Mohit Tater's Blog, page 530

Thomas Kane, Chicago Executive Discusses the Path to Meaningful Work

Thomas
Kane is a Private Wealth
Manager and Managing Director at Merrill Lynch Private Wealth Management in
Chicago where he advises
ultra high net-worth clients. Outside of his career responsibilities, Thomas is
regarded in the community for his philanthropic efforts both in Chicago and
abroad.  We recently spoke with Thomas to
gain his insight on how entrepreneurs can become more involved with charity.

What social causes
are you most passionate about?

Thomas Kane:   I am the President of Friends of the IDF Central Region and it is the cause I
am most passionate about. 
The organization focuses on “looking out for those who protect us” in
the Middle East.  Specifically, we
provide financial support for former combat/front line soldiers in need.  I am also involved in the Jewish Federation
of Chicago as a significant financial supporter and also the Co-leader of a
mission called “Rosh Gadol” where we focus on bringing philanthropic minded
young business leaders from Chicago to Israel every few years to spend time
with local leaders.

Many entrepreneurs are
successful at managing their business finances and want to find ways to pay it
forward.  How important is it for
entrepreneurs to commit some time and effort on giving back to social causes?

Thomas Kane: I think modern entrepreneurs want to leave a
legacy and they realize that after the numbers are crunched and their business
is off the ground and becomes successful, they still crave more.  Millennial entrepreneurs want to be hands-on
and involved.  Besides the obvious
reasons that giving back has on a community, they see charitable giving as a
way to build their reputation. 
Supporting social causes is an investment in the company’s future. 

Should more nonprofits be
courting entrepreneurs as donors?

Thomas Kane:  I think so.  Entrepreneurs’ approach to philanthropy
reflects the hands-on approach they have used in building their businesses;
they place more emphasis on being personally involved in giving, deciding how
funds are distributed, and the ability to demonstrate leadership through their
volunteering.  They also show far more
interest than the traditional employee in donating professional services,
helping with fundraising, and serving on a committee or board.

How can companies include
philanthropy in their culture?

Thomas Kane: First, they should find a cause that employees
care about. Choosing one focus for an entire corporation to champion can be
demotivating.  Instead, give your people
time off to
volunteer or serve a nonprofit of their choice during working hours.
Giving them the freedom to choose
increases their engagement level and loyalty to the company.

While a lot of companies believe in doing team-building activities, many
miss the opportunity to include a philanthropic component. Activities that have
a service element will achieve higher goals than going away on a weekend
retreat.  Activities could include
everything from serving the homeless a hot meal to volunteering at the local
animal shelter to organizing a company sponsored sporting event.

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6 Steps Toward a Perfectly Written Business Plan

Even if you have a great idea for a small business, you need to be able to market your idea to potential investors. You also need to have a means of motivating your team with a comprehensive vision and purpose behind your company. Having a bit of clarification on why you are starting a business in the first place is never a bad thing either.

Great business plans do all of these things and more. Rather than being merely a lengthy document that is something to slog through, your business plan needs to be a clear and concise statement of what your business is all about. If you are having trouble coming up with a business plan, then it can help to have a bit of guidance.

Let’s look at six of the steps that you need to follow when looking at how to write a business plan effectively.

Start With A Great Mission Statement

The most important part of a business plan is your mission statement. This concise sentence will ultimately help to clarify what your business is setting out to do. While all businesses are naturally interested in making a profit, you will also want to be more philosophical about your reasons for existing if you want to succeed.

Research Your Market

Do consumers actually want a product like the one that you are planning to bring to market? Are customers going to pay for the services that your firm provides? There is no sure way to know the answers to these questions without doing some research first. Avoid a spectacular failure by making sure that once you open your business, there will be people lining up to get a look at your offerings.

Consider Marketing

While you are making your business plan, it is important to consider what marketing efforts you will make in the first months and years of operation. Since marketing is essential for success, you need to have at least a loose idea of how this will be handled in your business.

