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A Wall Street Journal report this week gave an extensive look into how Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a senior The President advisor, handles his companies and his more than a dozen children. The answer, it seems, is by relying heavily on his longtime right-hand man, Jared Birchall. Birchall’s role, as he reportedly said in a phone call, is to “protect Elon.” Here’s what to know about Musk’s fixer. Birchall’s Early Career Birchall graduated from Brigham Young University in 1999 and spent a year as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs. In 2000, he moved into private wealth management at Merrill Lynch but was fired after a decade for “sending correspondence to a client without management approval,” according to a regulatory report cited by Bloomberg. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2010, where he managed Musk’s money as part of a small team. In 2016, Musk recruited Birchall to run his family office, Excession. A Quiet Contrast to Musk Birchall and Musk present starkly different public personas. Birchall, according to Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal, is a practicing Mormon who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. Musk, by contrast, thrives on attention—having hosted Saturday Night Live and frequently sharing his views on X, the social media platform he owns. The Fixer’s Role Birchall’s responsibilities are wide-ranging. According to Bloomberg, he helped arrange the loans from Wall Street that enabled Musk to purchase what was then known as Twitter. He also handled disbursements from Musk’s super PAC, which supported Donald The President’s presidential campaign. More recently, the Wall Street Journal reported, Birchall has acted as a go-between for Musk and several of the mothers of his children. That has allegedly included acquiring a property in Austin for them to live in and offering secrecy agreements in exchange for large sums of money. Loyalty and Wealth Birchall has remained at Musk’s side throughout the billionaire’s meteoric rise. While his exact income is unknown, Bloomberg cited a report estimating that the typical head of a large family office earns between $1 million and $3 million annually—though his salary may be much higher. In 2020, Birchall reportedly purchased a $2.25 million home in Austin, complete with a pool and tennis court. He also serves as the head of Musk’s neurotechnology firm, Neuralink. However, Bloomberg noted that Birchall holds no actual executive authority there. His name was added to company documents as a legal formality, and he does not participate in day-to-day operations. View the full article

“Accounting isn’t a ‘fake it till you make it’ job." MOVE Like This With Bonnie Buol Ruszcyk For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk. View the full article

“Accounting isn’t a ‘fake it till you make it’ job." MOVE Like This With Bonnie Buol Ruszcyk For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google was ruled an illegal monopoly once again...View the full article

Imagine two interns. The first follows instructions to the letter—compiling research, scheduling social media posts, and managing your calendar. The second completes the same tasks but takes it a step further—finding additional research sources, streamlining the social media workflow, and proactively suggesting optimal meeting times based on past interactions and behaviors. These two interns, with their overlapping but distinct capabilities, capture the essence of automation versus AI. Both liberate users from tedious manual work, but only one, with its built-in autonomy, is changing the nature of how we interact with technology. At Jotform, we’ve incorporated automation and AI into our daily processes—we also offer both types of solutions to users. Here’s how each serves a unique purpose—and how you can leverage them to work smarter. Automation versus AI I’m a strong proponent of automation. It’s the foundation of my career and my company. I even wrote a book about it—to show how automation can free people from the dull, repetitive parts of their jobs. But automation itself is nothing new. Over a century ago, Henry Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the moving assembly line, cutting production time for the Model T from 12 hours to just 90 minutes. That was mechanical automation—a system designed to streamline repetitive tasks. The 21st century brought a similar revolution to knowledge work. If you break down your daily workflows, you’ll likely find parts that can be automated using the right tools or technology. Take a reporter covering breaking news: instead of manually checking for updates every half hour, she sets up Google Alerts to track developments in real-time. Or consider a recruiter: rather than sifting through thousands of applications, they use a tool like Harver to automatically screen candidates based on preset criteria, bringing the most promising applicants to the fore. When I published my book in 2023, we were only beginning to grasp AI’s potential. Fast-forward to today, and tools like ChatGPT have evolved dramatically—excelling in speed, accuracy, memory, and multimodal capabilities. Automation executes tasks. AI mimics human thinking and reasoning. AI doesn’t just follow instructions; it reasons, adapts, and makes decisions. And now, AI agents are taking things a step further—operating autonomously, dynamically reasoning through complex situations, and acting without human intervention. I like the analogy Google used in a recent white paper: agents are like chefs—gathering ingredients, planning a dish, and making adjustments as they cook. I would add that automation is like a line cook—highly efficient, but following instructions rather than innovating. In today’s workplace, automation and AI complement each other. The real power comes in knowing when to use which. Leveraging their strengths Painting with broad strokes, automation tools are ideal for repetitive tasks that require clear, rule-based actions. For instance, you can set an automation tool to redirect any email containing “X” to a specific folder or flag any “X” security issue in a system for review by a human employee. Automation shines when it comes to tasks meant to be executed consistently and without variation. AI tools, on the other hand, can add a human-like reasoning element to a task or workflow. It’s ideal for situations that require dynamic responses. For example, imagine an AI agent that doesn’t just transcribe your meetings, but also provides a personalized recap, compiles action items, and even drafts follow-up emails—all tailored to your role in the organization or meeting. While executing tasks, the agent applies judgment and adapts as it goes. The beauty of agents, the latest advance in AI, is the power to design them based on your unique needs and circumstances. For instance, I wanted an AI agent to help wrangle my email inbox, so I built one according to my personal goals: parsing out spam, flagging time-sensitive messages, and redirecting items to read later. That way, I can check email twice or three times a day, knowing I’ll be alerted about any urgent messages. I redirect my focus to more impactful work that requires deep focus. So, is AI always the best option? Not necessarily. Consider it like using a laser cutter for a task that a pair of scissors could handle perfectly well. Sometimes, the added investment in AI tools isn’t justified when simpler automation will do the trick. It starts with mapping out your workflows and deciding which type of task you’d like to delegate—whether it requires mere execution or a higher level of judgment and reasoning. Final thoughts Automation and AI are two sides of the same coin—offloading work that doesn’t require your direct involvement and recapturing more time for meaningful tasks involving creativity and strategic thinking. By removing boring, tedious work from your plate, they also serve in the battle against burnout, which has become all too common in a world obsessed with busyness. The key is knowing when to use each. If automation improves your efficiency, AI tools can boost your reasoning and decision-making. Combined, AI and automation don’t just save time; they change how we approach work. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The LG C3 65-inch Evo OLED TV, featured in Lifehacker's Best Budget OLED TVs to Buy in 2025, is now available for $1,196.99, down from $1,499.99—its lowest price ever on Amazon, according to price trackers. LG C3 Series 65-Inch Class OLED TV $1,196.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,499.99 Save $303.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,196.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,499.99 Save $303.00 Its OLED panel provides perfect black levels, an infinite contrast ratio, and near-flawless color accuracy. Whites and SDR colors are especially precise, with only minor deviations in reds and greens in HDR content. Plus, it supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, so if you stream a lot in 4K, you’ll see those details shine. That said, the lack of an ATSC 3.0 tuner might be a drawback if you rely on over-the-air 4K broadcasts. You can place the C3 Evo on its (included) metal stand or mount it on a wall for a cleaner look. Its ports—four HDMI 2.1 (all 4K120, with one eARC), three USBs, Ethernet, and more—are easy to reach on the left. LG’s WebOS runs its smart TV features and covers nearly all major streaming platforms (except Crunchyroll, as highlighted in this PCMag review). However, the WebOS' smart home hub features lean heavily toward LG ThinQ appliances, which might limit compatibility with your setup if your smart devices aren’t LG-branded or are from other non-compatible brands. The Magic Remote included with the LG C3 Evo has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Alexa, and other popular apps, making it easy to jump straight to your favorites. You’ll also find Apple AirPlay for easy streaming from your iOS devices and Alexa integration for hands-free voice commands. When it comes to gaming, with the Game Optimizer mode enabled and input lag reduction set to Boost, the TV achieves an impressively low input lag of under a millisecond. Add to that a 120Hz refresh rate, with variable refresh rate (VRR) support, plus AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility (though neither is formally certified), and you’ve got yourself a gaming powerhouse. If you’re debating alternatives, the Samsung S90C ($997.99) offers similar OLED quality and comes with the missing ATSC 3.0 tuner. View the full article

