Making YouTube shorts can be a lot of fun but also a lot of work. To make quality videos that people will enjoy watching, you need to know what you're doing. This blog post will discuss everything you need to know about making YouTube shorts! We'll cover topics such as scripting, filming, and editing and provide tips on marketing your videos and increasing your viewership. So if you're ready to start making YouTube shorts, read on!

What Are YouTube Shorts, and Why Are They Becoming Popular?

YouTube shorts are a new type of video content that is becoming increasingly popular. YouTube shorts are shorter in length than regular videos, typically under 60 seconds. They are designed to be consumed on the go and are perfect for those who want to watch something quickly without commitment.

One reason why YouTube shorts are becoming so popular is that they are very easy to create. All you need is a smartphone and a few minutes of your time. You can film yourself doing anything, from talking about your day to showing off a new skill or reacting to a current event. YouTube shorts are also perfect for those who want to consume content but don't have the time for longer videos.

Another reason YouTube shorts are gaining popularity is that they are algorithm friendly. The YouTube algorithm currently favors videos under 10 minutes in length, which is only going to become true as time goes on. If you want your videos to be seen by as many people as possible, creating shorts is the way to go.

If you're thinking about getting into YouTube shorts, there's no better time than now. With over 2 billion active users, YouTube is one of the largest platforms in the world, and there's a huge demand for short-form content. So get creative, have fun, and start filming!

What Goes Into Writing a Script for a YouTube Short?

When it comes to scripting a YouTube short, there are a few key elements that need to be taken into consideration.

First and foremost, it is important to determine the purpose or message of the video. What is it that you want to communicate to your audience? Once you clearly understand the overall message, you can formulate the script.

When writing the actual script, remember the specific format that YouTube shorts require. The video's title should be included at the beginning, followed by a brief description or introduction. Next, list out the individual scenes or shots that will make up the video. Finally, wrap things up with a conclusion or call to action.

While it is certainly possible to write a script for a YouTube short on your own, working with a professional writer or editor is often helpful. It ensures that your video is well-crafted and communicates your desired message effectively.

Tips for Filming Your YouTube Short

When it comes to filming your YouTube short, you can do a few things to ensure that your video is high quality and engaging.

1. Consider the Location: Consider the lighting in your filming location. Natural light is always best, but if you must film indoors, turn on all the lights in the room and open any curtains or blinds. It will help avoid any unwanted shadows in your video.

2. Think About Framing: Think about your framing. You want to ensure that your camera is stable and that you include everything important in the frame. If you are filming yourself, leave enough headroom so that your face is visible and centered in the frame.

3. Consider Sound Quality: Pay attention to sound quality. Be sure to film in a quiet location away from any background noise. Use an external microphone to ensure your audio is clear and free of static or echo.

By following these simple tips, you can be sure your YouTube short will be high quality and enjoyable for viewers.

How to Edit Your Video to Make It Look Its Best?

Editing your video can seem daunting, but with a little know-how, you can make your video look its best. Here are a few tips on how to edit your video:

1. Ensure Your Footage Is Well-Lit: Poor lighting can make your video look unprofessional and hard to watch.

2. Use a Tripod: Shaky footage is one of the most common problems with amateur videos. Using a tripod will help keep your camera still and produce smoother footage.

3. Shoot in Short Takes: It's easier to edit shorter clips than longer ones. Plus, you can always cut out the parts you don't want later on.

4. Pay Attention to Continuity: When editing, make sure that the order of your shots makes sense and that there is a logical flow from one scene to the next.

5. Use Transitions Sparingly: Overusing transitions can make your video look cheesy and amateurish. Use them sparingly and only when they genuinely add something to the shot.

6. Add Some Music: A well-chosen piece of music can set the right atmosphere for your video and make it more enjoyable to watch.

7. Be Selective With Your Footage: Not every shot you take will be great, so don't be afraid to be selective when choosing which ones to use in your final edit.

8. Always Use MP4: Why MP4? It's widely used and accepted by most video editing software, making it the ideal format. Edit MP4 efficiently with your favorite software and produce the best version of your video.

‍Ways to Market Your YouTube Shorts and Get More Views‍

When marketing your YouTube short, there are a few key things you can do to help ensure you get more views -  

• Ensure that your video is high quality and provides value to viewers.
• Utilize social media platforms and other online communities to promote your video.
• Consider paid advertising options to reach a wider audience.

When it comes to creating a high-quality YouTube short, there are a few things to keep in mind -

• Ensure that your video is well-produced and edited.
• Your video should be informative and entertaining.
• It should be properly titled and tagged so that viewers can easily find it.

A great way to promote your video is to utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, you can embed YouTube Shorts to enhance your reach and engagement, as this format is optimized for quick and engaging content that appeals to a wide audience.

Make sure to post your video on these platforms with a catchy headline and description so that people will be intrigued enough to click and watch it.

Another way to promote your YouTube short is to post it in online communities related to your topic. For example, if your video is about cooking, you could post it in cooking forums or Facebook groups. Similarly, if it's about the top 10 tips to succeed at digital marketing, try to post it in Facebook groups or communities where people talk about these topics.

