Tuesday, 22 December 2020

Two Solutions Blockchain can offer your Business Today

 


If you’re here you may already be familiar with many of the benefits blockchain can bring to the world. From disrupting banks, providing immutable traceability and preventing fraud in a trust-less manner, there are numerous ways the blockchain can impact today’s systems employed by companies across the globe.

 

In the beginning, cryptocurrency set itself apart to disrupt every industry imaginable from banking, gaming, e-commerce, voting, logistics, etc. Now that things have settled down and the emerging technology has started to find its roots, the next step toward blockchain adoption has started to carve a space for itself in companies starting to offer Blockchain-as-a-service (BaaS). There are many immediate and tangible benefits companies can get by adopting blockchain solutions, the only thing these companies need is the assistance from blockchain experts.

 

Let’s talk Solutions

Here are two solutions businesses can get from blockchain right now.

 

1. Reducing Tax Liability with Smart Contracts

If you’re a service that collects funds from one party and issues it to another, like a three-sided marketplace, then you’re likely familiar with the scenario where you have to take custody over some amount of funds and pay them out to the appropriate party in-order to settle the transaction that takes place between them.

 

Using Shutterstock as a real example, third parties use this platform to look for digital photos, videos or music to license and use in promoting their own business. These digital files are licensed by the content creators who upload them to the platform, and Shutterstock stands in the middle as the curator and custodian. When a middleman such as Shutterstock is to pay out proceeds to the content creator, that means at some point they were required to hold the funds in total, then pay out a cut to the content creator as well as keep the fees for themselves.

 

This is a pretty standard scenario, but what happens from an accounting side is that the company is taxed on the gross revenue for the purchase of a license, rather than just the net proceeds they received. What blockchain and smart contracts can do to alleviate that is remove Shutterstock’s need to be a custodian in the middle and programmatically release the appropriate amount of funds to both the content creator and the fees to be collected to Shutterstock, directly.

 

2. Reducing International Fees

Continuing the example with Shutterstock, imagine the hassle, fees and overhead required to pay their customers internationally to their own respective currencies. Blockchain makes that much simpler by the use of any popular stable coin such as Carbon, or Tether that is pegged to the US dollar. This eliminates the need for the company to maintain the same tax compliance for the country for international contractors that’s required by converting the currency to their own native FIAT.

 

With the stable coin paid out directly to the user’s wallets, they are free to exchange that into their currency of choice, or the company may choose to work with exchanges and build that into their payout flow using smart contracts to automatically handle that for their users and provide a completely seamless user experience.

 

Many of the solutions we discussed above require user adoption on the blockchain and an ORE ID service is valuable.

 

The major hurdle for both scenarios is that all parties are required to have access to the blockchain. This is where ORE ID steps in and eliminates the complicated process that a user must go through to setup and maintain their own blockchain accounts and keys, download a third party wallet to manage their keys and manage and blockchain resources for their accounts. With an ORE ID it’s as easy as logging into your existing Google, Facebook, any other social OAuth account or typical email sign up, and your user has their own individual blockchain account.


This article originally appeared on aikon.com


Friday, 4 December 2020

Marketing for Events

 

Can you sell a product without marketing it to potential customers? Probably not. Marketing for events is the bridge between hosts and potential attendees, which is exactly what makes it so crucial for a high turnout. 

There are 4 stages of marketing for events as per the AIDA model: the first which aims to create awareness about the event among consumers:

The second stage of marketing for events is aimed at targeting those customers who are potentially interested in your event in order to generate interest in your brand. 

By the third stage, your job is to convert potential customers into ticket holders so your marketing efforts should be directed towards motivating them to purchase from you, for example, by offering discounts and incentives. 

Lastly, not all ticket-holders show up unless you create a hype about your event. 

You haven’t succeeded until they attend it because they will only do so if they feel that it is going to be worth their time. 

You can maintain their interest and ensure that they show up by giving frequent updates and spoilers. 

It’s all a cycle because even as your current event takes place, it influences marketing for events in the future. 

