Skyrocket Your Sales with Business Text Messages

The number of people with cellphones is almost uncountable. We live with mobile communication all around us now. And if you own a business, you need to find yourself a business SMS solution if you are to benefit from all of this. So how can you benefit from this process the most?

Use an SMS Webform that Customers Can Opt In to

If you want to grow your customers, but you don’t want to spam them, then an opt in form is a necessity. This means that people give you their consent to be contacted first. By providing an opt in form, you build trust among your customers, and it is far more likely that they will read your message.

Tell Customers How Often You Will SMS Them

If you tell your customers from the word go how often you will message them, they will feel more respected, which in turn builds brand trust and loyalty. If you message your customers too often, they are likely to block your number. But be honest and upfront, and stick to your promises, and they are likely to remain engaged.

Promote with Media Links

The great thing about cellphones is that they are linked to the internet. Hence, you can add links to videos, images, promotions, and so on to your SMS messages, and make sure your customers remain interested in what you are doing.

Provide an Opt Out Option

Make sure that your customers always know exactly how they can opt out of the SMS messages at a later stage. You can add this to each message you sent, but since you are limited in characters, it is better to make this very clear on your web form.

Make Sure You Are Effective with Your Time

Do not send text messages first thing in the morning or in the middle of the night because you most likely will be wasting your time. If you have customers from all over the country, you may have to create groups based on their time zones so that they receive messages at the appropriate time. Also make sure that you do not promote items that won’t be available for another month. Teasers are good, but not that long in advance.

Provide Mobile Coupons in Your Physical Store

Make sure that you have mobile coupons available on your premises to attract more people to sign up for the service. Offer them a first order discount for signing up, for instance, and make sure the coupon has a QR code on it to make it easy for people to leave their details.

Make the Messages Personalized

Even though you will be sending the same message to lots of people, you should personalize it as much as possible. Your opt in form should have, for instance, included your customers first and last name. Using that as a macro in your SMS message, so that each individual receives a message that is actually addressed to them, can make a huge difference in terms of how positively the message is received.

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Gadgets Every Avid Golfer Needs

There’s no denying that modern gadgets can make a huge range of activities much more fun. And, golf is no exception – the game may be quite old-fashioned and has been around for years, however, it’s not been left untouched by the digital era. If you are an avid golfer, then you’re missing out if you’re not using these amazing golfing gadgets.

Golf GPS:

A device such as the Sureshot Golf GPS can revolutionise the way in which you play golf. These devices are designed to make playing golf the best experience ever, using innovative modern technology to provide users with a full database of Australian and overseas golf courses. Helpful software will enable you to pick up the latest target, and you can use handy features such as an aerial view of every hole on your course to have the best game ever.

Glowing Golf Balls:

Are you tired of having to turn in early because it’s going dark? Put an end to cutting of your golf round with glowing golf balls, that are available to purchase online. This clever innovation is simple yet effective – glow-in-the-dark golf balls makes it easier to find your way around when the night starts drawing in, as finding standard golf balls could be difficult even on a lit course.

Smartwatch:

Smartwatches have rapidly grown in popularity since they were introduced just a few years ago, and they are available from big name companies such as Apple and Samsung along with cheaper models that also work well. If you are an avid golfer, then you are probably tired of your game being interrupted by your smartphone. Instead, a smart watch means that you can check messages and emails, use a variety of apps, and even answer and make calls easily without having to stop and get your smartphone out. You can even get a specially designed golfing smartwatch with GPS.

Improve Your Shot:

If you love golf and want to improve your shot enough to maybe play professionally one day, then look no further than the OptiShot gadget. This handy mobile device is designed to do what a professional golf coach would, but at a fraction of the cost!

Junior Golf Cart:

If playing golf for you is a family affair with your little one or grandchild in tow, then why not get a junior golf cart? That way, when you’re playing a round of golf, you can be assured that the little one is having fun. When choosing a junior golf cart, make sure that safety is the most important feature so that you can have peace of mind.

Video Camera:

Last but not least, a video camera, or even the camera on your smartphone, can come in handy when playing golf, especially if you are hoping to improve your golf swing. Recording yourself playing golf can be handy if you’re hoping to get better as when you look back it will be easier to see exactly what you need to work on to make sure that you’re getting better sport results on the golf course.

Do you use any golf gadgets when you play? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

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Dilemma of choosing an internet service provider

Choosing an internet service provider is harder than it sounds
Photo by CC user heladodementa on Pixabay

Depending on the part of the world you live, there is an endless amount of broadband providers these days. So lack of choice is not exactly the problem. But it can be a little uncomfortable for some to select among the many available providers. But it need not be. The question then arises, which one is right for you?

