ResidentialBusiness

Whether you’re already a sticker enthusiast or you’re looking for a unique niche to start your own small business, starting a sticker business offers a variety of opportunities. The sticker market is larger than you might think, and just about anyone can learn to create stickers. Not only are they a popular hobby for collectors of all ages, but stickers are a valuable marketing tool used by businesses around the world. Read on for everything you need to learn how to start a sticker business: Key Steps to Starting a Sticker Business So, you’ve decided to start a sticker business. Congratulations! But while it might seem like you can just buy some paper and a printer and start selling, starting a successful sticker business is more involved. The following key steps are necessary as part of the startup checklist for your sticker business on the right foot. Choose Your Niche All stickers are not created equally. Sure, there is value in most stickers, but the market is huge, and you can’t possibly target every type of customer. After all, more than 3 million sticker products are sold on Etsy alone… that’s a lot of competition. Instead, try to target one or two slices of the sticker market and choose the type of stickers you will sell, or your business niche, whether they be colorful decals marketed to kids or standardized shipping labels created for a manufacturer. Know Your Target Audience Just as you want to choose a niche of stickers to sell, you also should determine your target customer. To whom will you primarily market your stickers? Will you sell them to consumers, and if so, what demographic? Or, will your sticker business market toward a commercial target audience, creating stickers for other small businesses? Name Your Sticker Shop Your sticker business is no different from any other small business, and it needs a name to succeed. Your business name is important because it serves as customers’ first introduction to your company, it makes your business stand apart from the competition, and it tells people what your small business is all about. Design a Logo Branding is important to survive in a competitive market, and the first step to branding your sticker business is designing a logo. The logo will visually represent your company to the market, so its design should signify your small business’s products, values, and vision. With an artistic eye, you can design your own logo, or you can rely on a variety of logo design tools and logo design services to help you create the perfect logo for your sticker business. Create a Business Plan Before you can acquire funding for your sticker business, you’ll need to establish a business plan. Even if you plan to start small without help from a bank or investor, writing a business plan will help you define your business, identify your target market, and create effective business strategies. Part of a business plan for your sticker business should include an overview of your business, including a general description of your company, products, and financial projections, as well as a description of your target market, the products you will sell, and your general marketing plan. Include a Financial Projection Create detailed financial projections, including startup costs, pricing strategy, revenue forecasts, and break-even analysis. This will help you understand the financial viability of your sticker business and plan for future growth. Buy the Necessary Equipment Technically, you can start selling stickers with little more than certain paper and a basic printer, but if you want a successful sticker business, you probably want to provide higher-quality products that require better equipment. Therefore, some new business owners will opt to outsource their printing until their business becomes profitable, as opposed to risking the initial investment before the business is established. When you are ready to invest in the type of equipment needed for creating high-quality stickers to sell, you’ll need to buy: Printer – While just about any basic printer will print stickers, a small business owner typically will want a higher-quality printer that not only works with multiple types of paper, but also uses high-quality yet affordable ink and includes other advanced features. Cutting machine – Without a cutting machine your stickers are nothing more than printed paper. A plethora of electronic cutting devices are available to make stickers, each with its own features, functions and capabilities. Sticker paper – There are no stickers without paper, so of course, you’ll need an ongoing supply of this basic material. Determine what types of sticker paper you want to offer to your customers, including choices like what material and whether you want a matte or glossy finish. Packaging – Even if you outsource the printing of your stickers, you’ll need packaging supplies to deliver them. Most sticker businesses send their products to customers using the mail or a delivery service like FedEx or UPS, so you’ll need packing materials like envelopes and tissue paper for each order. You might also want to include marketing materials in your shipments to promote business growth. Other materials – To offer professional-quality stickers to your customers, you’ll want a few other basic materials, including a cutting mat and clear vinyl laminate to protect your products from damage. Create Sticker Designs Will you create your own sticker designs, or will you purchase designs from another artist or graphic designer? If you choose to create your own designs, a variety of visual design and digital imaging software programs like Circuit and Sillouette are available to assist you. Other software options include Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator. Artists can choose whatever program they prefer, as long as the software can create a JPG or PNG file. Explore Design Trends and Customer Preferences Keep abreast of current design trends and customer preferences. Consider offering personalized or custom stickers, which can be a unique selling point. Use customer feedback and market research to continually evolve your design offerings. Set Your Prices No matter where you decide to sell you stickers, you’ll need to establish how much they will cost. Will you charge the same price for all stickers, or will your prices vary based on a sticker’s design or size? Will you charge customer’s separate shipping charges? If not, be sure to consider this cost when determining your pricing. Look at the market and see what competitors are charging for similar products if you’re unsure what to charge. Choose Your Packaging How will you send your stickers to your customers? Will you use a simple envelope, or will you invest in custom shipping materials for your sticker business? Keep in mind that packaging can serve as an important marketing and branding asset. Sustainable and Attractive Packaging Options Consider using eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing packaging. This not only appeals to environmentally conscious consumers but also enhances the overall customer experience. Branded packaging can also serve as a marketing tool. Set Up a Business Bank Account Before you start sending or receiving money as a business, be sure to open a business bank account. A business bank account offers a level of professionalism to your small business. It separates your business and personal finances, which helps to protect the business and keep it legally compliant. Similarly, a business credit card can assist in financing your business during slow times and allow you to purchase inventory before you start making a profit. Register for Taxes To keep your business legally compliant, it’s important to ensure that you and your customers are paying the appropriate taxes. Small businesses can be subject to a variety of local, state and federal taxes, including property taxes, state and federal income taxes, sales tax and employment taxes. Be sure to register for a Federal Tax ID and any applicable state tax IDs. Get Business Insurance Inerent risks accompany running a business. What if there is a natural disaster that destroys your inventory? What if you hire an employee who gets injured on the job? What if an artist sues your sticker company for selling a design similar to their own? You’ve likely invested a lot of time and money into the success of your business, so you’ll want to obtain business insurance to protect that investment. You might want to consider insurance types including property insurance, liability insurance and cyber insurance if you are selling stickers in the online marketplace. Apply for Permits and Licenses Will you need any permits and licenses to operate your sticker business? Because requirements for businesses to obtain various types of permits and licenses vary by state and locality, there’s no simple answer to that question. Be sure to check on the business requirements in your locality and apply for any applicable permits and licenses. Compliance with Online Sales Regulations If you plan to sell stickers online, ensure you’re compliant with e-commerce regulations, including sales tax collection and privacy policies. Stay informed about laws governing online businesses in your country and in any international markets you serve. Create a Business Entity What type of business entity will you create for your sticker business? What is the structure of your small business? Do you plan to operate your sticker business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC, or a corporation? The type of business entity can determine precisely how your company is taxed and the overall structure of the organization. The business entity can also impact what happens if the business is sued, how easily you can get a loan or investment to support the business, and how the business is insured. Market Your Business How will you tell your target audience about your new business? You can’t just set up your own sticker shop on Etsy or launch a website to sell stickers online and expect customers to automatically find you. You have to market your stickers for your online business to succeed. Social media offers a simple platform to advertise stickers, and business owners should be sure they establish profiles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other relevant social networks. Sticker business owners can also use traditional advertising methods to market their sticker sheets, including paid advertisements and even attendance at shows, fairs and conventions. Include a Robust Online Marketing Strategy Use digital marketing techniques such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing (blogging about sticker design, usage tips, etc.), and email marketing campaigns to reach a wider audience. Utilize social media platforms to display your stickers, highlight customer reviews, and interact with your audience. Scale Your Business How will you scale your business? It doesn’t take much to start your own sticker business, but once you start to turn a profit, you’re going to want to expand and increase your earning. Perhaps you started off selling physical stickers, but you decide to expand into the digital sticker realm. Or maybe you started off selling stickers on Etsy, and you’ve become so successful you want to open a series of your own sticker shops. Maybe you started off selling a specific sticker design, and you’ve found so much success you want to start offering custom sticker printing, too. The sky is the limit for your sticker business, so be prepared to scale. Explore Additional Sales Channels Beyond your primary sales platform, consider additional channels like craft fairs, local boutiques, or collaborations with other businesses. Partnering with influencers or artists for a limited-edition sticker series can also expand your reach. Continuously Monitor and Adapt Regularly analyze your business performance using metrics such as sales data, website traffic, and customer feedback. Be ready to adapt your strategy, whether it’s adjusting your product line, exploring new marketing tactics, or scaling up your production capacity. Types of Stickers You might have a specific vision in mind when you think of a sticker, but it actually comes in a variety of forms. Stickers can be made from a variety of materials, take a variety of shapes and be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from standard manufacturing labels to designer custom stickers. What types of stickers do you plan to sell? Some of the most common types of stickers include: Vinyl Stickers – Vinyl is one of the most favored materials among sticker artists because it is weatherproof and durable. Additionally, vinyl adheres to nearly any surface, making vinyl stickers highly versatile options for customers. Bumper Stickers – If you have a statement to make or a quick wit to share, you might sell it on a bumper sticker in your sticker shop, which customers can use to decorate their cars or other surfaces, sharing your eloquent words with the world. Planner Stickers – An entire community of planning enthusiasts use stickers to decorate their schedules, planners and calendars, mapping memories and expressing emotion through colorful decals. Die-Cut Stickers – These colorful cut-outs are popular among sticker hobbyists and can be stuck to practically anything. Die-cut stickers are cut to the shape of the design, and so customization options are endless. Logo Stickers – Brands love to buy logo stickers to market their companies. Most logo designs are perfectly suited for printing on stickers, and some sticker businesses specialize in supplying these commercial labels to fellow organizations. Photo Stickers – Photo stickers are a popular custom sticker option for customers to paste their favorite memories to notebooks, bottles, laptops, phone cases and practically any solid surface. Sticker TypeDescriptionPreferred MaterialVersatilityCustomization OptionsPopular Use Cases Vinyl StickersPopular medium for sticker artists, weatherproof and durable, sticks to almost anything, versatile choice for customers.VinylHighLimited by design shapeDecorate laptops, water bottles, phone cases, car windows, and more. Bumper StickersStatement-making and witty, used to decorate cars and surfaces, share messages with the world.VinylMediumLimited by design sizePersonal expression, political messages, humor, advocacy, and more. Planner