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Why You Don't Have to Pay
As voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant become more common, many small business owners are asking an important question: “Do I need to pay to be listed in voice search?” The answer is simple: ✅ No—you do not have to pay for voice search registration. There is no official “voice search registration” database that requires payment. In fact, voice assistants pull information from free, publicly available sources such as Google Business Profile, Yelp, Apple Maps, Bing, and your business website. Unfortunately, this has led to an increase in scams targeting small business owners—especially those who are trying to improve their online visibility. At Hayford Marketing LLC, we believe in honesty and transparency. If someone is trying to sell you “voice search registration,” you need to know what’s real and what’s not. Why Voice Search Is Free for Small BusinessesVoice search works much like a traditional online search. When someone says: “Hey Siri, find a plumber near me,” or “Alexa, what’s the best pizza place in Columbus?” The voice assistant is not pulling results from a paid directory. Instead, it uses existing online data that is already available on the internet. Here’s why you don’t need to pay: 1. Voice Assistants Use Existing Search EnginesVoice assistants pull information from search engines and online listings, similar to how Google works on a computer or phone. If your business shows up in Google Maps, it can often be found through voice search as well. 2. Google Business Profile Is the #1 Source for Voice Search ResultsOne of the most important tools for voice search visibility is your Google Business Profile—and it’s completely free. When your Google Business Profile is properly claimed and updated, your business is much more likely to appear when customers search by voice. 3. There Is No Official “Activation” or Fee-Based Voice Search ListingYou cannot pay Google, Amazon, Apple, or Microsoft to “activate” your business for voice search. There is no special registration fee required to appear in Alexa or Siri results. Some companies may offer optimization services (which can be legitimate), but paying for a listing itself is unnecessary. How to Optimize for Voice Search (Without Paying a Scam Company)Voice search optimization is real—but it’s not something you need to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for upfront “registration.” Here are legitimate ways to improve your voice search visibility for free: 1. Keep Your Business Information Updated EverywhereYour business information should match across the web, including:
2. Use Natural, Conversational Language on Your WebsiteVoice searches are usually longer and more conversational than typed searches. Instead of typing: “pizza Columbus” People ask: “Where is the best pizza near me?” That means your website should include question-style keywords like:
3. Get More Reviews (and Respond to Them)Customer reviews are one of the strongest ranking factors for both Google search and voice search. Businesses with more positive reviews are often favored because search engines see them as trustworthy and relevant. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on Google, and respond professionally to each one. Warning Signs of a Voice Search ScamSadly, scammers know small business owners are busy and may not understand how voice search works. Here are major red flags to watch for: 🚩 Someone calling and demanding immediate payment for “voice search registration” 🚩 Claims that your business will be “removed” if you don’t pay 🚩 A company saying they represent Google, Amazon, Apple, or Alexa 🚩 Promises of guaranteed #1 rankings in voice search 🚩 High-pressure sales tactics and urgent deadlines The truth is: Google and Amazon do not call small businesses demanding payment for voice search listings. The Bottom Line: Voice Search Is Free, But Optimization MattersVoice search registration is not something you need to purchase. However, being visible in voice search still requires effort through:
Need Help Getting Your Business Found Online?If you’re unsure whether your business listings are accurate or if you’ve been contacted by a company offering “voice search registration,” we’re happy to help you sort through it. 📞 Catherine Hayford, CEO: 614-273-5303 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: www.hayfordmarketing.com  In today’s crowded digital marketplace, simply having a Facebook Business Page isn’t enough. Algorithms shift. Organic reach declines. Engagement gets harder to earn. So how can you deepen your connection with your audience and stay visible?
