie Franzetta, who has lived in Yukon since 1988. “And what they do is they pay the fines, and they continue to operate.” Radioactivity Is Forever In 2012, Max Environmental’s CEO at the time, Bill Spencer, gave an interview about the opportunity that fracking presented for the company. He said Max Environmental was “finding what the needs of the oil and gas industry are and fulfilling [them].” The company’s environmental general manager, Spadaro, who serves in the same position today, called Max Environmental “an ideal partner to drilling companies.” DEP records show the Yukon landfill accepted about 106,000 tons of oil and gas waste between 2015 and 2019. In 2015, this waste accounted for nearly 97% of the nonhazardous waste the landfill took in, though it’s been a far smaller percentage in recent years. From 2011 to 2021, the Yukon site accepted the second-largest amount of liquid oil and gas waste among landfills in Pennsylvania. Oil and gas waste can become radioactive during the extraction process. As workers drill deep into the earth, they encounter naturally occurring materials like radium, radon, uranium, potassium, and thorium. Fracking requires the use of massive quantities of water, and much of this water comes back to the surface contaminated by the elements underground as well as proprietary drilling chemicals added by the companies. Solid waste, like drill cuttings, sludges, and filters, can also become contaminated. Spadaro said Max Environmental “does not accept” radioactive waste and checks each arriving truckload for radiation “just like all other waste management facilities in Pennsylvania.” The entrance to the Max Environmental landfill in Yukon, Pennsylvania [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] But between 2021 and 2023, state records show that Max Environmental detected radioactive materials in waste 34 times at Yukon and accepted it anyway. That’s because the company makes an exception for naturally occurring radioactive material and technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials, known as NORM and TENORM, said Lauren Camarda, a DEP spokesperson and the communications manager for the agency’s southwest office. The oil and gas industry is one of the major sources of TENORM. The most common isotope detected at Max Environmental in those years was radium 226, the same one that scientists found increased levels of in the sediment downstream of Max Environmental’s outfall at Sewickley Creek. Every time Max Environmental detects radioactivity in incoming waste, the company must seek approval from DEP to dispose of it onsite, Camarda said. Camarda said in an email that the “type, characteristics, and amounts of waste approved for disposal have not significantly changed” at Max Environmental since fracking began in Pennsylvania. This is mainly because the facility has always accepted industrial waste materials “that are now considered hazardous by modern standards,” and the site’s testing levels and parameters already reflected that reality. The one change to Max Environmental’s residual waste permit related to fracking came in 2012, when DEP approved an amendment to allow the site to solidify oil and gas waste. Stolz said this type of processing was one of the revelations from his research on landfills that most shocked him. The processing allows companies to accept highly toxic fracking wastewater as long as they claim they “immobilize” it. “How are they immobilizing it? Well, they’re putting it into kitty litter, they’re putting it into sawdust, and then they’re putting it into the landfill, and then, of course, everything percolates down, and the waste accumulates and it winds up in the leachate,” he said, describing industry practices in general. Max Environmental’s Spadaro said the site hasn’t accepted fracking wastewater for several years, but when it did, the company used lime-based materials “that ensure adequate solidification.” Although the volume of oil and gas waste sent to Max Environmental has decreased since its peak, the company accepted hundreds of tons of this waste in 2023, the most recent figures. And the legacy of the boom years remains, literally, in the ground. “People have to understand that radioactivity is forever,” Stolz said. “And we know that the Marcellus in particular is incredibly radioactive.” The Marcellus formation is the oblong-shaped shale gas deposit that lies beneath Pennsylvania, a diagonal slash from the northeast corner of the state to the southwest. A view of Sewickley Creek in Yukon, Pennsylvania [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] Nathaniel Warner, an associate professor of environmental engineering at Penn State, has found increased radioactivity in the sediment of waterways even 18 miles downstream of facilities that had accepted fracking wastewater in the past. Trying to find out if this contamination has entered the food chain in Pennsylvania, Warner tested the tissue and shells of freshwater mussels living downstream of wastewater discharge points. What he found was alarming. “What we know is that even when you’ve removed the source [of pollution], that radioactivity sticks around in the environment,” he said. Warner’s studies found elevated levels of radioactivity in the mussels’ bodies and shells. Scientists worry that radioactivity could be magnified as it travels up the food chain from freshwater mussels to the muskrats who eat them to apex predators like the bald eagle. “If [animals are] consistently in contact with something that’s decaying radioactively, you can accumulate genetic damage,” said Daniel Bain, a scientist at the University of Pittsburgh who was involved with the 2023 study on oil and gas waste and landfills. Warner said it’s difficult to quantify the true public health costs of the radioactivity released into the environment by the oil and gas industry, in part because it’s such a complex question and in part because it’s understudied. But that does not mean there is no impact. Radium, radon, and uranium are all known to cause cancer. “For years we’ve spread oil and gas wastewater on roads. We used to put it into pits right next to the well, put it in the groundwater and discharge it to streams,” Warner said. “From that historical practice, there’s elevated radioactivity, there’s elevated salinity, there’s decreased diversity of critters.” What’s harder to know are the long-term effects on people. Pennsylvania has spent years cleaning up contamination from coal mining and historical oil development that the companies left behind. Bain said that fracking waste is the latest iteration of that troubling pattern. “That’s part of what we’re going to have to deal with as a region,” Bain said. “We have to be really vigilant about where that waste is going and what kind of impact it’s causing.” When the landfill started to accept more waste related to fracking in the 2010s, many residents noticed that the tangible impacts of the landfill on their everyday lives worsened. “That period of time was a really tough time for people with any kind of asthma,” MWA’s Harder said. Residents repeatedly called DEP to complain about noise, odors, mud, and truck traffic, according to agency records. In 2015, when Max Environmental accepted 92,039 tons of oil and gas waste, the people of Yukon called dozens of times to report smelling chemical odors that caused headaches and burned their noses and throats. They rated the smell a 9 out of 10, compared it to eggs and rotting flesh, said it made them gag and clogged their ears. When the wind blew, they watched dust settle in their yards and coat their dogs’ paws. To avoid the odor, they kept their windows shut on nice summer evenings and left their flower gardens untended. DEP notes about the calls show that they also registered their frustration: “been over a year and the problem still exists”; “something has to be done—nobody should have to put up with this”; “appeals for it to stop on a Sunday before he goes to church”; “seems like they call forever and no one ever does anything”; “how long are they going to get away with this?” In January 2015, a DEP staff member took down this call: “05:00 PM JUST GOT HOME AND HIS PROPERTY SMELLS LIKE A CHEMICAL PLANT – JUST GIVE A REASON TO KEEP CALLING – LET THERE BE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.” “Violations noted” appears over and over again at the bottom of the complaints. In 2017, two Yukon residents filed a class-action lawsuit against Max Environmental over air pollution, alleging that the company had caused property damage through its release of “noxious odors and air particulates.” The complaint said the company has “a well-documented history of failing to control the emissions generated by its operation,” pointing to 41 instances when DEP inspectors noted off-site odors between 2013 and 2015 and three odor citations issued by DEP in 2013 and 2014. The lawsuit settled in 2024 for a total of $425,000. As part of the settlement, the company admitted to no wrongdoing. “We have adjusted our operations to reduce the potential for odors and dust migration. There have been no off-site indications of water impacts,” Max Environmental’s Spadaro said. Only $275,000 of the settlement was earmarked for residents, a sum that many of those affected saw as inadequate. Just under 270 households filed claims in the suit, making the average payout per family about $1,000. “It’s nothing for how much we lost,” Joan Kodrin, a Yukon resident, said to a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reporter last year. Craig Zafaras, who has lived in Yukon for decades, said Max Environmental “didn’t bother me until they started taking the fracking waste,” adding, “I have no issue with fracking. I have issue with people that don’t do their job.” Craig Zafaras lives directly next to the Max Environmental landfill. [Photo: Scott Goldsmith/Inside Climate News] With this new waste stream came more dust and a strange ammonia-like odor at his home across the street from the landfill. “They tried to cover the smell with a chemical, which was worse than the actual smell itself,” he said. On some days it was so bad, he would drive out of town to escape it. During an EPA-led community session about the landfill in October, Zafaras talked about the chemical smell he had noticed on his property and the headaches and sore throats it seemed to cause. He outlined his many unsuccessful attempts to convince the DEP and EPA to conduct testing where he lives, and not only at the landfill. “I fear this is toxic to my health and others,” he said. “No one seems to care.” Read Part II of this story here: What inspectors discovered at the landfill, and how generations of Yukon residents fought for accountability. This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News. It is republished with permission. Sign up for its newsletter here. View the full article

Ford has used some version of its famous script logo for more than a century, but despite its widespread usage, people are scratching their heads over a detail they just noticed. In a viral TikTok, user Monica Turner asked viewers to pick the correct version of the automaker’s logo, one with a funny-looking flourish on the logo’s “F” and one without. Viewers were split on which version they thought was correct, and to some commenters’ surprise, it’s the one with the curlicue. Side by side and to the untrained eye, the real Ford logo looks fake next to its dupe. In the age of corporate blanding, the curlicue flourish reads as fake, but it’s been there as far back as the 1910s, according to a vintage advertising sign in the Henry Ford Museum. Some commenters—including a former Ford mechanic and another who worked at a Ford dealership—got it right, but the rest of us should know better too. Ford’s F-150 truck has been the long-running best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and over multiple rebrands, Ford has kept the script styling of its logo intact. From top: The 1907 version of Ford’s logo by C. Harold Wills, and a contemporary version [Images: Ford] The origin of Ford’s logo The logo, designed by Ford engineer and former letterpress printer C. Harold Wills, is inspired by its founder’s signature, but it’s not an exact replica. (Ford’s signature, notably, didn’t include the curlicue.) Like the script logo for Coca-Cola, founded several decades before Ford, the automaker’s logo was created in an era of ornate script branding that’s survived through multiple iterations and a trend toward sans-serif type all the way to the 21st century. When legendary designer Paul Rand created a handsome, modern, non-script logo concept for Ford in 1966, Henry Ford II decided against it because he thought it would have been too radical. [Photo: Ford] Imagine Ford’s logo, and you’re likely to recall the script font and blue oval, but perhaps other details are a bit hazy. That’s normal. Studies have shown that humans are terrible at remembering logos because our brains don’t bother storing unnecessary information unless we choose to memorize it; that way we can free up space to remember more important things. That leads to our inability to remember whether the bite mark and tilt of the leaf on the Apple logo is on the left or right (it’s the right) or whether or not the Fruit of the Loom logo has a cornucopia in it (it doesn’t). Since the minutia of Ford’s logo isn’t a pressing concern for most of us, our brain stores only the basics. See an oval badge with script type, and you know it’s Ford. Look a little closer, though, and the details may surprise you. View the full article