StickersUsed by planning enthusiasts to decorate schedules, planners, and calendars, express emotions through colorful decals.VinylMediumLimited by design sizeOrganizing, memory mapping, expressing emotions in planners and diaries. Die-Cut StickersColorful cut-outs, popular among hobbyists, can be stuck to almost anything, endless customization options.Vinyl or PaperHighWide range of shapesCrafting, DIY projects, personalization of belongings. Logo StickersBrands use to market their companies, perfect for printing logos, some businesses specialize in supplying commercial labels.VinylMediumLimited by logo designBrand promotion, product packaging, marketing materials. Photo StickersCustom option for customers to paste favorite memories on various surfaces like notebooks, bottles, laptops, and phone cases.VinylMediumLimited by photo sizePersonalizing belongings, capturing memories on everyday items. Where to Sell Your Stickers What should you do once you’ve finished printing your stickers? Where will you establish your sticker shop? Those days of needing a physical space in a local mini-mall or community marketplace are long gone. In fact, the era when sticker sellers were required to sell physical stickers at all is also over. You can sell stickers your own stickers online through a variety of platforms, including your own website, social media pages, and online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. While these platforms typically charge sellers a fee for listing or selling their products, they are highly cost effective compared to designing, establishing and marketing an individual website. Etsy Etsy is a global online marketplace where people can sell their arts and crafts, although the community has expanded far beyond cross-stitch and paper mache to include unique products of all types. Etsy features an entire section of its platform devoted to sticker shops, where sticker businesses can set up an Etsy shop to sell stickers online. Amazon Handmade Amazon Handmade is an online marketplace where artists can sell their products to a world audience. Everything sold on Amazon Handmade must be made by hand or altered by hand, no mass-produced products allowed. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to set up an online shop for your sticker business. Sticker You Sticker You is a sticker-dedicated platform where people can buy and sell their favorite decals. It offers a great place for sticker businesses to sell their wares at the Sticker You Store, a free marketplace that is connected to the Sticker You website and the Sticker You physical retail store. Redbubble Redbubble is an online print-on-demand marketplace where artists can list their designs, and customers can order them printed on all sorts of products. The artist is then paid a royalty on the use of their artwork. A sticker designer can spend their time designing stickers and listing their works on Redbubble without the need to manufacture their own stickers. eBay eBay might have started off as an online auction website, but it is now a global online marketplace where people can buy and sell almost anything under the sun… including stickers. Sticker businesses can list their products on eBay, knowing the brand recognition of the platform will attract buyers. Shopify If you don’t want to rely on online marketplaces for your sticker shop location, you can set up your own online store using a platform such as Shopify, which offers a variety of web-based tools to help small businesses run their online stores. By establishing your own online sticker store, you gain even more control over business aspects like operations, branding, and marketing. Understanding Copyright and Licensing for Sticker Designs As you venture into the world of sticker business and start creating designs, it’s crucial to understand the complexities of copyright and licensing. While designing stickers can be a creative and enjoyable process, it’s essential to respect the intellectual property rights of others and protect your own designs. Here’s what you need to know about copyright and licensing for sticker designs: Copyright Basics Copyright law protects original creative works, including art, designs, and graphics, as soon as they are created and fixed in a tangible medium (e.g., paper, digital file). As the creator of a sticker design, you automatically own the copyright to that design. This means you have exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works based on your design. Licensing Your Sticker Designs When you want to sell or distribute your sticker designs to others, you have the option to license your work. Licensing allows you to grant specific permissions to others while retaining your copyright. There are various licensing models you can choose from, each with its own terms and conditions. Some common types of licenses include: Personal Use License: This allows customers to use your stickers for personal purposes only and prohibits commercial use or redistribution. Commercial Use License: This permits customers to use your stickers for commercial purposes, such as on products they sell, as long as they adhere to the terms of the license. Royalty-Free License: Under this type of license, customers pay a one-time fee to use your sticker design without ongoing royalty payments. This is common in stock image and design marketplaces. Exclusive License: With an exclusive license, you grant a customer sole rights to use your sticker design, and you cannot sell or license it to anyone else during the specified term of the agreement. Using Others’ Artwork and Designs As you build your sticker business, you may come across artwork or designs created by others that you’d like to use in your stickers. It’s essential to remember that using someone else’s copyrighted work without permission is illegal and can lead to legal consequences. Always seek permission from the copyright owner before using any artwork that you did not create yourself. Protecting Your Own Designs To protect your sticker designs, consider taking the following steps: Register Copyright: Although copyright protection is automatic, registering your designs with the copyright office provides additional legal benefits and remedies if your work is ever infringed upon. Use Watermarks or Copyright Notices: Adding watermarks or copyright notices to your digital images can deter unauthorized use and remind people that your designs are protected. Terms of Use: Clearly outline the terms of use for your sticker designs on your website or selling platform. This will help customers understand the permissions they have when purchasing your stickers. Watch for Copyright Infringement: Consistently check online marketplaces and social media platforms to confirm that your designs are not being utilized without your consent. By understanding and respecting copyright and licensing principles, you can build a successful sticker business while protecting your intellectual property and respecting the rights of others. Remember to consult with a legal professional for advice specific to your situation and jurisdiction. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Start a Sticker Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Whether you’re already a sticker enthusiast or you’re looking for a unique niche to start your own small business, starting a sticker business offers a variety of opportunities. The sticker market is larger than you might think, and just about anyone can learn to create stickers. Not only are they a popular hobby for collectors of all ages, but stickers are a valuable marketing tool used by businesses around the world. Read on for everything you need to learn how to start a sticker business: Key Steps to Starting a Sticker Business So, you’ve decided to start a sticker business. Congratulations! But while it might seem like you can just buy some paper and a printer and start selling, starting a successful sticker business is more involved. The following key steps are necessary as part of the startup checklist for your sticker business on the right foot. Choose Your Niche All stickers are not created equally. Sure, there is value in most stickers, but the market is huge, and you can’t possibly target every type of customer. After all, more than 3 million sticker products are sold on Etsy alone… that’s a lot of competition. Instead, try to target one or two slices of the sticker market and choose the type of stickers you will sell, or your business niche, whether they be colorful decals marketed to kids or standardized shipping labels created for a manufacturer. Know Your Target Audience Just as you want to choose a niche of stickers to sell, you also should determine your target customer. To whom will you primarily market your stickers? Will you sell them to consumers, and if so, what demographic? Or, will your sticker business market toward a commercial target audience, creating stickers for other small businesses? Name Your Sticker Shop Your sticker business is no different from any other small business, and it needs a name to succeed. Your business name is important because it serves as customers’ first introduction to your company, it makes your business stand apart from the competition, and it tells people what your small business is all about. Design a Logo Branding is important to survive in a competitive market, and the first step to branding your sticker business is designing a logo. The logo will visually represent your company to the market, so its design should signify your small business’s products, values, and vision. With an artistic eye, you can design your own logo, or you can rely on a variety of logo design tools and logo design services to help you create the perfect logo for your sticker business. Create a Business Plan Before you can acquire funding for your sticker business, you’ll need to establish a business plan. Even if you plan to start small without help from a bank or investor, writing a business plan will help you define your business, identify your target market, and create effective business strategies. Part of a business plan for your sticker business should include an overview of your business, including a general description of your company, products, and financial projections, as well as a description of your target market, the products you will sell, and your general marketing plan. Include a Financial Projection Create detailed financial projections, including startup costs, pricing strategy, revenue forecasts, and break-even analysis. This will help you understand the financial viability of your sticker business and plan for future growth. Buy the Necessary Equipment Technically, you can start selling stickers with little more than certain paper and a basic printer, but if you want a successful sticker business, you probably want to provide higher-quality products that require better equipment. Therefore, some new business owners will opt to outsource their printing until their business becomes profitable, as opposed to risking the initial investment before the business is established. When you are ready to invest in the type of equipment needed for creating high-quality stickers to sell, you’ll need to buy: Printer – While just about any basic printer will print stickers, a small business owner typically will want a higher-quality printer that not only works with multiple types of paper, but also uses high-quality yet affordable ink and includes other advanced features. Cutting machine – Without a cutting machine your stickers are nothing more than printed paper. A plethora of electronic cutting devices are available to make stickers, each with its own features, functions and capabilities. Sticker paper – There are no stickers without paper, so of course, you’ll need an ongoing supply of this basic material. Determine what types of sticker paper you want to offer to your customers, including choices like what material and whether you want a matte or glossy finish. Packaging – Even if you outsource the printing of your stickers, you’ll need packaging supplies to deliver them. Most sticker businesses send their products to customers using the mail or a delivery service like FedEx or UPS, so you’ll need packing materials like envelopes and tissue paper for each order. You might also want to include marketing materials in your shipments to promote business growth. Other materials – To offer professional-quality stickers to your customers, you’ll want a few other basic materials, including a cutting mat and clear vinyl laminate to protect your products from damage. Create Sticker Designs Will you create your own sticker designs, or will you purchase designs from another artist or graphic designer? If you choose to create your own designs, a variety of visual design and digital imaging software programs like Circuit and Sillouette are available to assist you. Other software options include Adobe’s Photoshop and Illustrator. Artists can choose whatever program they prefer, as long as the software can create a JPG or PNG file. Explore Design Trends and Customer Preferences Keep abreast of current design trends and customer preferences. Consider offering personalized or custom stickers, which can be a unique selling point. Use customer feedback and market research to continually evolve your design offerings. Set Your Prices No matter where you decide to sell you stickers, you’ll need to establish how much they will cost. Will you charge the same price for all stickers, or will your prices vary based on a sticker’s design or size? Will you charge customer’s separate shipping charges? If not, be sure to consider this cost when determining your pricing. Look at the market and see what competitors are charging for similar products if you’re unsure what to charge. Choose Your Packaging How will you send your stickers to your customers? Will you use a simple envelope, or will you invest in custom shipping materials for your sticker business? Keep in mind that packaging can serve as an important marketing and branding asset. Sustainable and Attractive Packaging Options Consider using eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing packaging. This not only appeals to environmentally conscious consumers but also enhances the overall customer experience. Branded packaging can also serve as a marketing tool. Set Up a Business Bank Account Before you start sending or