Category: Social Media Marketing

The Definitive Guide to Instagram Analytics

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Use the photo-sharing platform to track your customers and viewers. Then compile the Instagram analytics your business needs. Here’s how. March 23, 2018 18 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Lesya Liu is a social media strategist and a photographer. She specializes in combining art and marketing to create compelling storytelling, both visually and textually. Instagram, the photo- and video-sharing platform, is undoubtedly the hottest social media outlet on the market right now. In fact, it’s doubled its user base in just two short years, to 800 million, 500 million of whom are daily users. Reports consistently show that Instagram has the most engaged community on the internet: The platform’s posts receive more engagement than any other social network out there — 84 times more than Twitter, 54 times more than Pinterest and 10 times more than its older sibling, Facebook. Related: 14 Eye-Opening Instagram Statistics And all that engagement isn’t limited […]

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SPI 298: Before Your New Year Begins . . .

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Today’s episode is a very special one, and it’s just you and me. We’re closing in on the end of the year, and there’s a lot to talk about. This time is a great opportunity to reflect on the past year and what’s to come for the year ahead. Hopefully you’re already thinking about 2018 and the things you’re going to try, what you’re going to experiment with—but hopefully this episode inspires you to go even further, to be vulnerable, and to be courageous. This episode is a little bit of an experiment (because that’s what I do here)—I really wanted to switch up the normal episode format with this one. And experimentation is one of the big takeaways: It isn’t easy, and often we don’t know what the results are going to be. A lot of what we do is very public these days, because of social media, etc., […]

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How These Entrepreneurs Use Feedback and Honesty to Build a Thriving Business

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Feedback can be an incredible tool to help your business grow. March 23, 2018 2 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. One of the best ways to grow, in business and life, is through feedback from the people around you. At least that’s what helps co-founders Matthew Michaelson and Calvin Bohn of Smalls, a company that creates cat food using human-grade ingredients. Related: 5 Steps for Giving Productive Feedback In the video, Michaelson shares why he and Bohn prioritize open communication, criticism and feedback from one another in order to foster a growth environment. And even as they scale and hire more employees, this will continue to be a priority for them. “When we have folks join us, I think the number one thing we can do is lead by example,” Michaelson explains in the video. “Calvin and I have a weekly meeting where we air […]

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SPI 297: Looking Back at 2017—What Went Well, What Did Not

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This episode is all about learning from mistakes. Last week we talked about my plans for 2018—well, a lot of the lessons I learned this year resulted in those plans. Today, I’m sharing those lessons with you, not just as an example of what not to do, but to reveal what decisions I made for 2018 because of those experiences. Today I’m talking about the big picture, looking back at 2017. I’ll be discussing my struggles with time management, specifically how saying “yes” too much got me to a point of being overworked. I’ll be talking about the physical product launch that didn’t go according to plan, the two habits I let slip mid-year, and a target that I set for myself that I did not hit. As always I’m being fully transparent—it’s all out on the table for you. That’s because this week’s episode isn’t just about what didn’t […]

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How Color is Important in Your Content Strategy

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An effective content marketing strategy has many different elements and each one has to be tested to find if it works within your niche. You have to put together a strategy that resonates with your audience or you won’t be able to increase conversions or meet your bottom line. The only problem is, with content marketing, you have to test and tweak several elements and this can take time. For example, so far, what I’ve learned is that: Topics play a crucial role Depth content definitely helps with conversions Have the right call to actions in the right place Structure matters (intro, body, sub-headings, and conclusion) Avoid too many banners Avoid clutter All of these factors should be tweaked until you have achieved optimal conversion rates. Another thing to note is you have several resources available that will provide you with case studies you can follow then implement into your […]

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5 Blockchain Innovations Wall Street Is Watching in 2018

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Financial professionals need to pay attention to how blockchain is impacting their industry. March 23, 2018 4 min read This story originally appeared on Due Blockchain technology was one of this past year’s biggest stories. For example, Bitcoin, the pioneer of cryptocurrencies, closed out 2017 at nearly $15,000. As Bitcoin’s popularity has grown, more blockchain innovations and cryptocurrencies have emerged from the shadows. Now, it’s nearly considered mainstream. Since then, investors and fund managers have flocked to blockchain for fintech. Related: The Best Business Credit Card for Every Type of Spender However, blockchain is more than just something to drive digital assets. That’s why financial professionals need to pay attention to how their industry is changing. Now, here are five ways blockchain innovations will reshape the financial system. 1. Paying with cryptocurrency First, one of blockchain’s most exciting applications is its ability to facilitate financial transactions in a very different […]

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The Year of Online Courses (The Results. The Good. The Not so Good.)

