Month: October 2020

By Melissa Locker

In what sounds like a tie-in for the upcoming new installment of the Ghostbusters franchise, an employee at the Massachusetts Market Basket grocery store claimed to have “spotted” a Victorian-era specter haunting the frozen food aisle.

Market Basket in Wilmington. (WBZ-TV)

https://t.co/Mfu78krRwG?amp=1

The employee, Christiana Bush, who works in the store’s bakery department, posted about the ghost sighting in a local, private Facebook group. ”This is going to sound really strange….but has anyone seen a ghost in the Wilmington market basket?” she wrote according to the Boston Globe. Adding that after she saw the woman, she looked to see if anyone else was catching a glimpse of the apparition and when she looked back she was gone.

“She looked kind of like melancholy and a little angry. So it was kind of a creepy kind of sense, but it was something,” Bush said Monday, according to the local NBC affiliate. She believes the woman was a ghost and asked the Facebook group whether anyone else had a paranormal experience in her store. The modern day ghost story has since gone viral with people across the country weighing in on the likelihood of a Victorian era ghost choosing to haunt a Market Basket.

“If the rumors are true, it makes this Market Basket a lot more interesting,” said one shopper, according to CBS Local. News of the haunting even caught the attention of Massachusetts’ U.S. Representative, Seth Moulton who tweeted out the story. “Apparently a ghost is haunting the Wilmington Market Basket,” a tweet from Moulton’s Twitter account said Sunday. “I thought I only needed to worry about witches and ghouls in Salem!”

The Wilmington police department is getting in on the action, too. They posted a video on Facebook with “proof” of the haunting.

While they undoubtedly appreciate the free advertising, Market Basket officials say that, to their knowledge, their stores are free from ghostly visitors. “As far as we know, all of our stores are ghost-free,” a spokesperson for the company told the Globe. ”But if there’s anything to it, she’s probably attracted to our Victorian-area prices.“

from: time.com

By Susan Ward

Want to start a business but don’t have a lot of startup money or time to invest in developing specialized skills? Then you’ll want to have a look at this list of ideas for easy businesses to start.

Each is a business that you can start inexpensively; some can be started for nothing if you already have the equipment. Every one of these suggestions will let you start a business quickly—in some cases, almost instantly. And all can be operated as home-based businesses.

Be warned though; these types of businesses are not suitable for a “get rich quick” plan. What these inexpensive, easy businesses offer to the person prepared to work at them is a good living and, of course, the satisfaction of being your own boss.

Pet Sitting

More and more people are looking for someone to care for their pets when they can’t. Professional pet caregivers come into the home to feed, walk, and play with the animal(s) while the owner is away. If you love animals and are knowledgeable about them, this could be a great business for you. According to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, in-home pet-care is one of the fastest-growing industries in North America today.

Requirements: Knowledge of and affinity with animals, good time-management skills. Currently, accreditation and special training are typically not required (although some states require a license). You should be ​bonded and insured.​

Residential Cleaning Services

Having your house cleaned by someone else is no longer only for the rich With everyone getting busier all the time, more people than ever are willing to pay to get the benefits of a cleaner home and more free time to do things they consider to be more important. Residential cleaning services are normally provided on a once-a-month or once-a-week basis. All you need to start this business is some basic cleaning supplies. If you’re an organized person who can build a clientele, you could do extremely well if you start a cleaning business.

Requirements: Knowledge of cleaning products and procedures, the ability to attract and keep reliable staff, and strong scheduling and organizational abilities.

Variations on the theme: Specialized cleaning services, such as blind cleaning.

Delivery Services

Talk about an easy business to start—a vehicle and a good driving record and you’re good to go. We’re all familiar with the big names in the delivery industry, but that doesn’t mean that there’s no room for the little guy (or gal). If you can deliver things quickly and efficiently in your local area at a reasonable price, this may be a good business idea for you.

Requirements: Clean driving record and good driving skills, strong organizational skills, and a suitable vehicle—it may be necessary to transport large items.

Grass Cutting and Snow Removal Services

Some people still mow their own lawns or shovel their own snow. But many would rather pay someone else to keep their yard looking good. The great thing is that in many places, you can combine lawn care and snow removal and have a viable business all year long.

Requirements: Equipment, such as power mowers, edgers, etc. You need to be prepared to trim as well as to mow. You’ll also need trucks equipped with blades for snow clearing, and basic mechanical knowledge to run and repair equipment.

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking has changed a lot in the digital age, but it’s still a popular craft and a business idea that could be very profitable. Many people want a tangible collection of their favorite photos more than ever. You can start a business as a creator of original scrapbooks or by becoming a consultant for a scrapbook business that’s already established.

Requirements: Artistic talent, knowledge of scrapbooking (which you can get through research and experience or by taking scrapbooking courses), materials to make scrapbooks, digital know-how if you decide to offer digital scrapbooking.

Hauling Services

Ever try to fit a sheet of plywood into the back of one of those new compact SUVs? Then you know why the demand for hauling services is on the rise. Besides the size issue, there’s are materials and goods that people don’t want to haul in their own shiny vehicles, such as yard waste or loads of compost for the garden. All the things they don’t want to or can’t haul could turn into money in your pocket.

