StartupTalky

Tag: 📖 Learning

  • Gemini AI: How to Use Google’s Most Capable AI Tool

    Alphabet, the parent company of Google, recently launched—Gemini AI, the future of artificial intelligence. In a world where information is at our fingertips, Gemini emerges as a powerful tool designed to make our digital experiences more intuitive and engaging. It can understand intricate questions, create creative content, and even translate languages like a pro.

    Imagine an AI tool that not only understands your words but also comprehends images and processes data in a variety of formats. In this blog, we’ll take a thorough analysis of the capabilities of Gemini, exploring its multimodal nature, colossal brainpower, and how it stands out in this AI world.

    What is Gemini?
    What is Multimodal AI?
    Features of Gemini AI?
    How You Can Use Gemini?

    How to Get Gemini Pro in Bard?
    Test You Can Try to Understand Gemini AI
    In the Nutshell, The Future of Information sees AI Gemini on the TOP
    In the Nutshell, The Future of Information sees AI Gemini on the TOP

    What is Gemini?

    Gemini is Google’s advanced artificial intelligence system that goes above and beyond traditional models. Unlike its predecessors, Gemini is a multimodal AI, so it processes information, ‌including text, images, and voice commands. The versatility of Gemini allows it to understand and respond to users in a more human-like manner. It speaks multiple languages – the language of words, the language of images, and the language of voice.

    What is Multimodal AI?

    Let’s examine what is meant by “multimodal AI.” “Modal” refers to methods or ways of accomplishing things, and “multi” denotes many. Gemini is an artificial intelligence that can read and assimilate text, identify and interpret images, and understand spoken language‌.

    For instance, if you ask Gemini about a well-known site, you can give him a written description, a picture, or even a recording of its name, and it would accurately identify it.

    Gemini isn’t text-limited, like the majority of AI models. Because it is a multimodal AI prompting, it can figure out many things and processes:

    Text: Write and analyze scripts, code, poetry, and emails.
    Audio: Record audio, translate between languages, identify musical compositions, and even produce audio stuff.
    Images: Using your cues, identify objects and scenes and produce realistic images.
    Video: Produce video summaries, interpret video data, and even generate original videos.

    Hands-on with Gemini: Interacting with multimodal AI

    Features of Gemini AI?

    Complex Pattern Excel: When it comes to managing intricate reasoning problems, Gemini truly excels. It can easily comprehend and combine data from charts, infographics, scanned papers, and mixed patterns of various data kinds. It’s like a digital genius.

    Uses CoT Prompting Technique: One significant method that makes Gemini stand out is its “uncertainty-routed chain-of-thought” (CoT) prompting technique. This fancy term indicates that Gemini can think beyond the box when it comes to solving problems that need careful consideration and judgment.

    Outstanding Performance: The creators have been impressed by the performance of Gemini Ultra, a cool variation of Gemini 1.0. It has produced amazing outcomes, even surpassing human experts in certain tasks—now that’s impressive!

    Efficiency: Gemini 1.0 uses cutting-edge Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) to ensure efficiency and scalability, thanks to Google’s infrastructure team. AI hyper-computing reaches new heights with the release of TPU v5p by Google Cloud.

    Flexibility: Gemini’s capabilities and design go beyond limits. It finds use in innovative projects, education, and multilingual communication. Gem turns out to be an adaptable answer for a variety of problems. 

    How You Can Use Gemini?

    Using Gemini is a breeze, and understanding its structure and functionalities is key to unlocking its full potential. Gemini comes into three major categories: Gemini Pro, Gemini Ultra, and Gemini Nano.

    Gemini Pro

    Think of this as the powerhouse, capable of handling complex tasks and providing detailed information. It’s your go-to for in-depth research or when you need an expert’s opinion.

    Gemini Ultra

    This is your versatile, all-around companion. It’s great for everyday tasks, casual conversations, and general information. It strikes a balance between power and simplicity.

    Gemini Nano

    When you want quick, concise answers, Nano is your go-to. It’s like having a pocket assistant ready to provide instant information and support.

    Example: You could hire Gemini Pro to get in-depth insights if you’re working on a research project. However, Gemini Nano can promptly deliver traffic updates, appointment reminders, and weather assistant updates if you’re organizing your day.

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    How to Get Gemini Pro in Bard?

    I’m here to walk you through the simple process of using Gemini Pro within Bard, which is an effortless step-by-step process:

    Google Bard
    Google Bard

    Step 1. Open your Web Browser and Visit Bard’s Website

    Step 2. After visiting the Bard website, sign in with the details from your Google account. You can easily make a Google account if you don’t already have one.

    Step 3. You can use Bard to access new Gemini Pro features after logging in. As a result, your chat experiences will now be more sophisticated and dynamic, facilitating more seamless and customized conversations.

    You may now explore Gemini Pro’s additional features with Bard’s smooth integration!

    “Buy Google’s Pixel Phone to get the Pixel Extra!”

    You get extra benefits that improve your Gemini experience if you use a Pixel phone. Improved voice recognition, customized recommendations, and easy integration with Pixel’s special features are some that would make you drool. Your device and AI collaborate flawlessly, just like if you had a VIP pass to a private Gemini club.

    You can ask Gemini on your Pixel phone to show your recent photos with Pixel extras, and it will do so quickly.

    Test You Can Try to Understand Gemini AI

    Now, let’s follow some tests conducted by the experts that prove, “it’s exceptional”. Here is what you should start with:

    Test 1: Logic and Space perception

    TRY: Give Gemini some sticky notes with pictures of the Alphabet unorganized like C, B & A on them and ask it to arrange them in a rational order. Gemini precisely positioned the A, B, and C in the right order.

    Test 2: Graphic Patterns and Dialog

    TRY: Ask Gemini to guess the movie from a series of four frames from a charades game. By studying body language, Gemini recognizes the scene from “The Movie” with accuracy.

    Testing Gemini: Guess the movie

    Test 3: Magic Techniques

    TRY: Ask Gemini to describe a traditional magic trick in which a coin vanishes. Gemini effectively expands the methodical procedure while demonstrating its multimodal reasoning.

    Test 4: Cup Shuffling

    TRY: Set up a game of cup shuffling and ask Gemini to figure out the swaps and justify them. Gemini correctly recognizes the cup swaps and provides an overview of the match.

    Test 5: Leveraging Tools and Searching for Music

    TRY: Tell Gemini to convert a sketched scene of birds and mountains. Gemini skillfully blends modalities, offering a playful and targeted genre and personification of the song. This works smoothly!

    Test 6: Making Games and Foreseeing Location

    TRY: Ask Gemini to identify countries on a map and come up with clues for a geography guessing game. Gemini manages both right and wrong answers and recognizes countries with accuracy.

    Test 7: Coding Timer Countdown

    TRY: Coding a countdown timer with inspirational emojis in Task Gemini. Gemini not only writes the code, but it also injects some originality by offering a wide range of emoticons.

    Testing Gemini: Finding connections

    In the Nutshell, The Future of Information sees AI Gemini on the TOP

    In the future, Google sees Gemini as a key player in transforming several industries. Imagine a world in which AI helps students with individualized learning experiences. Imagine AI helping with patient care and diagnosis in the medical field. Imagine AI simplifying data analysis for well-informed decision-making in the business world. There is a great deal of potential for application, which could completely change the way we approach various facets of our lives.

    We must address ethical issues as we embrace the power of Gemini. Google is dedicated to developing AI responsibly, placing a foremost priority on data security, user privacy, and openness. This dedication guarantees that Gemini is a responsible tool, in addition to a potent one.

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    FAQs

    What is Gemini at Google?

    This large language model (LLM) will be expanded next year, according to the tech giant, which describes Gemini as the most capable and all-purpose AI it has developed to date.

    How does Gemini differ from other AI models?

    Gemini can process a wide range of formats, including text, images, and voice, thanks to its multimodal capabilities. Its ability to understand and react to various input kinds gives it versatility in interactions which no other AI has achieved up till now.

    What benefits does Gemini AI offer to Pixel 8 pro phone users?

    Users of Pixel benefit from improved voice recognition, tailored recommendations, and smooth integration with Pixel’s special features. For Pixel users, these benefits produce a more customized and engaging Gemini experience.

    Does Google still own DeepMind?

    An artificial intelligence research facility run by British and Americans, DeepMind Technologies Limited (doing business as Google DeepMind) is a Google subsidiary.

    Is Gemini AI free to use?

    You can use Bard Gemini for free. Google has updated Bard with Gemini Pro, which you can easily process on the Bard AI webpage.

  • Broken Link Building: Complete Guide to Master BLB

    Back when I was 18, I had a website dedicated to my favorite Marvel Universe. It was a labor of love, but my pages often suffered from errors like 404—Broken Links. Obviously, it resulted in weak SEO.

    Those broken links on my fan site were like torn pages in a comic book—frustrating and misleading for visitors. Since then, I have had to eat SEO every day.

    Broken links are trash! That’s how I believed, only to discover—that’s not it. Broken link-building practices can power these dead pages to connect and walk alive.

