Reginald Chan

Category: Business

  • Steps To Launching An Online Business

    Steps To Launching An Online Business

    Starting an online business is exciting, but there’s a lot to do before you’ll be ready to launch. Break your launch down into manageable chunks. These steps are some of the most important steps to get your online business ready to go and ready to succeed.

    1. Find a niche. Before you start selling anything, you need to find the right product that has the potential to be profitable. You should research different niches and examine your on life to find a problem that you think you can solve with a product or service online.
    2. Evaluate market viability. Now you have a business idea, you now need to dig a little deeper into product viability. Consider the details that might make or break your business, such as how many SKUs you’ll have and what shipping will cost.
    3. Conduct market research. Do some keyword research and evaluate what products are trending to make sure there is a demand for your product, and to identify a gap in the market that you could fill.
    4. Conduct competitive analysis. Who are your biggest competitors? What is working for them and what can you improve on? This will help you to define your own brand, position in the market, and what online marketing you might need.
    5. Learn online business laws. There may be shipping restrictions, zoning laws, and trademark considerations that you need to be aware of. These are very important for a business. If you understand the laws, you can avoid eCommerce problems that could derail your business before you even really get anywhere.
    6. Analyze your target market. You need to do deep research to understand who your ideal customer is. Who are they? What do they like? How can you tailor your product and your eCommerce site experience so it will appeal to this target market?
    7. Source your product or find the right product. You know you have the right product, who your ideal customer is, and how you’re going to set up your business. You now need to source the physical product. Will you make it yourself, or do you need to find a supplier?
    8. Choose the right eCommerce platform. None of the work you have already done will mean anything if you don’t have an eCommerce site in place to actually sell your product. This site must have an intuitive shopping experience and makes a customer want to keep returning. Get the design and usability right. Open a business bank account that can link directly to your site to make taking payment easier.
    9. Launch your store. The product is ready, and you’ve built your platform. Now, using a product launch checklist, you need to actually launch and start letting people know that your business exists and what it does.
    10. Drive online traffic. When you’ve launched, you need traffic. There are lots of methods to generate online traffic, including SEO and content marketing. You need to either learn those skills yourself, hire someone who can do this, or outsource to other vendors to help you send people to your new platform.
  • Best Remote Jobs For Speakers

    Best Remote Jobs For Speakers

    As more work remotely, the dynamics of the global workforce changes. There is increased attention in work that offers flexibility in where and when to work. Fortunately, due to technological advancements over the years, there are fewer barriers to remote employment. It allows employers to get the best from their employees, promote work-life balance, increase productivity, and results in happy and satisfied employees. Switching to remote work does not have to be complicated; you can do what you are good at in the comfort of your home. Here are some of the best remote jobs for speakers.

    Online Tutoring

    The online education industry offers vast opportunities for people who enjoy and love teaching. Based on your abilities and goals, you can carve yourself a valuable space in the field, instill knowledge to your students, and make money without spending time in a classroom. You can choose to be an ESL teacher, adjunct professor, special needs instructor, teaching assistant, and math tutor, among many more.

    Your work will include instructing learners, developing and adjusting course materials, grading your students, and moderating learning forums. The job gives you flexible hours as you can set and change learning hours based on your schedule, and https://searchremotely.com offers a wide variety of excellent prospective opportunities. The average wages for a tutor that works alone amount to about $30 hourly and can rise to $60 for advanced subjects like calculus and SAT preparation.

    Running a Podcast

    Podcasting began as a way for people to get their message and stories out and develop a community of individuals with the same interests. However, it has evolved tremendously as TV networks, comedians, small and large companies, radio networks, churches, storytellers, and more people venture into it. Many podcasters release their contents weekly, but others do it daily.

    It is relatively cheap and straightforward to develop your show as it is less crowded than blogging. Before setting out, take time to develop an ideal topic, choose an appealing niche you can continuously discuss, and brainstorm various ideas on Milanote.com. You can decide to do it alone or have a co-host to make the conversations more engaging and share the promoting, content development, and editing responsibilities.