I’ve written the complete guide on marketing for events, whether you’re hosting a corporate event or a casual one, to get your business trending: 

#1. Nightclub events 

With nightclubs, one advantage is that you already know your target audience: all genders above the ages of 18 and below 40. 

The best way to market your nightclub events is through text messages:

Why? Because you’re focusing on busy, working individuals that don’t have the time to scroll through social media apps and need to cool off after a long day of work.

Text messaging is direct and has a 98% open rate so your potential customers will definitely get the message. 

But it’s not only the marketing channel that matters. 

Your offer should also be tempting enough to get customers to show up. 

Firstly, when you host a nightclub event, you need to bring in unique entertainment. 

Invest in the most trending DJs and musicians (those that are influencers of your target audience) because it will automatically increase turnout, making your club exclusive so that you can charge a high entry fee and gain a good ROI. 

Another great way to promote your nightclub event is through customers. 

Remember, it’s not just about one event, you need to think about the bigger picture. 

Since you’ll be hosting events from time to time, get your customers to check-in and share photos on social media by giving them the incentive of free drinks. 

Make sure you get them to use popular hashtags so that your content goes viral:

Promoting the image that customers have fun at your nightclub will definitely make potential customers want to be a part of your next event. 

Check out more of these tips for nightclub marketing

#2. Conferences & Seminars 

Conferences and seminars are usually restricted to the topic at hand and are mostly educational in nature. 

You could have a conference on any subject possible, but the great thing is that once your topic is decided, you know exactly who to invite. 

Suppose you’re hosting a conference on how to empower the #Metoo movement further. Who do you invite? 

Intellectuals and social media influencers that can put forth ideas and have the power to execute them in order to make a difference. 

The point is, your target audience is highly concentrated which makes it that much easier to market your event. 

Here’s how you can carry out effective marketing for conferences and seminars: 

  • Social media 

Social media is a must for any kind of event that you’re marketing, but there’s still a lot you need to know to promote your event effectively. 

Firstly, choosing the right platform. 

Instead of wasting your resources and time posting the same content all over different social media channels, you need to pick out 1-2 channels that your target audience uses the most. 

So taking the MeToo conference example, your best bet would be advertising on Instagram because that’s the most popular channel among millennials. 

However, if your target audience is aged above 40, Facebook would be a good idea too. 

The next most important thing that you need to keep in mind is the best timing to upload a post or story. 

Here’s the schedule for Facebook:

You’ll notice the highest number of active users mostly falls between 11-2 PM on most days, so that’s the best time for you to post. 

Not to state the obvious, but good content is the core element of a successful marketing strategy. 

However, your time and efforts on curating that content will go to waste if you do not focus on these support activities. 

Check out SproutSocial’s complete guide on the best times to post on social media

  • Blogging & SEO 

Everything is digitalised today, so you’ll have to focus on SEO and blogging to make sure your event is visible to potential attendees. 

A did a simple Google search on the conferences in Washington and here’s what I got: 

PPC ads won’t get you too far so you’ll have to work with organic SEO. 

Check out my detailed guide on how to master Search Engine Optimisation

The key is to start as early as possible so that you can create enough awareness which will ensure a full house on the day of the event. 

Also, sending out a text reminder a day before the event is optimal so that your attendees remember to make the necessary arrangements and show up.  

Check out these 9 outstanding conference examples for inspiration. 

#4. Concerts 

The best way to market concerts is through videos – one of the biggest marketing trends of 2020.

You could shoot a video of musician interviews, footage from previous gigs, singers on the road or a little sneak peek of rehearsing behind the scenes. 

Create a Snapchat account to give your attendees live updates on where the band or singer is headed on their tour so that they feel a part of that journey. 

Your target audience is most definitely going to be millennials, which becomes more defined once you choose your performer. 

Plus, it’s never too late to market at the event itself. 

Your current event is a chance to market future shows, for example, your performer’s biggest fans will show up hours before the concert to get a good spot. 

Use this opportunity to connect with them so that they buy tour albums later. 

You can also sell promotional stickers. T-shirts and other merchandise. 

Concert promotion is all about getting personal with your fans and making them feel valued. 

Check out AttendStar, an event ticketing platform that will aid you in promoting your event and sell tickets hassle-free. 