One powerful (and underused) strategy: Facebook Groups. At Hayford Marketing, we help small businesses use Facebook Groups as an extension of their brand—one that builds loyalty, trust, and real engagement. Here’s why you should be doing the same. 1. Facebook Groups Build Community, Not Just FollowersUnlike business pages, which can feel like one-way broadcasting, Facebook Groups foster two-way conversation. Members feel like they’re part of something—a shared interest, mission, or local connection. Your group can:
2. You Bypass the Algorithm (To a Degree)Let’s face it: the organic reach of Facebook Business Pages is declining. Posts often only reach a small fraction of your followers unless boosted with ads. But Facebook prioritizes Group content in user feeds—especially when members are active. That means:
3. You Position Yourself as an Authority in Your NicheA well-run group positions you not just as a business owner, but as a leader in your space. Whether you're a wellness coach, a real estate agent, a dance studio, or a local BBQ restaurant, your Facebook Group becomes a hub for:
4. Groups Create Loyalty and Repeat BusinessWhen people join your group, they’re saying, “I want more from this brand.” They’re already invested. Use your group to:
5. You Own the RelationshipYou might not own Facebook, but when someone joins your group, you get closer to a direct relationship. You can:
Tips for Using Facebook Groups Effectively
Final Thoughts: It's About Connection, Not Just ConversionIn the age of automation and algorithms, authenticity wins. Facebook Groups give your business the chance to lead with value, build trust, and stay connected to your most loyal audience. At Hayford Marketing, we help small businesses design, grow, and manage online communities that drive real business results. If you're ready to create deeper engagement and build your digital tribe, we can help you launch or level up your group today. 📞 Catherine Hayford, CEO 614-273-5303 📧 [email protected] 🌐 www.hayfordmarketing.com This is one of the most common questions we hear from small business owners—and it's a fair one. After all, Facebook is free, easy to update, and offers access to a huge audience. But here’s the hard truth: relying solely on Facebook (or any social platform) for your business’s online presence puts your brand and your revenue at risk. Let me explain why. You Don’t Own Your Facebook Page. Imagine building your dream home… on land that belongs to someone else. Would you really invest all your time, money, and hard work into a space someone else controls? That’s exactly what you’re doing when you use Facebook as your only online presence. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok—these are borrowed spaces. Their terms, algorithms, and visibility rules are constantly changing. One day, your followers see your posts. The next day, you’re lucky if 10% of your audience sees your content at all. And if your page gets flagged or suspended—whether by mistake or due to policy changes—you’re locked out, often without warning or recourse. Your customers lose access to you, and you lose credibility and cash!! Social media is great for directing people to your ideas and brand, but it should direct people to your website.  Facebook Outages Are Real—and Costly. In recent years, Facebook has experienced multiple global outages.
For many businesses that rely solely on the platform, those days meant being completely invisible to their customers. No updates. No contact. There's no way to reassure clients that you’re open, available, and active. If your only online presence disappears, it’s as if your business has vanished. And your customers won’t wait around. A Website Is the One Digital Asset You Truly Own. A professional website is more than just a place for information—it’s your online headquarters. It gives your business credibility, stability, and control. With a website, you can:
Think of your website as your digital foundation. Social media can support your business—but it shouldn’t be the entire structure. At Hayford Marketing, we build websites that work. With over 35 years of experience in sales and design, we understand that a website isn’t just about appearance—it’s about strategy. We design with purpose: to help you sell, grow, and connect. When we build your site, we focus on:
And we do it all with honesty, integrity, and your long-term success in mind—because we believe in relationships, not transactions. Ready to Own Your Online Presence? Don’t leave your business in the hands of algorithms. Let’s create a website that represents your brand, supports your goals, and grows with you.  As a small business, one of the most powerful things you can do to grow your brand is to actively participate in and volunteer at community events. These opportunities go far beyond goodwill—they create real, long-term value for your business.
Community involvement builds trust and visibility. When people see your company showing up locally—supporting schools, nonprofits, festivals, fundraisers, or neighborhood events—they associate your brand with reliability, generosity, and authenticity. People are far more likely to support businesses they recognize and feel connected to. Volunteering also strengthens relationships and referrals. Community events bring together other small business owners, local leaders, families, and organizations. These face-to-face interactions often lead to partnerships, collaborations, and word-of-mouth referrals that no paid advertisement can replicate. For small businesses, especially, community engagement helps you stand out from larger competitors. Big companies can buy ads—but they can’t easily build genuine local relationships. Consistently showing up positions your business as invested, approachable, and community-driven. Additionally, participating in events provides organic marketing opportunities. Photos, videos, and stories from events create meaningful social media content, reinforce your brand values, and show the human side of your business. Customers want to know who they’re supporting—and community involvement tells that story naturally. Most importantly, giving back reinforces the idea that your business is not just here to sell, but to contribute. That mindset builds loyalty, strengthens your reputation, and helps create a healthier local economy where small businesses support one another. Community involvement isn’t an expense—it’s an investment in relationships, trust, and long-term growth. If you’re a service professional trying to reach homeowners, choosing the right social media platform matters just as much as your message. Here’s a simple breakdown: 🔹 Ages 13–29 (Gen Z & Younger Millennials) Best platforms: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat Great for brand awareness, but most users are not homeowners yet. 🔹 Ages 30–49 (Established Homeowners & Families) Best platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn This is the sweet spot for home services, contractors, remodelers, and local service businesses. 🔹 Ages 50+ (Long-Term Homeowners) Best platforms: Facebook & LinkedIn This group values trust, reputation, reviews, and local relationships. 🔹 All Ages YouTube performs well across every generation for how-to content, education, and credibility. Bottom line: If you’re marketing to homeowners, your primary focus should be Facebook, supported by Instagram and YouTube. TikTok can help with visibility, but it should not be your main lead driver for service-based businesses. At Hayford Marketing, we don’t just post content — we teach you how to market your business, build relationships, and turn customers into lifelong clients.  To set up a legacy contact on Android, go to your Google Account settings, find "Data & privacy," and select "Make a plan for your digital legacy" or "Inactive Account Manager" to set up your legacy contact and determine what data they can access. You can also go through your phone's Settings app, often under "Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls," to find and set up the legacy contact option there.