receiving money as a business, be sure to open a business bank account. A business bank account offers a level of professionalism to your small business. It separates your business and personal finances, which helps to protect the business and keep it legally compliant. Similarly, a business credit card can assist in financing your business during slow times and allow you to purchase inventory before you start making a profit. Register for Taxes To keep your business legally compliant, it’s important to ensure that you and your customers are paying the appropriate taxes. Small businesses can be subject to a variety of local, state and federal taxes, including property taxes, state and federal income taxes, sales tax and employment taxes. Be sure to register for a Federal Tax ID and any applicable state tax IDs. Get Business Insurance Inerent risks accompany running a business. What if there is a natural disaster that destroys your inventory? What if you hire an employee who gets injured on the job? What if an artist sues your sticker company for selling a design similar to their own? You’ve likely invested a lot of time and money into the success of your business, so you’ll want to obtain business insurance to protect that investment. You might want to consider insurance types including property insurance, liability insurance and cyber insurance if you are selling stickers in the online marketplace. Apply for Permits and Licenses Will you need any permits and licenses to operate your sticker business? Because requirements for businesses to obtain various types of permits and licenses vary by state and locality, there’s no simple answer to that question. Be sure to check on the business requirements in your locality and apply for any applicable permits and licenses. Compliance with Online Sales Regulations If you plan to sell stickers online, ensure you’re compliant with e-commerce regulations, including sales tax collection and privacy policies. Stay informed about laws governing online businesses in your country and in any international markets you serve. Create a Business Entity What type of business entity will you create for your sticker business? What is the structure of your small business? Do you plan to operate your sticker business as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC, or a corporation? The type of business entity can determine precisely how your company is taxed and the overall structure of the organization. The business entity can also impact what happens if the business is sued, how easily you can get a loan or investment to support the business, and how the business is insured. Market Your Business How will you tell your target audience about your new business? You can’t just set up your own sticker shop on Etsy or launch a website to sell stickers online and expect customers to automatically find you. You have to market your stickers for your online business to succeed. Social media offers a simple platform to advertise stickers, and business owners should be sure they establish profiles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other relevant social networks. Sticker business owners can also use traditional advertising methods to market their sticker sheets, including paid advertisements and even attendance at shows, fairs and conventions. Include a Robust Online Marketing Strategy Use digital marketing techniques such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing (blogging about sticker design, usage tips, etc.), and email marketing campaigns to reach a wider audience. Utilize social media platforms to display your stickers, highlight customer reviews, and interact with your audience. Scale Your Business How will you scale your business? It doesn’t take much to start your own sticker business, but once you start to turn a profit, you’re going to want to expand and increase your earning. Perhaps you started off selling physical stickers, but you decide to expand into the digital sticker realm. Or maybe you started off selling stickers on Etsy, and you’ve become so successful you want to open a series of your own sticker shops. Maybe you started off selling a specific sticker design, and you’ve found so much success you want to start offering custom sticker printing, too. The sky is the limit for your sticker business, so be prepared to scale. Explore Additional Sales Channels Beyond your primary sales platform, consider additional channels like craft fairs, local boutiques, or collaborations with other businesses. Partnering with influencers or artists for a limited-edition sticker series can also expand your reach. Continuously Monitor and Adapt Regularly analyze your business performance using metrics such as sales data, website traffic, and customer feedback. Be ready to adapt your strategy, whether it’s adjusting your product line, exploring new marketing tactics, or scaling up your production capacity. Types of Stickers You might have a specific vision in mind when you think of a sticker, but it actually comes in a variety of forms. Stickers can be made from a variety of materials, take a variety of shapes and be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from standard manufacturing labels to designer custom stickers. What types of stickers do you plan to sell? Some of the most common types of stickers include: Vinyl Stickers – Vinyl is one of the most favored materials among sticker artists because it is weatherproof and durable. Additionally, vinyl adheres to nearly any surface, making vinyl stickers highly versatile options for customers. Bumper Stickers – If you have a statement to make or a quick wit to share, you might sell it on a bumper sticker in your sticker shop, which customers can use to decorate their cars or other surfaces, sharing your eloquent words with the world. Planner Stickers – An entire community of planning enthusiasts use stickers to decorate their schedules, planners and calendars, mapping memories and expressing emotion through colorful decals. Die-Cut Stickers – These colorful cut-outs are popular among sticker hobbyists and can be stuck to practically anything. Die-cut stickers are cut to the shape of the design, and so customization options are endless. Logo Stickers – Brands love to buy logo stickers to market their companies. Most logo designs are perfectly suited for printing on stickers, and some sticker businesses specialize in supplying these commercial labels to fellow organizations. Photo Stickers – Photo stickers are a popular custom sticker option for customers to paste their favorite memories to notebooks, bottles, laptops, phone cases and practically any solid surface. Sticker TypeDescriptionPreferred MaterialVersatilityCustomization OptionsPopular Use Cases Vinyl StickersPopular medium for sticker artists, weatherproof and durable, sticks to almost anything, versatile choice for customers.VinylHighLimited by design shapeDecorate laptops, water bottles, phone cases, car windows, and more. Bumper StickersStatement-making and witty, used to decorate cars and surfaces, share messages with the world.VinylMediumLimited by design sizePersonal expression, political messages, humor, advocacy, and more. Planner StickersUsed by planning enthusiasts to decorate schedules, planners, and calendars, express emotions through colorful decals.VinylMediumLimited by design sizeOrganizing, memory mapping, expressing emotions in planners and diaries. Die-Cut StickersColorful cut-outs, popular among hobbyists, can be stuck to almost anything, endless customization options.Vinyl or PaperHighWide range of shapesCrafting, DIY projects, personalization of belongings. Logo StickersBrands use to market their companies, perfect for printing logos, some businesses specialize in supplying commercial labels.VinylMediumLimited by logo designBrand promotion, product packaging, marketing materials. Photo StickersCustom option for customers to paste favorite memories on various surfaces like notebooks, bottles, laptops, and phone cases.VinylMediumLimited by photo sizePersonalizing belongings, capturing memories on everyday items. Where to Sell Your Stickers What should you do once you’ve finished printing your stickers? Where will you establish your sticker shop? Those days of needing a physical space in a local mini-mall or community marketplace are long gone. In fact, the era when sticker sellers were required to sell physical stickers at all is also over. You can sell stickers your own stickers online through a variety of platforms, including your own website, social media pages, and online marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. While these platforms typically charge sellers a fee for listing or selling their products, they are highly cost effective compared to designing, establishing and marketing an individual website. Etsy Etsy is a global online marketplace where people can sell their arts and crafts, although the community has expanded far beyond cross-stitch and paper mache to include unique products of all types. Etsy features an entire section of its platform devoted to sticker shops, where sticker businesses can set up an Etsy shop to sell stickers online. Amazon Handmade Amazon Handmade is an online marketplace where artists can sell their products to a world audience. Everything sold on Amazon Handmade must be made by hand or altered by hand, no mass-produced products allowed. Therefore, it’s the perfect place to set up an online shop for your sticker business. Sticker You Sticker You is a sticker-dedicated platform where people can buy and sell their favorite decals. It offers a great place for sticker businesses to sell their wares at the Sticker You Store, a free marketplace that is connected to the Sticker You website and the Sticker You physical retail store. Redbubble Redbubble is an online print-on-demand marketplace where artists can list their designs, and customers can order them printed on all sorts of products. The artist is then paid a royalty on the use of their artwork. A sticker designer can spend their time designing stickers and listing their works on Redbubble without the need to manufacture their own stickers. eBay eBay might have started off as an online auction website, but it is now a global online marketplace where people can buy and sell almost anything under the sun… including stickers. Sticker businesses can list their products on eBay, knowing the brand recognition of the platform will attract buyers. Shopify If you don’t want to rely on online marketplaces for your sticker shop location, you can set up your own online store using a platform such as Shopify, which offers a variety of web-based tools to help small businesses run their online stores. By establishing your own online sticker store, you gain even more control over business aspects like operations, branding, and marketing. Understanding Copyright and Licensing for Sticker Designs As you venture into the world of sticker business and start creating designs, it’s crucial to understand the complexities of copyright and licensing. While designing stickers can be a creative and enjoyable process, it’s essential to respect the intellectual property rights of others and protect your own designs. Here’s what you need to know about copyright and licensing for sticker designs: Copyright Basics Copyright law protects original creative works, including art, designs, and graphics, as soon as they are created and fixed in a tangible medium (e.g., paper, digital file). As the creator of a sticker design, you automatically own the copyright to that design. This means you have exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works based on your design. Licensing Your Sticker Designs When you want to sell or distribute your sticker designs to others, you have the option to license your work. Licensing allows you to grant specific permissions to others while retaining your copyright. There are various licensing models you can choose from, each with its own terms and conditions. Some common types of licenses include: Personal Use License: This allows customers to use your stickers for personal purposes only and prohibits commercial use or redistribution. Commercial Use License: This permits customers to use your stickers for commercial purposes, such as on products they sell, as long as they adhere to the terms of the license. Royalty-Free License: Under this type of license, customers pay a one-time fee to use your sticker design without ongoing royalty payments. This is common in stock image and design marketplaces. Exclusive License: With an exclusive license, you grant a customer sole rights to use your sticker design, and you cannot sell or license it to anyone else during the specified term of the agreement. Using Others’ Artwork and Designs As you build your sticker business, you may come across artwork or designs created by others that you’d like to use in your stickers. It’s essential to remember that using someone else’s copyrighted work without permission is illegal and can lead to legal consequences. Always seek permission from the copyright owner before using any artwork that you did not create yourself. Protecting Your Own Designs To protect your sticker designs, consider taking the following steps: Register Copyright: Although copyright protection is automatic, registering your designs with the copyright office provides additional legal benefits and remedies if your work is ever infringed upon. Use Watermarks or Copyright Notices: Adding watermarks or copyright notices to your digital images can deter unauthorized use and remind people that your designs are protected. Terms of Use: Clearly outline the terms of use for your sticker designs on your website or selling platform. This will help customers understand the permissions they have when purchasing your stickers. Watch for Copyright Infringement: Consistently check online marketplaces and social media platforms to confirm that your designs are not being utilized without your consent. By understanding and respecting copyright and licensing principles, you can build a successful sticker business while protecting your intellectual property and respecting the rights of others. Remember to consult with a legal professional for advice specific to your situation and jurisdiction. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Start a Sticker Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

