Month: March 2021

A Marketer’s Guide to Working Remotely

Remote work is going from an occasional perk to the norm. As long as you have a computer and internet connection, you can perform your job anytime, anywhere.

For marketers, creating promotional materials, meeting clients, and completing projects from home, hotel, coffee shop, library—basically anywhere with an internet connection.

While working remotely has many benefits, employees who regularly worked in the office may have a difficult time making the transition to exclusively working this way.

In this article, we’ll talk about the how’s and why’s of remote work for marketers.

The Rise in Popularity of Working Remotely 

Remote work has been around for years. 

However, the COVID-19 pandemic made it unexpectedly the norm for many businesses, and both employers and employees are realizing the work-from-home system can be successful.

According to Global Workplace Analytics, big companies like Best Buy, British Telecom, Dow Chemical found remote workers are 35 percent to 40 percent more productive. 

The survey also found employees call in sick less often and feel empowered to work independently while also increasing collaboration. Importantly, many people are less likely to report unemployment due to workplace discrimination or lack of transportation.

Employees often prefer working remotely than regularly frequenting the office. In fact, 72 percent of employers believe remote work leads to increased employee retention. 

These numbers show remote work is likely here to stay. 

Employees prefer the convenience of working from their desired location. Meanwhile, employers can enjoy a more productive and efficient workforce. It’s a win-win-win situation for everyone. 

The Benefits of Working Remotely As a Marketer

There are a ton of benefits to working remotely as a marketer. For many, there are feelings of freedom and improved work-life balance that didn’t exist when going into the office every day.

Here are five of the top benefits of working remotely as a marketer.

1. Working From Anywhere in the World 

Gone are the days when employees had to issue a leave of absence to go on a vacation. 

As long as you have a laptop and WiFi access, you can create promotional content from a beach in Thailand or a coffee shop in Japan. As long as you work during your expected hours, where you’re working from generally doesn’t matter.

Hence, talented marketers who want to explore the world can do their job and travel simultaneously. 

2. Work at Your Preferred Time 

While this isn’t allowed by every workplace, working remotely may allow you to have more control over your hours.

If you’re a morning person, you could start your day at dawn and be done by the afternoon. If you’re a night owl, you could start and end later.

This type of work also frees you up to use your breaks however you please. For instance, if you want to hit the gym, you don’t have to worry about showing up back at work with wet hair—or showering at all, if that’s your thing.

3. More Time for Loved Ones

You know the feeling: You get up early, commute, are “on” all day at work, commute home, and are just spent when you walk in the door. 

If you have a long commute, you may be out the door before your kids even finish breakfast or feel unable to go out with friends at the end of the day.

With working remotely, you may have more time to help the kids prepare for school or have conversations with your significant other. 

Upon finishing your deliverables, you don’t have to spend an hour in traffic. Instead, you can just walk out of your home office and transition to your “real life.”

4. Take Advantage of Time Zones 

While being in different time zones could make finagling meetings a bit challenging, there are also some benefits. Your end of the day is the beginning of the day on the other side of the world, meaning you could send a project from your desk in New York to a worker in Singapore at 5:00 pm your time, and they’ll instantly receive it—at 5:00 am their time. 

While you sleep, they can work, and it’s almost like your project traveled through time to meet your deadline.

5. Save Money 

Remote work can help you save money. 

You don’t have to spend money on gas, a professional wardrobe, or an expensive lunch in the cafeteria—which can amount to $4,000 per year. 

A FlexJobs study found the average commuter spends $2,000 to $5,000 annually on gas, vehicle maintenance, and insurance (which can cost less if you drive less). If you work from home, that money can stay in your pocket.

Besides transportation costs, households spent $1,866 a year on clothes and $3,459 on “food away from home.” As a remote marketer, you may only need to dress up during video calls and cook from your kitchen.

Challenges of Working Remotely as a Marketer

Not everything is perfect, including remote work arrangements. Here are a couple of hurdles marketers may encounter when they’re far from an office. 

1. Reimbursement for Office Equipment 

Marketers creating video content and editing images may require a high-end computer and software. You may also need to purchase a home office setup. Who would foot the bill? 

Plenty of big companies provide quality equipment for marketers, but small agencies and startups may not offer these privileges. 

If you’re interviewing for a remote position, don’t be afraid to ask them about these costs before you accept the position: Who will pay for the internet connection, software, or equipment? Will your employer provide a home office stipend?

2. Difficult to Establish Relationships 

Marketers based in an office may find it easier to establish genuine relationships with their teams or bosses. 

