Author: Hannah

Categories
Design & technology

How to create good video content

Videos are an ever-present medium of communication that you can find anywhere today. From the smartphone to the big LED screen, visuals are some of the most attention-grabbing ways that you can get someone’s eye.

That’s why any marketing strategy worth their salt should integrate videos into their campaigns. Not because they’re ubiquitous – though that should be reason enough – but because video content can help you boost customer engagement.

These statistics show that even compared to other forms of marketing; video still has the edge:

  • 54% of users want to see more video content from brands they like
  • 88% of companies that use video marketing report high ROI and improved conversion rates
  • 88% of users stay longer on a website with video

And while videos are unlikely to fall from its place as an effective method of engagement, it’s not enough to attach some images or animate some slides. A poorly designed-video will have more or less the same effect as any other subpar marketing collateral, and might even cost you in the long run. Luckily, there are ways for you to avoid this pitfall.

But before we examine that, let’s talk about the one thing you should keep in mind whenever you want to create a video for customer engagement.

Purpose-driven video

The biggest mistake that you can make when producing video content is making it for the sake of making it. It’s easy to get blindsided by all the options you have when relating a video, and it’s these options that can muddle your vision of why you put out a video in the first place.

When you make a video, always keep the purpose of WHY you choose a video format to convey the message. While the statistics we showed earlier prove that video content has an edge with engagement, those don’t guarantee success.

Creating marketing videos is a great way to engage your audience / Source: Event Video Production QLD

Making video content for the sake of showing something rather than getting a message across isn’t just wasteful: it can backfire with terrible results. Consumers today are more aware of what content has substance in it and what content just looks pretty. And while you can pique their curiosity with a well-crafted video, it’s a purpose-driven one that can hold their attention.

So, whenever you discuss strategy around a video-centric engagement campaign, always keep the aim of why you made the video at the forefront of your mind. It’s easy to get blinded by shiny graphics and aesthetically pleasing models, but those things aren’t the heart of what drives video content and audience engagement.

But that being said, there are concrete steps that you can take to make sure that your message gets across – or at the very least, more straightforward to convey.

Ways to leverage video content for more customer engagement

1. Create compelling content

Everyone likes stories. And everyone has a story to tell.

Videos can get your story across, but you need to make sure that your audience has a reason to get invested in what you have to say. That’s where well-crafted narratives and compelling content fall under.

You don’t have to be an expert in filmmaking to do this: more often than not, building a sensible narrative is enough. Even a rudimentary grasp of how narrative writing works can be the difference between a flat narrative and a compelling one.

Make sure that your video makes sense in context. Have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Conduct market research to see which kind of storytelling will work with your target audience and the subject that you’re talking about. This step involves a lot of back and forth with your audience and video team, so make sure that the conversation is understood on both sides. Having these two work in sync is your best chance for creating a compelling narrative.

2. Show products instead of talking about them

Videos about products often fall into the trap of just talking about what the product does, instead of showing what it can do. And while you can wax poetry about how great your product is and how it works, nothing will beat a simple demonstration.

Remember, you have a visual medium to work with, which lends itself naturally to an actual demonstration rather than a written narrative about your product and service. People are more inclined to engage with something that they’ve seen working, rather than take its merits with no demonstration.

3. Entertain your audience

No one enjoys sitting through a dull video. That’s why it’s essential to keep your audience interested during your bit, and entertaining them is the best way to do that.

The simplest way to do this is through comedy, but it’s not the only way to do it. The best way to entertain your audience is to show actual interest and passion in your videos. People will subconsciously mimic the actions of others in a social situation, and a video can be the perfect bubble where you can take advantage of this inclination. You don’t have to be funny – you just have to be interesting AND be interested in what you’re doing.

Make sure that your entertainment matches the video that you’re producing. The last thing you want to do is to cause some dissonance between your message and how you deliver it. Not only will this confuse your viewers, but it also wrecks the entire point of your video.

4. Be genuine

For your audience to get a genuine emotional connection to a video, you need to be authentic. This is a tricky thing to convey in a video, but it is possible.

Being genuine refers to the capability of the audience to relate to your message, whether it’s a point you’re making or convincing them to see your side. The key to this step is to produce content that your audience will want to watch. Not only does this improve the conversion rate, but it helps forge an emotional connection between your brand and its audience.

Being genuine also means that you should always present your product or service as it is and never try to advertise or show more than what it can do. Be realistic in what you show since you don’t want to create any false or unreasonable expectations.

5. Post your video on multiple platforms

Whenever you release a video, always optimize it for multiple streaming sites. Even if you publish a video on one site, remember that people are browsing from multiple devices – which means different screen sizes and resolutions that different video streams can accommodate.

Get creative with your video content / Source: Media Chameleon

Remember that social media also has video streaming options, so check if your video can work on all formats. Not only does this give you more reach, but this is also the best way for them to show up on the site’s feeds or search options. SEO for small business will likewise benefit from this practice.

6. Always end with a call to action

A video isn’t complete without a call to action – whether it’s acting on the service provided or to buy the product. Since you’ve already gotten their attention by engaging them with the video, it’s easier for you to convince them to act on what you say.

The call to action doesn’t have to be all sales-centric and obvious: you can even consider the entire video as one elaborate call to action. The point of this method is to convince your audience to act on the message you present in your video. This can be as simple as asking a question or giving them a place to look for more information.

7. Make it shareable

Organic growth is one of the best ways to share any kind of content, and videos are no exception. If you structure your video campaign, so it’s easy to share, you engage with many market segments that you won’t be able to reach usually. Shareability improves the SEO for small businesses, aside from just putting your brand out there.