    Today, you’ll learn how these broken links can build a strong linking asset for your website. A powerful solution to strengthen your website SEO.

    What is Broken Link Building?
    How does Broken Link Building Work?
    How to do Broken Link Building?

    “Broken Link” similar to its name, means broken, missing, or not found pages on search engines with some error. Most people don’t know that these broken links fixating can boost their position on search engines. The term used for this is — “Broken Link Building”

    Now how you can use these broken links? Collect them, swoop in, and rebuild them. It’s that simple if you do the right practice and understand how this link-fixing works. You’re not just repairing links; you’re creating new ways for potential customers to enter your store on the web.

    Assume a popular blog in your niche topic has a broken link linking to a no-longer-existent resource. You can step in and provide excellent replacement content. Your website receives an increase in visitors, and search engines give you a thumbs up.

    Links are the love language in the eyes of search engines. They are a powerful indicator of the standard of a website and the value it provides to its audience. So, according to a search engine, your site needs to be a good boy. It’s a good deed in its eyes to fix up any broken or dead links, ensuring all URLs are working and unbroken.

    However, for big websites, this process is more difficult than it appears. Finding and changing broken links distributed over various articles, blog posts, and resources takes a significant amount of time and physical labor. You can resolve these annoying links by creating better replacement content for them.

    Broken links are more than simply annoyances. They result in a loss of website visits and, ultimately, paying clients. So, you have the right opportunity to be the good boy and multiply your website’s scoreboard.

    I’ll break down the process step by step, like a GPS for your broken link-building journey. 

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    We get a bunch of emails asking to add their links to some of our respective content pages. And guess what, they never even get a reply. Why? Because that’s not going to help us in any way.

    However, that’s not the case with broken link building. If someone brings value with their replacement content, to fix our broken links, it’s a fair deal. Here is how you can do this practice-

    Should You Pursue a Broken Link Opportunity?
    Should You Pursue a Broken Link Opportunity?
    1. Search Broken Pages with Backlinks
    2. Chose for ‘Good’ links 
    3. Create the Best Replacement Content
    4. Use Your P2 Game (Perfect Pitch)
    5. Pitch n Repeat

    Start looking for broken pages with backlinks from your site. You can do a backlink audit using the Semrush tool or any other SEO tool. You can identify broken backlinks by checking for URL and server errors.

    Backlink Audit
    Backlink Audit

    The tool’s “Audit” tab filters for URL errors, and helps remove potentially damaging backlinks. The “Toxicity Score” filter ensures non-toxic backlinks, preventing damage to the website.

    Toxicity Score Filter
    Toxicity Score Filter

    Look for your Competitor’s Broken Pages

    • Open your go-to SEO tool—let’s take Ahrefs for the competitor’s research. It’s the best
    Ahrefs Tools
    Ahrefs Tools
    • In the search bar, enter your competitor’s domain, the one you find effective
    • Find the “Best by Links” option in Ahrefs. It’s akin to their trophy case, featuring your competitor’s most linked-to pages
    • You can also use the “check my links” Google extension. It’s free and works for the same cause
    Ahrefs Search Bar
    Ahrefs Search Bar
    • Use the filter “only broken” links to find pages with 404 errors or pages that have been moved (301 redirects). 
    • These are the breadcrumbs that will lead you to the broken links
    • Dive deeper into the websites that have linked to their content. No less than the “20 referral domains” volume should be on your list
    • From the list of pages, look for the ones suitable for you
    Ahrefs - List of Pages
    Ahrefs – List of Pages

    Pro Tips:

    Analyze the top competitors in your niche. Don’t just stick to one. Browse to the “Competing Domains” report in “Site Explorer” to see if other websites are ranking for the same keywords.

    Look for Broken Pages About a Topic

    Now, focus on broken pages related to a specific topic. Here’s how:

    • Choose your niche topic, something broad that is relevant. Assume you’re into fitness and your topic is “High-Intensity Workouts.”
    • Use Ahrefs (or any other SEO Tool)
    • Start your trusted tool and enter a keyword relating to your selected topic
    • Return to the “Best by Links” section, but this time look at it from a conceptual standpoint
    • You’re looking for pages that used to rule the subject but are currently out of favor
    • To find broken or removed pages, use the same 404 or redirect the “only broken link” filter
    • Your goal is to identify pages that were once the top trends but are no longer the same
    • Now, analyze the content and prepare a better one
    • Similarly, explore diverse topics you can search, analyze, and create

    Pro Tip:

    Select the broken link you want to replace and enter the URL into the “Wayback Machine”. This tool allows you to view a web page, as it was back then. More often, you’ll be able to find a screenshot of the page when it was public. So, you can now analyze and start preparing better content.

    Wayback Machine Tool
    Wayback Machine Tool

    Now, the broken links in the shadows of your competitors’ websites. Here’s a guide:

    • Choose a formidable competitor, someone whose every move you’re keen on tracking.
    • Ahrefs is your tool of choice – enter the competitor’s domain and prepare to infiltrate.
    • Ahrefs has a nifty section called “Outgoing Links.” It’s like the blueprint of your competitor’s secret weapons.
    • These are the links they trust, and you’re looking for the ones that have lost their way.
    • Apply the broken link filter – 404 errors or redirects are your breadcrumbs.
    • Go for links that complement your offerings, making the replacement seamless.
    Selection of the Links
    Selection of the Links

    Pro Tips:

    Regularly update your competitor list; new contenders may have appeared.

    • Think of the key topics in your industry that serve as hubs for resources. It could be “Ultimate Guides” or “Resource Lists.”
    • Use Ahrefs – enter a broad keyword related to your industry, and let it guide you to the resource pages.
    • You will see several pages that could serve as broken link-building opportunities.
    • Navigate through the resource pages and keep an eagle eye on outbound links.
    • Apply the “broken link filter”. The 404s and redirects are where your X marks the spot.
    • Use the broken links that align with your niche. You’re not just adding any link; you’re providing value.
    • Your replacement content should offer value to the reader and viewers

    Pro Tip:

    Explore different types of resource pages. In Google, use the following search terms to find resource pages:

    • “Keyword” + inurl:resources
    • “Keyword” + intitle:links
    • “Keyword” + “helpful resources”
    • “Keyword” + “useful resources”
    Google search for Resource Pages
    Google search for Resource Pages

    Not all links are ‘good’ links. As a result, you should choose your efforts strategically. Let us now begin the process-

    • Check the domain authority of that link site using tools such as Moz or Ahrefs. Look for links with high-DA (Domain Authority) sites. They are more SEO-friendly.
    • A link from a niche-specific site is worth more than a generic one.
    • A healthy link profile contains a variety of link types, including dofollow, nofollow, text, and image links.
    Ahrefs - Referring Domain
    Ahrefs – Referring Domain
    • Research into the existence of a broken link. Was it a citation, a reference, or a recommendation
    • Analyze the anchor texts in the broken link. Follow them in your replacement content to ensure an effortless shift
    • Prioritize quality over quantity. One link from a high-authority site may outshine many from low-authority ones

    Create the Best Replacement Content

    Now that you’ve found and analyzed your broken link treasures, it’s time to create your masterpiece – the replacement page!

    • Go through the original content
    • Analyze the original content gaps
    • Divide it into pieces or steps for simple use
    • Enhance your content with the most current information & industry data. It boosts reliability and makes your page more linkable
    • Make use of visuals, infographics, and videos. Visual content is easy to understand and share
    • For easier reading, use brief paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings
    • A page that is easy to use is more likely to keep users and earn natural backlinks
    • Naturally, blend relevant keywords within your piece of content

    Pro Tips:

    Your replacement page does more than just fix a broken link. It also improves the user experience. Consider your page to be a magnet, automatically attracting links for its worth and appeal.

    Use Your P2 Game (Perfect Pitch)

    It’s time to take the stage and tell the world about your PERFECT replacement page. Your call is to reach out, and here’s how to do it skillfully.

    • Determine the contact information for the webmaster or site owners whose pages have broken links
    • Tools like Hunter and Voila Norbert help you search for any VIP’s mail with their name
    • Your pitching email is your initial point of contact. Make it customized, clear, and to the point
    • Mention the broken link, thank them for their content, and offer a solution

    “`

    Greetings, Brian Dean

    I hope this email finds you in good health. I recently discovered your great [5 easy steps to find broken links and power them] page, and I couldn’t help but notice a broken link pointing to [page url]. As someone who is really interested in [SEO & marketing], I recognized an opportunity to help by providing an up-to-date and thorough resource to fix this out.

    I’ve created a replacement page that fits appropriately with the rest of your content. You can find it at [Your Replacement Page URL]. Use it, and be sure to let me know how it enhances your existing masterpiece.

    Looking forward to hearing from you!

    Best,

    “`

    Don’t give up if you don’t receive a response after your first email. After a week, send a courteous follow-up email. Persistence pays off. Often it’s as simple as catching them at the right time.

    Pro Tip:

    Your strength is personalization. Mention specific parts from their text to demonstrate that you’ve done your research. Be sincere and polite. You’re not simply asking for a favor; you’re providing value.

