Tag: 📖 Learning

  • 9 Ways To Improve The Activation Rate For Your SaaS

    Real money or revenue for a SaaS does not lie in customer acquisition. You might get thousands of users signing up and then ghosting away. A user that does not even use the product can not convert anyway. So, where to lay focus at? Activation rate.

    Activation rate is a private metric vital for every SaaS business. Imagine, you have a cap table management tool. A user signs up, goes through the demo, and does not enter a single value in the software. It means the user did not derive any value from the product.

    Every marketer should focus on the activation rate to understand how many people use the product. It involves various steps to determine the activation rate. Firstly, let us see what is the activation rate. Then, we will look at some strategies to enhance the activation rate.

    Activation Rate For Your SaaS

    What is the Activation Rate?
    9 Ways to Optimize the Activation Rate


    Different Stages of SaaS User
    The SaaS customer life cycle can be broken down into three stages – the acquisition, engagement, and retention of your customers.


    What is the Activation Rate?

    How To Improve User Activation
    How To Improve User Activation

    Activation rate is a percentage metric that shows how many users use your product. It depends upon a certain milestone, criteria, or checkpoint.

    For instance, you sign up for a B2B growth hacking webinar. What is the point if you do not check the emails from the company for confirmation or event details? It clearly shows that you will miss this event.

    Similarly, the activation rate focuses on certain milestones to understand if the user is extracting any value from the product. Let us take the example of Trello. It is a project management tool. Activation points could be creating a workspace or adding cards on the board. These checkpoints are unique for every business. You determine the activation milestones of your business by:

    1. Understanding different use cases
    2. Types of the target audience
    3. Identifying minimum steps to achieve the value of the use case

    So, you start by understanding the different use cases of your product. This is followed by different personas to address. Finally, you look for milestones that tell if the user achieved value.

    Taking forward the Trello example, some use cases could be: setting up a personal workspace, using boards for collaborating teams, using multiple boards to segregate departmental work, etc. Personas could be managers, freelancers, small team owners, founders, etc. So, the activation points become:

    1. Setting personal workspace: adding cards, using description/ other fields
    2. Collaborating teams: adding people to the board, adding people to cards, adding descriptions and files
    3. Streamline departmental work: creating multiple boards, adding people, creating tasks and adding people, adding power-ups

    The activation rate directly impacts SaaS growth and revenue. An average activation rate is 20-40% for freemium and free trial products respectively. Below are 10+ ways to optimize the activation rate.


    The Ultimate Growth of SaaS and it’s Effects on the Business Market in India
    Software as a Service is a gift to the digital world. India has been benefited the most from this service. It helps the market grow to an unlimited extent.


    9 Ways to Optimize the Activation Rate

    Ways To Improve Activation Rate
    Ways To Improve Activation Rate

    The main aim of the activation rate is to show the product value to the users. Optimization focuses on improving the onboarding process and engaging users. In a nutshell, it involves providing customer support, seamless onboarding, and lifecycle emails.

    Interactive Workflows

    High Level Architecture Of The Configuration Services In SaaS
    High Level Architecture Of The Configuration Services In SaaS 

    Many SaaS brands opt for product demos or self-service demos in case of complex installation or setup. But there are chances that customers might find the product complex and face a lot of friction. These are great for products with limited functionality and features. But if your product has a lot of elements and features, an interactive workflow or concierge onboarding is effective.

    The interactive workflow involves navigation through screens that work on trigger-based prompts. It is customizable and scalable. Also, with simple targeting and segmentation, you get away with hiring personnel for onboarding.

    Personalization

    Personalization For Improving Customer Experience
    Personalization For Improving Customer Experience

    One time I checked out the HubSpot sales page randomly. The next day, I received an email from their team. They were checking if I needed any products or help to get started. This was relevant, personal, and effective.

    Personalization can improve customer experience. They feel connected and engage with the product. For example, a marketing SaaS product could send personalized resources or recommendations based on user activity. You could either deploy heat maps or activity-based triggers to personalize the user experience.


    How to Improve Customer Experience for SaaS Businesses? (Best Strategies)
    To succeed in the SaaS industry businesses need a well-crafted customer-centric strategy, so here’s a strategy to improve customer experience.


    Dedicated Onboarding Email Series

    SaaS Welcome Email Series Flow To Delight New Customers
    SaaS Welcome Email Series Flow To Delight New Customers

    A dedicated onboarding email series can improve product engagement. You could use this series of emails to welcome users, highlight features, send reminders for trial expiration, and much more. With simple and clear copy, you could communicate the brand story, and USP, get feedback, and set future expectations.

    Also, the onboarding emails have a 50% open rate, 86% higher than regular emails. This means you have a much higher chance to motivate and engage users.

    Case Studies

    SaaS Case Study Examples
    SaaS Case Study Examples

    Case studies can motivate users to use the product to achieve a desirable result like other users.

    What if I told you that Berlin saw an increase of 346% in customers by opting for BigCommerce for setting up their eCommerce store? You would look into what worked for them and employ similar strategies.

    Social proof gives the user a picture of what they can achieve with your product.

    Live Chat

    Live Chat For SaaS Companies
    Live Chat For SaaS Companies 

    Over 43% of customers prefer live chat over any other customer support channel. It is fast, convenient, and solves queries almost immediately. It gives you a better understanding of user problems and improves conversion and retention.

    You just need to have trained people to handle live chat effectively. You can improve live chat support by leveraging canned responses and simple language. Read tips on live chat support to boost customer satisfaction.


    How SaaS Can Be the Future of the Insurance Industry?
    SaaS has transformed major sectors except for one, insurance. Find out How can saas transform the insurance sector and its benefits.


    Map Customer Journey

    Mapping The Customer Journey
    Mapping The Customer Journey

    What if you sign up for a product that requires multiple departments to install and operate? You would avoid such a complex product or look for support from the business.

    Mapping the customer journey helps you find out loopholes. You should aim at simplifying the onboarding with lesser steps and clear language. You can install heatmaps, estimate journeys, and talk to customers to find loopholes.

    Either way, make the product experience effortless and inclusive. Work on the product performance and eliminate any gaps that bug users.

    Online Community

    How SaaS Companies are Building Successful Online Communities
    How SaaS Companies are Building Successful Online Communities

    Many businesses are leveraging the online community to connect and engage with their user. It caters to a specific target audience and aims to provide value by bringing like-minded people together. How does it impact activation?

    Firstly, you could use this community to share content that stimulates people to use the product. A specific case study could motivate users to hop on to the product and leverage certain features. Also, addressing specific customer pain points motivates them to use the product.

    Provide Checklists

    Checklist For SaaS Activation Rate
    Checklist For SaaS Activation Rate

    How many times do you forget a task from your to-do list? Rarely!

    In-app checklists help the user to explore different features and improve product engagement. This combined with relevant prompts could boost your activation rate. For instance, a checklist for Gmail is:

    1. Adding signature
    2. Enable desktop notification
    3. Personalize settings
    4. Creating labels

    A checklist like this keeps the user hooked and increases activation.


    What is Customer Engagement?
    Customer engagement is all about interactions between your customer and your brand. It is the proof you provide to customers that you value their success.


    How do you Measure the Activation Rate?

    Activation Rate Formula
    Activation Rate Formula

    The activation rate is a percent metric showing number of active users. It can be calculated by a simple formula:

    Activation Rate= Total number of active users/ Total users X 100

    In addition to this, you could look at these activation metrics such as feature adoption and the ratio of the daily active users to monthly active users.

    Feature adoption highlights a particular feature used the most by the user. This could help you understand your most-used features. You could hone about these and drive your new users there to maximize activation.

    The ratio of the daily active users to monthly active users indicates the difference between the number of users active daily and monthly. Like, there could be scenarios where users used the product for some days or opted for your product only during a specific time of the year. For example, an edTech app will have more users during the examination period. So, by tracking this, you could understand the customer journey and refine personas.


    Top 10 Viral Marketing Examples
    Check out these top viral marketing campaigns that created a huge sensation on social media and how it tends to reach a larger target audience.


    Conclusion

    The activation rate can impact your profits. It is not only about tracking metrics but focuses on improving user experience. A poor activation rate indicates a complex product with a lot of friction. It could also mean that users do not see a clear purpose for using the product. Activation optimization increases the business revenue as well as the total number of loyal customers.