It’s almost time for the most heartfelt accolades of Hollywood’s award season. The Screen Actors Guild Awards, hosted by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), is set to take place tonight (Sunday, February 23) at 8 p.m. ET. This tribute to actors gets its emotion from the fact that it is put on by actors. For the nominees, there’s something extra moving about being honored by a group of your peers who have been in the same foxholes as you. So grab the tissues—especially for those “I am an actor” opening monologues—and keep reading so you know how to tune in and go into the ceremony prepared. Who are the SAG Awards nominees this year? Like the Golden Globes, the SAG Awards honor performances in television as well as films. For movies, Wicked leads the pack with five nominations. Shōgun is the most celebrated television series, also with five nominations. Because of its performance focus, the SAG Awards nominations also honor actors whom the Oscars have overlooked or snubbed, such as Queer’s Daniel Craig, The Last Showgirl’s Pamela Anderson and Jamie Lee Curtis, and Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey. Stunt personals also get some love here with shows and films such as Fall Guy and The House of the Dragon up for awards in these categories. You can find the full list of nominations here. Beyond the competitive categories, actor and activist Jane Fonda will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Her impressive resume already includes two Oscars, two BAFTAs, seven Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. What about the SAG Awards pre-show? Since 2023, Netflix has been responsible for airing the ceremony. It also has the official pre-show coverage. This kicks off one hour before the official awards show, so tune in at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT to catch it. Hosts Lilly Singh and Sasheer Zamata will guide viewers through all the fashion and interviews, and even announce the stunt award winners. Another alternative is to stream People and Entertainment Weekly’s live-streamed coverage on YouTube. This will feature Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star Bronwyn Newport’s hot take on the evening. She will be joined by People editor at large Janine Rubenstein, EW general manager Patrick Gomez, and EW editorial director of TV and music Gerrad Hall. Who is the host of the SAG Awards? The SAG Awards don’t always have a host, but this year Kristen Bell is stepping up to the plate. This isn’t her first rodeo and she initially balked at the idea of having awards ceremonies after the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that greatly impacted large portions of the Los Angeles area in the beginning of the year. She later had a change of heart and saw the bigger picture. Beyond the glamour and spectacle, award shows create and drive a massive ecosystem of professionals and services. “I realized these awards shows are a huge part of Los Angeles’ economy, employing hundreds, if not thousands, of gig workers: drivers, hair and makeup artists, musicians,” Bell stated to USA Today. Tune into Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT to see Bell and the rest of the acting community in action. View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Economic forecasting has never been an easy task, and it becomes even more challenging when confronted with unprecedented economic events like COVID-19 lockdowns and unparalleled levels of government intervention, followed by a rapid cycle of interest rate hikes. Look no further than recent mortgage rate forecasts. Last year marked the third year in a row that mortgage rates ended the year higher than forecasters expected. Will they finally get it right this year? ResiClub’s latest roundup of quarterly mortgage rate forecasts shows that most forecasters still expect mortgage rates to gradually decrease over the next 18 months. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate as of Thursday was 6.96%. By the final quarter of 2025, Fannie Mae expects that to slide to 6.6%. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo’s model expects 6.5%, and the Mortgage Bankers Association estimates 6.5%. But even if those forecasts are right, it would mean that housing affordability would still remain strained in 2025 and 2026. View the full article