https://www.linkedin.com/videos/deangerros_do-you-know-what-a-legacy-contact-is-in-activity-7351331504666415104-D1yv This video explains how to set up a legacy contact on an Android phone: Method 1: Through your Google Account
Are You Targeting the Right Age Group on Social Media?
If you’re a service professional trying to reach homeowners, choosing the right social media platform matters just as much as your message. Here’s a simple breakdown: 🔹 Ages 13–29 (Gen Z & Younger Millennials) Best platforms: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat Great for brand awareness, but most users are not homeowners yet. 🔹 Ages 30–49 (Established Homeowners & Families) Best platforms: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn This is the sweet spot for home services, contractors, remodelers, and local service businesses. 🔹 Ages 50+ (Long-Term Homeowners) Best platforms: Facebook & LinkedIn This group values trust, reputation, reviews, and local relationships. 🔹 All Ages YouTube performs well across every generation for how-to content, education, and credibility. Bottom line: If you’re marketing to homeowners, your primary focus should be Facebook, supported by Instagram and YouTube. TikTok can help with visibility, but it should not be your main lead driver for service-based businesses. At Hayford Marketing, we don’t just post content — we teach you how to market your business, build relationships, and turn customers into lifelong clients. If you’d like, I can also turn this into:
To make someone an admin on a Facebook page in 2025, switch to the page's profile, go to Settings > Page setup > Page access, and click Add New under "People with Facebook access". After searching for the person's name or email and selecting them, you can choose to toggle on Allow This Person to Have Full Control before clicking Give Access. You will need to enter your password to confirm.
Step-by-step guide
To create an email template in Gmail, you'll first need to enable the Templates feature in your settings. Then, you can compose an email, customize it with your desired content and formatting, and save it as a template using the "Templates" option in the compose window. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Here's a step-by-step guide:
This video demonstrates how to create and use email templates in Gmail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XmYym2sNQ AI responses may include mistakes. [1] https://teamdynamix.umich.edu/TDClient/30/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=12019 [2] https://support.google.com/mail/thread/196653237/how-to-create-an-email-template?hl=en [3] https://www.dragapp.com/blog/email-templates-gmail/ [4] https://www.reddit.com/r/GMail/comments/17zq2fx/email_template/ [5] https://it.sonoma.edu/kb/email-calendar/how-make-email-template-gmail [6] https://support.google.com/mail/answer/14864208?hl=en [7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHm6q6vIXeM [8] https://support.norwoodma.gov/portal/en/kb/articles/gmail-templates-how-to-create-and-send-templates [9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usrdTP1uHM4 To change the phone number on your Google account, go to myaccount.google.com or access your account through any Google service. Then, navigate to "Personal info," find "Contact info," and click "Phone". Next, select your phone number, click the "Edit" icon, and follow the prompts to verify your identity and update your number, according to Yahoo!. [1, 2]
Detailed Steps:
Important Notes:
AI responses may include mistakes. [1] https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3463280?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop [2] https://www.yahoo.com/tech/change-phone-number-google-account-001810481.html You can verify your business with a video upload that captures key details. The video helps us confirm that you represent the business. Video verification is for businesses with a physical storefront, service providers without a physical location or hybrid businesses. Knowing your business type helps you understand what details to capture in your verification video. Learn more about service area and hybrid businesses.
