Mobile Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

with the increasing advent of new technologies and business apps, customers are turning to these novel ways with a fast rate to find products and services. When you decide to expand your online venture, considering mobile marketing is beneficial. There are numerous winning mobile marketing tactics, which will let your customers find you easily while on the move.

The rates at which customers continue to show preference for mobile shopping make it important for business owners to take note. Consumers use Smartphones more often to buy or get product info. Given the wide berth of new technologies emerging by the day, there are several aspects below that need to be streamlined to help your company reap the benefits from mobile marketing.

Assess Your Inclination for Mobile Marketing

Just like any other business aspect, taking the plunge into mobile marketing needs to be planned. You will need to assess your readiness to and capacity to embrace this concept. It is unwise to join the bandwagon if you cannot deliver a satisfying mobile shopping experience for your target market. Decide your needs and goals first for the mobile campaign, and think about the desired outcome from the onset.

Launch a Mobile-Friendly Adaptation

With online marketing being termed as effective, there is need to ensure that you have the capacity to meet the demands of mobile customers. If you are not able to optimize your website for their needs and use patterns, they will probably use another site which offers them satisfaction. Remember to incorporate flexibility, since the mobile app world is ever-changing. For a website that includes a colorful and engaging interface, customers will keep coming. For success to be achieved page load times on mobile devices should be efficient: mobile shoppers are impatient. Don’t forget text message provisions to enhance interactivity in real time.

Use Responsive Page Design

Modern mobile marketing requires fast response. This means that the design of the actual device and screen should be adaptive to each search. If the mobile interface experience delivers responsively, you will be able to create and design content, which will be compatible for all users regardless of their devices. Such innovative designs are not only time and cost effective, but they also allow venture owners to get through to customers without creating additional apps or mobile marketing platforms.

Keep Simple and Easy to Navigate

As said, mobile shoppers are demanding. You will need to incorporate simplicity in your messaging. Simple but strong calls to action should be part of the easy to maneuver interface. Remember to keep the mobile apps in question functional, and easy to use. Customers who wait for long load times on the mobile device will begin to look for other options. You must have active, user-friendly calls to action.

Embrace Text Message Marketing

Mobile shoppers can be engaged using valuable text messages. However, for a text to make the intended impact, it must be worthy and laden with valuable info. If it can offer suspense and special promises, the customer will be curious enough to make a conversion. Text messages with limited offers are likely to be effective. Consider having an exclusive edge on the text, such that the customer is not only getting quality product offers, but also helpful information to boot. The frequency of text message is one critical factor to be considered. If you bug your target audience with text round the clock, it may end up disastrously, since customers could perceive it as spam.

E hookah: Pros and Cons

Till now, everyone must have heard about the e-cigarettes which deliver nicotine into the smokers electronically with the help of e liquid. Just like the cigarettes, hookahs have also evolved in the electronic version. E hookahs, also known as e shisha is an electronic device that vaporizes water into smoke with the help of electricity. For ego vape, you get the starter kit, quit kit and the large ego case for shisha pen.

It goes with the proverb, ‘Every coin has two sides’; as it has got some advantages as well as disadvantages. Out of the several pros and cons, let us have a look at some of the most important ones. Here we go...

Merits of e hookah

1. It is far much safer as compared to the traditional hookah and the cigarettes; thanks to the advancement in technology!
2. It is available in several flavours including pineapple, grape and apple, to name a few.
3. The electronic way gives you the amazing enjoyable experience.
4. It can be used and thrown!
5. It is easier to carry than that of those normal traditional ones which were too heavy to carry anywhere. You can carry these anywhere you like; on the beaches, in the rooms, on your holidays.
6. It is more of a kind of eco friendly as it does not emit carbon dioxide.
7. There is no specific zone for smoking hookahs; so you can do it anywhere you like. You need not go to bars especially for it.
8. It is the most economical options as it cheaper as compared to the other smoking products.
9. As it runs electronically, there is no use of fire which is really safer than the traditional hookah.
10. You have got several sizes to choose from so that you can select as per your needs and requirements.
11. Once you are done with smoking it, neither you will have its smell in the room, nor will you have to clean the ashes.
12. As there are no harmful chemicals added, your teeth and gums will neither turn to yellow colour, nor will they swell.
After having a look at the above mentioned benefits of e hookah, let us have a look at some of the risks of using e hookah.