Your insurance needs change over time. The policies that work for a single, 20-something professional renting an apartment with three roommates may be completely wrong for the same person after marriage, babies, and a cozy mortgage in a good school district. If you’re struggling to determine how your coverage should change over time, the following guidelines can help. Auto insurance: Follow the bell curve Basic car insurance offers liability coverage, in case you cause an accident that injures a third party or damages their property. This is the kind of insurance that nearly every state in the nation requires drivers to carry. While liability coverage protects your finances if you cause an accident, it’s legally mandated because it offers protection for accident victims. But drivers can also purchase “full coverage” car insurance. This typically includes collision coverage, which pays for damages from a collision that doesn’t include another vehicle (such as running into a tree), and comprehensive coverage, which pays to repair or replace your car if it’s damaged by something other than an accident, such as extreme weather or theft. Deciding how much auto insurance you need can feel overwhelming, especially considering the high cost of car insurance coverage. While all drivers must carry no less than the minimum required liability insurance—and should also consider increasing the liability limits to further protect themselves and others—it can be difficult to figure out if you need full coverage or other optional add-ons. To help you figure out your changing need for auto insurance coverage, think of this kind of insurance as a bell curve that corresponds with age. Young drivers Young drivers pay the highest premiums of any age demographic—since these wet-behind-the-wheel motorists are the most likely to get into accidents. That means purchasing full coverage when you’re young is going to cost a pretty penny. In addition, teens and 20-somethings are more likely to be driving beater cars. (No, your cousin’s 1992 Buick Le Sabre is not vintage even if it does qualify for historic plates.) These vehicles have low actual cash values, which means a minor fender bender could render it a total loss. In other words, if your vehicle’s cash value is lower than the cost of your favorite Starbuck’s order, there’s no reason to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage. Midlife motorists The auto insurance calculation changes as you hit your 30s and beyond. To start, the cost of auto insurance starts to go down for most middle-age drivers, provided they have a clean driving record. Midlife also represents your prime earning years, as well as the time you’re most likely to be starting a family. Not only does that mean the interior of your vehicle will be permanently covered in a thin layer of crushed Goldfish crackers, but you’re also more likely to be driving a car that is worth the cost of fixing. In other words, you have more to lose financially as a midlife driver than you did while you were still rocking the Le Sabre. That means carrying higher levels of coverage makes more sense in midlife than it did in your 20s. Seniors on the road Since older drivers tend to have the most experience and are least likely to make impulsive driving decisions, they enjoy the least expensive auto insurance of any age group. Seniors are also more likely to have a higher net worth and easier access to cash, which means they’re in a better position to pay out of pocket for a car repair (or even replacement) after a collision. All of which is to say that most senior drivers have a lower need for auto insurance coverage than their middle-age counterparts. Adjust your deductibles Your insurance deductible is the amount of money you’re responsible for paying before the insurance coverage kicks in to pay for the rest. Nearly every type of insurance has a deductible, from health insurance to auto insurance to homeowners, renters, umbrella, and business insurance. And for each type of insurance you carry, you need to be prepared to pay the deductible if you make a claim. But insurance policyholders have some control over the size of their deductible. You can lower your deductible—meaning you’d pay less before your insurance company has to open its own wallet when you make a claim—by paying a higher premium. You can also lower your monthly premium by increasing your deductible. Typically, most people will opt for the higher premium and lower deductible when they are young, since dealing with a monthly premium cost that’s a little higher is easier than keeping a spare $1,000 (or more) kicking around in case of an emergency. But as you age, you are likely to become more financially settled, which includes having a more robust emergency fund. Once you’re in a place where you can afford a higher deductible, you can lower your premium–which reduces your monthly outflow. Since we can all be victims of set-it-and-forget-it thinking, it can be easy to forget to check the deductible levels on long-standing insurance policies. But there’s no need to pay your insurance company a higher premium when you can easily afford a higher deductible. Self-insurance Just as your financial stability can help you outgrow the need for a low deductible, increasing wealth may also allow you to self-insure instead of relying on insurance policies. With this strategy, which is similar to creating an emergency fund, you set money aside to use in case of an unexpected loss, rather than paying a premium to an insurance company to assume the risk for you. If you don’t experience a loss, self-insurance saves you money, since you’re not out the cost of premiums and you still have the full pot of self-insurance money available to you. Additionally, you can potentially invest your self-insurance money—as long as it’s in an investment that you can liquidate in a hurry—and let the money grow for you. Self-insurance can be a risky strategy for any kind of serious financial loss, such as liability, flooding, or healthcare. But depending on your financial situation and assets, you may choose to self-insure for things like long-term care or full-coverage auto insurance. Know your insurance needs Recognizing how your coverage needs change can help you get the insurance you need while saving money. For auto insurance, remember that your coverage level will probably look like a bell curve, with younger and senior drivers purchasing lower levels of coverage while middle-age drivers go for more comprehensive coverage. For all of your insurance policies, remember that your ability to afford a higher deductible as you gain more financial stability means you can reduce your premium. And a higher level of wealth can open up the possibility of self-insurance for some types of hazards. View the full article