Allowing your video to be shareable also means your audience becomes ambassadors for you, driving even more engagement between those that may not be following your brand. Even just raising awareness through sharing your video can bring a lot of good traffic to your brand.

8. Give people a reason to buy

For advertising a product, you should be able to convince your audience to buy whatever it is you’re selling. Whether it’s by showing its good points, convincing them that this is something they need, or just proving it superior to other products, always go intending to make it desirable.

However, it’s important not to oversell what your product can do, or push too hard with making people buy. The best way to approach this is to give reasonable expectations about what the product can do and make these expectations desirable to the people watching the video.

Contact local videographers

9. Keep your audience in focus

Tone-deaf messaging is one of the worst things you can apply to video marketing – but it’s a common pitfall by a brand that doesn’t study its audience.

Before making the video, try to tailor it to what your audience would like to see. Since they’ll be the ones engaging with the content, making it more relatable to them can give it a higher chance of success. This doesn’t just go for content: it also means keeping things like web accessibility resources and other methods of access in mind.

Again, this is another aspect where knowing your audience is important. While you can make some general assumptions on what they would be like, direct contact with your audience is a better way to get a firm grasp of what they want to see. You can think of this as engagement before engagement – reinforcing the connection between you and your audience.

10. Thumbnails are important

Before your audience ever watches a video, there’s a moment where they can see the thumbnail.

This is more important than you think. A well-crafted thumbnail can stand out in the sea of other videos on a feed and gives your audience a reasonable expectation of what they’ll see when they click the video.

A thumbnail can also help with the video itself by either subverting or reinforcing the message of the video. In this way, it works as a compelling narrative storytelling tool.

11. Create interactive content

If you have the budget and the idea, you can’t try creating interactive videos. Plenty of video streaming websites offer some version of these videos, but if you’re hosting them on your website, you have more freedom in the content. If you ever build a business website, then this is a step you can’t miss.

Interactive videos offer an added layer of experience above the engagement that video already provides. By encouraging your audience to interact with your video, you guarantee their attention and engagement.

Just remember not to make the video any more complicated than it has to be. Simplicity drives effective interactive videos. If it’s too annoying or too complicated, your audience will lose interest and will drop engagement.

12. Feature your audience in video content

Finally, featuring your audience in the video can be a great way to make engaging content. This can be as simple as featuring regular customers, to featuring content created by your audience.

User-generated content doesn’t just connect better with your audience, but you also save on the actual costs of producing the content for the video. User-generated content needs minimal editing and retouching so that you can pour your resources into other parts of the video.

One thing you should avoid is to mess with the content used in the video. The advantage of using user-generated content is that there’s a greater chance it can engage your audience since it’s more authentic and close to their experiences.

Video as a connection

Making video content is a necessity that any brand strategy needs to take into consideration. But a good video doesn’t always cause a successful one, and neither do successful videos always come from good looking video.

Video content should accomplish one thing above all else: be something that leaves an impression on the people watching it. With a good grasp of what to show and whom you’re showing it to, making engaging videos can be a reliable and successful endeavour.

Categories
Automotive

10 signs your car needs a service

Your car is your road to freedom, so when your vehicle starts making funny noises, unfamiliar lights appear on the dashboard, brakes are becoming less responsive or smoke is appearing from underneath the bonnet, it is a sure sign that your car needs to be serviced. To avoid a surprise breakdown and expensive repairs we have identified the top ten warning signs that your car needs to be serviced by a qualified mechanic.

1. Engine warning light

The appearance of warning lights on your car’s dashboard should not be ignored. Car warning lights are programmed to light up when there is an issue with the area of the vehicle that they are monitoring. There are many different warning lights that will indicate a number of different problems, from battery issues, security alert, lamp out, oil pressure warning, reduced power warning and more. However, the one warning light that you must never ignore is the Engine Light. Should the Engine Light be showing it is important to take your car to a garage to be serviced immediately. Failure to do so may result in breakdowns and expensive repairs.

If you see or hear a warning sign, it’s important to have you vehicle checked for roadworthiness / Source: Premium Mechanical Services

2. Funny noises

Unusual noises, such as squeals and squeaks coming from your car can be an indication of problems with the fan belt, braking system or power steering fluid. The main noises to listen out for and what issues they indicate are:

  • Highly pitched squeals: heard when the ignition is turned on is indicative that the fan belt is either worn or loose
  • Squealing as brakes are applied: can be a sign that you need new brake pads or that dirt or bits of rock have ended up in the braking system
  • Squealing while driving: A squealing noise apparent whilst driving is a sign that your car tires may need to re-balanced, or that you need to replace your power steering fluid

3. Emissions of Smoke

Unusual emissions of smoke either from the exhaust or from under the bonnet of the car must be checked out. Black smoke from the exhaust can be signs of an oil leak, blockages and build-up of carbon in the system. Smoke from under the bonnet can be a sign that the car radiator isn’t working properly.

Strange vibrations are often a sign of problems such as worn or unbalanced tires, worn brake discs or pads, suspension issues or a problem with the steering system. It is strongly advised not to guess the root of the problem yourself and to instruct the services of a professional auto-mechanic as soon as you can.

4. Strange vibrations

5. Unresponsive brakes

The brakes on your vehicle go through a great deal of wear and tear, it is therefore extremely important to recognise any changes in the sensitivity and responsiveness of your brakes. If you notice any changes take your car to a garage to ensure your safety.

6. Stalling

Sudden stalling, even if you’re in the right gear, can indicate a fault with your engine. The stalling can be caused by clogged fuel filters or faulty spark plugs. Find a garage as a matter of urgency if you are experiencing these issues.