  • How to Register a Company in the USA From India? | Benefits of Registering a US Company From India

    The common belief is that setting up a company in the United States of America is a first step in creating a global brand. One example of this is the company Uniqlo which began operations outside of the US, then entered the country, became successful, and from there grew into a global brand.

    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce states that 7.8 million Americans are employed by foreign investors creating an annual payroll of USD 645 billion. The country’s administration recognises this trend and welcomes the influx of foreign businesses which creates jobs for US residents and improves the country’s economy.

    Incorporating a US Company as a Founder Based in India

    Benefits of Registering a US Company From India
    Hiring Employees in India With a US Registered Company

    Business Ideas to Start in New York

    Incorporating a US Company as a Founder Based in India

    The growth of the Indian capital market is exhilarating and celebratory. However, registering a US business from India allows immediate access to more funds. There are a few steps to register a company in the US from India:

    Business Entity

    The first and most important step is choosing the right type of entity for the business. It could be an LLP or a C corporation. A C corporation is a legal structure for a corporation in which the owners or shareholders are taxed separately from the business entity under the United States Federal Income Tax Law. Most companies are registered as C corporations as the investors highly prefer it.

    State of Registration

    The next logical step is to decide the state in which to register the company. Most US tech companies and approximately 70% of the Fortune 1000 Companies are registered in the state of Delaware.

    Articles of Incorporation

    In the United States of America, the Articles of Incorporation are filed with the Office of the Secretary of State where the business has chosen to operate. Concisely, the Articles of Incorporation should include the name of the company, type of corporate structure and number and type of authorized shares.

    Employer Identification Number

    Online Application for EIN
    Online Application for EIN

    The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which also sets the company up for paying taxes.  

    Opening a US Bank Account

    The EIN, procured from the IRS, sets the company up for opening a US bank account, essential for conducting business in the US.

    Continued Regular Filing

    Filing company reports is an annual requirement in the state of Delaware. The deadline for filing these reports is March 1st of every year. Regular report filing keeps the company in good standing with the authorities.  

    Get a US Registered Agent

    While maintaining a US residency is not mandatory, the company is required by law to get a US-registered agent in the same state that the company is registered. This is so that the agent can receive the company’s mail on their behalf. The mail includes Compliance notices about reporting or other requirements, Tax documents from the state’s revenue or tax departments and services of process (notices of lawsuits against the company). However, the registered agent’s address cannot be used as the company’s legal address, which must be the owner’s address in India.  


    How to Setup your Business in UAE as a Foreign Entrepreneur? (Explained in 7 Steps)
    Are you planning to start a new business in UAE?, Here’s a guide to help you setup a business in UAE in 2021.


    Benefits of Registering a US Company From India

    Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from India in the USA from 2015 to 2021
    Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from India in the USA from 2015 to 2021

    Registering a US company carries many benefits:

    Favourable Economic Environment

    The country offers foreign investors to purchase US assets, including real estate, at lower prices than their home country. The wide diversity in income and interest levels ensures there is a ready market for any type of product.

    Government Incentives

    Many states and cities offer financial incentives to foreign investors to establish business in a particular location. These incentives are offered in the form of tax credits, lower commercial real estate taxes, and other myriad government assistance.

    Same Advantages as a US Resident Owned Business

    Businesses in the US are treated on an equal footing, whether run by a resident or non-resident. This is beneficial to a non-resident business owner for transferring capital or acquiring a business.

    Access to New Markets

    The US has a trade agreement with 20 countries that provides a marketing advantage to US-based manufacturing companies. This is in addition to the wide potential customer pool of US residents.

    Stable Political Environment

    The stable political environment of the country makes it a very attractive market for venture capital and private equity funding. The US is ranked 6th by the World Bank for its overall ease of doing business.

    Technological Advancements

    The US is known for its advanced technology and the access it provides which awards production enhancement and worldwide communication.


    How to Register Your Business in India [All Steps Explained]
    Launching a business has become a trend in India. However, most people don’t register business even though it is very simple by following these steps.


    Hiring Employees in India With a US Registered Company

    Once a US company has been registered from India, the company is not restricted to hiring Americans. It can hire team members locally from India. However, there are a few extra requirements that need to be fulfilled. These are:

    Creating an Indian Subsidiary

    An Indian business entity must be created, which is a subsidiary of the C corporation, to hire employees locally. This is the simplest and cheapest option if the business plans to hire mostly local workers.

    Hiring a Service Provider

    Hire a service provider to handle international payroll and HR activities. These companies offer services to act as the company’s employer of record, and the payments can be made in any currency.

    Conclusion

    Registering a US company from India gives the business easy access to the largest startup capital market in the world. It allows the business to raise money from American Venture Capitalists, Angel Investors, and Syndicates. It offers many benefits to conducting business, not to mention the global opportunities that immediately open for business expansions and growth.

    FAQs

    Can a foreigner register a company in the USA?

    Usually, a foreigner can register a company in the USA. Also, it is not essential to hold a green card to own a corporation in the USA as the process for registering a company is the same for both foreign citizens and US residents.

    How much does it cost to register a company in the USA?

    The cost to register a company in the USA varies from state to state. In general, the cost ranges between $600-$1400.

    What are the benefits of registering a company in the USA?

    There are many benefits of registering a company in the USA. These are:

    • Favourable Economic Environment
    • Stable Political Environment
    • Technological Advancements
    • Government Incentives
    • Access to New Markets
    • Same Advantages as a US Resident Owned Business
  • How Companies Use Green Marketing Strategies For Their brands?

    In 2022, we are living in an Era of Climate Change. It is a well-known fact that people are now becoming more concerned about environmental issues. The awareness of sustaining the environment has risen to a global level. Human beings all around the globe are thinking of being kinder to the planet and considers pollution of all type (air pollution, plastic waste, global warming, food waste, etc.) as a major threat to the environment around us.

    In a small initiative towards our mother planet, people have been showing interest in buying products or engaging in purchasing services that are eco-friendly and have less or no impact on the environment, even if that product or service would cost them a little more. For example, people are more comfortable paying high prices for organic cosmetics than the ones that are cheap but processed chemically. On a similar note, organic products, or services that have negligible impact on the environment tend to experience high demand from their customers or users.

    Catching on to the trend, organizations have started utilizing sustainable approaches to their business models and aim to contribute to societal goals through Corporate social responsibility because these factors determine the future of their organization.

    Green Marketing Strategies

    Importance of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for Businesses Worldwide
    Green Business Model
    Benefits of Associating Brands with Ecology
    Green Marketing Strategy and Its 4 P’s


    Top 3 Best Eco-Friendly Business Ideas You Can Start in 2022
    As people are getting more conscious about the environment an eco-friendly business idea can turn out profitable. so here we have listed business ideas.


    Importance of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for Businesses Worldwide

    Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for Businesses
    Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for Businesses

    The world has arrived at a point where the climate is a matter of concern and needs to be dealt with seriously. The heatwaves around the globe and scarce natural resources are already the signs of it getting worse day by day even after prolonged healthy ways of sustainability. This proves that we need to do even more of what is already being done. We must accept the fact that we caused the climate crisis and need to incorporate a changed, rather much more productive business model to be a thrust for good in the world.

    Sustainability is utilizing resources in a way that not only fulfills the needs of the present generations but is also sufficient for the coming generations and thereafter. Utilization along with preservation is the key to gaining sustainability.

    Corporate social responsibilities are the policies and practices incorporated by the organization to leave a positive impact on the world. These are ethically oriented practices that reflect accountability and commitment to the well-being of society.

    Businesses need to combine environmental sustainability as well as their social responsibility in their business models to create something that is not only beneficial for them in monetary terms yet additionally profitable for the people, society, and the surrounding at the same time. Even consumers nowadays want to associate themselves or build a transactional relationship with organizations that are eco-friendly in nature. They think that their actions make a difference, in other words, they feel when eco-friendly companies are prioritized over others, they are not only taking the initiative to protect the environment themselves but also pushing other organizations in doing the same.


    What Makes remote Working Beneficial to the Environment
    There are numerous positive effects of remote working on the environment. Some of the effects were well observed during the Covid-19 restriction.