#5. Festivals 

No matter which type of festival you’re planning, you need to start at least 6 months in advance. 

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Create a hashtag to get your event trending on Instagram and Twitter. These are currently the most trending festival hashtags: 
  • Build a list of influencers and supporters

Partner with the right people that will influence your potential attendees to attend the event. This includes sponsors, media, groups, bloggers, local organisations and even celebrities if you can afford them. 

  •  Work offline and online

You need to market everywhere – billboards, buses, SMS, social media, websites and every possible platform that is accessible to and used by your target audience. 

  • Online PR 

You need to take advantage of the internet beyond partnerships. 

There are a number of websites that allow you to register your event for free

Plus, you can tweet traditional media outlets and ask them to cover your event. 

Lastly, make a highlight of event preps on your Instagram to create hype surrounding your event for anyone who takes a look at your profile. 

#6. Networking events 

Networking has become extremely important for the attendees as well as the host. 

With good contacts in the industry, it will become much easier for you to get things done and networking events are the first step in doing so. 

Of course, you need to market on social media but you need to ensure its engaging. 

Carry out a social media contest by offering free tickets to the winner:

This will effectively create awareness about your event to potential attendees but it works only if your event is exclusive. 

Suppose tickets were sold out or are very highly-priced. You could give a one-time chance to participants to get access to your event last minute. 

Another way to come up with engaging content is by using GIFs and videos. 

They’re interactive so they’ll definitely catch people’s eye. 

The second thing you need to do is create an SMS and email list. Since networking events are professional in nature, these two marketing channels are the best way to go. 

You can send out texts and emails inviting potential attendees to the event a month in advance. 

Use hyperlinks to direct them to the webpage or app where they can register for the event.  

Lastly, don’t forget to send out a reminder text and email a day before the event. 

Check out MailChimp for email and ExpressText for SMS Marketing. 

#7. Trade shows 

Trade shows are all about introducing new products and services to the market. 

Since they’re not usually open to the general public, you need to invite the best industry experts and other relevant personnel. 

In fact, the Mobile World Congress trade show is just around the corner as Samsung and other competitors gear up to showcase their new smartphones to the tech industry:

Similarly, Apple hosts its Keynote annually in September to introduce its entire line of products. 

If you’re hosting a trade show in this industry, for example, not only should you invite software developers but you should also keep a lookout for the most trending bloggers in the industry as well. 

Here are the key ways to market your trade show:

  • Create an appealing landing page 
  • Make handouts for your booth (check out Canva for designs
  • Optimise your CTA 
  • Create a mobile-friendly app/website 
  • Integrate your traditional strategy with your digital strategy i.e. add QR codes in your handouts that can be redeemed within apps 

Check out HubSpot’s guide on the Inbound way to do trade show marketing.

Conclusion

Marketing for events has never been easier than it is with the technology we have available to us today. 

It allows us so much room for creativity and innovation, but the bottom line is, the basic steps for marketing an event are almost the same. 

You need to define your target audience after doing proper research because that is the building block for all your marketing efforts. 

Then, you need to market your event through all the channels your target audience is active on, whether they are traditional or digital. 

Lastly, a killer website with proper SEO is essential for effective marketing of events. 


Original Post:  https://expresstext.net/blog/marketing-for-events/

Thursday, 3 December 2020

The Best Password Manager Alternative to LastPass

 When you’re using the internet, you’ll inevitably need to create a large number of passwords for the websites and apps that you use. You’ll want these passwords to all be distinct and secure, but that creates a problem — how do you keep all of your passwords straight? That’s where many people turn to a password manager.

A good password manager relieves you of the need to remember passwords by storing login information for online activities, encrypting your data, and even providing auto-fill features to make logging in easier. 

Why Seek an Alternative to LastPass?

One of the most popular password managers available today is LastPass. It is widely used for its ease of operation and array of basic features. These features include compatibility with all major browsers and operating systems, up to 1 GB of secure document storage, and intuitive auto-fill functionality.

However, like any piece of software, LastPass has its downsides which may prompt users to seek out other password managers. These downsides include a partial lack of advanced features and spotty customer support. More information can be found in our LastPass review. The following information is an overview of the best alternatives to LastPass.