German carmaker’s review follows UK plant closures by Honda, Ford and JLR over the past decadeView the full article

Police in Munich are investigating a mystery: More than 1,000 stickers were put on gravestones and wooden crosses at three cemeteries in the German city, without any indication of where they came from or why. The 5×3.5-centimeter (1.95×1.2-inch) stickers are printed with a QR code, that, when scanned, shows the name of the person buried in the grave and its location in the cemetery — but nothing else. “We haven’t found any pattern behind this yet. The stickers were put both on decades-old gravestones and very new graves that so far only have a wooden cross,” police spokesperson Christian Drexler told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “People who have witnessed anybody putting the stickers on the graves are asked to reach out to the respective cemetery’s administration,” Drexler said. The stickers surfaced in recent days at the Waldfriedhof, Sendlinger Friedhof and Friedhof Solln cemeteries. Police are not only trying to find out who is behind the stickers, but are also investigating property damage, because the gravestones were partially damaged and discolored when the stickers were removed. View the full article

National Leadership Day, which takes place every Feb. 20, offers a chance to reflect on what truly defines leadership – not just strategy or decision-making, but the ability to build trust. In an era of rapid change, when teams look to leaders for stability and direction, trust is the invisible currency that fuels organizational success. As an economist, I know there’s a lot of research proving this point. I’ve conducted some myself, including work on how trust is essential for leaders in cross-cultural business environments. In an expansive study of China’s fast-paced restaurant industry, my colleagues and I found that leaders who cultivate trust can significantly reduce employee churn and improve organizational performance. While my study focuses on one sector, its lessons extend far beyond that. It offers insights for leaders in any field, from corporate executives to community organizers. Understanding the impact In China, as in the U.S., the restaurant industry is known for high turnover rates and cutthroat competition. But our study found that managers who demonstrate trustworthiness can keep employees from fleeing to rivals, creating a more stable and committed workforce. First, we conducted a field experiment in which we asked managers at around 115 restaurants how much money they were willing to send to employees in an investment game – an indicator of trust. We then found that for every 10% increase in managers’ trust-driven actions, employee turnover fell by 3.7 percentage points. That’s a testament to the power of trust in the workplace. When managers are trustworthy, workers tend to be more loyal, engaged in their job and productive. Employees who perceive their managers as trustworthy report higher job satisfaction and are more willing to exert extra effort, which directly benefits the organization. We also found that when employees trust one another, managers get better performance evaluations. That makes sense, since trust fosters improved cooperation and innovation across the board. Practical steps to foster trust Fortunately for managers – and workers – there’s a lot of research into how to be a more trustworthy leader. Here are a few insights: • Empower your team. Let employees take ownership of their responsibilities and make decisions within their roles. This not only boosts their engagement but also aligns their objectives with the broader goals of the organization. Empowerment is a key strategy in building trust. • Be fair and transparent. Managers should strive to be consistent in their actions, address concerns promptly and distribute rewards equitably. Those practices can create a psychologically safe and supportive work environment. • Promote collaboration. Encourage an atmosphere in which employees can openly share ideas and support one another. Activities that promote team cohesion and open communication can significantly enhance trust within the team. • Measure and manage trust. Implementing regular surveys or feedback sessions can help assess and manage trust levels within an organization. Consider integrating trust metrics into performance evaluations to emphasize their importance. Some takeaways for National Leadership Day Whether helming a business, a nonprofit or a local community initiative, leaders should recognize that being trustworthy isn’t just a “soft skill.” It’s a measurable force that drives success. By making trust-building a deliberate goal, leaders can create stronger, more resilient teams. So this National Leadership Day is a good time to reflect: How do you build trust in your leadership? And how can you foster a culture of trustworthiness? Managers should commit to leading with trust, acting with integrity and fostering workplaces where people feel valued and empowered. The impact will speak for itself. Yufei Ren is an associate professor of economics at the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at the University of Minnesota Duluth. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

Competition from Temu adds to pressure on fast-fashion group’s valuation as it seeks approval for UK listingView the full article

Investments continue in combustion and hybrid engine vehicles amid lengthy wait for EVs to become mainstreamView the full article