Requirements: A suitable vehicle or vehicles and a clean driving record. A strong back is handy if you’re loading the material yourself.

Variations on the theme: Specializing in hauling a particular product, such as delivering loads of compost or soil for gardeners.

EBay Selling

Very few people haven’t bought or sold something on eBay. But did you know that eBay is also a solid business idea? If you have an in-demand product that’s suitable for online sales and shipping, eBay selling may be the way to go. It can be a much less expensive, simpler option than setting up your own online store. EBay offers all kinds of information to help you sell successfully—including eBay seminars.

Requirements: A worthy product or products, a computer, and knowledge of online selling and shipping.

Gutter and Siding Cleaning

If you’re willing and able to do things that other people don’t want to do, you can get a viable business going. For many homeowners, chores such as gutter and siding cleaning are right up there on the “I don’t want to do that” list. Besides being messy, there’s always an element of danger involved when people are working with ladders.

But the great thing about this inexpensive business idea is that these are chores that need to be done repeatedly, so once you’ve built up a clientele, you’ve created a regular flow of income—and there’s nothing unpleasant about that!

Requirements: Ladders, hoses, buckets, etc. Have appropriate safety equipment and no fear of height.

Event Planning

Are you an extremely organized person who can work on a deadline? Do you handle crises well and have strong interpersonal and communication skills? Then event planning may be a great small business idea for you.

Obviously, event planners plan events. But you may not be aware of the scope of possibilities. Corporations, hotels, nonprofit organizations, municipalities, and government organizations all have a need for event planners to put together everything from conferences to pedestrian-only days.

Or you might specialize in a particular kind of event, such as becoming a festival or wedding planner. Best of all, you don’t need a degree to become an event planner.

Requirements: Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills with an eye for detail and an ability to work to deadlines.

Gardening and Landscaping Services

Gardening has been one of the most popular hobbies throughout the U.S. and Canada for the last few decades. Its popularity is only increasing, perhaps thanks to a growing interest in the freshness and quality of food that we put in our bodies.

But gardening is no armchair hobby. It takes time and work to make a garden flourish—two things that many would-be gardeners aren’t able to provide. Working people with families are often short on time, and many aging gardeners have physical ailments that prevent them from doing all the outdoor work they would like to do.

Those are two problems you can solve by providing gardening or landscaping services. From basic weeding and spreading mulch to hardscaping, there are all kinds of business opportunities here for skilled, willing hands.

Requirements: Physical fitness and the knowledge of plants, gardening techniques, and possibly landscaping and design principles.

DJing

Love music? Then maybe DJing is the small business idea you’ve been looking for.

While many of us think of DJs as providing the nightly music in glitzy clubs packed with dancing hordes, that’s only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to DJ opportunities. There are many more DJs performing at weddings, parties, and in venues such as small pubs than spinning tunes in big clubs.

Notice the use of the word “performing.” To be a successful DJ, you need to have an entertaining personality as well as music-mixing skills.

Requirements: DJ and mixing skills, and the appropriate equipment—while some DJs spin vinyl records, others go digital with DJ apps. You’ll also need the desire and ability to work nights and weekends, when most of the gigs are.

Variations on the theme: Specializing in a particular type of music or event. If you choose to do this, be sure you thoroughly research your market first.

Painting

Painting, whether exterior or interior, is another of those chores that many people don’t want or have time to do, which makes it another of those chores that you can make money doing for them.

One of the great things about this inexpensive, easy business idea is that it’s not seasonal—interiors can be painted any time of year.

Another is that, unlike a business idea such as DJing, painting is easily scalable. Once you have the clients, you can hire others and become a manager of your painting crew(s). Either way, it’s relatively easy work that there’s always a demand for.

Requirements: Physical ability, painting skills, and equipment such as brushes, drop sheets, and buckets.

Variations on the theme: Creative? Interior design or home staging might interest you.

Yoga Instruction

Perhaps because of its accessibility (practically anyone can do it) or because of its diversity (there are many different types of yoga), yoga is one of the fitness practices that’s here to stay.

And if you are a practitioner and enjoy teaching, why not share your expertise with others and become a yoga instructor? Business opportunities range from setting up your own commercial yoga studio (either in a retail building or as a home-based business) to freelancing and teaching classes in different venues.

Requirements: Yoga expertise and teaching ability.

Variations on the theme: Yoga-related products are good business prospects, too.

Local Tour Guide

Do you live in a place that others like to visit? Do you enjoy meeting and chatting with new people? Would you be comfortable leading and addressing a group?

Then here’s one more question for you; have you thought about being a local tour guide?

Now, obviously, this is only an easy business to start if you live in a place that attracts a lot of tourists. But the scope is wide—you don’t need to live in a place chock-a-block with historical landmarks. While historical walking tours are obvious candidates, don’t forget about the natural wonders that locals tend to take for granted. Guided nature tours, such as exploring tide pools or bird spotting, can also be big winners with tourists.

Requirements: Specialized local knowledge, a cheerful, outgoing personality, strong communication skills, and good physical mobility.

Variations on the theme: Gallery or museum host.