Netflix fared better than analysts anticipated during the first three months of the year, signaling the world’s largest video streaming service is still thriving as President Donald The President’s policies cast a pall on the economy. The numbers released Thursday indicated Netflix is still building on the momentum that enabled it to add 41 million worldwide subscribers last year—the biggest annual gain in the company’s 27-year history. But it’s unclear precisely how many more subscribers Netflix picked up during the January-March period because this report marks the first time that that the Los Gatos, California, company hasn’t provided a quarterly update on its total subscribers. Netflix announced last year it would no longer report subscriber numbers beginning with this quarter as the company seeks to shift investors’ focus to its profits after topping 300 million global subscribers in December. As part of that emphasis, Netflix is working to sell more advertising to supplement subscription dollars. Netflix’s sharper focus on its finances paid off in this year’s first quarter with earnings of $2.9 billion, or $6.61 per share, a 24% increase from from the same time last year. Revenue climbed 13% from the same time last year to $10.54 billion. Both numbers exceeded forecasts compiled by FactSet Research. Without providing details, Netflix cited ongoing subscriber growth as the main reason for its strong start this year. The robust growth came against a background of economic chaos and The President’s fluctuating trade war. The tech industry has been hit particularly hard by the sweeping tariffs that The President unveiled April 2 because so many bellwether companies rely on international supply chains that have been provided some relief by temporary freezes and exemptions from the fees. But Netflix’s global streaming service hasn’t been touched by The President’s tariffs yet, making the company a notable exception that has enabled its stock price to increase 9% so far this year, while the market values of most other major tech companies have plummeted. “Netflix remains a standout in an otherwise volatile tech landscape,” said Andrew Rocco, a who tracks the stock market for Zacks Investment Research. The company’s shares rose nearly 3% in extended trading after its report came out. The trade war could still hurt Netflix if it triggers a recession or fuels inflationary pressures as many economists fear. In those scenarios, more consumers may curtail their discretionary spending on entertainment. The economic volatility could also result in a slowdown in advertising to the detriment of Netflix’s efforts to sell more commercials for a low-priced version of its streaming service that accounted for most of its last year’s subscriber growth. “We’re paying close attention clearly to the consumer sentiment and where the broader economy is moving,” Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters said during a Thursday conference call. “But based on what we are seeing by actually operating the business right now, there’s nothing really significant to note.” Peters also said Netflix’s low-cost option, currently priced at $8 per month in the U.S., should help insulate its video streaming service if households start tightening their belts. In a sign of its confidence, Netflix reaffirmed its previous prediction for annual revenue of roughly $44 billion, up 13% from 2024. “Historically in tougher economies, home entertainment value is really important to consumer households,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos noted during the conference call. —Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer View the full article