Andrew Brodsky is a management professor at McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. He is also CEO of Ping Group and has received numerous awards, including being chosen by Poets & Quants as one of the Best 40-Under-40 MBA Professors of 2023. What’s the big idea? Instant messaging, email, video calls, and other digital tools have largely replaced in-person communication for most workplaces. We have all become virtual communicators, and with this comes a new set of rules for interpersonal success. The PING framework distills best practices for optimal outcomes when relying on technology to communicate. Below, Andrew shares five key insights from his new book, Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. Listen to the audio version—read by Andrew himself—in the Next Big Idea App. 1. P is for perspective taking. When interacting virtually, misinterpretations and misunderstandings are more likely. But this is due to more than the commonly cited fact that we pick up on fewer nonverbal behaviors. In person, it is hard to forget that you are interacting with a human being because they are standing right in front of you. But when looking at a thumbnail-sized video of the person you are interacting with, hearing only their voice through the phone, or seeing nothing but their words in an email, it can be easy to forget that another person is on the other end of your communication. As a result, there’s a tendency to be more self-focused virtually than when interacting in person. To see this in action, think of a song you are confident other people would recognize. Then, tap out that song on the nearest hard surface. Once you’ve done that, estimate how likely it would be for someone else to identify the song if you tapped it out again. This same scenario was played out by Stanford researcher Elizabeth Newton. She found that participants expected 50 percent of listeners would be able to correctly identify their song. However, listeners only recognized the song three percent of the time. This huge discrepancy happens because we hear the music in our heads as we are tapping it out, so it seems obvious to us. All the listeners are just hearing a series of taps. The same applies to virtual communication. We may think our meaning was clear, but because we are so self-focused when interacting from behind a screen, we don’t realize the person on the receiving end doesn’t have the same context for accurately understanding our meaning. What you think is an obviously friendly and supportive email may come off as condescending to your coworker if they aren’t privy to all the same information as you. The solution is pausing to consider the recipient’s perspective before sending or speaking a message virtually. One research-proven strategy for this in text-based communication is reading aloud what you wrote in a different tone than you intended, such as sarcastic or enthusiastic. Does the meaning drastically change? Knowing that the voice someone hears when reading a message isn’t necessarily the same one you heard while composing it will help avoid self-focused overconfidence that leads to misinterpretations. 2. I is for initiative. You may have heard about the Fyre Festival debacle in 2017, when a team led by Billy McFarland created hype for a festival that was supposed to have the best of the best in food, music, celebrities, and even buried treasure. What festivalgoers actually found when they arrived were barren parking lots, soggy cheese sandwiches in Styrofoam containers, and a lack of bathroom facilities. Pretty disappointing for what was billed as the “biggest FOMO-inducing event” of the year. This incredible mismatch in expectations and reality resulted in a $26 million fine and jail time for McFarland. In virtual communication, there’s often a disconnect between impressions and reality. Consider how these disconnects can make someone who works incredibly hard seem like a low performer. Imagine you are a manager with two subordinates. From one, you get a single five-paragraph email each Friday about the work they did for the week. From the other, you get a few-sentence email each day, updating you on their tasks. Which one seems to be a harder worker? “To show effort and engagement, take the initiative to communicate more frequently.” Despite the fact that both employees sent the exact same amount of text, if you are like most managers, you will say the employee who sends a brief few-sentence update each day is a harder worker because that employee seems like they are likely working each day. The one who sends the longer Friday update might just be doing all their work at the end of the week. This is why an important strategy in virtual communication is taking initiative in showing your effort. Whether sending an email to your boss while working remotely or sending them an instant message from the next cubicle over, without taking this kind of initiative you end up in the of out of sight, out of mind pitfall. To show effort and engagement, take the initiative to communicate more frequently. Also, turning on your camera during meetings can help to show that you are physically and mentally present. These small steps make it more likely that those you interact with will perceive your work as a high-end lobster feast as opposed to a Fyre festival soggy cheese sandwich. 3. N is for nonverbal. A Canadian farmer got himself into trouble when he responded to a customer’s text about an order of flax seed with a thumbs-up emoji. The issue was that the customer thought the thumbs up meant the contract was accepted. The farmer disagreed, saying he hadn’t planned on accepting it just yet. The court sided with the customer, stating that the thumbs up constituted a legally binding agreement. The farmer had to pay almost $62,000. Undergraduates and MBA students often ask me, “Should I use emojis in my virtual communication?” The answer isn’t simple because research shows emojis can help or hurt depending on the situation. Don’t focus so much on what cues are best or worst. Rather, pay attention to how the person you are interacting with communicates and become a conversational chameleon. If they fill their texts with emojis and exclamation points, then feel free to do the same. If they use business jargon, follow their lead. If they take a more formal approach, it can behoove you to do the same. A study led by Kate Muir found that negotiators who mimicked their partner’s behavior style by using similar nonverbal behaviors improved their individual outcomes by 39 percent and joint outcomes by over 30 percent. These mimicry effects are driven by two factors. First, we generally all think that our own communication style is the best, so when someone else communicates like us, we think they are doing it effectively. Second, we trust people who are similar to us, so when someone communicates in a way that feels familiar, we tend to trust them more. Even in the barest of virtual communication modes, nonverbal behavior plays a central role in how our messages are perceived. 4. G is for goals. Should you schedule a meeting or send an email? Is phone or video better for reconnecting with old contacts? What’s the best mode to use when meeting someone for the first time? Too often, people thoughtlessly approach these and similar questions by defaulting to whichever mode is right in front of them without considering the consequences. A while back, I was giving a talk to a group of retail executives, and someone asked a great question: what’s the best mode choice when you need to display emotions you might not really be feeling? Such as needing to seem excited during a customer interaction, even when you may be stressed or frustrated for unrelated reasons. “Telephone seems much higher effort and thus more authentic than email, yet it allows you to avoid leaking nonverbal behavior indicating your true emotions.” I ran a series of studies on this topic, using study contexts including negotiators, coworkers, and teachers and parents from international schools in Vietnam. Imagine you are a teacher in a school where parents pay a lot of money for their child to attend. Now, you have to tell one of these parents why their perfect angel is failing your course and being suspended due to serious misbehavior. Despite your frustrations with the student—and the parents for not helping improve matters—you need to put on your best smile to ensure the interaction goes smoothly. There were three key findings in these studies. First, if you are being authentic, then the richest mode of interaction—face-to-face or video—is best as it comes off as the highest effort and lets your authenticity shine through. If you need to fake it, I found that many people choose email, but that is the worst choice because email seems so low effort that it comes off as most inauthentic. For those who aimed to appear authentic while masking underlying emotions, audio interactions were the sweet spot. Telephone seems much higher effort and thus more authentic than email, yet it allows you to avoid leaking nonverbal behavior indicating your true emotions. This choice was consequential as in my studies. It determined everything from parent satisfaction with their teacher, how much coworkers were willing to engage with each other going forward, and to what degree negotiators punished one another with severe counteroffers. By defining your interaction goals, you will be able to strategically select the right mode and message to improve outcomes and avoid situations that risk you making bad impressions. 5. AI will never replace the human touch. Imagine receiving a sympathy email from a colleague after the death of a loved one. The email is supportive, but you immediately recognize the message was AI-generated because your colleague doesn’t normally use formal words like “elevate” and “profound.” After making this observation, you probably think your colleague doesn’t really care about you because they did not write the message themselves. When it comes to the most important interactions, there’s no replacement for the human touch. Researchers have found that people instinctively think of everything from songs to recipes to paintings as more authentic when we believe they were created by a human, as opposed to identical ones that were AI-generated. When something is hand-crafted, it seems more effortful and special. In the vast majority of interactions, it will be impossible for others to tell that you used AI to create something on your behalf, but all it takes is one slip up for your interaction partner to suspect you did not write the message personally. Then, they will question every single virtual interaction you’ve had with them and wonder whether you were simply outsourcing your communication and not putting effort into the relationship. They will ask themselves why they interact with you personally in the first place if all they are doing is speaking with an AI. There are times when AI increases productivity, such as using AI as an assistant for ancillary aspects of communication—such as generating ideas, editing, and summarizing conversations. This can free up valuable time and mental energy for more complex, nuanced interactions. But, as AI replacing human communication becomes more common, adding that human touch to core parts of communication is likely to become an ever-more-valuable signal of how much you value a relationship and how vital you are as a person to that interaction. This article originally appeared in Next Big Idea Club magazine and is reprinted with permission. View the full article

Cambridge Innovation Capital’s fund counts Aviva Investors and an arm of British Business Bank as backersView the full article

Kenya’s economy and healthcare system are reeling from president’s bid to shut down USAIDView the full article

Disparity raises questions about ability of Companies House to tackle non-complianceView the full article

Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats are poised to win, as the Social Democratic Party faces its worst result since 1887View the full article

Restructuring plans come as Britain seeks to boost inward investmentView the full article

By losing our ability to see things at face value we are losing our grip on realityView the full article

Not as many hard-charging banks as you might thinkView the full article

Relatively low expenditure that directly supports individual consumption could undermine growth effortsView the full article