Cater The Writing For A Target Audience

Some business plans are written in a technical jargon that is only accessible for a select few. If your business specialises in building computer components for spaceships, then this might be appropriate. Otherwise, it is important that you make your writing a little more down to earth as a means of engaging with those who will be reading it.

Dig Up All The Details About Your Business

The more relevant information that you can include in a business plan, the better. Potential investors will certainly want to see your sales forecasts and other information that pertains to the financial stability of your business. Making sure to have this information available in an easy-to-understand format will be a boon for your business plan.

Always Review And Edit

The last thing you want in a formal document like a business plan are typos and grammatical mistakes. Be sure to carefully go over your written business plan with care to catch these errors. Having a professional editor read it over for clarity will ensure that everything is ready to go.

Take The Plan Seriously

Some business owners rush through the process of creating a business plan and use little care when piecing it together. This is always a mistake, as making a business plan is an important exercise in reflection and planning. Be sure to take the process seriously and take your time when putting it together. Following the steps outlined here will help you do this with ease.

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Can University Students Get Credit Cards?

Credit cards are a very convenient method for payment in today’s world. These days the ease that a credit card provides you with is incomparable to using cash. Ever since their introduction in the 20th century, credit cards have been rising in popularity. 

University students, in particular, can benefit from having credit cards. With their jam-packed schedules, it can be difficult to carry cash all the time. Running from one class to the other also means students often misplace their things, and if you lose your wallet, you won’t get your money back, but you can always block your card. 

But can University students in the UAE get credit cards? Most UAE banks put age and salary as a credit card requirement. To know if you can get a credit card in the UAE as a University student, keep on reading. 

What Do You Need For A Credit Card?

The biggest obstacle University students face is that they don’t have a set salary that they can give documentation for. Thus, it becomes difficult for University students to qualify for a credit card. So, what can you do if you don’t have a salary? 

If you can’t declare an income, you need to show your bank that you can repay them the credit card debt. You can also get a co-signer, one with a stable salary. As a student, you should also know what you can count as income. If you’re receiving any scholarship or grant money from your University, you can count that as income too.

How To Get A Credit Card In UAE For Students

If you go to a bank in the UAE and tell them you’re a student looking for a credit card, chances are they’ll usher you towards a current account with a debit card. This is because bankers assume students don’t meet the minimum requirements for a credit card and thus don’t even discuss that option with them. 

So, if you’re looking for a credit card, go to the bank and tell them that you want a credit card. Don’t mention that you’re a student, but look for a card with the bare minimum salary requirement. FAB has credit cards that require a salary of only 5000 AED! They’re ideal for students. Once they run you through the process of getting the card and ask you how much you earn, you can discuss your student status with them.

What Credit Cards Should A Student Get?

Every credit card offers its users something different. Banks differ in the features their credit cards give. But, even within banks, there’s a wide range of cards to choose from. As a University student, it’s best to opt for a credit card without a salary transfer requirement and a minimum salary amount. 

Credit cards also offer many other features that you should consider before opting for one. These include:  

·    Bonus cashback

·    Redemption options

·    Air travel options

·    Savings and tax deduction

·    Withdrawal tax

·    Low-interest credit cards

For example, if you’re an international student residing within the UAE, you may fly back home frequently. In this case, opt for a credit card that rewards you with flyer miles. FAB credit cards in the UAE are one such example. They offer great benefits that are ideal for students. Likewise, you can look for other domestic credit card benefits, as well.

Conclusion

Credit cards are very beneficial to University students, and they can easily apply for a credit card in the UAE. Having a good personal credit card can make it easy to handle finances amongst busy student life. Just make sure you figure out how to meet the requirements before heading to the bank.

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What Are the Different WiFi Encryption Types?