    Green Business Model

    Green Business Model
    Green Business Model

    As the name suggests, it refers to new, innovative, and eco-friendly ways of leading a business that is not only suitable for the present generation yet additionally builds a sustainable environment for the coming generations as well. To incorporate a green business model, companies adhere to certain practices that are fruitful for the environment around them. A few basic ways in which companies could frame their policies in the context of the green business model are:

    • Recycling of their products and materials used,
    • Substitution of unwanted or toxic elements,
    • Reducing the ecological footprint,
    • Focusing more on environmental values than on economic benefits,
    • Utilizing renewable energies,
    • Adhering to Corporate Social Responsibility,
    • Reducing expenses on plastic packaging, transportation, and energy and water usage.

    Benefits of Associating Brands with Ecology

    Brands with Ecology
    Brands with Ecology

    There are a lot of monetary as well as psychological benefits to the green business model. The below-mentioned points are a few reasons for incorporating businesses with an ecological marketing framework:

    • Businesses get an opportunity to take positive action concerning the environment.
    • The business is regarded as a progressive and revolutionary brand
    • They become more trustworthy in the market in no time
    • They tend to attract the section of customers that are eco-friendly and are highly concerned with protecting and preserving the natural environment. These customers have a willingness to spend more to be ethical towards society.
    • Associating business models with ecological aspects is an amazing way to differentiate a particular business from competitors in the market.
    • The brand always stays on top in the market, as organic products nowadays have a high demand. This ultimately benefits the organization in rapid growth.

    A Complete Guide on Green Marketing, Its Importance & Benefits
    Green marketing is the process of promoting products or services which are eco-friendly. These products or services may be environmentally friendly in themselves or produced in an environmentally friendly way.


    For example, there are a lot of leading shampoo brands such as Sunsilk, Clinic Plus, Head & Shoulders, etc., available in the market, but the ones that have just entered the business, like WoW, Mamaearth, and Khadi have been proclaimed as a much trustworthy brand than the former by the same customers despite being costly and have encountered a rapid growth within a couple of years. This is sole because they have focused on delivering organic materials.

    Green Marketing Strategy and Its 4 P’s

    Green Marketing Strategy and Its 4 P’s
    Green Marketing Strategy and Its 4 P’s

    A marketing strategy is a plan that resembles the vision and goal of an organization and is reviewed on an annual basis. Whereas the green marketing strategy plan focuses on developing a market plan that only maximizes the profits for businesses yet additionally works with principles and policies that are sustainable for the environment.

    There are a few key elements of a green marketing strategy:

    • The goal of the business: To develop a green marketing strategy, the mission and vision of the organization should be lined up to plan out things in the most appropriate way possible.
    • The objective of the business: The objective of the business ought to be stated very clearly and should cover the goals as well.
    • Strategies and Plannings: After the goals and objectives of a business are formulated, the most important that comes is the strategies and planning. The strategy must be articulated in a way that depicts how the objective of the business will be achieved and in what period of time.
    • For example, if a company is indulged in the manufacturing business, then it should focus on buying locally available resources instead of importing raw materials from outside. This step will help the organization in reducing its carbon footprint. Furthermore, planning refers to specific means that would be utilized to accomplish the strategies.
    • Market: The market segment that will be targeted needs to be predetermined.
    • Target customers: Identifying potential customers or users is the most critical task. There are all sorts of customers in the market, people who are enthusiasts about the environment and would only purchase products that are eco-friendly or organic. Whereas there are still a large number of people who are not concerned much about the environment and buy products that suit their budget or are considered cheap and best.
    • Therefore, choosing the targeted audience is a critical task and needs to be formulated in a way that the products and services of a business not only serve one section of the customer but are beneficial for the other as well.

    List of Top 15 Sustainable Startups in India
    To help save the environment many sustainable startups are emerging. The top sustainable startups in India include Phool, Ather Energy, BluSmart, etc.


    Furthermore, the 4 P’s had to be incorporated into the above business plan to lead and gain maximum trust and profit from the market. Developing the strategies around these areas enhances the brand value, sales of the product and services, and profitability. They are:

    • Green Product: Companies nowadays are focusing on developing greener products that are eco-friendly and use recycled scraps to manufacture new products to lessen their need for new raw materials. For example, Nike manufactures most of its shoes by recycling scrap and plastic bottles from waste. This step not only reduces landfill waste but also helps them in cutting manufacturing costs while decreasing their dependence on new materials.
    • Green Price: It is a well-known fact that green products are costlier than non-green products which only attracts only a few segments of society that are extremely concerned about the environment and are willing to pay more. So, this aspect needs to be worked on a little so that the pricing of greener products and conventional ones do not have a difference in pricing.
    • Green Place: Companies ought to choose a place that minimizes the customers’ as well as the manufacturers’ efforts in purchasing or selling the product. E-commerce websites are quite eco-friendly in this aspect as it cuts down the transportation of goods and services.
    • Green Promotion: While selling a product in the market, companies donate a portion of their profits to charities that are doing good for the environment. They have long-term environmental goals, such as 50% less carbon footprint by 2025, creative ways to save power, no plastic usage, and planting a tree for every item sold. These measures help them in bringing practices that ultimately promote them as an advocate of the environment.

    Conclusion

    Globally, people are thinking about how to treat the world better and see pollution as a serious threat to the ecosystem. People have been interested in acquiring eco-friendly goods and services that have little to no impact on the environment, even if they cost a little more, as a modest gesture to our mother earth. Sustainability is achieved through both consumption and preservation. Innovative, sustainable business methods that not only benefit the current generation but also create a sustainable environment for future generations.

  • How to Get Featured on the Nasdaq Tower?

    NASDAQ is an acronym for “National Association of Security Dealers Automated Quotations” based in New York City. It is a global electronic marketplace for investors to buy and sell securities. It is owned by Nasdaq Inc., which also owns Nasdaq Nordic stock market network and several other US-based stock and options exchanges.

    Nasdaq MarketSite
    Exterior Façade of Nasdaq MarketSite
    How to get Featured on Nasdaq Tower?
    Featuring on Nasdaq MarketSite – Why?

    The Nasdaq MarketSite

    Nasdaq MarketSite

    Sometimes, simply known as ‘MarketSite’, it is the commercial marketing presence of the Nasdaq stock market. It is located in Times Square, Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It occupies the northwest corner at the base of the 4 Times Square skyscraper.

    Nasdaq MarketSite’s 28500 sq. ft. space was designed by Einhorn Yaffee Prescott. It contains two broadcast studios and was built in 1999. MarketSite debuted on 1st January 2000.

    Exterior Façade of Nasdaq MarketSite

    The MarketSite of 4 Times Square is an eight-storey cylindrical façade. It is a three-storey glass façade at street level, meant to allow a clear view of the studios inside. Above the studios there is a giant LED display measuring between 12,000 and 14,000 sq. ft Manufactured by Saco Smart Vision, the display is made of 8,400 panels which are powered by 800 units. The giant display is lit every day from 7 am to 1 am. It displays videos, news broadcasts, financial market information and advertisements.

    In 2006, Nasdaq and Reuters entered into a partnership which allowed companies to display advertisements across both the MarketSite and the Reuters building at 3 Times Square. Advertisers had the choice of running the same advertisement across both buildings or splitting their ads or even displaying different messages on either building.

    In 2019, Nasdaq expanded the MarketSite to 180,000 sq. ft at 4 Times Square.

    Nasdaq Tower Advertisements

    Nasdaq MarketSite’s billboard is programmed in real-time by both the operations team and an automated process. The primary function of the Nasdaq MarketSite is to, of course, support the business interests of Nasdaq which include spots for NASDAQ-listed companies, events that are held at the Exchange itself (like the opening and closing ceremonies), spots for partners and the various NGOs supported by Nasdaq.

    It is, undeniably, an extremely valuable advertising real estate and is available for purchase from Nasdaq – either separately or in combination with the Reuters building screens opposite. Technological advances allow digital advertising to be sold in 15-second slots and run in rotation with other advertisements. This is a gigantic leap from the earlier paper billboards where the same printed advertisement had to be in place 24×7. The odd inventory of advertisement slots that Nasdaq has not sold then gets passed on to an aggregator of Digital Out Of Home advertising. Needless, to say, Nasdaq rarely has unsold slots.