Before you make the choice, it is better to take some factors into consideration. You might be a parent with a millennial son or daughter. Most Millennial think the world would be super boring without online communication. As such it is not unusual to see them constantly browsing the web. If you are such parent with a millennial child, you might like to consider broadband for families for you almost certainly fall into the category of heavy broadband users. You may like to consider fast broadband with unlimited downloads. Compare these two UK providers, for instance, Talk Talk and Vodafone. A 17MB unlimited downloads from TalkTalk, will let you pay twenty pounds a month for twelve months, while a 76MB unlimited downloads from Vodafone will let you pay thirty one pounds per month for eighteen months. These are not the only ones to choose from. Other reputable providers such as BT, Virgin, Plusnet, NowTV offer competitive prices for their unlimited broadband use.

There are no right or wrong ways to choose these providers of modern technology. The prices and MB may vary, but what you will be sure of is that you will be having value for your money. It must also be noted that millennial are not the only heavy users of broadband. You maybe someone who watch movies a lot and prefers to do so via online channels such Amazon Prime videos, Netflix etc, or you may just be spending a lot of time watching videos on Vimeo, playing online games etc. If you belong to this category of heavy user, you may require an even faster downloads. There are good options for you too. You may consider BT Fibre Unlimited Broadband (52MB) and calls with a twelve months contract for which you have to pay thirty £34.99 or Vodafone Unlimited Fibre (76MB) and pay £31 per month for eighteen months.

The difference between BT’s and Vodafone’s offers is that BT comes with free phone calls. But this is compensated by the higher Vodafone MB. Virgin Media Player Bundle with Unlimited Downloads of 50MB, Virgin Media Vivid 100MB which comes with phone. Plusnet, Sky and Talk Talk also offer similar deals.

The ten major UK providers, most already mentioned, also provide for business specific needs. These are suitable for business owners and enterprises. While the MB is similar to the ones appropriate for other heavy users, there are additional features which are more business industry appropriate. But what exactly is business appropriate broadband?

With business broadband, the service providers include Fixed-IPs, webspace and email addresses which include the name of the business. There is also enhanced security to ensure the business information is protected from potential intruders. Furthermore, because there might be financial impact in case the service goes down, the business customer is likely to receive better customer support.

It may also be worth to take into consideration that not all the times broadband is accessed at a fixed location. There are moments when you may be required to work at a remote location without a wifi, but need access to internet. If you are one of the types who prefer to access the internet when you are out and about, you may likely want to do so via a laptop or some form of tablet. This does not only apply to business people, but for anyone who finds himself in such a situation. The answer to this in the dongle.

The dongle can be inserted into the USB port of the tablet or laptop. This will let you access a broadband service. The service is provided by mobile phone service providers. Some of the major Broadband providers are also mobile phone service providers. But there are many others that only provide mobile service. In the case of mobile phone, however,you do not need a dongle to access broadband service.

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7 Inspirational Beauty Vloggers to Model Your YouTube Channel On

Michelle Phan is one of many Inspirational Beauty Vloggers you should emulate
Photo by CC user 22007612@N05 on Flickr

If you are a new to the vlogging scene, there’s so much to look forward to. Sharing your passion with the world is such an exciting endeavour, you never know where it will take you to next.

Being a beauty vlogger is one of those activities that require adequate preparation and if video editing is not your thing, don’t worry, there are many user-friendly apps that make it easy. Still unsure of how to go about your YouTube videos? Here are some inspirational beauty vloggers to benchmark your videos on.

  1. Estee Lalonde

The UK-based Estee is one of the internet’s beloved vloggers in the beauty scene. She’s best known for her friendly, girl-next-door online personality. She has a great resource for beauty reviews, and covers everything from dieting to interior design. You can pick a thing or two from Lalonde’s style diversity.

  1. Michelle Phan

Michelle began beauty vlogging in 2007, and has since gained millions of followers for her YouTube channel. Her videos are enhanced with colourful costumes and themes which give them a lovely look. Learn Michelle’s colour style and adapt them to your videos for effect.

  1. Nitraa B

Nitraa B’s videos stand out for their perfect combination of fun and information. She coined the term “purple glitter smokey eye” and it’s a hit among many millennials. Come up with your own distinctive names for makeup style and people with associate them with you.

  1. Samantha and Nic Chapman/Pixiwoo

These sisters are the talent behind Pixiwoo. Their specialty is recreating celebrity makeup looks. So, if you liked how Katy Perry looked at the last VMA awards, chances are Sam and Nic can show you how to recreate it. You don’t have to copy exactly, but you can borrow a page from their creativity and incorporate into your style. Their basics videos are great for newbies.