Your car should be checked by a professional if you see a warning sign / Source: All States Australia Mobile Mechanics and Auto Electricians Pty Ltd

7. Ignition issues

If you find it takes numerous attempts to get your car engine going, or your car coughs and splutters as you try to drive off this is likely to be a sign of faulty ignition. Ignition faults can be caused by a number of problems including a faulty starter motor or a dying battery.

8. Grinding gears

Grinding gears are often a simple indication of wear and tear, and will need to be fixed. Your chosen mechanic may replace parts of the gearbox, along with replenishing transmission fluids. The good news about gearbox issues is that they can be identified and fixed early, saving the driver costly repairs in the future.

Contact local mechanics

9. Decrease in power

A decrease in the power of your car, such as your vehicle struggling to reach its full speed potential, sudden surges of power or a full tank of petrol doesn’t take you as far as it used to, indicate that you should get your car checked over. Things such as incorrect tyre pressure can also cause a decrease in power but can be avoided if you have a high-quality tyre pressure gauge.

10. Steering

If you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle pulling to one side, even when you are in a neutral position, this is an indicator that something is wrong with your car steering.  This is often caused as a result of a broken steering rack mounts or worn ball joints. If you finding that your steering wheel is very stiff this can also be a sign that you don’t have the right amount of air in your car tyres, or that you need to adjust the amount of power steering fluid.

Categories
Real estate & moving

7 quick ways to add value to your home

If you’re looking to put your house on the market, or you simply want to update the look of your abode without spending a fortune – rather than thinking big renovation projects and interior design makeovers, it’s useful to think on a more micro level. There are multiple simple and budget-friendly ways to increase the value of your home to have it appear more desirable, with the help of a few experts.

1. A splash of paint

Just like fashion trends, interior wall paint colours can change. Painting the walls can lift the whole mood and atmosphere of your home while appearing in-style and modern. If you’re happy with the colour, but your walls are starting to look tired, a fresh coat can make the world of difference in making your home feel shiny and new.

Source: Ryan Linnegar Photography

Redesigning the colour scheme of your walls, while still keeping in mind your current decor, can completely transform the look and feel of your home without spending a fortune.

2. Update your outdoor space

With summer having just arrived, us Aussies love our outdoor living areas – socialising with mates, Sunday barbeques with family and even to relax by ourselves from time to time. Adding a deck to your outdoor entertaining area can exude a laid-back and modern atmosphere, facilitating any occasion. Hiring the right expert to install and design your decking will certainly increase the value of your home, and the main positive is that decking can sometimes be one of the more budget-friendly options for outdoor living areas.  

Another outdoor aspect is the garden. Arranging a garden clean-up is simple, and it can do wonders to your area. Clean-ups by themselves are effective, but they can also provide a blank canvas for adding any shrubbery or trees, which are definitely expected to lift the overall impression of your home.

3. Clean your carpets

Hiring a professional to deep clean your carpets is a cheaper option than replacing your flooring all together, and it can still increase the value of your home. Most of us tend to vacuum our carpets, without much regard for the hidden dirt that has accumulated over the years that we can’t see. Experts can transform your carpet to appear brand new, which not only makes a difference in the look of your carpet, but also the smell within your home.

4. Kitchen upgrades

Rather than renovating the whole space to increase the attractiveness and value of your house, consider the smaller details that can really lift the design of your kitchen. If you’re on an extremely tight budget, think of replacing cupboard doors or handles. Or perhaps you’re willing to spend a little more on improving your kitchen area; consider replacing kitchen benchtops.

5. Change the light switches

Something so simple as changing the light switches can make a difference in the eyes of potential buyers of your home, or even just the impression of your friends if you’re not looking to sell. The installation or upgrade of light switches is one of the cheaper services that electricians provide. Standard white switches can tend to look yellow over time, usually only noticed when they are replaced. Head to a hardware store and perhaps opt for coloured or metal switch plates instead of a standard white switch to spruce up your home in a subtle way.

6. Bathroom updates

The bathroom is often the easiest room in the house to look dated. Luckily, there are a few simple tweaks you can do to give it a fresh feeling. Firstly, install some new shower screens for an instant lift. If the old one is looking ugly or cloudy from all those years of use, a new shower screen will deliver a fresh, beautiful look. You can go for one that is fully frameless or semi frameless, and you have plenty of different glass options for the screen.

Source: Visualising Interiors

Adding a new vanity is another good option for the bathroom. Putting in a new one could give you more storage, or just make for a fresher look from the older and scarred one that already sits in there. Don’t forget, you need a vanity that’s got plenty of storage and easy access, and one that has enough sink space for everyone who’s going to use it. Figure out what type of material is best for the bench top, and figure out how big it has to be before you construct anything. You can also explore adding in a heated towel rack, new towels and bathmats or a mirror de-mister.

Finally, it’s worth considering resurfacing the bathroom. This is a good, superficial makeover that does a lot of good. If you have chipped, tired or ugly tiles, resurfacing could make for an efficient answer to your problems. Contact a professional and see what they could do. With a little bit of work, your new tiles will give the whole room a fresh, charming look.

Contact local bathroom renovation experts

7. Add a skylight

Skylights bring natural light into your home, reducing the need for artificial light and energy usage. A home that has lots of daylight appeals to home to buyers because it makes the home seem warmer and brighter. It also requires much less energy to keep it attractive and liveable.

Different types of skylights

Skylights come in many different shapes and sizes, from rectangular to circular and diamond-shaped to triangular. They can use either glass or plastic glazing that is: flat, arched, domed or pyramid shaped. Tubular skylights are another option; these can even be funnelled through a building or down to different storeys of a home.