Leading Options for an Alternative to LastPass


1. Keeper

Keeper is perhaps the most feature-rich password manager of any on this list. Its range of features keeps pace with LastPass in almost every category including:

  • Password sharing
  • Auto-fill online forms
  • Two-Factor Authentication
  • Password strength analysis
  • Import from web browsers
  • Multiple form auto-fill
  • App passwords

Since Keeper is so focused on features, it has the potential to overwhelm users who prefer the simplicity of LastPass. However, this modest shortcoming is more than addressed by the software’s outstanding customer support and FAQ page.

Keeper’s advanced features provide a range of innovative measures for protecting your online activity. These include a well-secured cloud vault, encryption for chat services, and BreachWatch — a feature that checks your passwords against a database of phrases accessible on the dark web.

Keeper is available in five pricing tiers, from free to enterprise. The free version of Keeper addresses basic needs like unlimited password storage and auto-fill features. The software’s paid plans are where you’ll find access to its more noteworthy features.

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2. Dashlane

Dashlane shines as one of the most balanced password managers available. It provides many of the same features as LastPass, such as:

  • Two-Factor Authentication
  • Auto-fill online forms
  • Import from web browsers
  • Password strength analysis
  • Multiple form auto-fill
  • Password sharing

While Dashlane does lack LastPass’s compatibility with app passwords, it excels when it comes to security, boasting a patented security architecture that is one of the best in the field.

The free version of the software easily handles basic password storage and generation for a single device. Dashlane’s premium version provides a host of great advanced features including dark web monitoring, VPN WiFi protection, and remote account access.

Dashlane also sports an intuitive interface that helps make the software one of our top choices.

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3. Sticky Password

StickyPassword strikes an impressive balance between providing features for advanced users while still being accessible to basic users. Here are the key features it shares with LastPass:

  • Multiple form auto-fill 
  • Import from web browsers
  • Auto-fill online forms
  • Two-Factor Authentication
  • App passwords

StickyPassword lacks some of LastPass’s features, like an actionable password strength report and the ability to securely share passwords. However, the software outperforms LastPass when it comes to customer support and balancing usability with functionality

The free version of StickyPassword has more options than many competitors, including a digital wallet and biometric identification. StickyPassword’s premium version provides cloud access and also helps contribute to efforts to protect manatees — a nice bonus!

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4. 1Password

1Password is a good choice for those looking to share a password manager amongst multiple users. These are the primary features it shares with LastPass:

  • Two-Factor Authentication
  • App Passwords 
  • Auto-fill online forms
  • Password strength analysis
  • Import from web browsers
  • Multiple form auto-fill

1Password suffers when compared against LastPass due to its pricing plans. For personal users, there is a free trial, but there is no option to continue using the software for free after the trial expires. Business plans are also more expensive than LastPass for a similar level of features.

1Password does still provide some interesting features that set it apart, such as the ability to store passwords locally. It also provides an “Emergency Kit,” a backup PDF document containing your master password and a secret login key. Its usability stacks up well against LastPass and other competitors.

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5. Password Boss

Password Boss works well for those seeking a ton of advanced features at competitive prices. It has many of the same features as LastPass, including:

  • Auto-fill online forms
  • Import from web browsers 
  • Two-Factor Authentication
  • Password sharing
  • Password strength analysis
  • Multiple form auto-fill

Password Boss lacks LastPass’s compatibility with app passwords. The password manager does, however, present its extensive feature list in a very user-friendly fashion through its interface and quick start guide. This helps to make up for slow response times when it comes to customer service.

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Choosing the Best Alternative to LastPass

LastPass’s popularity can in part be attributed to its all-around usability that balances a straightforward interface with a good number of features. When seeking an alternative, we looked for password managers that could match that usability while offering an equal or great number of features.

While each password manager considered has its strengths and weaknesses, Keeper compares most favorably to LastPassIts extensive range of features, including dark web protection and chat encryption, go above and beyond others in its class without sacrificing usability.

Original Post: https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/the-best-password-manager-alternative-to-lastpass/