    Pitch n Repeat

    Don’t just stop there with 10 to 20 mail thinking that’s enough. It’s a long-term conversion process. You are not just offering your article but building a long-term relationship. 

    Go for all your best pitches to the big and small players. Address them by name, acknowledge their significant work, and convey genuine admiration.

    Convey how your replacement page is a collaborative effort rather than a gift. The idea is to create a connection that would work for a long-term conversion link.

    Pro Tip:

    You can try tools like “Ninja Outreach”, and “Find that lead” or you can go hand in hand with Gmail. It’s evergreen. You can adapt to the CloudHQ free extension on your Gmail account. It helps you manage the flow. Also, you can use links within the email text copy. This simplifies your work.

    SEO Link Building: How to Get Powerful Links in 2023

    Final Notes

    Bravo! You have accomplished the small process. Now here are some notes that can help you in the overall process of SEO-

    1. Track Your Success – Monitor the performance of your replacement pages. Tools like Google Analytics and Ahrefs can provide information on traffic and link growth.
    2. Maintain an Adaptive Approach – Adaptability is the key to long-term success in the fast-paced world of SEO.
    3. Build Relationships, Not Just Links – Keep in mind that every website has a human behind it. Develop genuine connections with webmasters, influencers, and other link builders.
    4. Educate and Share Your Knowledge – Not only does being a valuable contributor to the industry increase your authority, but it also enriches the SEO community.

    Leave your queries in the comments below. Let’s figure things out for you!

    FAQs

    Broken Link similar to its name, means broken, missing, or not found pages on search engines with some error.

    A backlink can be exemplified by any article that includes a hyperlink leading to another source or website.

    Broken link building can be done by following the below steps:

    1. Search Broken Pages with Backlinks
    2. Chose for ‘Good’ links 
    3. Create the Best Replacement Content
    4. Use Your P2 Game (Perfect Pitch)
    5. Pitch n Repeat

  • Mobile-First Link Building: Best Practices to Overcome Challenges

    You have the finest website with top-notch content and well optimized yet not discovered by the huge online audience. In this era of mobile-first indexing, where 65% of queries come from the phone, you need to understand how your link-building practice could up your game!

    Most SEOs don’t need convincing that links are important. The fact — internal links account for a far larger part of a page’s strength than external links do. Another fact — both links drive your position on search results.

    It is reasonable to believe that adding a landing page to your top navigation results in more meaningful backlinks. That’s exactly how important links are for a website to reach its audience.

    Let’s learn about link building on desktop and mobile platforms. We’ll see why they’re different and why this is important. We’ll also find out how to overcome challenges without affecting user experience.

    Understanding Mobile-First Indexing
    Link Building Impact on SEO
    Best Practices for Mobile-First Link Building

    Challenges in the Mobile-First Link Building Expedition

    Takeaway

    Understanding Mobile-First Indexing

    Have you ever wondered how Google views your website when it appears on a mobile device? Think of Google as an active explorer exploring your site’s mobile version. It prioritizes mobile-friendly content as it crawls and indexes. Similar to a well-arranged bookcase with the most appropriate books placed at eye level.

    What is Google’s Mobile-First Indexing (Explained)
    Google is planning to implement its Mobile-First indexing on all its websites. Lets understand, What Mobile-First Indexing is all about
    StartupTalkyAlan Joseph

    Google’s mobile-first index has changed SEO since 2019, particularly for link-building practices.

    Link builders should update their strategies to focus on creating high-quality backlinks. This will improve mobile user experiences and site responsiveness. Google now prioritizes mobile versions of websites for indexing and ranking.

    Look at LinkedIn. The website appears prominently in search results for keywords because of its good backlinks and organized data. This leads to faster loading on all devices.

    Here is how link building impacts SEO-

    • Improves the position in search engine rankings
    • Backlinks increase the authority and credibility of a website
    • Link building fuels referral traffic to a website
    • Relevant anchor text increases the relevancy of a website for particular keywords
    • It helps in building a reputation and increasing brand awareness
    • It increases the website’s organic traffic
    • Backlinks result in rising leads and conversion rates
    • Link building improves a website’s SEO performance

    Google’s mobile-first index requires a website’s mobile interface to be user-friendly and responsive for indexing and ranking. Here is how you must consider mobile first-link-building practices to ensure that you are providing enhanced user experiences and site responsiveness.

    The key element of navigation is internal links. Consider them as the road signage that guides users across the environment of your digital service. Airbnb includes links in its mobile app so that customers can explore various destinations.

    Links from other websites promote your website. Think of them as digital world referrals. Neil Patel’s content stands out online because it has high-quality backlinks from reliable sources.

    Responsive Website Design

    In the era of mobile-first content, creating a responsive website is not a trend, but a need. No matter which device you use, a responsive website, like Amazon‘s, always gives a consistent user experience. This improves user engagement and increases the efficiency of your link-building practices.

    Amazon Website
    Amazon Website

    Optimize Content for Mobile Users

    It takes more than just organizing text onto a tiny screen to provide content for mobile viewers. It all comes down to providing an engaging experience. Consider the Quora mobile website, which captivates readers with each swipe and offers more than just content. It has an easygoing, and scroll-worthy experience.

    Effective SEO

    The secret sauce for ranking on search engines is optimizing content for SEO. It is about improving your content for both users and search engines. Buzzfeed’s mobile content optimization is a masterclass – short, engaging, and purposefully designed to attract the attention of both users and search engine algorithms.

    To overcome these obstacles, a thorough mobile-first link-building strategy is required. Consider the specific elements of mobile search and user behavior. Link builders can ensure that their efforts contribute to good SEO and better mobile user experiences by adapting to the mobile-first context.

    Inadequate Navigation System

    The difficulty of failing navigation elements is akin to exploring without signposts. Many websites’ mobile navigation features are not efficient for mobile users. Small buttons, a lot of options, poor placement, and a lack of responsiveness are some common problems.

    Solution- To address this, perform a full audit of your mobile site’s navigation, ensuring that every part is easily accessible. TED has simplified mobile navigation, making it easy for viewers to find and engage with their content.

    Slow Sites Never Win

    In the mobile-first era, speed is everything. Users won’t put up with a slow website. They bounce back to the other page. This might not concern you in words, but your conversion rate drops at a high speed when this happens.

    Solution- Compressing pictures, optimizing browser-cached data, and optimizing code will help to speed up your page. You can use tools like PageSpeed Insights, and Dareboost to check and improve website speed. Consider how Google ensures incredibly fast speed on its mobile site, establishing a benchmark for others to follow.

    Website for Various Devices

    Creating a mixed device structure itself is a challenge. Make sure your site looks great on a variety of screen sizes and resolutions. Netflix successfully navigates this complication by providing a uniform and visually appealing experience across a wide range of devices.

    Solution- The best solution is to opt for a responsive web theme. You can find free templates or create your responsive website on free platforms like BootstrapMade, and Colorlib. Also, ChatGPT if you know how to give the exact prompts.

    Mobile-First Content Creation

    It might be difficult to create content that appeals to mobile consumers while being relevant. Aim for a good balance of interesting visual and informative content. HubSpot achieves this balance, giving essential data without affecting the user experience.

    To create engaging content for mobile users, focus on being concise, using rich imagery, and making it personal. Also, make sure to use mobile-friendly platforms and track performance.

    Content Localization for Mobile Users

    Because mobile searches frequently contain local intent, it is critical to customize your content to specific regions. TripAdvisor does a good job in this area. It gives recommendations based on where the user is, which makes it more useful and engaging.

    Solution– Through the use of a location-based API, you can access the user’s location and customize the content according to the region. Try Google Maps Geolocation API. It offers a free version that offers the most – 2500 daily requests.

    Mobile-First Indexing

    Takeaway

    • Error – Key navigation elements sometimes vanish on mobile devices, frustrating users. (Missing Links and Mega-Menu Chaos)
    • Tip – Instead of eliminating linked widgets, consider shifting them to the bottom of the page

    To save screen space, try new ideas like tabs, carousels, and expandable sections

    • Error- Deep linking on mobile devices might be problematic, making it tough to direct users
    • Tip- Instead of crowded mega-menus, use breadcrumbs, contextual links, and internal search functionality for seamless navigation
    • Error- Problem with Navigating the Mobile Linking
    • Tip- Update navigation features and deep linking systems to be mobile-first-friendly

    Effective mobile link-building requires updating features rather than deleting them to improve user experience and engagement.

    Since you’re armed with the knowledge, it’s time to work your link-building game in the mobile-first index era. Share the errors you’re facing while working with mobile-first indexing. Let’s resolve it for you!

    FAQs

    What is mobile-first indexing?

    Google’s Mobile-First Indexing is like putting more importance on a website’s mobile version when deciding how high it should appear in search results. This is because lots of people use phones to browse the internet. To do well in searches, websites need to make sure their mobile version works well and looks good.

    The challenges in mobile-first link-building are Inadequate Navigation Systems, Slow Sites, Websites for Various Devices, Mobile-First Content Creation, and Content Localization for Mobile Users.

    How long does it take for Google to index a site?