Wondering how to start a brewery? It’s an excellent idea with a lot to consider, especially if you’re aiming to carve out your own niche in the thriving craft beer industry. From navigating the complexities of federal and state laws to understanding the significant investment in equipment costs, there’s much to think about for anyone looking to start this type of small business. This post is designed to be your go-to guide, offering not just an overview of the key steps involved in launching a brewery but also exploring crucial aspects like market analysis, branding strategies, and financial planning. How to Open a Brewery Starting your own business is about more than just figuring out start-up costs. You might be looking to turn your home brewery into a business, so there are many options. Use the following steps as a guide and watch your craft brewery take shape. Look at the Current Market (and other Brewery Owners) Brewing beer is competitive. Get excellent stats here. But you’ll need to have an account. Look into neighborhood features and demographics. And what other breweries are doing, as well as problems facing the beer industry. Name and Brand Your Business Brand identity is essential for distinguishing yourself from competitors. A strong name creates a positive first impression for customers. It should be both meaningful and unique. Additionally, it’s important to trademark your name. When your brand is visually appealing and aligns well with your graphics and packaging, you can expect to see an increase in sales. Choose a Niche Choosing the right niche is a big part of success when selling craft beers. There are several options that appeal to specific craft beer drinkers. A Taproom brewery sells beer onsite. There’s no restaurant. A Nano Brewery is the smallest. A microbrewery produces 15,000 barrels a year. A Brewpub adds food in a restaurant/bar setting. Contract Brewing Business. These hire other SMBs to produce their beer. Regional Brewery. These are recognized worldwide. Write a Brewery Business Plan A good business plan is a financial road map. It’s also an overview detailing things like the startup capital needed. And it includes numbers like projected cash flow. Here are a few boxes to check. Executive Summary. Cover what’s to come in one page. Business Overview. Just the facts here–contact details, legal address, name. Description. Add the goals and objectives. Market Analysis. Fill in the stats and trends for your niche. Competition Analysis. Make sure to include both direct and indirect competitors. Marketing. What’s your strategy? Add in promotion ideas, pricing, etc. Operations. An overview of your day-to-day. Don’t forget staffing and licensing requirements. Financials. Pitching to investors and/or looking for a loan? Include the money details here, like expenses, costs, and forecasted revenue. Register and Form a Business Structure The right business format is critical. The one you choose dictates your SMB structure. Sole Proprietorship. This is top-of-list because it’s the simplest. But you’re responsible for all the liabilities and debts. General Partnership. There are two or more owners here. Partners divvy up both profits and losses. Limited Partnership. You’ll need to file paperwork in your state to form an LP. A limited partner is usually an investor. C Corporation. A business entity with shareholders and others with control over the brewery. Lots of tax deductions. S Corp. The profits and losses here can be filtered through the owner’s personal returns. Limited Liability Company. There are big bonuses here. Less paperwork and no owner personal liability for profits and losses. Create a Business Bank Account Opening a business bank account leads to a business credit card. Buy equipment and supplies. You’ll need an Employer Identification Number and other documents like a business license. Look into Small Business Loans There are costs involved with breweries. You’ll need funding. Here are a few options. Conventional options such as bank loans, SBA loans, and business lines of credit. Here’s a brief overview of the process for these. Crowdfunding or CrowdBrewed is a relatively new way to get funding. Supporters donate cash online. Investors. A solid business plan helps your pitch. Choose a Location Choosing the right location is about how much space you’ll need. Craft breweries should consider the following. Utilities. Look to see if your gas, electric, water, and sewer needs will be met. Your needs and wants. For example, your day-to-day operations might not need a loading dock. Sometimes, a forklift and drive-in door will do. This depends on how much beer you sell. You’ll need to have some restroom stalls for a tap room. Other considerations include local zoning regulations and leasing considerations. Have the Required Licences and Permits for Starting a Brewery You need to remember a brewery is connected to alcohol production and sales. That means there are state regulations to follow. Check with your local government or the feds for: A Retailer’s License. So you can sell stuff like shirts and such. Insurance. Get liability, casualty, and property. An Operating Agreement. Covers the rules for an LLC. A Federal Brewer’s Permit. To produce beer and serve food. A State Liquor License. So you can sell beer to your target consumer. A Brewer’s Bond. Ensures you pay state and federal taxes. Get Your Taxes in Order There are both government and state taxes you’ll need to pay. Here are the main ones a brewery will have to dole out. Federal Excise Tax. The first 60,000 barrels will cost $3.50 per. Here’s more about those rates. There are state taxes, too. Only five states don’t charge. Purchase Business Insurance Business insurance is another must. A brewery owner needs these standard types. Commercial Property. Covers physical damage. Business Income. Covers you if you need to shut down. General Liability. Protects against injuries and lawsuits. Important for new brewery owners. Finalize Plans for the Brewing Process Don’t forget why you opened a business. How you brew your beer makes all the difference. Most breweries start with a milling and mashing process. Down the list are boiling and fermentation. Purchase Brewing Equipment and Other Essential Items Equipment prices are important to consider. The right brewery equipment is as critical as the suds themselves. Getting the most from brewing equipment ultimately depends on your skill level. These items need to be on the list. Some are the same as for liquor stores. Refrigeration Equipment. Here’s a checklist covering compressors and pump motors. Canning Lines. These are cheaper than bottling lines. Look at cans per minute speed. Cleaning Equipment. You’re tackling things like protein and mineral scale. Look for a strong alkaline cleaner. Other items include kettles, boilers, and storage tanks. Some items are the same for companies that sell alcohol. Set Your Prices The average markup for beer is as much as 300 percent. The same price works for draft, bottles and canned beer. Find Beer Distributors A contract brewing company requires distributors. It’s important to examine their clearly defined policies. Determine your distribution strategy, considering whether you intend to distribute your products locally, regionally, or nationally. This choice will influence your logistics and supply chain management. Hire Employees Good employees make everything happen. Like a Head Brewer. They choose ingredients and create recipes. A General Manager looks after the other employees. They look after inventory, too. The Assistant Brewer is basically an apprentice. Market Your Business Here are a few proven ideas. Look for a Brand Ambassador. Make sure they’re willing to undergo product training. Be An Active Community Member. Your city should have events, festivals, and the like. Get involved. Be a vendor or sponsor. Optimize Your Profiles. Review sites attract customers. Here’s a list to get started. Expand Your Brewery Expanding your brewery can be challenging, and the fact that you are considering is a good sign, but it requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a proven framework to help you navigate the expansion process: Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify demand, trends, and potential competition in your target area. Understanding the market will help you determine the viability of expansion and make informed decisions. Financial Assessment: Evaluate your current financial situation and project the costs associated with the expansion. Consider expenses like equipment, raw materials, labor, marketing, and any necessary permits or licenses. Ensure you have sufficient funds or access to financing options. Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan outlining your expansion strategy, objectives, target market, marketing approach, and financial projections. This plan will serve as a roadmap to guide your expansion efforts and attract potential investors or lenders. Location Selection: If you plan to open a new brewery, choose a location strategically. Consider factors such as accessibility, proximity to your target market, competition, and local regulations. If expanding an existing brewery, assess the current location’s capacity and potential for growth. Production Capacity: Assess your current production capacity and determine how much you need to increase it to meet the demand. This might involve investing in larger equipment or optimizing existing processes. Quality Control: Maintain or improve the quality of your products during expansion. Implement strict quality control measures to ensure consistency and customer satisfaction. Staffing: Analyze your workforce needs and hire skilled personnel as required. Well-trained and motivated employees play a crucial role in the success of your brewery. Regulatory Compliance: Be aware of all local, state, and federal regulations related to alcohol production, distribution, and sales. Ensure that your expansion complies with all legal requirements and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Marketing and Branding: Develop a robust marketing and branding strategy to create brand awareness and attract new customers. Utilize both traditional and digital marketing channels to reach a broader audience. Distribution Strategy: Decide on your distribution approach, whether you plan to distribute your products locally, regionally, or nationally. This will impact your logistics and supply chain management. Sustainability: Consider implementing sustainable practices in your expanded brewery, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation. Consumers are increasingly interested in environmentally responsible businesses. Customer Feedback: Continuously collect feedback from customers to understand their preferences and adapt your products accordingly. Building strong customer relationships is essential for long-term success. Partnerships and Collaborations: Look for opportunities to collaborate with other businesses or breweries. Forming partnerships can help you access new markets and increase your overall reach. Risk Management: Identify potential risks and have contingency plans in place. Expansion involves inherent risks, and being prepared to handle unforeseen challenges is crucial. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor the progress of your expansion and evaluate its success against the objectives outlined in your business plan. Be prepared to adjust your strategies based on the results. Be the Successful Business Owner of Your Own Brewery Your new brewery is waiting. Take these ideas and get started today. Is Owning a Brewery Profitable? Any new business is concerned with the bottom line. A new venture in the brewing industry is no exception. Here are some numbers budding entrepreneurs can mull over. Small-scale breweries are a great model. The profit on a keg is 75 percent. There are some headwinds. The Brewers Association reported a 9% decline for craft brewers, which is related to the pandemic. Overall, the beer market in the USA has significant value, with the craft beer segment accounting for a notable portion of that total. If you’re interested in how to start a brewery, understanding these market dynamics can be quite beneficial. What’s the Most Profitable Type of Beer? The most profitable beer or flavor of beer can vary depending on several factors like market trends, consumer preferences, and geographical location. However, some general trends can be identified: Craft Beers: Craft beers often have higher profit margins than mass-produced beers. This is because consumers are usually willing to pay more for unique, high-quality, and locally produced beers. IPAs (India Pale Ales): Within the craft beer category, IPAs are particularly popular and profitable. Their strong flavor profile and variety, including New England IPAs and West Coast IPAs, appeal to a broad audience. Seasonal and Limited-Edition Beers: These create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, often fetching higher prices. Seasonal flavors like pumpkin ales in autumn or spiced beers during the holidays are examples. Light Beers: In the wider beer market, light beers continue to be very profitable because of their broad appeal and reduced production costs. They attract consumers who prefer options that are lower in calories and alcohol content. Specialty Beers: Beers with unique ingredients or brewing methods, such as barrel-aged beers, sour ales, or beers with exotic flavors, can be quite profitable. They often target niche markets willing to pay premium prices. Non-Alcoholic Beers: This emerging segment has gained popularity, particularly among health-conscious consumers, and can offer good profit margins due to the growing demand. It’s important to note that the profitability of a beer type also depends on the brewery’s brand positioning, marketing strategy, distribution channels, and the ability to tap into the target audience’s preferences. Trends can also shift rapidly, so staying informed about current consumer tastes and market trends is crucial. How Much Does it Cost to Start a Brewery? You need to spend money to start one of these small businesses. Many breweries will set you back $500,000 to $1 million. Both major and smaller expenses must be covered in your startup costs. These include staff salaries, ingredient prices, utilities, rental fees, and, of course, the cost of equipment, to name just a few. Don’t forget to put a market analysis focusing on the craft beer community in your business plan. Getting Your Own Brewery or Contract Brewing AspectOwning Your Own BreweryContract Brewing OwnershipYou own the entire operation - brewery, equipment, brand.You rent space and equipment, don't own the brand. InvestmentMajor investment required (brewery, equipment, ingredients).Lower-cost option, pay for ingredients and brewing time. RiskRisky venture, no guarantee of success, potential for high losses.Lower-risk, less investment, not responsible for day-to-day operations. ControlComplete control over brewing process, beer selection, marketing.Less control over brewing process, limited beer selection. BrandingCreate your own unique brand identity reflecting your vision.Limited ability to build your own brand, may use another brewery's brand. DistributionControl over distribution, choose where to sell and set prices.Less control over distribution, handled by other brewery. ProfitabilityPotentially more profitable due to full profit from beer sales.Typically less profitable due to brewery/equipment costs. Time commitmentVery time-consuming, involved in all aspects of the business.Less time-consuming, focus on brewing and marketing. FlexibilityGreater flexibility in brewing and marketing decisions.Less flexible, may have to brew beers as per other brewery's wishes. ScalabilityCan scale brewery up or down based on demand.Less scalable, limited by capacity of the other brewery. Keep in mind that the decision between owning your own brewery and contract brewing depends on various factors, including financial capacity, risk appetite, desired level of control, and long-term business goals. Ownership: When you have your own brewery, you own the entire operation. This includes the brewery itself, the equipment, and the brand. When you contract brew, you are essentially renting space and equipment from another brewery. You do not own the brand and may not have as much control over the brewing process. Investment: Launching your own brewery requires a significant financial investment. You will need to acquire the brewery itself, along with the necessary equipment and ingredients. Alternatively, contract brewing offers a more affordable option, as you only need to cover the costs of the ingredients and the brewing time. Risk: Starting your own brewery is a risky venture. There is no guarantee of success, and you could lose a lot of money. Contract brewing is a lower-risk option. You do not have to invest as much money, and you are not responsible for the brewery’s day-to-day operations. Control: When you have your own brewery, you have complete control over the brewing process. You can decide what beers to brew, how to brew them, and how to market them. When you contract brew, you have less control over the brewing process. You may have to brew beers that the other brewery wants to brew, and you may not be able to use your own recipes. Branding: When you have your own brewery, you can build your own brand. You can create a unique brand identity reflecting your brewery’s vision. When you contract brew, you may not be able to build your own brand. You may have to use the brand of the other brewery, or you may have to share the brand with other contract brewers. Distribution: With your own brewery, you gain control over your distribution. You can choose where to sell your beer and establish your own pricing. In contrast, when you contract brew, your control over distribution may be limited. The partnering brewery might manage distribution on your behalf, or you may need to seek out your own distributors. Profitability: The profitability of a brewery depends on a number of factors, including the size of the brewery, the type of beer brewed, and the marketing strategy. Contract brewing is typically less profitable than having your own brewery. This is because you are paying for the use of the brewery and the equipment, and you are not getting the full profit from the sale of your beer. Time commitment: Starting your own brewery is a very time-consuming venture. You will need to be involved in all aspects of the business, from brewing the beer to marketing it. Contract brewing is a less time-consuming option. You will not need to be involved in the brewery’s day-to-day operations, and you can focus on brewing the beer and marketing it. Flexibility: Having your own brewery gives you a lot of flexibility. You can brew whatever beers you want and market your beer however you want. Contract brewing is less flexible. You may have to brew beers that the other brewery wants to brew, and you may not be able to market your beer as you want. Scalability: A brewery can be scaled up or down depending on demand. If demand increases, you can brew more beer. If demand decreases, you can brew less beer. Contract brewing is less scalable. The capacity of the other brewery limits you. FAQs What are the legal requirements for starting a brewery? You need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits to produce and sell alcohol. Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations is crucial. How much capital do I need to start a brewery? The required capital varies based on the scale and location of your brewery. Consider expenses for equipment, ingredients, staff, and marketing. Do I need prior brewing experience to start a brewery? While prior experience is beneficial, it’s not mandatory. You can hire experienced brewers or take brewing courses to learn the craft. What equipment is essential for a brewery startup? Basic equipment includes fermenters, kettles, bottling lines, and storage tanks. The size and capacity of equipment depend on your production scale. How do I select a suitable location for the brewery? Look for areas with access to your target market and distribution channels. Consider factors like zoning laws, proximity to suppliers, and customer footfall. What marketing strategies can I use to promote my brewery? Social media, events, brewery tours, and collaborations with local businesses. Focus on building a strong brand identity and connecting with the community. Is sustainability important in brewery operations? Yes, sustainable practices can attract environmentally conscious consumers. Consider energy-efficient systems, waste management, and eco-friendly packaging. Image: Depositphotos, Envato Elements This article, "How to Start a Brewery" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Wondering how to start a brewery? It’s an excellent idea with a lot to consider, especially if you’re aiming to carve out your own niche in the thriving craft beer industry. From navigating the complexities of federal and state laws to understanding the significant investment in equipment costs, there’s much to think about for anyone looking to start this type of small business. This post is designed to be your go-to guide, offering not just an overview of the key steps involved in launching a brewery but also exploring crucial aspects like market analysis, branding strategies, and financial planning. How to Open a Brewery Starting your own business is about more than just figuring out start-up costs. You might be looking to turn your home brewery into a business, so there are many options. Use the following steps as a guide and watch your craft brewery take shape. Look at the Current Market (and other Brewery Owners) Brewing beer is competitive. Get excellent stats here. But you’ll need to have an account. Look into neighborhood features and demographics. And what other breweries are doing, as well as problems facing the beer industry. Name and Brand Your Business Brand identity is essential for distinguishing yourself from competitors. A strong name creates a positive first impression for customers. It should be both meaningful and unique. Additionally, it’s important to trademark your name. When your brand is visually appealing and aligns well with your graphics and packaging, you can expect to see an increase in sales. Choose a Niche Choosing the right niche is a big part of success when selling craft beers. There are several options that appeal to specific craft beer drinkers. A Taproom brewery sells beer onsite. There’s no restaurant. A Nano Brewery is the smallest. A microbrewery produces 15,000 barrels a year. A Brewpub adds food in a restaurant/bar setting. Contract Brewing Business. These hire other SMBs to produce their beer. Regional Brewery. These are recognized worldwide. Write a Brewery Business Plan A good business plan is a financial road map. It’s also an overview detailing things like the startup capital needed. And it includes numbers like projected cash flow. Here are a few boxes to check. Executive Summary. Cover what’s to come in one page. Business Overview. Just the facts here–contact details, legal address, name. Description. Add the goals and objectives. Market Analysis. Fill in the stats and trends for your niche. Competition Analysis. Make sure to include both direct and indirect competitors. Marketing. What’s your strategy? Add in promotion ideas, pricing, etc. Operations. An overview of your day-to-day. Don’t forget staffing and licensing requirements. Financials. Pitching to investors and/or looking for a loan? Include the money details here, like expenses, costs, and forecasted revenue. Register and Form a Business Structure The right business format is critical. The one you choose dictates your SMB structure. Sole Proprietorship. This is top-of-list because it’s the simplest. But you’re responsible for all the liabilities and debts. General Partnership. There are two or more owners here. Partners divvy up both profits and losses. Limited Partnership. You’ll need to file paperwork in your state to form an LP. A limited partner is usually an investor. C Corporation. A business entity with shareholders and others with control over the brewery. Lots of tax deductions. S Corp. The profits and losses here can be filtered through the owner’s personal returns. Limited Liability Company. There are big bonuses here. Less paperwork and no owner personal liability for profits and losses. Create a Business Bank Account Opening a business bank account leads to a business credit card. Buy equipment and supplies. You’ll need an Employer Identification Number and other documents like a business license. Look into Small Business Loans There are costs involved with breweries. You’ll need funding. Here are a few options. Conventional options such as bank loans, SBA loans, and business lines of credit. Here’s a brief overview of the process for these. Crowdfunding or CrowdBrewed is a relatively new way to get funding. Supporters donate cash online. Investors. A solid business plan helps your pitch. Choose a Location Choosing the right location is about how much space you’ll need. Craft breweries should consider the following. Utilities. Look to see if your gas, electric, water, and sewer needs will be met. Your needs and wants. For example, your day-to-day operations might not need a loading dock. Sometimes, a forklift and drive-in door will do. This depends on how much beer you sell. You’ll need to have some restroom stalls for a tap room. Other considerations include local zoning regulations and leasing considerations. Have the Required Licences and Permits for Starting a Brewery You need to remember a brewery is connected to alcohol production and sales. That means there are state regulations to follow. Check with your local government or the