Many small business owners and entrepreneurs have a stigma that only big companies like McDonald’s and Disney can do branding. “It costs a lot of money,” they believe. But that is not entirely true. Brand …
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As people return to physical shopping post-pandemic, a new behavior has emerged: hybrid shopping. Put simply, hybrid shopping is a blend of physical and digital shopping.
Given this trend, it’s important to create strategies that provide consumers with seamless, personalized, and convenient shopping experiences across digital and brick-and-mortar shops. Brands must reevaluate how they advertise, provide support, and even how they go about suggesting products.
Wondering how to get started? Learn how to better connect with hybrid consumers in the upcoming webinar we are presenting with Adweek on The Rise of the Hybrid Consumer and How They are Changing the Way We Shop on Thursday, May 5th at 1pm EST
In the post-Covid world, consumers have been rethinking, reevaluating, and adapting their lifestyles accordingly. As a result, their interests, shopping behaviors, and preferences have changed significantly.
While the “Hybrid Consumer” may seem like a new concept, we have been building towards them for a few years now. It was just digitally accelerated due to the pandemic.
In 2020, consumers did most of their shopping online; in fact, online sales grew by a whopping 31.8 percent from 2019 to 2020. This was more than double their average annual growth rate which was already impressive enough.
When businesses started reopening in 2021 and consumers began returning to in-store physical shopping, they didn’t abandon their online behaviors.
As “Hybrid Consumers”, they no longer distinguish between online and offline channels. For example, they may look at an item in-store but then do more research online before making a purchase there. They may also research and buy online before picking up a product in-store.
Rather, they’ve become “hybrid consumers” and no longer distinguish between online and offline channels. For example, hybrid consumers may look at items in-store, but complete their purchase online. The inverse is also true: they may shop online and pick up in-store.
As a result of these shifts, shoppers are creating new opportunities and challenges for marketers. It is more important than ever for businesses to track consumer actions to come up with a plan that better reaches and engages them.
Learn more about how to capitalize on these opportunities in the upcoming webinar on Thursday, May 5th.
“Hybrid Shopping” has caused a surge in sales for online marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Etsy, and Home Depot.
In fact, e-commerce sales are still growing and are expected to hit $7.391 trillion by 2025. E-commerce accounted for about $1 in $5 of total retail sales in 2020 and 2021 and as systems improve to benefit hybrid consumers, this could continue increasing.
Since consumers are now making purchase decisions based on a combination of in-store and online interactions, businesses much cater to the cultural shift which this webinar will prepare you for.
Hybrid consumers no longer distinguish between online and offline channels. They might go into a Walmart or Best Buy and see something they like, but then make their purchase through a third-party marketplace seller online.
If you aren’t creating more personalized and seamless shopping experiences that hybrid consumers want, they will look elsewhere to make their purchases.
What we are seeing is just the beginning of hybrid shopping and as consumer expectations evolve, so will the experiences needed to reach them. As people get accustomed to the seamless integration of physical and digital experiences, the “hybrid consumer” will continue to change. Things like personalization and ease-of-use were a marketing strategy at best, and an afterthought at worst.
Consumers now expect shopping to be quick, convenient, and to catered to their satisfaction. Businesses must adapt, improve their online processes, and consider what experiences are needed to match the expectations of their target audience.
Some important stakeholders who will benefit from the content taught in this webinar include:
Any business will benefit from the content taught in this webinar, especially those with an online and physical presence.
E-commerce businesses will learn actionable strategies that will drive more conversions and, thereby, grow their revenue. Shops that previously focused on physical sales will learn how to create digital experiences that will drive more traffic, increase their revenue, and grow their customer base.
There will be lots of valuable content included in this webinar to help businesses adapt for the hybrid consumer of today and the changes to come tomorrow. A few key things include:
To learn more about these specific strategies, join us on Thursday, May 5, at 1pm EST.
Zattoo | Onsite / Remote-friendly | Video and Playback Engineers | Video Team | Full-time
https://zattoo.com/de/company/jobs
The video development department at Zattoo is growing two of its teams with multiple roles open.
About Zattoo: Back in 2005, we pioneered Europe’s first TV streaming service. Today, we’re the world’s first certified climate neutral TV streaming provider. 3 million users across three countries. Over 230 colleagues of 47 nationalities.
Multiple open roles in the ads backend services team at Zattoo:
As a Software Engineer one will work on building and extending services for server-side dynamic ad insertion and delivery of personalized ads at scale. The team will work closely with our Video and Playback Team to ensure delivery of the world class video experience. The ads domain team is owning a microservice architecture that handles all aspects dealing with video ads at Zattoo. The core of it is driving our fragment-level ad stitching solution. From there it is also dealing with ad ingest, adserver communication and metadata communication. We are a team of diverse software engineers specialized in video technology.