    The ideal podcasting gear includes a mixer, laptop or computer, microphones, shock mount, audio interface, pop filter, mic stands, and headphones. It is paramount that you develop high-quality content as it will form the foundation for growing your listeners and improve your chances of making money from podcasting.

    Sales Assistant

    Virtual sales assistants work as remote employees or independently to help organizations make sure customers receive satisfactory service, greet and welcome customers, offer accurate information, and maintain company policies. An excellent sales assistant has impeccable speaking skills, a basic understanding of customer service and sales, friendly personality, and proper etiquette.

    Hiring independent virtual assistants save employers money because they require no training, raise productivity, and allow businesses to handle busy seasons. The job offers flexible hours, independence, and fair revenues. It is ideal for people with a strong command of language and confidence in speaking; you can visit various websites, including indeed.com, for job opportunities.

    Voice Over

    Several businesses look for individuals to do explainer or marketing videos. Tutorials, audiobooks, voicemail, radio/TV commercials, and podcast introductions also require expert voice-overs. If you have excellent vocal capabilities in a particular language, you can find lucrative remote opportunities. You can smoothly perform your work using your computer, a room with excellent acoustics, an audio mixer and mixing software, and a microphone at your home’s comfort.

    You may have the talent, but training and education will help you get a better command of the job and make you more desirable to clients. As you develop your career as a professional voice over, it is essential to get the opinion from a mentor, colleague, or friend. The feedback will help you know the level of your skills and make the necessary changes.

    Consultancy

    Experts, in particular fields, have an excellent opportunity to share their experiences and opinions. Many people want to learn from them and gain the necessary advice to improve themselves and their careers. Depending on your expertise, you can consult in fields like parenting, entrepreneurship, sales and marketing, interior design, relationships, health and fitness, and freelancing.

    The day-to-day activities of a consultant vary depending on your strategy and business plan; some offer continuous services while others do single engagements. As an online consultant, you will communicate with your clients a lot, so you will need to have high-quality equipment for video conferencing and phone calls. You can offer ongoing coaching, strategic advice, and one-time training.

    Online Interviewing

    Finding the ideal author for new stories, autobiographies, and magazines can be daunting, so companies hire interviewers to do the job. You can do the job remotely hence minimize overhead costs. Professional interviewers facilitate video or phone interviews, record the participants’ responses using digital devices, ask the appropriate questions, and offer call transcripts.

    To succeed in the job, you will need to possess excellent communication skills, ability to operate various devices, ability to notice unique qualities in candidates, a calm personality, physical stamina, and visit workable.com for advice. Furthermore, it would help if you were emotionally mature, listen attentively, and have adequate experience and training.

    Product Reviewing

    You have likely checked reviews of various products to make an informed assessment before deciding to purchase. The content offered by product reviewers provides excellent information to consumers, and you can also do the same by creating product review videos on YouTube. You can choose a topic you are passionate about, such as technology, home fitness, beauty, fashion, and home décor. Product reviews can earn you money through ads, developing sponsored content, or affiliate marketing. It will take time to grow an audience, but once you do, you will have more deals coming your way.

    You can use your expertise and love for speaking to create a convenient, enjoyable, and lucrative income source. It is essential to develop a workable schedule to maximize efficiency and productivity and making sure you do your best.

  • What Are the Most Profitable Currencies to Have in 2020?

    What Are the Most Profitable Currencies to Have in 2020?

    Every New Year, currencies always compete for the top spot in trading and also in value. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic has made central banks in several countries lower interest to reduce the chances of recession.