You can have a fixed or openable skylight, depending on your tastes. Fixed skylights have to stay in place and can’t be opened — they serve solely as a source of light. Openable skylights can be opened whenever you like by using either a manual turn or a motorised control to open the pane and help ventilate your home. These can increase your energy efficiency even further by creating a cooling source, which will also increase your home’s value.

Skylights do have to be well-insluated to make sure that they are not letting in extra heat — with the sun beating down directly on them all day, this can be a problem in summer months. It’s a good idea to find ones that offer insulation that surrounds the skylight and that also use glazing to stop heat from penetrating. Blinds are also a good idea so that on extra sunny or hot days you can screen off the light from the skylight.

Categories
Resources

Planning the ultimate autumn wedding

Planning a wedding is a huge deal and can turn even the calmest of women into a so-called Bridezilla! A wedding often takes a good year of planning and preparation, everything from sourcing the right venue, picking the dress, choosing the perfect flowers, deciding on what food will be served and the kind of car you’ll arrive in style in, amongst a whole host of other decisions that have to be made. A great deal of brides-to-be look to take the stress out of the ‘wed-min’ by hiring the services of a wedding planner or coordinator to help them plan their big day.

As the Autumn season comes rolling in we speak to Gillian Hunt of Hunt & Heart Wedding Event Planners to get her expert advice on planning the ultimate Autumn Wedding.

Choosing a venue

For me your venue is your very first consideration.  Research, view and then BOOK as soon as you are clear that you have found your place!  Things to consider again are the style of wedding you are wanting.  For Autumn weddings I usually recommend having an indoor wedding as days are getting cooler and you don’t want your guests to freeze in an icy, windy outdoor setting.  The size of your wedding is probably the biggest determinant of where you should be booking.  There are a few things that I would be including on my list of questions to ask the venues:  

  • Are you allowed to style the venue to your own theme, or is the venue sticky about allowing you to have carte blanche with creating your mood?  
  • Do you have to use their catering and alcohol or can you DIY and choose your own caterers?
  • Is there a minimum spend for the event?  
  • Is the venue size appropriate for your guest numbers?  Too large and your guests will be dwarfed by the size of the room, too small and your dance floor might be sacrificed.

Hiring a photographer

My advice to brides is to book your photographer as soon as you have your venue confirmed.  Once your venue and date is locked in you should start looking for that photographer whose work best reflects the images and mood that you have in mind for your own photos.  Booking too early, before you have your venue confirmed, can mean that your date might change and your photographer may not be available or able to change your date which means you end up losing your security deposit.  Waiting too long may also mean that you don’t have the option of selecting the best photographer for your day.

Source: Toowoomba White Wedding and Event Hire

Which flowers are best for an Autumn wedding?

When choosing flowers for your Autumn wedding I would start with your colour palette and wedding theme.  A good wedding floral designer will work with you to create unique flower arrangements and bouquets that accessorise you the best.  Pinterest is a good place to start to develop an idea of your theme, but nothing beats working with your floral designer to create a unique look designed with you and your wedding in mind.

I always encourage my brides to go for flowers that are hardy, will last and will look stunning even when they are out of water for the day.  That being said, here in Australia we have such an abundance of beautiful native varieties that are guaranteed to make a statement.  I usually encourage my brides to use the old favourites – we can never go wrong with roses!!  And they are available all year round.  In addition I recommend Tulips, my favourite red Amaranthus to create those beautiful soft cascades, Carnations (yes they are definitely back in vogue and SO hardy), Daphne in pink, purple and white, strong and hardy Chrysanthemums in a range of colours, Freesias ( a little bit more expensive) Hyacinth (various colours) and the beautiful soft Snap Dragons.

What about food: Sit down meal or buffet?

There are three things that will keep your guests raving about how amazing your wedding was: great food, enough alcohol, and great entertainment.  So choosing your wedding food is top on your list of priorities.  It really doesn’t matter what you choose, as long as there is enough of it, and it is great quality.  From Brazilian BBQ and Paella pans, to formal seated dining, your budget will determine what you can afford, and your wedding theme will determine whether its canapes and cocktails, or seated and plated.

Hiring a car

Autumn weddings, whilst beautiful for lighting and great mild days, might also mean that the days are a little colder with the possibility of rain.  My advice to all my brides is – NO CONVERTIBLES – they may seem romantic but hey, the wind just messes with your hair and makeup which is not really worth the stress.  I would choose a wedding car style based on the style and theme of your wedding:  wedding combis are a great idea for beach weddings; vintage Rolls Royces are a must if yours is the big formal affair; stretch limos work wonderfully for a large bridal party – you get the idea.  

Source: Amazing Limousines

Your bridal party numbers are also a big consideration – how many of you will there be? Do you all want to have the fun of travelling together, or would you rather multiple cars with the bride travelling in style?

Contact local wedding car hire experts

What are your top money saving tips?

Prioritise those things you absolutely HAVE to have – dress, venue, food, alcohol, photographer, entertainment, flowers – and start to cut costs on items that aren’t essential.  For example – instead of spending thousands of dollars on invitations, use an online print service combined with email invitations.  Most guests will post your invitation on their fridge to remind them of the date, and it’s into the bin after that. Create a budget, rework it and rework it and then … stick to it no matter what!

Advice to brides on staying calm?

Draw up a project plan, understand what you can achieve alone and where you need assistance.  Don’t rely on friends to get the big things done – it usually creates a huge amount of stress the closer you get to the wedding. Hire a wedding planner or day of wedding coordinator.  Don’t sweat the small stuff!!  And take good care of yourself. Probably most importantly – don’t lose sight of the fact that after the wedding there is a beautiful marriage ahead – stay close to your fiancé and share the load.