It's also a good idea to consider paid advertising options such as Google AdWords or Facebook Ads. These will allow you to reach a wider audience with your video.

Best Practices for Making Successful YouTube Shorts

YouTube shorts are a great way to convey your message quickly and concisely. Here are a few tips to make sure your YouTube short is successful:

1. Keep It Short and Sweet: The average attention span of an individual is only 8 seconds, so make sure your video is under 2 minutes. Long videos will only make you lose viewers.

2. Use Visuals: People are more likely to watch a video with attractive visuals than just text on the screen. Adding eye-catching graphics, visuals, and audio will go a long way in increasing your viewership.

3. Be Engaging: A monotonous video will not hold people's attention, so make sure to keep your video interesting and engaging. The content of your video must grasp the viewers' attention and add value to their time.

4. Use Keywords: Include relevant keywords in your title and description so that people can easily find your video. It will also help your videos rank better and show up in more people's feeds. For example, in this YouTube short ā€Lead generation' is used in the title and as a tag.

5. Promote Your Video: Get the word out about your video by sharing it on social media and other channels. You can also use paid advertising to accomplish this.

Summing Up!

If you're looking to get into the world of making YouTube shorts, there are a few things you need to know. YouTube shorts are about being creative and thinking outside the box. You must develop innovative concepts that capture viewers' attention and keep them entertained.

To make an excellent YouTube short, you'll have to execute these concepts flawlessly. You also need to have great production setups and editing skills to create a captivating and professional-looking video.

Ultimately, when all is said and done, YouTube shorts are about marketing and promotion. You need to be able to market your videos effectively to get them seen by as many people as possible. If you can do all these things, you'll be well on your way to making successful YouTube shorts in no time!

What is agency culture? Many business owners and marketing professionals struggle to answer this question. Agency culture is often taken for granted, but it is important. A strong agency culture can help your business succeed, while a weak culture can lead to disaster.

This blog post will discuss the importance of agency culture and how you can create a strong one for your digital marketing agency.

What Is Agency Culture and Why Is It Important?

Agency culture is the set of values, norms, and behaviors that characterize an organization. It is important because it influences how employees behave and interact with customers and clients. It can also impact the bottom line by affecting employee productivity and motivation.

A strong agency culture can be a competitive advantage, helping in attracting and retaining top talent. It can also improve communication and collaboration, leading to better workflows and more innovative solutions. Positive agency culture can boost morale and contribute to a more positive work-life balance, leading to increased productivity.

Whereas on the flip side, toxic agency culture can lead to high turnover rates, low morale, and poor performance. It is important to monitor your agency culture carefully and take steps to address any problems that arise.

The Benefits of a Strong Agency Culture

A strong agency culture can lead to many benefits for the agency and its employees. A positive, supportive culture can attract and retain top talent and foster a more productive and innovative environment.

A strong agency culture can create a sense of community and belonging for employees, further leading to increased retention and low churn rates. It also helps increase motivation and engagement and improves job satisfaction. In turn, this can result in better performance and productivity.

A positive culture can also help promote creativity and innovation. When employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to take risks and experiment with new ideas. It can result in more successful campaigns and higher levels of client satisfaction.

In addition, a strong agency culture can help build employee trust and loyalty. It leads to lower turnover rates and a more stable workforce. It can also make it easier to attract new talent, as potential employees will be attracted to an organization with a good reputation.

While building a strong agency culture is crucial, it's equally important for recruitment agencies to focus on effective business development. Striking the right balance can significantly influence both employee satisfaction and client acquisition. If you're looking to enhance your recruitment business development, consider implementing targeted strategies such as showcasing success stories, leveraging social media engagement, and adopting new technologies. These methods not only refine internal workflows but also give any recruitment firm a competitive edge in a saturated market.

The Dangers of a Weak Agency Culture

When an agency culture is weak, it can be incredibly dangerous. Even if you don't see them right away, a weak agency culture can lead to several problems, including:

1. A Lack of Direction and Purpose

Without a strong agency culture, it can be difficult for an agency to maintain a clear sense of direction and purpose. It can often lead to agencies losing sight of their goals and objectives and eventually becoming dysfunctional.

2. Poor Communication and Coordination

Weak agency cultures can also lead to poor communication and coordination between employees. It often results in confusion and frustration and can ultimately impede an agency's ability to function effectively.

3. Limited Creativity and Innovation

If an agency culture is not strong, it can stifle creativity and innovation. Employees may feel unable to express themselves or experiment with new ideas freely. As a result, the overall quality of an agency's work may suffer.

4. Low Morale and Motivation

Weak agency cultures can often lead to low morale and motivation among employees. Employees may feel they are not valued or appreciated and their work is not being used to its full potential. As a result, they may become disengaged and unproductive, which can further undermine an agency's effectiveness.

How to Create a Strong Agency Culture?

Organizations with strong cultures have a clear mission and values that everyone understands and buys into. There is a high level of trust between employees and leadership, and employees feel like they are part of something larger than themselves. Communication is open and honest, and decision-making is decentralized. There is also a strong focus on employee development and growth.