    What does low interest mean? It means the currency loses its value. Investors are now in the run to get the best profitable currencies to trade with

    Here is a top list of some of the best currencies to have in 2020:

    US Dollar – USD

    You can’t mention a top currency without having a USD in mind. Being the strongest currency in 2019, chances are that it will maintain the most stable, most profitable currency to invest in. According to experts, the US is conducting its election this year. With both parties agreeing to have the most reliable money, it is the best moment for timing this currency.

    The Dollar will increase in value and maybe overpriced due to the lackluster growth experienced by other countries in the world. Import tariffs also come into the picture with this higher pricing. While there might be depreciation and appreciation, the US dollar remains to be the most valuable currency to beat.

    Pound Sterling – GBP

    In 2019, most people thought the Pound Sterling would lose its value due to the Brexit issues. However, upon the election of Boris Johnson as the prime minister, the Pound has regained its strength, and it is still as profitable as ever. The Pound sterling has been keeping an exchange rate of 1.5 percent and 3 percent to the US dollar and the euro.

    Its value is expected to rise due to trade talks. Experts are urging investors to trade now for maximum returns soon. However, the economy’s growth will still determine its growth rate since there have been effects due to the global coronavirus pandemic. While other issues might make it lose its strength, economic growth and trade talks will make it shoot its value.

    Euro – EUR

    Issued by the European Central bank, this European Union’s official currency is one of the most traded and most profitable currencies. The reason why it is the most traded currency is because of the economic growth of the region, the Eurozone, which has led to its increase.

    Euro is the second reserve currency in the world, just after the US dollar, making it the most profitable currency to invest in 2020. Reasons for its growth include the political stability and growth of the region and also economic growth led by the Eurozone. Some of the factors that can slightly affect its growth include the GDP releases, EU elections, the country’s election, the economic calendar, ECB meeting announcements, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Japanese Yen – JPY

    Japanese Yen is the country’s national currency and is one of the main currencies traded in the world. When it comes to its trading volume, the Japanese Yen accounts for around the US $554 billion on average. Japanese Yen boasts of being the third-largest currency in the reserve value, taking almost 4.9% of the world reserve.

    This currency is distributed and gets issued in Japan by the Bank of Japan. What determines the strength of this currency? Its strength is determined by the Japanese manufacturing industry, which is the main economic activity. It is widely known for exporting cars, machinery, electronics, ships, and much more.

    An increase in demand for its products always increases the value of this currency, making it the most profitable currency to venture in 2020. Its value will only depreciate if some circumstances are not followed, which is rare. Such include losses in the market and also its competition with the Chinese currency, Chinese Renminbi. Japanese is also the largest importer of oil. This activity also determines the value of its currency, especially when there are price fluctuations.

    Australian Dollar – AUD

    This is the Australian commonwealth official currency, making it one of the world’s most recognized currencies. It is the 5th most prominent and most popular currency in the world, in which investors should not shy from trading.

    This currency boasts around 1.8% of the world’s reserves and gets issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia. It is in the 6th position when it comes to the world’s total reserves. What makes this currency strong is the economy and also prices of its commodities. What are these commodities?

    It is well known that Australia deals with a lot of trade commodities, including iron, copper, and coal. Any increase in demand for these commodities will primarily increase their value in the market. Other factors that affect this currency include the country’s liabilities and its Reserve Bank. 

    Canadian Dollar – CAD

    Canadian Dollar holds position six as the most traded currencies in the world. The Bank of Canada regulates its release and distribution. What is its value? Canadian Dollar accounts for almost US$166 billion of the daily trading volume and has a global reserve value of 2.02 percent.

    What makes it stable and profitable? Canada is a major exporter of goods and services, including gold, iron, and automobiles. Prices in export determine the value of this currency. The country imports a lot from the USA, making it its principal trading partner since the USA buys most of its exports. This trading activity improves its strength day by day, making it one of the best profitable currencies in 2020.

    Swiss Franc – CHF

    Swiss Franc – CHF is Switzerland’s official currency and holds number seven as the world’s most traded currencies. Its daily trading share is approximately US$164 and has a global reserve of around 0.18%, becoming the 8th reserved currency globally.