– Backend Engineer (Golang)
– Software Engineer (C++ / Streaming)
– Software Engineer (C++ and Golang)
—
Multiple open roles in the playback team at Zattoo:
The playback team builds the technology that ensures a high-quality video streaming experience for all of our customers independently of the device they use.
We are a team of diverse playback engineers specialized in video playback technologies with senior experience in the streaming business and we work closely with the video backend team to deliver content in the best way possible.
– Web Playback Engineer
– Android Playback Engineer
– iOS / tvOS Playback Engineer
https://zattoo.com/de/company/jobs
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Cox Automotive | Software Engineer (entry Level welcome) | Permanently Remote (US East/Central timezones)
Join a close knit team that owns their domain from infrastructure to frontend. Write good code in React/Scala and automate everything with Kubernetes/Terraform in AWS.
Level 1: https://jobs.coxenterprises.com/job/14448897/software-engine…
Level 2: https://jobs.coxenterprises.com/job/14206950/software-engine…
Level 3: https://jobs.coxenterprises.com/job/14202971/senior-software…
Level 4: https://jobs.coxenterprises.com/job/14545758/lead-software-e…
Location: Brazil
Remote: Yes
Willing to Relocate:
Maybe Technologies: PHP (Laravel, Lumen), Javascript (REACT/Next, VUE/Vuex), Node (Express), MySQL, REST and Graphql API design
Resume: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11aw2i440xCHCkt383m1E7th-KPN…
I have plenty of experience working with SAAS products (designing from scratch or building upon an existing one), managing teams and working remotely as a full stack developer.
I’m only open to part time jobs (I don’t have or intend to hold another job at the same time) or free lancing.
Contact: souljacker @ gmail
Fox News contributor Joe Concha reacted Tuesday to The White House abruptly cutting the feed of President Biden’s briefing on wildfires with federal and state officials in Boise, Idaho.
Are you hoping to identify MarTech trends that can help your campaigns be more effective and run more smoothly?
As our marketing capabilities evolve, so do the tools we use to measure our successes and how we achieve that success.
In this blog, we unpack the six biggest MarTech trends looming over the marketing industry and how you can use them to your advantage.
Marketing technology, or MarTech, as it is more commonly known, refers to software and platforms that help individuals or organizations achieve marketing goals.
This term is very inclusive, covering everything from email templates to data analytics.
While every individual, agency, or company has unique MarTech needs, the constantly-growing field is making great leaps to fill any open niche.
Over the past twenty years, the field has seen truly exponential growth. Today, being a marketer doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be incredibly tech-savvy, but it does mean that you need to understand the benefits of tools that can improve your strategy and help you reach your goals.
Your competitors are likely using MarTech to help their campaigns succeed. If you’re not looking toward how you can automate, optimize, and ideate your campaigns through MarTech, it’s time to start.
As we mentioned above, MarTech is a very wide umbrella. However, some forms of MarTech are more common than others. These include:
With more than 50 percent of survey respondents copping to checking their email in excess of ten times a day, it’s no wonder that email marketing is an easy way to try to reach your target audience. While the operative word in that sentence was try, marketing automation tools can get you that much closer to your goals.
To reach them, you need tools and platforms that not only disseminate your emails but provide in-depth analytics that gives you a real-time view of reader practices and interactions. As email marketing continues to grow and evolve, the demand for personalization in this medium will also continue to grow.
Marketers should use automation and AI to deploy targeted emails engineered to attract a particular audience segment. To achieve successful personalization, use data to assess customer habits and preferences for each audience segment and then craft corresponding templates. Then your MarTech tool can do the rest.
While managing your website content used to be a time-consuming, exhaustive process that took hours of coding, new marketing technology has automated cumbersome processes, allowing marketers to dedicate time to other important pursuits.
Content management systems (CMS) have evolved over the years, now equipped with the capabilities to develop the following kinds of websites (along with many others):
Predicted to achieve a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.7 percent, as CMS capabilities grow, so will collaboration and planning tools that unite workflows to allow complete management of content from creative to back-end development.
Today, marketers can harness the power of data analytics to gain an understanding of customer preferences and behaviors—including how they shop, where they spend their time, and how they discover new offerings—as well as market trends.
MarTech tools that allow marketers to dive deep into these data sets are invaluable, as they provide never-before-seen maps of how consumers operate online. By tracking online behaviors, marketers gain a deeper understanding of their customers.
As MarTech data tools become even more intuitive, marketers will have even more visibility of customer journeys, following them from initial interest to final purchase. These insights will be captured through cookies and CTR, among other trackers. As the tools become more refined, so will understanding of consumer behavior, allowing marketers to readjust their strategies.