High-speed internet revolutionized the process of getting online. Gone were slow, clunky 14.4K dial-up modems. As access to the internet progressed, wireless internet networks, commonly known as WiFi, liberated computing from stationary desktop computers to sleek laptops, tablets and gaming devices operated nearly everywhere.

However, WiFi presents significant security challenges which are often exploited by unscrupulous individuals ranging from squatters seeking free internet access to hackers and identity thieves. Over the years, WiFi network security has evolved to provide protection for both home and commercial WiFi networks against unauthorized access. Understanding how different WiFi encryption types work is essential for selecting the best possible security setup for a commercial WiFi network.

Wired Equivalency Protection (WEP)

Wired Equivalency Protection (WEP) was the first WiFi encryption protocol developed back in the 1990s with standard 64-bit and 128-bit keys. It was intended to provide security at a similar level as wired networks, but it was soon discovered to have serious flaws. A major cyber attack against retailer TJMaxx in 2009 was attributed to security flaws in its WEP encryption security setup. These days, few commercial WiFi networks rely on WEP encryption. However, many older gaming consoles are only compatible with WEP. As a result, it is still used for some home WiFi networks, although it is not recommended for commercial networks.

WiFi Protected Access (WPA)

In 2003, WiFi Protected Access (WPA) with 256-bit keys was formally adopted as the successor and replacement for the flawed WEP encryption protocol. The most common configuration for WPA encryption is WPA-PSK (Pre-Shared Key). WPA also incorporated message integrity checks to determine if transmission had been compromised between the access point and the client, and the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP). The per-packet key system employed by TKIP was more secure than WEP’s fixed key system. Unfortunately, TKIP recycled some aspects of WEP to facilitate firmware updates, which has weakened the security of WPA somewhat. WPA—WiFi Protected Setup (WPS), which was intended to allow older devices to link to updated access points has also been found to be vulnerable to unauthorized access.

WiFi Protected Access Version 2 (WPA2)

WiFi Protected Access Version 2 (WPA2) relies on the 802.11i wireless security standard, finalized in 2004. The major distinction between WPA2 and WPA is the transition from TKIP to the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). AES provides significantly improved security over TKIP, and is approved for use by the U.S. government for transmitting top-secret information.

WiFi Encryption for the Future

WEP, WPA and WPA2 represent the three main WiFi encryption types that are presently available. However, WiFi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) and WEP3 Enterprise encryption were introduced in 2018 and are poised to become more widely adopted in the future. Opportunistic WiFi Encryption (OWE) represents advancement in WiFi encryption. OEP is primarily designed for use by public WiFi networks operated by establishments like airports and hotels.

Protecting WiFi Networks

At present, WPA2 + AES represents the ideal WiFi security setup. However, some access points do not support this optimal level of security. Other possible security combinations are listed below, ranked from more secure to less secure.

WPA + AESWPA + AES with TKIP as a fallbackWPA + TKIPWEP

Of course, while WEP WiFi network encryption is not ideal, it is better than no security encryption at all. Adding a virtual private network (VPN) and employing standard internet security such as firewalls and antivirus and anti-malware software can beef up WEP security as well. It is also important to stay in touch with advances in WiFi encryption, and to evaluate how to adopt new security protocols into a commercial WiFi network to ensure maximum online security for employees and customers or clients alike.

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4 Essential Elements of Efficient Packaging Design

Depending on the industry you’re in, the packaging of your product could literally make or break your product’s chances in the marketplace. Even if you have the best product on the planet, a competitor could end up outshining you and taking away your sales. The worst is that you may never know that your product’s packaging was the main factor. This is why it’s important that you understand what makes for good design, and don’t just rely on esthetics. Here are some of the most crucial elements of good packaging design.

Good Design Stands Out

The main goal of your product’s packaging is to make sure that it is seen and catches your audience’s attention. If you want to make your packaging stand out, you don’t need to go with over the top colors and fonts. Sometimes, simplicity can work just as well, especially when it is consistent with your brand. 