    Its growth and profits are considerable because Switzerland gets regarded as the country with secrecy in banking and financial services. Its exports also ensure this currency remains stable all year round, and the Eurozone market mostly determines it. This trading means the partners determine this currency growth.

    Other currencies which we cannot forget into this list include; Chinese Renmimbi, Hong Kong Dollar, New Zealand, among others. The list has provided the most popular and the most profitable currencies you can invest in the year 2020.

    There are many reasons why a currency depreciates or appreciates. It is mostly affected by economic activities, pandemics, political stability, and imports and exports. Next time while investing, look for these trends, and make a sound decision.

  • Why Promoting Your Business Online is Now More Important Than Ever

    Why Promoting Your Business Online is Now More Important Than Ever

    With the advancement of modern technology, businesses are changing the way they promote their products and services. Nowadays, more and more businesses are investing in digital marketing strategies to increase their online presence and remain competitive in a dynamic and competitive marketplace. In this digital age, your potential customers, as well as your direct and indirect competitors, are all online. If your business is not properly promoted online, now is the time to start investing in a well-planned digital marketing strategy. 

    Almost every business, whether big or small, can reap numerous benefits from promoting their businesses online. There are countless ways that online marketing can benefit businesses, and this article will focus on some of those benefits, to provide you with greater insights. 

    Here is why promoting your business online is now more important than ever.

    Reach More Key Customers

    Regardless of the location of your business, you can use different online platforms to reach potential customers around the world. Bringing marketing team experts on-board is really important in getting the help you need even when your business is an addiction center, as they would make it easier, less time-consuming, and more cost-effective to reach customers. As the Internet has become readily available to more people, the way customers shop or search for help has changed drastically. Customers are now browsing online for products and services that they need. If you are not promoting your business online, you will miss out on this enormous audience of over 4.2 billion internet users.

    Save Resources on Traditional Marketing 

    One of the many reasons why businesses are increasingly using online marketing activities is that online marketing is very affordable. It is not only small and medium-sized businesses that need to be mindful of their marketing budgets but large corporations too. Traditional marketing methods are very expensive compared to the cost of online marketing activities. For instance, email marketing, social media marketing, and content marketing are far less costly than placing advertisements on television or distributing large billboards or print marketing materials. Additionally, as online marketing content can be updated more frequently and with better targeting, it can result in better return-on-investment (ROI) as well. Therefore, by strategically implementing a comprehensive online marketing plan, your business can save resources to allocate more funds into different marketing mixes that include both traditional and digital marketing activities. 

    Increase Your Business’s Profile and Visibility

    Nowadays, customers are more likely to research their options and investigate businesses before contacting or visiting any product or service provider. Therefore, if you gain better visibility online, you will have a better chance of customers considering you. For instance, if a customer performs an internet search for a service or product that you offer, proper online marketing activities will ensure that customers can see your business on the result pages. However, better visibility means more than just appearing on result pages. Your business should also implement different marketing activities on social media.

    Target Customers More Effectively

    With better targeting, you can focus your marketing efforts to customers that have the most potential. Personalized marketing content and targeted marketing efforts can foster more engagements from people, and thus increase sales. With online marketing tactics, you can create multiple personalized messages for different target groups rather than a general marketing message for everyone. Remember, customers tend to respond better to personalized messages with meaningful contact and positive experience. Therefore, online marketing efforts matter when it comes to turning leads into sales for any business. 

    Stay Competitive

    The reality is that the majority of your competitors will be promoting their businesses online, so to retain your competitive edge in this digital era, you must do the same. It is helpful to keep an eye on how your competitors are marketing themselves online and on the growing trends in the marketplace. For instance, consider what type of platforms your competitors are using, what type of content is popular, and how businesses in your industry normally engage online with customers and potential leads.  

