Jasper Lloyd

Unveiling the Hidden Costs of Data Silos and Information Overload in Today’s Organizations

By Felicite Moorman, CEO of BOSS.Tech As the digital landscape continues to expand, so does the complexity of managing the vast amounts of information that flood into our organizations daily. The modern enterprise is a dynamic entity where data flows incessantly. Yet, despite this abundance, valuable insights often slip through the cracks, costing businesses dearly in missed opportunities and compromised decision-making. Today, I want to explore two critical challenges that plague many organizations—data silos and information overload—and discuss how they impact your bottom line. Understanding the Hidden Enemies: Data Silos and Information Overload The Paradox of Missing Insights In our quest for business excellence, we sometimes overlook the simplest truths: you can’t use what you can’t see or don’t even know exists. Insights don’t just disappear; they go unnoticed because they’re either locked away in data silos or lost in a sea of information. But what spawns these issues? Data Silos: The Modern Locked File Cabinet Decades ago, data silos might have been as straightforward as a locked file cabinet, accessible to only a select few within an organization. Now, they’ve morphed into a more insidious form, thanks largely to our increasingly digital operations. Silos now arise not only from the physical and technical limitations of data storage and access but also from the strategic choices we make about how data is managed and shared within our teams. For instance, in an era where remote work is commonplace, information once centrally stored on secure servers is now dispersed across various devices and cloud services. This fragmentation makes it challenging to maintain a cohesive and accessible data environment. Similarly, the software diversity within an organization can create barriers to data accessibility and transferability, further compounding the issue. Information Overload: Drowning in Data On the flip side, the sheer volume of information produced today can be just as crippling as data silos. The proliferation of data in the digital age means that distinguishing valuable insights from mundane details is becoming increasingly difficult. This information overload can stall decision-making processes and obscure the insights that could drive strategic advantages. The High Cost of Missed Opportunities Quantifying the Impact How do you measure the cost of an insight that was never gained? It’s a challenging endeavor. For instance, consider the infamous decision by Blockbuster to reject Netflix’s acquisition offer in 2000—a missed opportunity that ultimately cost Blockbuster its dominance in the entertainment rental industry. While not every missed insight carries such dramatic consequences, even smaller oversights can lead to significant financial losses, decreased productivity, and missed regulatory compliance. Recent studies have attempted to put numbers to these phenomena. For example, redundant investments in digital technologies, spurred by uncoordinated information strategies, can increase operational costs by nearly 6%, with organizations seeing a shortfall in revenue growth due to these inefficiencies. Bridging the Gap: Strategies to Overcome Information Challenges Technology as a Tool, Not Just a Challenge While technology contributes to the problem of data silos and information overload, it also offers a plethora of solutions. Advanced information management systems can help break down silos by integrating disparate data sources and making them accessible across the organization. Moreover, these systems can filter and prioritize information, transforming a deluge of data into a stream of actionable insights. The Human Element: Culture and Collaboration However, technology alone isn’t a panacea. Organizational culture plays a pivotal role in effectively managing data. Encouraging a culture of openness and collaboration can mitigate the formation of silos. By fostering an environment where sharing and communication are valued, organizations can ensure that insights are freely distributed and utilized. Incentivizing teams to collaborate and share information can lead to a more holistic view of the organization’s data landscape, thereby enhancing decision-making and reducing the likelihood of missing critical insights. Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Data Management The challenges of data silos and information overload are formidable, but not insurmountable. With strategic use of technology coupled with a shift in organizational culture, businesses can enhance their ability to harness the full potential of their data. In an era where data is both a commodity and a challenge, leaders must be vigilant in their approach to information management. By breaking down silos and managing information overload, we can uncover the hidden insights that drive successful, resilient businesses. As we navigate these complex issues, remember: in the realm of data, visibility is not just about seeing—it’s about understanding and acting. Let’s not miss the forest for the trees

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The Entrepreneurial Journey of Building BOSS.Tech with Felicite Moorman and Ryan Buchert