For instance, everyone recognizes Apple’s packaging, even though it tends to be very minimalistic. But it fits their brand image and products perfectly. It’s also very consistent across all products, which is why it’s so efficient and iconic.

Helps Determine Price

We often don’t realize it, but we make a judgement as to whether a product is fancy or not in milliseconds, and this is largely due to packaging. When people see fancy looking packaging, they will usually look at the price and see if it is reasonable. People will also usually assume that high end packaging is a sign of quality. So, you could not only charge a premium for good packaging, but also end up cheapening your product with poor packaging.

Good Materials

The choice of materials will also be a reflection on the quality of the product. It should fit your core audience as well. For instance, if you’re going to be selling wellness products to a health conscious crowd, it would also be wise that you keep the packaging to a minimum, and emphasize on sustainability.

Make the Purpose of the Product Clear

You can use evocative imagery to show the product’s end promise. Whether you’re selling beauty products, protein powder, or meal kits, you want to use images that will create an emotional response with your audience. You also want them to understand instantly what they’re going to get from the product.

This emotional response can be triggered by anything from nostalgia, aspiration, or joy among other things. By incorporating these in your packaging, you’ll be able to establish a connection between this emotional response and the product.

It Should Strive to be Iconic

Not all brands will be like Nike, Apple, or Coca Cola. However, you should always strive to get to this iconic status with your brand. Your logo should be made with that in mind. The most iconic logos also tend to be stripped down but evocative, so make sure that you keep that in mind when going to the drawing table.

The packaging of your product is one of the most important aspects of branding, and you can’t afford to get it wrong. Make sure that it obeys all of these laws, and make sure that it is tested rigorously before it enters the marketplace.

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A Review of Sage 50cloud Accounting

Sage 50cloud is an accounting software for growing businesses to manage their books with ease. Even though it is made with small businesses in mind, it is scalable to handle the accountings of big businesses. This makes it a good choice for small businesses who plan on scaling up to have a single software which suits their needs, in the present as well as the future.

You can easily manage your small business with Sage 50cloud accounting software from either your desktop or through the cloud. The software is installed on your desktop to enhance the performance but provides remote connectivity through the cloud for you to work on growing your business wherever and whenever you want. Like they say, “However you work, Sage 50cloud works with you.”

The Sage 50cloud accounting software includes all the standard accounting features you can need and much more, such as:

Cash flow management/monitoringAutomated Bank ReconciliationVendor management centerCustomer management centerInventory and services management centerFixed assets managementJob/Project managementInvoice through mail or emailCredit card processing

All these features make Sage 50cloud more than just an accounting software. The essential business operations that it provides make it easier for businesses to manage their day-to-day transactions and processes. It is user-friendly enough for even non-accountants to be able to use it easily, yet the functions aren’t compromised.

It has a customizable dashboard that allows you quick access to any important data that you are looking for, you can even unlock mobile functionality with Office 365 integration* for hands-on monitoring whenever you want.

It has automatic accounting checks, automatic backups, and module-level security that will help you protect your data. The software can be used by up to 40 employees, so it makes screening access to information all the more important. Sage 50cloud provides bank-level online security. User-level access helps you set privileges for each user, so employees can only access the information they truly need. 

Sage 50cloud account software supports many different integrations, such as:

Excel, Word, Outlook, Outlook Sync, ExchangeMacromedia Flash PlayerAdobe ReaderCrystal Report 2008 SP1Printers supported by Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7/8

All these integrations, in addition to the software compatibility with other Sage products, make it easier to manage your business even when you scale to a much larger level.

Figuring out if Sage 50cloud is for you are not is just a click away. Take their free trial to see if it ticks all your boxes. You will be sent a link that will remain active for 30 days, you can go back and use the software as many times as you want, it will help you determine if it is the right fit for your business needs before making the purchase.