Tutoring

Knowledge is power. But the right kind of knowledge can also be money in your pocket. There is a steady demand for tutoring students of all levels in particular subjects such as math, physics, and English.

Many English speaking people want to learn a second or third language, making French, Spanish, and German (to name three of the most popular) tutoring a good business opportunity.

There is also a steady demand for teaching people who aren’t native speakers of English how to speak and write English (English as a Second Language, aka ESL). Influxes of immigrants from West Asian companies means people who can speak and read Arabic will find there’s no shortage of work available.

Requirements: In-depth knowledge of your particular subject and an ability to teach it.

Variations on the theme: The demand for translators is also on the rise, especially for people who can translate Arabic and Chinese (Mandarin) languages.

You Don’t Need Much Money But You Do Need…

So there they are—15 ideas for inexpensive, easy businesses that almost anyone can start. What else do you need to turn one of these ideas into a successful business? The kind of people skills that will allow you to attract and build a regular clientele. But I’m guessing that you have these, or you wouldn’t be thinking of starting a business in the first place.

If one of these business ideas appeals to you, the next step is to see if it will work for you by developing a business plan. Take the next steps to turn your business into a reality.

from: thebalancesmb.com

By Mo Seetubtim

Are you thinking of quitting your job and starting your own thing but not sure if it’s the right decision?

Are you scared of failing? of going broke? of living uncomfortably? of disappointing your loved ones?

Are you scared that you might not be able to live up to your own expectations?

Not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. But if you feel it in your blood and feel an itch to start your own thing, you must do it. The reward is not just the money which most early-stage entrepreneurs don’t have. In fact, most businesses fail. But why am I still encouraging you to start your own thing if you have an itch to do so? Below are the reasons why starting your own thing might be the best decision you’ll ever make in your life.

And believe me, if you’ve been pondering about doing it, you just have to do it!

1. You will delete the “what-ifs” in your life.

Most of us are passionate about something. And if we are talented enough to be good at what we’re passionate about, surely we’d want to turn that into a career. But competition might be fierce. The market might be tough. Finances might not look so bright. So, we stick ourselves to the 9-5 because it makes us feel safe and secure.

But what if you’re bored in your job? What if you’re not excited about going to work anymore? What if you’re looking forward to doing something of your passion and having freedom with your own time?

Starting your own business might sound scary but it is a sure way to get rid of what-ifs in your life especially if you’re in your 20s and don’t have a family to feed. You have nothing to lose but a whole lot to gain.

2. You will accelerate your learning curve like never before.

One of the things you will learn when starting your own business is learning. Being an employee, you learn about your role and your industry. However, being your own boss, you have to learn everything — from marketing to accounting, operations, and finance. You will have to keep up-to-date with the new technology, tools, consumer trends, and industry news. You will learn like never before. Before you know it, you will become a lifelong learner who loves the challenge of learning about something new. You will take life as a progressive journey as you do with business.

There is no better way to accelerate your learning curve like starting your own thing!

3. You will learn to be independent in your thinking and trust your instinct.

Starting your own business requires you to think on your feet a lot. Whether you start it on your own or with a business partner, you will have to make a decision without a boss or team members who are there for you bounce ideas of. Over and over, you will learn to make decisions independently and become more decisive as you grow. You will learn to trust your gut instinct because no one else knows your business like you do.

It is a wonderful feeling to feel that every decision you make is solely dependent on you. You don’t need to compromise with different opinions from your boss and your colleagues anymore. You make your own decision and you are responsible for it.

4. You will wake up every day driven and motivated to go to work.

Surely this is one of the main reasons why people start their own thing. Nothing feels as exciting as following one’s passion and dreams. You might have a few sleepless nights because reality keeps you up with excitement — thinking about different ideas and strategy, stalking your competitors, and dreaming about the possible dream-come-true. Even during down times not making any sales, you’re still motivated to go to work, fix the bugs, pump up the sales, and make it happen. Because the business is yours and yours only. You’re not working for somebody else, so work hard and make it happen. The reward will be worth it.

5. You know what it feels like to truly follow one’s passion.

Some people might never understand why some people decide to become a struggling artist instead of doing something else for a living. After starting your own business, you will understand how fulfilled it feels to actually follow your dreams and your heart. The reward is not necessarily the money. The reward is in being your own boss and in the art of creating something that you truly own and love. You will learn what it’s like to sacrifice external things that make you happy (like drinking and eating out) for things that make you happy internally (like making your business succeed).

Of course, a profitable business is what proves your capability as a businessman. However, what truly drives you is not the money; it’s the passion and fulfillment you get from following your dreams.

6. You will become more daring and fearless.

Starting one’s business can be scary for any first-time entrepreneur without wealthy parents backing them up. You have to believe in yourself and make daring decisions over and over. From deciding that you will not get a full-time job to investing in the business and making several business decisions on your own. Becoming an entrepreneur you will get rid of your self-limiting belief like never before. You will learn that nothing is to be scared of. You will learn that your comfort zone keeps expanding every time you get out of your comfort zone. You will learn to initiate contacts and approach people. You will learn to make things happen and even if you have no idea about something, you will learn about it in every way you can without doubt and without fear. Over and over, this becomes a habit. You will have built this boldness in you and will become used to getting out of your comfort zoneSubscribe to The Morning Email.Wake up to the day’s most important news.