The following is a summary of the EntrepreNourish Podcast’s second episode aired on March 6, 2024. Listen to the Podcast below by clicking on the Spotify link or view the Youtube video at the bottom of the page. Also find EntrepreNourish wherever you listen to Podcasts. Knock Know! Who’s There? Interrupting Cow! … Sorry Ryan! In the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and technology, the journey of building a startup is filled with challenges, learnings, and moments of unexpected joy. This is exactly what Felicite Moorman and Ryan Buchert, co-founders of BOSS.Tech, shared in their latest podcast episode on “EntrepreNourish.” Their candid conversation sheds light on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of their entrepreneurial ventures. The Genesis of BOSS.Tech BOSS.Tech, a business operating system and SuperApp, stands as the culmination of years of ideation, development, and innovation. Ryan Buchert, the tech wizard behind the venture, shared that the concept of BOSS.Tech had been brewing in his mind for four years before it finally took shape. The journey from conception to coding spanned approximately two years, highlighting the patience and perseverance required to bring such a complex idea to fruition. Embracing Challenges and Unexpected Turns The path to launching BOSS.Tech was anything but straightforward. The duo faced numerous hurdles, from deciding on the company’s culture and team dynamics to choosing Costa Rica as their headquarters. Felicite recalled her initial skepticism about moving operations to Costa Rica, a decision that eventually felt right due to the country’s emphasis on community, family, and a balanced work culture. One of the most significant challenges they encountered was the need to pivot and rebuild their technology infrastructure upon the public availability of AI in November 2022. This decision, though difficult, was pivotal in ensuring that BOSS.Tech was equipped with the most advanced and efficient technology architecture possible. The Importance of Culture, Decision Making, and Adaptability Throughout their conversation, both Felicite and Ryan emphasized the importance of building a strong company culture and making informed decisions. They highlighted how entrepreneurs must rely on their gut instincts and make the best decisions possible with the information available at the time. This approach has guided them through uncertain times, including navigating the potential impacts of COVID-19 and economic recessions. The Revolutionary Potential of BOSS.Tech BOSS.Tech aims to simplify the intersection of business and technology. Ryan, with his extensive background in engineering and technology, sees BOSS.Tech as a tool to bridge the gap between business needs and technological capabilities. This platform is designed to make it easier for entrepreneurs to leverage technology, embodying Felicite’s vision of having a “Ryan in your pocket” – albeit jokingly referred to. Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead Reflecting on their journey, Felicite and Ryan shared valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. They stressed the importance of patience, the willingness to learn from failures, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. Building a startup is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring a blend of technical acumen, business savvy, and the courage to take risks. As BOSS.Tech prepares for its launch, Felicite and Ryan’s story serves as a testament to the power of partnership, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of solving hard problems. Their journey is a reminder that the path to entrepreneurial success is paved with challenges, but it is these very challenges that lead to groundbreaking innovations and lasting impact. In the world of startups, every challenge is an opportunity, every failure a lesson, and every success a milestone. For Felicite Moorman and Ryan Buchert, the adventure of building BOSS.Tech is just the beginning of their mission to revolutionize the way businesses operate and leverage technology. Their story is an inspiration for entrepreneurs everywhere, proving that with the right mix of grit, determination, and vision, anything is possible.

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Nourishing the Entrepreneurial Soul: Insights with Felicite Moorman & Jasper Lloyd

The following is a summary of the EntrepreNourish Podcast’s first episode aired on February 20, 2024. Listen to the Podcast below by clicking on the Spotify link or view the Youtube video at the bottom of the page. Also find EntrepreNourish wherever you listen to Podcasts. We Do NOT Eat a Frog in This Episode! Welcome to the EntrepreNourish podcast, where entrepreneurship meets creativity and collaboration. In this episode, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey with Felicite Moorman, an entrepreneur and software technologist, alongside her long-time creative partner Jasper Lloyd. Join us as we uncover valuable insights, share experiences, and explore the essence of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship isn’t just about the hustle; it’s about nourishing the entrepreneurial soul. As Felicite and Jasper embark on their seventh year of collaboration, they reflect on their journey from marketing to design, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and creative synergy in their work. With their near-psychic connection and shared vision, they’ve mastered the art of anticipation, easing the stresses of the entrepreneurial path. Their latest project together, BOSS.Tech, embodies their commitment to empowering entrepreneurs worldwide. BOSS.Tech is poised to revolutionize business operations, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to streamline accounting, marketing, communication, scheduling, and more. With a focus on time management, money management, and growth, BOSS.Tech aims to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. In this episode, Felicite and Jasper tackle some burning questions from their audience, ranging from daily habits to career lessons. They share insights on maintaining balance, prioritizing health, and embracing the unpredictability of startup life. Felicite’s “PLEASE” acronym encapsulates the essence of self-care, reminding entrepreneurs to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. One key takeaway from their conversation is the importance of embracing uncertainty and seeking creative solutions outside the traditional funding model. While venture capital may seem like the holy grail for startups, Felicite challenges this notion, advocating for bootstrapping and strategic partnerships as viable alternatives. By focusing on outward-facing solutions and nurturing meaningful relationships, entrepreneurs can pave their path to success. As the episode comes to a close, Felicite and Jasper leave listeners with a powerful message: every interaction matters. Whether it’s a chance encounter or a strategic partnership, cultivating genuine connections can open doors and propel entrepreneurial ventures forward. By staying adaptable, resilient, and community-focused, entrepreneurs can navigate the highs and lows of the journey with confidence. Join us next time for another empowering conversation on EntrepreNourish, where we continue to nourish the entrepreneurial soul …one episode at a time.