feds for: A Retailer’s License. So you can sell stuff like shirts and such. Insurance. Get liability, casualty, and property. An Operating Agreement. Covers the rules for an LLC. A Federal Brewer’s Permit. To produce beer and serve food. A State Liquor License. So you can sell beer to your target consumer. A Brewer’s Bond. Ensures you pay state and federal taxes. Get Your Taxes in Order There are both government and state taxes you’ll need to pay. Here are the main ones a brewery will have to dole out. Federal Excise Tax. The first 60,000 barrels will cost $3.50 per. Here’s more about those rates. There are state taxes, too. Only five states don’t charge. Purchase Business Insurance Business insurance is another must. A brewery owner needs these standard types. Commercial Property. Covers physical damage. Business Income. Covers you if you need to shut down. General Liability. Protects against injuries and lawsuits. Important for new brewery owners. Finalize Plans for the Brewing Process Don’t forget why you opened a business. How you brew your beer makes all the difference. Most breweries start with a milling and mashing process. Down the list are boiling and fermentation. Purchase Brewing Equipment and Other Essential Items Equipment prices are important to consider. The right brewery equipment is as critical as the suds themselves. Getting the most from brewing equipment ultimately depends on your skill level. These items need to be on the list. Some are the same as for liquor stores. Refrigeration Equipment. Here’s a checklist covering compressors and pump motors. Canning Lines. These are cheaper than bottling lines. Look at cans per minute speed. Cleaning Equipment. You’re tackling things like protein and mineral scale. Look for a strong alkaline cleaner. Other items include kettles, boilers, and storage tanks. Some items are the same for companies that sell alcohol. Set Your Prices The average markup for beer is as much as 300 percent. The same price works for draft, bottles and canned beer. Find Beer Distributors A contract brewing company requires distributors. It’s important to examine their clearly defined policies. Determine your distribution strategy, considering whether you intend to distribute your products locally, regionally, or nationally. This choice will influence your logistics and supply chain management. Hire Employees Good employees make everything happen. Like a Head Brewer. They choose ingredients and create recipes. A General Manager looks after the other employees. They look after inventory, too. The Assistant Brewer is basically an apprentice. Market Your Business Here are a few proven ideas. Look for a Brand Ambassador. Make sure they’re willing to undergo product training. Be An Active Community Member. Your city should have events, festivals, and the like. Get involved. Be a vendor or sponsor. Optimize Your Profiles. Review sites attract customers. Here’s a list to get started. Expand Your Brewery Expanding your brewery can be challenging, and the fact that you are considering is a good sign, but it requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a proven framework to help you navigate the expansion process: Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify demand, trends, and potential competition in your target area. Understanding the market will help you determine the viability of expansion and make informed decisions. Financial Assessment: Evaluate your current financial situation and project the costs associated with the expansion. Consider expenses like equipment, raw materials, labor, marketing, and any necessary permits or licenses. Ensure you have sufficient funds or access to financing options. Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan outlining your expansion strategy, objectives, target market, marketing approach, and financial projections. This plan will serve as a roadmap to guide your expansion efforts and attract potential investors or lenders. Location Selection: If you plan to open a new brewery, choose a location strategically. Consider factors such as accessibility, proximity to your target market, competition, and local regulations. If expanding an existing brewery, assess the current location’s capacity and potential for growth. Production Capacity: Assess your current production capacity and determine how much you need to increase it to meet the demand. This might involve investing in larger equipment or optimizing existing processes. Quality Control: Maintain or improve the quality of your products during expansion. Implement strict quality control measures to ensure consistency and customer satisfaction. Staffing: Analyze your workforce needs and hire skilled personnel as required. Well-trained and motivated employees play a crucial role in the success of your brewery. Regulatory Compliance: Be aware of all local, state, and federal regulations related to alcohol production, distribution, and sales. Ensure that your expansion complies with all legal requirements and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Marketing and Branding: Develop a robust marketing and branding strategy to create brand awareness and attract new customers. Utilize both traditional and digital marketing channels to reach a broader audience. Distribution Strategy: Decide on your distribution approach, whether you plan to distribute your products locally, regionally, or nationally. This will impact your logistics and supply chain management. Sustainability: Consider implementing sustainable practices in your expanded brewery, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water conservation. Consumers are increasingly interested in environmentally responsible businesses. Customer Feedback: Continuously collect feedback from customers to understand their preferences and adapt your products accordingly. Building strong customer relationships is essential for long-term success. Partnerships and Collaborations: Look for opportunities to collaborate with other businesses or breweries. Forming partnerships can help you access new markets and increase your overall reach. Risk Management: Identify potential risks and have contingency plans in place. Expansion involves inherent risks, and being prepared to handle unforeseen challenges is crucial. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly monitor the progress of your expansion and evaluate its success against the objectives outlined in your business plan. Be prepared to adjust your strategies based on the results. Be the Successful Business Owner of Your Own Brewery Your new brewery is waiting. Take these ideas and get started today. Is Owning a Brewery Profitable? Any new business is concerned with the bottom line. A new venture in the brewing industry is no exception. Here are some numbers budding entrepreneurs can mull over. Small-scale breweries are a great model. The profit on a keg is 75 percent. There are some headwinds. The Brewers Association reported a 9% decline for craft brewers, which is related to the pandemic. Overall, the beer market in the USA has significant value, with the craft beer segment accounting for a notable portion of that total. If you’re interested in how to start a brewery, understanding these market dynamics can be quite beneficial. What’s the Most Profitable Type of Beer? The most profitable beer or flavor of beer can vary depending on several factors like market trends, consumer preferences, and geographical location. However, some general trends can be identified: Craft Beers: Craft beers often have higher profit margins than mass-produced beers. This is because consumers are usually willing to pay more for unique, high-quality, and locally produced beers. IPAs (India Pale Ales): Within the craft beer category, IPAs are particularly popular and profitable. Their strong flavor profile and variety, including New England IPAs and West Coast IPAs, appeal to a broad audience. Seasonal and Limited-Edition Beers: These create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, often fetching higher prices. Seasonal flavors like pumpkin ales in autumn or spiced beers during the holidays are examples. Light Beers: In the wider beer market, light beers continue to be very profitable because of their broad appeal and reduced production costs. They attract consumers who prefer options that are lower in calories and alcohol content. Specialty Beers: Beers with unique ingredients or brewing methods, such as barrel-aged beers, sour ales, or beers with exotic flavors, can be quite profitable. They often target niche markets willing to pay premium prices. Non-Alcoholic Beers: This emerging segment has gained popularity, particularly among health-conscious consumers, and can offer good profit margins due to the growing demand. It’s important to note that the profitability of a beer type also depends on the brewery’s brand positioning, marketing strategy, distribution channels, and the ability to tap into the target audience’s preferences. Trends can also shift rapidly, so staying informed about current consumer tastes and market trends is crucial. How Much Does it Cost to Start a Brewery? You need to spend money to start one of these small businesses. Many breweries will set you back $500,000 to $1 million. Both major and smaller expenses must be covered in your startup costs. These include staff salaries, ingredient prices, utilities, rental fees, and, of course, the cost of equipment, to name just a few. Don’t forget to put a market analysis focusing on the craft beer community in your business plan. Getting Your Own Brewery or Contract Brewing AspectOwning Your Own BreweryContract Brewing OwnershipYou own the entire operation - brewery, equipment, brand.You rent space and equipment, don't own the brand. InvestmentMajor investment required (brewery, equipment, ingredients).Lower-cost option, pay for ingredients and brewing time. RiskRisky venture, no guarantee of success, potential for high losses.Lower-risk, less investment, not responsible for day-to-day operations. ControlComplete control over brewing process, beer selection, marketing.Less control over brewing process, limited beer selection. BrandingCreate your own unique brand identity reflecting your vision.Limited ability to build your own brand, may use another brewery's brand. DistributionControl over distribution, choose where to sell and set prices.Less control over distribution, handled by other brewery. ProfitabilityPotentially more profitable due to full profit from beer sales.Typically less profitable due to brewery/equipment costs. Time commitmentVery time-consuming, involved in all aspects of the business.Less time-consuming, focus on brewing and marketing. FlexibilityGreater flexibility in brewing and marketing decisions.Less flexible, may have to brew beers as per other brewery's wishes. ScalabilityCan scale brewery up or down based on demand.Less scalable, limited by capacity of the other brewery. Keep in mind that the decision between owning your own brewery and contract brewing depends on various factors, including financial capacity, risk appetite, desired level of control, and long-term business goals. Ownership: When you have your own brewery, you own the entire operation. This includes the brewery itself, the equipment, and the brand. When you contract brew, you are essentially renting space and equipment from another brewery. You do not own the brand and may not have as much control over the brewing process. Investment: Launching your own brewery requires a significant financial investment. You will need to acquire the brewery itself, along with the necessary equipment and ingredients. Alternatively, contract brewing offers a more affordable option, as you only need to cover the costs of the ingredients and the brewing time. Risk: Starting your own brewery is a risky venture. There is no guarantee of success, and you could lose a lot of money. Contract brewing is a lower-risk option. You do not have to invest as much money, and you are not responsible for the brewery’s day-to-day operations. Control: When you have your own brewery, you have complete control over the brewing process. You can decide what beers to brew, how to brew them, and how to market them. When you contract brew, you have less control over the brewing process. You may have to brew beers that the other brewery wants to brew, and you may not be able to use your own recipes. Branding: When you have your own brewery, you can build your own brand. You can create a unique brand identity reflecting your brewery’s vision. When you contract brew, you may not be able to build your own brand. You may have to use the brand of the other brewery, or you may have to share the brand with other contract brewers. Distribution: With your own brewery, you gain control over your distribution. You can choose where to sell your beer and establish your own pricing. In contrast, when you contract brew, your control over distribution may be limited. The partnering brewery might manage distribution on your behalf, or you may need to seek out your own distributors. Profitability: The profitability of a brewery depends on a number of factors, including