    Google takes as little as 4 days and up to 6 months to crawl or index a site.

  • Dropshipping vs. Traditional Retail: Why Online Business Owners Are Switching

    The shift in the way businesses are run has become evident in recent years. The rise of e-commerce has led entrepreneurs to abandon retail in favor of dropshipping. So, what exactly is dropshipping, and why are online business owners so drawn to it? As you continue reading this post, we will delve into the world of dropshipping and explore the reasons behind its growing popularity.

    Understanding Dropshipping
    The Appeal of Dropshipping Over Traditional Retail
    Easy to Get Started
    Scalable
    Minimized Risk and Overhead Costs
    Vast Product Selection
    Why Choose Dropshipping?

    Understanding Dropshipping

    Dropshipping is a business model that involves retailers not holding any inventory. Instead, when a customer places an order, the retailer purchases the item from a third-party supplier who handles shipping to the customer. This means that retailers don’t have to deal with product handling or worry about storing items in warehouses; instead, they can just wait for the orders of the best dropshipping products to be placed.

    The Appeal of Dropshipping Over Traditional Retail

    Initial Investment

    One primary reason for business owners’ shift towards dropshipping is the minimal initial investment required. In retail, entrepreneurs often have to invest large amounts of money upfront to purchase inventory. This not only ties up their funds but also carries the risk of unsold products.

    Dropshipping Eliminates the Need for Inventory Investment

    Since the retailer only buys products when a customer places an order, they can use the customer’s payment to fulfill that order. This approach allows them to start their business with lower financial risk.

    Easy to Get Started

    Establishing a business can be a complex and time-consuming process. Entrepreneurs must find suppliers, negotiate prices, handle shipping logistics, and manage inventory. All of these tasks require an amount of time, effort, and expertise.

    Dropshipping simplifies this process significantly. Entrepreneurs can swiftly set up a store using e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. They can then source the best items to dropship from suppliers who take care of inventory and shipping logistics. This enables entrepreneurs to concentrate on marketing and expanding their business without getting overwhelmed by details.

    Scalable

    Scalability is an important aspect of any business, and dropshipping offers remarkable growth potential. Traditional retail expansion often entails opening locations or investing in larger warehouses, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In contrast, dropshipping is highly scalable.

    Online retailers have the advantage of expanding their product offerings and reaching an audience without worrying about inventory or physical stores. This flexibility empowers entrepreneurs to grow their businesses rapidly, exploring markets and niches effortlessly.

    Minimized Risk and Overhead Costs

    Traditional retail poses risks and overhead costs. Retailers need to predict demand, purchase inventory in bulk, manage storage space, and handle shipping logistics. In case of a decrease in demand or shifts in market trends, retailers may end up with surplus inventory, leading to losses.

    Dropshipping eliminates the risk of carrying inventory. As products are purchased after receiving orders, retailers can promptly adapt to changes in demand and market trends. Moreover, dropshipping significantly reduces costs associated with retail, like rent, utilities, and staffing. This allows online business owners to operate efficiently while focusing on generating profits.

    Vast Product Selection

    An important advantage of dropshipping is the ability to offer a range of products without the need for inventory investment or storage space concerns. Traditional retailers often face limitations due to shelf space, which compels them to be selective when choosing products based on predicted demand.

    Dropshipping is a method that enables retailers to showcase a range of products without being limited by physical constraints. They can easily source products from suppliers, providing customers with a selection. This results in customer satisfaction and encourages repeat business.

    Why Choose Dropshipping?

    For business owners, the decision to switch from retail to dropshipping often boils down to the numerous advantages offered by this model. Lower initial investment, easy setup process, scalability, reduced risk and overhead costs, and a wider range of products are all reasons for making the switch.

    Dropshipping presents entrepreneurs with an opportunity to establish and expand businesses without dealing with the drawbacks and limitations associated with traditional retail. With the growth of e-commerce, it’s no surprise that more and more online business owners are opting for dropshipping as their business model.

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  • The Power of Transparent Communication Within Your Team

    Communication is crucial in any team or organization to achieve success. Open communication promotes trust, fosters collaboration, and strengthens relationships within the team. It enables team members to express their thoughts, concerns, and ideas, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving. Moreover, transparent communication encourages accountability and ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards a shared objective.

    In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of communication within your team and how it can benefit your organization.

    Establishing Trust and Nurturing Relationships
    Enhancing Collaboration and Decision-Making
    Promoting Accountability
    Boosting Engagement and Employee Satisfaction
    Creating a Culture of Transparency

    Establishing Trust and Nurturing Relationships

    Open internal communication in an organization builds trust among team members. When individuals are transparent and honest in their interactions, it creates an environment where others feel safe to do the same. This trust facilitates collaboration as team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of judgment or negative consequences.

    Moreover, when trust is established, it strengthens relationships within the team. Team members feel valued and acknowledged when their opinions are heard and respected. This fosters a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

    Enhancing Collaboration and Decision-Making

    Transparent communication greatly enhances collaboration within the team. When team members openly share their thoughts and perspectives, it leads to a grasp of the task at hand. This diversity in thinking can spark solutions and enhance decision-making.

    Transparent communication among team members helps in addressing conflicts and misunderstandings. It allows teammates to openly discuss their differences, find ground, and come up with beneficial solutions. This collaborative approach prevents conflicts from escalating and promotes teamwork.

    Moreover, transparent communication improves the quality of decision-making within the team. When all team members have access to information and are encouraged to express their opinions, it results in informed decisions. Different viewpoints and expertise are taken into account while minimizing the chances of overlooking factors.

    Promoting Accountability

    Transparent communication fosters accountability within the team. By communicating about progress, challenges, and achievements, everyone becomes aware of each other’s responsibilities and commitments. This shared understanding facilitates coordination and enables work towards shared goals.

    Through discussions regarding expectations, deadlines, and deliverables, team members can hold each other accountable for their actions. Clear and open communication is essential for avoiding misunderstandings and maintaining clarity in tracking progress.

    Boosting Engagement and Employee Satisfaction

    Transparent communication plays a vital role in enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction within a team. When team members feel that their thoughts and ideas are valued, they are more likely to contribute and take ownership of their work. This sense of involvement and empowerment leads to job satisfaction and a stronger commitment to achieving the team’s goals.

    Transparent communication also enables leaders to provide feedback and recognition. Regular, honest feedback on performance allows team members to grow and improve. Open communication facilitates acknowledgment of accomplishments, reinforcing behaviors, and motivating team members to continue performing at their best.

    Creating a Culture of Transparency

    Establishing a culture of communication requires efforts from both leaders and team members. Here are some practical steps to promote communication within your team:

    1. Lead by example: Leaders should demonstrate communication by being approachable, open-minded, and receptive to feedback.

    2. Encourage listening: Team members should actively listen to one another, showing respect for opinions while displaying genuine interest in what others have to say.

    3. Keep the team updated regularly: It’s essential to provide updates on the progress, milestones, and challenges of the project. By communicating these updates, we ensure that everyone is well-informed and aligned.

    4. Create a space for communication: It’s important to establish an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fearing judgment or negative consequences.

    5. Establish channels of communication: Define the appropriate communication channels for different types of interactions. Encourage face-to-face meetings, video conferences, and collaborative tools to facilitate efficient communication.

    Conclusion

    In summary, transparent communication holds the potential to transform team dynamics and drive success. By building trust, enhancing collaboration, fostering accountability, and boosting engagement levels, transparent communication cultivates a productive team atmosphere. Embrace transparent communication within your team to unlock its capabilities.

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  • Fostering Innovation: How Engagement Firms Ignite Creativity

    In today’s highly competitive business landscape, innovation serves as the driving force behind success—companies that fail to innovate risk falling and losing their edge in the market. To stay ahead of the game, numerous organizations are turning to firms for assistance in cultivating innovation within their teams. These firms enhance employee engagement and establish a culture that ignites creativity.

    However, achieving this goal requires the right tools. This is where the best employee engagement software comes into play. In this blog post, let’s take a journey and delve into how engagement firms spark innovation and why they play a role in the triumph of businesses with the assistance of top-notch employee engagement software.

    Establishing an Innovative Culture
    Promoting Collaboration and Idea Sharing
    Empowering Employees and Cultivating Creativity
    Recognizing and Rewarding Innovation
    Tracking and Evaluating Innovation

    Establishing an Innovative Culture

    Engagement firms foster innovation by aiding organizations in creating a culture that embraces and supports new ideas. They collaborate with leadership teams to establish a vision and mission that aligns with their goals. Through employee surveys, focus groups, and workshops, these firms identify organizational innovation obstacles and devise strategies to overcome them.

    One significant obstacle to innovation is the fear of failure. Engagement firms contribute by fostering an environment where employees feel at ease taking risks and exploring avenues. They promote a growth mindset, encouraging employees to see failure as an opportunity for learning rather than as a setback.

    This change in mindset enables employees to take calculated risks and think creatively, resulting in the development of solutions.