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One of my 2017 goals was to create and launch powerful online courses. Learn what went well, what could be improved, and what my plans are for 2018. Pat Flynn December 18, 2017 Last year, when I was setting goals for 2017, I knew that a primary strategy for my business was going to be creating and launching effective and in-depth online courses for the SPI audience. One of the motivating factors for this was to significantly transform the way I generate income. You see, for the past eight or so years of running Smart Passive Income, I’ve generated the majority of my income from affiliate marketing. I wanted to change that in 2017. I needed to add some nuance and diversity into my income portfolio. I needed to add different, and significant, pockets of value. Now, I still think affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to generate income, and […]

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This Introverted Entrepreneur With an Oprah-Approved Brand Shares How to Rise Above Fear to Embrace Every Opportunity

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Carol’s Daughter founder Lisa Price says getting out of your comfort zone is what makes you a strong leader. March 23, 2018 10 min read A Note From The Editor Think your company has what it takes to make our Top Company Cultures list? Apply now. Apply now » In this series, Open Every Door, Entrepreneur staff writer Nina Zipkin shares her conversations with leaders about understanding what you have to offer, navigating the obstacles that will block your path, identifying opportunity and creating it for yourself and for others. In 1993, Lisa Price had an idea. She wanted to create natural skin-care and hair-care products that would be used and loved by everyone, no matter their skin type or hair texture. With $100 and encouragement from her mom, Carol, Price started experimenting with formulas in her Brooklyn kitchen. It wasn’t long before her products were selling out at local markets […]

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The Year of Online Courses (The Results. The Good. The Not so Good.)

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One of my 2017 goals was to create and launch powerful online courses. Learn what went well, what could be improved, and what my plans are for 2018. Pat Flynn December 18, 2017 Last year, when I was setting goals for 2017, I knew that a primary strategy for my business was going to be creating and launching effective and in-depth online courses for the SPI audience. One of the motivating factors for this was to significantly transform the way I generate income. You see, for the past eight or so years of running Smart Passive Income, I’ve generated the majority of my income from affiliate marketing. I wanted to change that in 2017. I needed to add some nuance and diversity into my income portfolio. I needed to add different, and significant, pockets of value. Now, I still think affiliate marketing is a fantastic way to generate income, and […]

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What Condoms Can Teach Us About Sustainability

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Lessons in running an eco-smart business can sometimes come from unexpected places. March 23, 2018 5 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Sustainability has gone from a fringe concern to a key factor in countless successful businesses in under a decade. It can be seen in everything, from finance and consumer goods, to education and transportation — not to mention condoms. Yes, condoms. Jeffrey and Meika Hollender are the father-daughter team who founded Sustain Natural, a nontoxic, eco-friendly vegan condom line, in 2013. As Meika Hollender told the New York Times last year — and as Jeffrey Hollender wrote for the Stanford Social Innovation Review in 2015 — the latex in Sustain condoms is produced at a Fair Trade rubber plantation in India, and produced at a solar-powered factory. Most significantly, the condoms do not contain nitrosamines, which are found in many popular brands and have been […]

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How to Write a Book: The Secret to a Super-Fast First Draft

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Learn the tools and techniques I use to write 36,000 words in two weeks, save time, and achieve up to 180 words per minute. I’ll also be covering strategies to keep you moving forward, so you write your book fast without getting stuck. Pat Flynn December 15, 2017 Hey, everyone! This post is a trial run of a new blog post format, and we’re using a video guide I created in 2015 on how to write the first draft of your book to test it out. Basically, I want to make it as easy as possible for you to digest, enjoy, and benefit from the content I produce—and my videos in particular! I’d love to hear if you find this new format useful. Please let me know your thoughts and feedback in the comments! If you’d prefer to watch the video version of this blog post on YouTube instead, click […]

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6 Innovative Ways to Increase Brand Awareness

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Wendy’s sassy Twitter feed is a great example of how to stand out in a sea of noise. March 23, 2018 7 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Having a solid, trusted brand is important for your company to thrive. If your target audience doesn’t know or trust your brand, how will you ever increase your customer base and sales? Here are six innovative strategies you can use to increase brand awareness and help your business thrive. Related: SXSW 2017: Sure, You’ve Got a Brand Strategy, but What’s Your Chat Strategy? 1. Get influencers to display your art or other product. Inviting influencers into your niche is a great way to increase brand awareness and hopefully drive sales. When influencers have an established audience that knows and trusts them, once they mention your product(s) and discuss your brand in their content, those mentions will expand your reach and increase people’s […]

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SPI 296: What’s Coming in 2018 for the Podcast and SPI

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We are closing in hot on the end of the year here on SPI. Next week I’ll be recapping the year in full (the good and the bad) but today I want to give a little sneak preview of what’s coming up in 2018 for SPI. It’s going to be a very exciting year, and I can’t wait to share my plans with you! First off: the theme for 2018 is Higher Value. That doesn’t mean tons more content—a lot of us think that in order to do something better we have to do more of that thing, but actually the opposite is true. Sometimes less is more, and sometimes scaling back can have a positive impact on the quality of the content that you are publishing. What I’m talking about today is not necessarily what you should do personally. It’s a preview of what to look forward to, to […]

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Elon Musk’s Mission to Put Wi-Fi on the Moon! 3 Things to Know Today.