7. You will become a man of actions, and not just words.

A lot of people talk the talk but don’t walk the walk. As an entrepreneur you cannot just talk and don’t make actions. You have to keep your words and follow through. In fact, things will not happen unless you make actions. Being an entrepreneur teaches you that things don’t happen as you wish, things happen as you do. You cannot ask someone else to do it for you or expect a colleague to help. You are on your own and only actions will bring your idea to life.

8. You will realize that there are so many talented and ambitious people out there.

Being an entrepreneur can be lonely at times. But if you make friends with other entrepreneurs in your community or even around the world, you will realize that there are so many talented and ambitious people out there. You’re not alone. You’re not on your own. And these people are more than happy to share with you their experiences, advice, and recommendations.

Suddenly, the world seems not so small anymore. There is a whole world out there waiting for you to discover, to learn, and to grow. The more you get immersed into the entrepreneur’s world and interact with other entrepreneurs, the more opportunities you will spot and the more driven you will become.

9. You will never doubt yourself ever again.

Starting your own business takes guts. To be able to take a leap of faith in yourself and jump, you will have already gotten rid of your self-doubt. And on the process of working on your own business, you will become even more of a firm believer in “Whether you think you can, or think you can’t, you’re right.”

Most important of all, you will never hesitate to invest in yourself because it is the only thing that always multiplies and can never be taken away from you.

10. You will want to do it all over again.

You might have succeeded. You might have failed. But the fact that you have learned so much along the way makes it all worth while. Starting your own thing gives you a sense of control in your own life and joy and fulfillment in doing something that you truly love. The rush, the excitement, the fear, the tears, the sweat, and the countless nights sleeping next to your laptop – they are experiences you would never have if you haven’t started your own thing. You couldn’t have it any other way. And you’re always looking out for the right opportunity to do it all over again.

____

Quick Tips;

If you want to start your own thing but still don’t know where to start, follow theses steps;

1. Start by thinking about your true passion — what you want to wake up to doing everyday.

2. Think about a killer business idea and test it with the market. Make sure there is a demand for that and who your target customer would be. Get to know them. Learn about them as much as you can.

3. Consider the skill set that you have and that you lack. When starting your own business, be the boss in the area that you’re good at and hire someone to help you in the area that you’re weak in.

4. Take a leap of faith in yourself and just do it. You can always get money back but you can never get your time back. So follow your dream. Don’t waste any more time. If you succeed, you will be rich and happy. If you fail, well, at least you’ll become smarter.

from: huffpost.com

From Boostapps.com

The goal of every content creator on TikTok is to have their videos featured on the For You Page (FYP). As a small business owner who understands that TikTok is an essential marketing tool in 2020 and is investing time in the platform, how can you get your content featured on the FYP?

We’ve put together a complete guide for you with everything you need to know about getting your videos featured on the FYP.

What is TikTok’s FYP?

The FYP is TikTok’s version of a homefeed and is the first feed someone sees when they open up their TikTok app. The For You Page’s algorithm functions in a similar way to Instagram’s Explore page – users can view an endless stream of trending TikTok videos curated just for them, based on their interests and past videos they’ve engaged with.

The Benefits of TikTok For Businesses  

The platform isn’t just for entertaining dance videos – businesses can achieve big business goals if they approach the platform correctly. Here are a few benefits of TikTok for your business:

• Increase brand awareness
• Showcase your brand’s authenticity
• Build trust among the public
• Generate buzz and even PR 
• Drive sales & generate leads
• Encourage new website traffic
• Connect with new audiences
• Build loyalty among younger customers
• Give your customers a more raw, real view into your company
• Create quality video content to post on all social platforms 
• It’s a ton of fun!

Why Businesses Should Care About Getting Featured on the FYP 

Why should your business care about trying to get onto TikTok’s For You Page? It’s simple – getting your video onto the For You Page is the best way to increase views and build a follower base TikTok, which will in turn help you achieve your business goals, like attracting new customers and increasing sales in a cost-effective way.

How Does TikTok’s FYP Work?

The best part of TikTok’s For You Page is how unique it is for each user because TikTok’s algorithm will tailor content specifically to each user’s preferences. The worst part? No one really knows exactly how TikTok’s FYP algorithm works!

So how do you get your business on TikTok’s For You Page if we don’t know exactly how the algorithm works? We’ve watched thousands of videos and have put together a list of 8 key secrets to hack the algorithm and get your business’ TikTok videos trending on the FYP. 

8 Tips to Get Your Small Business on the TikTok For You Page

So what can your small business do to make the TikTok algorithm work for you and get one of your videos on the For You Page? Below are 8 actionable tips and theories to help you hack the TikTok algorithm and get your business on the FYP: 

1. Post Videos Often – The math is simple on this one – the more TikTok videos you create and post, the more chances you will get to end up on the FYP page. One thing you need to know about TikTok is that things are unpredictable – no one really ever knows which videos will get the most views and ‘go viral,’ so it’s best to post often to increase the odds of getting your TikTok videos onto the For You Page.