    Participate in the Online Conversation

    As people are relying more and more on search engines, forums, and social media sites, it is clear that what they find online will ultimately influence their purchasing decisions. According to a study by Ironpaper, approximately 93 percent of people’s buying decisions are highly influenced by social media sites. Customers are now prone to look at reviews on Facebook and consider opinions on forums such as Yelp and TripAdvisor. Without online promotion on these platforms, your business will struggle to stay relevant.  

    Promoting your business online is not difficult, but it can yield countless benefits. It is important to implement online marketing into your long-term marketing plan to ensure that your business remains competitive, sustainable, and fully accessible to customers.

  • How Has the Internet Changed in the Last 20 Years?

    How Has the Internet Changed in the Last 20 Years?

    The internet has revolutionized the way we operate businesses, how we consume information and music, and how we communicate. However, this was not the case two decades ago. The internet was created in 1989, and ever since, it has gone through a period of transition. 

    This article will continue to explain in detail how the internet has changed in the last two decades to understand how everything came to be as it is now.

    Social Network in the early 2000s

    By 2001, Wikipedia was already emerging as a top online hub for information. It grew even more once Encyclopaedia Britannica 1911 came to the public domain.

    However, one of the most notable improvements was experienced when Apple was able to lay a foundation for its steady growth, as we see today. iTunes came in to allow subscribers to download their favorite commercial jams legally and make 250,000 sales in just a day. This brought to a halt the reign of the Walkman and the disc. People were now able to download infinite songs, and they did not face the risk of scratching disks and skipping tracks anymore.

    Skype was also invented as a way through which users could call each other for free on the network. However, there were more developments at hand, and soon, the platform was developed for messaging and videoconferencing. Beyond videoconferencing, this technology found use in the medical industry, allowing physicians to treat their patients from afar.

    By 2003, Linkedin and MySpace were launched, giving rise to social media sites as we know them today. Later in 2004, one of the most revolutionary social media sites, Facebook was invented by Mark Zuckerberg. Today, Facebook owns WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger, making it a social media giant.

    The Smartphone Revolution in the Mid-2000s

    Before, internet users could access the internet through dial-up connections. However, this was a slow and excruciating process. For instance, a 6 MB picture could take up to 15 minutes to download. Today, it takes approximately 2 seconds. The smartphone revolution began with the development of YouTube and, subsequently, the blogging culture.

    YouTube was developed in 2005 as a video-sharing website, thanks to the growing popularity of audio-sharing that provided a foundation. Google later purchased YouTube for an astounding $1.65 billion.

    Twitter began as a microblogging site and allowed for an instant wider reach to an audience. As Facebook opened its doors to the public domain, the first iPhone was released, revolutionizing the internet as now, people could access it on the go.

    People no longer had to be on the desktop to access the internet, and apple tapped into its growing market by launching an App Store that contained up to 500 applications.

    Android was founded in 2003 and later bought by Google. Android soon had an app store after the launching of the iPhone, too, allowing users to download applications and perform different tasks.

    Social Causes 

    The internet has also been used for social good, especially in the 2010s. After the discovery of social media, it has been used as a tool for encouraging social change. From as early as 2011, there have been online protests organized through social media, including the Egyptian uprising and protests that helped oust Hosni Mubarak, the dictator president of Egypt. In the same light, online hashtags were used to highlight the plight of Nigerian girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram so that they could return home.

    It is also in the 2010s that there has been a rise in the vlogging/video blogging culture during this time, and these kinds of bloggers cover content from all niches, including cooking, fashion, beauty, travel, and much more. The result is a multi-billion dollar industry that is quickly changing how advertising works.

    The Internet and Business

    Businesses have recently embraced the power of the internet into their operations. Two essential functions that are now carried out over the internet include cloud storage and online marketing. Consumers tend to look for brands online and do not necessarily have to walk into a brick-and-mortar store to get what they need. Brand messages are delivered through mobile phones and browsers anytime and anywhere. Businesses have learned to exploit these platforms and are now sending commercial messages to get noticed. It is now common to see an advertisement just before reading a news story. The print industry as a medium for publication and dissemination of information has declined because of the presence of information online.