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QR Code Dos: 6 Best Practices To Implement Now

Whether you use them as a business card or in place of physical menus at a restaurant, QR codes are a great way to deliver a lot of information in a small space. These simple, scannable codes can be placed on posters, flyers, conference tables, and more in order to drive engagement with you and your business. Like with any marketing strategy, there are best practices. We’ve covered some QR code don’ts, but what about QR code dos? 6 QR code dos to help strengthen your marketing strategy 1. Give people a reason to scan: Wherever you place your code, you need a call to action. Why should they scan it? They should know what the QR code is taking them to before they scan it. Make sure the call to action is easy to see and understand. A QR code destination should never be a surprise. 2. Link to shortened URLs: QR codes are essentially a shortcut to a webpage or a file like a PDF. When linking to a webpage, it’s best to use a URL shortener and link to that shortened URL. This will help with scan and load times, making for a better user experience. Many QR code generators will shorten the link for you if you are making dynamic QR codes, but it’s best to double-check. 3. Use dynamic codes instead of static ones: Speaking of dynamic QR codes… There are two types of QR codes: Dynamic and static. Each has its own benefits, but for marketing purposes, dynamic QR codes are usually the best choice. Dynamic codes do not store information in the code itself, whereas static QR codes do. Because dynamic ones don’t have the information in the code design, this allows them to be updated, branded, and the size can be changed. They can also track analytics, where static QR codes cannot. Unless you are creating QR codes for a single-use purpose where the information never needs to be updated and you don’t need to track things, dynamic codes are going to be your best choice. 4. Incorporate branding: These days, QR codes can, to some extent, be customized to meet your branding needs. You can change the colors of the code, as well as add a logo or maybe an app icon (if you want them to use it to download an app.) However, as we mentioned in the QR code don’ts blog, you don’t want to go overboard. Ensure the code is still easy to see and can be scanned without issue. 5. Track the analytics: Don’t you want to know how many people are scanning your QR codes? Of course you do! You need to know how effective they are. Most QR code generators offer analytics tracking in some way, so take advantage of it! You use data and analytics in other aspects of your marketing strategy, so why not with this? 6. Keep it updated: The beauty of dynamic QR codes is that you can keep them updated without worrying about producing a new code. Swap out links, update your menus, and replace documents whenever you need to and don’t worry about printing out new ones. This makes it easy to continue to track analytics for different parts of a campaign, and keep things more sustainable!

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QR Code Don’ts: Avoid These 7 Mistakes