Demerits of e hookah

1. The disposable ones cannot be refilled and reused.
2. It runs with the help of battery and can’t be used once the battery runs out.
3. As the battery drains out quickly, people do not waste time in passing it on. So, it is difficult to share.
4. These days, even the teenagers who had never tried the normal traditional hookahs have also started carrying e hookahs with them. They use most of the time in smoking hookahs rather than spending that time in studying, playing with friends or doing some productive work. This has made them lazier than ever and wasting a huge amount of money into this.

Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance Claims Study By Physician Specialty

Recently, The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a special article, Medical Malpractice Risk According to Physician Specialty. While there have been studies about medical malpractice liability in the past this one takes a slightly different approach and therefore is worth exploring. With the practice of defensive medicine and medical malpractice rates contributing to the high cost of medicine, understanding the data around medical malpractice is needed if solutions are to be developed. This study provides a practical glimpse into the world of medical malpractice, medical malpractice liability insurance, and how it applies to specific physician specialties.

Unlike other studies that focus on local results, or those that look to claims with payments, this new study looked at closed malpractice claims nationwide from 1991 to 2005. By looking at data from closed claims from a national malpractice insurer, the researchers were able to gather information about the ages, specialties, and location of claims, whether a payment was made or not. Data was gleaned from all 50 states and 24 distinct specialties were represented as has having a minimum of 200 claims. The study shed new light on how often claims are made regardless of whether a payment is made.

Having been in the medical malpractice liability insurance business for 30 years we are surprised by some of the findings.

This study specifically …

"… uncovered an important aspect of medical malpractice liability: the high likelihood of claims that do not result in payments to a plaintiff. Annual rates of claims leading to indemnity payments ranged from 1% to 5% across specialties, whereas rates of all claims ranged from 5% to 22%. Projections suggest that nearly all physicians in high-risk specialties will face at least one claim during their career; however, a substantial minority will not have to make an indemnity payment."

Pediatrics Led All Specialties in Loss Payments

There were some findings in this study that may seem surprising. For instance, specialties that were most likely to face indemnity malpractice insurance claims were often not those with the highest average payments. For example, Neurosurgeons were the most likely to receive a claim, however their average loss payment was significantly less than that of Pediatrics which was the least likely to receive a claim. In fact pediatrics led all specialties by a dramatic amount in loss payments. This fact was likely due to a higher sympathy factor for children and the longer life span that may require higher compensation. Nonetheless, the findings were interesting.

The top 6 specialties that were most likely to have a medical malpractice insurance liability claim brought against them included:

Neurosurgery
Thoracic-cardiovascular surgery
General Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Gastroenterology

(Obstetrics and Gynecology was 7th on the list)

Conversely, the top 6 specialties that had the highest payments were:

Pediatrics
Pathology
Neurosurgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Internal Medicine
Pulmonary medicine

What seems unfortunately clear was that no matter what specialty, the likelihood of being named in a claim was relatively high. There was a clear discrepancy, however, among what are considered "low-risk" specialties where "36% were projected to face their first claim by the age of 45 years, as compared with 88% of physicians in high-risk specialties." Surprisingly the numbers jump significantly by the age of 65 years, when 75% of physicians in low-risk specialties and 99% of those in high-risk specialties were projected to face a claim.

High Risk of Being Involved in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

While the study points to the fact that many claims that are filed result in no payment to the claimants, the relative risk of being involved in a lawsuit is high. While medical malpractice liability insurance will cover you for the costs associated with trial and any possible payment, the intangible uninsurable costs such as time, stress, and reputational damage are hard to measure.

What is IVMS / Telematics / GPS Tracking?

An In Vehicle Management System (IVMS), also known as GPS Tracking or Telematics, is an electronic device that is installed in a vehicle or mobile machine, that enables the owner, or authorised third party, to collect and monitor vehicle data. The IVMS purpose-designed computer software records and monitors many aspects of an asset including:

• Location
• RPM
• Speed
• Seatbelt usage
• 4x4 engaged
• Fuel levels
• Driver ID
• Odometer
• Engine on/off
• Doors opened/closed
• Handbrake usage
• Idle/excessive idle
• Tyre pressure
• Harsh acceleration
• System disconnect
• Personal vs. business use
• Engine/cargo temperature
• Engagement of high rail
• Harsh braking

Several types of vehicle tracking devices exist, and are classified as "passive", "active", or utilise both. "Passive" devices store data until the asset returns to a predetermined point or area where the data is then downloaded wirelessly. "Active" devices transmit the data in real-time via cellular or satellite networks. Many modern IVMS devices combine both active and passive tracking; when a cellular network is available, data is transmitted; when a network is not available the device stores data on internal memory and transmits it when the network becomes available again. The last method offers users the ability to transmit information via least cost routing, and can be set up so that critical events are communicated regardless.