    The easiest way to get featured on the Nasdaq MarketSite is to upload a digital photo or video to run on the display at the time of choice. The payment for the same can also be made via a credit card. The MarketSite sells two-hour slots with a fifteen-second advertisement that runs ten times per hour.

    The cost of running an advertisement on the Nasdaq MarketSite for two hours is as little as approximately USD 600, which amounts to USD 30 per advertisement.

    Running an advertisement on the Nasdaq MarketSite is a lot more cost-effective than the print media.


    Top Platforms to Run Ads for Your Ecommerce Store
    To keep up with the competition, you need to run ads for your eCommerce store. The best options are Google ads, Facebook ads, Bing ads, etc.


    Featuring on Nasdaq MarketSite – Why?

    ‘We don’t just report on the markets. We help shape them’

    This is the slogan that reads on the Nasdaq MarketSite. It is one of the most trusted destinations for real-time global news and analysis. It also offers in-depth charting, deep market insight, analysis and inspiration. Their core value quote is –

    ‘We connect business, capital and ideas by empowering leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators with the insight and inspiration they need to advance in today’s global economy.’

    Nasdaq’s fame and global acknowledgement as a leading source for market insight ensures that any advertisement on its MarketSite reaches key decision-makers, financial professionals and investors around the world. With their access to global business leaders and advanced targeting capabilities, the advertiser can be certain of their content reaching the right audience.

    And, of course, the biggest attraction is its cost-competitiveness along with its global audience reach.

    Conclusion

    A business that aims to scale up on a global platform, looking for customers or even investors for business, Nasdaq MarketSite affords a reach and penetration that is unique in its global penetration. It is a promotion that is cost-effective and offers a wide reach that opens new opportunities for business growth.

    FAQs

    What is Nasdaq in simple terms?

    NASDAQ is an acronym for “National Association of Security Dealers Automated Quotations” based in New York City. It is a global electronic marketplace for investors to buy and sell securities.

    How much is an ad on the Nasdaq?

    The cost of advertising on the Nasdaq billboard is approximately $250 – $300 per hour. This is a relatively smaller price to pay for advertising to a large audience.

    Which Indian company is listed on NASDAQ?

    Infosys Technologies was the first Indian company to be listed on the NASDAQ, the second biggest stock exchange in the world.

  • How to Start a Departmental Store? | Types of Departmental Stores

    A retail establishment that offers a wide range of consumer goods in different areas of a store with each area specializing in a product category, is called a department store. Department stores made a dramatic entry in major modern cities in the middle of the 19th century. Their entry marked a new era and permanently changed shopping habits – thereby reshaping the luxury and service industry.

    What Do Department Stores offer?
    Types of Department Stores and Their Features
    How to Start a Departmental Store?
    Advantages and Disadvantages of a Departmental Store

    How Technology is changing our way of shopping?

    What Do Department Stores offer?

    A department store is generally designed to offer a wide variety of goods like:

    • Clothing
    • Cosmetics
    • DIY Products
    • Furniture
    • Gardening needs
    • Hardware
    • Home Appliances
    • Houseware
    • Sporting Goods
    • Toiletries
    • Toys
    • Food
    • Books
    • Jewellery
    • Electronics
    • Stationery
    • Photography equipment
    • Baby Products
    • Pet Products

    Most consumers generally check out near the front of the store. Some traditional, high-end department stores include sales counters within each department. Some stores are a part of a large retail chain, while others are stand-alone independent retailers.

    Types of Department Stores and Their Features

    Types of Department Stores
    Types of Department Stores 

    There are a few different types of departmental stores that are usually found in a city. These include:

    Discount Stores

    These are usually retail chains that feature and sell products at a lower rate than the market price. They usually provide a large discount on buying bulk quantities of a product.

    Off Price Stores

    These are stores that are owned by a particular brand or a conglomerate and sell products of that particular brand or conglomerate. In these stores, consumers can buy directly from the manufacturers, thus availing themselves of discounted products from that brand.

    Outlet Stores

    These stores are owned by a single manufacturer brand and feature and sell products only from that brand. They stock a wide range of products from that particular brand.

    Junior Departmental Store

    These stores are smaller in size, and specifically feature products of a higher price range, usually not found in regular stores. The different departments of these stores usually operate independently but under a single management.

    Category Specific Stores

    These departmental stores only store large quantities of category-specific items. All products related to that specific category can be found in such a store.

    Warehouse Stores

    Such stores are the largest format of a departmental store and double as a warehouse for various brands. They store and sell products in bulk quantities. Their operational method is also a little different from the other types of stores.


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    How to Start a Departmental Store?

    Global Department Stores Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)
    Global Department Stores Market Size Forecast (2021-2026)

    The basic objective of a departmental store is to act as a universal supplier for a large variety of merchandise under one roof.

    However, its primary identity is that of a business model that needs to register a profit. Anyone who works in retail will say that the top three important things to keep in mind while starting a departmental store are “position”, “position” and “position”.

    Apart from this, there are various things to consider when starting a departmental store. These are:

    Location

    The place where the store is to be located plays a vital role in the success of the store. While choosing a location, it is important to note that the competition around is low and that the store is located in close proximity to high footfall areas and residential localities. The rent of the place should not be very high.

    Investment

    The amount of initial investment that is required rather depends on the type of store that one intends to open. The consideration of investment depends on whether the departmental store is a franchise outlet or a self-starter.

    • Considerations for a Franchise Outlet:
    1. The initial fee and ongoing royalties to the franchisor.
    2. There are specific needs for the size and the interior design of the store.
    3. There might be pre-conditions on a certain product sale.
    4. There might be costs involved in setting up the technology required.
    • Considerations for a Self-Starter store:
    1. Costs involved in renting/purchasing the store.
    2. Costs involved in interior design.
    3. Finding distributors for good quality products offering good margins.
    4. Recurring business costs.

    Inventory

    There is a need to prepare an exhaustive list of inventory needed for the initial stock and recurring replenishing. Also, an understanding of the consumer preference for brands and products. Also, it is eventually more profitable to directly deal with the manufacturers rather than middlemen.

    Licenses and Documentation

    There are several types of licenses and documentation required to start a departmental store.

    • Identity Proof
    • Registered Office address proof
    • Address proof
    • GST Certificate
    • FSSAI License – for food products
    • Shop and Establishment license
    • Fire Licence
    • Any other Licences as per local regulatory laws

    Staff Requirement and Hiring

    Depending on the size of the department store and the volume of business, the number and type of staff needs to be decided. The store requires sales staff, billing staff, security staff as well as inventory staff. There might even be a seasonal requirement for contractual staff.

    Marketing

    The most important activity for a business to thrive is marketing. The target audience and potential customers must be engaged with direct and indirect marketing, print advertising and social media marketing.


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    Advantages and Disadvantages of a Departmental Store

    When chalking out the various requirements of starting a departmental store, it is wise to also take into consideration their many advantages and disadvantages. These are helpful in making informed, well-thought-out decisions that have a great impact on future success.

    Advantages of a Department Store

    • Shopping Convenience
    • Wide choice of products
    • Economies of a large scale
    • Liberal services of home delivery, accepting orders from multiple sources like phone, email, WhatsApp, etc.
    • Central location
    • The economy of Advertising multiple products
    • Large sale volume

    Disadvantages of a Department Store

    • Localised service
    • High Operational cost
    • Higher price due to high operational cost
    • Absence of personal contact
    • Lack of coordination among different departments

    Conclusion

    The concept of departmental stores has developed over time and taken various shapes. Technological innovations have also impacted the way departmental stores operate. The new breed of departmental stores have adopted the Omni-Channel mode of retailing to cater to the internet-savvy customer where convenience and ease of ordering online and delivering offline have become the norm. Other innovations, such as artificial intelligence-based checkout counters that reduce human intervention. Going forward, there will be many more advances in the way departmental stores function. The key is to keep abreast of the changes and incorporate those that are most advantageous to the store.

    FAQs

    What is called a departmental store?

    A retail establishment that offers a wide range of consumer goods in different areas of a store with each area specializing in a product category, is called a department store.

    What are the items in the departmental store?