As they fulfill tasks together, they can make small talk and get to know each other better. In contrast, remote work means you may talk to co-workers only during meetings. (Though off-topic group chats aren’t uncommon.)

Moreover, you’re not exactly working closely with your boss. Hence, it may be challenging to set yourself up for a promotion or improve your professional relationship with your boss. You have to take extra steps to build camaraderie.

Tips for Successfully Working Remotely 

How can you succeed as a remote worker? Let’s take a look at these tips which could help you out. 

Minimize Distractions 

As a remote marketer, you don’t get to be monitored by your boss or co-workers. You can work anytime and anywhere as long as you finish your deliverables. 

The downside is you may also be prone to distractions. It’s easy to get sidetracked by a social media notification when no one is watching your back. 

How to minimize distractions? Some practical tips include the following:

Put Your Phone in a Different Room

While chances are you’ll need your phone at some point during the day, consider putting it in a different room when it’s not necessary for your work. Otherwise, you may find yourself scrolling through Twitter instead of staying on task.

Plan Your Break Time

Most marketers have a ton to accomplish in a day, such as blog post writing, SEO optimization, and planning marketing campaigns. The hectic tasks may tempt you to take an unplanned 30-minute break which quickly becomes a one-hour break. 

To help yourself avoid this, plan your break time and length of the breaks before beginning the day. Set alarms and timers to force yourself to remain focused. 

Understand Your Most Productive Time

When are you most productive? 

According to BBC, 11 in the morning is the most productive time of the day. Of course, this may vary by person.

Tips for Successfully Working Remotely - Understand Your Most Productive Time

Determine when you’re at your peak productivity and tackle difficult tasks then. For instance, a morning person could start with high-priority tasks in the morning and switch their attention to less important tasks in the afternoon.

Time Yourself

Setting timers isn’t just for breaks. You can also use it to set self-imposed deadlines or give yourself permission to step away from a stressful task.

For projects needing to be done soon, you could set yourself a 60-minute timer, telling yourself you can’t even check your email until that timer goes off. You can come back to it later, but returning with fresh eyes could help you improve what you’ve created.

If you’re working on something mentally exhausting, like a very emotional piece, you could also set a timer for yourself. If you know you’re going to need to step away from it for your own wellbeing, it may be much easier to stave off the negative feelings if you know you only have to look at it for one hour right now.

While you could use your phone timer, there are other time tracking software options that could help you reach maximum productivity. Plus, these may make it easier to keep track of what time of day it is so you don’t suddenly look up and realize you were off work an hour ago.

Create a Workspace

Having a dedicated workspace is the key to maximizing productivity and focus. The ideal workspace can help you get in the mood to get the work done. 

Here are some tips for creating a good workspace for marketers.

Pick a Good Spot

In a perfect world, you could set up an office in a space no one else has much access to, like a spare bedroom. An ideal workspace should help you concentrate on your current marketing campaigns. Hence, pick a quiet area free from distractions. 

For example, Li-Chi Pan’s workspace keeps it simple with a desk equipped with an iMac and lamp. Her entire setup is beside a panoramic window which provides ample lighting and a gorgeous view of Sydney’s rooftops. 

Tips for Scuccessfully Working Remotely - Pick a Good Spot for Workspace

However, this option isn’t available to everyone.

If you don’t have a spare space, set yourself up in an area that’s as distraction-free as possible, even if that means facing a wall at your kitchen table. Avoid setting up a space in your bedroom, as that may make it harder to view it as a place of rest.

Change Up Your Remote Work Scenery 

Even when your workspace looks gorgeous, sometimes working a long time from home can lead to boredom. After all, when you’re around others at the office, what you see is constantly changing.

I highly recommend working in a coffee shop, library, or co-working space when possible. This could not just stave off boredom from looking at the same stuff all day, but if you’re someone who thrives with company, it could help prevent feeling isolated.

Have a Board for Your To-Do List or Ideas

Marketers often have plenty of sticky notes for their various tasks or marketing campaign ideas. The nice thing about being at home and not the office is you can arrange this however you want because you’re in control of the space.

Consider having a board where you can place your schedule or creative schemes to help you stay organized. 

For example, this workspace by Oh Happy Day has a transparent glass board where a marketer can place their weekday priorities. 

Tips for Successfully Working Remotely - Have a Board for Your To-Do List or Ideas

Get the Right Office Equipment and Office Supplies for Remote Work Success

Ask your employer to provide your equipment such as monitors, a mouse, and a keyboard. You can also inquire about reimbursement for office supplies or even needed furniture like a desk.