Key Takeaways Understand Blogging Basics: Grasp the fundamentals of blogging, including its purpose and the various types of blogs, to tailor your content strategy effectively. Choose Your Niche: Select a niche that aligns with your passions and expertise, and identify your target audience to create valuable content that resonates with readers. Pick the Right Platform: Evaluate blogging platforms for customization, ease of use, and support features to establish a professional online presence. Create Quality Content: Focus on producing engaging and well-researched articles that provide valuable insights, utilizing storytelling and visuals to captivate your audience. Promote Your Blog: Leverage social media and build an email list to enhance visibility, engage with your readers, and drive traffic to your blog. Maintain Consistency: Establish a consistent posting schedule and analyze performance metrics to refine your strategy and support your blogging goals. Starting your own blog can be an exciting adventure. Whether you want to share your passions, connect with like-minded individuals, or even make some extra income, blogging offers endless possibilities. But where do you begin? Understanding the Basics of Blogging Blogging presents a valuable opportunity to connect with your target audience and share insights about your small business or passion. Understanding the essentials of blogging equips you to create content that attracts and retains readers. What Is a Blog? A blog is an online platform where you share articles, updates, and thoughts on various topics. It serves as a digital space for your small business to engage with customers, showcase expertise, and enhance your online presence. Blogs can shape your brand and inform your audience, encouraging loyalty and building relationships. Different Types of Blogs Recognizing the types of blogs helps you determine the best approach for your small business. Here are common blog types: Personal Blogs: Focus on individual experiences or insights, often reflecting personal journeys or interests. Business Blogs: Promote products or services while providing industry knowledge. These blogs help establish authority and drive traffic through SEO. Niche Blogs: Concentrate on specific topics, allowing you to build a community around shared interests. Targeting a specific audience enhances engagement and loyalty. Guest Blogs: Feature contributions from various writers, broadening perspectives and attracting diverse audiences, while leveraging existing networks. By understanding these blog types, you can tailor your content strategy to effectively communicate with your readers and support your overall business objectives. Essential Tips for Starting Your Own Blog Starting your own blog offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with your target audience and share your business insights. Here are some essential tips to consider during your blogging journey. Choosing Your Niche Define Your Passion and Expertise: Select a niche that reflects your personal interests and professional knowledge. Focusing on what you know will foster authentic engagement and provide unique insights that resonate with your audience. Identify Your Audience: Pinpoint your target audience’s needs and interests. Understanding their challenges helps create content that adds value and drives reader engagement. Use tools like market research to refine your audience profile. Narrow Down Your Theme: Choose a specific topic within your niche. Specializing can establish your authority and improve search engine rankings, benefiting your overall visibility. Consider Your Goals: Determine what you want from your blog. Whether you aim to educate aspiring entrepreneurs, share small business strategies, or promote your products, clarity in your objectives will guide your content direction. Selecting a Blogging Platform Evaluate Your Options: Review various blogging platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix. Consider each platform’s features, user-friendliness, and compatibility with e-commerce functionalities. Assess Customization Capabilities: Look for platforms that allow extensive customization. Customizable themes enable branding that aligns with your business identity, giving your blog a professional look. Support and Resources: Choose a platform that provides adequate support and resources. Quality tutorials, community forums, and customer service can help you navigate technical challenges. Picking a Domain Name Reflect Your Brand: Select a domain name that embodies your business identity and purpose. A clear domain helps with branding and attracts your target audience effectively. Keep It Simple: Opt for a straightforward and memorable domain name. Avoid excessive words or phrases; a concise name is easier for customers to remember and type into their browsers. Check Availability: Use domain registration sites to ensure your chosen name isn’t already taken. Securing a unique domain enhances your brand’s credibility and search engine ranking. Following these essential tips will set a solid foundation for your blog, making it easier to connect with your audience and promote your small business effectively. Creating Engaging Content Creating engaging content is essential for appealing to your target audience and fostering strong connections. Quality content resonates with readers, retains their interest, and drives them to take action. Importance of Quality Content Quality content stands as the foundation of a successful blog. It provides value to your audiences, like insights into specific aspects of small business planning or market research. Focusing on factual information enhances credibility and fosters trust. You attract and retain loyal readers by delivering well-researched articles, covering essential topics such as funding options and business models. Quality includes accurate information, clear messaging, and practical examples that your audience can directly apply to their entrepreneurial journey. Tips for Writing Blog Posts Writing effective blog posts involves several key practices: Use Headers and Sub-headers: Organize content purposefully with relevant headings. Header organization boosts readability and helps readers find what they need quickly. Write for Your Audience: Tailor every post to your target audience’s needs. Understanding their pain points and interests allows you to create relevant content that aligns with their business goals. Tell a Story: Utilize storytelling to keep the audience engaged. Share experiences, success stories, or lessons learned in your entrepreneurial ventures that resonate with readers. Be Clear and Concise: Aim for lucidity, ensuring every sentence conveys necessary information without unnecessary fluff. Short sentences maintain reader focus. Use Great Sources: Support your arguments with credible sources. Incorporate statistics, case studies, or expert quotes related to business growth, customer service, or marketing strategies to enhance your blog’s authority. Optimize for SEO: Integrate keywords naturally, aiming for search engine optimization. Include relevant terms like “market research,” “business model,” or “digital marketing” to improve discoverability. Engage with Visuals: Include images, infographics, or charts that visually represent data. Visuals break up text and provide additional ways to engage with your content. By applying these tips, you enhance your ability to create meaningful and engaging content that resonates with readers and fosters growth for your small business blogging endeavors. Promoting Your Blog Promoting your blog effectively enhances visibility and drives traffic. Successful promotion involves utilizing social media and building an email list. Utilizing Social Media Utilizing social media platforms expands your reach and engages your target audience. Leverage popular social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share blog posts and interact with readers. Create visually appealing posts that include images, infographics, or videos to capture attention. Use relevant hashtags to improve discoverability, making it easier for potential readers to find your content. Engaging with followers through comments and messages fosters community and encourages readers to share your blog further, which supports customer acquisition. Building an Email List Building an email list allows direct communication with your audience. Offer valuable content, such as exclusive tips or downloadable resources, to incentivize sign-ups. Use tools like opt-in forms and landing pages to capture visitor information easily. Send regular newsletters featuring your latest blog posts along with useful resources to keep your audience engaged. Personalize your emails to strengthen connections and encourage readers to share your blog with their networks. Combining these strategies supports long-term engagement and enhances your blog’s growth potential. Maintaining Your Blog You must maintain a consistent blogging schedule to support your small business’s online presence. Here are key strategies to achieve that. Consistency Is Key Consistency plays a crucial role in your blog’s success. Here are steps to ensure you maintain a steady posting schedule: Define Your Consistency: Establish a clear definition of what consistency means for your blog. This could be posting twice a week, once a week, or monthly. Setting realistic goals prevents burnout. Make a Commitment: Decide on a specific posting schedule. Write down your commitment and mark it in your calendar. Treat your blog schedule like an important business appointment. Create a Content Calendar: Develop a content calendar to plan your posts well in advance. This ensures you’re organized and eliminates the challenge of facing a blank page when it’s time to publish. Analyzing Performance Metrics Analyzing performance metrics enhances your blog’s effectiveness. Focus on the following aspects: Traffic Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitors and their behavior on your blog. Understanding which posts attract the most traffic guides future content strategy. Engagement Metrics: Monitor comments, shares, and likes on your posts. High engagement rates signify that your content resonates with your target audience, crucial for your customer acquisition strategies. SEO Performance: Regularly analyze your blog’s SEO metrics. Check keyword rankings, backlinks, and click-through rates to optimize visibility. Effective SEO practices enhance your overall digital marketing efforts. Conversion Rates: Keep track of how many readers take desired actions, such as signing up for your email list or purchasing products. Tying blog performance to your sales funnel helps assess and refine your blogging strategy. Utilizing these techniques ensures your blog effectively supports your small business goals, builds your brand, and improves customer engagement. Conclusion Starting your own blog can be a rewarding venture that opens doors to new opportunities. By following the tips outlined in this article you can create a blog that not only reflects your passions but also engages your audience effectively. Remember to focus on quality content and consistent posting to build trust and credibility with your readers. Utilize social media and email marketing to promote your blog and foster a community around your brand. Lastly keep track of your performance metrics to continually refine your strategies. With dedication and the right approach your blog can thrive and support your small business goals. Frequently Asked Questions What is a blog? A blog is an online platform where individuals or businesses share articles, updates, and insights on various topics. It allows users to connect with their audience, express interests, and foster customer loyalty through consistent content updates. How do I start a blog? To start a blog, choose a niche that reflects your interests, select a blogging platform, and pick a memorable domain name. Define your target audience, narrow down your theme, and have a solid plan for creating engaging content. What are the different types of blogs? Different types of blogs include personal blogs, business blogs, niche blogs, and guest blogs. Understanding these types helps tailor content strategies, engaging your readers effectively while meeting specific business objectives. Why is content quality important in blogging? Quality content is crucial for attracting and retaining readers. It builds credibility and trust, enhances engagement, and provides value. Well-researched, organized, and clear content resonates with the audience, supporting your blogging goals. How can I promote my blog? Promote your blog using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Create visually appealing posts, use relevant hashtags, and engage with your audience. Building an email list for newsletters can also enhance communication and retain readers. How often should I blog? Maintaining a consistent blogging schedule is vital for building an audience and enhancing your online presence. Define what consistency means for you, commit to a specific posting frequency, and create a content calendar to stay organized. What metrics should I analyze for my blog? Analyze performance metrics such as traffic analytics, engagement rates, SEO performance, and conversion rates. These insights help assess your blog’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement to meet your business goals. How do I choose a domain name? Choose a domain name that reflects your brand, is easy to remember, and is available for registration. Aim for simplicity and relevance to your content, which aids in building a strong online presence and attracting your target audience. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Tips to Start Your Own Blog and Connect with Your Audience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Understand Blogging Basics: Grasp the fundamentals of blogging, including its purpose and the various types of blogs, to tailor your content strategy effectively. Choose Your Niche: Select a niche that aligns with your passions and expertise, and identify your target audience to create valuable content that resonates with readers. Pick the Right Platform: Evaluate blogging platforms for customization, ease of use, and support features to establish a professional online presence. Create Quality Content: Focus on producing engaging and well-researched articles that provide valuable insights, utilizing storytelling and visuals to captivate your audience. Promote Your Blog: Leverage social media and build an email list to enhance visibility, engage with your readers, and drive traffic to your blog. Maintain Consistency: Establish a consistent posting schedule and analyze performance metrics to refine your strategy and support your blogging goals. Starting your own blog can be an exciting adventure. Whether you want to share your passions, connect with like-minded individuals, or even make some extra income, blogging offers endless possibilities. But where do you begin? Understanding the Basics of Blogging Blogging presents a valuable opportunity to connect with your target audience and share insights about your small business or passion. Understanding the essentials of blogging equips you to create content that attracts and retains readers. What Is a Blog? A blog is an online platform where you share articles, updates, and thoughts on various topics. It serves as a digital space for your small business to engage with customers, showcase expertise, and enhance your online presence. Blogs can shape your brand and inform your audience, encouraging loyalty and building relationships. Different Types of Blogs Recognizing the types of blogs helps you determine the best approach for your small business. Here are common blog types: Personal Blogs: Focus on individual experiences or insights, often reflecting personal journeys or interests. Business Blogs: Promote products or services while providing industry knowledge. These blogs help establish authority and drive traffic through SEO. Niche Blogs: Concentrate on specific topics, allowing you to build a community around shared interests. Targeting a specific audience enhances engagement and loyalty. Guest Blogs: Feature contributions from various writers, broadening perspectives and attracting diverse audiences, while leveraging existing networks. By understanding these blog types, you can tailor your content strategy to effectively