There are 3 types of account subscriptions you can get with added discounts being offered:

Pro Accounting – $299.95 / year (40% discount, the original price being $503.23 / year)Premium Accounting – $388.95 / year (50% discount, the original price being $778.63 / year)Quantum Accounting – You can get a custom quote along with a 25 % discount.

With each account, you can add the Microsoft Office 365 Integration for $150/year.

Final Thoughts

While there are a lot of accounting software out in the market, picking one that suits your needs can be a bit tricky. Look for software that not only meets most of your current needs but also something that you can easily fit into your vision for years down the road. Investing in a good software is really important to streamline your workflow and Sage 50cloud is one such software for all your accounting needs.

*Integration requires a license to Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium. It can be purchased with your Sage 50cloud subscription or integrated with your Sage 50cloud account if you already own a Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium license.

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Popular Sports Bets

In Europe, betting on sports is very popular. This is mainly due to the fact that there is so much choice when it comes to betting. We see that football fans often choose for example a bet on the World Cup or the European Championship. But also the Europa League or the Champions League is of course extremely popular among the various spectators of the sport. In America people are more into football and baseball, in Europe the focus is really on football. There are many bookmakers online and there are more every week.

You can bet on all kinds of sports nowadays. Betting on sports can include: football, tennis, Formula 1, cycling, horse racing, hockey and darts. Of course, there are many more options that are open to you. You will be able to find everything about this here on the site. On our website you have an overview of the best sports betting sites.

Internet betting is of course much easier than the way of betting as it used to be. In the past, people had to go to a betting office to bet a certain amount of money on an outcome.

Due to the advent of the internet, you don’t have to go out to bet on sports anymore. A tip that we can already give you: always do good research into the team you want to bet on. Are all players available or are there a few on the bench? Are there red cards or something like that? By asking these questions to yourself, you will have a better chance of actually winning.

You can go to all kinds of websites if you want to bet on sports. The bookmakers you can find on Voetbalweddenschappen.com are always reliable and meet all the requirements you can set for a betting site. Often you’ll even get a bonus when you start betting for the first time, so you can start betting on sports right away. Always read the terms and conditions of course, that way you know what to expect.

Bet every moment of the day

All over the world you will be betting at any time, so it’s possible to bet on sports 24/7, as it were. In many sports you will also have the option to take a so-called combination bet. This means that money is wagered on several individual bets in one. All these bets have to be won if you want to win a lot of money. The combination bet will therefore offer a much higher win than the other types of bets.

Of course, it is always possible that you are new to the world of gambling. If so, you’ll find everything you need to get started here on the site. With a little research into the sites where you can bet on sports and with a good pair of brains you’ll also be able to make a lot of money on a nice bet. 

There are plenty of opportunities to get acquainted with the world of gambling and betting. Thanks to the various types of apps, you will be able to start placing a bet even now. It is no longer necessary to put some kind of program on your computer. You can start right away.

Betting at Bookmakers

You can even choose to place a bet on a particular exceptional outcome. Often it doesn’t work but if you manage to get it done then you will be very happy. It has happened that people in 2004 had a small amount of money bet on Greece as a European champion. Or in 2016 when Leicester City came forward as Premiership champion. By also betting on the different types of sport you will be able to have a lot of fun while gambling on the matches.

Thanks to the simple apps it is possible to create an account within a few minutes and to start betting on your favourite club. Watching sports is of course one of the most fun things you can do with your friends. But wouldn’t it be much more exciting if you could earn some money with it?

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The Best Business Start-Up Ideas for 2020

Have you made the big decision that 2020 will be the year that you create your own start-up business? Have you been thinking about it for quite some time and now you’re ready to take that big jump into the world of entrepreneurship? Whether you plan on the business being your main source of income and your full-time job, or you’re thinking more along the lines of a side business that can act as supplemental income, the key to success is often the business idea itself. 