To help you decide which MarTech offerings you want to add to your stack, we broke down the six biggest trends that are likely to impact both the MarTech world and the marketing world well beyond this year.
If you’re tempted to bypass adding an intuitive analytics tool to your MarTech stack, don’t. These tools can help you gain a better understanding of nearly every aspect of your marketing campaigns, from buyer behaviors to conversion rates.
In fact, researchers expect marketing analytics budgets to grow by 61 percent over the next three years.
That’s huge. You don’t want to miss out on getting in early on a tool that can quite literally change the way you see your business.
Some of the many benefits of marketing analytics tools include:
We nodded a bit toward the importance and growing prevalence of personalization in marketing campaigns.
In short, this strategy means delivering individualized content to audience members. This personalized route builds a connection with consumers, treating them as individuals rather than a mass market.
Some common (and growing) opportunities for personalization include:
In the coming years, this prevalence will only grow, and marketers who don’t use tools to aid them in personalization will fall behind.
In fact, 99 percent of marketers claim personalization helps advance customer relationships, and 44 percent of consumers say they would be willing to switch to a brand that better personalized its marketing material.
If you’re not taking advantage of learning more about your would-be customers through tools and data, you’re missing out—not only on reaching customers more strategically but also on building relationships.
If you’re an advertiser or marketer who has relied heavily on third-party cookies, you may be in for a bit of a shock.
In 2020, Google announced its plan to phase out third-party cookies within two years. With Google Chrome composing almost 65 percent of the web browsing market according to statcounter’s data below, this move will have a dramatic impact on how marketers gather data.
If in the past, you relied on information from cookies to gain an understanding of consumer behavior and identity, you’re going to need to recalibrate your strategy.
Recently, Adobe found two in five brands are not prepared to transition away from cookies, indicating businesses do not have a strategy for gathering consumer data post-cookie.
After the transition is final, marketers will no longer be able to capture individual consumer data. To prepare for this future, digital marketers must align with the trend of personalization to reach and understand their intended consumers.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the news, you know that data breaches are on the rise. The United States alone has seen data breaches grow from 660 annually to over a thousand within the past decade, according to Statista.
If you think this number doesn’t apply to you, think again. Your website and consumer data are among your business’ most valuable assets. You need to protect them from malicious attacks at all costs.
Marketing automation can make every aspect of your marketing campaign easy. By using these tools, you reduce time spent, error, and unnecessary cost.
We’re not the only ones who think this way: The marketing automation market is primed to grow 8.55 percent annually, with 51 percent of companies already taking advantage of these tools.
As you assess your organization’s needs, look at how marketing automation tools simplify your processes and streamline campaign creation. The benefits of marketing analytics tools include:
Thought direct mail was dead? Think again: Forty-two percent of direct mail recipients engage with your send either through reading or scanning.
Further, 73 percent of Americans prefer direct mail marketing, as it allows them to read the piece at their leisure rather than forcing immediate consumption.
This year and beyond, you should reassess your organization’s direct mail strategy to see if there are new (or overlooked) avenues for you to contact your prospects directly through their physical mailbox, according to Who’s Mailing What:
Outside of the above statistics, benefits of direct mail include:
Marketing technology, or MarTech, as it is more commonly known, refers to software and platforms that help individuals or organizations achieve marketing goals. This term is very inclusive, covering everything from email templates to data analytics.
Yes. With MarTech making up 30 percent of North American marketers’ business budget, you would be well-advised to take advantage of marketing automation tools and platforms that can help you take your campaigns to the next level.
While there is a slew of MarTech trends that reshape the market year after year, we can confidently report that these six trends will be game-changers in the MarTech world:
In a word, yes. Direct mail is still an extremely effective marketing strategy. While there’s a lot of conversation around digital marketing, this classic mode of reaching potential customers is as effective as ever.
Want proof? Forty-two percent of direct mail recipients actually read what you’re sending them. Compare that to your average email clickthrough rate (CTR), and you’ll understand the true, measurable value of direct mail.
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As marketing needs and customer predilections continue to change, so will the tools we use to meet them.
However, the six marketing trends outlined in this post are here to stay.
To help your organization grow with these MarTech trends, be sure to invest in software that can help you achieve all of your marketing goals. Tools are meant to be used—be sure you’re taking advantage of them to outmaneuver your competitors.
What’s your prediction for the biggest marketing trend in 2021 and beyond?
Article URL: https://www.humandx.org/team?gh_jid=4859261002 Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28332917 Points: 1 # Comments: 0
Article URL: https://www.make.sc/president Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=27384168 Points: 1 # Comments: 0
There is a time and place for traditional business lenders, otherwise known as banks. However, they are not always the right option. Sometimes is takes too long to get funding from a bank. Maybe you do not qualify for a loan from a bank. This can be the case even if you are perfectly capable of repaying your debt. If business borrowing from a bank isn’t going to work for you, your next option is alternative lenders.