Categories
Real estate & moving

Expert advice: Selling a house at auction

If you’re thinking of selling your house at auction, you will need to consider the positives and negatives of choosing this selling method. When you sell at auction, you’ll have a set time to market your home and a set date for the sale of your property. An auction can also generate a great deal of excitement and competition if there are many people interested in your property. But there’s no guarantee that your home will sell for the amount you desire. So here are seven tips to help you increase your chances of success.

1. Find a good real estate agent

Look for an agent who has a proven track record for auctions in your local area. You can compare agents by asking for their results from recent auctions. Have a look at the number of properties that were sold successfully, ie the reserve amount was met. Or you could consider attending an agent’s auctions to get an idea of how your own auction would be handled. You might also want to consider things like the agent’s experience, reputation, negotiation skills, and strategic approach to marketing.

What’s more, you can compare real estate agent fees and commissions to help you choose the right agent. Fees and commissions vary depending on which state or city you live in, but it generally includes negotiating and marketing fees, and the commission is usually between 1% and 5% of your property’s final sale price.

There are several steps to take before putting your home up for auction / Source: Pictures by Sean

2. Create an advertising budget

According to data obtained by LocalAgentFinder, most real estate agencies will charge between $1,000 to $5,000 on marketing costs for a typical individual property, with the majority trending towards a budget under $2,000. Many homes sold by auction are usually scheduled to sell after 30 days. By creating an advertising budget that’ll last for this time period or more, you’ll be able to advertise your home up until auction day. The point is to let buyers know that your home is on the market. And when you have the funds on hand, you can quickly generate interest in your upcoming auction from the start and continue to attract potential buyers until your home’s ready for sale.

3. Hold open house inspections

Another way to attract a lot of qualified and interested buyers to your auction is to conduct open house inspections. Since you only have a limited time to market your home, you need to showcase its best features. Most importantly, the house should be prepared for sale with styling and presentation and an have a strong deep clean before the openings. Here is a list of essentials to prepare your house for the inspections.

4. Pay attention to feedback

If your agent gives you buyer feedback from the open house inspections and inquiries, take these comments into consideration when presenting your property in the future and setting your reserve price. After all, when you cater to the needs and wants of buyers, you’ll have a higher chance of achieving a strong sale price.

5. Choose a realistic reserve price

You should set a reserve price that’s based on recent comparable property sales. You’ll need to compare the asking price of homes similar to yours and the price they sold for, and then decide on a reserve amount. Keep in mind that only you, your agent, and the auctioneer should know about your reserve price before auction day.

Contact local real estate agents

6. Be present on auction day

It’s best to be present on the day your property goes under the hammer. By directly observing the auction process and buyer interest in your property, you’ll be able to make better, more informed decisions in any negotiation after the auction.

7. Negotiate or run another auction when your home is passed in

If your reserve price is reached at auction, your property is considered to be on the market and is sold to the highest bidder. But if your reserve price isn’t met and your property is passed in, you can negotiate with the highest bidder or run an auction again on another day and get a great result.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can improve the likelihood of a successful auction.

Categories
Design & technology

The best apps for small businesses

Running a small business often means doing several jobs at once.

As the business owner, you are simultaneously the employer, employee, accountant and admin as well as anything else that pops up during the course of a job.

If you feel like your time is constantly being pulled in multiple directions, and it is hard to stay on top of your tasks, don’t worry, we have a curated series of apps to help get your time back under control.

General productivity

Google Keep – iOS/Google Play

If you find that you are always misplacing notes, then Google Keep is for you. Keep’s strength comes from its simple design and tagging system. Quickly jot down a note and then either colour code it to the job it is related to or add a label for easy searching at a later date.

Keep also has a handwriting to text feature. Which, while admittedly not perfect, is an excellent way to save your pen and paper notes to the cloud!

You can also add photos, audio files and video to your notes as well, ensuring you have all of your information readily accessible no matter where you are.

Time management

Toggl – iOS/Google Play

With the press of a button, Toggl will track your time down to the second. This app is useful if you have billable hours that you need to account for, as well as getting a measure of how your time is spent. You can track different activities, and, importantly multiple employees which you can then break down into smaller groups as needed.

Ensuring that you are making the most of the time you have on a project is an excellent way to minimise stress and manage your workload.

Toggl is free for up to five users. The paid version, however, allows an unlimited number of users to log time as well adding rates and sub-projects.

Project management

Trello – iOS/Google Play

If you work in a highly visual manner, then Trello is the to-do app for you! Trello is a digital version of the Kanban system. You create a board with a series of cards to move across the different stages of a project. From quoting, to in progress, to complete. You can also assign cards to employees ensuring that everyone knows what part his or her role is in the project and who has dependencies at the different stages.

Having an overview of the project’s progress will give you a much clearer idea of the remaining time and costs involved and ultimately keep you and your staff on task.

Trello is free for personal use but does incur a fee if you are signing up multiple people under the one business.

Accounting

Invoice2go – iOS/Google Play

Invoice2go makes your accounting simple. With a few swipes you can invoice a client on the spot. Either by emailing them or exporting a PDF and printing.

It also keeps all of your accounts in the cloud, meaning wherever you are you can access your invoices, estimates and purchase orders from your office.

Users, reportedly, spend an average of three hours a week less on their accounting, meaning that you can devote more time doing what you do best – helping the customer!

If you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of all you have to do, being able to keep all your notes in the one place, track your time, plan and manage projects and invoice on the go by downloading a few apps to help streamline your business will ultimately save you both time and money.

Categories
Finance

5 common small business myths

When you start your own business, it can be easy to fall into the trap of believing in myths. From bookkeeping to customer service, there are plenty out there – and some of them seem true enough to take seriously. The problem with this? They can steer your business in the wrong direction.