You want to be sure that you’re opening a business that offers a product or service that you can deliver in a big way, and that is in demand. With that said, it can be very helpful to spend a little time researching current market and consumer trends, identifying the areas that are the most in-demand at the moment and in the future. To help you come up with that perfect start-up idea, here’s a look at some of the buzz-worthy ideas for 2020.

Graphic Design

If you are the type that is highly creative, detail-oriented, and is a whiz with computer graphic programs, then starting your own graphic design company could be ideal. This is a job that always seems to be in demand, but companies don’t necessarily want to hire on a full-time in-house graphic artist. Instead they often look for freelancers and consultants to do those one-off jobs, or recurring jobs throughout the year.

As a graphic designer, you could be taking on such projects as creating company logos, posters, banners, marketing material, and websites. Obviously, the more skills you can offer your clients, the better for you and your business.

Web Developer

This brings us to the next start-up idea, another freelancing opportunity. Web developers are also in high demand, as just about every business out there is coming to the realization that no matter the size or industry they are in, they need a website. And just like with a graphic designer, companies don’t necessarily want or need a full-time staff member dedicated to this job; instead. they want to find an experienced freelancer that can create a professional and user-friendly site that brings in traffic.

In order to excel with this business idea, you will of course need to be tech-savvy and understand HTML, CSS, Java, and JavaScript. It also helps to have some formal training/education so that you can advertise this information on your business’s page.

Social Media Manager

Here’s a business that didn’t even exist 10 years ago, but today is in great demand. As a social media manager, it will be your job to manage your client’s social media accounts. This includes such accounts as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and more. It could mean that you are posting daily, interacting with posters on a regular basis, and really helping to build buzz around the client you are representing.

The great thing about this type of business is that you can manage the accounts of various clients at once, allowing you to pick and choose how busy you want to be. Of course, you’ll need to be experienced and well-versed in how to best use the various social network platforms, and a bit of marketing skills can be useful.

Virtual Assistant

This is another career that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago, but today is popping up all over the place. Picture the traditional personal assistant to an executive in an office 20 years ago – now give the position a high-tech makeover, and you’ve got a virtual assistant. As a virtual assistant, you will be working from your own office assisting clients all around the world if you choose. 

Online Retailer

If you’re ready to dip your toes into the world of retail, then an online platform could be the best option. The global ecommerce industry is nothing short of massive, with a spot for just about any and all products. The key is to have a hook, something unique to offer, competitive pricing, excellent customer service, and the ability to fulfil orders quickly and accurately. 

Building an ecommerce store from the ground up can take time and a lot of effort, but in the end, it can also offer huge rewards. The products you decide to sell will help determine just how in-depth the process and systems will be, so it’s wise to do plenty of research before you open the doors to this style of business.

Blogging, Writing, Editing

Then there are the services of a professional writer who can blog and edit. This is the kind of business idea that can be used by various industries in a freelance capacity, so it is able to increase your odds of finding clientele.

Take the Time to Learn About Structuring a Business

As a final note, once you do have that perfect idea for a business start-up, it’s important you take the time to research the various business structures. You want to be sure you’re following all the rules and regulations of your state, while protecting your business and personal interests/assets. 

One of the most common types of businesses to form is an LLC, which is a Limited Liability Company. This will keep your business and personal assets separate, which also means that, should anything go wrong with the business, your personal assets are fine. 

You can research your particular state and how an LLC works. If you live in the state of Texas for example, you want to research how to start in LLC in Texas specifically. You can check out this highly informative blog on the Truic site, howtostartanllc.com, that explores Texas LLC creation and requirements. The site offers a free guide that explores how to protect your business and personal assets, how to make your business run smoothly, how to ensure your company is compliant at all times, and so much more.

Getting Ready to Take the Plunge

So, if you’re getting ready to take the plunge in 2020 and open your own business, these ideas may be exactly what you need to jumpstart your goals.

