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QR Codes & Digital Business Cards: 7 Reasons They’re Better Than Paper

QR Codes are an important part of marketing strategies in today’s world. They allow for more eco-friendly collateral and help keep interactions contactless. They are revolutionizing how we share information with our customers, from menus to business cards. Business cards have been around for far longer than you might think they have. They date back to 15th-century China when royalty and aristocrats would use them as “visiting cards” to announce their arrival to whoever was hosting them. They reached popularity outside of the aristocracy in Europe around the 17th century. While they’ve evolved over the centuries, they remain a valuable tool for networking and connecting with potential customers. The latest in business card evolution? Digitizing. Digital business cards are a fast, easy way to share your information with people without ensuring you have a stack on you at all times. They also decrease the amount of cards people, including yourself, need to keep track of once they acquire them. What is a digital business card? Digital business cards come in a few forms. They’re still the same networking tool your grandfather used, just virtual. This offers numerous benefits that traditional business cards lack. A digital business card can be shared via a URL, a QR code, or even an app. The recipient can then click on the URL, scan the QR code or use an app to access the information. Some virtual business card apps require the recipient to have the same app to access the information, but others allow the card to be accessed without the app. URLs can be embedded on websites or social media profiles allowing for wide distribution. QR codes can be put on webpages or apps or even printed out onto a piece of paper or a standard business card that people can scan, allowing for just one piece of paper instead of dozens, if not hundreds, of copies. Who needs a digital business card? Everyone who uses a traditional business card can benefit from a digital business card. It’s nearly impossible these days to do business without using devices like phones, computers, and the internet. If you are using these things, you need a virtual business card. Trust us.  When should you use a digital business card? Whenever you would use a traditional business card. If you’re attending a conference, tradeshow, or networking event, you could print out a QR code and slide it into a tabletop display for people to scan after visiting your booth. You could also have a traditional business card with a QR code on it that people can scan, allowing you to have just one card on you. No more running out of cards to distribute halfway through the networking event. Why is a digital business card better than a traditional paper card? 1. Environmentally friendly No paper or printing is required. Of course, there are instances when a hard copy may be warranted, like some of the examples above. However, the virtual aspect allows you to reduce how many copies you need. So even if you print out a QR code here and there, it will be significantly less than what you would need with a traditional paper card. Multiply this by all of your employees that need them, and you’re saving a lot of trees! 2. Up-to-date information Digital cards can be easily updated with the latest information. If your phone number changes or your office moves to a new address, you don’t need to worry about ordering new cards. That information can easily be updated without any disruption to your workflow. And new employees won’t have to wait for cards to be designed, printed, and shipped to start using them. 3. Convenient storage Digital cards can be stored on a smartphone, reducing the need for a physical cardholder. If you opt for a hard copy, you only need one or two. It’s less you need to keep track of, eliminating the classic “let me give you my card” while you fumble around in your pockets for one. 4. Analytics tracking Digital cards can track who has viewed the card and when. Many times a digital business card can store the person who scans its information in your address book or a system, so you don’t have to worry about collecting it yourself. This makes it much easier to track leads, follow up with people you met networking, and get a sense of your potential client’s interest. 5. Cost-effective Digital cards are typically free or low-cost compared to printing paper cards. If you go the app route, there are many free options out there. Printing out batches of paper business cards for every person on your team who needs them can add up quickly. Especially if they need to be updated. 6. Interactivity Digital cards can contain links, videos, and other interactive elements. You aren’t limited to just a name, phone number, and address. You can use it as an opportunity to share a video highlighting your product or to link to your website to give the recipient easy access directly to your company. 7. More creativity No longer limited by the space of a small business card, the world is truly your oyster. From the design to the content to the distribution experience, you have more choices than you do with a paper card. The creativity that digital business cards give you allows for an opportunity to stand out from your competitors immediately and make a lasting impression.

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What Are QR Codes & 6 Ways To Add Them to Your Marketing Strategy Now

