8 Top Funding Options for New Tech Startups

All new businesses, especially tech startups, must worry about funding when they first begin. Many people have fantastic business ideas that will never be realized owing to a lack of funding. Starting a startup is not simple. Therefore you must be fully committed and motivated.

You should grasp your current situation and why just half of all startups in the United States survive the first five years. Only 30% of those will stay for ten years. It's an indication that your odds of failing with a startup are more significant than your possibilities of succeeding. As a result, you must be more focused and dedicated to obtaining the funding you want for your business.

Here are 8 practical pieces of advice to keep in mind while seeking funding for your startup tech business.

1. Make a Fantastic Business Plan

Anyone considering investing in your business wants to know what they stand to gain from it. It would help if you had financial predictions for your business because this will entice investors. A business plan will also demonstrate to investors how your business will operate, your identity, and what your business will provide the market.

Your business plan should include a comprehensive market study. It would help if you emphasized the many holes that your rivals have ignored, as well as how you intend to address them. Make sure your business plan has an open organizational structure that outlines numerous roles and duties for business stakeholders.

2. Ask the help of your friends and family

Friends and relatives can also contribute to your business's funding. They may be prepared to invest in your dream business and offer the necessary funds as well as guidance. Funds from friends and family will arrive with little to no interest, and your business's cash flow will improve. There is, however, a significant danger that your connection with these individuals will worsen if you rely on their funds but do not give a return.

3. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has been a fantastic source of funds for several startups in recent years. You might try out different crowdfunding platforms geared toward startups, such as the ones listed below.

• CircleUp
• Fundable
• AngleList
• Crowdfunder

You will be in luck if you connect with the appropriate investors on these platforms since they seek the next best business to invest in. Make sure you choose a well-known crowdfunding site so that your business is discovered by those who are eager to invest. Do you have reservations about using crowdfunding? You should be aware that many large companies began here.

4. Make contact with Angel Investors.

All businesses frequently go through several stages of funding. Startups, for example, the transition from Series A to Series B and C financing as needed. An angel investor is crucial in the initial round of funding. The investment is frequently indebted, and it consists of much more than just cash.

Angel investors are typically more active in the early phases of your business and can assist. Following this step, you will be entirely on your own. Angel investors often act alone or as members of a committee.

5. Consider a local bank or an online lender.

Do you have a strong working relationship with your neighborhood bank? If you answered yes, you have a high probability of receiving a loan. Provide your business plan and presentation when asking for a loan. Approach this loan with a high level of professionalism. If the bank refuses your loan, you must not give up your search for funding.

You might instead resort to other online lenders. You can, for example, look into US Business Funding and Lending Club Business Loans. These lenders can provide you with the funds you require to get your business up and to operate. Askanydifference has compiled a helpful list of advantages and disadvantages.

6. Grants

Government incentives are available to certain new businesses. Visit grants to learn more about the choices available to you.

7. It would be best if you Funded It Yourself.

Do you have a sufficient amount of money set aside? It is simple to apply to your business. One advantage is that you will not be relying on others who may be interested in your firm. However, it may be dangerous, particularly if you lose everything if the business fails.

8. Partnering

Many great businesses began as partnerships. The appropriate partners can contribute solutions and ideas to your venture because they share liability. Pilota Asia notes that selecting a location with low tax rates is a huge benefit. To get started, look into this Singapore business incorporation service. Even better, you may divide the earnings based on the profit ratio.

6 Digital Marketing Trends To Watch In 2021

It's an aggressive market out there, but by concentrating on these trends, you should significantly improve the traffic to your business. Let's take a look at the top 6 digital marketing trends to watch in 2021!

1. SEO for local businesses

Local SEO algorithms are regularly developing, and if you are utilizing this to attract local customers, you must maintain a careful eye on Local SEO. Have you studied including local attractions in your keywords, for example?

Including a term that refers to something your locality is known for might to help your Local SEO exposure. Is your company also verified? That can improve your business's rank value in Google SERPS, and if you haven't done it yet, it is simple to accomplish.

Register with 'Google My Business,' and your ranking will rise!

2. Buyer Segmentation

Buyer segmentation is a type of functional marketing in which, rather than launching a vast, expensive campaign, advertising releases a series of smaller, more focused advertisements. That isn't new, but the reason why it will be so important in 2021 is something we're all becoming more familiar with

3. Data collection

Today's websites get a lot of data, and behemoths like Facebook and Google collect a lot of it. That's why, if you visit specific sites, they can inundate you with ads and content that's frighteningly exact.

This data gathering has been ongoing for some time, and because it is AI-driven, Customer Segmentation is becoming increasingly successful. Take help of the position before your competitors do, and you could gain an advantage.

4. Retargeting your ads

If you examine the statistics behind your current advertising, you may find a negative pattern. How many of your hard-worked-on ads have been entirely blocked? The response will likely be 'quite a few,' indicating that you will need to revise your plan.

A better alternative for 2021 may be to go with sponsored content or, even better, to take the 'influencer' way. Advertising develops, but one thing that hasn't altered is people's propensity to pay attention to items or services supported by a celebrity.