communicate with your readers and support your overall business objectives. Essential Tips for Starting Your Own Blog Starting your own blog offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with your target audience and share your business insights. Here are some essential tips to consider during your blogging journey. Choosing Your Niche Define Your Passion and Expertise: Select a niche that reflects your personal interests and professional knowledge. Focusing on what you know will foster authentic engagement and provide unique insights that resonate with your audience. Identify Your Audience: Pinpoint your target audience’s needs and interests. Understanding their challenges helps create content that adds value and drives reader engagement. Use tools like market research to refine your audience profile. Narrow Down Your Theme: Choose a specific topic within your niche. Specializing can establish your authority and improve search engine rankings, benefiting your overall visibility. Consider Your Goals: Determine what you want from your blog. Whether you aim to educate aspiring entrepreneurs, share small business strategies, or promote your products, clarity in your objectives will guide your content direction. Selecting a Blogging Platform Evaluate Your Options: Review various blogging platforms such as WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix. Consider each platform’s features, user-friendliness, and compatibility with e-commerce functionalities. Assess Customization Capabilities: Look for platforms that allow extensive customization. Customizable themes enable branding that aligns with your business identity, giving your blog a professional look. Support and Resources: Choose a platform that provides adequate support and resources. Quality tutorials, community forums, and customer service can help you navigate technical challenges. Picking a Domain Name Reflect Your Brand: Select a domain name that embodies your business identity and purpose. A clear domain helps with branding and attracts your target audience effectively. Keep It Simple: Opt for a straightforward and memorable domain name. Avoid excessive words or phrases; a concise name is easier for customers to remember and type into their browsers. Check Availability: Use domain registration sites to ensure your chosen name isn’t already taken. Securing a unique domain enhances your brand’s credibility and search engine ranking. Following these essential tips will set a solid foundation for your blog, making it easier to connect with your audience and promote your small business effectively. Creating Engaging Content Creating engaging content is essential for appealing to your target audience and fostering strong connections. Quality content resonates with readers, retains their interest, and drives them to take action. Importance of Quality Content Quality content stands as the foundation of a successful blog. It provides value to your audiences, like insights into specific aspects of small business planning or market research. Focusing on factual information enhances credibility and fosters trust. You attract and retain loyal readers by delivering well-researched articles, covering essential topics such as funding options and business models. Quality includes accurate information, clear messaging, and practical examples that your audience can directly apply to their entrepreneurial journey. Tips for Writing Blog Posts Writing effective blog posts involves several key practices: Use Headers and Sub-headers: Organize content purposefully with relevant headings. Header organization boosts readability and helps readers find what they need quickly. Write for Your Audience: Tailor every post to your target audience’s needs. Understanding their pain points and interests allows you to create relevant content that aligns with their business goals. Tell a Story: Utilize storytelling to keep the audience engaged. Share experiences, success stories, or lessons learned in your entrepreneurial ventures that resonate with readers. Be Clear and Concise: Aim for lucidity, ensuring every sentence conveys necessary information without unnecessary fluff. Short sentences maintain reader focus. Use Great Sources: Support your arguments with credible sources. Incorporate statistics, case studies, or expert quotes related to business growth, customer service, or marketing strategies to enhance your blog’s authority. Optimize for SEO: Integrate keywords naturally, aiming for search engine optimization. Include relevant terms like “market research,” “business model,” or “digital marketing” to improve discoverability. Engage with Visuals: Include images, infographics, or charts that visually represent data. Visuals break up text and provide additional ways to engage with your content. By applying these tips, you enhance your ability to create meaningful and engaging content that resonates with readers and fosters growth for your small business blogging endeavors. Promoting Your Blog Promoting your blog effectively enhances visibility and drives traffic. Successful promotion involves utilizing social media and building an email list. Utilizing Social Media Utilizing social media platforms expands your reach and engages your target audience. Leverage popular social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to share blog posts and interact with readers. Create visually appealing posts that include images, infographics, or videos to capture attention. Use relevant hashtags to improve discoverability, making it easier for potential readers to find your content. Engaging with followers through comments and messages fosters community and encourages readers to share your blog further, which supports customer acquisition. Building an Email List Building an email list allows direct communication with your audience. Offer valuable content, such as exclusive tips or downloadable resources, to incentivize sign-ups. Use tools like opt-in forms and landing pages to capture visitor information easily. Send regular newsletters featuring your latest blog posts along with useful resources to keep your audience engaged. Personalize your emails to strengthen connections and encourage readers to share your blog with their networks. Combining these strategies supports long-term engagement and enhances your blog’s growth potential. Maintaining Your Blog You must maintain a consistent blogging schedule to support your small business’s online presence. Here are key strategies to achieve that. Consistency Is Key Consistency plays a crucial role in your blog’s success. Here are steps to ensure you maintain a steady posting schedule: Define Your Consistency: Establish a clear definition of what consistency means for your blog. This could be posting twice a week, once a week, or monthly. Setting realistic goals prevents burnout. Make a Commitment: Decide on a specific posting schedule. Write down your commitment and mark it in your calendar. Treat your blog schedule like an important business appointment. Create a Content Calendar: Develop a content calendar to plan your posts well in advance. This ensures you’re organized and eliminates the challenge of facing a blank page when it’s time to publish. Analyzing Performance Metrics Analyzing performance metrics enhances your blog’s effectiveness. Focus on the following aspects: Traffic Analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitors and their behavior on your blog. Understanding which posts attract the most traffic guides future content strategy. Engagement Metrics: Monitor comments, shares, and likes on your posts. High engagement rates signify that your content resonates with your target audience, crucial for your customer acquisition strategies. SEO Performance: Regularly analyze your blog’s SEO metrics. Check keyword rankings, backlinks, and click-through rates to optimize visibility. Effective SEO practices enhance your overall digital marketing efforts. Conversion Rates: Keep track of how many readers take desired actions, such as signing up for your email list or purchasing products. Tying blog performance to your sales funnel helps assess and refine your blogging strategy. Utilizing these techniques ensures your blog effectively supports your small business goals, builds your brand, and improves customer engagement. Conclusion Starting your own blog can be a rewarding venture that opens doors to new opportunities. By following the tips outlined in this article you can create a blog that not only reflects your passions but also engages your audience effectively. Remember to focus on quality content and consistent posting to build trust and credibility with your readers. Utilize social media and email marketing to promote your blog and foster a community around your brand. Lastly keep track of your performance metrics to continually refine your strategies. With dedication and the right approach your blog can thrive and support your small business goals. Frequently Asked Questions What is a blog? A blog is an online platform where individuals or businesses share articles, updates, and insights on various topics. It allows users to connect with their audience, express interests, and foster customer loyalty through consistent content updates. How do I start a blog? To start a blog, choose a niche that reflects your interests, select a blogging platform, and pick a memorable domain name. Define your target audience, narrow down your theme, and have a solid plan for creating engaging content. What are the different types of blogs? Different types of blogs include personal blogs, business blogs, niche blogs, and guest blogs. Understanding these types helps tailor content strategies, engaging your readers effectively while meeting specific business objectives. Why is content quality important in blogging? Quality content is crucial for attracting and retaining readers. It builds credibility and trust, enhances engagement, and provides value. Well-researched, organized, and clear content resonates with the audience, supporting your blogging goals. How can I promote my blog? Promote your blog using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Create visually appealing posts, use relevant hashtags, and engage with your audience. Building an email list for newsletters can also enhance communication and retain readers. How often should I blog? Maintaining a consistent blogging schedule is vital for building an audience and enhancing your online presence. Define what consistency means for you, commit to a specific posting frequency, and create a content calendar to stay organized. What metrics should I analyze for my blog? Analyze performance metrics such as traffic analytics, engagement rates, SEO performance, and conversion rates. These insights help assess your blog’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement to meet your business goals. How do I choose a domain name? Choose a domain name that reflects your brand, is easy to remember, and is available for registration. Aim for simplicity and relevance to your content, which aids in building a strong online presence and attracting your target audience. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Tips to Start Your Own Blog and Connect with Your Audience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Maybe you've treated yourself to a brand new MacBook Air, or maybe you want to factory reset your iMac—either to sell it on or wipe all the digital detritus off the system. Whatever the reason you're setting up a new Mac, these are the steps you'll need to follow. Apple has continually streamlined this process over the years, and with the rollout of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS 15.4 Sequoia, it's now easier than ever: If you've got an iPhone or iPad available, it can take care of some of the setup process for you. First, you'll see a hello message, in a cycling selection of languages: Click Get Started, then choose the language you want macOS to use, and your country or region. With that done, you can then customize the accessibility settings built into macOS, if you need them, to complete the rest of the setup process. This is the biggest choice you have to make in the setup process. Credit: Apple The all-important step of connecting to wifi is next, and once you've chosen a network and entered the password for it, you'll get the opportunity to download any software updates available for macOS—which is recommended, to make sure you have the latest bug fixes and security patches installed. You can choose whether or not you want to transfer data to your new Mac as part of the setup process. The top option, From a Mac, Time Machine or startup disk, is the one to go for if you want your new Mac to look as much like your old Mac as possible: If you're upgrading Macs and the old one is still available to you, you'll be prompted to launch the Migration Assistant on both computers to copy your user account over. Then there's From a Windows PC, which sticks to data like contacts, calendars, email accounts—if you're switching from Windows to macOS, this can help the process run more smoothly. Again, you'll be taken step by step through the procedure, which includes getting Migration Assistant set up on Windows as well as macOS. Bring your iPhone close to your Mac to see a prompt to connect. Credit: Apple The third option here is Set up with iPhone or iPad, which is the new feature that's just been added. It transfers data such as wifi logins, and your appearance and accessibility customizations, as well as access to your iCloud account. Pick this option, bring your iPhone or iPad close to your Mac, and you should see a prompt on the mobile device. Tap Continue to confirm. A glowing blue orb shows up on your Mac screen, which you then need to fit inside the camera viewfinder on your iPhone or iPad, and then the link is established. You still need to go through a few more setup steps after this, but it does save you a few minutes. The fourth and final option on the transfer data dialog is Set up as new, which I actually prefer: It gives you a clean and fresh installation of macOS, and it means you can slowly move over your data and accounts bit by bit, as needed. With this option, you'll avoid moving any clutter from your old Mac or other Apple devices over to your new computer. You'll need to set up a new user account for macOS. Credit: Apple With your data transfer option chosen, you're then required to enter a username and password to use on your Mac, which is separate from your Apple account. Click the box underneath your password hint to make sure you can always get into this Mac with your Apple account credentials, should you ever forget your Mac credentials. Next, you're prompted to sign into your Apple account to get all your iCloud data synced and in place—unless you've used the iPhone or iPad shortcut, in which case the Mac already knows who you are. After that, you need to set the various permissions for macOS, including location services, device analytics, and Siri access. Almost there—but there are still a few more dialogs to work through. When it comes to these features, you can opt to set them up straight away or later on. First, there's Apple Intelligence, such as it is—right now on macOS, you're looking at features such as Writing Tools, the Image Playground app, and the ChatGPT extension to Siri. If you've used an iPhone or iPad, you'll be logged into iCloud automatically. Credit: Apple Next up, you've got FileVault Disk Encryption and Touch ID (your Mac is much more secure if you turn both of these on), followed by Apple Pay, if you want to use new or previously registered payment cards to make purchases on your Mac. After that, you're just about done: Click Continue on the Welcome to Mac screen, and you're good to go. The process is straightforward enough that you can consider resetting your Mac every so often to keep unnecessary junk data down to a minimum, and ensure everything stays running as quickly as possible. If you ever want to reset your Mac and go through the setup process again (making sure your data is safely backed up first), open System Settings from the main Apple menu, then choose General > Transfer or Reset. Once you get into macOS proper, you can start making it your own again. For me, that means removing almost everything from the dock and hiding it from view, and changing the trackpad scrolling direction so it's the right way up—but your mileage will vary. View the full article