2. Create Suspenseful Videos – We’ve noticed a major trend with many of the videos on TikTok’s For You Page…they often have a suspenseful, cliffhanger ending! Try to create TikTok videos that are suspenseful and force the viewer to watch the whole video to see the end result. Why? It’s been theorized that a video is more likely to go viral and get onto many users’ For You Pages if someone watches the entire video from start to finish.

Here’s some inspiration from content creator @ImThatLauren:

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/6847569254250810630?lang=en-US

3. Engage after posting – This is a good tip for every social media platform – it’s always important to engage with your followers, especially right after you’ve posted. A good rule of thumb is to spend 20-30 minutes after you’ve posted your TikTok video to engage with your followers, new accounts and especially anyone who has commented on your video.

4. Participate in Challenges – A TikTok challenge includes a few key elements: a trending song, your unique spin on the challenge and a hashtag. Watch some of the videos in your FYP to see what challenges and songs are trending then see if your business can recreate a challenge with a unique spin on it. Always be sure to make it your own and follow the community guidelines.

5. Reward Loyal Customers – Are there any customers of yours who are already on TikTok and have already posted about your business? Be sure to engage with them and thank them for their support! A great example of this recently was the viral ‘Ocean Spray Guy’ TikTok video. An Ocean Spray customer’s video went viral (it’s currently at 53.4 million views!) so the company celebrated by gifting him a new truck, full of Cran-Raspberry juice of course.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/6876424179084709126?lang=en-US

6. Use Trending Music – Music is key to the TikTok experience and using trending songs will help your business get on the FYP faster. TikTok will show you which songs are trending and if you find a video with a song that you want to use eventually, click on the music title at the bottom of the TikTok to ‘Add to Favorites’ to easily use later on.

7. Include a Few Hashtags  – While no one really seems to know exactly how the TikTok algorithm works, we know users can discover videos through hashtags, so it’s a strategy we can’t skip. You might have noticed that people often use a ton of hashtags on Instagram and your first instinct might be to include as many hashtags as possible on TikTok as well.

However, it seems like shorter is better when it comes to TikTok’s FYP. We don’t recommend going above 3 hashtags to help keep your caption simple & clean. And make sure any hashtags you include are relevant and trending – TikTok will show you how many views each hashtag has and indicates FYP trending hashtags with a little fire icon.

Check out our full guide on TikTok hashtags here.

8. Ask For Engagement – Think it sounds desperate to ask people to like your videos? Not when it comes to TikTok! TikTok users have found creative ways to increase views and get onto the For You Page. For example, many trending videos will have captions such as ‘if this gets enough likes, I’ll post a part 2!’ A few other examples include captions like, ‘TikTok do your thing!’ or ‘No one believed in my business idea, prove them wrong by liking this video.’

Here’s a great example of an engagement-building caption from Enlight Videoleap. The next video they posted was a tutorial of how to achieve this effect:

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/6840781939692162310?lang=en-US

Follow these tips to get your small business featured on the FYP page and get your content the exposure that it deserves!

from: theboostapps.com

By Corrina Keefe

Halloween is now worth more than nine billion dollars each year. Consumers are spending more money than ever on Halloween costumes, candy, decorations, and events. So you can’t afford to miss out! Learn how to get leads and increase revenue with these Halloween sales ideas, promotions and contests.

Four big holidays dominate the sales calendar in the second half of the year: Halloween, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas season. If you can start with an effective Halloween promotion, you’ll be set up for the rest of the holiday season! Let’s take a look at 4 Halloween sales ideas to get you started – plus some tips to make your Halloween marketing ideas even more effective.

Define your Halloween sales goals

The first step is defining your goals. What do you want to achieve with your Halloween sales contest?

• If you want to increase followers and engagement, start with Halloween social media giveaways.
• To build an active online community, try Halloween contests such as photo competitions and hashtag contests.
• If you want to get leads and increase sales, then you should focus on quizzes, surveys, recruitment, and rewards. And this is what we focus on today.

When you want to increase sales, then you should give the customer what they want. That means listening to their feedback, in the form of quizzes and surveys. It means advertizing your brand through reliable sources, such as a word-of-mouth recruitment contest. And it means rewarding customers who join or stay loyal to your brand.

In the sections below, we explain these Halloween sales strategies in more detail.

Get free promotion templates, case studies, practical tips, and Halloween sales ideas at our Halloween campaign hub.

Halloween sales contest ideas: the creepy quiz

Let’s start with our Halloween marketing ideas. Quizzes are quick, fun, and easy for consumers. Ask some hair-raising Halloween questions – then run a prize draw for everyone who participates. If you want to make the promotion more exclusive, you can limit the prize draw to people who get all the answers right.

Everyone who joins the quiz has to fill in a registration form. Customize that form to get the lead info you need, from email addresses to location and even shopping habits. Once the promotion is over, feed all that information back into your CRM, and follow up with participants who seem like good sales prospects. However, don’t ask for too much information, as every registration form field is a new participation barrier.

You can also use quizzes to boost sales more directly. Ask questions about your products and services, to educate consumers about your brand. Remember to offer a prize that’s in proportion to the difficulty of the quiz. If you ask more than three or four questions, then you’ll need a generous reward!