Creating a strong culture starts with leaders committed to setting the right tone. They articulate the organization's purpose and values and ensure everyone understands how their work fits the bigger picture. They role model the behavior they want to see in others and hold people accountable for living up to their values.

Leaders must also create an environment where people feel safe to take risks, experiment, and fail. It requires open communication, ongoing feedback, and a willingness to listen to different perspectives. When employees feel their voices are heard, they're more likely to buy into the culture and engage in creating ground-breaking work.

Finally, leaders need to invest in employee development. It means providing opportunities for learning and growth and giving people the autonomy to do their best work. Employees who feel they're constantly growing and developing are more likely to be engaged and loyal to the organization.

Image Source: Patriot

The Key Components of a Strong Agency Culture

There are several key components to creating and maintaining a strong agency culture. These include:

1. Create a Strong Mission Statement

It is important to have a clear and concise mission statement that everyone in the agency can get behind. This statement should be more than just words on a pageāit should be lived and breathed by everyone in the agency!

2. Hire the Right People

It is critical to hire people who fit the culture of the agency. It entails more than just having the right skill set; it's about finding people who align with the agency's values and who would be a positive addition to the team. The best way to do this is to have a robust recruitment and onboarding process that sets new hires up for success from day one.

3. Interact With Your Team Regularly

Fostering a strong agency culture requires ongoing investment. Regular check-ins with employees to see how they are doing, providing professional development opportunities, and frequent celebrations of successes are all examples of positive reinforcement-based agency culture. It also means being open to feedback and making changes when necessary.

4. Walk the Talk

One of the most important components of a strong agency culture is buy-in from leadership. If senior leaders are not on board with the culture, creating and maintaining a positive environment will be difficult. Leaders need to model the desired behavior and lead by example if they want their employees to follow their lead.

By investing in these key components, agencies can create cultures that attract and retain top talent, drive results, and provide a great workplace.

DOs And DON'Ts of Creating a Strong Agency Culture

The dos and don'ts of creating a strong agency culture are important to consider when building a positive and productive work environment. Strong agency culture can be the differentiating factor that allows your agency to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Here are some key points to remember when creating a strong agency culture:

DO:

1. Define Your Core Values and Ensure Everyone in the Agency Knows Them: An organization's core values should guide everything from hiring decisions to daily work.

2. Hire People Who Fit the Culture You're Trying to Create: New hires must share the same values as the rest of the team to maintain a cohesive culture.

3. Encourage Open Communication and Feedback: A strong agency culture is built on trust and mutual respect. Make sure everyone feels comfortable speaking up and offering constructive feedback.

4. Foster a Sense of Community Within the Agency: It can be done by organizing social events, volunteering opportunities, or bringing people together.

5. Promote Work/Life Balance: A healthy work/life balance is essential for maintaining a happy and productive workforce. Encourage your team to take breaks, vacation time, and personal days as needed.

DON'T:

1. Forget About Your Remote Employees: Just because someone doesn't physically come into the office doesn't mean they don't deserve to be included in company culture initiatives. Make an effort to include remote workers in all aspects of agency life.

2. Tolerate Bad Behavior: A zero-tolerance policy towards bad behavior will help maintain a respectful and positive work environment for everyone involved.

3. Be Afraid to Have Fun: A bit of fun can go a long way in making your workplace more enjoyable for everyone involved. Plan company-wide events, host happy hours, or organize team-building activities regularly.

Image Source: BetterUp

How to Maintain a Strong Agency Culture Over Time?

Maintaining a strong agency culture over time can be challenging, but it's important to keep your team cohesive and focused. Here are some tips to help you keep your agency culture strong:

1. Encourage Open Communication

It is important to encourage open communication within your agency, so everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. You can hold regular team meetings and allow employees to share their feedback freely.

2. Promote a Positive Work-Life Balance

A strong agency culture should promote a healthy work-life balance for its employees. It means offering flexible working hours, ample vacation time, and additional benefits such as covering coworking space subscriptions that can be conveniently accessed through applications like NearU, allowing your employees to seamlessly work remotely. This enhances their work-life balance and make life outside work more enjoyable.

3. Foster a Collaborative Environment

A collaborative environment is critical to a strong agency culture. Encourage your team to collaborate on projects and brainstorm ideas regularly. It will help them feel more connected to one another and invested in the agency's success.

4. Recognize and Reward Achievement

Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work and achievements is important. You can do it through formal recognition programs, informal pats on the back, or monetary bonuses. Whatever form it takes, acknowledgment of a well-done job will help motivate your team to keep up the good work.

5. Invest in Employee Development

A strong agency culture invests in its employees' professional and personal development. Offer opportunities for employees to attend workshops, conferences, or training courses related to their field. Also, provide opportunities for networking and mentorship within the agency so that employees can learn from one another.

Wrapping Up!

Agency culture is important because it can significantly impact employee productivity and job satisfaction. A strong agency culture can help attract and retain top talent, while a weak one can lead to high turnover rates and a lack of motivation among employees. Many key components go into creating a strong agency culture, including clear communication, strong leadership, and a focus on teamwork. Examples of strong agency cultures include Google, Apple, and Facebook. You can also become one of them! Maintaining a strong agency culture requires ongoing effort and commitment from leadership and all organization members. So get started on setting your agency apart from others today!