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How an Email List Validator Boosts Your Email Marketing and Sales

Many organizations use email marketing to increase brand awareness and sales. But not all of them succeed. While sending your subscribers valuable content is essential, what also matters is the quality of your email list. How do you maintain it? Checking your contacts manually is difficult and ineffective. Enter the email list validator, a system that ensures your database is up-to-date so you can reach your subscribers. 

What does an email list validator do?

The system scans your email list and removes the bad data you’ve acquired. Whether it’s misspelled and fake emails, spam traps, abuse or temporary emails, the software filters them out and allows you to communicate with real people.

Why it’s vital to use an email list validator

Savvy email marketers are aware that their data quality is continuously declining. An email address is at risk of going obsolete from the moment you add it to your database. Why do email addresses go bad?

with so many email clients available, people often abandon their email accounts to start new ones. So you’re stuck with a dormant email address that doesn’t add any value to your list. people change jobs, so their email addresses become invalid. As a result, they will bounce and hurt your sender reputation.dormant email addresses are often repurposed into spam traps. These addresses are a spam prevention method, and continuing to email them can seriously affect your reputation. also, some of the people who sign up for your emails use temporary email addresses. These addresses self-destruct and result in bounces.

These are just a few reasons why your data quality needs constant attention. A successful email marketing strategy relies on a healthy, powerful email list. 

How you can validate your email list hassle-free

Cleaning your list may sound complicated. But when someone else takes care of the process, you don’t have to worry about the technicalities. 

There are two ways in which you can use an email list validator:

in bulk: this means you can upload your entire email list on a validation platform and download it when it’s clean.in real time: this involves installing an email validation API on your signup forms to check emails as they register.

When you clean your list in bulk, the system analyzes it to ensure all the email addresses exist and are formatted correctly. A good email list validator removes misspelled, fake, catch-all, temporary and abuse emails (people who mark you as spam). Also, certain systems weed out spam traps, thus helping you maintain a positive sender reputation. 

How verifying your email list boosts your email marketing

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) always keep an eye on your sender reputation. This tells them whether you follow email marketing best practices. A sender with poor email list quality raises a red flag. Therefore, ISPs will start filtering your emails more carefully. 

Some of them will start landing in people’s Spam folder. Others won’t even make it there. Bad email hygiene can also get you blacklisted, and ignoring the problem is not a solution. Especially when you have such a simple way of fixing it. 

Here is how using an email list validator boosts your email marketing:

first, you save money by sending emails only to valid, active email subscribers.as soon as you start emailing a clean list, your sender reputation improves.ISPs begin trusting you again, so they deliver your emails in your subscribers’ inboxesyour open and click-through rates increaseso you see a boost in conversions, too!



Why installing an API on your website pays off

Let’s say you’ve just validated your list, so you can use it confidently. The thing is, its quality will start declining again. Of course, you can fix that by cleaning it once more in a couple of months. But what if you want to prevent this issue instead of always having to fix it?

You can, thanks to the engineers who have invented the email validation API. This piece of software checks email addresses in real time. All you have to do is copy and paste a few lines of code into your website, and the API will start working in the background to keep your email database clean. 

It’s important to know that a reliable API works exactly like a bulk email list validator, only in real time. So, it will prevent risky email addresses from being added to your list, thus preserving its quality.

How can you get an email cleaning API? It’s simple: once you find a validator, ask for the API key and install it on your website. 

Other ways to boost your email marketing

In the crowded email space of today, you can’t afford to use an outdated email list. But also, you can’t afford to send your subscribers irrelevant or uninteresting content. Why? Because the engagement your emails get is just as important to your sender reputation.