QR codes are an easy and effective marketing tool that exploded in popularity during the pandemic. Although they’ve been around since the 90s, the need for contactless information exchanges during the COVID-19 pandemic brought them back in a big way. However, the boom in usage also brought to light some common QR code don’ts you’ll want to avoid. QR codes aren’t just for menus. They have many uses and can be a great tool to have in your marketing arsenal. QR code business cards are a more sustainable way of sharing your business information, and they can be an easy way for customers to learn more about a product or service. A small QR code can hold much more information than a simple flyer or product description. And with their ability to be edited and altered without changing the code themselves, it’s a great way to ensure your customers get the most up-to-date information possible. Like with anything, there are best practices to keep in mind when launching your QR code campaign. So before you launch into your QR code era, make sure to avoid these don’ts. Easily Avoid These 7 QR Code Don’ts 1. Make it too small: A great thing about QR codes is they can hold a lot of information in a small space. And they can be printed fairly small and still work! But they can be too small. Remember the context your customers will be scanning them in and if it’s big enough to be effective. If it’s too small, they might not notice it. And worse? It might not work. 2. Have it link to a webpage that isn’t optimized for mobile: QR codes are meant to be scanned by a smartphone. If you direct people to desktop pages that haven’t been optimized for mobile, you give them a bad user experience. They likely won’t stay on the page very long, rendering your QR code campaign ineffective. 3. Put them where people can’t scan them: Up high, on billboards, inside a fish tank. Okay, that last one was a joke, but you get the point. The beauty of QR codes is that they can be incredibly accessible if they are used correctly. Keep in mind how easy it is to reach the code with a smartphone when placing them. 4. Over customize: These days, QR code generators usually offer some creative freedom. Allowing you to do things like change the colors and add a logo. This is great, especially for branding purposes, but it’s very easy to render the QR code unscannable. Darker colors scan better than lighter colors, and if you add a logo, try to keep it small so it doesn’t interfere with the code itself. 5. Put too many in one place: Sometimes you may need more than one QR code in the same place. For instance, a restaurant may have one for the drinks menu and one for the food menu. You may have one on your marketing flyer that goes to your website and one that allows people to download an app. If you need more than one in the same place, be sure to clearly label them and spread them out so there is no confusion on what code goes where. 6. Flash them quickly: If you are putting a QR code in a digital ad like on TV or on a screen in a stadium, make sure they are up long enough for people to pull out their phones, open the camera app, and scan them. If they flash too quickly, no one can use them. 7. Forget to test it first: Before you put your QR codes on your business cards or marketing materials, make sure you test them. More than once. Use different kinds of phones, and put them in places with various levels of Wi-Fi access and phone service levels. Be 200% sure that most people will be able to scan your code before putting it out into the world.

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How Community-Led Growth Can Benefit Investors

Community-led growth (CLG) is a powerful way to grow a business. People who are enthusiastic about your company and what you have to offer are an invaluable tool. Harnessing that enthusiasm can help with customer acquisition, retention, brand sentiment, expansion, and more. But you (and your company) are not the only ones who can benefit from community-led growth. It can benefit your investors as well. What is community-led growth? Here’s a quick recap. It’s a business strategy that leverages a company’s community of users, customers, and fans to drive growth and engagement. At its core, it’s an evolution of the growth strategies that preceded it: Sales-led and product-led. A successful community-led growth strategy centers around building a community that not only contributes to your goals as a company but your users as well. 89% of responders in the 2022 Community Index Report agreed that community iscritical to their company’s mission. 79% said that community has had a positive impact on their organization’s objectives, and 62% said that their organization will be increasing their investment in community. 7 benefits of CLG that impact investors 1. Increased revenue growth: While communities take time and effort to build, the energy is worth it. Community-led growth can drive customer acquisition and retention, leading to increased revenue growth and stronger financial performance. 2. Higher customer lifetime value: Customer lifetime value is an important metric that helps indicate the total revenue that a company can expect from a single customer throughout their relationship with the company. It’s a valuable metric because it allows you the power to leverage the value of every single customer throughout their journey. Because CLG can result in higher levels of customer engagement and loyalty, this can lead to a higher customer lifetime value. 3. Improved margins: By being engaged with your most enthusiastic customers, you can get direct feedback from them. Feedback on the customer experience, directly from your customers can lead to a more cost-effective acquisition process, improving margins. 4. Stronger brand: Building a strong community of loyal customers can increase your brand sentiment. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, and the larger and stronger your community grows, so does your brand. Positive brand sentiment reflects well on investors as well as the company. 5. Better returns: By focusing on building a strong community, CLG can lead to better returns for investors as the company’s financial performance improves and its market position strengthens. 6. Increased customer loyalty: Connection is important, especially when it comes to creating loyal, lifelong customers. Community-led growth can lead to increased customer loyalty, as users feel a strong sense of connection and community with the product or brand. 7. Reduced customer churn: This growth strategy can reduce customer churn, as customers are likelier to stick around and continue using the product due to their involvement in the community. A strong customer base is appealing to investors. Happy and engaged customers are loyal customers, so why not build an entire community out of them, right?