QR codes (quick response codes) have grown in popularity over the last few years. While they were officially released in 1994, it took a while for mass adoption to take off. They became a useful tool for places like restaurants during the pandemic when people wanted contactless experiences, and their popularity is only growing. While a restaurant using a QR code for their menus is a no-brainer, the application for other types of businesses might not be so obvious. However, there are many ways that businesses of all kinds can leverage the technology and reap the benefits that QR codes provide. What is a QR Code? A QR code is a type of two-dimensional barcode that can store information such as website links, contact information, and other data. It can be scanned using a smartphone camera and a QR code reader app. Why should you use QR codes? Ease of accessibility: People are busy. You’re busy, your team is busy, and your customer is busy. So don’t you want to share information as quickly and as easily as possible? With a quick scan of the QR code, you’re given the exact information you need. You no longer need a special app to scan them, eliminating the need for people to search for the information on their own or download yet another app. The user experience is seamless and doesn’t require anything out of the ordinary. Just the phone they likely already have in their pocket. This brings us to… Smartphones are everywhere: Smartphones have been widely adopted. From young kids to grandparents, the majority of people have a smartphone. By capitalizing on the day-to-day technology that everyone carries with them and already owns, you are meeting your customers where they are without requiring anything from them. They simply open up their camera app, take a quick selfie, and scan your code. This avoids app fatigue and caters directly to your business’ and customers’ needs. It’s greener: Oftentimes, QR codes can replace the need for paper materials. Or, at the very least, cuts down on the amount needed. Restaurants can provide and update their menu without printing them out. By putting a QR code on your table at a conference, you can provide potential customers with the information they need without needing to provide flyers or pamphlets. How are businesses using QR Codes? Different types of businesses can benefit from QR codes and are using QR codes in a variety of ways. Here are six we’ve highlighted for you. 1. Marketing QR codes can link to company websites, product pages, or promotional offers. Replace handouts with a QR code at a trade show or event. Use QR codes so people can easily follow your business on social media.  2. Payments QR codes can be used for mobile payments, reducing the need for cash or card transactions. It’s secure and simple and can be done from a phone. 3. Contactless check-in QR codes can be used for check-ins at events, hotels, or gyms. Eliminate the need for individual physical badges, and reduce contact points.  4. Inventory tracking QR codes can be used to track retail and supply chain management inventory. Inventory can be tracked in real-time. A traditional barcode can hold 20 characters, and a QR code can hold 7,000 numbers or 4,000 alpha-numeric characters, allowing you to track more inventory with one code. 5. Access control QR codes can be used for secure building access or event entry. It’s a simple yet secure authentication process that is convenient for users and provides you with granular data in real-time. 6. Business Cards  A QR code on your business card allows you to provide someone with more information than can fit on a standard business card. By seeing who scans the code, you can follow up and engage with potential customers and clients searching for more information. Bonus Use: Menus! Want to implement QR codes but don’t know where to start? The BOSS.Tech

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SMS Marketing: What It Is, How It Works, and 7 Reasons Why It’s So Popular

In today’s business world, you’ve likely interacted with SMS (short message service) marketing in some form. Maybe you’ve signed up for a retailer’s text alerts to get 10% off your first purchase. Or you opted in to receive text updates from your doctor’s office. SMS Marketing is a quick, simple, effective way to reach customers on a device they have with them all the time.  If you haven’t implemented SMS messaging into your marketing strategy, it’s time to consider it. But adding a new technology can be daunting, so we’ve broken down SMS marketing into the essentials for you: What it is, how it works, and why it’s so popular. The What: SMS marketing is a form of direct marketing that uses text messages to promote products or services to customers who’ve opted in to receive such notifications. It’s an effective marketing tool that businesses can use for promotional and transactional purposes. Something to remember, though, is they’re subject to legal regulations, such as obtaining consent before sending messages. The How: So how exactly does SMS marketing work? That’s a great question. SMS marketing starts with businesses obtaining a list of mobile phone numbers from customers who’ve opted in to receive text messages from the company. Businesses then use these numbers to send promotional, transactional, or informational messages to existing and potential customers. Businesses can obtain mobile numbers through various means, such as sign-ups on their website, in-store registration, or purchasing a list of numbers. Once they obtain a list of phone numbers, businesses can use an SMS marketing platform to compose and send text messages to these customers. These platforms typically offer features such as scheduling messages in advance, creating personalized message templates and analyzing the performance of campaigns. Customers who’ve opted in to receive texts will receive the message and can interact with it by following links, replying, or making a purchase. It’s important to note that in most countries, businesses must obtain consent from customers before sending them text messages and must provide an easy opt-out option for customers who no longer want to receive texts. The Why: Why is SMS marketing so popular? Well, there are several reasons. From convenience to high open rates to cost-effectiveness, it’s clear why so many businesses have adopted it into their marketing strategies. Here are just seven reasons why SMS marketing has increased in popularity.  1. High open rate: Text messages have a high open rate of over 98%. Why is it so high? Typically, people read texts within minutes of being received and are less likely to be overlooked or deleted than other digital communication forms. Think about how quickly you look at your text messages⸺your customers are probably doing the same.  2. Targeted messaging: SMS marketing allows businesses to target specific segments of their customer base with tailored messaging. Which helps increase the relevance and effectiveness of the marketing message. 3. Cost-effective: It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of direct marketing. It does not require expensive design or production costs, and businesses can reach many customers with a single message. With automation features, SMS marketing can also save you and your team a lot of time. And time is money, as they say. 4. Personalization: SMS marketing allows businesses to personalize the message, addressing the customer by name and making the message more relevant. People know that when they opt-in for texts from a company, they will likely be bulk messages sent from a template. Making them more personal shows your customer a level of care and consideration that could lead to more trust in your business. 5. Convenient: Text messages can be sent and received on any mobile device, making it a convenient communication method for businesses and customers. You don’t even need a smartphone! Which allows you to reach many different demographics that you might not reach with other forms of marketing. 6. Measurable: Businesses can track their campaigns’ performance and measure their efforts’ ROI with ease, allowing them to make data-driven decisions. Many SMS marketing services offer analytics to capture that data and make your marketing strategy much more effective. 7. Compliance: SMS marketing is subject to legal regulations. Businesses can ensure they comply with these regulations by obtaining customer consent before sending messages and providing an easy opt-out option. It’s simple, straightforward, and efficient.