Alternative lenders are a totally legitimate option. They are exactly what their name implies, an alternative to traditional banks. However, just like banks, they have both pros and cons. You need to know and understand each when looking for financing alternatives for small businesses.
First, with alternative lenders, you typically get your funds much faster. So, if you need fast cash, this could be the way to go.
Also, the application process is usually faster and easier. Often you can apply online in a matter of minutes. Repayment terms are usually more flexible as well.
Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans.
Even better, these lenders will often take more into account that just credit score when it comes to approval. If there is a minimum credit score requirement, it is usually much lower than what traditional lenders require.
As a result, they have other eligibility requirements. These may include minimum revenue over a certain period of time, a minimum amount of time in business, minimum average balance in a business bank account, or all three. Other requirements may apply as well.
One of the biggest drawbacks of alternative lenders is that their interest rates are almost always higher, though rates vary based on perceived risk.
Also, the industry is a breeding ground for scammers. It’s important to know how to recognize predatory lending practices to avoid being taken advantage of if you are looking for an alternative lender.
Despite the risk of running into a predatory lender when it comes to alternative loans for businesses, there are some good companies out there. To give you a start, here are some alternative business financing options that we know and trust.
Fundbox makes it easier to get approval for financing. The minimum credit score is 500. Comparatively, this is much lower than with other lenders. Here are some things you need to know about Fundbox. First, they consider business merit as opposed to personal credit. For application purposes, they will do a soft pull on your personal credit. This will not affect your credit score. When you make your first draw, they will do a one time hard pull that could affect your score. Keep that in mind.
Kiva is an online lender that is a little different. For example, the interest rate is 0%. That means even though you have to pay it back, it is absolutely free money. They don’t even check your credit. Still, there is one catch. You have to get at least 5 family members or friends to give to the cause as well. In addition, you have to pitch in a $25 loan to another business on the platform.
Accion is a nonprofit lending network dedicated to helping small businesses. They offer small business loans, some grant opportunities, and other resources designed to help both startups and established small businesses grow and thrive.
Globally they have been working their magic for 55 years across 4 continents. Tens of millions of entrepreneurs have been helped by them. They came to the United States in 1991.
They lend to small business owners in general, from all backgrounds and most industries. However, they specialize in underserved populations like minorities.
They do not rely as heavily on credit as traditional lenders. Yet, they do require a minimum personal credit score of 575. The one exception is the Community Advantage program which requires a minimum of 525.
Other restrictions may apply based on a number of factors.
Streetshares offers a variety of financing and investment products with fast application processes and funds deposited almost immediately. Lending products never have a prepay penalty, and the credit check is a soft one. There is never any impact on your credit score for applying.
They lend to various types of businesses and business owners. Still, their early mission was to help veteran business owners, and they remain true to that mission today.
Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans.
This is alternative business financing rather than a specific alternative lender. The Credit Line Hybrid is a unique and powerful product that can serve your business needs in many ways. It allows you to fund your business without putting up collateral, and you only pay back what you use.
Your personal credit score needs to be at least 680. In addition, you can’t have any liens, judgments, bankruptcies or late payments. Furthermore, in the past 6 months you should have less than 4 credit inquiries, and you should have less than a 45% balance on all business and personal credit cards. It’s also preferred that you have established business credit as well as personal credit.
If you do not meet all of the requirements, it’s okay. You can take on a credit partner that meets each of these requirements. Many business owners work with a friend or relative to fund their business. If a relative or a friend meets all of these requirements, they can partner with you to allow you to tap into their credit to access funding.
As alternative funding sources go, this is one of the most flexible. There are many benefits to using a credit line hybrid. First, it is unsecured, meaning you do not have to have any collateral to put up. Next, the funding is “no-doc.” This means you do not have to provide any bank statements or financials.
Not only that, but typically approval is up to 5x that of the highest credit limit on the personal credit report. Additionally, often you can get interest rates as low as 0% for the first few months. This allows you to put more money back into your business.
The process is fast, especially with a qualified expert to walk you through it. Also, approval for multiple credit cards creates competition. This makes it easier, and even likely if you handle the credit responsibly, that you can get interest rates lowered and limits raised every few months.
Find out why so many companies use our proven methods to get business loans.
You can’t be too careful when looking for alternative financing methods for your business. The safest way to ensure you don’t fall prey to a scammer is to work with a business credit expert. They will not only have relationships with credible lenders, but they will also be able to help you find those with products and requirements that best fit your needs. CreditSuite has business credit experts ready to help. They have the skills and expertise necessary to help you navigate the business funding world. They can guide you toward products and lenders that will work best for your needs, and help you improve your fundability in the process. With strong fundability, you can access all types of business financing, alternative or not.
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