Meta founder’s antitrust defence rests on showing that TikTok is rapidly expanding in his main market View the full article

Affiliate networks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Between evolving tracking laws, new tech capabilities, and shifting fee structures, the best choice depends on your business model and goals. This guide breaks down top affiliate networks by use case, so you can make a smarter, more strategic decision. The data-driven approach to choosing an affiliate network If you’re ready to launch an affiliate program – a marketing channel where others promote you on a revenue-sharing or performance basis – but aren’t sure which affiliate network to choose, I’ve got you covered. Over the last 20+ years, I’ve worked as an affiliate, an in-house affiliate manager, managed a network, and now run an agency that offers affiliate management services and program audits across multiple platforms. A few of our clients were curious whether they should change networks, given the substantial technology updates over the last few years, new tracking laws at both the state and country levels, and increasingly competitive pricing. I spent hours talking to platforms on their behalf and used more than 70 data points – including features, software functionality, pricing, and even bedside manner – to identify the best affiliate networks for their unique needs across different industries. Our clients range from lead-gen programs and service-based businesses to ecommerce shops. Some networks are designed specifically for apps or niche markets, specializing in tools for those spaces. Others are more all-encompassing and offer broader capabilities without the enterprise-level price tag. Instead of a top 10 list, I’m sharing my top picks based on specific business needs – including an overall best. That was the hardest one to choose, as more than one network could’ve earned the spot. Dig deeper: Affiliate managers – It’s time to shift your focus beyond media What to know before choosing an affiliate network There are a few things to know before selecting an affiliate network. These are some of the most common questions or myths we get from clients – or that I’m asked about at trade shows and conferences where I speak. Knowing this information ahead of time can help you avoid making the wrong decision, especially since you’re potentially stuck for at least a year if you choose the wrong system. An affiliate network’s purpose is to provide a tracking and payment platform that also keeps you informed and compliant with local, national, and international advertising laws. It is your job as a brand or affiliate manager to bring affiliates to your program. If the network has affiliates and a marketplace, that can be a bonus, but it isn’t their job. Affiliate networks that have marketplaces also mean the partners you recruit will be exposed to your competitors who are also on the same network. Many networks will reach out and introduce the partners you recruited to your competitors. You cannot stop this from happening, so the work you put into recruitment benefits your competitors. All affiliate networks give bad advice on who you should approve into your program. It is your job to make sure your company or your clients’ goals are being met. Affiliate networks make their money off the number of transactions that go through the platform. This incentivizes them to encourage you to work with low-value and zero-value partners. In some cases, they give these partners awards at industry events to add credibility – causing confusion when your data doesn’t line up and you realize the partner actually hurts your bottom line. It is your job as the brand to patrol, remove, and ensure the partners add value if you want a revenue-generating program vs. one that just shows numbers. You should always negotiate an out clause into the network contract and agreement. If you are big enough, you can negotiate preferred rates, software upgrades without additional fees, and lock in pricing for exclusivity on the platform or for being featured in network case studies. Now let’s go into who I’ve chosen for the top affiliate networks and why. This doesn’t mean others aren’t good – so talk to more and make a decision based on your company’s needs. Best overall affiliate network This one was not easy because every network has pros and cons, but when it came to the details that matter, AWIN Global takes the cake as the best affiliate network. They: Launch brand new toolsets constantly. Create software partnerships to ensure you have the latest and greatest tools. Consistently build new software if no partnership is necessary. Unlike other affiliate networks, AWIN does not charge upsells on new features or have hidden fees to access software after you sign the dotted line. They’re incredibly flexible when you’re a larger brand on override fees, so you can negotiate down from the industry standards of 20% and 25%. I get incredibly fast responses from both the agency and the merchant support team when I reach out as a brand, and the responses tend to be accurate. In the past, when we needed to consider other platforms because the client was shopping, AWIN didn’t like to see a program leave, but they allowed for flexibility in their contracts. Other networks get legal and try to scare you. AWIN is there for you as a brand, and that goes far in my book. They are one of the few affiliate platforms that back off when you let them know they’re being too aggressive sales-wise, which is very nice. It doesn’t mean they don’t overstep a boundary, but they’re more respectful than other enterprise-level and large networks. Pros Elite software capabilities and tracking, including server-based. Offers multi-channel tracking and attribution. Transparency in pricing. The ability to expand globally vs. needing a new platform in the EU, APAC, LATAM, etc., makes it appealing if you ship worldwide. Easily tag and group affiliates in unlimited ways for better communications, stronger commissioning and attribution options, and to make it easier to see performance by type of publisher, top performers, and content niches or promotional strategies (social, blog, newsletter, YouTube, etc.). Cons The in-house management and publisher teams recommend low- and no-value publishers. The in-house management team lacks the ability to get top-funnel partners going (based on my experience auditing when the in-house team was co-managing with an in-house affiliate manager). They favor big brands vs. smaller companies, so you won’t get the attention you want unless you pay. No space to keep detailed notes about specific partners on the partner’s page for other team members to reference – making it hard to know why decisions were made. Cannot leave public feedback or scores on partners, making it harder to detect fraud in the application process. There is no PPC and trademark bidding monitoring tool, but there was on ShareASale. Unlike a majority of other networks, AWIN does not let you combine multiple stores into the same program account – you have to keep them separate. I was surprised by this because it was available on the platforms they purchased like Buy.at and ShareASale. Best enterprise-level network Impact is the go-to for enterprise and global brands. It comes at a cost, as everything is an upsell – and it isn’t cheap. However, when you’re an enterprise-level brand, their tiered-down commission structure can actually make more financial sense than a traditional network with a flat override fee. (The override is the amount of money the network takes on top of the affiliate commission.) Impact was the first to use this model – and it’s brilliant. When it comes to innovation, Impact is always first to market. They were the original network with cross-channel reporting in the affiliate space and built it into an easy-to-absorb report. With Impact, you can see if PPC referred a sale, then SEO had a click, and an affiliate came in at the last second to take credit. You can also automate not commissioning that partner or bounce the commission back up to a high-value touchpoint. My favorite feature in Impact is the by-URL commissions. If you want to be featured on a specific page – like a listicle in a media company – you can make sales from that listicle worth 20% and the rest of the domain 10%. If that same publication also builds a page that ranks for your brand + coupons, you can set commissions from that coupon page to 0% while keeping the rest active. Impact was the first affiliate network I worked on that offered this level of flexibility. Impact also acquired an influencer software system. Although I haven’t heard great things yet, I’ve heard it’s always improving. And if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that Impact invests heavily in software. They won’t just get it right – they’ll take it to the next level and beyond. That commitment to tech is why they’re considered a top-tier, high-caliber affiliate network. Pros Big brands bring on tons of publishers, giving you more exposure as you grow. Smaller brands benefit from affiliates brought in by the larger brands. Heavy investments into technology and continuous advancement. Very quick response times and excellent bedside manner when solving issues. You can keep notes on specific publishers for other team members to reference. Includes a PPC trademark bidding monitoring tool. Cons The price – everything is an upsell, and new software always comes at a cost (where other networks may include it). It’s extremely difficult to break your contract or leave if things aren’t working out. The sales team could be overly aggressive, often failing to respect boundaries. You must get everything in writing to protect your brand – or be prepared to jump through hoops and deal with more red tape than other platforms. It’s critical to have a lawyer review your contract and confirm all terms – including promised software, pricing, out clauses, and anything else that matters to you. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Best B2B and SaaS platform PartnerStack came out of nowhere and built one of the coolest systems for B2B, lead gen, and SaaS affiliate programs. You get all the transparency offered by other networks, along with powerful logic systems that support custom tracking, commissioning, and reporting features tailored to your program’s goals. Much like Impact, where you can assign commissions based on a specific referring URL, PartnerStack takes this ten steps further. You can assign commissions based on virtually any trackable or reportable event – and it’s all incredibly user-friendly. Here’s an example: one configuration can commission 20% only if the sale is an annual or quarterly purchase, while excluding all other sale types. You can do this with just a few simple selections – no IT support or advanced coding required. PartnerStack’s simplicity is a thing of beauty. You don’t have to second-guess anything, as the tools are clearly labeled and intuitive. Their support team is highly responsive and offers straightforward, easy-to-follow guidance on how to use the platform effectively. Pros Extremely simple to use with tools named for exactly what they do. Flexible reporting with digestible charts and graphs. Advanced commissioning options. Built specifically for SaaS, lead gen, and B2B programs – tools and features are optimized for these use cases. Includes a clean, easy-to-use email tool to communicate with the full program or segmented partner groups. Cons No datafeed support – makes it a poor fit for ecommerce, which can be a drawback for software companies that also sell guides, ebooks, manuals, etc. Not all support reps are fully familiar with all features – you may need to escalate to get the right help. The platform isn’t designed for ecommerce. While you can run an ecommerce program on it, it won’t be easy or intuitive. You can’t leave public feedback on partners – this would be helpful for identifying or flagging violations of terms of service. There’s no plugin for server-to-server tracking – only cookie-based tracking, which is now considered obsolete. You’ll need someone with technical expertise to get around this. Best CPA network Everflow wins the best CPA network – hands down! CPA networks are different from affiliate networks in that a CPA network has products or services as a single offer, whereas an affiliate network lists a company with multiple SKUs. CPA networks are ideal for financial offers like credit cards, insurance leads, or subscriptions to platforms like hosting. Some niches are suitable for either a CPA network or affiliate network, such as hosting, but CPA networks are the right choice for bundles, lead gen, offers, supplements, or gambling. There are a few reasons why Everflow stands out. The first reason is that your program is self-managed versus network-managed, giving you control over who has access to your offers, unlike networks that hide them from view. This allows you to ensure your brand is cared for, promotions follow company guidelines, and you can remove violators from the program. With Everflow, you can also see referring URLs from partners and turn them off if they are hiding what they are actually doing. Commissioning tiers are simple to set up, and you can create private or public offers, as well as time-stamp commissions to prevent end-of-sale interceptions. Pros Hands-on customer support that works with you to find solutions. Detects parameters from the URL when using server-side tracking, so if an affiliate forgets to use the correct affiliate link, sales may still track. Ability to private-label their system to make it appear in-house. Access to all affiliate contact information within your program. Built-in email template creator for newsletters and program-wide communications. No annual fees on top of other fees. Cons Only two levels of commissioning for multiple partners with a click (compared to other networks that offer five or more). No advertising options within the platform to bring awareness to new publishers. Lacks tools for tracking TOS violators, like PPC bidding and monitoring. Six-month minimum contract length (which isn’t a bad negative, considering most programs take a year to get going). There is a setup fee if you do not sign an annual contract (but it’s minimal). Dig deeper: Why are so many affiliate sites losing organic traffic? Two other networks worth mentioning I didn’t know exactly where to place these two, but CJ and MobIdea deserve a mention. Revitalizing a legacy platform with modern tools I wasn’t sure where to place CJ. It’s been years since I considered them, but a few clients are using the platform, and I’ve been impressed by what they’ve done. I had assumed CJ was a legacy, outdated platform, but I was wrong. Much like the networks mentioned above, they’ve invested in their technology and now offer the tools needed for modern affiliate programs and management. The team is incredibly responsive, which is crucial for affiliate programs. This has been my experience with them for roughly 20 years. I may not always like their answers, but they provide quick and efficient responses. Their network show, CJU, is high-end, and you truly feel like royalty. While it may not seem important, having a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at networking events makes a significant difference. It lowers the barriers for introverts like me and encourages meaningful connections. Mobile-first CPA network with verification tools MobIdea also took me by surprise. They are a CPA network that typically keeps affiliates in a hidden box, so you don’t have visibility into what’s happening. This is standard for all CPA networks, which is why our clients generally don’t work with them. But MobIdea has a major difference. It’s the only CPA network I know of (outside of Everflow) that allows an advertiser to require a referring URL to be passed back in order for a sale to be commissionable. You can then verify if the referred website actually drove the sale by checking social sharing and seeing how well the page performs for SEO. You can also check if PPC keywords are driving visitors to the page. If the information doesn’t check out, you can turn off that publisher and void their commissions. MobIdea is also one of the few networks that specializes in mobile apps and app tracking. After a private demo with their team, I loved the protections and technology they’ve built to make the process run smoothly. If you have an app and don’t want a traditional affiliate network, they’ve created a CPA network tailored for you. While you won’t get the transparency of a traditional network or as many protections, their team will help get your offer in front of top partners. Everyone I met at MobIdea was friendly, helpful, and responsive. They won me over! Final thoughts Choosing the right affiliate network isn’t about picking the biggest name – it’s about aligning features, pricing, and support with your business model. Whether you’re running a lead-gen campaign, scaling a SaaS program, or growing global ecommerce sales, there’s a platform built to support your goals. With the right fit, your affiliate program won’t just run – it’ll thrive. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’ve been eyeing premium wireless earbuds but don’t want to shell out big bucks, this deal on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 earbuds might catch your attention. Originally priced at $279.95, they’re now going for $89.99 on Woot—but only for two weeks or until they're sold out. Plus, Prime members get free standard shipping, while others will have to pay $6 (just a heads up—this sale is only available in the contiguous U.S., and free shipping isn’t available for Alaska, Hawaii, or PO boxes). You also get a two-year Sennheiser manufacturer's limited warranty, so there’s some peace of mind if anything goes wrong. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 Earbuds $89.99 at Woot $279.95 Save $189.96 Get Deal Get Deal $89.99 at Woot $279.95 Save $189.96 These IPX4-rated earbuds come with four pairs of ear tips (XS to L) and three sets of stability fins, which help keep them in place, especially if you plan to use them at the gym. The controls are built into the capacitive outer panels of each earbud and are said to be quite responsive. That said, the touch controls can be a bit too sensitive—accidentally pausing or skipping tracks when you’re just adjusting the earbuds is a common issue. Battery-wise, you get seven hours per charge with an extra 21 hours from the case (decent, but expect less if ANC is on). Charging is convenient since the case supports both Qi wireless charging and USB-C. Its Bluetooth 5.2 compatibility ensures a stable connection while its 7mm dynamic drivers cover a wide frequency range of 5Hz to 21kHz, delivering deep bass without distortion, clear mids, and balanced highs. The sound quality is impressive with AAC, AptX, AptX Adaptive, and SBC supported (which should work well for most users), but audiophiles might notice the absence of LDAC support. Active noise cancellation (ANC) here is solid but not the best. It handles low rumbles (like plane noise) well but struggles with higher-frequency sounds (like chatter and clanking dishes), as noted in this PCMag review. You can tweak the EQ, adjust ANC settings, customize touch controls, and more using the Sennheiser Smart App. If water resistance is a priority, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro (Renewed, $129) offers a higher IP57 rating, making it more durable against dust and water. And if you’re after stronger ANC, the Sony WF-1000XM4 (Renewed, $134.99) might be a better pick. View the full article