While much of your work may be possible via video conferencing tools, some clients prefer talking on the phone. If this is the case for you, ask your work about getting you a work phone so you don’t have clients calling your personal number. 

Unfortunately, these expenses are often not tax-deductible anymore, though some states allow this, so be sure to check on your laws and talk to a tax professional if needed.

Ensure Your WiFi Works Well Enough

Whether you’re working from home or on the beach, make sure your internet connection is strong. You don’t want work to delete just before it backs up or for a client’s call to be dropped.

I highly recommend using Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to guarantee you’ll have a secure and private connection. Some marketing agencies may also benefit from a VPN because it helps them determine the organic search results, peek at YouTube ads, and conduct competitor analysis when browsing from a specific country or region. 

Celebrate Your Remote Work Wins

Did your marketing campaign generate record-breaking results? Have you gotten a new client? Every groundbreaking achievement is a cause for celebration. 

Sadly, your wins and successes may not be as visible when you’re working from home or a remote location. 

A potential solution is to encourage teammates and employers to set-up an announcement system whenever you and your teammates have a win. This can be as simple as announcing the achievement through a dedicated group chat or sending an email with a list of successes. 

Conclusion 

Just like everything else, working as a remote marketer comes with perks and drawbacks. Productivity may go up, and money may be saved—both for employees and employers—but it can get a bit lonely.  

As long as you can minimize distractions and have a dedicated workspace, you could efficiently accomplish your projects and marketing campaigns. Don’t forget to ask your employer for the right equipment and to ensure you have WiFi access.

Whenever you and your digital marketing team experience big or small victories, celebrate your successes. This way, everyone is motivated to do their best even when they’re apart. 

How will you succeed as a remote marketer?

Local Business Credit Card– Benefits Business Owners

Local Business Credit Card– Benefits Business Owners

For those factors, an organization credit report card or a tiny company credit scores card can come in useful, provided the advantages used for company proprietors in certain. If you have the economic understanding to handle your cash as a service proprietor, service credit history cards can provide you the versatility you require to handle day to day expenditures. Company credit rating cards utilized with treatment can be simply the point you require to assist you handle your expanding company.

One distinction in between individual and also organization bank card is the procedure of acquisition monitoring. Your acquisitions are tracked under your business name, not your name, therefore the advertising supplies that you obtain for your company would certainly be based upon what you have actually bought with your service bank card, not your individual cards. An advantage of this monitoring would certainly be that your business would certainly have an organization background which might verify to be an excellent possession.

Your service debt card declaration ought to come with an in-depth listing of purchases, damaged down by kind of cost. When you are organizing your month-to-month budgeting, or your quarterly or annual economic estimates for tax obligation repayments, these declarations would certainly come in convenient when figuring out which costs need to be billed to which accounts, as well as which expenditures are tax-deductible.

Practically 75% of company specialists evaluated have actually insisted that company bank card as well as small company charge card verify to be a simpler means to take care of costs than a bank account. Inspecting accounts call for the hand-operated recording of purchases, and also when individuals make errors or perhaps fail to remember to videotape those purchases, undesirable shocks can show up in the kind of over-limits. Your month-to-month declaration will certainly consist of every cost carefully.

Organization debt card accounts additionally have some edge advantages that individual credit scores cards do not constantly have. These additional cards will truly come in helpful as soon as your service begins to expand. Considering that your company credit report card would certainly come with in-depth expenditure monitoring, you would certainly really feel the convenience of handing over these types of acquisition choices to others, leaving you even more time to concentrate on expanding your company.

Utilizing the best bookkeeping software program, you can combine your online declarations with your existing account documents to instantly match costs with allocated accounts. Why pay an accounting professional to rest as well as match those expenditures up when you can make use of a software application plan would certainly do the exact same task at half the time and also expense possibly a great deal much less than the income of an accounting professional?

A tiny organization credit scores card might finish up being not simply a resource of economic adaptability, yet likewise a surrogate accounting professional. When you figure in the various other advantages of a company credit scores card, such as benefit regular leaflet miles for airline companies, or from incentives that come with cash money refunds for acquisitions, the benefits of company debt cards start to standout considerably. The trick is to bear in mind to pay your equilibrium as well as your charges in a prompt fashion, so that your credit report ranking as a company continues to be solid.