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Stay in the know in 60 seconds. March 23, 2018 1 min read 1. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg finally broke her silence on Cambridge Analytica, stating that she regrets taking too much time to publicly address the scandal. And speaking on the possibility of future regulation, she said, “It’s not a question of if regulation, it’s a question of what type.” 2. Working too hard? South Korean officials think so. The government announced an initiative to curb a “culture of working overtime” by turning off government employees’ computers at 8 p.m. on Fridays. 3. Elon Musk‘s Falcon 9 is going to carry equipment to set up Wi-Fi on the moon by 2019! The Wi-Fi will be used for better communication during future lunar missions, including the establishment of a moon base. The only question: what should the password be? Watch yesterday’s 3 Things to Know: Are You Buying Zuck’s Apology? Read_more Related posts: Elon Musk, the Latest […]

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My November 2017 Monthly Income Report

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Over the past few years, the business has become more and more like a machine. Although I’m definitely keeping myself busy with new projects, more parts of the business become automated. This is thanks to the team that I’ve built, the software we’re using, and the rules and procedures we have in place. The blog, the podcast, the emails—a lot of it is automated, which is great. I can serve more and offer even more value since the hard work was put in up front. But . . . Since growing the team and getting more hands-off, I’ve noticed I’ve had a thirst for something new to get excited about—something that would allow me creative freedom and also allow me to re-experience the journey of trying to “figure something out again,” like it was at the start of my podcast and blog. And I think I’ve found it, and it’s […]

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South Korea Is Turning Off PCs to Stop People Working Late

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The experiment starts March 30, but by May all Seoul government employees will have their PCs turned off at 7 p.m. on Fridays. March 23, 2018 2 min read This story originally appeared on PCMag Many of us regularly work late, and we do so for a number of reasons. It could be that there’s a deadline you need to hit, your department is understaffed, you’re trying to make up for time off, or worst of all, it’s demanded of you by management and has become the norm. In South Korea, the problem seems to be getting out of hand and in the capital Seoul, the government decided to do something about it. As the BBC reports, employees of the Seoul Metropolitan Government work an average of 2,739 hours every year. That’s nearly 53 hours a week, every week of the year. It’s also about 1,000 more hours than employees […]

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SPI 295: 35 Quick Life Lessons from 35 Years of Life—Plus a Pencils of Promise Birthday Challenge!

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Guess what? Today’s my birthday! I am 35 today and very grateful to have lived this long and experienced so much. I wanted to share some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way, so today I’m giving you 35 quick lessons from 35 years of life. I’m also ending today’s episode with a challenge. This week, I want to give you the opportunity to reflect on the amazing things that you’ve encountered, experienced, and enjoyed in the life you’ve lived so far. Here at SPI, we’ve created a lot of great content, a lot of actionable items over the past several months—last month was Affiliate Marketing Month, for example—but today I want to shift gears and talk about my 35 life lessons. These are short nuggets of wisdom from my business journey and life experiences. This is what I’ve learned so far, in summary, about how to carve out your […]

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Growth Hacking Giveaway: Unlocking Time to Sell

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With a solid strategy ahead of us, we hit the ground running in 2018 with our Growth Hacking Giveaway winner, Ola Moana Marketing. The discovery process illuminated a number of key areas where our team of digital marketing experts could assist Jeton, the owner of Ola Moana, and help him grow his business. We realized quickly that he was spending too much of his time worrying about the day-to-day minutiae of his clients’ campaigns and not enough time focusing on converting new leads. Further, it became evident that many of the agency’s leads were coming from word of mouth and referrals; as a result, we discovered that there was a sizable opportunity to strengthen Ola Moana’s organic marketing channel to drive more leads. Keeping these pillars in mind, the UpCity team devised a first quarter plan that would begin to bolster Ola Moana’s organic presence while freeing up Jeton’s time. Start, […]

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Craiglist Blocks Personal Ads to Protest Anti Sex-Trafficking Law

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It wants to bring them back ‘some day,’ but can’t under the current legal regime. March 23, 2018 2 min read This story originally appeared on Engadget The passing of the controversial, ham-handed Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA-FOSTA) has prompted Craigslist to close its personals section. The bill is designed to punish websites with criminal sanctions if they are seen to be facilitating sex work, as a personals ad could be. Unfortunately, the legislation is drawn so poorly that any website that connects people could be targeted. Which is what has prompted Craigslist to act, with all links in the area now pointing to a short statement. “U.S. Congress just passed HR 1865, ‘FOSTA,’ seeking to subject websites to criminal and civil liability when third parties (users) misuse online personals unlawfully. “Any tool or service can be misused. We can’t take such risk without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are […]

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SPI 294: 21 Top Places to Include an Affiliate Link

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So, you have the perfect affiliate product and you’re excited to tell your audience all about it. The only thing is . . . where do you put that affiliate link? This is the episode you’re going to want to listen to, because it’ll tell you exactly where you should be putting your affiliate products (and where you’re probably not putting them currently). In fact, there are twenty-one locations that I’m going to mention in this episode. Of course, you don’t have to use them all, but I actually do all of these things personally, and they work very well. Pick and choose, and use what makes the most sense for you! If you’re just tuning in, this month is Affiliate Marketing Month here on SPI. I highly recommend going back and listening to Episode 290 through this episode. Affiliate Marketing is the number one way that I’ve generated an income […]

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