As an agency or marketer, you know that in order to be successful, you need to target the right people with the right message. That's where audience segmentation comes in. You can create more specific and effective advertising campaigns by dividing your audience into smaller groups.

This blog post will discuss five audience segmentation strategies you can use to get the most out of your advertising budget in 2023 and beyond!

What Is Audience Segmentation, and Why Is It Important?

Audience segmentation divides a target audience into subgroups based on certain factors, such as age, gender, interests, or combinations thereof. The goal of audience segmentation is to allow businesses to tailor their marketing efforts to specific groups of people, thereby increasing their likelihood of conversion.

There are many benefits to audience segmentation. Perhaps most importantly, it allows businesses to focus their resources on those groups of people that are most likely to convert rather than wasting time and money on marketing efforts that are less likely to result in a sale.

Additionally, audience segmentation can help businesses better understand their target customers, what they want and need, and how best to reach them.

There are many ways to perform audience segmentation. Age and gender are the most common factors used, but interests and location can also be considered. Businesses can use any combination of these factors that makes sense for their product or service.

The important thing is to remember that not all customers are created equal. By segmenting your audience, you can ensure that your marketing efforts are focused on where they'll have the most impact!

The 5 Different Types of Audience Segmentation Strategies

One of the most important aspects of marketing is understanding your audience. After all, how can you hope to sell a product or service if you don't know who your target market is?

Segmenting your audience can be daunting, but it is essential to creating a successful marketing strategy for your business.

There are several ways you can segment your audience. The most common ones include:

1. Geographic Segmentation

This type of segmentation involves dividing your market based on location. It could be as specific as a city or state or as broad as a country or region. Geographic segmentation is often used when companies are starting, as narrowing your target market is an easy way to laser-focus your marketing strategies.

2. Demographic Segmentation

Demographic segmentation is the most common type of audience segmentation. It involves dividing your market based on age, gender, income, education level, and so forth. This type of segmentation is useful because it allows you to target specific groups of people with your marketing message.

3. Psychographic Segmentation

Psychographic segmentation divides your market based on psychological factors such as lifestyle, personality, values, and interests. This type of segmentation can be useful in creating marketing messages that resonate with your target market on a deeper level. Most advertising platforms today, like Facebook and TikTok, allow for such segmentation to help you better target your audience.

Still, you must conduct thorough research for this segmentation as these traits are not as apparent as age or gender.

4. Behavioral Segmentation

Behavioral segmentation divides your market based on their past behavior, such as whether they've purchased from you, how often they buy, what types of products they're interested in, and so forth. This type of segmentation can be useful in predicting future behavior and trends.

5. Transactional Segmentation

The transactional segment classifies your target audience based on their actual purchase history. The customer's public purchasing data is used to determine their purchases and is then collated through advanced software to develop transactional segments. The most popular transactional segments include affluent shoppers and other high-end spenders.

How to Determine the Most Valuable Audience Segment?

Businesses need to consider several factors to determine the most valuable audience segment. Some of these include:

1. Size 0f the Segment

The first factor is the size of the segment. A large segment is more valuable than a small one because it has more potential customers and higher revenue potential.

2. Purchasing Power

The second factor is the segment's purchasing power. A segment with high purchasing power is more valuable than a segment with low purchasing power as it can generate more revenue.

Even if the segment with low purchasing power is the larger one, it's still best to focus your marketing efforts on the segment with a higher purchasing power to ensure generating sales.

3. Level of Loyalty

The third factor is the segment's level of loyalty. A segment loyal to a brand is more valuable than a segment that is not yet too far down the sales funnel. This helps you ensure you only spend on converting the customers who are less likely to switch to a competitor's products or services.

4. Location

Finally, businesses need to consider the segments' location. Segments in high-growth markets are more valuable than those in mature or declining markets because they offer more potential for growth.

Image Source: Alike Audience

How to Segment Your Audience Using Psychographics?

Psychographics is the science of using psychological characteristics to understand human behavior better. By understanding how people think, feel, and behave, businesses can more effectively target their marketing efforts and improve their bottom line. It is one of the most crucial segmentation in advertising.

There are several ways to segment your audience using psychographics.

Image Source: Vero

One common approach is to look at personality traits. For example, extroverted people tend to be more social and outgoing, while introverted people are more likely to be shy and reserved. Understanding these personality differences can help you tailor your marketing messages accordingly.

Another way to segment your audience using psychographics is to look at lifestyle factors. It includes things like someone's work-life balance, income, level of education, etc. Understanding these factors allows you to target your marketing messages more effectively.

Finally, you can also use psychographics to segment your audience based on values. It includes things like someone's personal values, political views, religious beliefs, etc. Values are often deeply held beliefs that can strongly influence someone's behavior. Therefore, by understanding someone's values, you can more effectively market to them.