    Promoting Collaboration and Idea Sharing

    Companies that prioritize employee engagement also understand the significance of collaboration in fostering innovation. They create programs and initiatives that encourage employees from various departments and backgrounds to work together. By breaking down barriers and facilitating the exchange of ideas, these companies inspire creativity and embrace perspectives.

    These companies may arrange innovation workshops, hackathons, or brainstorming sessions where employees can collaborate to solve challenges or explore opportunities. By providing spaces for collaboration and challenging hierarchies, these initiatives foster a sense of ownership and engagement among employees, ultimately leading to innovative thinking.

    Empowering Employees and Cultivating Creativity

    Another essential aspect of nurturing innovation is empowering employees and nurturing their abilities. Companies that prioritize employee engagement offer training and development programs designed to enhance employees’ creative thinking skills. These programs may include workshops on problem-solving techniques, brainstorming methods, or design thinking approaches. By equipping employees with the tools they need to think, these companies create an environment for innovation.

    Moreover, these engaged companies emphasize autonomy and encourage employees to take ownership of their work. Engagement companies facilitate the creation of frameworks that empower employees to take ownership of their projects and explore ideas without supervision. By granting employees the freedom and autonomy to pursue their ideas, these companies nurture a culture of innovation where creativity can thrive.

    Recognizing and Rewarding Innovation

    To sustain an environment that encourages innovation, it is crucial to acknowledge and reward ideas and efforts. Engagement companies assist organizations in developing systems for rewards and recognition that incentivize innovation. These programs may include incentives, public acknowledgment, or opportunities for career growth. By appreciating and celebrating innovation, engagement companies motivate employees to continue thinking outside the box and generating solutions.

    Tracking and Evaluating Innovation

    Lastly, engagement companies play a role in tracking and evaluating organizational innovation. They aid in establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics that enable quantification and assessment of outcomes. Through monitoring progress and evaluating the impact of innovation initiatives, engagement companies allow organizations to refine their strategies and continually enhance their abilities for thinking.

    Conclusion

    Engagement companies are instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation within organizations. They promote collaboration by breaking down barriers while empowering employees to think through training programs and initiatives. These companies provide the tools and resources for nurturing creativity among employees.

    They also create systems of rewards and programs for recognition that encourage innovation and allow for the tracking and measurement of its effects. In a business environment, engagement companies play a role as partners for organizations seeking to stay ahead of the game and foster innovation.

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  • Skill Proficiency: Unveiling the Science Behind Assessment Software

    Staying ahead of the competition in today’s fast-paced society necessitates growth and development. Whether you are a student, professional, or business owner, refining your skills is crucial for success. The good news is that technological advancements have made it easier than ever to evaluate and enhance your abilities.

    Skills assessment tool software has emerged as a helping hand for individuals and organizations, offering a scientific approach to gauging skill proficiency. Let’s delve into the principles underpinning assessment software and how it can help you unlock your potential.

    Understanding Skill Proficiency
    The Science Behind Assessment Software
    1. Standardization
    2. Reliability
    3. Validity
    4. Adaptive Testing

    Advantages of Assessment Software
    1. Objectivity
    2. Efficiency
    3. Personalized Feedback
    4. Continuous Improvement

    Understanding Skill Proficiency

    Before delving into the intricacies of assessment software, it’s essential to grasp the concept of skill proficiency. Skill proficiency refers to reaching expertise in a skill or field. It encompasses practice, feedback, and targeted learning efforts. While some individuals may have innate talent in a few areas, mastery is attainable for anyone to invest effort.

    Traditionally, skill proficiency was evaluated using performance appraisals or self-assessments. While these approaches may offer insights, they lack the objectivity and precision provided by assessment software.

    The Science Behind Assessment Software

    Assessment software utilizes validated methods to gauge and assess an individual’s skill level. It relies on principles of psychology and statistical analysis to deliver precise outcomes. Let’s delve into some of the aspects and scientific principles that underpin assessment software:

    1. Standardization

    Assessment software follows an approach ensuring consistency and fairness in the evaluation process. Tests are specifically designed to measure skills or competencies, enabling comparisons between individuals. This standardization is vital for establishing a baseline and tracking progress over time.

    2. Reliability

    The reliability of assessment software is a crucial factor. Reliability denotes the consistency of results when administering the test times. Through testing and data analysis, developers of assessment software ensure that their tools produce outcomes. This instills confidence in individuals and organizations regarding the accuracy of the assessments.

    3. Validity

    Validity is another vital element in assessment software. It refers to how a test measures what it claims to measure. Software developers validate their assessments by comparing results with established criteria or expert judgments, guaranteeing that the reviews offer insights into an individual’s abilities.

    4. Adaptive Testing

    Numerous assessment software platforms utilize testing algorithms. These algorithms can dynamically adjust the difficulty of questions based on a person’s responses. This adaptive testing approach tailors the assessment to match an individual’s skill level, resulting in an efficient evaluation process.

    Advantages of Assessment Software

    Now that we have an understanding of how assessment software works let’s explore the benefits it offers:

    1. Objectivity

    Assessment software eliminates the nature that’s often present in traditional evaluation methods. The results are based on data and validated measures ensuring an objective assessment of an individual’s skills. This objectivity promotes fairness and eliminates biases, allowing comparison among individuals.

    2. Efficiency

    Traditional evaluation methods can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Assessment software simplifies the assessment process by automating administration, scoring, and analysis tasks. This saves time and effort for individuals and organizations, making it an efficient solution.

    3. Personalized Feedback

    One of the features of assessment software is its ability to provide detailed feedback. Upon completing an assessment, individuals receive reports highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This feedback allows for learning and enables individuals to focus their efforts on the most important sites.

    4. Continuous Improvement

    Assessment software empowers individuals to monitor their progress over time. Through self-assessment, individuals can identify areas where they can improve and set goals. This mindset of improvement is crucial for staying competitive and adapting to changing demands.

    Conclusion

    Assessment software offers an approach to mastering skills. By utilizing assessments, psychometric principles, and advanced algorithms, it provides reliable and efficient evaluations. Whether you’re a student aiming for excellence, a professional seeking career growth, or a business owner looking to develop a performing workforce assessment, this software can be an invaluable tool in your journey toward skill mastery. Embrace the nature of assessment software and unlock your full potential today.

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  • Finding the Perfect Mentor: 4 Key Considerations to Keep in Mind

    Finding the right mentor or coach for your small business can almost feel like searching for the right life partner. If you’re among the lucky ones to have stumbled upon the right mentor, it can be the start of a beautiful venture; if not, then it can result in a tormenting experience.

    A mentor is an expert or seasoned professional who guides and provides valuable insight to a company to reach its goals. Coaching comes at a much later stage and takes a more hands-off, consultative, and introspective approach to business leadership.

    Providing the right mentorship to your company can make or break your career. Many young entrepreneurs will vouch for this. A survey conducted by Springboard India in 2020 found that 48% of professionals struggled to find a mentor for their careers. Another survey of over 200 entrepreneurs conducted by the Bangalore Chapter of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) in 2022 showed that 56% of entrepreneurs felt connecting with the right mentor was a major struggle.

    StartupTalky lists four important aspects to keep in mind in your search for the right mentor:

    Know Your Problem Well
    Network Online & Offline
    Two-Way Street
    Entrepreneurial Platforms

    Know Your Problem Well

    Knowing the problem areas of the company will help in zeroing down on a mentor faster.

    “Ideally, the need should be clear about why one is looking out for a mentor. At times, entrepreneurs think a mentor will not enable them but rather do the execution on their behalf. We try to see what is the long-term value that the mentor will give to the company and what is the expertise that the mentor will get,” said Manas Pal from Pedal Start, a Gurugram-based start-up accelerator.

    At times, a company may need the services of more than one mentor. Just like specialist doctors, a business requires different mentors for more perspective on each of its verticals.

    “A mentor or a coach will guide the organization to the goal that they are looking at. Mentors need to be able to help the company in two to three aspects of the business,” said Ayush Lohia, founder of Lohia Auto.

    Network Online & Offline

    Social media has brought the ‘class’ walls crashing down, making business personalities far more accessible to common folk than earlier. Many budding entrepreneurs recognize this and reach out to mentors through social media such as LinkedIn and Instagram.

    However, the proof is in the pitch, expert coaches say.

    “You just have to look at all possible options, tap into all possibilities, and make the effort to reach the right mentor. It could be on LinkedIn; it could be Google Search. My recommendation is that you prepare a good pitch. Reach out to them; you will be surprised. Some of these celebrity professionals will revert. Many want to help as they want to contribute by giving back to the ecosystem,” said Subash CV, executive leadership coach at Regal Unlimited.

    Two-Way Street

    Once you’ve managed to connect with the right person to mentor or coach the company, it is important to lay down a formal structure for mentoring.

    “If a company does not have the financial capability to pay the fees, then there should be something else in it. If both parties are not gaining, you will never get the best outcome out of it. It could be in the form of a small equity or it could be an arrangement that has financial implications and growth,” said Nasir Shaikh, motivational speaker and life coach.

    A number of angel investors in India also provide mentorship while also raising funds for startups, such as Angel Investor India and 100x.VC, to name a few.