For those factors, a service debt card or a little service credit scores card can come in useful, offered the advantages supplied for service proprietors in specific. Your acquisitions are tracked under your business name, not your name, and also so the advertising and marketing provides that you get for your organization would certainly be based on what you have actually acquired with your company credit rating cards, not your individual cards. Practically 75% of company specialists evaluated have actually insisted that company credit report cards and also tiny service credit history cards show to be a simpler means to handle expenditures than a monitoring account. Because your company credit history card would certainly come with comprehensive expenditure monitoring, you would certainly really feel the convenience of passing on these kinds of acquisition choices to others, leaving you even more time to concentrate on expanding your company.

When you figure in the various other advantages of a company debt card, such as incentive constant leaflet miles for airline companies, or from incentives that come with cash money refunds for acquisitions, the benefits of company credit report cards start to standout considerably.

Known Medicine (YC S20) Hiring Data Scientist

Article URL: https://www.workatastartup.com/jobs/42862

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26560347

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Sirum (YC W15) join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare team

SIRUM is making medications affordable for all. We’re a small (~25) but quickly growing team that’s passionate about our mission of reimagining healthcare access for those in need.

We like to work hard, solve tough problems, and are determined to improve healthcare access for families who have trouble affording the medications they need to stay healthy.

We’re currently hiring for both our Palo Alto and Atlanta offices, as well as some fully remote roles. We have opportunities for senior software developers, software architects, sales, communication, and many other positions and are especially interested in anyone with pharmacy experience.

If you want to work in healthcare, love mission-driven work, and thrive in a startup environment, then we may be a good fit. Check out our open roles at https://www.sirum.org/about#careers.

Even if you don’t see something that’s the right fit right now, email adam@sirum.org – we love hearing from folks on Hacker News who share our mission.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26541390

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

The post Sirum (YC W15) join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare team appeared first on ROI Credit Builders.

Business Tax Returns And Fundability

Fundability is like a puzzle. There are many different pieces that make up the complete picture. Financial statements are part of that, both business and personal. Business tax returns are just one piece of the puzzle. 

The Basics of business Tax Returns and How They Affect Fundability

According to the IRS, except for partnerships, all businesses have to file an income tax return. There are different forms.  The one you need to use depends on the business structure you choose. In addition to partnerships, there are sole proprietorships, corporations, S-corps, and LLCs. 

Business Tax Returns for Beginners

If you are a new business owner, there are some things about paying business income taxes you need to know. They are not exactly the same as paying personal income tax. One of the major differences is that you may have to pay estimated tax.

Estimated Tax

Federal business income tax is pay-as-you-go.  You have to pay the tax as you earn or receive income.  

Sole proprietors and S-corps that expect to owe tax of $1,000 or more when they file their business tax return, will generally need to make estimated payments. For corporations, those that expect to owe $500 or will need to pay estimated taxes. 

Documentation

You are going to have to track expenses, asset purchases, income and more. The absolute best way to do this is to implement an excellent bookkeeping system from day one.  HIring a bookkeeper or bookkeeping agency is best.  If you cannot do this, at least choose one of the many great accounting software options available. 

With these options, you can print  reports at the end of each tax period.  Then just hand them over to your tax preparer. 

Learn more here and get started with building business credit with your company’s EIN and not your SSN.

Tax Preparation

Do not try to prepare tax returns for your business on your own.   Just hire a tax professional.  The cost will be well worth the time and money you save.  You reduce the chances of a mistake, and you have back up if your business has to undergo an audit. 

Note that your tax preparer should not be the same person as your bookkeeper or accountant. Whoever keeps the books should not do the tax returns. Larger corporations are not even allowed to have the same firm handle bookkeeping and taxes. With smaller businesses the same firm is ok, but it is not wise for the same person to do both. This helps deter and detect fraud.

This means, even if you have an in-house bookkeeper or accountant, they can prepare everything the tax preparer needs.  However, they should not complete the tax forms themselves.

Other Choices You Have to Make Before Filing Your First Business Tax Return

When it comes to filing tax returns for your business, you have some choices to make.  Discuss these with your tax professional thoroughly before making any decisions. 

Cash vs. Accrual

You will need to choose your method of accounting. You can choose either cash or accrual basis. With the cash basis, you count income as revenue when it is collected.  In the same way, you count expenses when you pay them. With accrual basis accounting, you record income when you earn it.  You count expenses when they are incurred. 

For example, using cash basis accounting, you don’t necessarily count revenue as soon as an item sells.  You count it when you get the cash.  That means, unless the buyer pays cash on the spot, you do not record revenue until the customer pays the invoice. You do not carry receivables on your books.  

business tax returns Credit Suite

Using accrual basis accounting, you will record revenue when the item sells.  A receivable for the invoice will go on the books.. 