There are many ways to segment your audience using psychographics. However, it's important to remember that not everyone will fit neatly into one category or another. People are complex beings with various characteristics that make them unique. Therefore, it's important to use psychographics as just one tool in your overall marketing arsenal.

When used correctly, psychographics can be a powerful tool for understanding and targeting your audience better.

Diversifying Your Media Plan for Maximum Reach

As the digital world continues to grow and evolve, so too must the way we think about our media plans. No longer can we rely on a single platform or channel to reach our target audiences diversification is the name of the game! There are a number of reasons for this.

• Different people consume media in different ways. Some may prefer reading news online, others prefer watching television, and others might get their information from social media. By having a presence on multiple platforms, you can ensure reaching as many people as possible.
• Secondly, different platforms offer different opportunities for engaging with your audiences. For example, you can encourage two-way conversation and interaction on social media, whereas traditional media, such as television, is more of a one-way broadcast. By utilizing different platforms, you can take advantage of the unique opportunities each marketing method offers.
• Finally, it's important to remember that no single platform or channel is guaranteed to be around forever. What's popular today might be gone tomorrow, so it's important to keep your finger on the pulse of the planet and be prepared to move with the times.

For all these reasons, it's clear that diversifying your media plans is essential if you want to maximize your reach and engagement with your target audiences. So next time you plan your marketing strategy, consider a range of different platforms and channels it could make all the difference!

How to Custom Segment Your Audience for the Best Results?

There are many ways to segment your audience, but not all will be equally effective. The best way to segment your audience is to figure out what factors are most important to them and then use those factors to create groups.

For example, if you were selling computer parts, you could segment your audience by their preferred operating system, their level of expertise, or the type of computer they own.

Once you've identified the most important factors for your audience, you can start creating groups. The simplest way to do this is to create two groups: one for people who fit the criteria you're looking for, and one for everyone else.

However, if you have a large audience or more than two groups you want to target, you'll need to be more creative with your grouping.

One way to do this is to create multiple groups based on different criteria. For example, you could have a group for Windows users, a group for Mac users, and a group for Linux users. If you're a Mac user and want to manage your system effectively, MacPaw's article provides a detailed guide on how to see what's running on your Mac and optimize its performance. Or, you could have a group for people who are entirely new to computers, a group for intermediate users, and a group for experts.

Once you've created your groups, you can start tailoring your content and marketing messages to each group. It will ensure that you're reaching your target audience with the information they're most interested in.

How Does an Audience Segmentation Strategy Help Create More Effective Advertising Campaigns?

Segmentation is critical to effective advertising campaigns. You can create more relevant and effective ads by dividing your target market into smaller, more manageable groups. Additionally, segmentation allows you to track the results of your campaigns better and make necessary adjustments wherever required.

There are several ways to segment a market. The most common method uses demographic information such as age, gender, income, and location. However, you can also segment based on interests, behaviors, or psychological factors. The key is to identify criteria that will allow you to group individuals likely to respond favorably to your message.

Once you've identified your segments, it becomes easier to create targeted ad campaigns. It involves developing separate messages and strategies for each group.

Image Source: GoSquared

For example, an ad campaign specifically designed to appeal to young mothers would be very different from an ad campaign aimed at retired seniors. So choose your messaging tactics carefully to appeal to each segment of your targeted audience.

By segmenting your market and developing targeted ad campaigns, you can significantly improve your chances of success in the digital landscape. Additionally, you'll be able to track the results of your efforts more effectively and make necessary adjustments along the way.

All these tips will surely help you generate more sales, get more traffic, and become an authority figure in your industry!

Summing Up

Using segmentation to create more effective advertising campaigns can benefit businesses. By targeting specific groups of people with tailored messages, companies can increase their likelihood of getting successful advertising campaigns on various social media platforms and search engines.

The right audience segmentation strategy can be the key difference between the success and failure of your ad campaigns. And by using the right segments, you can increase the ROI of your advertisements and marketing efforts on the whole.

If you're a business owner, late payments may be your biggest arch-nemesis, right next to tax season! U.S. credit card debt reached $1.14 trillion in 2023, highlighting the broader financial challenges faced by individuals and businesses alike.

Late or unpaid payments alone add up to almost a trillion dollars each year, and SMEs have no option but to write them off as bad debt.

A survey by Businesswire magazine tells us that businesses in the US frequently experience late payments. A sizable chunk receives payments 20-30 days past the payment due date.

It can be quite annoying and detrimental to your agency's growth.

Agencies work very hard to deliver results for their clients, fighting off many challenges that impede their speed and productivity. They also need to make payments to their team members and freelancers apart from other operational costs.

And when their clients ignore all T&Cs and habitually pay late, it can be extremely disheartening.

The Severe Consequences of Late Payments

Here are some of the serious consequences late payments can have on businesses:

1. Cuts cash flow and makes it difficult for SMEs and agencies to take on new projects due to insufficient working capital.
2. Reduces cash flow and makes it difficult to meet operating expenses.
3. Affects your future relationship with your suppliers and vendors if you don’t pay on time.
4. Affects your credit rating and impacts your ability to obtain future credit facilities.
5. May lead to shutting down your business in the worst-case scenario.