    Entrepreneurial Platforms

    At times, reaching out to a concerned person or authority may prove to be difficult, even on social media. In this case, a number of industry groups and organizations have platforms where they connect startups with industry professionals.

    “If they have the appetite to go ahead and move ahead, they should probably seek support from such networks rather than directly reaching out to them. We onboarded a lot of mentors because these industry leaders have so many people reaching out to them on social media, but they are not sure about the company. Or even if they connected, the company couldn’t understand the advice that they were giving. So we offered to filter out the right companies,” said Pal from Pedal Start.

    The Government of India’s flagship initiative—Startup India—has its own mentoring platform, wherein experts can be reached. A number of state governments, such as Kerala and Telangana, have initiatives to support startups. TiE’s entrepreneurship programs also support and mentor small businesses.

    Conclusion

    Finding a mentor might become a tad easier once an entrepreneur is aware of the problems plaguing the company. Reaching out to an expert in that field is also easy in a world that is increasingly becoming virtual. It’s best to be informed about the initiatives that various government agencies and industry bodies have to foster mentoring so the startup journey becomes smooth.

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  • Your Ultimate Black Friday Facebook Ads Strategies

    Facebook, no matter how dead it gets is a powerful, powerful tool for businesses. No denying that. No matter how many of us don’t care about our feeds and pictures every day on this platform we still care about what goes into the platform and that’s everything that is needed to constitute the perfect recipe for businesses around the globe to succeed. Facebook ads, further add to this narrative. The right ads function, grow, and deliver – rising on key occasions. Black Friday is one of the biggest opportunities for eCommerce brands to make their mark and maximize their results. With competition becoming fiercer each year, it’s crucial to have a well-endowed strategy in place to stand out and make the most of this shopping extravaganza.

    In this article, we will explore the ultimate Black Friday Facebook ads strategy that will help you navigate through the challenges and make the most of the opportunities presented during this highly competitive period. We will also showcase some kickass examples of successful Black Friday Facebook ads to provide you with inspiration for your own campaigns.

    Preparing for Black Friday: The Importance of Warm Audiences
    The Pre-Black Friday Campaign: Building Anticipation
    The Black Friday Weekend: Focusing on Custom Audiences
    Post-Black Friday: Leveraging the Pre-Holiday Period
    The Holiday Season: Maximizing Clearance Sales and New Year Deals
    Setting the Right Budget for Black Friday Facebook Ads
    Freshen Up Your Creatives: The Power of Compelling Visuals
    Making an Offer They Can’t Refuse: Crafting Irresistible Deals
    Leveraging Social Proof: Reusing Engaging Posts and UGC
    Facebook & Google Black Friday Activity: Advertising on Both Platforms

    Preparing for Black Friday: The Importance of Warm Audiences

    To maximize your results during Black Friday, it’s crucial to focus on your warm audiences. These are the people who are already familiar with your brand and have shown some level of interest or engagement. Building and nurturing these warm audiences throughout the year will significantly enhance your chances of success during the Black Friday period. By consistently running Facebook ads throughout the year, you can build custom audiences based on various criteria such as website visitors, Facebook and Instagram engagement, video views, and customers. These custom audiences are likely to be your highest-performing ads during the Black Friday weekend and the period leading up to it.

    Analyzing a decade of Facebook ads data has revealed that Facebook ads are twice as expensive during the actual Black Friday weekend. This is due to tougher competition and higher budgets from other brands. To combat this, it’s crucial to start your Black Friday campaign well in advance. We recommend starting your Black Friday campaign on November 1st. This will allow you to profit for more than three weeks leading up to the Black Friday weekend. While it’s still important to advertise during the Black Friday weekend, we recommend dropping your budgets and expectations slightly during this time.

    To achieve optimal results, we recommend following a strategic timeline for your Black Friday Facebook ads campaign:

    • Anticipation (starting two weeks before November): The goal during this period is to create build-up and build your email list. Consider running lead-generation Facebook ads to attract potential customers and capture their contact information.
    • Pre-Black Friday (November 1st to Black Friday): This is the time to keep spending on Facebook ads to drive return on ad spend (ROAS) and create your Black Friday promotions. Consider creating gift guides or bundles to entice customers.
    • Black Friday Weekend (BFCM): During this period, focus on your custom audiences, such as email lists, clients, website visitors, and social media engagers. Offer a steep discount that is automatically applied at checkout to encourage immediate conversions.
    • Pre-Holiday (right after the BFCM weekend until December 23rd): Change up your promotions during this period with offers like buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals, Christmas gift packages, or any other creative ideas you have.
    • Holiday (from Christmas to New Year’s Eve): This is the time to drop your clearance sales and offer special deals related to New Year’s resolutions. Don’t forget to consider special promotions for Boxing Day in Canada.

    Remember, the planning for your Black Friday Facebook ads campaign starts well before the actual weekend. It’s essential to create a game plan on paper, whether it’s a sketch, a spreadsheet, or a Google Docs document. Having a roadmap will ensure that you are fully prepared and able to execute your campaign effectively.

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    The Pre-Black Friday Campaign: Building Anticipation

    The pre-Black Friday campaign is a crucial phase that sets the stage for a successful Black Friday weekend. During this period, your goal is to create anticipation and build your email list. It’s an excellent opportunity to engage with potential customers and capture their contact information for future marketing efforts.

    Consider running lead-generation Facebook ads to attract potential customers and entice them to provide their email addresses in exchange for valuable content or exclusive offers. Lead generation ads can help you build a targeted email list, which will be instrumental during the Black Friday weekend. Additionally, this period is an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand and products, generating buzz and excitement among your target audience. Consider running ads that highlight your best-selling products, customer testimonials, or any other engaging content that aligns with your brand and captures the attention of potential customers.

    With the right buildup of anticipation and nurturing your audience in the weeks leading up to Black Friday, you can create a sense of excitement and exclusivity, increasing the likelihood of conversions when the big day arrives.

    The Black Friday Weekend: Focusing on Custom Audiences

    The Black Friday weekend is the pinnacle of your Black Friday Facebook ads campaign. During this period, it’s crucial to focus on your custom audiences, as they are most likely to convert and provide a higher return on ad spend (ROAS). Custom audiences include individuals who have already shown interest in your brand or have engaged with your website, social media pages, or previous ads. These audiences are more likely to be interested in your Black Friday promotions and are therefore more likely to convert.

    To leverage your custom audiences effectively, consider running ads that specifically target these groups. Craft compelling ad copy and creative visuals that resonate with your custom audiences and highlight the discounts and promotions exclusive to Black Friday. Furthermore, it’s essential to offer a steep discount that is automatically applied at checkout. This streamlined process reduces friction and encourages customers to complete their purchases without hesitation.

    Post-Black Friday: Leveraging the Pre-Holiday Period

    After the Black Friday weekend, it’s essential to continue leveraging your momentum and capitalizing on the holiday shopping season. The pre-holiday period, immediately following the Black Friday weekend until December 23rd, presents additional opportunities to drive sales and engage with your audience. During this period, consider changing up your promotions to keep your audience engaged and interested. You can offer buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deals, Christmas gift packages, or any other creative offers that align with your brand and resonate with your target audience.

    Keep in mind that the focus of your promotions may shift slightly from the intense discounts of the Black Friday weekend to more value-driven offers that cater to the holiday season. Consider packaging your products as gift sets or offering special holiday-themed bundles to entice customers. Additionally, you can leverage the holiday spirit by running ads that evoke emotions and capture the season’s essence. Incorporate festive imagery, heartwarming stories, and messages that resonate with your audience’s holiday aspirations and desires. Remember to continually monitor your campaign performance and make data-driven decisions based on the metrics that matter most to your business. Adjust your budget, creative assets, and targeting strategies accordingly to ensure maximum return on your advertising investment.

    The Holiday Season: Maximizing Clearance Sales and New Year Deals

    As the holiday season progresses, it’s important to adapt your promotions and offers to align with the changing consumer mindset. From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, you can focus on maximizing clearance sales and offering special deals related to New Year’s resolutions. During this period, customers are often looking for last-minute gifts, post-holiday bargains, and opportunities to start the new year on a fresh note. Tailor your promotions to cater to these needs and expectations and highlight the value and savings your products can offer during this time.

    Consider offering clearance sales on remaining holiday inventory, providing discounts on products that are perfectly suited for New Year’s resolutions, or bundling products together to create attractive packages at a reduced price. Don’t forget to capitalize on regional-specific holidays such as Boxing Day in Canada. Adapt your promotions to cater to these specific markets and leverage the cultural significance of these holidays to drive additional sales.

    Setting the Right Budget for Black Friday Facebook Ads

    Setting the right budget for your Black Friday Facebook ads campaign is crucial to ensure you can reach your target audience effectively and achieve your desired results. It’s important to allocate a sufficient budget to each phase of your campaign and adjust it based on your goals and performance.