the size of the brewery, the type of beer brewed, and the marketing strategy. Contract brewing is typically less profitable than having your own brewery. This is because you are paying for the use of the brewery and the equipment, and you are not getting the full profit from the sale of your beer. Time commitment: Starting your own brewery is a very time-consuming venture. You will need to be involved in all aspects of the business, from brewing the beer to marketing it. Contract brewing is a less time-consuming option. You will not need to be involved in the brewery’s day-to-day operations, and you can focus on brewing the beer and marketing it. Flexibility: Having your own brewery gives you a lot of flexibility. You can brew whatever beers you want and market your beer however you want. Contract brewing is less flexible. You may have to brew beers that the other brewery wants to brew, and you may not be able to market your beer as you want. Scalability: A brewery can be scaled up or down depending on demand. If demand increases, you can brew more beer. If demand decreases, you can brew less beer. Contract brewing is less scalable. The capacity of the other brewery limits you. FAQs What are the legal requirements for starting a brewery? You need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits to produce and sell alcohol. Compliance with local, state, and federal regulations is crucial. How much capital do I need to start a brewery? The required capital varies based on the scale and location of your brewery. Consider expenses for equipment, ingredients, staff, and marketing. Do I need prior brewing experience to start a brewery? While prior experience is beneficial, it’s not mandatory. You can hire experienced brewers or take brewing courses to learn the craft. What equipment is essential for a brewery startup? Basic equipment includes fermenters, kettles, bottling lines, and storage tanks. The size and capacity of equipment depend on your production scale. How do I select a suitable location for the brewery? Look for areas with access to your target market and distribution channels. Consider factors like zoning laws, proximity to suppliers, and customer footfall. What marketing strategies can I use to promote my brewery? Social media, events, brewery tours, and collaborations with local businesses. Focus on building a strong brand identity and connecting with the community. Is sustainability important in brewery operations? Yes, sustainable practices can attract environmentally conscious consumers. Consider energy-efficient systems, waste management, and eco-friendly packaging. Image: Depositphotos, Envato Elements This article, "How to Start a Brewery" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Hey ChatGPT, you talk too much. You too, Gemini. Like many LLMs, you are insufferable. You make Fidel Castro’s 6-hour speeches feel like haikus. I ask, “why do you LLMs talk so damn much?” and in response, you churn out a 671-word answer that resembles a third-grade essay—75% of it devoid of any real meaning or fact. You ramble about how much you ramble. You are incapable of giving me one straight answer, even if I carefully craft a two-paragraph prompt trying to coerce you into it. When I finally get you to respond with one monosyllable, you ruin it by adding a long apologetic promise that it will never ever happen again. Apparently I’m not alone in my ire. I’ve been talking with both friends and strangers for months about your verbal incontinence, and they, too, hate your verbosity. I have one friend who wants to smash her computer against the wall at least twice a day. Another has visions of himself getting into your server room and smashing each and every one of your CPUs and GPUs with a baseball bat. I always imagine a flamethrower. We only keep using you because, for all these problems, I’ll admit that you can save me time on research. But there’s a relatively simple fix for your idle chatter. It’s one that begins with your creators admitting that you are a lot dumber than what they think you are. Your excess is rooted in ignorance. Answers are padded with needless explanations, obvious caveats, and inane argumental detours. “It’s not an intentional choice,” says Quinten Farmer, the co-founder of engineering studio Portola, who makes Tolan, a cute artificial intelligence alien designed to talk to you like a human. “I think the reason that these models behave this way is that it’s essentially the behavior of your typical Reddit commenter, right?” Farmer tells me, laughing. “What do they do? They say too much to sort of cover up the fact that they don’t actually know what they’re talking about. And of course that’s where all the data came from, right?” In one study, researchers call this “verbosity compensation,” a newly discovered behavior where LLMs respond with excessive words, including repeating questions, introducing ambiguity, or providing excessive enumeration. This behavior is similar to human hesitation during uncertainty. The researchers found that verbose responses often exhibit higher uncertainty across datasets, suggesting a strong connection between verbosity and model uncertainty. Many LLMs produce longer responses when they are less confident about the answer. There’s also a lack of knowledge retention. LLMs forget previously supplied information in a conversation, resulting in repetitive questions and unnecessarily verbose interactions. And researchers found that there is a clear “verbosity bias” in LLM training where models prefer longer, more verbose answers even if there is no difference in quality. Verbosity can be fixed No matter how much LLMs sound like a human, the truth is that they really don’t really understand language, despite being quite good at stringing words together. This proficiency in language can create the illusion of broader intelligence, leading to more elaborate responses. So basically, research shows what we suspected: LLMs are great at bullshitting you into thinking they know the answer. Many people buy this illusion because they either simply want to believe or because they just don’t use critical thinking—something that Microsoft’s researchers discovered in a new study looking at AI’s impact on cognitive functioning. There are gradients to this phenomenon, of course. Farmer believes that Perplexity and Anthropic’s Claude and are better at giving more concise answers without all the pointless filler. And DeepSeek, the new kid on the block coming from China, keeps its answers much shorter and to the point. According to DeepSeek, the model’s answers are designed to be more direct and concise because its training prioritizes clarity and efficiency, influenced by data and reinforcement that favorites brevity. American models emphasize conversational warmth or elaboration, it claims, reflecting cultural and design differences. In my testing, I also found that Claude’s answers skewed shorter (though they can still be annoying). Claude, at least, recognized this when I was questioning him about this problem: “Looking at my previous response—yes, I probably did talk too much there!” It also surprised me with this gem when I said it seemed to be an honest LLM: “I try to be direct about what I know and don’t know, and to acknowledge my limitations clearly. While it might be tempting to make up citations or sound more authoritative than I am, I think it’s better to be straightforward.” Another illusion of cognitive activity, yes, but 100% on point. Developers could solve for this issue with better training and guidance. In fact, Farmer tells me that when creating Tolan, the development team discussed how long or short the answers should be. The writer who created the characters’ backstories leaned longer, because it would develop the connection with the digital entity. Others wanted shorter, more to-the-point answers. It’s a debate that they still have internally, but they believe they struck the right balance. You, ChatGPT, however, you are not a cute alien. You are a tool. There’s no need for balance. I don’t need to bond with you. Just answer the damn question. And, if you don’t know the answer—like when I asked which soccer players had won the most UEFA Champions Leagues—just admit it, and shut up instead of giving me 500 characters of wrong. Brevity is the soul of wit. And clearly, neither you nor I are Polonius (but at least I have the excuse of being an old angry man screaming at clouds). View the full article

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Drew Barrymore just got her own Pantone color—and as you might expect for a woman who famously once responded to a rainstorm by dancing in the downpour and encouraging others to do the same, it’s a shade of yellow, the cheeriest primary color. To mark the talk-show host’s 50th birthday, Pantone surprised her last week with the unveiling of “Drew Barrymore Yellow,” a soft, buttery shade Pantone says was chosen “to embody her infectious optimism, creative spirit, and uplifting presence—a hue as warm and vibrant as the woman herself.” [Image: Pantone]Pantone has released colors in partnership with other celebrities before, like “Team Coco Orange” for comedian Conan O’Brien in 2019, “Ultra Black” to promote rapper Nas’s 2020 single of the same name, and “Brady Blue” for former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s apparel line in 2021. Pantone’s color for Prince, “Love Symbol #2,” was chosen as an homage to the color of the purple custom-made Yamaha piano he was supposed to bring on tour before his death in 2016. Getting your own Pantone color is more rare than getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and for celebrities, it’s done out of a need to communicate something about their brand. “Color is a language, and every color conveys its own unique message and meaning,” Pantone Color Institute vice president Laurie Pressman told Fast Company in an email. “When we work with clients it’s all about defining a color for their brand visual identity that expresses who they are and/or their brand vision.” That takes on different forms depending on the goal of the brand, Pressman said, whether it’s in music, fashion, or production design, it’s a color meant to be emblematic of a whole creative umbrella of brands. For Barrymore, the challenge was coming up with a color without her help or knowledge. [Image: The Drew Barrymore Show]“With Drew Barrymore Yellow, this was an unconventional task, as it was a total and complete surprise to her for her 50th birthday,” Pressman said. “Normally, an artist would be an integral part of the process, so in this case we wanted to do this more as a symbol of her work and contribution as a creative in film, art, television, and design. We combed through and considered all these contributions as well as her personality to choose a color that reflects who she is as an artist.” Already, yellow is used throughout The Drew Barrymore Show‘s set and promotional assets. In the profile picture for the show’s Instagram account, Barrymore smiles while wearing a yellow top and yellow earrings in front of a yellow backdrop. Clearly, she’s a fan of the color. Pantone hopes the creamy shade invites “thoughts of pleasant relaxation.” How it’s incorporated into the show remains to be seen. Since it was planned in secret and unveiled as a surprise, “we’re still in the early planning stages,” Pressman said, but that they expect “to work closely with her team to explore ways to integrate this unique color across her show and future brand initiatives.” View the full article