If your business is new, you may have more unpaid expenses and more uncollected income at the end of the year.  Then, it looks best for you to take those outstanding expenses as a deduction.  That’s accrual basis accounting. 

Yet, later on when your business is profitable, your outstanding receivables will likely be higher than outstanding expenses or payables.  If you are using the accrual method, you will be recording more net income and thus paying more in taxes under the accrual method. Consider this when making your decision.

Learn more here and get started with building business credit with your company’s EIN and not your SSN.

Once you decide which method to use, you will have to stick with it through the life of your business.  Although, there are exceptions that allow for changes to be permitted.  Also, certain businesses, like those with larger revenues or that carry inventory, do not have a choice.  They must use the accrual method. 

Depreciation

There are a few different options about depreciation.  Discuss this thoroughly with your tax preparer to ensure you are doing what is best for your business. The first choice will be about first year depreciation.  Typically depreciation on assets is written off over the course of 5 to 7 year. However, the IRS allows a first year deduction of up to $100,000 for equipment and most furniture instead.   This is an election most business owners take.

However, if you do not make a profit you cannot take the $100,000 deduction.  You can carry it forward to a year that you do make a profit.  

Early on, you might want to think about using the slower depreciation method.  Then, you can use the deductions later.  At that time,  there will likely be more income. You may be in a higher tax bracket than the startup phase.  The depreciation deductions may come in handy. 

The most important thing in making any tax decision is to discuss it with your tax professional. 

Business Tax Returns and Fundability Crossover

Fundability is, in the most simple terms, the ability of your business to get funding. For a business to be fundable, it needs to be fully recognizable as an entity separate from its owner.  There is a lot of crossover between fundability and business taxes.

business tax returns Credit Suite

Fundability, Business Tax Returns, and Entity Type

Take the business entity choice for example. You can choose whichever you want for you taxes, but you do have to choose one. Generally, that choice will depend on your budget and needs for liability protection.  Your tax advisor will be able to help you decide.  However, the decision you make affects fundability as well.  

For fundability purposes, you do not need to operate as a sole proprietorship.  Your business needs to operate as a completely separate entity from you as the owner. To do that, you need to choose to operate as either an S-corp, LLC, or corporation. 

Fundability, Business Tax Returns, and the EIN vs. SSN Saga

If you are operating as a sole proprietor, it is possible to use your SSN to file your business tax return. For fundability, you should not file a business tax return using your social security number. This is also a vital part of setting your business up to be fundable. You need an EIN. You can get one for free at IRS.gov. 

Learn more here and get started with building business credit with your company’s EIN and not your SSN.

Business Bank Account

To fully separate your business from yourself as the owner, you need to have a separate, dedicated business bank account. This is also helpful for tax purposes.  It makes tracking business expenses much easier. 

What Lenders are Looking for in Business Tax Returns

Why and how do business tax returns affect fundability? There are many factors that affect the overall fundability of a business.  Credit Suite identifies 23 core principles of fundability.  We  break these down further into 125 fundability factors.  Business financials is one of the core principles of fundability.   Business tax returns are one of the factors included in this principle.

Lenders want to see that you pay your taxes, and that you are reporting things accurately to the IRS.  They may not always request business tax returns.  Still, if they do and you do not have things in order, it will definitely cause a problem.

Even if they do not request tax returns, they may do various background checks on your company.  If they turn up that you aren’t handling your taxes responsibly, it won’t bode well for your ability to get funding. 

Business Tax Returns Are Only One Piece of Fundability

Some factors affect fundability more than others.  For example, consider if your business taxes are in order, but your business credit score stinks.  You may struggle to get the funding you need to run your business. The same is true for how your business is set up. Say you have your taxes completely handled, but you are operating as a sole proprietorship.  You are not separating your business from yourself.  You use your SSN and personal contact information to file your taxes. This will cause issues with your business credit profile.  That in turn causes fundability issues.  

business tax returns Credit Suite

You need a tax expert to help you with your business tax return.  You need a business credit expert to help you with overall fundability.  Our experts can ensure you’re hitting all the core principles of fundability, and help you figure out what to do to ensure all the factors of fundability are met as closely as possible.  This will give you your best shot at funding your business now, and in the future. Get a free consultation now to find out how Credit Suite can help you.

The post Business Tax Returns And Fundability appeared first on Credit Suite.