Image Source: Melio

5 Easy-To-Learn Tips to Help You Collect Payments on Time

FreeAgent suggests five tips you can try to get your invoices paid on time. Read these below!

1. Use the Benjamin Franklin Effect

It works on the stimulus-response principle and later on uses classical conditioning to bring about the desired response. Here you'll use induced kindness to condition your client's mind to make them pay on time.

According to the story, Benjamin Franklin successfully befriended a man who despised him by asking him to borrow a book. In line with this approach, one act of kindness induces another one, provided you're able to get them to do the act of kindness in the first place.

What is important here is that you can't achieve the same result if you initiate that act of kindness. So, ask your customer to do a favor for you in the initial stages of your relationship. It will help you forge a strong friendship with them and build trust. It also helps them form an image of you in their mind as someone who is worthy of doing a favor and replicate the same behavior again.

2. Don't Make Them Feel Guilty

People generally don't like to feel guilty and making late payments actually leads to a guilt pang. So when you send emails about invoice reminders, add the phrase, I need your help. It's a recommended practice to appeal to the good senses of your client.

3. Use Your Client's Name and Make Them Feel Special

It is an old tactic that is endorsed by Dale Carnegie in his bestseller How to win friends and influence people.ā  In any language, a person's name is the sweetest word for them, and when you call someone by their name, they feel special. And what better way to get your clients to make payments on time than by making them feel special?

4. Use Swift Reminders From Day One

Invoices might come as a rude interruption, and to avoid this, you can include the payment due date in your communications and emails as a soft reminder from the beginning. It's not considered rude if you clearly set out your payment terms just after you sign the contract. Late payment charges and legal consequences for non-payment should also be highlighted. But your first email should be a bit friendly. Warning for legal consequences can come later. Tools like Invoice Simple make it easier to add these clauses in a soft tone because their templates use a language that's nice yet professional.

Image Source: Regpack

5. Use Nouns More Frequently

Nouns are extremely powerful. Instead of asking someone to participate in an event, tell them to become a participant and reap the rewards. You will likely see a greater turnout. Instead of mentioning late payment, refer to the people as late payers while warning them about the legal consequences.

Other Tips to Get Clients to Always Pay on Time

Here are some valuable tips to make clients always pay on time.

1. Adopt a Recurring Billing Model

In this model, you convert your project-based charges into more predictable and consistent revenue, which looks similar to product-like charging. Most SaaS companies follow this payment model. So, you get paid an upfront fee for the duration of the project. You can use Stripe, Square Payment, G2 Deals, or a similar payment service, and your client's credit card will be charged automatically. There are no delays and no need to send reminders in this system.

2. Implement the Retainer Model

As an agency, you have many options. You can charge an upfront fee and claim the remaining fee through an invoice after the completion of the project. It's quite transparent and doesn't lead to any fuss or trouble later on, as everything is documented and communicated to the relevant people at each step.

However, it doesn't come without its flaws. It can expose you to cash flow issues because of late payments. In that case, you can switch to a retainer model.

In this model, you charge a retainer fee, and you have numerous ways to calculate it. You can divide the project fee by the number of months you'll work on it. For example, if the total fee for the project is $7500 and it's spread over five months, then you'll get a $1500 per month recurring fee.

The prime benefit of this model is that you can avoid late payments as the client is supposed to pay on time to keep the project from collapsing midway. Secondly, it offers a high degree of predictability.

Image Source: Runn

3. Use Deposits as a Guarantee

Clients can pause or abort a project at any time, even without making any investment, because it doesn't affect them at all. You can ensure future payment by using deposits as a guarantee. The step makes a client commit to the project and ensures that they pay for it.

Most agencies don't charge a high deposit because they want to ensure on-time payment.

However, it works given the upfront amount is substantial enough, so a client cannot hold or defer the remaining amount. So, you should collect at least half of the payment upfront to prevent late payments.

Final Words

If you want to ensure guaranteed payments, design your contracts smartly. The contract should mention everything related to payment in clear, concise terms to prevent misunderstandings later on.

As an agency, you can split the entire project fee into a 40% down payment, 40% when you complete half of the project and the remaining 20% after the project gets completed.

Alternatively, you can also sign a one-month, two-month, or three-month term and send the invoice accordingly. Moreover, you should clearly outline the scope of work, due dates, and late payment penalty to prevent any disagreements in the future. So, all prices and payment terms should be included in the contract to ensure long-term success as an agency.

We all have days where we simply don't know what to do with the seemingly infinite customer data for marketing that we have with us. Moreover, it's always difficult to find effective ways to extract value from this sea of information. To further add to the predicament, customer data is ever-growing with more and more people accessing every kind of device, and even different software generating their own data about user behavior.

So, how does a business wade through this never-ending stream of information and get valuable digital insights needed for boosting profits, sales, and performance? After all, we know the importance of customer data for marketing in the growth of any business.