5. Image Search SEO Optimization

Google's reverse-image search was a game-changer. You might take a picture and check for instances where it appears. Of course, this has developed, and now searches can connect keywords and alt-text with photos. It's something you should take advantage of

When you upload a picture, make sure it is of excellent quality and that you include keywords and alt-text with it to guarantee that it is gets found and that it can divert a percentage of the traffic from people who find it. It would be best if you also looked at Google Lens.

Users may use this app to take a photo of whatever they observe so that Google's AI can recognize it. If you have clear images with keywords Google has absorbed, it may correlate them with your pictures. The rising usage of Google Lens may provide you with significant visibility in 2021 if you put attention to your sitemap and alt-text data.

For example, suppose you own an 'Express Dishwasher Repair' and run a 'How-To' site that explains certain repair procedures for do-it-yourselfers. When you publish photographs to your blog, the description text may say something like 'Sears 1234 model dishwasher,' but the alt-text may include submitted by Express dishwasher repair blog.'

Every little affiliation counts, so join up before everyone else.

6. Voice Search's Evolution

Here's something you might be interested in. Try a manual Google search on your laptop or desktop PC, as well as a Voice search on your phone. Experts have noted that the results are occasionally inconsistent, which indicates that a new Digital Trend opportunity is on the horizon, and whoever can figure out why the searches are irregular is sitting on a potential goldmine.

Customers are increasingly adopting voice searches, so keep your eye on the technology since it has enormous potential.

Some Last Thoughts

This finishes our list of the 6 digital marketing trends you cannot afford to ignore. As you can see, some new technologies in 2021 and some old technologies have developed into something more significant. Please pay attention to all of them so that your marketing approach can grow in lockstep with them.

It just makes perfect sense!

5 Top Benefits Of Email Marketing Software

One of the questions that companies ponder is how to appeal to and promote to their consumers effectively. A frequent misconception among businesses is that email marketing is dead; however, it is not; you need the appropriate tools to work for your organization. In reality, email marketing software is a hot topic in every company's marketing and IT departments. The widespread consensus is that it is not a good idea to have it at all.

One thing is sure: email marketing has withstood the test of time, and it is currently one of the top marketing tactics with the highest return on investment. Choosing the best email marketing software available can assist you in ensuring the effectiveness of your email marketing. Investing in the proper software may have a massive impact on your organization, and we've compiled a list of the advantages below.

1. Sending Content to Specific Audiences

Every firm out there tries everything they can to reach the right audience in the right way. One of the most remarkable ways to accomplish this is to add tailored content directly targeted at clients, which email marketing software can provide for you. You can learn to segment your audience with the appropriate software. You may do this based on their gender, age, length of time as a customer, and more!

2. Sending Multiple Emails

Another great advantage of email marketing software is the ability to send several emails at once. You may send various emails to different groups of your audience at the same time, saving time and improving your contact efficiency.

3. It is quantifiable

With email marketing tools to back it up, email marketing campaigns are incredibly straightforward to measure. You can see the click-through and bounce rates, and you can then track your results to verify that you're accurately appealing to your target audience.

4. Streamlining Your Tasks

The best email marketing software can assist you in automating a variety of activities. You may use the proper software to generate reports, wipe out databases, opt out of specific processes, and monitor others. It may also help you send out emails to your consumers regularly, which will make them more aware of your company. These chores may be automated to save you time and money while also making your firm more efficient.

5. Excellent Return on Investment

Finally, one of the essential advantages of email marketing software is the high ROI rates obtained. By tracking your campaign and making adjustments as needed, email marketing software has been shown to have a high return on investment (ROI). When you use email marketing software to contact your consumers, you have a far better chance of success.

So, are you on the fence about this one? That isn't necessary because there are several advantages to using email marketing software nowadays. suade you to purchase it right away!

Best Survey Tips For Customer Insight: 4 Ultimate Tips

One of the most common methods of gathering client feedback is to listen during one-on-one sessions with consumers, which is an old approach. Online customer satisfaction surveys allow you to poll clients with a scale on issues that might otherwise go neglected or dismissed to stay on the positive side. Doesn't it seem like fun?

Here's some quick advice: Client satisfaction surveys are only helpful if you ask the appropriate questions in the right way, at the right time, and without unnecessary delays. As a result, developing and releasing an effective and meaningful customer satisfaction survey is a complex process.

Now, we'll go through some tried-and-true strategies for transforming your surveys into a steady supply of valuable consumer feedback.

Why do Customer Satisfaction Surveys exist?

Let us first discuss why customer satisfaction surveys are essential for any organization nowadays.

Customer happiness is one of the few strategies businesses may use to differentiate themselves in crowded and competitive industries. Nowadays, the brand with the best customer service typically wins because high levels of customer satisfaction are essential predictors of client and customer retention and loyalty.

Not to mention that poor customer service can actively hurt your business in the long term. The average American consumer, for example, will tell 16 other individuals about a negative customer experience. It takes roughly 12 good encounters for a brand to compensate for one unresolved lousy expertise. Isn't it fascinating?