Sirum (YC W15) join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare team

SIRUM is making medications affordable for all. We’re a small (~25) but quickly growing team that’s passionate about our mission of reimagining healthcare access for those in need. We like to work hard, solve tough problems, and are determined to improve healthcare access for families who have trouble affording the medications they need to stay …

The post Sirum (YC W15) join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare team first appeared on Online Web Store Site.

How to Promote Your Podcast Through Paid Ads

Growing a podcast is a challenge.

There are 1.75 million podcasts in the world and more than 43 million episodes.

There’s a lot of competition, but podcast consumption has also increased exponentially.

Thirty-seven percent of US adults have listened to podcasts, a three-fold increase compared to the last ten years. Podcast listeners also tune in to an average of seven different shows per week, and 80 percent listen to the entire or most of each episode.

The podcast industry has a bright future. Both the number of podcasts and podcast listeners have spiked.

One of the most effective ways to promote your podcast audience is using paid ads.

Here’s how to do it.

Why Should You Create a Paid Ad to Promote Your Podcast?

Paid ads provide a fast and effective way to promote podcasts and increase brand awareness. Unlike content marketing, which takes a ton of time, paid ads can quickly grow your audience in a matter of weeks.

Here are a few other benefits of paid ads:

  • Widen reach: Not getting enough listeners? Paid ads are an effective tool to boost your audience. Ad targeting makes it easier to get your podcast in front of your target audience.
  • Set your podcast apart: What topics do you discuss on your podcast? Why should people tune into your episodes? A PPC ad can highlight what sets your podcast apart from its competition.
  • Cost-effective advertising: PPC is a cost-effective way to promote your podcast because you pay based on clicks, impressions, or conversions. Most social media platforms also provide metrics on your advertising results, so you get your money’s worth.

Types of Paid Ads to Promote Your Podcast

A wide range of platforms offer paid ads you can use to promote your podcast, such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Discord. Below, we’ll cover why you should consider each platform and the types of ads they offer.

Google Ads

Google ads appear when users search for your business or use business-related keywords in their Google search. This lets you reach one of the widest audiences of any platform.

Types of Google ads include:

  • text
  • responsive
  • image
  • app promotion ads
  • video
  • product shopping ads
  • showcase shopping ads
  • call-only ads

Facebook Ads

Facebook ads let you promote your social media page, posts on your social media page, or your podcast website. You can target users based on their demographic, geographic location, or profile information. Facebook ads are also an ideal way to build a community around your podcast, helping it grow.

Types of Facebook ads include:

  • image
  • video
  • carousel
  • instant experience
  • collection

Instagram Ads

Instagram ads are ideal for those who want to promote podcasts through high-quality photos and gorgeous visuals. You can also share short clips, highlight behind-the-scenes images, or share links to podcasts. With more than a billion monthly active users, Instagram reaches a massive audience.

Types of Instagram ads include:

  • images
  • videos
  • carousel
  • stories

Snapchat Ads

Snapchat ads leverage unique advertising features such as augmented reality, face swap, and engaging filters to boost brand awareness and promote podcasts. These ads can also reach a younger audience, with the average Snapchat user being between 15 and 25 years of age.

Types of Snapchat ads include:

  • single image or video ads
  • filters
  • lenses
  • story ads
  • product catalog ads
  • commercials

TikTok Ads

TikTok ads require users to set up an ad campaign to reach their target audience within 24 hours. The platform is newer, which means ads can be more affordable than more established platforms like Google and Facebook.

TikTok ad types include:

  • in-feed ads
  • branded hashtags
  • top view ads
  • branded effects
  • brand takeover

Discord

Discord Servers or chat rooms are filled with like-minded people who want to communicate on a game, topic, or any point of interest. If you have a Discord server dedicated to podcast listeners, head to Advertise Your Server (AYS). You can promote your server and attract dedicated listeners.

LinkedIn Ads

LinkedIn ads are ideal for podcasters who want to target a professional audience, such as business owners or working professionals. While it might not be the right platform for all podcasts, LinkedIn still boasts more than 37 million members and has high engagement rates.

Types of LinkedIn ads include the following:

  • single image ad
  • carousel image ad
  • video ad
  • text ad
  • dynamic ad
  • sponsored messaging

How to Decide Which Paid Ad Campaigns Are Right for Your Podcast

Since several platforms offer paid ads, which is best to promote podcasts? There is no one right answer; you’ll need to consider your niche, audience, budget, and ad types each platform offers.

We discuss all these factors in-depth below.

1. Niche

Your podcasts’ niche or industry plays a big role in deciding which platform to choose.