If your Google Business Profile verification only offers video verification, you'll need to record and upload a video showing your business's location, signage, and operations, following the instructions provided by Google. Here's a breakdown of the process: 1. Prepare for the Video:
2. Access the Verification Process:
3. Record and Upload the Video:
4. Wait for Review:
Tips for Success:
 Understanding Personality Styles
It is important to have a clear picture of the needs of each person’s personality style. This will enable you to adapt your communications more to the needs of the person you are interacting with. There are 4 main styles. Each style has specific needs that must be addressed in order to make that person feel convertible and for you to close a sale or make an appointment.
 How and Why You Need to Brand Your Business
When you’re out shopping for running shoes, and your eye catches the Nike logo, you immediately know what to expect from those shoes, their quality, and probably even the expected price. If you’re shopping for electronics and spot the famous apple with a small bite out of it, you are assured that the product will be of the highest quality. When you spot the logo of a company that has successfully branded its image, you probably even have a subconscious emotional response to it, too. That’s because those companies, along with others like McDonald's, Google, and Starbucks, made branding their businesses a top priority. Branding is the process of creating a name, symbol, slogan, or design that identifies and differentiates a product from other products. It creates an emotional connection with your customers and is the first thing they will associate with your business, so you can see how important it is to get it right. Hayford Marketing is a Columbus, Ohio, web development and website design company that is dedicated to helping your business thrive. Here, we offer advice on how to make your business brand work for you. Who Is Your Target Audience? Your target audience is the customers who benefit most from your products or services. Therefore, it’s important for you to ask yourself what makes your business unique and how what you have to offer is what they need. You’ll need to know who your target audience is, though, so you can market to them with relevant messaging that defines your company's purpose and the benefits of your products and services. Social media analytics tools can help you better understand what types of people are interacting with your accounts and whether they are current customers. Also, with Google Analytics, you can learn about the users visiting your website. This information can allow you to determine key insights, such as what channels your target audience is coming from or what type of content they’re engaging and connecting with the most. Getting Your Brand Out There The success of your marketing efforts will depend on how well you know your target audience and what their needs are. Different marketing strategies can be used to reach different audiences. Social Media can be your most effective marketing resource since it reaches the greatest audience and lets them interact with your business directly, giving you the feedback you need to improve your product and services as well as understanding who your consumer is and how they use your product. A great way to get your business noticed by the largest number of people is to find a way to get visitors to share something from your page. Creating a meme that gets people talking and sharing is an effective way to get your company’s brand in front of the greatest number of people. Here's a meme creator that lets you customize your meme with free images, fonts, and more. All you need is a great idea and some imagination. Creating Your Brand and Logo There are many ways you can create your own brand and logo for your company or product. The most common way is to hire a professional designer to do it for you. But if you want to save some money then there are plenty of resources online that can help you with this process. With your own logo creators, you can simply drag and drop to use, you don’t have to be a professional designer. You can then download your new logo to print on business cards, merchandising materials, packaging, online and more. Understand how visual cues impact your audience. Design can be incredibly subjective. Colors that convey power and strength to one person may be perceived totally differently by others. What are the key traits of your business that you want to express with images and what visuals communicate to them? How do you want people to feel when they see your visuals, calm, excited, inspired? Branding has always been important for business success. Take advantage of social media to get your brand and logo out to as many people as possible, just make sure you understand who they are and what they want. Knowing the importance of branding is the key to how successful your business is, so make it a priority for you. Grow Your Business Key Areas to Improve as You Grow Your Business While you may want your small business to remain small, you also want to grow so that you can better support your family and look ahead toward retirement. However, it takes more than simply hard work to build a business. Today, we will look at a few key areas to keep in mind when you’re ready to expand your enterprise. This is just one of many free resources brought to you by the marketing professionals at Hayford Marketing. Business Structure There are many different types of business structures, including sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and LLC. There are benefits and drawbacks to each, but if you want to grow, you probably want to move from a sole proprietorship to a corporation or LLC structure. It’s not a huge challenge to use a formation service and do this on your own, but you will want to research local laws. If it seems too complicated, there are plenty of legal professionals that can help you through the process. Marketing Marketing is how you present your business to the world, and there’s more than one way to get the word out. Start with a solid marketing plan, which might include graphic design, social media, and print marketing, such as postcards, flyers, and other visual graphics. Hayford Marketing can take care of all of your needs here. You might also wish to branch out into creating video content. To learn