Meta has introduced a series of updates to Instagram Direct Messages (DMs), adding new features designed to improve communication and engagement. The latest tools include message translation, music stickers, scheduled messages, pinned content, and group chat QR codes, all aimed at making conversations more seamless and interactive. A new message translation feature allows users to translate messages within their chats, making it easier to communicate across different languages. By holding down on a message sent or received in another language and selecting “Translate,” the translated text appears directly below the original message. Users can now share 30-second song previews directly within DMs using music stickers. The feature, available through the sticker tray in chats, allows users to select tracks from Instagram’s audio library. The recipient will see a spinning vinyl animation along with the preview. Instagram now supports scheduled messages, enabling users to send messages at a predetermined time. To schedule a message, users can type their text, hold down the send button, choose a date and time, and confirm the scheduling. The feature also allows users to set reminders for important tasks. Building on last year’s chat thread pinning feature, Instagram now lets users pin individual messages, images, memes, or Reels within 1:1 and group chats. Users can pin up to three messages per conversation, ensuring that important or frequently referenced content remains easily accessible. A new group chat QR code feature simplifies the process of adding members to group conversations. Users can generate a unique QR code linked to a group chat and share it in person, via DM, or by saving it to their camera roll. Group admins have control over access and can refresh the QR code at any time to regulate new participants. These updates reflect Meta’s continued focus on making Instagram a more dynamic and user-friendly messaging platform. By introducing cross-language messaging, multimedia sharing, organizational tools, and simplified group invitations, Instagram aims to strengthen real-time communication and social interactions within its ecosystem. The new features are now available globally. Users can visit Instagram’s Help Center for more details on how to access and use each tool. Image: Meta This article, "Meta Rolls Out New Instagram DM Features, Enhancing Connectivity and User Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Meta has introduced a series of updates to Instagram Direct Messages (DMs), adding new features designed to improve communication and engagement. The latest tools include message translation, music stickers, scheduled messages, pinned content, and group chat QR codes, all aimed at making conversations more seamless and interactive. A new message translation feature allows users to translate messages within their chats, making it easier to communicate across different languages. By holding down on a message sent or received in another language and selecting “Translate,” the translated text appears directly below the original message. Users can now share 30-second song previews directly within DMs using music stickers. The feature, available through the sticker tray in chats, allows users to select tracks from Instagram’s audio library. The recipient will see a spinning vinyl animation along with the preview. Instagram now supports scheduled messages, enabling users to send messages at a predetermined time. To schedule a message, users can type their text, hold down the send button, choose a date and time, and confirm the scheduling. The feature also allows users to set reminders for important tasks. Building on last year’s chat thread pinning feature, Instagram now lets users pin individual messages, images, memes, or Reels within 1:1 and group chats. Users can pin up to three messages per conversation, ensuring that important or frequently referenced content remains easily accessible. A new group chat QR code feature simplifies the process of adding members to group conversations. Users can generate a unique QR code linked to a group chat and share it in person, via DM, or by saving it to their camera roll. Group admins have control over access and can refresh the QR code at any time to regulate new participants. These updates reflect Meta’s continued focus on making Instagram a more dynamic and user-friendly messaging platform. By introducing cross-language messaging, multimedia sharing, organizational tools, and simplified group invitations, Instagram aims to strengthen real-time communication and social interactions within its ecosystem. The new features are now available globally. Users can visit Instagram’s Help Center for more details on how to access and use each tool. Image: Meta This article, "Meta Rolls Out New Instagram DM Features, Enhancing Connectivity and User Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Billionaire steps up efforts to cull government employees with emailed deadlineView the full article

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging taxpayers to exercise caution when selecting tax professionals, warning that while most preparers are reputable, some engage in fraud, identity theft, and other scams. The agency emphasizes that taxpayers remain legally responsible for their tax returns, even if prepared by someone else. IRS Resources for Selecting a Tax Professional To help taxpayers make informed choices, the IRS offers several tools, including: The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications, which lists preparers who meet high professional standards. A dedicated page on IRS.gov with guidance on choosing a reputable preparer, avoiding unethical ones, and understanding different preparer qualifications. Free Tax Preparation Services The IRS provides free electronic filing options and tax assistance through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. These services are available to qualifying individuals, including those earning $67,000 or less and seniors aged 60 and older. Taxpayers can find free tax help using the VITA Locator Tool or by calling 800-906-9887. Red Flags When Choosing a Tax Preparer Taxpayers should be aware of warning signs that indicate potential fraud, including: “Ghost” preparers who refuse to sign tax returns. IRS regulations require paid preparers to sign returns they prepare. Unscrupulous individuals may prepare returns promising large refunds or charge fees based on refund amounts. Preparers without a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Anyone paid to prepare federal tax returns must have a valid PTIN and must sign the tax return they prepare. Tips for Choosing a Tax Professional The IRS advises taxpayers to consider the following when selecting a preparer: Availability year-round. Some questions may arise after tax season, so choosing a preparer who is available year-round can be beneficial. Check credentials and history. Taxpayers should review a preparer’s background through the Better Business Bureau, State Board of Accountancy (for CPAs), State Bar Association (for attorneys), and the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers for enrolled agents. Discuss service fees upfront. Avoid preparers who base fees on refund amounts or request refunds to be deposited into their accounts. Find an authorized IRS e-file provider. Electronic filing with direct deposit often results in faster refunds. Provide accurate records and receipts. Trustworthy preparers request documentation to properly determine income, deductions, and tax credits. Preparers who use a pay stub instead of a Form W-2 violate IRS e-file rules. Understand qualifications. Attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents can represent clients before the IRS in any case, while Annual Filing Season Program participants have limited representation rights. Never sign a blank or incomplete return. Taxpayers should review their returns carefully before signing and ensure refunds are deposited into their own accounts. The IRS encourages taxpayers to take these precautions to protect themselves from fraud and financial harm as tax season approaches. This article, "IRS Warns Taxpayers to Choose Tax Preparers Carefully to Avoid Fraud and Identity Theft" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging taxpayers to exercise caution when selecting tax professionals, warning that while most preparers are reputable, some engage in fraud, identity theft, and other scams. The agency emphasizes that taxpayers remain legally responsible for their tax returns, even if prepared by someone else. IRS Resources for Selecting a Tax Professional To help taxpayers make informed choices, the IRS offers several tools, including: The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications, which lists preparers who meet high professional standards. A dedicated page on IRS.gov with guidance on choosing a reputable preparer, avoiding unethical ones, and understanding different preparer qualifications. Free Tax Preparation Services The IRS provides free electronic filing options and tax assistance through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. These services are available to qualifying individuals, including those earning $67,000 or less and seniors aged 60 and older. Taxpayers can find free tax help using the VITA Locator Tool or by calling 800-906-9887. Red Flags When Choosing a Tax Preparer Taxpayers should be aware of warning signs that indicate potential fraud, including: “Ghost” preparers who refuse to sign tax returns. IRS regulations require paid preparers to sign returns they prepare. Unscrupulous individuals may prepare returns promising large refunds or charge fees based on refund amounts. Preparers without a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Anyone paid to prepare federal tax returns must have a valid PTIN and must sign the tax return they prepare. Tips for Choosing a Tax Professional The IRS advises taxpayers to consider the following when selecting a preparer: Availability year-round. Some questions may arise after tax season, so choosing a preparer who is available year-round can be beneficial. Check credentials and history. Taxpayers should review a preparer’s background through the Better Business Bureau, State Board of Accountancy (for CPAs), State Bar Association (for attorneys), and the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers for enrolled agents. Discuss service fees upfront. Avoid preparers who base fees on refund amounts or request refunds to be deposited into their accounts. Find an authorized IRS e-file provider. Electronic filing with direct deposit often results in faster refunds. Provide accurate records and receipts. Trustworthy preparers request documentation to properly determine income, deductions, and tax credits. Preparers who use a pay stub instead of a Form W-2 violate IRS e-file rules. Understand qualifications. Attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents can represent clients before the IRS in any case, while Annual Filing Season Program participants have limited representation rights. Never sign a blank or incomplete return. Taxpayers should review their returns carefully before signing and ensure refunds are deposited into their own accounts. The IRS encourages taxpayers to take these precautions to protect themselves from fraud and financial harm as tax season approaches. This article, "IRS Warns Taxpayers to Choose Tax Preparers Carefully to Avoid Fraud and Identity Theft" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Kyiv remains sceptical of plan as Treasury secretary Scott Bessent denies it is ‘coercive’ in FT opinion articleView the full article