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(BPT) – When it comes to vacation planning, Clark Griswold has given guys everywhere a bad name. The first National Lampoon’s Vacation movie saw his plans to bring his family to Walley World fall apart at every turn. Then his planned trip to Europe was…

(BPT) – When it comes to vacation planning, Clark Griswold has given guys everywhere a bad name. The first National Lampoon’s Vacation movie saw his plans to bring his family to Walley World fall apart at every turn. Then his planned trip to Europe was…

Nicole Leinbach Reyhle is the founder and publisher of Retail Minded, the co-founder of the Independent Retailer Conference, and a regular contributor to various publications. Additionally, Reyhle is the author of the book “Retail 101: The Guide to Managing … Read More

The post 3 Reasons to Aim for Influencer Status appeared first on Official Fiverr Blog.

It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are here. At Fiverr we’re always looking out for ways to make them not only more enjoyable, but more productive, and we know that saving money is essential in both those cases. So … Read More

The post Improve the Way You Get Paid This Holiday Season appeared first on Official Fiverr Blog.

(BPT) – Whether you’re a first-time or experienced homebuyer, chances are a good portion of your real estate journey will take place online. In fact, four in 10 homebuyers start their house-hunting with an online search, according to the National Association of REALTORS. It’s easy to understand why: Online tools and apps can make the homebuying experience — including finding a mortgage — easier and more enjoyable.

If you’ll be shopping for a home this fall and winter, use the tools homebuyers find most useful, according to the Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report:

* Mortgage calculators — It’s important you’re as comfortable with your mortgage terms and lender as you are with the home you’re paying for. An affordable mortgage helps homebuyers reap the full benefits of home ownership, including building equity and long-term financial security, and a mortgage calculator can help you understand what you would pay each month, as well as estimate monthly mortgage payments and rate options. As the Homebuyer Insights Report revealed, more than half of Generation X homebuyers and 46 percent of millennials and baby boomers use mortgage calculators during the home shopping process.

* Finance websites — Home shoppers can learn a lot about mortgage options and a bank’s customer service through websites that feature reviews of mortgage loan officers and lending institutions. More than a third (36 percent) of first-time homebuyers and over a quarter (28 percent) of experienced homebuyers use bank apps or websites to research reviews of lenders and loan officers.

* Loan status portals — Applying for a mortgage can sometimes be overwhelming, but real-time loan status information is transforming the process. For example, Bank of America’s Home Loan Navigator allows mortgage applicants to securely upload, submit and sign documents, get real-time status updates on their application and loan, receive important documents and disclosures and even communicate with experts via secure messaging.

* Mobile real estate listings — With many home listing websites available, it can be difficult to narrow down online searches to homes that meet all your criteria in your location of choice. Using a bank’s online real estate center can help you refine your home search or, if you’re selling, it can help you determine your home’s estimated value. And some even provide the ancillary information you’re looking for – like school data and walkability scores — to make a home purchase decision.

* Down payment sources — Saving for a down payment can be one of the most challenging tasks of buying a house. It’s sometimes difficult to know how much you’ll need for your down payment, or to figure out how to fit the extra savings category into your monthly budget. You can find numerous down payment calculators online, but Bank of America’s Down Payment Resource Center goes a big step further than most by offering a searchable database of more than 1,000 local and national assistance programs that may be able to save you money on your down payment.

* Social media — Decorating your home is one of the most enjoyable aspects of home ownership. Many buyers turn to social media resources like Pinterest for home decor inspiration. In fact, 49 percent of millennials use Pinterest, 37 percent Facebook and 33 percent Instagram for home decorating ideas, while 32 percent of Gen Xers use Pinterest, 37 percent like Facebook and 11 percent favor Instagram, according to the Homebuyer Insights Report.

* Home design apps — With inspiration in hand, homebuyers can use home design apps to put their ideas into virtual reality. These apps allow you to take and store room measurements, make notes on design ideas and see virtual representations of what your decor plans will look like in your home. From white walls to fully-furnished, many design apps can help you visualize your dream interior for free, and more robust versions are available for purchase.

To learn more about home buying and mortgages, visit Bank of America — Home Loans.