    Items in a departmental store vary from store to store. It is generally designed to offer a wide variety of goods like Clothing, cosmetics, furniture, home appliances, sporting goods, and more.

    How do I start a department store?

    The steps involved to start a department store are:

    • Finding a location
    • Planning investment
    • Planning of inventory
    • Licenses and Documentation
    • Staff Requirement and Hiring
    • Marketing
  • How to Get Better Inbound Marketing Results in 2022?

    Before we begin on how you can generate better leads and the other integral accouterments of inbound marketing, hang on. It is crucial to understand what the concept of inbound marketing refers to so that you can correct and improve the trajectory of your marketing approach.

    With each new wave of technology creating and shaping our perception of the world around us, our understanding of everything also changes. One such aspect is marketing. The online world is replacing the traditional methods of marketing, gearing towards much more efficient and time-saving techniques.

    One such form is inbound marketing. Let us take a look at what inbound marketing is and how it works. Inbound marketing refers to the strategy of creating specific and superior quality content. This content is aimed at people to use as a data source for research purposes.

    When customers come up with the wish to conduct their own research, inbound marketing offers useful and beneficial content geared towards their exact specifications. What this does is offer information of interest through various modules like articles, think-pieces, blogs, etc., via search engine optimization and more. This spells good news for companies.

    Your organization can formulate a new approach by including inbound marketing in your data output. This will enable you to access high-quality leads for a considerably lesser cost of each lead. No other method available in the market comes close to what inbound marketing offers. Moreover, inbound marketing also invokes interest in a company’s products, spreading awareness among consumers.

    Difference Between Inbound and Outbound Marketing
    Why Do Inbound Marketing Results Dip Low?
    6 Tips to Get Better Inbound Marketing Results

    Difference Between Inbound and Outbound Marketing

    If you look at the various approaches available for generating new leads, you can look at inbound and outbound marketing techniques. Let us take a look at what makes these two types of approaches so different in their outlook and effectiveness:

    Inbound Marketing

    Outbound Marketing

     Customer Makes First Contact: Inbound marketing offers potential customers to come up and take a look at the content tailored for their needs. This form of technique that applies the magnetic approach, attracting consumers to take a look at the various products a company has to offer. Part of a slate of new marketing techniques, inbound marketing allows the customer to make first contact.

     Passive Marketing: Unlike outbound marketing, the inbound method aims to offer a more laidback approach. It respects the requirements of each individual. Instead of disrupting the feed of data, this type of marketing invites potential clients to take a look at the product. The marketing technique allows the product to speak for itself to the targeted market.

     Offers Data of Interest: Inbound marketing targets specific audiences. These audiences are the target demographic of a particular product. Therefore, instead of throwing everything at a general market, the inbound technique methodically produces quality content for the audience that has a truly vested interest in the product. There is a possibility of a higher generation of leads.

     OSR: One of the best features of inbound marketing is the organic search ranking or the OSR tool. The OSR format is a much more natural and relaxed way of invoking the interest of a potential customer. It invites clients to focus their attention on the product that interests them. Moreover, inbound marketing and its tools are also much more affordable.

     Salespeople Make First Contact: Outbound marketing chooses to take the first step when it comes to making contact with potential customers. It produces a large several ads targeted at the general public. Outbound marketing does not take any risks when it comes to pulling in customers. On the contrary, it pushes awareness of products on people.

     Active Marketing: Outbound marketing takes a much more active outlook on how to bring in leads. It relentlessly promotes its products and the company to spread a much greater awareness generally. Instead of targeting specific audiences, the salespeople following this marketing technique target an all-around audience. The marketing of a product aims at the product itself instead of at the customer’s needs.

     Interruptive: Outbound marketing has to give everything it’s got to ensure success. This means that it can be disruptive in its process. Unlike inbound marketing, outbound marketing is a disruptive force that interrupts the consumption of content. This is the main feature of this type of marketing which also invites much criticism among consumers.

     PSR: The PSR module of outbound marketing refers to paid search ranking. Sellers use various paid tools to get people’s attention and focus on the product the organization wants to market. The module uses paid or targeted online campaigns in its repertoire. As you can understand, this approach costs a lot more than going for inbound marketing.

    These are just some of the many differences between inbound and outbound marketing schemes. While both have their pros and downfalls, you might consider going for fresher and newer techniques like inbound marketing over old, mere adaptive versions of outbound marketing.

    As per the inbound marketing stats provided by Hubspot, inbound marketing is cheaper than outbound. The cost for the lead acquisition was 67% less in inbound marketing as compared to outbound.
    As per the inbound marketing stats provided by Hubspot, inbound marketing is cheaper than outbound. The cost for the lead acquisition was 67% less in inbound marketing as compared to outbound.

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    Why Do Inbound Marketing Results Dip Low?

    With all its winning features, inbound marketing is still subject to risky maneuvers. It takes longer to get the results you want with this technique. Many companies understandably show frustration when inbound marketing does not produce adequate results or the hard work has nothing to show. However, that could be more due to faulty techniques instead of inbound marketing itself. Let us take a look at what causes inbound marketing to not work:

    1. Poor Quality

    The entire point of inbound marketing is to produce quality content so that potential leads feel drawn to the product. However, with mass production of content, quality tends to fall off while quantity gains more traction. This is a fatal mistake if you wish to apply inbound targeting for the success of your products.

    2. Lack of Adequate KPIs

    Many b2b tend to disregard the crucial importance of following up on the metrics of the product they are marketing. You need to relentlessly pursue your key performance indicators (KPIs) without which you cannot properly handle your promotions.

    After all, there is only so much inbound marketing can do if you cannot track the right metrics and measure the business and psychographics of your targeted consumers.

    3. Incorrect Inbound Marketing Strategy

    Simply going for one style can also be detrimental to the image your metrics portray. You have to truly understand the requirements of both the customer and the content you are creating to choose a strategy.

    Without mixing and matching inbound marketing techniques, you may be looking at failure. Now, let us take a look at how you can make inbound marketing work for you.

    6 Tips to Get Better Inbound Marketing Results

    Inbound Marketing Strategy
    Inbound Marketing Strategy

    If you haven’t had much luck with inbound marketing, have no worries. Take a look below to see some of the strategies you can practice to get better inbound marketing:

    1. Keyword Opportunities

    Keywords offer a sophisticated and targeted opportunity to get the right kind of traffic to your page. You can use various applications like the Google Adwords Keyword Planner and so on to find the plugs. Focus on trending keywords to make content that will attract prospective leads.

    2. Utilize C2A

    Did you know that the placement and usage of the right call-to-action elements can exponentially increase the revenue potential? If you can analyze the needs of your audience, you can reap the benefits. Keep an eye out for prospective C2A opportunities in your content.

    3. Choose the Right Program

    Inbound marketing has many strategies that you utilize for better results. You can either go for fresh inbound strategies that are up-and-coming in the market. Or you can choose to use a more mature program that involves old tried-and-tested strategies for success. Understanding the requirements of your product and your target audience will help you determine the inbound strategy that will work best for you.

    4. CRO

    Conversion Rate Optimization or CRO is a nifty tool you can use to convert traffic into leads. You may see a considerable amount of visitation but not enough leads to speak for it. In this case, you can implement strategies like heat mapping software that pinpoints where visitors drop off from your content.

    5. Track Effective KPIs

    It is incredibly essential for companies to track the way their metrics work. Without the right KPI trackers in place, you will not be able to understand where you are losing potential leads. Once you examine, improve, and enhance these indicators, you will see a rise in traffic generating solid leads.

    6. Polish Your Content

    In an age where producing large quantities of content will get you the attention, you need for your product. However, you cannot discount the vitality of quality. The possibility of garnering a potential lead increases exponentially when you focus on producing flawless, logical content with proper facts and figures to substantiate your research. The fine polish will help increase lead turnovers.


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    Conclusion

    Inbound marketing consists of more brainy work rather than putting money. It comprises pure organic leads. Having a proper inbound marketing strategy can prove to be of great potential for the product. However, the main drawback of inbound marketing is that it takes an additional amount of time to be effective.

    The above article shows the major differences between inbound and outbound marketing strategies and the reason why marketing results dip. The article also contains a few tips on how to improve inbound marketing results.

    FAQs

    Is inbound marketing effective?