In Vehicle Management Systems are designed with a user interface that enables users to easily view and analyse recorded data. Systems vary, but a good IVMS platform will be easy to use, browser based for optimal data accessibility, allow for custom reporting, and offer a secure virtual environment to protect your data.

IVMS provides small to large businesses the insight needed to effectively manage fleets and increase profit margins. Typically businesses see an immediate increase in operational efficiency and bottom-line profits through improved safety, increased productivity, and compliance monitoring.

IVMS is ideal for aiding businesses in:

• Safeguarding employees - Allows users to locate their employees in the event of an emergency and protect work alone employees, and to monitor and address at risk driving behaviour.

• Protecting assets and preventing theft - Provides the capability to monitor vehicles and mobile machines to ensure assets are where they are supposed to be, and in the event of theft, allows for a swift recovery by providing live tracking.

• Increasing fleet productivity and operational control - Users will see marked increases in productivity as unauthorised trips cease, deviations are eliminated, optimised routes are followed and road regulations are adhered to.

• Monitoring cargo temperature - Assists with ensuring refrigerated goods are delivered safely.

• Tracking business vs. personal use - Allows management to easily validate expense claims or ensure vehicles are being used for business purposes only.

• Easily calculate fringe benefits tax (FBT) - Accurately calculate the running costs of a vehicle for FBT purposes. Running costs can be tracked and calculated through use of a mobile app.

• Improved asset condition and lifespan - Detect and address unauthorised vehicle use, excessive speeding, harsh braking, over-revving and inappropriate driving behaviour.

• Monitoring fuel consumption - Provides the measures and controls required to ensure fuel consumption is reduced and fuel theft is eliminated.

Making a Website Is Easy

A blog is a great way to unleash your creative prowess or promote your business to a global audience but creating a blog is not as easy as it seems. How to start a blog requires skill and creativity. Here are a few steps you can take on how to start a blog:

1. The first step you should take on how to start a blog is to choose a domain. A domain is the unique address you own online. The domain will allow you to own your own space online. The unique address you own will give you full control over the blog you create. You can edit and change your blog once you have chosen your won domain.
2. The second step you take is to buy a domain name. Once you have chosen a domain name you can now buy your own domain name. You can browse online to find the right domain for your intended blog or site.
3. The next step you take is to get the right hosting for your blog. Hosting is the vital cog in the regular functioning of your blog. It allows the storing and transfer of data on your site. Hosting also carries the bandwidth of your blog which allows you a certain amount of traffic for your site. Choose a hosting provider that gives you enough bandwidth and data capacity to handle the content you upload and the traffic that your blog generates. Poor hosting will lead to crashes and extreme slow down on your site.
4. The fourth and final step on how to start a blog is the installment of Wordpress. Wordpress is a dynamic hosting provider and blog tool. It has a wide array of themes and logos that you can use to start your own blog. You can also use your own creativity to create your own themes and use it on your blog. You can design your own templates and use them for your blog.

These are the steps you can take to create your own blog. Your unique address online will help you find and connect with people who share the same interests. A blog will help you express yourself and unleash your creativity. Blogs will also help you find a niche for your business or product. The diverse use of blogs will enable people of all kinds to utilize its tools to its maximum potential. A blog is your portal to a connected world online.

CPA Site Advertising: Blog a Path to Success

Prospects will always make a first impression of an accounting practice. This often comes from their online presence. This offers a large chance to not only create solid CPA websites that appeal to the eye, but that also offer good information about the services the practice provides, calling leads to action and converting them into clients. A solid way to do this is to add a blog. Adding a blog can be very beneficial.

In the modern online world, blogging has become increasingly important, allowing people to share their personal thoughts and businesses to showcase their professional expertise. Well-written blogs on CPA websites allow potential clients to get to know the firm, present its accountants as easily accessible to current clients, and establish the practice as a subject matter expert in the field of accounting.

There are several strategies to consider while creating and maintaining professional blogs on CPA websites.

Creating a website blog makes a firm its own publisher. It means the firm will be creating its own content. Posting to a CPA blog often so that the blog stays fresh is important. It is also important that an accounting firm doesn't just try to sell services in its blog, because readers will lose interest. The blog should offer something of value. Accountant website blogs should be clear, concise and contain good grammar, while sharing accounting expertise with readers.