Are you selling software for the B2B industry? PPC campaigns on LinkedIn will be key to attracting like-minded podcast listeners. Are you a beauty or lifestyle brand? Instagram ads with gorgeous models and pretty products will likely drive the best results.

Check out my social media marketing guide to find the ideal platform based on your industry.

2. Audience

Most paid ad platforms have distinct ad targeting capabilities. Before you start creating ads, make sure you know who you want to reach.

What are their likes and dislikes? Where are they located? What is their gender?

The more information you have, the easier it will be to create targeted ads your audience is likely to respond to.

If your podcast wants to pique the interest of Gen Zers, think about launching TikTok ads. A food-themed podcast could also use gorgeous food-themed pics on their Instagram paid ads.

The Pew Research Center has a social media fact sheet where you can determine the preferred platform based on demographic data.

promote podcast - pew statistics

3. Cost

Every platform has a distinct bidding process. Advertisers are charged based on their goals or objectives such as clicks, impressions, or conversions. The average cost will also differ depending on your niche or industry.

To maximize your revenue, consider the cost of the ads and its results. You can also run a survey of your listeners to determine the platforms where your audience is most active.

4. Ad Types

Different ad types will yield different results and perceptions of your podcast.

Some ad types will resonate with your audience better. You’ll need to experiment with different ad formats to find out which works best for your target audience.

For instance, advertisers who want to launch a unique branded campaign using filters or lenses could focus on Snapchat. Those who find carousel ads effective may leverage Facebook or Instagram.

Take the time to research your audience and test a few platforms. If one type of ad converts at a higher rate, you’ll want to stick to platforms that offer that ad type.

Tracking and Measuring the Success of Your Podcast Promotion Campaign

Besides your iTunes ranking, there are several other ways to track the effectiveness of your paid podcast campaign. Here are a few metrics and KPIs to gauge the success of your paid ads campaign.

  • Direct and referral traffic: Refers to the spike in traffic due to paid ad campaigns posted on social media websites or search engines.
  • Downloads per episode: The number of times your podcast episode is downloaded on a computer, mobile device, or tablet.
  • Exclusive offer code: Consists of a coupon code which is read on-air by the host to track conversions linked to the ad campaign.
  • Cost per thousand (CPM): Refers to the amount the advertisers pay for a thousand impressions on the paid ad.
  • Cost per acquisition (CPA): The amount spent to acquire a new podcast listener or customer as a result of the paid ad campaign.
  • Bounce rate: The rate at which people leave the website without continuing to browse to other pages. Most PPC ads lead potential listeners to the podcast’s website or a landing page. If you experience a high bounce rate, consider customizing your landing page to improve results.
  • Time on site: This refers to the average time that interested listeners spend on their visit. The time spent on your site can determine whether podcast listeners are engaged with your episodes.
  • Conversion rate: The average number of visitors who converted into podcast listeners.
  • Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): The profit earned after spending a specific amount on launching paid ad campaigns.
  • Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Refers to the amount spent throughout your relationship with your customer.
  • Budget attainment: Amount spent on PPC ad campaigns monthly

Tips for Creating Paid Ads to Promote Your Podcast

At this point, you’re probably looking to create your podcast ad. As someone who has launched many PPC campaigns, here are tips to promote podcasts through paid ads.

1. Choose the Right Advertising Image

Podcasts may be audio, but people are attracted to PPC ads because of images. Use an attention-grabbing image that matches the theme and subject of your podcast.

The Tim Ferris show has a video ad with a compelling illustration of the podcast host. Clicking the play button plays a persuasive quote that encourages listeners to check out the entire episode.

promote podcast - example of tim ferriss

2. Target the Right Audience

Test PPC ads to narrow down your target audience.

When you know your audience, you can leverage ad targeting capabilities to lower your costs and improve conversions.

Let’s say you have an upcoming episode about cooking from a popular local celebrity. You can narrow your audience based on location and a particular theme of the episode.

Likewise, you can also promote podcasts by modifying targeting options based on an episode’s content. A/B testing can help identify the ideal ad sets and demographics of your target audience.

3. Test Your Ads

To increase CTR and decrease ad spend, test ads with different images or copy. Like Tim Ferris’ ad in the previous section, most podcast ads consist of an audiogram or a short clip with subtitles.

I recommend testing various audiograms to find out which works best in generating clicks or conversions. You can also lead users to the website or landing page where they can listen or download the particular podcast episode featured in the ad.

4. Monitor Your Podcast Ad Results

Most advertising platforms provide analytics to track the results of your campaigns. Facebook campaigns can be tracked with Facebook Analytics while Instagram ads can be tracked with Instagram analytics, and so forth.