Fortunately, there are solutions for it ā You need to know practical ways that help extract value from your customer data for marketing. In this post, we are going to discuss 8 solid ways to do so. These will help you know where to aim your analytical efforts, helping you eventually achieve increased brand reputation, awareness, and profits for your business. Let's get started:

1. Big Data Isn't Going Anywhere

Have you ever looked at big data? If so, you might have sighed at its sheer volume and found it as a huge mess of random data. Unsurprisingly, many businesses tend to ignore big data because of this very reason. But, the thing is, they make a real mistake when they do so. When you are able to screen, filter, and interpret what's valuable in big data, you drive incredible value from it.

The bottom line? It's about time that businesses realize that big data is here to stay and acknowledge the fact that you can find useful data in it. This is the first step that businesses need to take if they want to extract valuable customer data to aid business growth.

Image Source: Instinctools

2. Find an Analytics Solution

To make use of customer data for marketing, you need to have the right talent and tools to wade through the mountain of information and find data that makes sense for your business.

If you take a look at established brands, a lot of them have already allocated an operational budget to analytics and dedicated entire departments to this job. Many small to medium enterprises, on the other hand, have found an analytics solution that is well-suited for their budgetary and size requirements.

In all, consider investing in analytics if you are looking to extract real value from customer data.

Note: Now that we are on the subject of analytics, we want to recommend the DashClicks' Analytics app for your business. The app allows you to monitor and report on all your marketing campaigns in a single place. You can also view granular data insights on the software to make smarter marketing decisions.

Here are some other important features of the Analytics app that you should also know of:

• Get a birds-eye view of all your marketing campaigns and see cross-channel reporting in real-time.
• The white label marketing analytics platform allows for integrations such as Facebook Ads, Google Analytics, Google Ads, and CallRail.
• You receive accurate white label reporting in real-time.
• You can create a custom date range to view all your data.

3. Streamline Your Operations

Another way you can get value from customer data for marketing is by using the insights for your internal operations. For instance, with composable CDP you can identify where to trim excess costs and where to invest more strategically. The insights can boost your efficiency and decrease the spend that would have otherwise been wasted, leading to a spike in revenue for your business.

Let's take an example to understand this point further. Your customer data shows that you are receiving an increasing amount of marketing responses from Instagram and Facebook. It also depicts that you are getting less of it from YouTube. Now, in such a situation, you must think of it as a signal that for your business offering and target audience, you can cut down your YouTube spend and dedicate more of your efforts to the social platforms that are working well for you.

4. Analyze Historical Data

When you talk of getting value out of customer data for marketing, individuals consider digital insights or metrics as a means to foresee the future. However, it's vital to note that the lessons taught from past data are some of the most significant ones. Therefore, you should use and analyze historical data from vital customer information. It's about time that businesses consider the fact that the data gathered over time is simply the best information available to them. Using historical data to understand your customers is always a step in the right direction.

Let's take an example to further understand the point we are making. For instance, you should be paying attention to your sales data from the last 5-10 years. Why? Because analytics put to the task of discerning previous customer sales information can provide extremely helpful information about customer purchase patterns and behavior.

Image Source: Databox

5. Think of Social Media as Dataā  Too

Social media isn't just a channel to get in front of your potential customers. It shares an extremely large portion of the world's overall data. Now, the great news is, you can get real value from customer data for marketing if you examine different social media platforms and use the unsorted, unfiltered data that you find there. When you go deeper into social media data, it helps you know where your market is and what your market is actually looking for.

Image Source: SproutSocial

Tip: Ensure you check the trends that show up on social platforms as it will help you know the factors and trends you need to leverage for your own business. Doing so can even help you move ahead of your competitors and generate more business for your company.

6. Analyze Client Churn

One of the areas in which big data, coupled with analytics, can create a huge difference for your business is “client churn.”

For those who are new to the term, “client churn” means the turnover rate of clients or customers from being regular buyers to taking their business someplace else.

Analytics that focus on the specifics of your client churn can help you increase customer retention and become more profitable.

For instance, the process can involve looking at your customer data and making inferences that let you know why some customers support your business for a certain period and then don’t stick around. The process can also explain why others stay loyal to you.

7. Make Data Accessible

To get the best possible ROI (return on investment) from your customer data for marketing, ensure you share the digital insights with those who may need it. For instance, if you know something important about the behavior or needs of your customers, share it with someone in your company who can actually use the information and put it to use.

The bottom line?

Information can only be useful for your business if its access is given to people who know what to do with it. Think about it this way – Suppose a person handles customer support in your business, then they should be able to share a customer complaint with a department that can further offer insight into the problem or even provide a resolution for it

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Image Source: Plytix

8. Consider Automation

A lot of people are of the view that automation is applied just to mechanical, physical activities. But, it is applied to data analytics too.

When you put your faith in software and algorithms to sift through the data rather than carrying out a line-by-line analysis of every bit of incoming data, you get more valuable insights about your customers. Also, automation helps you find only what's relevant to your needs.

All in all, while looking for a more effective solution when faced with the question of how to extract insights from data, ensure you consider implementing automation.

An additional benefit of using automation is that it frees up your employees for activities that best suit their talents. They are also able to focus more on innovative, ambitious activities.