Building a Halloween quiz is easier than you think! Try the DEMO – then copy the template for an instant Halloween promotion.

Halloween sales contest ideas: the spooky survey

Just like quizzes, you can create a survey to celebrate Halloween and educate consumers.

But since a survey is based on customer opinions, you can also learn more about their shopping habits, preferences, and motivations. Ask your followers where they like to shop, their favorite thing about Halloween, their costume ideas for this year… The possibilities are endless!

Here’s a great example from Walmart. They ran a survey with a creative twist. Instead of asking formal questions, they asked customers to fill a bucket with their choice of candy.

This was a great way to inform customers about products available, and learn which products they liked best. In return, participants could win a $500 pack of Halloween treats.

Halloween sales contest ideas: refer a frightful friend

What’s your most valuable asset for marketing? Current customers.

Happy customers will come back for more, talk about your brand online, and recommend you to their friends. Not everyone in your audience trust s advertizing or traditional campaigns… but they do trust their friends. That’s why recruitment is such a powerful tool.

With a recruiters contest, you can run a classic prize draw with a twist. For every new participant that users recruit, they gain one more entry in the prize draw. That’s one more chance to win – and one more sales lead for you.

Halloween sales contest ideas: gruesome codes

Coupons and codes are underrated methods to increase sales, on Halloween and all year round. They encourage purchases, reward customers, and highlight offers or events. And most importantly of all, coupons and codes convert customers from online to offline.

You could offer a Halloween discount for everyone who registers their details. Incentivize purchases with a special reward for paying customers. Other good prizes are free gifts or free shipping.

Remember, Halloween marks the start of the holiday shopping season – so consumers are looking for value!

Barefoot Venus wanted to reward their paying customers for choosing their brand. They organized a promotion – right in time for Halloween – in which they gave away awesome prizes to only those that have previously purchased one of their products, as the promotion could be accessed just by the users who obtained a valid code from the product packagings.

The coupon format meant that the tickets could be verified at point of use. But there were other benefits, too!

The promotion advertized the event to other followers, and encouraged them to purchase tickets. The results of the contest were published on Facebook, increasing the brands’ reach on social media.

5 quick tips to increase sales on Halloween

• Optimize your promotion for mobile users. Increasingly, consumers use mobiles and tablets to research purchases and search online. Make sure your quiz, survey, or contest looks good on a range of devices.
• Set up your promotion a few weeks in advance. When do you start planning your Halloween costume? If you want to increase sales on Halloween, your campaign should actually be up and running for a few weeks before Halloween.
• Tailor prizes to your target audience. Choose competition prizes that showcase your brand and are relevant to Halloween. They should be attractive to customers, but still in proportion to the contest.
• Coordinate your branding with the Halloween theme. Use the Easypromos design tools to make your promotion look smart, on-brand… and spooky!
• Share on social media. Spread the word about your Halloween-themed contests on all your social networks, as well as your website and email newsletter.

from: easypromosapp.com

By Chris Myers

One of the most challenging aspects of growing up is realizing that the world is not as simple or predictable as we would like to think.

Complexity and uncertainty rule the day, and this inevitably clashes with our innate human desire to live in a world that is simple, predictable, and understandable.

Think back to your high school physics classes, which painted the picture of a world that abided by immutable rules, could be predicted, and ultimately provided some degree of certainty to its inhabitants.

Of course, as time goes on, you learn that this isn’t always the case. Take physics again, for example. In the past fifteen or so years since I was subjected to the rigors of AP Physics, the complex field of quantum mechanics has become more accessible and mainstream. 

Quantum mechanics has upended my understanding of what I thought I knew about physics and taught me that the world is a much stranger place than we ever imagined and nothing is as it seems.Recommended For You

As I’ve studied the topic, I’ve come to realize that the trajectory of my understanding of physics closely mirrors my entrepreneurial journey.

Early on, I operated under the assumption that entrepreneurship, like traditional physics, was predictable and immutable.

However, after I started my own business, I found that entrepreneurship and quantum mechanics shared a similar strangeness.

In fact, some of the lessons and theories of quantum mechanics apply directly to my life as an entrepreneur and leader.

People, like particles, can exist in two states at once

One of the most famous thought experiments in quantum mechanics is that of particle-wave duality.

Put simply, particle-wave duality states that particles can exist in two forms at the same time both as a particle and as a wave.

As it was explained to me once, “I don’t know about you but when I’m alone in an elevator I move around, talk to myself, and sometimes dance, but when one someone else is in there with me I just stand there a do nothing. I’m the same person both times, but the behavior I exhibit changes based on my surroundings. Similarly, the particle is always both but the way it expresses itself is changed by its environment.”

It’s a difficult concept to wrap your head around, but it’s one that entrepreneurs, in particular, would be well-served to master.

I’ve found that people, just like particles, can exist in multiple states at once, at least in an emotional sense.

Imagine a team member who is uniquely talented, yet struggles to align those talents with the goals and desires of the organization as a whole. That individual may be an excellent fit one day, and a challenge the next.

There is a great temptation on behalf of leaders to classify people based on simple observations. They’re either a good team member or not. The truth, however, is that they can be both at the same time.