(BPT) – Whether you’re a first-time or experienced homebuyer, chances are a good portion of your real estate journey will take place online. In fact, four in 10 homebuyers start their house-hunting with an online search, according to the National Assoc…

After polling the Fiverr community to determine this year’s top costumes, it’s clear that instead of witches and ghosts, 2016 will bring Snapchat filters, superheroes and forgetful fish to Halloween parties everywhere. After the polling was complete, the community responded … Read More

The post Happy Halloween: #FiverrFright2016 Costume Design Winners appeared first on Official Fiverr Blog.

October is coming to a close and winter is on the horizon. Don’t let the cold and dark dampen your focus on your personal and entrepreneurial well-being . Here’s some advice on how to look after your health and wellness … Read More

The post Gig Economy News: 10/29 appeared first on Official Fiverr Blog.

(BPT) – For entrepreneurs and small businesses owners, the holiday season offers an incredible opportunity to boost sales and increase the bottom line. Just like how the early bird gets the worm, starting holiday promotions early will position your business for optimum growth.

Polishing your online identity, optimizing marketing opportunities and engaging in positive customer relations are key strategies for boosting profits. It may be the season of red and green, but businesses that take advantage of these expert tips will be better positioned to see a lot of numbers in the black.

Email marketing tips
The most essential step in creating effective holiday marketing emails is to start early. In fact, 2015 email data from GoDaddy shows that it’s best for companies to get a head start on their email marketing campaigns as early as November. The days with the highest open rates before Christmas were during the first week of November, specifically Nov. 2. Even if those dates have passed, starting ASAP can help boost traffic and sales.

“Black Friday and Cyber Monday might seem like the perfect days to send promotional emails, but small businesses should proceed with caution,” says Eric Gilbert, director of GoDaddy Email Marketing. “With higher sending volume comes lower email open rates. Our advice to our customers is twofold. First, get a head start on your holiday campaigns by sending before the peak shopping days arrive. And second, be sure to write crisp, compelling subject lines to help stand out in the inbox.”

In creating an effective email, consider providing valuable information and useful tips rather than straightforward sales copy.

Shab Sadeghi, founder of Shabbella, a lifestyle brand for women, uses GoDaddy Email Marketing to stay in touch with her customers throughout the holiday season.
“I like to share style tips on how my customers can wear Shabbella products multiple ways throughout the season,” says Sadeghi. “In the past, I’ve provided beautiful gift boxes with orders during the holidays. I love to give back to my customers, plus everyone loves gifts!”

Another way to increase email marketing efforts is to send personalized emails. Personalized emails improve click-through rates by 14 percent and conversion rates by 10 percent, according to Aberdeen Group.

Social media tips
Keeping active on popular social media platforms helps brands engage with their customers and influence purchasing decisions. What’s more, 51 percent of people will use social media to get gift ideas, according to a statistica survey.

In addition to staying active, give your social efforts a holiday makeover with a few new strategies. For example, music is a huge part of how people interact during the holidays. Share popular holiday songs and encourage your audience to do the same.

Next, go for the emotional response. Heartwarming stories of generosity, charity and creativity abound during this time of year and tend to get a lot of play on social media.

In addition, focus on the entertainment value over the sale. The holidays, while joyful, are often filled with stress. Giving your users a break from the madness with a funny holiday-themed image or video will help them associate your brand with more than just your product.

Finally, make social interactive. Respond in a timely manner to user questions and comments. It will help build your brand reputation and leave a positive impression on your audience.

Storefront and website tips
Whether customers are visiting in person or virtually via a website, you want to give them an easy-to-navigate experience and plenty of purchasing options that meet their holiday shopping needs.

First, categorize items as gifts on your website. For example, “gifts for your husband” or “gifts for kids.” Reflect this messaging in product copy and consider writing blogs that support gift ideas for specific audiences. Additionally, promote the upsell by offering packages of products and/or services in bundles.

Second, hire a web developer and graphic designer to spruce up your website to reflect the essence of the holidays. Alternatively, use a DIY website builder that’s affordable and easy to use like GoDaddy. For physical stores, tasteful holiday decor can enhance the ambience and get shoppers in a festive state of mind.

Finally, for brick-and-mortar purchases, consider offering complimentary gift wrapping. For online purchases, provide free shipping when a certain amount is purchased.

With each day there’s another opportunity to upgrade your holiday marketing strategies, but you must start now. With these tips, you’ll have an edge on the competition.
To learn more about how small businesses can get a head start on their holiday marketing efforts, visit headstartday.com.