Donald The President has stepped up his attacks on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell at the same time that the Supreme Court is considering a case that could make it easier for the president to fire him. The developments are occurring against a backdrop of wider turmoil in the economy and financial markets, brought on by The President’s sweeping taxes on imports. Most economists worry that an assault on the Fed’s longstanding independence from politics would further disrupt markets and add to the uncertainty enveloping the economy. In comments at the White House Thursday, The President suggested he has the power to remove Powell and criticized him for not aggressively cutting interest rates. “If I want him out, he’ll be out of there real fast, believe me,” The President said. “I’m not happy with him.” All the scrutiny threatens the Fed’s venerated independence, which has long been supported by most economists and Wall Street investors. Here are some questions and answers about the Fed. Why does the Fed’s independence matter? The Fed wields extensive power over the U.S. economy. By cutting the short-term interest rate it controls — which it typically does when the economy falters — the Fed can make borrowing cheaper and encourage more spending, accelerating growth and hiring. When it raises the rate — which it does to cool the economy and combat inflation — it can weaken the economy and cause job losses. Economists have long preferred independent central banks because they can more easily take unpopular steps to fight inflation, such as raise interest rates, which makes borrowing to buy a home, car, or appliance more expensive. The importance of an independent Fed was cemented for most economists after the extended inflation spike of the 1970s and early 1980s. Former Fed Chair Arthur Burns has been widely blamed for allowing the painful inflation of that era to accelerate by succumbing to pressure from President Richard Nixon to keep rates low heading into the 1972 election. Nixon feared higher rates would cost him the election, which he won in a landslide. Paul Volcker was eventually appointed chair of the Fed in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, and he pushed the Fed’s short-term rate to the stunningly high level of nearly 20%. (It is currently 4.3%). The eye-popping rates triggered a sharp recession, pushed unemployment to nearly 11%, and spurred widespread protests. Yet Volcker didn’t flinch. By the mid-1980s, inflation had fallen back into the low single digits. Volcker’s willingness to inflict pain on the economy to throttle inflation is seen by most economists as a key example of the value of an independent Fed. What do Wall Street investors think? An effort to fire Powell would almost certainly cause stock prices to fall and bond yields to spike higher, pushing up interest rates on government debt and raising borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and credit card debt. Most investors prefer an independent Fed, partly because it typically manages inflation better without being influenced by politics but also because its decisions are more predictable. Fed officials often publicly discuss how they would alter interest rate policies if economic conditions changed. If the Fed was more swayed by politics, it would be harder for financial markets to anticipate — or understand — its decisions. So does that mean the Fed is completely unaccountable? Well, no. Fed chairs like Powell are appointed by the president to serve four-year terms, and have to be confirmed by the Senate. The president also appoints the six other members of the Fed’s governing board, who can serve staggered terms of up to 14 years, though most governors leave before the end of their terms. Those appointments can allow a president over time to significantly alter the Fed’s policies. Former president Joe Biden appointed five of the current seven members: Powell, Lisa Cook, Philip Jefferson, Adriana Kugler, and Michael Barr. As a result, The President will have fewer opportunities to make appointments. He will be able to replace Kugler, who filled an unexpired term ending Jan. 31, 2026. Congress, meanwhile, can set the Fed’s goals through legislation. In 1977, for example, Congress gave the Fed a “dual mandate” to keep prices stable and seek maximum employment. The Fed defines stable prices as inflation at 2%. The 1977 law also requires the Fed chair to testify before the House and Senate twice every year about the economy and interest rate policy. But can the president fire Powell? Powell says the law establishing the Fed does not allow a president to fire a chair except for cause. There is some complication in that Powell was separately appointed as a member of the Fed’s board of governors, and then elevated to the position of chair — by The President, in 2017. Most legal scholars agree that The President can’t fire Powell from the Fed’s board of governors, but there is less agreement over whether a president can remove him as chair. In January, Michael Barr, who was vice chair for supervision, stepped down from that post but remained on the board to avoid a potential legal clash over whether The President could fire him. Should The President try to fire Powell anyway, the ensuing fight would almost certainly end up at the Supreme Court. What could the Supreme Court do? We may get an early sign of how the Supreme Court would decide it this summer. There is already a case before the court on the issue of whether the president can fire top officials at independent agencies. The case stems from The President’s firings of two officials, one from the National Labor Relations Board and the other from an agency that protects workers from political interference. The Supreme Court last week let the firings stand while it considers the case. It could rule this summer that the president, as the head of the executive branch, could fire officials at any federal agency even if Congress had intended it to be independent. The case would overturn a 90-year old precedent known as Humphrey’s Executor, in which the court ruled that the president couldn’t fire such officials. Powell said Wednesday he is watching the case closely, adding that it might not apply to the Fed. Lawyers for the The President administration, seeking to narrow the focus of the case, have argued that it doesn’t involve the Fed. Both the The President administration and the Supreme Court justices have carved out exemptions for the Fed before. In February, the White House issued an executive order that placed several financial regulatory agencies, including the Fed and the Securities and Exchange Commission, more directly under the president’s control. Yet the order specifically exempted the Fed’s ability to set interest rates from that order. And in a case in 2023, Justice Samuel Alito said in a footnote that the Fed is a “unique institution with a unique historical background” that made it different than other independent bodies. If the court does give presidents more power over the heads of independent agencies, it could potentially exempt the Fed. —Christopher Rugaber, AP Economics Writer View the full article