People, like particles, are involved, multi-dimensional, and difficult to predict. Trying to place them into a single bucket, especially in the context of business, leads to many of the frustrations that we encounter as entrepreneurial leaders.

This realization leads us to the next concept that we must master.

Observing something changes it

In quantum mechanics, the observer principle states that the simple act of observing a phenomenon necessarily impacts said phenomenon.

Imagine again, the man in the elevator I used in the earlier example. The determination of whether the man is dancing or standing still (or a particle looks like a particle or a wave) only happens when you observe it.

You essentially “catch” it in one state and that becomes its observable form.

It’s another mind-bending concept, but one that also applies to business.

As a leader, I can only focus on a few things at a time. I have to trust my team and the organization as a whole to hum along without my direct interaction.

When I do take a more in-depth look at a particular process or problem, the fact that I’m engaging tends changes the way people react.

Processes are quickly improved, work that was lagging picks up, and any slack that had developed is handled rapidly.

It’s impossible for a leader to observe or engage with a process without somehow exerting influence. This can be problematic when you’re trying to get to the bottom of an issue that is plaguing your company.

Being mindful of the fact your engagement will inevitably impact the process you’re observing can help you counteract some of the effects. Always take things with a grain of salt, and try your best to isolate your impact to get to the root of the issue.

Remember that perception is reality

One of the most exciting theories in quantum mechanics states that our reality is defined by the way our biology engages with the world.

In a sense, the very fabric of reality is a construct of our biocentric way of decoding the signals that we as humans receive.

As such, another life form, like an insect or animal, may experience a starkly different reality due to the unique way that their perception works.

For entrepreneurs, the same holds true. While we may not be different species, humans perceive the world in vastly different ways.

It’s easy to assume that a difficult client “just doesn’t get it,” but that would be intellectually lazy.

The truth is that the difficult client in question probably perceives the situation at hand in a starkly different way than you do, which in turn dictates their behavior.

It’s an important lesson for leaders to remember. People are different. They have different fears and motivations, and digest information according to their unique perspective.

If you go about your day assuming that everyone is operating on the same basis as you, it will slowly drive you mad. Instead, you need to learn to try and empathize with their thinking, even if you don’t agree with it.

Only then can you hope to find common ground and keep things moving forward.

I’m a big believer that understanding of multiple disciplines, whether science, humanities, or art, can help entrepreneurs build better businesses and grow as leaders.

On the surface, it may not seem as though quantum mechanics and business have much in common, but if you look beneath the surface, you’ll find that the lessons translate surprisingly well.

It turns out that business, like the quantum universe, is a kaleidoscope of infinite possibilities and interpretations.

from: forbes.com

By Andrea Bolder

You may not know this, but you are much more capable of attaining financial success than you are currently aware.

The fact that you are reading this blog post right now is proof that a part of you knows it’s time for a major financial shift in your business. A part of you is tired of the restriction and limitations your current “money” situation has you in and you are ready to make major moves in your business to make your dreams a reality.

You see, making money with your business is not just about knowing what to do. It really comes down to knowing the right things to do, in the right order and having the mental stamina to see it through.

It takes focus, positivity, perseverance, consistent action, and a moneymaker mindset. Because if you don’t truly believe you can achieve those big money goals you set each year, no action you ever take will create the long-term success you desire.

Want to know a huge key to my success?

Affirmations!

Affirmations have been a huge part of my life (I began practicing affirmations and visualization techniques as a world-class athlete) and I still use them today as an entrepreneur.

Affirmations are positive statements that reinforce the success you want to create in your life. I recommend making them a part of your day to day life, all day long. I say affirmations before I jump out of bed, when I’m driving the car, cleaning the house, or cooking dinner and I created this journal to help you create the success skills, mindset and habits it will take to create the business of your dreams.

Want to make more money?

It’s time to commit! Below are 30 empowering success affirmations for entrepreneurs and business owners who are ready to make a huge financial leap!

And if you’re up for the challenge sign up now to receive your FREE 100 Days of Money Motivational Workbook + Journal HERE!

BUT WAIT…WHAT IS AN AFFIRMATION + HOW CAN IT HELP ME MAKE MORE MONEY?

Affirmations are verbal reminders that empower us to take action on our dreams and goals, giving us reassurance that our words will become reality. Like exercise, affirmations strengthen our mind, body and soul and with consistent practice can totally change the way we manifest what we desire most in life.

Affirmations are not magic. It’s not about repeating something once hoping it comes true. When you first start saying affirmations, they may not be true, but with repetition they being to “reprogram” your mind. You really start to believe the words you speak to yourself, and eventually they become your reality.

HOW DO I USE AFFIRMATIONS?

See it. Speak it. Write it. Receive it. These are the ways you can practice affirming the success you desire in your life. Write them down in a journal, speak them out loud, whisper them silently in your mind, pop them on post-it notes where you work, record them and listen to them on the go, implement them into your meditation and pray routines.

I repeat affirmations when I first wake up because it helps me set the tone for my day, but I also repeat them if I am confronted with a stressful situation, need to make a hard decision or if negative thoughts start to creep in (we’re not bullet-proof!). I simply swap the negative for the positive so I can try to stay focused on producing the best outcome I possibly can.