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Easily Avoid These 9 SMS Marketing “Dont’s”

If you’ve added SMS marketing (aka bulk texting) to your marketing strategy, you’ve likely done a lot of prep work already. You’ve weighed the pros and cons of texting vs. emailing your customers, you’ve identified the benefits, and you’re ready to send out that first mass text blast. Congrats! But, before you take the plunge and fire off your first round of messages, make sure you’re not doing one of these easily avoidable “don’ts” and alienating your customers before you have the chance to hook them. So when rolling out SMS marketing, make sure you don’t… 1. Send messages after hours: While this is a common courtesy (you want to keep your customers happy, after all), it’s also a violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA.) If you haven’t familiarized yourself with the TCPA, it’s a good idea to do that before you send your first message so you stay in compliance and don’t end up with some hefty fines. Under the TCPA, businesses may only call or send text messages to subscribers between 8 A.M. and 9 P.M. in their timezone in the United States. You might have subscribers from all over the country, so factoring that into your automation will be key. If you have an international audience, make sure you are compliant with those countries as well. 2. Make people opt out instead of opt in: In order to text customers, you need to receive their consent (another TCPA stipulation). This consent can come in a few ways. Texting a keyword, filling out an online or paper form, or checking a box on your website are all ways to obtain consent. Just remember, they have to opt in not opt out so this box can’t be pre-checked. 3. Only offer a one-way street: This isn’t a TCPA compliance requirement but a recommended best practice. By making your SMS marketing a two-way communication, you can facilitate customer feedback. This can strengthen your consumer-brand relationship and can lead to better brand sentiment and customer retention. By having an easily accessible and responsive channel for feedback, you can foster more customer loyalty. The catch? This can take more time and energy, so don’t encourage two-way communication if you don’t have the bandwidth to respond promptly and thoughtfully. 4. Write the next great American novel: Keep it simple! You might write lengthy texts to friends and family, but text messages are meant to be a short-form marketing communication tool. Don’t forget that while people have opted in to receive your messages, depending on their phone plan there might be messaging rate associated with receiving your texts. The last thing you want is an angry customer contacting you because you racked up their phone bill. By keeping them short and the number of messages low, people will be less likely to feel like you are spamming them. However, you don’t want to cut corners and use a bunch of shorthand or emojis. If you absolutely have to, keep the acronyms to a minimum and only use well-known ones. Writing effective copy for text messaging is hard! But, as Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” And speaking of those messaging rates… 5. Leave off the disclaimer Never assume your customers are aware of fees. Even if those fees are coming from their own phone plan. Tack on a disclaimer to the opt-in message that clearly states standard message and data rates may apply to the text messages they’ll receive from you. This will help you avoid any backlash down the road, and it shows you’re conscientious of your customer’s needs. 6. Forget your call to action As we mentioned earlier, you want to keep your messages short and to the point. And the best way to make your short copy as effective as possible? A call to action. The five Ws will be your friend here: Who, what, where, when, and why. Couple it with a “how,” and you have yourself a great call to action. Let the recipient know why you’re messaging them: You’re having a sale, and you’re offering them a discount code. Great start. Then, make sure to add on how they can redeem that code (or how they can receive it if it’s not in the initial message.) 7. Make it difficult to stop receiving messages: Of course, the last thing you want is for people to unsubscribe, but it will happen. The best thing you can do? Make it easy for people to do so. In their initial opt-in message, tell them how they can unsubscribe (usually by texting STOP or another keyword) and remind them often when you’re sending out your blasts. By making unsubscribing easy, your customers won’t feel like you’ve locked them into something. 8. Forget to introduce yourself You’re likely not the only brand someone receives messages from on any given day. By clarifying who you are upfront, your texts will be better received and feel more engaging to the recipient. And don’t just say who you are in the initial text! Make sure you remind them every time you send a message. Don’t assume your customers have saved your number to their contacts. This will also make sure your messages don’t get mistaken for spam they didn’t sign up for. 9. Over-communicate Play it cool. The sweet spot for how many messages you send and how frequently you send them will vary by your customer demographics and industry. However, regardless of industry, it’s easy to over-communicate with your customers. It may take some trial and error to find the right cadence, so be sure to listen to customer feedback. If a few people reach out saying you’re sending too many messages, chances are they’re not the only ones who think that.