how to merge videos online, take to the internet. Doing a promotional video is easy when you combine your video, graphics, and images. Look for a tool/online software that lets you edit your video with all of your special moments and information. Product Launch/Development In addition to simply taking on more customers, many businesses find it helpful to add new product lines for different revenue streams. This starts with understanding your demographic and knowing where demand is high and supply is low, according to the Emily and Blair blog. You can use your current customer base and sales information for more insight here. Next, start adding complementary products. For example, if you currently sell custom hats, consider branching out into T-shirts and other promotional materials. Make sure that you price your work in whatever way makes the most sense to you and allows you to earn a profit while delivering value to your customers. Competitors Do you know who your main competitors are? If not, it’s time to follow them on social media. Your competitors not only give you something to strive for, but they also have a valuable cache of information on the types of products that your shared customer base will want. Employee Retention Your employees matter to your business more than you might give them credit for. Great employees are passionate, knowledgeable, and have a strong work ethic. These are the people that will help you build your business. Employee relations firm Vantage Circle also explains that your best employees have excellent communication skills and are accountable for their actions. These are all qualities that you need in key areas of your business. Plus, long-term employees get to know your customers, and they may be the reason that some continue to come again and again. Treat them well, pay them fairly, and listen when they have suggestions. Growing your business is exciting, challenging, and rewarding. But, it takes more than hard work alone. To get your business to a higher level, take steps such as restructuring, elevating your marketing strategies, and treating your best employees with respect, and you will soon see your efforts pay off in a bigger bottom line. Call 614.273.5303 to contact Hayward Marketing today and get started on your new website, add, or brand.  Image via Pexels
Branding Builds Trust  Beyond just a memorable logo, good branding increases the value of a company, provides employees with direction and motivation, and makes acquiring new customers easier. A brand represents the sum of people's perception of a company's customer service, reputation, advertising, and logo. Here are 5 reasons a strong brand is good for your business.
Branding Creates Trust with not only customers and clients but with search engines as well. Did you know that if Google's algorithms trusts your website, it bumps your higher in the list. Here are some ways to make that happen. Backlinks: A backlink is your URL placed on another website that Googles algorithm trusts like Facebook, HotFrog or a Blog. Description: make sure the description on the back end of your website has keywords that Google can pull from. What your business does. URL or Business name: Make sure your URL also tells Google what your business does. For example my URL is hayfordmarketing.com Google knows that I should be found under marketing services. Google My Business is Now Google Maps  I was on my way back from a meeting and called home to see what the family wanted for dinner..
I tried to call our favorite Italian restaurant. They have a new website and, the web designer put the wrong phone number on the home page, so I tried Google; that number was also disconnected. Being the loyal customer that I am, I walked in and ordered, ya, it is that good. Now can you see the 3 major problems they now have for new customers?
Don't trust your livelihood to a big company that will get to your problem when they feel like it. At my company, we take concerns like this very seriously and get them fixed immediately. Or I teach my clients how to do it for themselves. Would you build your dream home on a plot of land that belonged to a big corporation? Absolutely not!
Entrusting your online property to Mark Zuckerberg (Creator of Facebook) puts you at the mercy of a powerful landlord and you can’t control what happens to it at the end of the day! Facebook’s algorithms, policies and reach (how many people see your posts) changes constantly, and small business owners are subject to terms and conditions related to giveaways, sweepstakes and polling or voting campaigns. 2021 has seen many total shutdowns of facebook do to one problem or another. If this is the only place your business online presents excites then your customers don't have any way to know what is going on in your business. You might as well be closed. If you're reading this, we assume you already have a computer and basic desk for handling your work, but what else might you need? What can help you get through the day and make sure you are doing your job well despite perhaps being in a different environment from normal? While you need to bring focus and discipline to the table, fortunately, you can also order other parts of the equation online.
We aren't here to pick out specific products for you: you know your aesthetic and tastes better than anyone else, and you might have slightly different needs than other people. We do not even know how much space you have in your home office. What we do hope to do is give you some new ideas about what you can put in your home office (or makeshift home office) to make your days just a bit brighter and a bit more stress-free. There are all sorts of products made for the work-from-home professional. With greater numbers than ever before in the last year or so, companies have focused on providing for the needs of this growing class of people. So, without further wait, here are 12 options and product types you might enjoy getting for your workspace or home to make things just a bit easier:  Returning to college as an adult is expensive, but it could pay off. A report by the Congressional Research Service found that pandemic-related unemployment was worse for workers with less education: High school graduates with no college education experienced a peak unemployment rate of 17.3 percent, while workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher fared better at 8.4 percent.