  1. Lisa Eldridge

This London-based makeup artiste has a celebrity client list as long as my arm. With the likes of Kate Winslet, Keira Knightly and Emma Watson in her portfolio, her vlogs are a go-to for professional makeup. She is also the creative director for British cosmetics brand No.7. Her makeup tutorials embody professionalism and elegance. Look up her “Ultimate Guide to Red Lips” video.

  1. Kandee Johnson

Kandee has such as big personality and throws it into her tutorials. People love to learn with fun and Kandee doesn’t disappoint. You don’t have to be a comedian, make your video interactive and viewers will be endeared. One of my favourite Kandee videos is “How to Do Pin-Up Girl Make-Up.”

  1. Felicia Walker Benson

Felicia does a lot in the beauty tutorial scene for people of colour, and her products are a favourite any day. If you plan to launch your product line someday, Felicia is a great resource for inspiration.

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Charles Phillips and What He Achieved So Far at Infor

Charles Phillips is a man with a vision. He developed his vision as a young boy, living on military bases. He knew then that he wanted to be involved in technology, and that is a dream he followed throughout his career. And it has been a very interesting career, one in which he has set himself apart as a true leader. His career now spans many years and many different companies, and includes the U.S. Military, Wall Street, and various tech companies. Where he really made his mark, however, was as President of Oracle. For Charles Phillips Oracle wasn’t the pinnacle of his success, but rather a stepping stone to his next career – CEO of Infor.

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Charles Phillips and Infor

At Infor, Phillips become a CEO for the first time in his impressive career. And it seemed that he started exactly where he left off at Oracle. Within just a few months of starting, he acquired Lawson Software for the sum of $2 billion. His acquisition strategies are what enabled Oracle to experience a 300% growth during his time as President, and he clearly wants to repeat this with Infor. By acquiring Lawson Software, he was able to add human resources and health care to the industry portfolio of Info. But what makes it different is that he doesn’t just focus on health care as a blanket industry. Rather, he pushes for products that serve niche markets within the industries. For instance, he has developed a software solution specifically designed for hospitals.

Since he started as Infor’s CEO, he has also been able to hire some 1,500 new members of staff. He has completely revamped the executive management team, hiring some high profile players, some who came directly from Oracle. He also moved the headquarters of Infor from Georgia to New York City, where he shares a single table with his management team. Plus, he has been able to create 70 new Infor products, leading to 2,500 new customers. These include Heineken and Ferrari. It is no surprise, therefore, that Infor is now at a really new level of playing field.

In fact, Infor seems to have found the leader of its dreams. Phillips has taken an aggressive acquisitions approach, with one of his latest acquisitions being GT Nexus, a true global player. GT Nexus is the world’s largest cloud-based software company. Today, Infor has some 70,000 individual companies. They have a presence in 194 countries the world over, and enjoy a revenue in excess of 43 billion per year. Clearly, with Phillips leading the way, Infor is really moving ahead. Now third largest of its kind, after Oracle and SAP, some believe it may soon grow to even overtake these two. Clearly, Charles Phillips aims to make Infor the leading software solutions company, and when he has a vision, he never stops until he actually gets it. Infor certainly is the company to watch at present, for some with anticipation and for others with real fear.

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The Infor On Premise v SaaS Revenue Tipping Point for 2016 Is Now Set

According to Charles Phillips Infor CEO and wife Karen Phillips, who may not be an Infor employee but always pays attention to her husband, there is going to be a tipping point between SaaS and on premise revenue in 2016. After the release of very strong second quarter numbers, the revenue of the company stood at $708.4 million. This is the highest it has been since Phillips took over the company.

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There has been revenue growth across every element of the Infor company, including consultancy, maintenance, and software. They have also attracted 628 new clients. This includes a 10 year SaaS deal for the City of Gold Coast, a Queensland, Australia company. That contract alone is worth $30 million. Here, Infor will replace 42 systems, some of which more than 25 years old, while also providing revenue functions, property management, and customer service.

For Phillips, clients like this one demonstrate that Infor is doing something that Oracle and SAP, its only real remaining competitors, aren’t doing: pushing for SaaS. There has been double digit growth in SaaS for Oracle, and he believes that the split between SaaS and on premise software will be larger than 50% by 2017, much sooner than expected by both Infor and the competition.

Naturally, making these types of predictions is always a bit of a gamble. You simply don’t know what people will want or need. That said, Infor doesn’t want to sell infrastructure, which means their entire focus is on SaaS.