For every social media platform you use, check the data consistently. Use this information to improve the paid ad campaigns in that channel.

Examples of Paid Ads for Podcast Promotions

Not sure how to promote podcasts with paid ads? We’ve compiled a list of compelling examples to inspire your own.

1. iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio’s paid ad aimed to promote their Ron Burgundy podcast. It includes a short audiogram which provides listeners a sneak peek of their discussion on how the brain works. Curious listeners may be compelled to click the ad to listen to the entire episode.

Promote Podcast - iHeartRadio Example

2. Goldman Sachs

Podcast ads usually have an audiogram, but it doesn’t mean your ads should stick to the norm.

The Exchanges at Goldman Sachs podcast features a behind-the-scenes video of the hosts speaking on-air. The subtitles let viewers understand the topic of conversation even when the video is on mute.

Promote Podcast - Goldman Sachs Example

3. Pfizer

The Antigen podcast by Pfizer explores the political, scientific, and cultural elements of vaccination.

Their paid ad begins with the compelling question, “Do you like podcasts or science?” If the answer is yes, you can check out their podcast about COVID-19, potential treatments, and past pandemics.

Promote Podcast - Pfizer Example

4. March of Dimes

March of Dimes podcast shares stories on pregnancy, parenthood, and loss.

Their paid ad campaign shared a snippet of a father’s inspiring story with his little girl born prematurely. The caption and the featured snippet will draw new parents’ who can relate to the content.

They also have an image of a mother cradling a baby, which can attract the attention of parents.

Promote Podcast - March of Dimes Example

Conclusion

Paid ad campaigns can help boost awareness for your podcast and attract new listeners.

To maximize your results, use a compelling image, target the right audience, test paid ads, and make sure to monitor results. Tracking and measuring the success of your podcast promotion campaign will also help you monitor your results.

As you get more data, you can determine the most effective ad type and ideal targeting techniques for cost-effective spending. Here’s to hoping these tips will help you to promote your podcast and grow your audience.

How will you promote podcasts?

Six Steps to Launching Your New Content-Based Project

The new year is upon us and it is safe to assume that most of us were looking forward to it. Are you read for making your resolutions happen? If you are one of many …

The post Six Steps to Launching Your New Content-Based Project appeared first on Paper.li blog.

New comment by alex_rawa in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (March 2021)"

Rawa TV | Remote (EU timezone overlap needed) | Full-time | Full stack developer, React Native developer

Rawa TV (https://rawa.tv) is a live streaming platform targeted for gamers across the Arab region. We are building the largest arab gaming community that will help gamers directly engage with each other and monetize their passion through our platform. We are backed by strong investors, close to 6 figures of users, growing at a rate of 400 new sign ups per day, and for our next phase of growth we are looking to increase our team with dedicated and talented people.

Work is 100% remote but not async, therefore some EU timezone overlap is needed. In the direct chain of command, everyone but the CEO comes with a strong tech background, so management does understand you. Being a startup, there is also no clear chain of command, but rather a mist.

# Full stack developer

As a professional full stack developer, you will take both frontend and backend tasks, but the ratio strongly favors backend. At the moment the code is v1.0, so not pretty, but a rewrite using proper microservices boundaries and clean architecture is on the horizon.

## Requirements

– Typescript (though good JS knowledge is enough)
– Comfortable with relational databases (PostgreSQL & MySQL)
– General AWS practice, more specific ECS, Lambdas, RDS Aurora
– ReactJs

# React Native developer

At the moment our frontend is split into 3 independent projects, with independent developers: web, Android & iOS. We would like to unite all under one roof, and think React Native is up to the task. As a professional React Native developer, you will be tasked with taking the current project and rewriting it, with a focus on Android and iOS. A separate colleague will focus on web and backends integration, and it’s expected that you will work together closely.

## Requirements

– React Native – Typescript
– Expo – Typescript
– Ability to copy-paste from StackOverflow when dealing with Android/iOS specific issues (some native knowledge heavily preferred)

If you think you fit the job description, please send your CV and any other documentation of your choice to apply@rawa.tv

Sirum (YC W15) join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare team

SIRUM is making medications affordable for all. We’re a small (~25) but quickly growing team that’s passionate about our mission of reimagining healthcare access for those in need. We like to work hard, solve tough problems, and are determined to improve healthcare access for families who have trouble affording the medications they need to stay … Continue reading Sirum (YC W15) join a fast-growing, mission-driven healthcare team