 Homesteading offers a rich, rewarding way of life. It can also offer a reward for your bank account if you choose to market yourself as a business and sell your products. Even if you have a small hobby farm, you can earn a living from your land. Rethinking your homestead as a small business is a good start to monetizing your products. Hayford Marketing shares several strategies small businesses use to create a niche within the market, and it all starts with branding.
Managing Your Homesteading Business Chances are good that you have a lot of questions about the business side of things. Maintaining the paperwork, financial records, and tax information for your homestead may seem like a major undertaking, but it doesn’t need to be. Dive into tools that are available. You’ll find there are not only answers to your questions, but there are resources and tech tools available to help. Your local chamber of commerce, for instance, is a great go-to for tips, news and networking. There is also software to help you stay on track with your income, payroll, tax payments and more. What is payroll? Payroll is the process you use to pay your employees. By using payroll software instead of hiring an accountant, you can save our business significant funds. The right software will automate tax deductions, record keeping, and payday alerts. Branding Strategies Most of us are keenly aware of varying brands in the marketplace. We are inundated with ads from companies distinguishing themselves in one way or another to sell their products. Homesteaders who wish to monetize need to develop a brand around their business that reflects the goods, personality, and intent of the business. As you set up your homesteading business, consider what sort of name you’d like to use. Whether you choose something clever, meaningful, or simply use your surname, it will be the first introduction to your product. In thinking about your brand, consider how you want others to perceive your business. An important part of branding is establishing yourself as unique and valuable. What values do you want your business to convey? Think about how to show those values through your marketing, and through your product’s exposure to consumers. Marketing and Sales The marketing techniques of your homesteading business can have a direct impact on sales. Small business owners, particularly homesteaders, may need to have a marketing strategy that is seasonally relevant, depending on the type of crops you are producing. Beekeepers who have inventory on hand or homesteaders who butcher meat may have a more consistent, year-round marketing plan. Developing a social media page for your homesteading business is a free and simple marketing strategy. Social media pages offer you a blank canvas to show the world what your business is about through the use of pictures, product updates and anecdotes to connect with potential customers. Creating an online presence through a web page devoted to your homestead can also be a method of selling products. If you opt to create a website, consider creating content that others might find useful, such as articles about your homesteading practice or health benefits of the products you offer. If you have a local farmer’s market, it is an ideal place to sell your goods and connect with potential customers. It may also be beneficial to consider a cooperative marketing strategy with another homesteader who offers different types of products. These types of collaborative strategies often work well for small business owners, as they expand name recognition within the marketplace. Branding, marketing, and selling your goods will certainly boost business, but how you manage your homesteading business is another important factor in success. Homesteaders can successfully monetize through strategic planning. As your homestead grows, developing a system for managing the business will help you stay on track and enjoy a long, satisfying career. Hayford Marketing offers solutions for entrepreneurs including IT, marketing, lead generation, and office management services. 614-273-5303 The coronavirus is responsible for many problems in the world. Health and the economy have had difficult times during 2020, situations that we have never seen before. According to Pew Research, 80 percent of people in the world say that their country's economy is terrible. This figure exceeded 72 percent during the 2008 economic crisis in the United States.The economy directly affects companies and workers. This year there was an excellent record of layoffs; for that reason, if you are now unemployed due to Covid-19, these three tips will be ideal for you. Learn how to improve your knowledge, your finances, and your general performance during unemployment.
Your confidence level increasesIf you are introverted or shy, then you have made an excellent decision to master your confidence. A new language will allow you to convey ideas to other people. You may think that it is a complicated process, but this practice will enable you to develop your speech's personality, which is essential for any stage of your life. Your income growsPeople who know two or more languages have more options for better jobs. The Go Overseas website says that Americans who speak two or more languages can generate 5-10 percent more income than those who only speak one language. However, only 20 percent of Americans speak another language. Your chances of getting a job also increaseBeing out of work during Covid-19 is the perfect opportunity to get a virtual job, and when you speak two languages, you have a double chance of finding work faster and with better salaries. On websites like UpWork, there are opportunities for almost every language on the planet.
What can you learn in a bootcamp? These institutes offer many options to students, especially in technology. At Flatiron School, one of the best institutes in New York, students can choose between data science, software engineer, cybersecurity engineering, and cybersecurity analytics. This is an excellent option to expand your knowledge and skills during unemployment.