So if you are ready for a major shift in your business, you can repeat your own affirmations for business success or you can use the ones below:

01 | I Will Honor My Dreams And Remind Myself Daily That I Deserve Success, Happiness, And Money Just As Much As Anyone Else. I Am Ready To Receive It

02 | I Am Worthy Of Financial Security

03 | I Enjoy Multiple Streams

04 | Money Flows Into My Business Easily + Effortlessly

05 | Every Dollar I Spend Comes Back To Me Multiplied

06 | I Am A Wonderful Coach And My Clients Love Working With Me

07 | I Am Grateful For The Ability That I Have To Give

08 | My Business Is Successful In Every Way

09 | Money Is No Longer An Issue. I Have More Than I’ll Ever Need. I Am Free To Do What I Want. I Am Generous With What I Have

10 | I Am Confident In My Ability To Make Money

11 | I Create An Avalanche Of Financial Abundance And Give Back In Amazing Ways

12 | My Business Is Getting Larger Each And Every Day

13 | Financial Security Brings Me Joy

14 | I Release All Resistance To Money. I Am Worthy Or Positive Cash Flow

15 | I Am Operating In A Positive Space That Allows Me To Receive More Money

16 | Today I Will Turn My Can Nots Into Coins

17 | I Am Grateful For The Wealth I Have Obtained

18 | Money Comes To Me In Fun And Surprising Ways

19 | Money Is No Longer An Issue. I Have More Than I’ll Ever Need. I Am Free To Do What I Want. I Am Generous With What I Have

20 | I Believe I Deserve To Be Financially Free

21 | I Am Attracting Powerful, Positive And Healthy People Into My Life

22 | I Am Now Able To Turn My Expertise Into Income

23 | My Money Goals Will Manifest This Year

26 | It Is My Time And I Am Ready To Receive All The Financial Rewards My Business Will Bring

27 | I Make Sales Every Day

28 | My Account Never Stops Growing

29 | I Work When I Want, Where I Want, With People I Want To Work With

30 | My Business Is Overflowing With Opportunities

Wow! These are some powerful affirmations, right?! There are so many people who feel that money, success, happiness, influence, and freedom are not possible. I am here to tell you that all of those (and more) are absolutely obtainable. You can have money. You can have success. You can have happiness. You can have influence. You can have freedom. The only things that will stop you is your limiting beliefs. But now you’ve got the perfect affirmations to keep you on the right track.  Remember, affirmations only work when you put action behind them. See them. Speak them. Write them. Receive them!

from: andreabolder.com

By Catherine Erdly

With the continued uncertainty surrounding the retail industry in the wake of Covid-19, there is evidence that customers are shopping for Christmas earlier than ever. What does this mean for consumers, and retailers both online and offline?

How will the consumer be thinking about Christmas this year?

There is no doubt that the festive season this year will carry special significance for many. It is unclear whether or not we will be able to see loved ones in person, and many people who would have travelled to see family will now be unable to do so.

Gifting is always the biggest driver of sales at Christmas, and this year customers will be looking for the ability to send gifts directly to loved ones. Whether or not a business offers direct-to-recipient options such as gift wrap and messaging will play a big part in consumer decision-making.

Shoppers are getting organised earlier than ever

Whether it’s due to a desire to look forward to brighter times, or simply an attempt to spread out the cost of Christmas over a longer time period, there are a significant number of shoppers getting ready for Christmas earlier than ever before.

“We are seeing advance enquires for Christmas items for the home indicating that this sector will continue to perform well.” states Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA).

And online, as far back as April, Pinterest PINS +7.3% was reporting that Christmas-related searches were up significantly on the previous year, with Google GOOGL +1.5% trends data showing that searches on “Christmas gift ideas” have started to peak earlier than previous years.

If you want to buy it, buy it now

With Covid-19 having severely disrupted supply chains across the world, there is no doubt that getting the right Christmas stock, always a challenge for retailers, will be infinitely harder this year.

And that disruption for the retailers will mean that last minute shoppers might face disappointments as well.

O’Connor states “It’s usually better to err on the side of caution when it comes to holiday shopping, however this is especially true this year, so shop early to avoid disappointment.”

Will this be the best Christmas yet for online sales?

“Amazon AMZN +2.3% is adding new transportation capacity and hiring 100,000 new employees in anticipation of high holiday demand, while Fedex FDX +1% is hiring 70,000 workers.” O’Connor added – a clear indicator of how big Christmas demand for online sellers is expected to be.

Ecommerce emerged as the clear winner during lockdown, climbing to nearly a third of all retail sales. With new restrictions looming, it looks like this shift to online selling could remain for the Christmas months.

As Goodacre summarises, “There is no doubt that consumer focus on Christmas is starting early, but the initial ‘browsing’ is happening on-line, and the real threat is that the bulk of the purchases will remain on-line, especially if the Covid restrictions become tighter.

Our fears are that many businesses will fold if Christmas sales do not live up to previous years.”

Despite the remaining uncertainty for the retail industry as new restrictions come in to force, it’s clear that the customer is looking to get prepared. Whether Christmas sales shift online or not, one thing is clear – if you have something particular on your list for the festive season, this is not the year to leave it until the last minute to buy.

from: forbes.com