    We recommend spending a minimum of ₹1500 or $25 per day on your Facebook ads during the Black Friday period. However, to truly maximize your results and stay competitive, an ideal budget of more than ₹7000 or $100 per day is recommended, depending upon your geographic location. It is important to keep in mind that the cost per conversion for Facebook ads during the Black Friday period tends to increase due to the higher competition and increased advertising budgets from other brands. The cost per conversion can vary depending on your industry, target audience, and the specific products or services you offer.

    To exit the learning phase and achieve optimal results, it’s crucial to be more aggressive with your budget. Investing more in your advertising efforts can help you reach a larger audience, increase your visibility, and ultimately drive more conversions and sales. Additionally, it’s important to consider the bidding system on Facebook. On Facebook, you bid for impressions, and the highest bidder gets the highest quality impressions and sales. During the Black Friday weekend, ad costs tend to increase significantly as big brands put forth higher bids, making it essential to build up your custom audiences before the actual event.

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    Freshen Up Your Creatives: The Power of Compelling Visuals

    In the world of Facebook advertising, creative visuals play a crucial role in capturing the attention of your audience and driving engagement. During the Black Friday period, when competition is fierce and consumers are bombarded with ads, it’s essential to stand out with compelling and visually appealing creatives. When creating your Black Friday Facebook ads, consider the following tips to freshen up your creatives and make them more engaging:

    • Variety: Use a variety of ad formats to keep your audience engaged. Experiment with in-feed video ads, in-feed image ads, carousel ads, instant experience ads, slideshow ads, and catalog ads. Each format offers unique opportunities to showcase your products and entice your audience.
    • High-quality visuals: Ensure that your visuals are of high quality and visually appealing. Use high-resolution images or videos that showcase your products in the best possible light. Pay attention to details such as lighting, composition, and colors to create visually stunning ads.
    • Storytelling: Use your creatives to tell a story and evoke emotions in your audience. Craft a narrative that aligns with your brand and resonates with your target audience. Consider using lifestyle shots, influencer content, or user-generated content to create compelling narratives that capture attention.
    • Branding: Incorporate your brand’s logo, colors, and fonts into your creatives to create a cohesive and recognizable visual identity. Consistency in branding helps build trust and recognition among your audience.
    • Clear messaging: Keep your messaging focused and concise. Highlight the key benefits, promotions, or discounts in your ad copy to ensure that your audience understands the value proposition of your offer.

    Remember to create multiple creatives and test them to identify the top-performing ad. Monitor the performance of your creatives and make data-driven decisions to optimize your ads throughout the campaign.

    Making an Offer They Can’t Refuse: Crafting Irresistible Deals

    One of the most critical elements of a successful Black Friday Facebook ads campaign is crafting irresistible offers that your audience simply can’t refuse. To stand out in a sea of promotions, it’s essential to provide significant value and discounts that entice your audience to take action.

    When creating your offers, consider the following strategies:

    • Discounts: Offer significant discounts on your products or services to incentivize purchases. A minimum discount of 20% off site-wide is recommended, although higher discounts may yield better results.
    • Bundle deals: Create bundle deals that combine multiple products or services at a reduced price. This strategy not only increases the average order value but also provides additional value to your customers.
    • Limited-time offers: Create a sense of urgency by making your offers available for a limited time only. Highlight the time-sensitive nature of your promotions in your ad copy to encourage immediate action.
    • Automatic discounts: Streamline the purchasing process by automatically applying discounts at checkout. This reduces friction and eliminates the need for customers to remember and enter coupon codes.
    • Gift with purchase: Offer gifts, samples, or exclusive bonuses with qualifying purchases. This strategy adds value to the offer and creates an additional incentive for customers to buy.
    • Exclusive access: Provide exclusive access to certain products, deals, or promotions for a select group of customers. This creates a sense of exclusivity and rewards loyalty.
    Neutrogena Offering free Samples in the Black Friday Beauty Buys
    Neutrogena Offering free Samples in the Black Friday Beauty Buys

    As a business owner, feel free to test different offers and monitor their performance to identify the most effective ones for your audience. Analyze the data and make data-driven decisions to optimize your offers and drive maximum conversions.

    Leveraging Social Proof: Reusing Engaging Posts and UGC

    Social proof is a powerful tool in driving conversions and building trust among your audience. By showcasing positive reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content (UGC), you can demonstrate the value and quality of your products or services, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

    One strategy for leveraging social proof in your Black Friday Facebook ads is to reuse engaging posts that have generated significant engagement. Take advantage of the likes, comments, and shares on these posts by transforming them into existing posts and using their IDs in other conversion campaigns. This allows you to preserve the social proof and make your products appear more popular and desirable. Another strategy is to incorporate UGC into your ads. User-generated content is content created by your customers, such as reviews, testimonials, or images of them using your products. UGC adds authenticity and credibility to your ads, as it shows real customers enjoying and benefiting from your products.

    When selecting UGC for your ads, choose content that aligns with your brand and resonates with your target audience. Highlight the positive experiences and benefits that customers have had with your products and ensure that the UGC reflects the diversity and inclusivity of your customer base.

    Facebook & Google Black Friday Activity: Advertising on Both Platforms

    Advertising on both Facebook and Google during the Black Friday period can significantly enhance your reach and maximize your results. Each platform offers unique advantages and targeting options that can complement each other and drive more conversions.

    Facebook ads allow you to target specific audiences based on their demographics, interests, and behaviors. The platform’s advanced targeting capabilities enable you to reach a highly relevant audience and increase the likelihood of conversions. Additionally, Facebook’s creative options and engagement features allow you to create visually appealing ads that capture the attention of your audience. Google Ads, on the other hand, allows you to reach potential customers who are actively searching for products or services related to your business. By targeting specific keywords and bidding on relevant search terms, you can position your ads at the top of Google search results and drive targeted traffic to your website.

    To maximize your results, consider running coordinated campaigns on both platforms. Align your messaging, offers, and creative assets to ensure consistency across your ads. Leverage the strengths of each platform to reach a broader audience and increase your chances of conversions.

    The EASY Way To Create Facebook Ads That Convert (Black Friday Edition)

    Conclusion

    By implementing these suggestions, you can increase the effectiveness of your Black Friday Facebook ads and increase your chances of driving conversions and sales. In a nutshell, your Black Friday Facebook ads campaign requires careful planning, strategic execution, and continuous optimization. By following the ultimate Black Friday Facebook ads strategy outlined by our folks at ST, you can hover through the challenges and maximize the opportunities presented during this highly competitive period. Remember to stay true to your brand, monitor performance data, and make data-driven decisions to ensure a successful campaign. Good luck and happy advertising!

    FAQs

    How does incorporating user-generated content in the Facebook ads help in increasing Black Friday sales?

    User-generated content is content created by your customers, such as reviews, testimonials, or images of them using your products. UGC adds authenticity and credibility to your ads, as it shows real customers enjoying and benefiting from your products.

    What are the tips for creating the Black Friday Facebook ad creatives?

    When creating Black Friday Facebook ads, consider having variety, high-quality visuals, storytelling, branding, and clear messaging to freshen up your creatives and make them more engaging.

    What are the strategies for creating Black Friday Facebook ads offers?

    For creating the Black Friday Facebook offers consider giving discounts, bundle deals, limited-time offers, automatic discounts, gifts with purchase, and exclusive access to your customers.

  • How to Create and Use Facebook Polls

    ​Facebook, a social media platform that appeared some 18 years ago, is now used by nearly three billion users making it the largest social network in the world. This multifaceted invention has significantly affected our lives in many ways.

    Most of us use Facebook, be it in our free time or for business as well. Of course, for its versatile ability, it is a widely used social media platform that offers numerous benefits and utilities for us to explore. From connecting us with our friends and families to sharing our creations like photos, videos, articles, and such, Facebook provides a range of features. Today, Facebook does not only remain as a forum to connect with your loved ones but as a remarkable means for businesses too.

    Facebook offers tools for businesses, organizations, and individuals to create pages and promote their products, services, events, or causes. This helps them reach a wide audience, engage with potential customers, and advertise their offerings through targeted ads. Additionally, it has a feature known as “Facebook Marketplace”, which allows users to buy and sell items locally. It provides a convenient platform for individuals to find and purchase items, as well as sell their own products or second-hand goods.

    Let’s head back to our main topic in this article, Facebook Polls. How can we create and use Facebook polls for business?

    Know What Facebook Polls Are
    How Facebook Polls are Beneficial for Businesses
    How Do We Create Facebook Polls and What Are the Right Ways of Creating One?

    Know What Facebook Polls Are

    Facebook Poll Example
    Facebook Poll Example

    Facebook Polls are a feature on the Facebook platform that allows users to ask questions and gather opinions from their friends, followers, or a specific audience. They are a way to engage with others, spark discussions, and gather insights on various topics. They typically consist of a question and multiple options for users to choose from. Users can vote on the choices that best reflect their opinions or preferences. The results of the poll are displayed in real-time, showing the percentage or number of votes each option has received.

    By now, you know what Facebook polls are, right, but can businesses use them? Absolutely yes! Facebook Polls are a great way to engage with audiences, which will help businesses make strategic decisions, and foster a sense of community.