 6 Essentials to Help Entrepreneurs Overcome Fear and Find Success
Starting a new business in the middle of a global pandemic may seem like a risky undertaking. Doing so when that pandemic has caused a global recession can add to any fears. If you’re an entrepreneur who is putting off your plans due to pandemic or recession related worries, however, you should know that there are safe steps you can take to begin making your dreams of owning a business come true. That includes these practical and low-risk startup essentials and tips, courtesy of the folks at Hayford Marketing: A Business Degree Okay, so having a business degree isn’t a must for entrepreneurs but it can give you an edge. Taking classes will give you a solid foundation and understanding of what it takes to build and market a successful new business. If you are leery of taking in-person classes or just need more flexibility, an online business degree may be the perfect fit for you. Accredited institutions like WGU will even allow you to choose from a variety of focuses, like accounting, business management, human resources, business law and marketing. On top of that, you may be able to use financial aid to cover expenses. A Business Plan If you have some free time on your hands due to the pandemic, now may also be the perfect time to work on your business plan. You should really be thoughtful about this plan but also leave some room for changes and flexibility as you begin to establish your business. Just like a business degree, having a business plan isn’t necessarily a necessity for all entrepreneurs, but it can provide a blueprint to help guide you along your path to short-term and long-term success. Marketing Strategies One section you won’t want to skip or skimp on in your business plans is your marketing plan. Especially in the age of COVID, savvy marketing can either make or break a new small business. You need to know who your target audience is and how to best reach these folks when so many storefronts are still shut down. If you’re not sure where with your marketing strategies, consider hiring a consulting company like Hayford Marketing to help guide you. Startup Funding You would think that finding low-cost startup funding in the middle of a recession is impossible, but record-low interest rates could help you land an incredible deal on a small business loan. Just keep in mind that qualifying for a loan may be a little harder in the current market but The Balance notes there are other funding options that you can consider pursuing as well. For example, you could crowdsource funds from your social networks or you could see if you qualify for business grants. A User-Friendly Website Another must for small businesses to succeed in the current market is a business website that will help attract traffic and customers. The first step is to create a website that is user-friendly and engaging, so this is another point where you may want to enlist the help of marketing experts like Hayford Marketing. That’s because website design, SEO optimization and all of the other elements that go into a professional website can be so tricky to learn and navigate. Social Media Accounts Social media marketing is also key for success in a pandemic and post-pandemic world. With so many people still self-isolating, working and learning from home, having a social media presence is more critical than ever before. These potential customers are using social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to stay connected to loved ones and the community, so make sure your new business is a part of their network. Since social media is playing such an essential role right now, many platforms are also offering free and low-cost tools to help small businesses thrive and survive. So take advantage of these resources for your new business. Fear shouldn’t keep you from achieving success as an entrepreneur. After all, starting a business is always a risk, pandemic or no pandemic. Think through ways to improve your prospects, such as earning a degree or connecting with Hayford Marketing for expert outreach. You just have to be smart about your planning and have the right resources to minimize that risk and maximize your success. Photo Credit: Rawpixel  The year is 2020. It has been quite a rough start. We have been forced to hunker down at home. Many of us lost our jobs abruptly as businesses were forced to shut their doors as the world went into lockdown. Many of us were fortunate enough to keep our jobs, trading our busy workplaces for working remotely from home.
For many, the living room couch has become their new desk, while the kitchen counter is the conference room where they join endless Zoom meetings. Dogs, kids and spouses have become our new “coworkers.” There is a strong silver lining to all of this—there has never been a better time to learn new skills to make that career switch you have been thinking about for so long. It’s no secret: this abundance of home time we have been given has already given rise to many new careers for people of all educational, professional and cultural backgrounds. If you are one of the countless people wondering what a career in the booming tech industry might look like, you are in luck. The days of following the traditional route of attending a four-year university program to earn a computer science or software engineering degree are coming to an end. Instead, many people are choosing a faster, more flexible and cost-effective alternative: coding bootcamps. In less than a year, these short-term, intensive programs teach you everything you need to know to break into a career in tech. Even better, many of the schools that host bootcamps offer an array of class options, including full-time and in-person, part-time, online, and even self-paced. Even the busiest among us can learn the coding skills needed to succeed in the tech industry, all from the comfort of our homes and at our own convenience. Most of these programs offer several tuition financing options like deferred tuition payments and income-sharing agreements that help students enroll and complete their bootcamp with a signed contract that they will pay back their tuition costs after obtaining employment in the tech industry. Now that you know where to go to learn your new coding skills, let’s talk about what kind of jobs you might be interested in once you get there. Digital Marketing With our society spending an increasing amount of time on the Internet—whether on social media or news websites—our current Internet-centric world is ripe for new marketing tactics. Companies and businesses of all types recognize the opportunity. Digital Marketers are skilled programmers who develop and design websites that serve as online marketing tools for large corporations and local businesses like your doctor’s office or your pharmacy. SEO Other Digital Marketers focus on areas like Search Engine Optimization(SEO). This is the process of creating web content focused on certain keywords used in common searches on search engines like Google. SEO Managers use SEO optimization tools to break down how often users are searching for something and find out the specific words they are using. If you create keyword-centered content, Google ranks your website higher in search results. This is because it determines that your website is relevant to the user’s search. The more relevant a search engine deems your website to be, the higher it will rank. The goal of an SEO manager is to get their website to rank as high as possible, so new customers can find it before the competitor’s site. Job Outlook The digital marketing industry is expected to grow by 8 percent by the year 2028. Skilled Digital Marketers enjoy a comfortable salary, with the national average above $93,000.  I use Facebook groups and make relationships through social media with people locally. Let people know about the owners and their history in the town or city. I have a local gift shop that gets around 100,000 organic views daily. We put up historic things about the city, share events, and share about the other local business. Communities are close-knit keeping it that way online really makes a difference. The shop needs to get into local community events. Sponsor local softball or organize a town clean up. There is nothing wrong with old school marketing!