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How Community-Led Growth Can Make For Happy Customers

Every business has a community surrounding it, no matter how big your business is or what products or services you provide. These communities are typically made up of clients, investors, consumers, industry thought leaders, and more. Supportive people who are familiar with what you provide and want to see your business thrive. Your business has a community surrounding it, so have you harnessed that community in your business strategy? If you haven’t, you’re missing out on a powerful tool: Community-led growth (CLG.) Refresher: What is CLG? Community-led growth really has one goal: To create a self-sustaining growth cycle fueled by said community that drives new user acquisitions and engagement. CLG harnesses a company’s users, customers, and fans to drive growth and engagement. The ideology is that by creating a strong sense of community around something (a business, product, service, brand, etc.) you can then use that community to drive customer acquisition, engagement, and revenue. Referral marketing, community events, forums, activations, and user-generated content are all ways this can be achieved. Pretty cool, right? 5 ways community-led growth can benefit your customers While CLG provides numerous benefits to the business itself, it’s also incredibly beneficial to the customer (or user, or client.) After all, customers are a huge part of community-led growth, and are part of the key to its success. Because the cycle is self-sustaining, customers aid in the success of community-led growth, and in turn, reap the benefits as it grows. 1. Improved customer experience: CLG can lead to a more engaged and involved user community, driving product development and improvements based on user feedback and input. With community-led growth, the customer has a more personalized connection with a business. By getting feedback direct from your community, you can ensure that you are rolling out new products and services that your customers actually want, not just what you think they want. 2. Increased value: Because of CLG’s affect on customer experience by driving new feature development and enhancements based on their needs and preferences, those developments make your business more valuable to them. When you are meeting their needs directly, that increases loyalty fueling that self-sustaining cycle even more. 3. Better customer support: Communities support each other. As the community surrounding your business grows and strengthens, they can help eachother by answering questions and providing support to other users via forums, groups, and other online spaces. 4. Increased sense of community: You might have noticed that all of these benefits build on eachother. This is all apart of the self-sustaining cycle we’ve been talking about. The more the community grows, and the stronger it becomes, it can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. 5. Increased ROI: CLG is a cost-effective strategy for your business that can drive customer acquisition and retention, leading to increased revenue and a higher return on investment for clients. It’s a win-win situation for both parties. Don’t you love it when everyone wins?

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9 Reasons Automated Text Messages Are Better Than Email Marketing

Whether you’re just starting a business or have been in the game for years, you know how important marketing is. You also know that not all marketing is created equal, and some tactics are more effective than others. Times change, and with new technologies always emerging, keeping up with your customers can be hard. While email campaigns have been an effective tool in the past, depending on your customer base, there may be more effective ways to meet them where they are. One of those ways? Automated text messages. Now, we don’t want to discredit email marketing entirely. There are still some great benefits, and it can be an effective part of a holistic marketing strategy. But chances are, if you are only emailing your customers and you aren’t texting them, you could be missing out on leads. Bulk texting, whether done manually or automated, may feel daunting. But there are some serious benefits to easing off your email campaigns and switching to SMS messaging. 9 Reasons Why Automated Text Messaging Is Better Than Email 1. Immediacy: Text messages are like getting a love letter from your crush, while emails are like getting a chain letter from your grandma. Harsh but true. 46% of American smartphone users think they spend about 4-5 hours on their smartphones. The odds are good that their phones are already in their hands, so why not send them a message their more likely to see right away? 2. Personalization: Emails can be personalized, sure. But texting in and of itself feels more personalized. Something about getting a mass email blast feels colder than a text. By personalizing your automated text blasts, you can send people the offers and information they really want. And it will be right at their fingertips. Let’s face it, text messages feel like getting a hand-written note, while emails feel like getting a mass-produced brochure. 3. Interactivity: When it comes to interactivity, text messages are to a game of ping pong, as emails are to a game of solitaire. It’s far easier to have interactions (whether automated or not) with texts than with emails. Surveys feel more interactive, and appointment confirmations feel more like calling the office than checking a box. 4. Convenience: Since about 98% of Americans across all generations have a smartphone, texting just makes sense. There is a good reason why it is such a popular form of communication. Forbes estimates that 23 billion text messages are sent worldwide on a daily basis. They are easy to send, receive, and answer and take far less effort than email. Text messages are like having a personal assistant in your pocket, while emails are like having a personal assistant stuck at a desk. Which do you prefer? 5. Attention-grabbing: If emails are a scheduled conference call, then text messages are a surprise party. Marketing is all about grabbing attention. Think about how many bulk emails you receive daily and have been sent daily for the last decade or so. You’re likely desensitized to them, and if you’re desensitized to them, you can bet your customers are too. 6. Opt-in: Text marketing makes customers feel like they have more agency over what marketing messages they are receiving. How many emails do you get from brands and businesses daily that you don’t remember ever signing up for? If you opt into one type of email list, you’re likely added to more distribution lists at that company that you didn’t opt in to. Customers have to opt-in to receive text messages, which means they are more likely to be interested in hearing from you. 7. Cost-effective: Who doesn’t want to save money? Especially on their marketing? The advantages of text messaging are similar to those of grocery store discounts, while the disadvantages of email marketing campaigns are similar to paying full price for a fancy meal. Per message, bulk texts will likely cost you less in time and energy, as well as monetarily, than email campaigns. Of course, this depends on what services you use. 8. Time-sensitive: How many unread emails do you have in your inbox? Okay, inbox zero; how many of those have you actually read? Exactly. 95% of texts are opened within three minutes of receipt, while 83% of emails are opened within 48 hours (and the remaining 17% take longer than that.) Text messages are like a reminder to take out the trash before the garbage truck comes, while emails are like a reminder to take out the trash…next week. 9. Saturation: Compared to other marketing channels, SMS marketing is still fairly low-saturated. This means you are competing with fewer businesses for the attention of your customers on that channel. Instead of drowning in a spam folder with hundreds of expired email campaigns, you could be a part of a much smaller, more curated handful of promotional texts a person receives every day.