    Yes, inbound marketing is an effective approach for generating leads and getting into a direct connection with customers.

    What is the goal of inbound marketing?

    The goal of inbound marketing is to attract new prospects to the company and engage them by the scale and delight them individually.

    What are the benefits of inbound marketing?

    The four key advantages of inbound marketing are reduced friction, increased credibility, and building long-term relationships and it also lends itself to the ongoing market process.

    What makes an inbound marketing strategy successful?

    Things like knowing the customers, adding value-driven data, optimizing the website with SEO techniques, and engaging potential customers through social media make inbound marketing successful.

  • How Rapido Is Rapidly Beating Ola and Uber in India?

    India’s mobility tech sector, while unorganised, has seen unprecedented growth in the last decade. This is largely due to inadequate public transport infrastructure and an increasing demand for convenience and affordability.

    In the coming years, the shared mobility sector is set to witness greater democratisation and reach nearly 15 crore users by 2025. With a deeper penetration into non-metro cities, the economy will receive a boost by creating a viable revenue-generating opportunity for more than 3 million drivers across various platforms.

    With year-on-year growth, the Indian market has evolved to add more categories. The Indian mobility market is growing in line with the global trend. However, there is some localisation like rapid traction for two-wheelers and three-wheelers as well.

    Post the Covid-19 pandemic, bikes and autos have seen rapid traction and are gaining share quickly within the wider market.

    What is Rapido? – The Initial Journey
    The Challenges Faced by Rapido
    The Revival and Growth of Rapido
    Rapido’s Monitoring and Support Systems
    Rapido’s Sustainability

    The Future of Bike Taxi | Rapido Case Study

    What is Rapido? – The Initial Journey

    Aravind Sanka was on the verge of closing his local startup ‘theKarrier’, frustrated with the increasing traffic and cost. It was his two friends, Pavan and Rishikesh who came up with the suggestion of using two-wheelers as a way to work around the Bangalore city traffic issue. This idea prompted them to study consumer behaviour within the city and Rapido was conceived.

    In 2015, Pavan Guntupalli, Rishikesh SR and Aravind Sanka founded Rapido, an online bike taxi aggregator. Based in Bangalore, its fundamental and operational ideology was to create something unique and distinct from Ola and Uber. The aggregator particularly focused on hiring drivers possessing two-wheelers and allowed them to register and verify the information with the company.

    Rapido understood the issues and problems posed due to increasing traffic. Time and cost would eventually increase for the customers. This insight allowed them to strategize and plan for successful motorcycle rides. Their slogan ‘Ride Solo’ amplifies their ideology of offering services that are dependable, convenient and economical. Their stipulation for their captain’s two wheeler-vehicles not being any older than 2010 showcases their care for safety.


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    The Challenges Faced by Rapido

    Within the first month of launching Rapido, it received more than 10,000 downloads and gained popularity quickly. However, Ola and Uber saw the rising popularity and launched their own services within the two-wheeler market as well. This proved to be a huge challenge for Rapido, as the market giants were cash rich and could very well outrun Rapido by undercutting their rides by a huge margin.

    Rapido’s funds were depleting and this prompted Aravind to pitch to investors. However, investors were wary about Rapido’s sustainability in view of Ola and Uber’s strong grasp on the market. By 2016, Rapido’s future was bleak and it was on the verge of closing its doors.

    The Revival and Growth of Rapido

    Indian Bike Taxi Market Forecast (2021-2030)
    Indian Bike Taxi Market Forecast (2021-2030)

    The CEO of Hero Honda Motor Corporation, Pawan Munjal realised the potential for the success of Rapido. He not only invested in Rapido but helped them strategize their growth plan and the road to reach it.

    While Ola and Uber were strong in urban, metropolitan cities, they were less focused on tier 2 and tier 3 cities. This is where Rapido turned their focus. They built a local ecosystem that was in line with the needs of tier 2 and tier 3 cities. They built a two-pronged approach:

    • Provide bike rides to daily commuters with no vehicles.
    • Provide riders to commuters with bikes and help build a secondary income model.

    This brilliant strategy took quick roots allowing Rapido to strengthen its presence and grow its market share.

    Rapido’s Monitoring and Support Systems

    Their Rider Motoring System (RMS) tracks all their rides including ensuring the riders possess all necessary documentation, their behaviour with customers and their adherence to speed limits. Their riders who have clocked the most number of rides are regularly rewarded. This keeps their motivation high to provide consistent and best services to customers. Where Rapido excels is in a concentrated feedback loop. Their network is smaller than Ola and Uber but is more focused on providing better services.


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    Rapido’s Sustainability

    Rapido’s business model is similar to Ola and Uber. In some cases, Ola and Uber are far more advanced, technologically. In a scenario like this, Rapido has not only maintained a profitable business model but built it to sustain itself. Their operational ease and robust support systems for their drivers are what makes the company a preferred place of work.

    1. Rapido built and maintained its reward structure for its drivers. This builds trust among its drivers and keeps the momentum high for servicing its customers. Unlike Ola and Uber, which had announced a reward system for their drivers but they have not kept it updated.
    2. Rapido’s withdrawal system is friendly to drivers, allowing them to withdraw their earnings on a weekly or even daily basis, as required. This is too, unlike Ola and Uber, which have an inflexible accounting system.

    Conclusion

    What Rapido has done is not so far out of imagination. They have merely taken a different and less populous route to success. Their journey is a classic example of simply going through a window when the door closes.

    Their keen observation allowed them to spot the existing opportunity and then grab it with both hands. What does their ideology teach? Concentrate on what is personal strength and build on it.

    FAQs

    How did Rapido fought Ola and Uber?

    While Ola and Uber were strong in urban metropolitan cities, they were less focused on tier 2 and tier 3 cities. So, Rapido built a local ecosystem that was in line with the needs of tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Rapido understood the issues people faced due to traffic and this allowed them to strategize and plan for successful motorcycle rides.

    Which is cheapest bike ride app?

    Some of the cheapest bike ride apps are:

    • Rapido Bike Taxi
    • Ola Bikes
    • UberMoto
    • Mopedo Bike Taxi

    How much does 1 km of Rapido cost?

    Rapido charges ₹35 for 2 km as a base price. After the 2 km distance, it charges ₹15 per km.

  • Top 9 Basic Inbound Marketing Strategies to Learn in 2022

    In this present world, there had been an evolution of various marketing types over the past few years but nothing can beat the rise of B2B marketing. This article is going to guide you with the best tips on how to boost your B2B inbound marketing, therefore keep reading.

    The type of marketing where you provide a helping hand to the customers with the use of informative content to find out about your company and productions is known as inbound marketing. You might have a question how is this possible?

    Well, attractive and realistic content can win anyone’s attention in the modern era, this is exactly what you need to showcase as an advertisement for your company. The main objective of B2B marketing is to build brand alertness so that you stay alarmed about your interests and needs.

    And here “You” is referred to as the customers who are eagerly waiting to buy upgraded stuff. Why not reach their expectations, that is what this article is all about. It will introduce you to the best tips that are paramount to building a stable B2B inbound marketing base.

    Basic Strategies to Kick Start B2B Inbound Marketing

    1. Make an Attractive Profile
    2. Design Buyer’s Persona
    3. Keep Things Well Aligned
    4. Use Email Marketing
    5. Search Engine Marketing ans Search Engine Optimization
    6. Content Promotion
    7. Advanced Content Creation
    8. Using VOC Program

    Basic Strategies to Kick Start B2B Inbound Marketing

    The hardest part of a business is the starting session. If you have successfully reached your goals at the beginning session of your B2B inbound marketing, no one can stop you any more to reach a new height.

    Inbound marketing has only one key and that is relevant and high-quality content. So let’s get started by building a strong base for your inbound marketing and that is possible by doing the following things:

    1. Make an Attractive Profile

    Things to include while making a profile
    Things to include while making a profile

    Increase the target audience by understanding their preferences. Also, stay updated with the latest trends across the world. But before stealing the public attention, create an attractive profile to give them the surety that your company does exist.  Include all those features in your client profile, that you think will win their attention and also bring you more customers.

    2. Design Buyer’s Persona

    Spend some time designing a buyer’s persona, as it can be very much helpful in increasing your customer traffic. Craft both the important categories, a person thinks of while purchasing a product and they are- doers and decision-makers.