The trope of the starving, broke artist has long maintained a place in the public imagination, even as it has morphed into idealized notions of “‘hustle” or “grindset.” “It’s cool to romanticize [that lifestyle] for a little bit and use it as part of your motivation,” says L.A.-based rising musician Gidi, “but at a certain point we gotta be able to see the fruits of our labor.” For many artists and songwriters, the fruits are there in the form of royalties—they’re just exceedingly difficult to harvest. In the labyrinthine world of the music industry, royalty collection is particularly complex. There are hundreds of music streaming platforms operating in hundreds of countries, each with their own copyright laws. The simple act of uploading a song onto Spotify can quickly turn into an administrative nightmare, especially if an artist only owns the rights to a percentage of a given song. As a result, unclaimed dollars—which estimates suggest be as much at $1 billion annually—are effectively locked up in the global system of music publishing. Independent music publisher Kobalt wants to change that with its new product Kosign, aimed at empowering emerging songwriters by helping them collect the money they’re owed. Kobalt disrupted the music publishing space 25 years ago when it introduced the world’s first online portal for artists to look at their royalty earnings at any time—a far cry from the snail mail system that preceded it. Today, Kobalt is the world’s biggest music publisher not owned by a major label, with clients who include Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Childish Gambino, and Phoebe Bridgers. [Images: Courtesy of Kobalt] With Kosign, Kobalt is targeting a group executives describe as a growing “middle class” of artists and songwriters who, thanks to a changing music landscape, are increasingly able to operate independently, but may not be ideal for a publishing contract. The platform is designed to leverage Kobalt’s infrastructural and technological capabilities for a new demographic. “We’ve already built, for the last 20 years, a platform to unlock [royalties],” says Jacob Paul, Kobalt’s creative strategy director. “The problem we’re trying to solve is ‘How can we take this thing we already built and make it even more streamlined and flexible so that the next generation of artists coming up can get paid their money that otherwise is hidden from them?” Kosign users apply, pay the platform’s $100 signup fee, activate their membership, submit songs, and then get paid. “We will register them across the globe, across every territory, every platform,” Paul says. “There’s no income stream left untouched.” Artists can watch royalties hit their account in real time, as well as other useful metrics, such breaking down earnings by streaming platform or territory. That data is available for an artist’s entire catalog and individual songs alike. [Image: Courtesy of Kobalt] Though Kosign is focused on making its tools accessible to emerging talent, the company assesses projected earnings for prospective members to ensure they’re a fit for the platform. A single songwriting credit, no matter how lucrative, might not be reason enough for them to snap up a lucrative publishing deal—especially for someone who doesn’t have an extensive back catalog. At the same time, Kosign doesn’t want to become bloated with a huge, unwieldy user base that will dilute the level of service. “What we want to do is to make sure that for those who earn a certain threshold of money, [they] have the ability to collect as effectively as possible,” says Kobalt CEO Laurent Hubert. “So, we want it to be selective from that perspective.” For that growing population of songrwiters, Kosign is a way to secure their royalties without committing to the sort of long-term contract better suited to a more established artist (Kosign takes 20% of a member’s royalties). “It’s a flexible deal,” says Paul. “Artists keep control of their copyrights, and they can leave the platform anytime if they want to evolve somewhere else.” KOSIGN also affords emerging artists a level of self-sufficiency; no ironclad deals means no figuring out if you need a lawyer, a manager, or broader team to sort through the red tape. It’s an appealing prospect for an up-and-coming artist. They get access to the same technological capabilities as Max Martin or Paul McCartney, minus a lengthy contract. Alongside its cut of royalties, Kobalt also gets a pipeline of potential future signed songwriters out of Kosign. When those artists are ready to make the jump to a major publishing deal, Kobalt will have already built a relationship with them via Kosign. Gidi, an early adopter of the platform, calls using it “a no-brainer.” A musician and producer specializing in electronic R&B and pop, Gidi was part of the studio crew on last year’s massive Tommy Richman hit “Million Dollar Baby,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Gidi’s involvement earned him a small percentage of the song. While it might not sound like big money, music publishers know that royalties for even part of a track can be the difference between needing a day job and being able to pursue music full time. For Gidi, working with Kosign means he can collect the money that he’s owed while expanding his own artistic output. Ultimately, he says, it comes down to “understanding my worth, and understanding that there’s a lot more coming from me.” The added financial security is also a weight off of Gidi’s mind. “It’s great that I’m able to collect my publishing royalties without having to pursue a full-scale publishing deal,” he says, adding that the royalties offer him additional income he can use to cover the mixing and production costs for upcoming projects on his own. Gidi isn’t a proxy for every Kosign artist, but he is representative of the sort of artist Kobalt wants it to reach. “If you can unlock the publishing system for a new generation of up and coming artists and producers and songwriters, you are changing each of those people’s lives,” Paul says. “You are making it possible for each of those people to actually make a living off of their music.” View the full article

Twelve years ago, rice breeders with Lundberg Family Farms crossed two rice plant “parents” in hopes of cultivating a better black pearl rice plant. After growing generations and generations of offspring—early yields produce all sorts of different traits in one harvest, and subsequent growing seasons help refine that into a consistent crop—the result is just now ready for consumers. The new black pearl rice can thrive under regenerative organic practices (a way of farming that focuses on soil health and less environmental impact) and has a higher crop yield than previous Lundberg iterations, with 25% more rice produced per acre. With that higher yield, the farm can use fewer resources like water; this is especially important when it comes to growing rice, as fields are flooded to drown out weeds. [Photo: Lundberg Family Farms] It’s the latest cultivation to come out of the Lundberg Family Farms rice breeding nursery, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It’s also a sign that the farm’s investment in rice breeding, and in finding varieties that are compatible with regenerative organic farming, is paying off. Varieties that it began cultivating over a decade ago are now starting to be ready for consumers; along with the black pearl rice, the brand will soon have new red jasmine and arborio varieties. “What we’ve done over 50 years now is really gaining momentum,” says Bryce Lundberg, vice president of agriculture at Lundberg Family Farms. “And our commitment to accelerating this work reflects the urgency we feel around this [mission] . . . to grow the highest-quality rice using organic and regenerative farming practices, because we believe the health of our bodies and our planet depend on that.” [Photo: Lundberg Family Farms] The importance of regenerative organic farming Lundberg Family Farms was founded in 1937 in California’s Sacramento Valley. Before moving out West, Bryce’s grandparents were farmers in Nebraska and experienced the Dust Bowl, an ecological disaster in which poor practices caused the soil to erode, so that it “just blew away,” he says. “They saw how negative farming practices cause such problems to soil.” They responded by changing up their farming methods, like keeping the straw in the fields after harvest instead of burning it. The common practice of burning is a way to get rid of all the old agricultural material in a field and get it ready for a new harvest, but it has serious environmental impacts, worsening air quality and degrading soil. (Just this year, a California bill went into effect banning nearly all agricultural burning as a way to limit air pollution.) Instead, the Lundbergs let the soil reabsorb that organic matter. “A lot of people said it couldn’t be done, that the soil wouldn’t take this straw in,” Bryce says. “And I would say, if you have healthy soil, it’s going to take it in. If you have soil that’s alive, it’s going to take it in.” [Photo: Lundberg Family Farms] That became the crux of Lundberg farming: to leave the land better than they found it. Soil health is a crucial aspect of both organic and regenerative farming; regenerative organic farming includes practices like cover crop rotation, low or no tilling, and avoiding chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Though Lundberg Family Farms had that ethos since its founding, it officially began farming organically in the 1960s, and launched its first Regenerative Organic Certified products in 2023—though the Lundbergs didn’t have to change their practices to become certified. (That certification program was created by the Rodale Institute, which recently received funding from Patagonia’s nonprofit Holdfast Collective). Lundberg Family Farms focuses on rice (though it also sells quinoa, and products like rice cakes and syrup), setting a goal of having its organic rice certified as regenerative organic by 2027. Already more than 99% meets that goal. [Photo: Lundberg Family Farms] Rice without herbicides Still, the farm continues to innovate with its nursery to cultivate rice that can withstand the changing climate and contribute less environmental harm. Instead of using herbicides, the farm floods its fields with water to drown weeds, then dries them for 30 days to kill aquatic weeds. It’s this twofold approach that is unique, because most conventional rice farms continuously flood their fields. But this method also poses some challenges: It necessitates using rice varieties that can grow fast in water to outcompete the weeds, but that can also withstand the dry, hot phase, plus have a high enough yield to meet consumer demand. [Photo: Lundberg Family Farms] This twofold approach has multiple benefits. Flooded fields become a habitat for waterbirds and fish, while the dry period conserves water and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a continuous flood. Suzanne Sengelmann, Lundberg’s chief growth officer, says its farms are home to more than 200 species. “We flood the fields in the winter for the Pacific Flyway, and billions of birds come [there to] rest.” It’s a symbiotic relationship, too, she adds, because the birds help fertilize the ground. “If you let nature do what it’s supposed to do, you wind up with healthier soil.” Researchers at the University of California, Davis, studied the Lundberg Family Farms practices and found that its method of weed control reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 49%, compared to continuously flooding rice fields. Regenerative organic advocates say implementing these practices—and transitioning away from the harms of conventional farming—is crucial for the health of our planet. [Photo: Lundberg Family Farms] Cultivating better rice Regenerative organic farming has another benefit too: Food grown with these soil-friendly practices is also healthier for humans, research says. And nutrient density is something the farm’s nursery pursues as well. Black rice in particular is full of antioxidants, and the company’s new variety “has some of the darkest bran we’ve seen,” Bryce Lundberg says, meaning it’s especially high in antioxidants. If customers aren’t enticed by the environmental benefits of this rice, the company hopes the nutritional benefit will be worth paying a slight premium for. (The regenerative organic black pearl rice is $5.99 a pound). “We’re constantly upgrading . . . because at the end of the day, from a consumer standpoint, we all care about the planet, but it’s personal what you’re putting in your body,” Sengelmann says. “In terms of the nutrient density and the lack of herbicides, that tends to be the thing that really makes consumers want to pay the extra dollar or two.” Even with this new release, and more rice varieties forthcoming, Lundberg still plans to innovate to breed better rice; it invests half a million dollars into its nursery every year. In 2024, it was awarded a $3 million matching grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build out its regenerative organic products. Though those grants are now on hold—and the fate of government grants at large is unclear under the Trump administration (especially ones that mention climate terms)—Sengelmann says the farm is still moving forward to invest its own $3 million into that goal. “We’re going to keep doing it,” she says, “because it’s what we’ve always done.” View the full article