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Felicidades to the BOSS Tech Team for recognition of their Free Trade Zone Regime!

Costa Rica‘s Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime is a system of designated areas within the country where companies can operate with reduced tariffs and taxes, as well as streamlined customs procedures. The goal of the FTZ regime is to attract foreign investment and promote economic growth by making it easier and more cost-effective for companies to do business in Costa Rica. There are several types of FTZs in Costa Rica, including industrial parks, export processing zones, and bonded warehouses. Companies operating within these zones are eligible for a variety of incentives, such as tax exemptions, reduced tariffs, and streamlined customs procedures. Additionally, companies in the FTZs have access to a variety of support services, such as training programs and technical assistance. One of the main advantages of Costa Rica’s FTZ regime is that it allows companies to take advantage of the country’s highly skilled workforce and favorable business environment. Costa Rica has a well-educated population, and a long tradition of exporting goods and services. Additionally, the country has a stable political and economic environment, and a relatively low crime rate. These factors make Costa Rica an attractive location for companies looking to expand into Latin America. Another advantage of Costa Rica’s FTZ regime is that it allows companies to take advantage of the country’s strategic location. Costa Rica is located in Central America, and is a natural gateway to the rest of the region. It is well-connected to major markets in North and South America, and has a number of free trade agreements in place, making it easy for companies to export their products and services. However, there are also some challenges associated with Costa Rica’s FTZ regime. One of the main challenges is that the country has a relatively high cost of living, which can make it difficult for companies to attract and retain workers. Additionally, the country’s infrastructure is not always as developed as in other countries, which can make it difficult for companies to get their products to market. Despite these challenges, Costa Rica’s FTZ regime is considered to be one of the most successful in Latin America. The country has attracted a significant amount of foreign investment, and is home to many leading companies in a variety of industries. Additionally, the country has a growing export sector, which has helped to drive economic growth. Overall, Costa Rica’s Free Trade Zone regime provides a number of advantages for companies looking to expand into Latin America. The country has a highly skilled workforce, a favorable business environment, and a strategic location. Additionally, the country’s FTZ regime offers a variety of incentives, such as tax exemptions, reduced tariffs, and streamlined customs procedures, which make it easier and more cost-effective for companies to do business in Costa Rica.

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What is BOSS Tech and WHY are we making it?

One of the biggest challenges our Team faced at our prior startups was having all the business data in all the places we needed it to easily deliver meaningful and actionable information and instruction across the company. Just like the last platform and category we created, upgrading and connecting disparate, outdated systems provided a pioneering digital transformation with an unparalleled return on investment. If we can do that with the constraints and headaches of hardware (hardware is hard) and the Internet of Things, the opportunity in software and Web 3.0 is nearly unfathomable. BOSS (Business Operating Smart Solution) Tech is the answer to every entrepreneur’s problem, and that’s a market and market size we’re excited to address. It’ll get us out of bed in the morning, and we’re betting on some serious attraction of some serious investors. BOSS Tech is the first and only Business Operating Smart Solution empowering entrepreneurs to embrace Web 3.0 as it is intended: openly yet securely, distributed yet authenticated, and streamlined and automated for meaningful data-driven efficacy. BOSS Tech was created by multi-exit technology entrepreneurs to enable their own startups and is the business operating system enabling AI, AR/VR, and Blockchain (Crypto) for Web 3.0. BOSS Tech disrupts current disparate, outdated systems, to leapfrog our clients’ competitors.

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