 After mulling over a business idea for years, you’re finally ready to start your first business and you’ve picked out the perfect office space: your home. Working from home is a great way to save money and maximize profits when starting a business. However, while building a business from home can be a smart move, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Here are four things you should know before starting a home-based business.
Staying on task is harder. There are lots of advantages to working from home: low overhead costs, flexible hours, and a short commute, to name a few. However, new entrepreneurs shouldn’t view working from home through rose-colored glasses. Running a business from home also makes it harder to focus and maintain work-life balance, especially if you have a family at home. If there’s any hope of running a productive business from home, entrepreneurs have to be prepared to set boundaries with children and spouses. This is easier when you have a workspace away from the areas where your family spends time and scheduled business hours. Creating consistency in your workday will also help you stay accountable. Click Here You’ll need more than your laptopIt’s also tough to stay productive if you don’t have the right tools for the job. While a laptop might be acceptable for short stints of telecommuting, it lacks the computing power you need to run a business from home. In addition to a fully-equipped desktop computer, equip your home office with a high-speed internet connection, an all-in-one printer, and a standing desk converter for improved ergonomics. A webcam is also key for virtual meetings with clients and employees. For professional-quality video conferencing, buy a webcam with full 1080p video quality and a microphone that reduces background noise. The right business help is invaluableEmailing, invoicing, ordering supplies — these tasks don’t make money, but they do take a lot of time. Entrepreneurs who get bogged down with unprofitable tasks like these can quickly find themselves without time to grow their business. While you may be tempted to scrimp when starting your business, going without basic business tools is penny wise and pound foolish. You’ll get more for your money if you invest in tools and services that maximize your business’s efficiency. This includes both business apps and help from firms like Hayford Marketing. With someone else to handle office management, social media, web design, and other essential business services, you can focus your energy on growing profits. Be ready to engage customersObviously the key to profitability is drawing clientele, but just having a great idea, the right equipment, and the right people won’t bring customers knocking on your door. Ideally, you’ll start with your own network. Think in terms of those who will benefit from your unique niche, and connect with the people you know who fit the bill. Not sure who that would be? Consider reaching into your social media connections to identify your target audience. The demographics you see reflected there, such as the ages, locations and interests, will help you hone in on messaging that matters to them. You’re running a real business — so treat it like one. The biggest mistake home-based entrepreneurs take? Not treating their work like a real business. If you dive into running a home-based business without a plan for how you’ll reach your market, distribute your product or service, and keep your business afloat financially, your business may fail before it ever has a shot. This includes registering as a legal business entity rather than operating as a sole proprietor. While sole proprietorship are convenient, they don’t offer the protection of a limited liability company. As an LLC, your personal assets aren’t at risk if your business goes under. Forming an LLC is also cheap and easy in most states, so there’s little reason not to do it. There’s a lot that goes into running a business — even when you’re doing it from home. Instead of letting these tips scare you away from starting a home-based business, use them to build your business the right way. With a productive workspace, tech-savvy tools, and the right help by your side, you can build a home-based business that’s destined to succeed. |
Columbus Ohio small business marketing.Learn essential marketing tips for small businesses from Hayford Marketing in Columbus, Ohio. Explore branding strategy, audience insights, social media, and how to grow your online presence with expert marketing advice.
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