The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency created to serve as a watchdog for American consumers against predatory business practices, said on Thursday it planned to dismiss as much as 90% of its remaining workforce, resuming mass firings less than a week after a federal court ruling granted the The President administration leeway in setting staff levels. Multiple agency sources said staff members had begun receiving formal notices on Thursday afternoon. A CFPB spokesperson confirmed the agency was moving to fire roughly 1,500 people across core divisions, including enforcement and supervision, leaving only 200 staff. Fox Business had earlier reported those numbers. The workforce action comes in the middle of legal action brought by an employee union and consumer advocates working to prevent what they said was the agency’s illegal destruction. In an emergency motion filed Thursday evening, lawyers for an employee union and consumer advocates told a federal judge the CFPB was flouting court orders requiring a “particularized assessment” prior to any such workforce reductions and that the agency retain enough staff to perform functions required by law. “It is unfathomable that cutting the Bureau’s staff by 90 percent in just 24 hours, with no notice to people to prepare for that elimination, would not ‘interfere with the performance’ of its statutory duties,” they said in the motion. According to one official notice seen by Reuters, the agency said the recipient’s dismissal would take effect in 60 days but that access to internal email systems and IT systems would be cut off on Friday evening. President Donald The President and billionaire adviser Elon Musk called earlier this year for the CFPB’s elimination, accusing it of politicized enforcement, and with a court hearing showing the administration’s initial goal was to shut the agency down entirely. However, administration officials subsequently said the CFPB would continue to exist in some form, noting that The President has nominated a new director. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Created after the 2008 financial crisis, the CFPB is the sole federal agency with power to enforce consumer financial laws at nonbank institutions such as mortgage originators and payment services. The agency, long criticized by conservatives, has been facing an onslaught of firings and changes under President Donald The President. An appeals court last week partially reversed a decision handed down by a district court that ordered the administration to halt efforts to fire workers, scrap contracts and close offices. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who championed the creation of the CFPB, earlier this year said no one other than Congress could dismantle the agency and criticized Republican attempts to weaken the agency that has paid $21 billion in financial restitution to thousands of Americans. In a statement, Warren called the mass firings “yet another assault on consumers and our democracy by this lawless Administration.” (Additional reporting and writing by Pete Schroeder) —Douglas Gillison and Tim Reid, Reuters View the full article

Google was ruled, for the second time, an illegal monopoly again by a Federal Judge yesterday. And another week and more heated volatility in the Google Search results. Google also announced they will redirect...View the full article

The long goodbye to the US-led world order means leaders must tread carefullyView the full article

Explore an exhaustive list of new search engine options and how their technology changes the online search game. The post 25 Alternative Search Engines You Can Use Instead Of Google appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Return on ad spend (ROAS) has been the default metric for evaluating Google Ads performance for years. It’s easy to calculate, works well with automated bidding, and provides a quick snapshot of efficiency. However, as ad costs rise and tracking becomes less reliable, relying solely on ROAS is no longer enough, especially for businesses focused on long-term growth and profitability. This article: Unpacks why ROAS can be misleading. Introduces better metrics to consider. Explains how to start moving toward a performance strategy that aligns with real business outcomes. Why ROAS can be misleading ROAS seems like the perfect metric. Spend $1, make $5. It’s clean, quantifiable, and easy to explain to stakeholders. But the simplicity hides some big problems. ROAS doesn’t account for profit margins Take a skincare brand with a 600% ROAS. Sounds great, right? But if their best-selling product only has a 10% profit margin, that return suddenly doesn’t look so strong. Once you factor in costs of goods, shipping, returns, discounts, and marketing overhead, there might not be much left in the bank. ROAS tells you how much revenue you made, not how much money you actually earned. It favors short-term, low-risk campaigns ROAS tends to look best when campaigns are focused on retargeting, branded search, or people already close to converting. These campaigns might be efficient, but they aren’t driving new growth. If most of your budget goes toward people who would’ve bought anyway, your performance numbers might look good, but your pipeline will eventually dry up. It can inflate results that would have happened anyway Branded search campaigns almost always show high ROAS. But how many of those conversions would have happened without the ad? If someone searches your exact brand name and clicks your ad instead of the organic result, you haven’t gained anything – you’ve just paid for a conversion that was already on its way. 3 alternative metrics that align ad spend with business outcomes ROAS was built for a simpler time. Today’s ad environment demands sharper tools. These alternative metrics go deeper, helping you measure real business value – not just platform performance. 1. Profit per impression (PPI) What it is Profit per impression looks at how much profit each impression generates. It’s especially useful for top-of-funnel campaigns where clicks and conversions are lower, but influence can still be high. Example A DTC mattress brand runs YouTube ads to promote a new eco-friendly line. CTRs are low and ROAS isn’t impressive in-platform. But over the next two weeks, the brand sees a spike in high-margin product sales. When they tie those sales back to the impressions and calculate the profit per ad view, they realize this campaign outperformed many of their search efforts, even though traditional metrics said otherwise. Why it matters PPI gives you a way to measure profitability at the brand awareness level. It encourages you to think about efficient reach, not just clicks. And it’s a better fit for platforms and formats where direct conversions aren’t the whole story, like YouTube or Display. 2. Customer lifetime value (CLV) What it is CLV looks beyond the first purchase and estimates how much revenue a customer will generate over time. It’s essential for subscription brands, businesses with strong repeat purchase behavior, or anyone thinking long-term. Example A subscription meal kit service acquires two customers: Customer A signs up via a brand search ad. They cancel after one month. Customer B signs up from a generic recipe keyword and stays for eight months. Customer A had a lower CPA and better immediate ROAS. But Customer B ends up being worth eight times more. If you’re only looking at ROAS, you’ll end up optimizing for more Customer As. How to use it Segment high-value customers using GA4, your CRM, or analytics tools. Import those customer lists into Google Ads via Customer Match, or send offline conversion values into your account. Then use value-based bidding to steer spend toward audiences that bring more value over time, not just quick wins. 3. Incrementality What it is Incrementality tells you how many conversions happened because of your ads – not just those that happened with your ads. It’s about isolating the true impact of your campaigns, which ROAS doesn’t do at all. Example An eyewear brand runs Performance Max campaigns alongside branded search. They test two regions: In Region A, they pause Performance Max. In Region B, they leave it running. Both regions have similar brand awareness. After a few weeks, Region B shows 20% more total conversions, even though ROAS is lower. That 20% lift shows the campaign is actually driving new business – not just picking up conversions that would’ve happened anyway. Tools and tactics to test incrementality Geo-based holdout tests using Google Experiments or manual setups. Google’s Conversion Lift studies (if eligible). Media mix modeling with tools like Northbeam or Rockerbox. Compare brand keyword performance across paid vs. organic using Search Console data. Dig deeper: Incrementality testing in advertising – Who are the winners and losers? From ROAS to value: Evolving your bidding strategy Google’s automation can be incredibly effective, but only if it’s optimizing for the right outcomes. If you’re feeding the system shallow goals like page views or “add to cart” events, don’t be surprised when your campaigns prioritize low-quality actions. Here’s how to start shifting your bidding and tracking strategy toward real value. Define success by business impact, not just ad metrics Are you trying to acquire new customers, increase profit per order, or attract high-LTV segments? Be clear on what success actually looks like and make sure your campaign goals reflect that. Bring in better data Use Enhanced Conversions to send more accurate signals. Push offline conversion events like closed deals or retained customers back into Google Ads. If your value data stays in your CRM, Google can’t optimize for it. 3. Use conversion value rules Adjust conversion values based on audience type, location, or device. For example, you might want to increase the value of conversions from repeat customers or loyalty program members. Test broad match with value-based bidding When paired with good first-party data and well-defined goals, broad match and value bidding can help you scale beyond narrow keyword targeting, without sacrificing efficiency. Final thoughts ROAS still has a place in your reporting stack. But it shouldn’t be the only metric guiding your decisions. By introducing metrics like profit per impression, customer lifetime value, and incrementality, you can build a performance model that reflects the real value your campaigns are driving. The advertisers seeing the biggest gains in 2025 aren’t just chasing higher ROAS – they’re building smarter, more sustainable strategies focused on growth, profit, and long-term success. Dig deeper: How to optimize for ROAS in Google Ads using LTV insights View the full article