The field of accounting is relevant to anyone who pays taxes, so firms should try to set themselves apart from the competition. Successful CPA blogs offer readers a chance to educate themselves. A solid strategy is blog posts with tax filing tips and current information about tax law. Most importantly, accounting blogs need to offer readers something of value. This makes sure they will want to return. A CPA blog should also list what services the firm provides, and offer to provide the answers to any questions readers may have. This type of interactivity creates a loyal reader base.

Accounting practices need to share their blogs with others in their professional networks and in their fields. It is important that they promote their blogs on their CPA websites and print the names on their business cards. The more popular CPA blogs become, the more search engine authority they earn. This drives traffic to the blogs and brings more leads.

A critical part of keeping successful CPA blogs is that the authors should keep current with what interests readers. Authors should ask their readers what their concerns are. Another great strategy is conducting surveys. Surveys should offer a few topics to see if they spark interest. It is also a good idea to provide an open-ended response to see what readers have to say without being prompted.

Blogging is a tremendous opportunity to boost search engine rankings for modern CPA websites. Each posting that is generated is a brand-new chance for search engine ranking. Writing CPA blogs that bring frequent visitors is the key. Accounting practices benefit by having their brand visible to leads and current customers. It also offers good content to the search engines to raise listings.

Blogging Tips: Five Ways to Set Your Blog on Fire

Blogging takes time, and there is nothing worse than spending hours creating a new post only to find a week later that a mere handful of people read your work and no one even bothered to leave a comment. A lack of followers is why many people abandon their blog after just a few months.

So how do you attract readers to your blog and build a loyal following?

It won’t happen overnight. We’ve been trained in the digital society to expect instant results.

However, there is no getting around that you must put in the effort by consistently posting and promoting your blog. Also, realize that you have lots of competition. There are now over 150 million blogs in existence – an incredible statistic – and that number grows daily. Everyone is competing for followers, so you are competing with many, many other bloggers.

You might think that a successful blog isn’t even possible, but here are some tips that will bring you results.

1. Quality is King but Perfection is Overrated. Outstanding content is the single most important element to your audience – people will not return if the site is a loser so work hard to create the best writing, images and video. Yet, a blog post does not have to be perfect. You will need to keep the content stream going and sometimes good enough just has to be good enough.

2. Don’t be Shy! You’ve got great content, now don’t hold back. Use every platform you can find to promote your blog. Think of your blog as a product you are marketing using social networking platforms. Initially it is acceptable to share your posts with friends, family and some co-workers – you will be surprised who will become a loyal follower. However, be sensitive and don’t hound friends and family continually to read your blog. Think outside your immediate circle. Visit other blogs and leave comments or helpful tips. Find online platforms to list your blog or create guest posts. Write a press release about your blog or a byline story (like the one you are reading now) on a subject related to your blog.

3. Learn From Your Elders. Identify a few dozen successful bloggers across a number of categories and look hard at what they are doing right. Take notes. You will learn a lot from others who have come before you. You can get ideas from what they are writing and sometimes, you can even take the opposing viewpoint (which will create some controversy). Above all, always make sure that you create your posts with your own personal perspective and in your own voice. Successful bloggers learn from others, but they are not copycats.

4. Be Generous. You’ll find friends online who will write guest posts for you and ask you to guest post for them. It’s like going into a store with an outer and an inner set of doors. You open the door for someone and they will then open the second door for you. Just like in life, courtesy goes a long way. At a blogger conference, I once befriended someone who was standing alone at a mixer. Turns out that while she is terribly shy in large social gatherings, she is also a popular blogger with a huge following. Since that conference, my new friend has proved to be one of my biggest supporters and her professional assistance has helped me enormously.

5. Controversy Sells. Yes, controversy can attract a large following, but think before you post. For example, some bloggers will post about their personal relationship issues with spouses, siblings, parents and children. Ask yourself: Is the blog post idea valid and true? Would you be invading someone’s privacy just to get people to notice you? You could cause hurt feelings with friends and family members or even lose your job. If your post is just shocking for the sake of being shocking, you can easily turn off your core audience. Some bloggers turn to excessive profanity or explicit material to create controversy. In fact, the use of profanity is so overused online that it’s no longer controversial – merely bad taste. Controversy is best served with smart writing or truly amazing graphics.

My advice for attracting a significant following is to find your voice, be original, create unique content and keep posting, posting, posting.

Do some research and seek out bloggers whose work you admire. When you connect with other quality bloggers online, be generous by sharing tips and making the time to visit their blogs and leave comments. It’s fine to promote yourself to your community, but keep in mind that people have busy lives and helping you grow your blog audience is not their top priority.

Remember that while controversy will get attention, clever is always better than profane or mean.