Put simply, it’s about time SMEs stopped spinning so many plates – especially when some plates aren’t worth the time. Here are five small business myths you need to stop believing.

Myth 1: Bookkeeping is just about the numbers

It’s a common myth that bookkeeping is a numbers game. While it’s true that numbers do have a big part to play, it’s actually much more than this. Essentially, a bookeeper is responsible for organising and storing accounting and financial documents such as statements, income tax records, ledgers and journals.

Source: Conveyancing.com.au NSW

In fact, there are many skills that a good bookkeeper needs to help keep a business afloat that goes beyond being savvy with numbers. Discipline, good communication and a high level of organisation are required. They also need to have a solid understanding of the bigger picture, which means, knowing how expenses or new staff hires will impact the business six or 12 months down the track.

Proper bookkeeping makes it easier to fulfill tax obligations, analyse and manage finances, make plans for the business, and abide by the law. Consult with a local bookkeeper for some professional advice.

Myth 2: Be active on all social media platforms

For small businesses, it’s important to be active on social media. However, it’s equally as important to be active on the right platforms in the right way.

The truth is, being present on every single platform can be overkill. While it might seem easy to use software tools to publish your content automatically across several channels, what works on Facebook doesn’t necessarily work on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Take extra time to optimise your content for each platform. Think about the tone, angle and word length of each post, making sure it’s appropriate for your different audiences. Do your research and find out where your customers are having promising conversations and narrow your presence to where this is happening.

Myth 3: You should be working all the time

Running a small business will certainly keep you busy. It often feels like there is so much to do and so little time to do it. So we overwork ourselves to keep on top of things. However, everyone is human – and everyone needs a break.

Need proof? It’s actually scientifically proven that prioritising your breaks at work will make you happier, more focused and more productive. Taking breaks gives our brains a much-needed rest, allowing us to get back to our tasks with renewed energy and focus. They also relax our brains, helping us retain information and make valuable connections, as well as reevaluate our goals.

Simply put, making time for breaks equals making time for your business.

Myth 4: Voluntary administration is the end of your business

While some people might see it as an extreme action, voluntary administration can be a smart move. The truth is, when your business is in a sticky situation where debts can’t be paid, restructuring your operations, creditors and assets is a way of potentially improving your financial position.

The aim of voluntary administration (VA) is always to get a business back to financial health if possible, or to make sure that creditors get a better return than if the business was liquidated.

If you’re up against the wall, going into VA can give your business breathing space, as an external administrator takes control of your business while its finances can be reviewed. It’s a simple process, and contrary to what some people believe, can help your business get back on track.

Contact local bookkeepers

Myth 5: The customer is always right

There’s no denying that customers are crucial to your business. However, it’s important to balance their needs with yours and your employees’ needs too. Here are three instances when the customer is actually wrong:

  • When they make you or your staff unhappy
    Nobody deserves abuse. Sometimes customers get angry and expect people to be held accountable. However, if you know you or your employee to be right, it’s best to hold your ground. 
  • When they’re bad for business
    If a customer is disrespectful for absolutely no reason – it’s better to let them go. It shouldn’t be a matter of finances, especially if it’s causing you or your staff unnecessary trouble.
  • When they’re not worth it
    Some customers simply aren’t valuable to your business, particularly if they’re giving your staff trouble time and time again. Instead, it’s better to focus on customers that deserve your services and are willing to work with you.

Be a small business myth buster

Sometimes it can be tricky to figure out myth from reality. While busting myths is something you’ll naturally do when running a SME, it’s always helpful to know what to believe and what to dismiss before going in.

Categories
Design & technology

Best free apps for small business owners

Growing a small business 20 years ago compared to now has changed significantly, thanks to always-evolving technology, increased competition in the economy and a faster-paced way of living. Nowadays, business owners have turned to apps, to help with the way they organise to-do lists, invoices and everything in between; saving time and money. In no particular order, here are six free apps that will change the way you conduct your business:  

1. Boomerang

Available on Google Chrome web browser, Google Play

applications for business

Boomerang, an application that acts as an add-on for Gmail, assists you with the organisation of personal as well as business-orientated emails.

From letting you set a notification pop-up if you haven’t received a reply on an email within a specified amount of time, to letting you ‘boomerang’ messages back to the top of your inbox at the time when you actually need to pay attention to it. But the main feature that makes this app a winner is how you’ll be able to schedule emails to send later on. This feature allows for you to write all your emails on weekends or late at night, and schedule to send it at a more appropriate time.

2. Oneflare for Business

Available on iTunes, Google Play

Gaining exposure to new customers is always at the forefront of any growing and evolving small business. The Oneflare for Business app connects you with customers looking for your expertise; whether that’s pet grooming, plumbing, interior design or everything in between. The app which helps you find work when you want it, utilises a clean, simple layout that suits even the least tech-savvy user. Get notified instantly of available work within your area and respond with a detailed quote and even communicate with potential customers within the application itself. With more than 10,000 new jobs posted on Oneflare each week, it’s the smartest way to connect with customers and build your business even further.

3. Mint

Available on iTunes, Google Play

phone apps for business small businesses

Mint is your go-to app for managing finances and potentially saving your business some dollars. Whether it be personal or business finances, the app allows you to securely consolidate your accounts, track how much you’re spending, and receive alerts when bills are due. Set reminders and finance goals, tag expenditures by category, and view your financial data as simple charts or Excel spreadsheets in a way that’s easy to digest.