    How Facebook Polls are Beneficial for Businesses

    Number of Facebook Users Worldwide
    Number of Facebook Users Worldwide

    Businesses are always looking for various ways in which they can attract their customers. Today, the latest trend in digital marketing includes Facebook Polls. A lot of businesses can be seen incorporating polls to create anticipation and excitement around their new product launches, events, or promotions. By involving the audience in the decision-making process or seeking their opinions, businesses can build anticipation and generate buzz, leading to increased engagement and interest.

    Four Key Highlights How Facebook Polls Help Businesses

    • It helps gather customer feedback: Facebook Polls can help businesses collect insightful client feedback. They can inquire about people’s tastes in products, their satisfaction levels, suggestions for new features, or their thoughts on possible business moves. Businesses may use this data to make data-driven choices and enhance their goods and services.
    • It helps with market research: Businesses have the chance to do market research at a reasonable cost, thanks to Facebook polls. They can know about consumer preferences, market trends, or competitive analyses. The feedback gathered through the polls may help organizations improve their marketing strategy and provide insights into consumer wants.
    • It helps with increasing brand visibility: Whenever a user engages in Facebook polls, their activity can be seen by their friends and followers. As a result, this increases the chances of a company’s brand becoming more well-known and accessible. When consumers see their friends participating in a poll from a company, they may be more inclined to learn more about the company and perhaps even buy something.
    • It helps in generating content ideas: Believe it or not, Facebook Polls can help businesses in developing ideas for their business. Through polls, companies can ask their target audience about their preferences. By understanding their preferences, businesses can adjust their content strategy and ensure that the material they produce connects with their target audience.

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    How Do We Create Facebook Polls and What Are the Right Ways of Creating One?

    It is evident from the name Facebook Polls, that it can only be created on the Facebook platform.​ With time, things have changed drastically. Earlier Polls could only be created on personal profiles. Still, now, they can be created and shared on groups, events, stories, and business pages, allowing users to reach different audiences and tailor their polls to specific communities.

    There are four main categories for creating Facebook Polls, this includes:

    • Facebook Polls 0n Business Pages
    • Facebook Polls in Groups
    • Facebook Polls in Stories
    • Facebook Polls in Videos

    Facebook Poll on Business Pages

    Facebook Poll on Business Pages Example
    Facebook Poll on Business Pages Example

    Step 1: The first thing to do is to Log in to your Facebook account that has admin access to the business page.

    Step 2: Go to your business page by clicking on the name or profile picture in the top right corner and selecting the page from the drop-down menu.

    Step 3: On your business page, click on the “Create a post” box, which is usually at the top of the page.

    Step 4: Click on the “…” (three dots) at the bottom right corner of the post box. A drop-down menu will appear. From the drop-down menu, select “Poll.”

    Step 5: Once you have selected “Poll”, go to the “Ask a question…” field. Here think of a question related to your branding, and enter the question you want to ask in the poll.

    Step 6: Click on the “Add a poll option” field to enter the first option for your poll.

    Step 7: For extra options, enter additional poll options by clicking on the “+ Add option” button.

    Step 8: To make it more appealing, you can add photos or GIFs to your poll by clicking on the camera or GIF icons below the poll options.

    Step 9: Now, set the duration for your poll by clicking on the “1-week” drop-down menu and selecting the desired duration.

    Step 10: Optionally, you can click on the toggle switch to allow users to add their own options to the poll.

    Step 11: After carrying out the above steps, the final step is to post it. For this, click on the “Post” button to publish the poll on your business page.

    Please take note that it’s vital to make the poll relevant to your brand and target audience when setting up Facebook Polls on business pages. Any unnecessary content can trigger wrong emotions among your audience and make your brand look giddy. Always consider posting questions about your products, services, customers’ preferences, or market trends. Adjust the poll’s questions and content to reflect the goals and messaging of your brand. While doing all of these, make sure you are sticking to Facebook’s rules and regulations for business pages.

    Facebook Polls in Groups

    Facebook Poll in Groups Example
    Facebook Poll in Groups Example

    Facebook Groups are like a community where you can indulge more with your customers. It gives your customers a more inviting platform, giving them an open space to discuss your brand freely.

    Below are the steps to create polls in groups, which are similar to creating one in pages:

    Step 1: Go to your Facebook Group, where you want to create a poll.

    Step 2: Now locate the text box that says, “Write something…” or “What’s on your mind?” at the top of the group’s feed. Click on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the text box. There, you can find the “Poll” button.

    Step 3: Enter the question you want to ask in the poll in the “Ask a question” space.

    Step 4: After listing the question, put your poll options in the “Add a poll option” field. Followed by, the “+ Add option” button for more options in context to your question.

    Step 5: Similarly to polls in the pages section, you can add images, GIFs, etc. Set your desired duration of the poll by clicking on the “1-week” button.

    Step 6: Once you are satisfied with the poll, you can post it by selecting the “Post” button.

    Facebook Polls in Videos

    Facebook Poll in Videos Example
    Facebook Poll in Videos Example

    Nowadays, a lot of people prefer watching videos, as it is eye-catching and convenient for them to grasp information. However, there is no specific feature by Facebook to create Polls directly on videos yet, but still, you can create videos that include polls to give your audience more attractive content. You can create a poll related to a Facebook video by utilizing the available features and options.

    Step 1: Upload the video on your Facebook Profile: Upload the video you want to share on your Facebook profile, page, or group. You can do this by clicking on the “Photo/Video” option in the post-creation box and selecting the video file from your device.

    Step 2: Add a caption: Write a caption for your video post. In the caption, include the question you want to ask in the poll and provide any necessary context or instructions.

    Step 3: Utilize comments for polling: Instead of creating a formal poll, you can encourage viewers to participate in the poll by commenting with their responses. For example, ask viewers to comment with their preferred option or ask a question related to the video content and ask for opinions or feedback in the comments.

    Step 4: Engage with participants: Engage with viewers who comment on the post. Respond to their comments, acknowledge their opinions, and encourage further discussion.

    Step 5: Keep track of responses: Monitor the comments on the video post and tally the responses manually. You can keep a record of the comments and calculate the number of responses for each option.

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    Facebook Polls in Stories

    Facebook Poll in Stories Example
    Facebook Poll in Stories Example

    The most fun way of engaging with your audience is through stories. By keeping content short and sweet, Facebook Stories has proved to be one of the best tools in digital marketing that delivers precision. There are over 250 million users, who use Facebook Stories almost every day, and what is the best way for businesses to raise their brand awareness?

    Here’s how you can create a Facebook Poll in Stories:

    Step 1: Open the Facebook app on your mobile device, tap on the camera icon at the top-left corner of the screen, or swipe right on your News Feed to open the camera. Take a photo or video for your Story, or you can choose an existing photo/video from your gallery by swiping up.

    Step 2: Once you have the content ready, scroll through the available options and look for the Poll sticker. It has a square shape with a question mark inside. Tap on the Poll sticker to add it to your Story.

    Step 3: Edit the Poll sticker by typing the question you want to ask in the “Ask a question” field. Then customize the poll options by filling in the “Yes” and “No” fields with your desired options. You can also tap on the options to edit the text.

    Step 4: If desired, you can add additional stickers, text, or drawings to your Story before posting it.

    Step 5: The last step is to tap on the “Your Story” button or the Send button (direct message icon) to share it with your followers, and congratulations, you have created a poll on your Facebook Stories.

    While Facebook Polls can be an excellent tool to grow your business, it is also essential to take note of a few things. Consider the following tips to make it more effective:

    • Ensure that your poll question is easy to understand and doesn’t require too much explanation. Make it concise so that your audience can quickly grasp the options and provide their responses.
    • Provide options that cover different perspectives or choices related to the question. It is always better to offer meaningful and relevant options.
    • Too many options can overwhelm users and make the poll less effective. It is wise to stick to a reasonable number of options, typically between 2 and 5, to keep the poll focused and manageable.
    • Select a duration that allows sufficient time for participants to see and respond to your poll. Avoid setting it too short, as it may limit participation.
    • Try making it visually appealing. Add relevant visuals, such as images or GIFs, which will enhance the visual appeal of your poll and make it more engaging.

    The Bottom Line

    Whenever you’re creating a Facebook Poll, consider the rules and guidelines that are mentioned in Facebook’s policies. Through Facebook Polls, companies can understand their customer preferences, enabling them to tailor their content strategy accordingly, ensuring they create content that resonates with their target audience. Additionally, polls show what your audience thinks of you and how well you’re connected with them.

    FAQs

    How do I create a Facebook poll with multiple options?

    You can add your questions and options by clicking the poll icon, which will take you back to the “create a post” box. Clicking “+Add Option” will allow you to add other potential solutions. To enable/disable users from selecting multiple replies, use the “Poll Options” feature.

    Are Facebook polls anonymous?

    No, Facebook polls are not anonymous. When you vote in a poll, the person who created it and anyone else who votes in it will be able to see your answer.

    Do people still use Facebook in 2023?

    Yes, people still use Facebook in 2023. It is still the most popular social media platform globally, with over 2.9 billion monthly active users.​