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Community-Led Growth: What It Is and 6 Awesome Benefits

A good business owner is always looking for ways to improve and grow their business. Marketing is huge, and anyone looking to boss their industry seeks out ways to make their marketing strategy more effective. We’ve waxed poetic about the benefits of adding bulk texting and QR codes to your marketing strategy, but there is another tool you should utilize to expand your brand: Your audience. How do you do that? Community-led growth. What is community-led growth? Community-led growth (CLG) is a business strategy that leverages a company’s community of users, customers, and fans to drive growth and engagement. The idea is to create a strong sense of community around a product or brand and to use that community to drive customer acquisition, engagement, and revenue. This can be achieved through tactics such as user-generated content, referral marketing, and community events and activations. The goal is to create a self-sustaining growth cycle where the community drives new user acquisition and engagement, which in turn fuels further growth and community building. Lather, rinse, repeat. Why does it matter? No matter how large your customer base is, every brand has a community surrounding it. Word of mouth and recommendations from trusted people in one’s life are effective and valuable marketing tools. By harnessing the power of the people passionate about your brand, you can turn them into some of your best advocates. Community-led growth is targeted and mutually beneficial. It helps your company by increasing your reach and engagement, and the customer can get more out of your product or service while being able to provide feedback on the future of your business. So what are the benefits? 1. Cost-effective customer acquisition: CLG can help companies acquire customers more cost-effectively than traditional sales and marketing methods, as the community can help drive referrals and new customer acquisition. By building a community of passionate experts, whether online, in-person, or both, those passionate experts can attract more people like them, saving you money on marketing strategies aiming to reach those new customers directly. 2. Increased customer engagement: CLG can create opportunities for increased customer engagement, as users are more likely to be active and involved in a product or brand when they feel a strong sense of community. By creating an online or in-person community around your business, your customers will feel a more personalized connection. Aren’t you more likely to recommend brands and products to people that you love and feel connected to? So are your customers. 3. Brand advocacy: If you’re curious about a new product or company but unsure if it’s worth investing your time and money in, having a trusted source you can rely on for a recommendation is paramount. Think about the companies you interact (in some way) with on a daily basis. Aren’t you more likely to tell your friends and colleagues about the ones you love? CLG can increase brand advocacy, as community members are likelier to recommend the product or brand to others. 4. User-generated content: Community-led growth can create amazing opportunities for user-generated content, which can be used to drive further engagement and growth. Testimonials, reviews, forums etc. can all be user-generated and incredibly impactful on your brand. 5. Improved customer retention: CLG can help improve customer retention, as community members are more likely to stick around and continue using the product. If your customers feel connected to your brand on a more meaningful level, they’re more likely to stick around through your evolution as a business. They will likely be some of your first adopters when you launch a new product or service, and the longer you can retain them, the more powerful the community will be. 6. Data-driven decision-making: CLG generates a wealth of data to inform and improve product development and overall business strategy. Since your community is so much more connected to your business than a more passive audience, you can get more nuanced and tangible feedback from them. By hosting your community online in places like Slack, Discord, or LinkedIn, you can also use native data and analytics to understand your customers better and make more informed decisions.

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