    Businesses have also changed the way they collect and store information. Instead of stocking piles of paper in a warehouse, data is processed differently. Email marketing, social media, and cookies help businesses collect data that helps companies understand their customers. Data protection laws have come up, as a result, to help protect consumers and activities as well. Business processes such as data storage are now done on the cloud, which has helped businesses to operate more efficiently. 

    There are companies out there that focus their attention on offering managed IT services customized to a business’s needs. You can click here to have a detailed understanding of how companies can benefit from these services. Some of the services beneficial to companies resulting from the internet business revolution include enhanced cybersecurity, maintenance of IT systems, electronic recycling, and cloud services. These solutions ensure that a business can be operated from anywhere, and the data will be safe. This improved efficiency and convenience make companies more likely to buy these products.

    There have been more tremendous changes in the last two decades. One of the notable advancements in the wake of the 21st century was the development of social media platforms. Today, the social media movement has become a force that cannot be stopped. Smartphones also came in and revolutionized how we accessed the internet, and now, people can connect only with the touch of a button. The internet has been a driver of social change and has impacted how businesses are conducted, and data is extracted and stored. Further changes of the world we know today are yet to come.

  • 3 Tips for Enhancing Your Professional Luck

    3 Tips for Enhancing Your Professional Luck

    When it comes to being successful, professionally speaking, there are certain things that everyone knows are essential.

    Hard work, diligence, and attention to detail fall into this camp. If you are significantly lazier than the competition, less mindful than the competition, or more distracted than the competition, things probably won’t fare very well for you.

    But aside from these “obvious” factors, there’s always the wildcard of “luck.”

    To some extent, “luck” is obviously an unpredictable and seemingly random force. But in some ways, you can significantly enhance your professional “luck” through proper preparation, and the right approaches.

    Here are some tips for enhancing your professional luck.

    Always be on the lookout for good opportunities, and seize them as soon as you can

    There are all sorts of opportunities out there that can have the potential to transform your professional life, as long as you notice them and seize upon them at the right moment.

    The phrase, “the right place and the right time,” is basically a comment on finding and seizing upon opportunities that have a major positive effect.

    Of course, you can’t necessarily reliably predict where opportunities will be found, or when they might arise, but you can certainly take steps to acquire the habit of always looking out for good opportunities, and spotting them as soon as possible.

    Simply subscribing to a good service for discovering business tenders, for example, might work wonders in this regard.

    Be as disciplined and organised as possible, so that you’re ready to receive and capitalise on the opportunities that come your way

    In addition to spotting opportunities early and seizing them, you also need to actually be ready to receive and capitalise on those opportunities in the most effective possible ways.

    To a large degree, this comes down to being as disciplined and organised as possible, so that you are properly on top of your tasks and projects, have a good comprehensive overview of your professional appointments and obligations, maintain a stable and efficient workflow, and can easily and quickly act to incorporate new elements.

    Begin by tidying up and organising your workspace if it isn’t already, utilising a powerful task and project management system, and becoming diligent about your scheduling and time management.

    Know what you want, and simplify your professional life in line with your goals

    If you don’t know where you want to get to, no map will help you to get there, and no street signs will mean very much to you one way or the other.

    In order to actually recognise professional “luck” for what it is, never mind to actually seize upon opportunities effectively, you have to have a clear idea of what you want, and you need to be able to simplify your professional life in line with your goals in order to reduce distraction.

    Many entrepreneurs fail to notice compelling opportunities, because they are so distracted by all the other elements of their businesses they are trying to juggle.

    Narrow your focus. Aim to do less, but to do it better. Have a specific goal you’re aiming for, and then keep an eye out for opportunities that are in line with it.