4. Evernote

Available on iTunes, Google Play

evernote app easy business

Evernote is a one-stop shop for all your personal and professional projects – take notes, create to-do lists, save voice memos, save photos, scan documents and even save sketches – and share it all with coworkers. Best of all, the app synchronises everything between your phone, tablet and computer automatically. Easy!

5. Invoice2Go

Available on iTunes, Google Play

invoice2go apps make life easier

This cloud-based app makes invoicing and quoting a breeze for your small business. Invoice2Go is the ideal invoicing solution for all types of businesses. You can even invoice on the spot: right when you finish a job, email or print your PDF invoice by a click of a button right from the app.

6. Weebly

Available on iTunes, Google Play

weebly

It’s the 21st century and your small business basically doesn’t exist without some form of online presence. Weebly makes website creation easy for the less creative-minded, you certainly don’t have to be a web-designer professional to use it! Simply drag and drop images, logos and maps into a chosen template, and add text wherever you wish. Publish your new website quickly and easily right from your tablet.

No one ever said starting your own business was going to be easy. However hard work and dedication can be made easier thanks to the help of a few useful apps.

Categories
Finance

Top 7 tax deductions for tradies

Tax deductions are a great way to claim back much needed cash at the end of financial year. There are many expenses that you are able to claim in your tax return, the top 7 tax reductions for tradies are explained below:

1. Transport expenses

As a tradie chances are your van or ute is your main method of transportation for taking you from job to job. As long as you can prove that you are using your vehicle for business purposes then you are able to claim back the purchase cost and any ongoing operating costs associated with the vehicle.

There are two different ways in which you can track your mileage in order to claim back the cost of running your vehicle for business purposes: the logbook method and the cents per kilometer method. If you choose to use the log book method you will need to prove your odometer readings for a time period of at least 12 consecutive weeks. By tracking the mileage you can claim the percentage of vehicle expenses allocated to business use, including running costs and depreciation. The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim $0.66 per kilometre on up to 5000 kilometres of business travel.

Source: Wills Plumbing And Property Maintenance Pty Ltd

2.  Tools and equipment

You can claim GST credits for the tools and equipment that you purchase to help you run your business. Items that cost up to $300 can be claimed as a tax deduction immediately. For items that cost over $300 you are able to claim a deduction on the items decline in value.

3. Clothing

If your profession requires you to wear specialist protective clothing such as steel capped boots, high-vis jackets, safety glasses and helmets can be claimed as a deduction. It is also possible to claim GST credits for the cleaning of your work clothes. Should the cost of cleaning exceed $150 you will need to provide receipts. For cleaning specialist work clothing on a regular basis you can claim a deduction of $1 for an entire load of work clothing; or $0.50 when the load is partially work wear.

4. Training courses, licences and certificates

If you’re undertaking any training courses or studying for any qualifications that relate to your trade, you are able to claim back the cost. You must be undertaking said qualification or training course to improve or maintain your skills in your profession only in order for them to be tax deductible.

5. Communications

You’re eligible to claim back the cost of work related phone and internet expenses. For claims more than $50 you need to work out the percentage that is used for work time only over a 4 week period, this can then be applied to the full income year. You will need to prove this with records in the form of bills, electronic summaries or diary entries.

6. Travel expenses

You can claim expenses associated with travelling for work purposes, such as accommodation, meals and transportation costs  i.e. taxi fares. These costs are deductible as long as you have proof of purchase in the form of receipts.

7. Union and association fees

The cost of union fees or subscriptions to professional associations are claimable in your annual tax return. Use your statement of fees or subscriptions paid as proof of your membership when submitting your return.

Other small business tax deductions

Everyone has tax obligations and must part with a percentage of their income at the end of every year. Business owners have additional tax burdens based on their business process and profit. It’s important that they conduct a break-even analysis and examine expenses and income carefully to determine how much they need to pay every year.

Source: Receipt Books

What is a small business?

Before you look at possible tax deduction options, you need to know whether your business is legally considered a small business. According to the government, businesses that have an annual turnover of $2 million or less are considered small. All of your businesses, including connected and affiliated ventures, are included in this bracket. This means you can’t split your business in order to remain under the $2 million mark.

Small business tax deductions you can claim

As a business owner, you know that you need to spend money to make it. Generally, the biggest portion of your income is funnelled back into your business to pay for essential business expenses and to generate more income. You can get tax deductions for most of the money you cycle back into your business. Many small business owners attempt to abuse this system and claim deductions for frivolous and unneeded expenses. Conversely, many miss opportunities to deduct tax and end up paying more than they need to. Here is a small business tax deductions list that most businesses can lay claim to:

  1. Advertising and sponsorship – Advertising raises awareness of your brand and brings customers to your doorstep, which generates income and profit for your company. Any investment you make towards advertising is tax deductible because it is an essential business expense. You also get tax deductions for advertising during the recruitment process, as hiring employees is also an essential business expense.
  2. Business-related travel – Travelling for business can be an expensive affair, especially if you need to travel to distant locations on a regular basis. As this travel is needed to help generate income, the expenses are deductible. You just need to maintain a clear record of your expenses. Preserve all your receipts, keep copies of your itinerary, record all your expenses and provide reasons for your travels. All of these expenses will be tax deductible. Make sure you don’t include any expenses that are counted as entertainment. For example, if you visit a different country and attend a concert during the business trip, you can’t claim deductions for the money you spent on the concert.
  3. Bad debts – Small business owners often struggle with bad debts, especially when they’re first starting out and have problems with cash flow. Some business debts have to be written off because business owners simply don’t have the resources to pay back the debt. This debt should be included as accessible income in the current year or previous year’s statements. It should also be written off as bad in the same year in order to claim a deduction.
  4. Borrowed money – If you need to borrow money you can claim deductions on that. You just need to prove that the money you borrowed helps provide accessible income to your business. Expenses on borrowed money can be legal costs, valuation fees, overdraft guarantee fees, registration fees, etc. These deductions are different from the deductions you get for paying interest on borrowed money, so make sure to claim both.
  5. Fringe benefits – If you provide fringe benefits to your employees, it’s considered a business expense and you can get tax deductions on it.
  6. Repairs and maintenance – Repairs and maintenance of your commercial property is an essential business expense and helps generate income as well. You need to make sure these expenses aren’t considered “capital costs.” You can claim deductions for thing like painting, plumbing, cleaning, up-keep, machine servicing and maintenance.
  7. Insurance – A number of insurance schemes are tax deductible as they’re considered essential business expenses as well. For example, you can get deductions for Worker’s Compensation, fire, public liability, vehicle, theft and loss of profit insurance premiums.
  8. Superannuation funds – You get deductions for contributions you make to your employee’s superannuation funds. You can also get deductions for your own superannuation funds.
  9. Salary – Salaries and wages paid to employees and workers are tax-deductible because they contribute towards your company’s revenue and profit. However, you need to keep in mind that all salaries are connected to your business and generate profit for your business. Sole traders can’t claim salaries paid to themselves. 
Categories
News & updates

3 ways to progress your business career

Whether you’re running your own business or working in a role for an organisation, there are a few things you can pay attention to, ensuring you’re on the path to continual progression. The number of small businesses in Australia is growing; according to ABS data, there were 1.2 million sole-trader businesses in Australia in June last year, up 32,000 over the previous two years.

According to social commentator, Bernard Salt, “The bottom line is that business activity is blossoming across suburban Australia where a nation of tradies, professionals and shopkeepers is building and servicing whole new communities.”

If you’re a business person, it’s sometimes tempting to put your own needs last as you focus on your business’ goals. This is rarely a good idea. Here are three strategies you can employ to progress your business career and keep continual improvement on your radar.

#1: Check your mental health

Mental health in the workplace is a continuing growth focus for many sectors of government. An employee or worker who looks after their mental health takes fewer sick days, is more productive and has a greater impact on happiness and stability.

According to the Human Rights Commission, a total of 3.2 days per worker are lost each year through workplace stress and stress-related workers’ compensation claims have doubled in recent years, costing over $10 billion each year. It quite literally pays to keep your mental health in check.

At work, you should be on the lookout to identify possible workplace practices, actions or incidents which may cause, or contribute to mental illness and stress, and then you need to take actions to eliminate or minimise these risks. Take frequent breaks from work, speak to a medical professional if you feel your mental health could be improved; and reach out even if you feel the issue you are experiencing is minor.

Organisations like Headspace have now begun to offer programs specifically tailored to people who are at work, and might feel too stretched to concentrate on their mental health. Simply, employers are obligated by law to provide a safe and healthy workplace, and this organisation provides a helpful list for employers and employees to offer simple strategies that can be incorporated daily to make the lives of workers more safe, satisfying and secure.

#2: Look after your fitness

One sure-fire way to keep your health in check is to look after your physical fitness. Often, the more absorbed we become in a business role, the more we might ignore the basics of our own physical health.

The ABS recently reported that up to 2015, a staggering 63.4% of Australian adults were overweight or obese, well over half of our nation’s population. That’s almost two in three adults. Look after your fitness and make a focus on good health as part of your daily regime. This not only promotes physical health, but mental wellbeing as well.

A recent study by Harvard looked at circadian rhythms in the workplace. Often, or natural life’s rhythms are ‘out of sync’ with our working lives, adding to stress and bad habits at work, that can translate to other areas of our lives and affecting our general fitness. The study concluded that, “Managers who want to maximise their employees’ performance should consider this circadian rhythm when setting assignments, deadlines, and expectations,” according to Harvard Business Review.

“This requires taking a realistic view of human energy regulation, and appreciating the fact that the same employee will be more effective at some times of the day than others.”

Take your lunchbreaks and don’t eat at your desk. Plan to leave ‘on time’ most nights of the week and avoid unnecessary overtime. Take holidays and spend intervals in nature. Make exercise part of your life and follow the national guidelines on consumption of fruits and vegetables. Concentrating on your all-round health will make you a better, more efficient business worker in the long run.

#3: Enjoy the flexibility of continual learning

The business landscape in Australia has never been more fast-paced. Continuous improvement is now part of most business courses as goalposts and KPIs become more fluid. Aiming to constantly improve your skillsets will future-proof your career, whether you run your own business, or work in someone else’s.

A benefit of the digital age, now there are so many avenues available to continue your learning while on-the-go. Many online courses can be studied from anywhere you have an internet connection, and flexible start dates and work-at-your-own-pace formats are now increasingly common and accessible.

Online providers such as Upskilled offer dozens of courses in key areas such as business, information technology, accounting and finance, human resources and project management. Many of these courses can be completed at your own pace, so you can take them as slowly or as quickly as you have time for, structuring your learning around your other commitments. Check out Upskilled’s range of nearly 100 courses in areas as diverse as technology sustainability; leadership and management; and social media marketing.

Progress and protect your future

By employing the three strategies above, people working in business can make the most of the time they have to think about their futures in the industry. Look after your mental health, keep a focus on your fitness and aim to learn new skills via flexible learning.

Success is never guaranteed in all ventures but personal success can take on many forms. There is a quote that says, ‘Success is where preparation and opportunity meet’. Learn to put yourself and your needs at the top of your to-do list and gain the satisfaction of a job well done, whatever type of business you work in. Start today and future proof your career by focusing on both your goals and growth.