Your open and click-through rates reflect how people react to your content, and ISPs use these metrics as a guide. So take a look at these bonus tips and use them when you write your next email!

if you’ve been sending mostly marketing offers, give inbound marketing a try. Send out content that doesn’t aim to sell anything, but establish you as a trusted and helpful source. spend more time on your subject lines – they make all the difference in open rates. Most experts will advise you to keep them short, but the truth is longer subject lines can perform just as well, as long as you manage to make them enticing. personalizing every message goes a long way. Use data such as location, gender, or purchase history to craft better targeted campaigns. are your emails always on the short side? It’s true, people are busy and often only skim their inbox. However, if you have a great story to tell, don’t be afraid to send out a longer email. keep testing everything so you can improve. Type of content, length, subject lines or call-to-action buttons – you can always tweak them until you determine what your audience prefers. 



Ready to wrap up?

The “spray and pray” email marketing model is not only outdated, but risky to your business. Nowadays, emailing a bunch of email addresses you’ve never checked will eventually get you in trouble. So, before you send out a new email, run your database through an email list validator. Then, take a close look at your content to see what performs best. 

What do your subscribers need and like? Send them more of that. 

You’ll reap the benefits soon enough, and your email marketing will start yielding the results you deserve. 

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Essential Things To Think Of When Designing And Developing New Products

This century might really be the age of the entrepreneur. There are new companies being put up in different countries all the time. If you are an entrepreneur, you will probably want to make and market your own products. However, there are some guidelines to follow if you want to design and develop new products for your business.

Why Your Company Needs to Design and Develop New Products

You probably realized that your company is unique and thus your products must be equally new and original. This is because your company has to have its own brand, but you can’t make that until you come up with new products to develop and market. These products should shine among the crowded marketplace, so that they will bear the name of your brand proudly. At the same time, people should realize that your products are really what they need.

What to Consider When Designing and Developing New Products

1. Product Innovation 

What this means is that you will have to find new ways of doing things. That applies to product design, too. It means your product has to help the public do something important to them in a new way, or in a way that affects them uniquely. For example, if you are developing a new kind of toothpaste, you could aim to make its health benefits last 24 hours before the customer would have to brush again. You need a brand-new idea.

2. Research and Development 

Once you have that great new idea, the process continues into the research phase. You might already have a clear process flow in mind, but doing additional research won’t hurt. Think of it as an investment in your business by adding more hours devoted towards the development of your product. You will be looking for information here that could help improve the features of your product.

3. Customer Reception

You can look for close friends to test your idea on. Make sure they are the type who can keep your research a secret for the duration of the testing phase. You may have them sign a confidentiality agreement just to make sure. Relatives might also be open to this. Ask them what they think about your product. They may have comments about your product that didn’t occur to you during your research.

4. Check Your Competitors 

You should examine competitors in the market to see if their products are superior to yours. Be objective. Could you make a product that is better than theirs? With a better price? And sold by a wider range of vendors?

5. Potential Pricing 

You need to be conscious of the price point of your product. This is where it gets really competitive, because your competitors might have an equally great product but chose to market it at a lower price. Can you beat them in the pricing game? Or are you banking on the features of your product to bring in sales regardless of the price difference?

6. Product Manufacturer

This is very important. A good manufacturer is difficult to find, because they might already have their own products to make and market. You need to find someone who will not divulge your trade secrets and loyally manufacture your products consistently. You may need to build your own factory if you can’t find anyone else.

7. How Your Products Will Be Sold

You can set up your own store to protect your brand, but you still need to find salespeople for that. You can advertise online by setting up a website where you will market it to the public. You might also want to make a networking business where your network will sell the products to the public for you in exchange for money.

Final Thoughts

You are probably excited now because of your great new idea for a brand-new product that no one else has thought of yet. But before you rush headlong into production, take the time to think about innovation, and do your research first. You can test the product on your friends and relatives at the start, provided they keep it a secret for a time. You should make sure your product is better than that of your competitors and check their pricing as well. Look for a manufacturer who can make your product without selling your trade secrets to competitors. You can then open a store to sell your branded product or set up a networking business around your new product. 

Hopefully, Lady Luck will smile upon you and you will be able to profit from your unique and wonderful new product.

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