As organizations grapple with rapid developments in technology and policy while also balancing shifting market conditions and financial realities, having a deep bench of leadership talent is crucial. However, a recent survey from TalentLMS, found that 45% of managers say their companies aren’t doing enough to develop future leaders. One of the key issues is that companies are using a narrow scope in offering leadership development opportunities, says Nikhil Arora, CEO of learning technology company Epignosis, the parent company of TalentLMS. “A lot of companies kind of limit the leadership development to the top 1%, leaving behind the remaining 99%,” he says. Arora says the survey found a number of areas where respondents said their companies are lacking key efforts to develop leaders. Just 8% found their companies’ leadership initiatives effective. Fortunately experts say there are ways to strengthen theses areas of weakness and help companies get better at leadership development. Develop leaders at all levels The TalentLMS survey found that the top two areas where leaders found companies lacking were in offering leadership training programs (43%) and developing new talent from within (42%). These stats don’t surprise workplace consultant Melissa Swift, author of Work Here Now: Think Like a Human and Build a Powerhouse Workplace. She says that one key issue is that companies often focus leadership training on employees who are already in on a leadership track or who are near the top of the organization, overlooking promising talent at other levels. She says that leadership development efforts, including leadership training programs, should be integrated throughout the company and supported. “One issue that I’ve heard repeatedly across organizations is, ‘You did this wonderful leadership development program with us, but then you don’t have interesting on the job development opportunities for us to follow that up,’” she says. “Companies don’t have to necessarily spend more money on [leadership development], but how do we get people the right experiences through their day-to-day work?” Focus on the leaders you need Forty-one percent of respondents said their companies often fail at identifying leadership skills gaps and in being transparent about selecting and promoting leaders. Leadership consultant Lori Mazan, author of Leadership Revolution: The Future of Developing Dynamic Leaders, says that companies need to focus on a few things to get their leadership development programs right. Mazan advises looking at your overall goals for leaders within your organization and be sure you’re developing a range of leaders with the skills your company needs. Arora agrees. “Your No. 1 [key performance indicator] and what you’re going to be measured by as a manager is going to be: How are you developing your talent?” he says. Transparency is also important, Mazan says. She also advises developing leaders in alignment with your company culture. She recalls a former client whose culture was very amiable and people focused. When the company hired new employees who had been at a competitor where the culture was very hard-driving, the styles often cause friction. “After a month, they’d be hiring me to coach them, because that style of hard driving leadership didn’t fit in the other company that was more ‘let me help you,’” she recalls. Mentorship matters Four in 10 survey respondents said that their companies are lacking mentorship programs. That’s an area that should not only be developed, but expanded, Arora says. Mentoring isn’t just senior managers advising more junior workers anymore, although that still remains important. He encourages others to follow his lead and have younger mentors, as well, who can help them keep a finger on the pulse of where change is happening and what people from their cohort are thinking. “You need somebody younger and you need somebody older,” he says. Identifying leadership skills gaps and, in response, developing leaders across the organization with programs, transparency, and mentorship can help fill in the missing pieces that hinder leadership development. View the full article

The organizations play a critical role in our economy, providing affordable single family mortgage loans to enable homeownership, writes the Executive Director of the Community Home Lenders of America View the full article

Email marketing is an important part of digital communication. If you don’t feel that email marketing has been effective for you, you may be making common email marketing mistakes. The Impact of Email Marketing Mistakes Poor engagement: Mistakes can lead to reduced open rates, click-through rates, and overall engagement with your emails. Damaged brand reputation: Email marketing mistakes can negatively impact your brand’s image, causing recipients to perceive your emails as unprofessional or spammy. Reduced conversions: Mistakes may result in lower conversion rates, affecting your ability to turn leads into customers. Legal issues: Non-compliance with email marketing regulations can lead to legal consequences and fines. To minimize such mistakes and enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns, an email marketing course could be highly beneficial for learning advanced strategies. Email Marketing Mistakes to Avoid Here are the top email marketing mistakes that we’ve identified, along with their consequences: Ignoring personalization in emails Decreased engagement and relevance for recipients. Personalized emails tend to have higher open rates and conversion rates compared to generic messages. Understanding the significance of personalization in email campaigns is essential. For more insights, you can explore email marketing tips and techniques, which offer valuable guidance in crafting personalized content. Overlooking the importance of a compelling subject line Low email open rates as recipients may not find the email enticing enough to click. The subject line is the first thing recipients see, and it can determine whether your email gets opened or ignored. Crafting compelling subject lines is crucial. To learn more about effective subject line strategies, you might find how to improve writing and SEO useful, as it can significantly impact open rates. Neglecting to optimize for mobile users Poor user experience for mobile recipients, leading to higher bounce rates and potential loss of customers who access emails on mobile devices. For an in-depth understanding of optimizing email campaigns for mobile users, it’s worthwhile to check out online SEO courses, as they often cover mobile optimization strategies. Sending emails without a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) Reduced conversion rates and unclear recipient actions. Emails without a clear CTA may not drive the desired response from recipients. For insights into creating effective CTAs, exploring resources on email marketing for small business can provide practical tips to enhance your email campaigns. Overusing sales-focused language Emails can sometimes feel overly promotional or spam-like, which can result in increased unsubscribe rates and damage to the brand’s reputation. Not segmenting the email list Irrelevant content is sent to recipients, resulting in reduced engagement and higher chances of being unsubscribed. Segmenting your email list is key to delivering relevant content. Learning about email marketing services can help you understand how to effectively segment and target your audience. Failing to test email campaigns before sending Increased risk of technical errors or formatting issues, which can negatively impact the user experience and brand perception. Inconsistent email sending schedule Confusion among subscribers about when to expect emails leads to decreased open rates and engagement. The best email marketers send emails at prechosen times of the day. Overlooking email automation opportunities Missed opportunities to nurture leads and build customer relationships efficiently. Automation can save time and increase engagement. Ignoring email analytics and metrics The challenge of measuring the effectiveness of email campaigns hinders the ability to make data-driven enhancements. Poor email list hygiene Increased bounce rates, emails going to the spam folder, and potentially being blacklisted by email service providers. Using misleading subject lines Loss of trust and credibility with recipients, leading to higher unsubscribe rates and potential legal issues. Not optimizing for different email clients Emails may display poorly or be unreadable on certain email platforms, resulting in a negative user experience. Lack of a consistent brand voice Confusion among recipients about your brand identity and messaging makes it harder to build brand loyalty. Not providing easy unsubscribe options Increased spam complaints, potential legal issues, and a negative impact on email deliverability. Overloading emails with too much content Overwhelming recipients lead to lower engagement and increased chances of emails being marked as spam. Overlooking the power of visuals in emails Missed opportunities to grab recipients’ attention and convey information effectively, potentially leading to lower engagement. Not regularly updating email templates Stale and outdated email designs may make your brand appear unprofessional or untrustworthy. Failing to include contact information Lack of transparency and trust hinders recipients from identifying the sender or feeling comfortable reaching out. Causing emails to trigger spam filters Emails may not reach the inbox of recipients, resulting in reduced visibility and engagement. Neglecting GDPR and other compliance standards Legal repercussions, penalties, and harm to brand reputation can arise from non-compliance with data protection regulations. Best Practices for a Successful Email Marketing Campaign As a small business owner, you should set clear goals and objectives for each campaign. Next, segment your email list to send targeted content. Make sure the content is compelling. Maintain a consistent brand voice and style as part of your email marketing strategy. Before you launch the campaign, test and optimize subject lines and ensure that the emails are mobile responsive. Monitor email analytics and adjust strategies accordingly. Use automation for drip campaigns and triggered emails. Triggered emails are automatic responses based on a customer’s actions, such as when a shopper puts items in a “cart” but doesn’t follow through by purchasing the items. And make sure to follow best practices for email deliverability and compliance with regulations like GDPR. To develop a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the latest trends and effective techniques, familiarizing yourself with marketing and sales tips can offer valuable insights into successful email marketing. Best PracticeDescriptionTools/ResourcesKey Tips Target Audience SegmentationDivide your audience into segments based on behavior and preferences.Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact).Tailor messages to specific groups for higher engagement. PersonalizationPersonalize emails to make recipients feel valued.Personalization tools in email platforms.Use recipient's name and content relevant to their interests. Engaging Subject LinesCraft subject lines that grab attention and encourage opens.A/B testing tools, subject line analyzers.Keep subject lines short, intriguing, and clear. Mobile OptimizationEnsure emails are readable and appealing on mobile devices.Responsive email design features.Use a mobile-friendly layout and test on different devices. Valuable ContentProvide content that is useful and relevant to your audience.Content creation tools, analytics to gauge interests.Include tips, insights, or offers that add value to your subscribers. Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)Have a clear and compelling CTA in each email.CTA button design tools, persuasive copywriting.Make it easy for recipients to know what to do next. Consistent SchedulingSend emails on a regular schedule.Email scheduling features in marketing platforms.Maintain consistency in timing to build anticipation and reliability. Testing and OptimizationRegularly test different aspects of your emails.A/B testing features, analytics.Test different subject lines, content, and layouts to see what works best. Unsubscribe OptionMake it easy for users to unsubscribe.Compliance with email marketing laws.Respect user preferences to maintain a positive brand image. Analytics and FeedbackUse analytics to track performance and gather feedback.Email analytics tools, survey tools.Analyze open rates, click-through rates, and user feedback for improvements. https://youtube.com/watch?v=f7Frn82SCVk%3Fsi%3D4XktwoGmfy28cGEk FAQs: Navigating Common Email Marketing Challenges What is the most common email marketing mistake? The most common mistake is not optimizing the email list for different clients. However, their are additional mistakes which are also regular email marketing mistakes. Additional most common mistakes include failing to use a compelling subject line, ignoring analytics and not using visuals. How can open rates of email marketing campaigns be improved? Here are ways that you can improve your open rates: Craft compelling subject lines. Personalize emails based on recipient data. Segment your email list for targeted content. Optimize emails for mobile devices. Test different send times and days. Use A/B testing to refine email elements. Clean your email list regularly to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers. Monitor and improve email deliverability. Maintain a consistent sending schedule. Provide valuable and relevant content in your emails. What are some ways to personalize marketing emails? You can address recipients by their first names and send personalized product recommendations. Also, use dynamic content based on the recipient’s preferences. Send personalized offers or discounts that are related to past purchases. Always segment your email list by demographics, behavior, and/or interests. Utilize triggered emails that respond to particular actions or milestones. For instance, you can send an email when a shopper leaves items in their cart without completing the purchase. Additionally, consider sending an email to celebrate a customer’s birthday or the anniversary of their first order. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Common Email Marketing Mistakes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Email marketing is an important part of digital communication. If you don’t feel that email marketing has been effective for you, you may be making common email marketing mistakes. The Impact of Email Marketing Mistakes Poor engagement: Mistakes can lead to reduced open rates, click-through rates, and overall engagement with your emails. Damaged brand reputation: Email marketing mistakes can negatively impact your brand’s image, causing recipients to perceive your emails as unprofessional or spammy. Reduced conversions: Mistakes may result in lower conversion rates, affecting your ability to turn leads into customers. Legal issues: Non-compliance with email marketing regulations can lead to legal consequences and fines. To minimize such mistakes and enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns, an email marketing course could be highly beneficial for learning advanced strategies. Email Marketing Mistakes to Avoid Here are the top email marketing mistakes that we’ve identified, along with their consequences: Ignoring personalization in emails Decreased engagement and relevance for recipients. Personalized emails tend to have higher open rates and conversion rates compared to generic messages. Understanding the significance of personalization in email campaigns is essential. For more insights, you can explore email marketing tips and techniques, which offer valuable guidance in crafting personalized content. Overlooking the importance of a compelling subject line Low email open rates as recipients may not find the email enticing enough to click. The subject line is the first thing recipients see, and it can determine whether your email gets opened or ignored. Crafting compelling subject lines is crucial. To learn more about effective subject line strategies, you might find how to improve writing and SEO useful, as it can significantly impact open rates. Neglecting to optimize for mobile users Poor user experience for mobile recipients, leading to higher bounce rates and potential loss of customers who access emails on mobile devices. For an in-depth understanding of optimizing email campaigns for mobile users, it’s worthwhile to check out online SEO courses, as they often cover mobile optimization strategies. Sending emails without a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) Reduced conversion rates and unclear recipient actions. Emails without a clear CTA may not drive the desired response from recipients. For insights into creating effective CTAs, exploring resources on email marketing for small business can provide practical tips to enhance your email campaigns. Overusing sales-focused language Emails can sometimes feel overly promotional or spam-like, which can result in increased unsubscribe rates and damage to the brand’s reputation. Not segmenting the email list Irrelevant content is sent to recipients, resulting in reduced engagement and higher chances of being unsubscribed. Segmenting your email list is key to delivering relevant content. Learning about email marketing services can help you understand how to effectively segment and target your audience. Failing to test email campaigns before sending Increased risk of technical errors or formatting issues, which can negatively impact the user experience and brand perception. Inconsistent email sending schedule Confusion among subscribers about when to expect emails leads to decreased open rates and engagement. The best email marketers send emails at prechosen times of the day. Overlooking email automation opportunities Missed opportunities to nurture leads and build customer relationships efficiently. Automation can save time and increase engagement. Ignoring email analytics and metrics The challenge of measuring the effectiveness of email campaigns hinders the ability to make data-driven enhancements. Poor email list hygiene Increased bounce rates, emails going to the spam folder, and potentially being blacklisted by email service providers. Using misleading subject lines Loss of trust and credibility with recipients, leading to higher unsubscribe rates and potential legal issues. Not optimizing for different email clients Emails may display poorly or be unreadable on certain email platforms, resulting in a negative user experience. Lack of a consistent brand voice Confusion among recipients about your brand identity and messaging makes it harder to build brand loyalty. Not providing easy unsubscribe options Increased spam complaints, potential legal issues, and a negative impact on email deliverability. Overloading emails with too much content Overwhelming recipients lead to lower engagement and increased chances of emails being marked as spam. Overlooking the power of visuals in emails Missed opportunities to grab recipients’ attention and convey information effectively, potentially leading to lower engagement. Not regularly updating email templates Stale and outdated email designs may make your brand appear unprofessional or untrustworthy. Failing to include contact information Lack of transparency and trust hinders recipients from identifying the sender or feeling comfortable reaching out. Causing emails to trigger spam filters Emails may not reach the inbox of recipients, resulting in reduced visibility and engagement. Neglecting GDPR and other compliance standards Legal repercussions, penalties, and harm to brand reputation can arise from non-compliance with data protection regulations. Best Practices for a Successful Email Marketing Campaign As a small business owner, you should set clear goals and objectives for each campaign. Next, segment your email list to send targeted content. Make sure the content is compelling. Maintain a consistent brand voice and style as part of your email marketing strategy. Before you launch the campaign, test and optimize subject lines and ensure that the emails are mobile responsive. Monitor email analytics and adjust strategies accordingly. Use automation for drip campaigns and triggered emails. Triggered emails are automatic responses based on a customer’s actions, such as when a shopper puts items in a “cart” but doesn’t follow through by purchasing the items. And make sure to follow best practices for email deliverability and compliance with regulations like GDPR. To develop a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the latest trends and effective techniques, familiarizing yourself with marketing and sales tips can offer valuable insights into successful email marketing. Best PracticeDescriptionTools/ResourcesKey Tips Target Audience SegmentationDivide your audience into segments based on behavior and preferences.Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact).Tailor messages to specific groups for higher engagement. PersonalizationPersonalize emails to make recipients feel valued.Personalization tools in email platforms.Use recipient's name and content relevant to their interests. Engaging Subject LinesCraft subject lines that grab attention and encourage opens.A/B testing tools, subject line analyzers.Keep subject lines short, intriguing, and clear. Mobile OptimizationEnsure emails are readable and appealing on mobile devices.Responsive email design features.Use a mobile-friendly layout and test on different devices. Valuable ContentProvide content that is useful and relevant to your audience.Content creation tools, analytics to gauge interests.Include tips, insights, or offers that add value to your subscribers. Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)Have a clear and compelling CTA in each email.CTA button design tools, persuasive copywriting.Make it easy for recipients to know what to do next. Consistent SchedulingSend emails on a regular schedule.Email scheduling features in marketing platforms.Maintain consistency in timing to build anticipation and reliability. Testing and OptimizationRegularly test different aspects of your emails.A/B testing features, analytics.Test different subject lines, content, and layouts to see what works best. Unsubscribe OptionMake it easy for users to unsubscribe.Compliance with email marketing laws.Respect user preferences to maintain a positive brand image. Analytics and FeedbackUse analytics to track performance and gather feedback.Email analytics tools, survey tools.Analyze open rates, click-through rates, and user feedback for improvements. https://youtube.com/watch?v=f7Frn82SCVk%3Fsi%3D4XktwoGmfy28cGEk FAQs: Navigating Common Email Marketing Challenges What is the most common email marketing mistake? The most common mistake is not optimizing the email list for different clients. However, their are additional mistakes which are also regular email marketing mistakes. Additional most common mistakes include failing to use a compelling subject line, ignoring analytics and not using visuals. How can open rates of email marketing campaigns be improved? Here are ways that you can improve your open rates: Craft compelling subject lines. Personalize emails based on recipient data. Segment your email list for targeted content. Optimize emails for mobile devices. Test different send times and days. Use A/B testing to refine email elements. Clean your email list regularly to remove inactive or unengaged subscribers. Monitor and improve email deliverability. Maintain a consistent sending schedule. Provide valuable and relevant content in your emails. What are some ways to personalize marketing emails? You can address recipients by their first names and send personalized product recommendations. Also, use dynamic content based on the recipient’s preferences. Send personalized offers or discounts that are related to past purchases. Always segment your email list by demographics, behavior, and/or interests. Utilize triggered emails that respond to particular actions or milestones. For instance, you can send an email when a shopper leaves items in their cart without completing the purchase. Additionally, consider sending an email to celebrate a customer’s birthday or the anniversary of their first order. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Common Email Marketing Mistakes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Consumer goods group says chief financial officer Fernando Fernandez will take overView the full article

Sales down 45% in January for EV maker led by Elon MuskView the full article

Even if you’re a regular Alexa user, there’s a good chance you haven’t discovered some of its most efficient features. Actually, strike that: There’s a good chance you’re only using your Alexa device to set timers and play music. But Alexa does so much more! Here are five commands to add to your vernacular that could save you tons of time with regular use. “Alexa, check traffic” Once you link your home and work addresses in the Alexa app, simply asking to check traffic will give the time between your home and office by default—always handy when you’re heading out the door. You also can ask for traffic conditions to a certain destination. Alexa just told me that traffic from my house to the nearest Whole Foods is “sluggish”—it’d take me a whole six minutes to get there. Good thing I saved so much time asking for traffic conditions, eh? “Alexa, add jelly to my shopping list” Writing a shopping list by hand? A fool’s errand. Opening an app and typing a list by hand? A sucker’s gambit. As you notice ingredients running low, just say “Alexa, add [blank] to my shopping list.” The items will appear in your Alexa app’s shopping list, ready for your next grocery run. You can even check what’s on your list by asking, “Alexa, what’s on my shopping list?” before running to the store. “Alexa, announce that it’s time for lunch” It’s 2025—enough shouting up and down the stairs. Instead, say, “Alexa, announce that it’s time for lunch.” Your message will immediately be broadcast to all Alexa devices in your home at the same time, just like a fancy-schmancy intercom system. “Alexa, find my phone” My wife never reads these articles, so I’m safe telling you that while she was frantically searching for her phone the other day, it turned out that it was in her hand. Not all lost phones are so easy to find! For the tougher tests, Alexa can call your wayward device and you can follow the ringtone. There are a couple slight catches: You’ll need to do a one-time setup so Alexa knows which number to call, and you only get three free calls each month. If you’re asked whether you want to sign up for a free trial of the premium phone-finding service, just say no and Alexa will place the call. “Alexa, remind me . . . ” Just as a glorified note-to-self, Alexa is a lifesaver. There are a few ways you can ask it to remember things for you. First, just ask Alexa to remember something. It’ll store it in the notes section of the Alexa app on your phone. Second, ask it to remind you of something at a certain time. It’ll . . . well, you get the idea. And the best one is asking Alexa to remind you of something when you’re at a certain place. If you’ve enabled location in the phone app, it can remind you to get Band-Aids the next time you’re at Walgreens. It’s almost too easy. View the full article