So what does this all mean? It means that Infor is doing things with a difference. And these differences are often very daring. For instance:

  • Instead of developing its own cloud, Infor uses Amazon Web Services. According to Phillips, there is no point reinventing something that is already out there and that works perfectly.
  • They offer almost all their services on the cloud, which means customers don’t have to pay expensive licenses, have lengthy downtime, and more.
  • They don’t focus on huge industries. Where companies like Oracle and SAP develop products for the automotive industry as a whole, Infor develops it specifically for Ferrari. And where the competition focuses on the hospitality and catering industry as a whole, Infor goes for Heineken and bakers. The list is endless and demonstrates that their goal is micro-verticals.
  • Where most tech companies move to Silicon Valley in California, Infor moved to Silicon Alley in New York. Why? Because that is where the customers are, where staff want to live, and where designers and other tech talents can be found. Designers including fashion designers, by the way (another Infor micro vertical).

Seeing all the things that the company does differently, and how well those strategies are working, it seems logical to assume that Phillips’ prediction of SaaS tipping over on premise customers will also be true. Infor is certainly pushing for it, wanting to offer their clients something convenient and affordable, yet of the highest possible quality.

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Does Someone Else Know Your Identity Too?

Does Someone Else Know Your Identity? Some shadowy hacker might...
Photo by CC user YBS 999 on Wikimedia Commons

Your personal identity information (especially as it pertains to finances) should be one of your most closely guarded secrets, yes? Having said that, does someone else know your identity?

While most consumers take this question to heart, others are not quite as thoughtful. In fact, some prove to be downright careless.

In a day and age where identity theft can set you back for a number of years, avoiding it should always be a high priority.

Even though there are certain events you need to put in motion to best protect your identity, much of it centers on having the right identity theft protection in place. When you have that, you are already a step ahead of the criminals.

With that in mind, how will you go about making sure someone else (notably online criminals) does not know your identity?

Take a Stance Against Online Criminals

So that you can decrease the chances you will become a victim of identity theft, start out by making sure you have a reliable defense against these criminals.

That all starts by finding the best identity theft protection service out there, one that will have your back from the day you begin using the product.

Finding such a service can be a little tedious, but the time and effort you invest in doing just that will ultimately prove well worth it.

Whether you are swayed to go with LifeLock identity protection or another such provider, make sure you vet each and every company you consider.

For starters, look at how long they have been in business?

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with considering newer companies on the market, those having been around for a number of years tend to be a better bet. The experience, plus learning what does and does not work over time, typically adds up to a better result for the consumer when all is said and done.

Secondly, never underestimate the importance of customer service.

As great as a company’s product may be, it is an even better overall brand when its customer service is as good as can be.

Once you have a provider selected, you may have simple questions or possibly even run into a snafu or two at some point and time. This is why customer service can never be taken for granted.

One of the ways to better determine how stout a company’s customer service is will be by asking family members (outside your home), friends, even co-workers, about which I.D. protection service they opted to go with.

In today’s business world, most companies know that wasting the time of customers is a sure ticket to ultimately losing their business. Find that provider willing to go the extra mile for you without hesitation.

You Must Be Responsible Too

With the right provider on your side monitoring your financial details, the rest pretty much all boils down to you.

Even with a solid identity theft monitoring provider backing you up that does not mean you are 100 percent immune from those wishing to do you harm, notably in terms of your finances.

Make sure you do not voluntarily give out any personal information, information that could easily come back to haunt you.

Just as you would not leave a credit card, your bank account number, your Social Security I.D. etc. sitting around in public places for the entire world to see, it is imperative you cover your tracks online too.

If you plan on traveling over the summer or at any point during the year, be careful when using computers in public places, places including hotels and libraries.

Since it is hard for you (or any traveler for that matter) to know with 100 percent certainty as to whether or not the server you are on is totally safe, err on the side of caution.

In the event you need to do any online banking or other personal financial matters while traveling, do them on your mobile device (assuming that is that it is already protected).

Keeping identity theft thieves and other online criminals with ill intent at bay can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be a losing proposition.

Just remember that there are services out there to assist you, services to keep someone else from knowing your identity.

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Save your iPhone – Use a Skin

iPhones are both expensive and fragile. They’re also attached to you by the hip, going wherever your day takes you. If you expect to be able to use your Apple Pay while on the office’s coffee run or Google Maps to find the best route to your dinner date, you’re going to want your phone to withstand anything you throw at it. When on the look-out for the top security and protection, there’s no better way to save your iPhone than with a 3M vinyl skin.