    Decision-makers are those who are worried about the all-together strategies. Whereas Doers are more responsible for using the same product for days. So highlight this personal choice to your viewers.

    3. Keep Things Well Aligned

    Create short but interesting blogs. Moreover, your profile must be well-written, well-structured, and regular. Post some trendy blogs at least once or twice a week and keep a hold on that chain. At first, it will be hard but soon it will bear fruits. Fingers crossed!

    4. Use Email Marketing

    The Email marketing is paramount to a strong inbound marketing strategy. Moreover, daily email updates can help your customers to keep up with the trend easily. Also, they can stay updated with your daily content. Furthermore, if you have individual contact details, then you can send content with particular niches following your customer’s preference.

    The above graph shows the different things customers expect from an email marketing as per the report published by financeonline.com
    The above graph shows the different things customers expect from an email marketing as per the report published by financeonline.com

    5. Including Video Contents

    The last few years had proven how much of an impact video content has on its viewers. And, also it is a very important factor in B2B inbound marketing. Moreover, video content can be used for different purposes like providing a testimonial guide, video blogs, product demos, and likewise.

    But all you must focus on is the presentation, as there is no surety that all of your customers are forgiving. Also, provide a professional touch to your video content. Make it catchy, and it’s good to go!

    As per the report published on financeonline.com, 87% of business have started using video as a tool for their marketing
    As per the report published on financeonline.com, 87% of business have started using video as a tool for their marketing

    6. Search Engine Marketing ans Search Engine Optimization

    Search Engine Marketing and SEO stand as the central pillar of inbound marketing. Moreover, keyword research is the only brick you need to find out what your customers are looking for. Once you get to know about their expectations, try to hit the target by creating exclusive content. Also, without SEO, it would be impossible for you to stay updated with the latest preferences or trends. So, good luck with that!

    7. Content Promotion

    Some of the best platforms to promote the content
    Some of the best platforms to promote the content

    Creating catchy content is not the only thing you have to do for promoting your brand. Try to create awareness about your productions in your content. Also, you must choose a specific type of content promotion only after knowing your audience’s intimacy.

    Look into what kinds of content they prefer the most then it’s our final game of the show. Content Promotion includes an advertisement or creating various content on social media. So keep on uploading some on Twitter, Facebook, and likewise.

    8. Advanced Content Creation

    There is a thing called advanced content creation, it deals with a particular topic and digs deep into the matter just like a blog. Generally, advanced content creation comes in the form of eBooks, case studies, whitepapers, how-to guides, and a lot more. This is very important to highlight your brand’s expertise to the world. Just a piece of fair advice, try to publish at least one advanced content creation every month.

    As per WAMenterprisesllc.com, 67% increment is noted in the leads of the companies having the blogs when compared with the ones that do not have the blog
    As per WAMenterprisesllc.com, 67% increment is noted in the leads of the companies having the blogs when compared with the ones that do not have the blog

    9. Using VOC Program

    The Voice of the Customer (VOC) program is the best way you can choose to attract a new audience. Through a VOC program, you get to ask your customers which mode they prefer. Some will ask you to contact them personally and some with ask you to keep a boundary. And according to research customer testimonials are always going to shine the most in this case.


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    Conclusion

    Inbound marketing is something that works out after deciding on a lot of strategies together and then applying them in real life. The above-given strategies are very much organic and a must in boosting your B2B inbound marketing. These are the most basic as well as most needed planning you need to do before going for a kick start!

    Whatever time you might need, always try to create a healthy brand reputation among the mass. Besides exclusive content, you have earned the trust of your audience and made them a reason to choose you and your brand for their requirements. I hope your business will flourish in no time. All the best for a bright future!

    FAQs

    What is inbound marketing in B2B?

    Inbound marketing in B2B stands for the process of attracting potential customers to the business way before they are in the purchasing phase of a buyer’s journey.

    Why is inbound marketing important for B2B?

    There are many big advantages of using inbound marketing for B2B. Some of them include points like inbound marketing enables rapid 24/7 responsiveness, filters and nurtures leads, aligns sales and marketing teams, etc.

    How do you increase inbound marketing?

    Inbound marketing can be increased in many ways. Some of the most potent ways are to deploy off-site SEO techniques, optimize high-traffic landing pages, use social media to its best advantage, etc.

    What are inbound marketing techniques?

    Inbound marketing techniques are the one that uses informative content in order to increase or attract the potential customers of a brand.

  • What Should You Know Before Buying a Business? | Why Should You Buy an Existing Business?

    A business is an organisation or entity that sells goods or services for a profit. Every successful business, whether established and operating for a number of years or a startup, reaches a point of seeking growth. This growth comes from different avenues – exploring a new market, introducing a new product, merging with another company or buying an existing entity.

    Reasons to Buy an Existing Business

    Things to Consider Before Buying a Business

    The Easiest Types of Business to Buy

    Reasons to Buy an Existing Business

    Even small business owners work long hours and take on many roles requiring a broad range of business skills. Potential business owners may be looking to purchase a business with a set loyal customer base and a steady revenue stream upon which to build further. Although the initial investment may be high, there are various reasons to buy an existing business:

    Better Financing Options

    Established businesses have a steady revenue stream that covers costs and generates a modest profit. They have also built a trust based reputation in the entrepreneurial community. This builds a strong foundation for money lenders and investors to finance further expansions and offer money at favourable terms. Established businesses also have assets and inventory that can be used as collaterals to secure loans.

    An Established Brand

    A business that has been operational for a few years enjoys brand loyalty with customers and a good reputation in the market. As a new owner, adjusting a brand with a loyal customer base is much easier than building a market from the ground up.

    Existing Customers

    It is advantageous to count on a reliable set of customers right from the beginning rather than build a base. This allows the owner a two-way benefit – A great customer base and a steady revenue flow.

    Ready Supply Chain

    A ready supply chain is an important network of business contacts that acts as a guide on sustaining and improving business functions. An existing relationship with vendors, suppliers and other business partners can help a smooth business transition.

    Well Trained Staff and Established Internal Processes

    Perhaps, nothing is more critical to a successful business than a well-trained workforce and established operational systems. This makes the business very attractive to buy.  

    Set Business Operations

    An existing business operation will have systems and processes in place to track its various activities like financial information, inventory, sales, purchases, and stock as well as processes like accounting, expenses, salaries etc.  

    Greater Likelihood of Success

    If the business that is being purchased has been in operation for at least 5 years, chances are the original owners are offering a product or service that has a verified market in the community. This increases the chances of further success compared to an untested startup.

    Things to Consider Before Buying a Business

    Having said all of the above, there are still questions that must be answered and information that must be verified when buying a business.

    Global Retail Market Size from 2015 to 2021
    Global Retail Market Size from 2015 to 2021

    Perform Due Diligence

    Due Diligence is akin to research to confirm that all operations are above board and that there is nothing going on operationally that can potentially present a risk or be considered illegal. This also helps in assessing business valuation, helping in the final decision to move forward with the purchase.

    Evaluate the Financials

    This is the key aspect of research and an accountant can be a big help in assessing the company’s financial health. Important indicators like sales, profits, debt, expenses and cash flow can reveal any anomalies and flag any potential risks.

    Business Entity Status Confirmation

    If the business is set up as a corporation or a Limited Liability Company (LLC), reviewing entity documents and all related records such as bylaws, resolutions and operating agreements is wise. It is also prudent to check in what state is the business registered and whether it operates as a foreign corporation from any other state.


    Things to Know for Non-techs Before Buying a SaaS Startup
    Some people are not tech-savvy but want to own a SaaS startup. Here are things for a non-technical person to Know Before Buying a SaaS Startup.


    If the company is engaged in a legal liability battle in the middle of a buy-out, chances are the new owner can automatically be a party to such a fight. It is important to ensure if there is any inheritance of any legal liabilities such as liens or judgements against the company itself or any of its executives that might be a part of the purchase.

    Understand the Industry and the Business Outlook

    It is important to get an in-depth understanding of the commercial aspects of the business like market outlook and trends, its competitive advantage, its client base, etc. It is possible that one or more of these external factors may be playing a part in the sale of the business. Understanding how the business is perceived by the market helps in getting future projections in a realistic context.