Wrapping It Up

As more and more data is being generated with each passing day, it's becoming even more difficult for humans to keep tabs on it. However, this data has a lot of hidden insights that can help your business soar and reach new heights. With actionable tips and the correct strategies, you can select the right data, examine it, and put it to the best use. The different ways we have discussed to extract value from customer data will help you during this time.

Agency business has a massive demand, but an enormously high agency failure rate keeps jolting the business world.

There can be many culprits behind it, such as increasing competition, difficulty finding the right workforce, lack of tools, lack of proper strategy and processes, and vague goals.

Sometimes agency owners might be shooting in their feet when they don’t have structured processes, robust customer support, and smooth communication. But, these days, external factors such as financial downturns and increasing competition can also spoil the game.

Whatever the case, there is a workaround for it.

This article shares five agency growth secrets for running an agency business successfully.

1. Put Customers First

After the 2008 recession, the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s, approximately 170,000 small businesses went bankrupt. But Ruby Receptionists, the virtual receptionist service, survived it.

It could be possible because Jill Nelson, the company’s founder, focused on providing extraordinary customer service.

He wanted to establish his company as a trusted partner for businesses in their darkest hour. Business owners faced overwhelming challenges during the crisis, but Ruby sparked hope among them and offered its services as a generous and optimistic human voice guiding their customers.

Ruby not only survived but grew by 15%.

Pro Tip: Offer exceptional customer service and put your customer first. It becomes even more important during tough times such as economic downturns. If needed, go the extra mile to help them.

Image Source: Lexer

2. Focus On Your Core Competencies

David Sardinha, the ex-COO of The Marketing Machine (TMM), an agency based in North Carolina, focused on his core competency of creativity and design during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. He had to move his office to another location while his team was working from home. He lost many of his clients, but he discovered new opportunities amidst this darkness and chaos.

This time the opportunity came in the form of a restaurant, "Margaux's," an ex-customer of TMM.

Some of his previous clients came back to change how they did business in those tough times. The only mantra for businesses to succeed in those tough times was to show their customers that the service providers were still there with them.

Image Source: SuperOffice

Repositioning brands was the best option at the time.

TMM focused on their core competency, i.e., creative designs, to help their client, Margaux's, to reposition their business as a takeout restaurant during the pandemic.

The transformation was not easy.

But it helped them establish themselves as a brand that stood with its customers in extremely tough times, making many loyal customers for TMM.

3. Offer Helpful Resources and Tailored Guidance

B2B businesses act differently than their B2C counterparts. So customer relationship should be their top priority. The best B2B businesses act as consultants rather than retailers or product sellers. They are available at every step of the way for support and guidance, helping their clients achieve their goals.

It includes offering resources and providing tailored guidance.

So, a sale is not the ultimate objective for an agency business. It is actually the beginning of a long journey; you grow with your customers.

This is a crucial step in client retention.

Ask for their feedback and provide value. Be their savior and help them achieve their objectives. The most memorable companies are those that try to become a part of their clients' growth stories.

Pro Tip: You can use DashClicks' project management software to efficiently manage your project. It allows you to track processes and intervene if something goes wrong. It also enables you to finish the project on time and with the right resource allocation.

4. Differentiate Yourself From the Crowd

Every agency claims to be unique, so it sounds more like a cliche. The best agencies successfully differentiate themselves from the competition.

It requires creativity and innovation.

Businesses should have a reason to choose you over others.

Pro Tip: Find your unique selling proposition (USP) and promote it aggressively on the web, including your website and social media. Mention the facts and data to support it.

Image Source: Planium Pro

5. Hire the Best Employees and Put Them First

According to a Marketing Land study, hiring was a big challenge for 44% of the respondents, mostly agency owners.

The ideal employees are the most passionate, not those with the most experience. Agencies are already struggling with a high attrition rate. You won't find people sticking with one agency for a long time.

Extremely high pressure, burnout, and working with dozens of clients are the prime reasons for it.

So hiring and retaining the best people is always a challenge for agencies.

However, if you have the best processes and put your employees first, you can retain them for a long time.

Pro Tip: You should be transparent during the hiring process and honestly disclose your expectations. This way, you are more likely to find the right people for your agency.

Pro Tip: Allocate work evenly in the team, and don't overload your employees. Don't accept a new project if you don't have the bandwidth. You can hire DashClicks' white-label fulfillment services to scale your agency if you don't have sufficient bandwidth and expertise.

Pushing your employees beyond their limits is a sure way to attract attrition. Allow them to use their creativity, and don't blame them if something goes off course. Instead, try to find the reasons, so it never happens again.

Pro Tip: Avoid micromanagement and give your employees complete ownership of what they do. Be generous with support and guidance and set the right expectations.

Final Words

Last but not least, empower your staffers and outsource if necessary. Be lean, thin, and agile. Do your best to stay relevant in the dynamic digital landscape. Respect new ideas and use the best tools. For best results, work with a project management software program and other automation tools. It improves efficiency in your agency and saves time.

The key to success is to specialize in some industries and aggressively market your agency as a specialist in that particular vertical. Improve communication within your organization and with your customers, and keep everything transparent. You can also assign a specific team member to communicate with your client.