Save your iPhone from damage by getting a tough protective skin for it

You may know this form of protection by its other name: a decal. But a skin does way more than what the term ‘decal’ implies. Besides adding a pop of color to your phone, the vinyl material of an iPhone skin is incredibly resilient against scratches, scuffs, and other cosmetic damages that can ruin the sleek, polished looks of the smartphone. They’re also a great way to defend against the build-up of grease and grime that can clog the phone’s buttons or dirty its backing.

On your search for the best skins iPhone users can hope for, you’ll encounter a lot of companies offering intriguing styles. Unfortunately, not all of them will be able to back up their fashion sense with protection. Not all skin creators are dedicated to your iPhone’s well-being like the designers at dbrand, where they put security first. They uphold their promises of superior protection by starting with high quality 3M vinyl. They’ve developed a highly refined process wherein they can cut this material with the utmost precision, affording their skins a fit that matches Apple’s design down to the micro-millimeter. The best iphone skins at dbrand.com add only 0.23 mm once applied, offering a slim addition that fits.

Of course, once you find a provider that can guarantee well-fitted protection, then you can turn your attention to its looks. Check out the amazing selection of designs available online. In terms of functionality, Apple is one of the greatest manufacturers of phones right now, but the company’s dedicated to a minimalist style that doesn’t mesh with everyone’s personality. Luckily, iPhone skins can add a punch of color (like magenta, blue, or red to name a few) or a sense of individuality with textures (like concrete, wood, and carbon fiber).

In a sea of look-a-like iPhones, you neon pink carbon fiber will certainly turn heads, but its beauty is more than skin deep. Backed by durable 3M vinyl, it’s the best way to defend your smartphone, so it’s ready to take on the day and go wherever you need to take it. Invest in the top security for your iPhone. You won’t be disappointed.

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Lost access to your lifeline? Dial-in to unlock a phone today

Knowing how to unlock a phone can save you much stress in the future...

Photo by http://photos.oliur.com/ and https://www.pexels.com

For many consumers, their phones are pretty much their entire lives.

Whether they run their own small businesses, work for others, or are just regular consumers going about their business on a daily basis, staying connected to the outside world is oftentimes done via the phone.

Stop for a moment yourself and think about what happens when you misplace your phone or get locked out of it. How soon until that sense of panic sets in?

Whether you lose your phone or have trouble getting into it, having the right help available when you need to unlock a phone is critical.

With that being the case, how much time and effort do you put into finding the right provider for your phone?

Connect with the Right Phone Provider

So that you can choose the best phone option from day one for your needs, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Best offers – You will undoubtedly be searching for the best provider at the best rates. So that you can locate such deals, make sure you do your research. Such research can be done both in-person (visiting stores, talking to others who may have recently purchased new phones etc.) and by going online. Look to see what types of contact (if any) are included and/or required. Depending on the time of year, providers may be running special deals, so keep your eyes open for those too;
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  • Customer service – As important as quality and price of any piece of merchandise is that you ever purchase, the provider’s level of customer service can never be taken for granted. You may have the best phone in the world, but how is that provider and/or service when you go to them with an issue or question? Do they respond immediately? Do they keep you waiting (literally on hold) for a long period of time? Do they provide you with successful responses more times than failures? Having a phone provider give you unparalleled customer service should never be taken for granted. If the situation calls where you need to use Unlock-Network to unlock your phone, having the right company by your side for this task is crucial. Being locked out of your phone can be one of the most frustrating things to happen to you, especially if you need your phone for an emergency matter such as a health issue, broken down vehicle etc. Always remember to gauge the level of customer service you receive in any phone matter, allowing you to dial-in to where you will best be served;
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  • Protecting your phone – Whether for business or pleasure, your cell phone should be secured at all times. What would happen if you accidentally misplaced your phone or it was stolen? What kind of personal or small business information do you have on there that could be damaging if it fell into the wrong hands? Just like your wallet or purse, you don’t want your personal phone getting away from you. If it does, trying to locate it typically comes down to dialing the number to see if you get a nearby ring, asking those you were around last if they have spotted and/or found your phone, or going to the painful choice of having to acquire a new phone. As a preventative measure, never store financial information or other such sensitive data on your phone. If the phone is lost, you could find your finances targeted and/or hacked into. As for physical protection of your phone, handle it with care at all times. Dropping a smartphone just once could lead to having to replace it, something that typically does not come cheaply.

 

If you use your phone minimally at best, even getting locked out of it once can be a frustrating time.

When you purchase whatever cell phone is best for your needs, be sure to learn as much about the item as possible. In doing so; lessen the chances of having issues with it down the road.

For those times when you are locked out or your phone simply is not living up to the standards you expected of it when purchased, make sure you seek remedies to all but eliminate the problem/s from ever happening again.

 

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