    Understand Operations

    Ensuring that the business is running as smoothly as is being said requires a deeper look into the what, where and how of its operations. Among other things, a working capital assessment, a manufacturing and operations evaluation, a supply chain review, and an analysis of capital expenditure must be present on the checklist.  

    Detailed Asset List

    The purchaser must have a detailed checklist of all the assets and their value that are included in the deal. If this includes intellectual property, then a confirmation must be taken that the ownership of the brand name and any trademarks or patents are included in the deal. The capture and protection of the intellectual property must be evaluated. This due diligence will protect the most important assets of the company, especially in the field of science, technology, or research & development.

    Verify Business Licenses and Permits

    Any business has its own specific list of licenses and permits that are required from local, state or central government authorities for a smooth operation. Verifying that all the licenses and permits are kept up to date and current can save the new owner from potential fines and continue operations without interruptions.


    How to Do International Business – Rules, Reflation, and Benefits
    Different countries have their own rules that apply to international business. Some of the common rules are labour and employment law, corporate structure, etc.


    Check for Zoning and Environmental Regulations

    If the business comes with property, it is prudent to check for zoning regulations to determine if the business activity is permitted. It might also be in the new owner’s best interest to check if the operating business faces current or potential environmental liability. Depending on the nature of the business, this could include a lack of applicable licenses, hazardous material contamination, permit violations, and enforcement deficiencies.

    Conclusion

    There are a lot of considerations involved in buying an existing business that must be evaluated with the help of professionals like a lawyer, an accountant and a business valuation professional.

    Once all the due processes and considerations are complete and the sale agreement goes through, the new owner can revitalize the company with fresh ideas and a new leadership.

    FAQs

    What should I look for when taking over a business?

    One should look at the following aspects into consideration when taking over a business:

    • Business Entity Status Confirmation
    • Evaluate the financials
    • Understand Operations
    • Understand the Industry and the Business Outlook
    • Detailed Asset List
    • Verify Business Licenses and Permits
    • Check for Zoning and Environmental Regulations

    How do you figure out the worth of a business?

    The simplest formula to determine the value of a business is to subtract the liabilities of a business from its assets.

    Is buying a business a high-risk investment?

    Usually, buying an existing business is less risky. Although the initial investment may be high, there are various reasons to buy an existing business like an already-developed relationship with vendors, suppliers and other business partners that can help a smooth business transition.

  • Digital Marketing Hacks for a Deep Tech Startup

    This article has been contributed by Mr. Mahesh Gaur,  Head of  Marketing at SanchiConnect.

    A deep-tech startup’s mature stage is different from a regular startup’s, so the marketing should also be different.

    If you are not yet a product market fit, I believe you should focus on acquiring a few clients to get closer first. You can try many methods including content creation and distribution, SEO, SEM, personal connections from your network, etc. It’s essential to experiment on a small scale using various approaches (and small costs). In general, I would start focusing on content earlier than planned because it helps in so many ways, like defining your brand, gaining thought leadership, and making sales materials.

    However, your marketing plan should be different if you have reached the PMF (Product Market Fit) stage. I will describe the steps in this article.

    But, why am I writing this article? Am I qualified to compose this article?

    From talking to and working with more than 50 entrepreneurs on our platform, SanchiConnect, I’ve learnt a lot about digital marketing for this specific sector, which is “deep tech.”

    I am the head of Digital Marketing at SanchiConnect. Ohh! what is SanchiConnect? SanchiConnect is an open public platform for deep tech startups, investors, enterprises, and service provider networks globally. We are backed by a prominent PE fund and Angel Network’s founding partners.

    Let me introduce myself before I begin this article. In 2014, I founded Qonfuse, raised money, and subsequently sold the company. Then I began to feel like a boss; I have money, I’m 24, so let’s go travel, shop, party, and hang out. After meeting over 1000 people, I realised that the main business is community development. So, I founded HODM, which has grown to become a very active community of 1.3 lac digital marketers. Life is good: I sell courses, deliver talks at institutions and businesses, and receive freelancer commissions. Then it happened: I met Sunil Shekhawat, a well-known deep tech ecosystem personality who has led the “NASSCOM Deep Tech Club” for the last 5 years. He is a colleague, mentor, and well-wisher.

    Sunil was building SanchiConnect and was looking for entrepreneurs to join the founding team. We met, discussed the opportunity ahead and in a week’s time, I joined the team. Now we are a team of 4 passionate entrepreneurs building a futuristic platform.

    Let’s get back to the point and go over the procedures a deep-tech startup must follow.

    Digital Marketing Hacks for A Deep Tech Startup
    Important Things to Consider

    What is a Deep Tech Startup?

    Digital Marketing Hacks for A Deep Tech Startup

    The following are the prominent digital marketing hacks that a deep tech startup must follow:

    Market Size of the Digital Advertising Industry Across India From 2017 to 2023
    Market Size of the Digital Advertising Industry Across India From 2017 to 2023
    1. Being Active on Twitter and LinkedIn: It is very important these days to stay active on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Be consistent. This is a process. You can’t go viral in a day, and you can’t go viral with predefined tools. It’s a prayer, and you don’t know when it will be answered. Be nice and don’t try to be mean.
    2. Use Influencer Marketing: The right kind of marketing is when people start talking about your product on the right platforms. In past, people use to follow the ads of big celebrities like Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and Virat Kohli. But now, everyone knows that every celebrity is promoting for money, and the return on investment isn’t what it used to be. Micro-influencer marketing does work now, though. People follow industry leaders or people who are doing well in a certain niche, so if they talk about your product and include it in a Twitter thread like “10 best products to follow” or “5 best tools for engineers” or whatever fits with your product, you’ll get more attention. You can find the right people who have a lot of followers on their profiles and connect with them to get them to write about your product.
    3. Create a Blog: Post new articles on a regular basis to get your product ready for search engines. Also, create backlinks from authoritative websites. So, what’s the point of getting backlinks? It raises your domain authority. What does “domain authority” mean? Aah, look, if you meet Narendra Modi Ji and take a picture with him and post it on social media, your network will see you as a more important person. This is how domain authority works, too. If I got a backlink from a site like CNN, BBC, NY Times etc., that site’s authority would be passed on to my domain.
    4. Content Creation: Content is king, as the old saying goes, but distribution is public. A king is only a king in his own empire and for his own people. If you go to another country or place and tell people there that you are the king, no one cares.
    5. Product Positioning and Messaging: Why does your company even exist? Having a clearer vision of your objectives will help you craft a more effective positioning statement. Talking to your clients is the best way to develop your positioning statement. You cannot construct an effective brand positioning statement from the sky. Instead, you need data. Using data, your positioning statement will become an attractive magnet for the appropriate customers. Typically, you do not sell directly to consumers. Your brand should show what the product is all about. Communicate with your customers, utilize a spreadsheet to organise your interviews, and identify and assess your competitors/competitive intelligence.
    6. Use Ahref or SEMrush: Make use of Ahref or Semrush’s content plan and do keyword research to make sure your content is always good.
    7. Paid Media Ad Copy: Use an ad library or ad spy tool to look at your competitors’ ads and find out which ones work best in your niche and on which platforms. I think that LinkedIn, programmatic ads, guest posts, media buying, etc. are the best ad platforms.
    8. Develop Your Sales Funnel: Try to make a landing page for each product that is different from others. Use stories, add testimonials (videos and text with images), and gated content.
    9. Webinars: Try to invite leaders in your industry to do a webinar and ask them to share it on their social media channels.
    10. Create Product Briefs, Presentations, and One-Pagers: Creating brochures and other materials for conferences is another digital marketing hack for deep tech startups.
    11. Events and Sponsorships
    12. Use an Existing Database
    13. Networking

    Important Things to Consider

    Along with the above-mentioned digital marketing hacks, the following are some of the important things to consider while indulging in deep tech startups’ digital marketing:

    • Figure out where leads drop off or where lead nurturing may be getting stuck.
    • The A/B test method.
    • Competitor advertisements and Keyword research.
    • The content must be written by experts in the field.

    Hence, these were some of the most prominent digital marketing hacks that every deep tech startup must follow for attaining the best possible results in the industry.