As the prices on groceries continue to rise, many people might be thinking of growing a vegetable garden for the first time. It can be a great idea, not just because groceries are expensive, but because getting to the store includes soft costs like gas, grocery bags, and time—to say nothing of how wildly empowering it can be to simply walk into your backyard and collect the food you grew yourself. The key to your success here is maximizing the space you have, because gardening has soft costs, too. The fertilizer, water, and of course, your time. You’ve got a limited amount of space to work with, as well, so choosing the right crops to get the maximum amount of food is essential. Maximize the space by growing up and down Kohlrabi grows above ground, but look at all the space left to grow radishes, turnips, and carrots around the kohrabi in the same space. Credit: Amanda Blum You might look at a raised bed and see a simple 4-by-8-foot space, but I see all the vertical space. Beneath the tomatoes lies space for radishes, turnips, and carrots. Peas, beans, and cucumbers grow straight up if supported by a trellis, using almost no square footage of the bed itself. If tomatoes are allowed to sprawl across the bed, they take up a lot of space, but pruned and trellised appropriately, they’ll grow up, leaving room for crops around them. Almost all squash can be trellised to grow upwards. "Cut and come again" crops make the best use of space Credit: Amanda Blum Grow lettuce, celery, chard, and kale because these crops allow you to take leaves or stalks from them without killing the plant—they'll simply grow back. Eventually, the plant will go to seed (it will send up a shoot that will flower, and then that flower will produce seeds, and this process will turn the vegetable bitter), these crops take little time to grow, so they can be quickly replaced. Avoid crops that take up a lot of space for little return Credit: Amanda Blum I only grow cabbage in wintertime—during the summer, I can’t spare the space. Each cabbage plant needs 3 square feet or more, and only produces one head of cabbage, which is cheap to buy at the market. The same is true for broccoli and cauliflower. A single zucchini plant will take over an entire bed, and while it will produce an endless amount of zucchini, it’s usually too much hassle. Corn doesn’t seem like it would require much space, but you need to grow it in blocks of 4 feet by 4 feet in order for it to pollinate. Corn is also such a heavy nitrogen feeder that it will rob all your nearby vegetables of the nitrogen they need to grow. Grow mini vegetables instead of full-size ones Credit: Amanda Blum I recently wrote about growing mini bell peppers instead of full size, since each full-size plant may produce only a few bell peppers, but a mini pepper plant may produce 50. The same is true of eggplants and tomatoes. Planting one cherry or plum tomato plant (I recommend Juliet) will give you a summers-worth of tomatoes to play with rather than waiting for a few full-size tomatoes to ripen. Small eggplants will also ripen over the season, giving you produce to harvest more often. Choose crops that are easy to grow Credit: Amanda Blum Some crops are more finicky than others. It’s hard to screw up lettuce, radishes, or peas, but a lot of things can go wrong before you successfully grow a watermelon or artichoke. Carrots are very hard to germinate, but beets grow for everyone. Choose vegetables that grow quickly Cucumbers are fast crops and can even be grown in bags Credit: Amanda Blum Some vegetables are short crops, meaning they grow quickly, and some are long crops, taking five or six months. Brussels sprouts and parsnips, for instance, take six months to grow, but turnips can be harvested in 60 days. Lettuce, radishes, beets, scallions, spinach, chard, cucumber, green beans, and peas are all examples of short crops. The back of any seed packet (or the plant label on starts) will tell you how long any crop will take to harvest. Stagger your plantingGardens are not a “set it and forget it” project. You need to be constantly inputting (planting) and outputting (harvesting). To keep a small space consistently going, you’ll want to utilize succession planting. Instead of planting peas once, plant them every two weeks so there's always something to harvest. The same is true with almost every crop mentioned above: lettuce, scallions, radishes, beets, turnips, etc. Plant some in week one, and then again in week three, five, and seven. As you pull out older plants, newer plants are already growing. If a plant is struggling, pull it out and try something else—you don’t have the space to let anything linger. View the full article

Google recently said it made Search "much faster," at least that is what Rajan Patel, the VP of Engineering at Google Search said on social. There is a larger blog post that Google wrote up on this, which I initially decided not to cover but I changed my mind.View the full article

Friday, April 18, 2025, is Good Friday. But when it comes to what places are open and closed on Good Friday, things can be a bit tricky. That’s because Good Friday is not a federal holiday but a religious one. It’s the Friday before Easter, which is always celebrated on a Sunday. Yet Good Friday is also a state holiday in select states. This means that public institutions may be closed in one state but open in another on Good Friday. Here’s what you need to know about what’s open and closed on Good Friday 2025. Is Good Friday a federal holiday? No. Good Friday is not one of the officially recognized federal holidays. Of the 12 federal holidays in 2025, the last one was Washington’s Birthday on February 17, and the next one will be Memorial Day on May 26. Is Good Friday a state holiday? Yes—in some states, anyway. According to the Federal Times, Good Friday is a recognized state holiday in 12 states: Connecticut Delaware Florida Hawaii Indiana Kentucky Louisiana New Jersey North Carolina North Dakota Texas Tennessee In most of these states, public offices will likely be closed on Good Friday. Are banks open on Good Friday? Yes, most major banks should be operating as normal on Good Friday. This includes banks like Chase, Citibank, PNC, and more. Online banking services will be available via the bank’s website and smartphone apps, in addition to physical bank branches being open. Are ATMs open on Good Friday? Yes. ATMs will be open on Good Friday. However, as it is the start of a holiday weekend for many people, ATMs may get picked over sooner than usual. Is the post office open on Good Friday? Yes, as the United States Postal Service (USPS) is a federal organization, it will be open and operating as normal on Good Friday. This includes both at USPS branches and at home mail delivery. Is mail delivered on Good Friday? Yes. The USPS will deliver mail as normal on Good Friday. Are FedEx and UPS operating on Good Friday? According to FedEx’s holiday schedule, some FedEx delivery services will have a modified schedule on Good Friday, including its FedEx and FedEx Freight services. FedEx Office, FedEx Custom Critical, and FedEx Logistics will be open as normal. UPS says it will be operating pickup or delivery services on Good Friday. It also notes that UPS Store locations will be open. Is the stock market open on Good Friday? No. Major U.S. stock markets will be closed on Good Friday. This includes the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Nasdaq. Are schools open on Good Friday? Many schools should be closed on Good Friday, but it’s best to check with your school. Despite not being a federal holiday, many public schools choose to be closed on Good Friday. Most private, religious schools will also be closed. Are restaurants open on Good Friday? Most restaurants should be open on Good Friday. This includes well-known chains like McDonald’s, Subway, Burger King, Arby’s, and Chipotle, which should be open. However, note that some franchise locations could be closed, as Chick-fil-A points out. Likewise, many sit-down restaurants should remain open, but you should call ahead first to make sure. Are retail stores open on Good Friday? A majority of big-box retail stores will be open on Good Friday. This includes major chains like Target, Costco, Best Buy, and Walmart. Are pharmacies open on Good Friday? You can expect most pharmacies to be open on Good Friday, including those found in Walgreens. However, pharmacies may have adjusted hours on Good Friday. It’s best to check with your preferred pharmacy to confirm their hours on Good Friday. Are grocery stores open on Good Friday? Many regional grocery store chains should be open on Good Friday. However, they may have reduced hours. It’s best to check with your grocery store directly to see what their operating hours are on Good Friday. View the full article

Google Merchant Center has added a new report named popular products report. This report will show you your popular products, popular brands, top-selling products, etc, all on Google.View the full article

Google's John Mueller was quick to debunk a claim that owning an .esports domain will have no positive SEO effect. He said on Bluesky, "There's no positive SEO effect from a TLD like that."View the full article

Outperform local competitors by identifying gaps, refining strategies, and driving more targeted traffic through smarter competition research. The post Competitor Analysis In Local SEO And How To Gain An Edge appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article