1. Keep your surveys brief.

Whether online or offline, the fundamental goal of any survey is to be clear and concise by finding the quickest method to ask a question without explaining too much. It's not only about reducing the number of characters; you should also eliminate superfluous language from your inquiries.

It is critical to select an appropriate online form builder for your survey that allows you to compile everything succinctly. At the same time, survey duration is essential for maintaining low desertion rates. Consider the last time you sat down and completed a 20-minute quiz. It most likely never happened.

2. Only ask one question at a time.

We've all been bombarded with a barrage of inquiries, such as, "How to do you like our website?" Would you recommend our product? "Whither or why not?"

It may begin to feel you are being questioned by a police officer who will not let you finish your sentence. If you want great replies, give them enough time to think about each topic. When you bombard individuals with several questions at once, you'll receive half-hearted responses from people who are just trying to get to the conclusion of your survey – if they don't quit before then. Instead, keep things simple by focusing on a single issue at a time.

3. Use Yes/No Questions.

While phrasing a question with a single outcome, frame the questions with a yes/no option. Several studies have shown that yes or no questions are excellent starting questions since they are more straightforward for consumers to analyze and finish, increasing engagement.

This issue does not necessitate a scale such as "valued, not valued," and so on.

A simple yes or no response is quicker for the consumer and should provide you with all the information you want. You might even follow it up with the next question.

4. Provide Survey Respondents with a Gift.

In most situations, enticing customers to respond to your survey makes sense. According to a variety of studies, incentives can increase survey response rates. These incentives may take the shape of discounts, freebies, or account credits.

Your reward should be financially feasible for your brand. You may be concerned that providing a freebie to survey respondents would reduce the quality of their replies, but studies indicate that this is not always the case.

Effective Customer Survey Examples

1. Asana

 Asana understands that business professionals don't have much time to complete long surveys, so they make it brief.

2. Twitter

Twitter is another excellent example. They promise to question consumers about all aspects of product usage and satisfaction on a regular basis.3. 

3. Amazon

Most visitors will not take the time to provide a detailed evaluation of a product or their purchasing experience. With the following short and targeted survey, Amazon efficiently obtains the input required to ensure that future customers know which size to purchase to be completely happy with the purchase.

Conclusion

Customer satisfaction surveys are a powerful and necessary instrument if you want to earn hearts and loyalties for your business. You can enhance your product, service, and overall customer experience with their feedback, resulting in higher revenue and more loyal consumers.

Advanced Digital Marketing for Startups Founders

The increase in eCommerce and digital marketing in 2021, to name two, as well as the seismic upheavals in social media advertising prompted by the iOS 14 upgrade, have all resulted in some exciting advances in digital marketing over the last year.

There will be a lot to catch up on if you plan to advertise your startup in the coming months. In the past eight years, Hawke Media has worked with thousands of startups, and I can honestly state there has never been a better moment to get started.

So, let's take a quick look at what's going on in digital marketing right now and what we know will happen next.

Making Plans for Your Startup's Marketing Strategy

Companies with extra finances run the danger of overpaying on initiatives that deliver genuine, long-term benefits. They'll run ads everywhere in an attempt to dominate their market with a sudden brand presence, with no consideration for their target audience or critical demographics.

Most startups, on the other hand, do not face this issue. Marketing expenditures are typically limited.

When every dollar matters, concentrate on the message that will most successfully attract your target audience. That entails knowing your target audience, where they reside, where they congregate online, and what will entice them to adopt your brand.

Spread Your Budget Thinly, But Stay Focused

A combination of hyper-focused ads on important audience segments is something we will see more of shortly. We are not yet at the stage where we can offer tailored ads to each individual, but key demographics within your audience will undoubtedly respond better to some ads than others. Through brand awareness, conversions, and retargeting, who may deliver each audience group messages across various channels in succession.

That is due to two factors. For starters, viewers are rarely confined to a single medium these days. They dispersed their attention over a variety of social media channels and content outlets. As a result, companies become omnipresent rather than being "always-on" on a signal channel, following their consumers wherever they go.

The second reason is that we now have the capabilities to integrate advertising across various platforms so that messaging remains consistent without being repetitive or dull. If someone likes your video on Instagram, they may be targeted with follow-up messages and retargeting on YouTube, Google, or Facebook.

Traditional A/B testing is on its way out, while AI is on its way in.

A/B testing is presently one of the most effective methods of internet advertising. It assists marketers in ad optimization by testing two ads simultaneously with a variance between them, such as the picture or title. You retain the one that performs better, discard the other, and test another variant until you have found the best version of your ad.

While A/B testing isn't costly, it is time-consuming. When deciding on variants, it frequently depends on guessing or imitating what has worked for other businesses in the past.

Early Results of Martech AI

Martech AI is already replacing A/B testing. It utilizes artificial intelligence to select the best ad layout for your target audience automatically. What used to take months now takes a few minutes. Run five or six ads, collect a few hundred impressions, and then pass the data to the AI to choose the optimal version.

Since we began working with Junction AI at Hawke Media early this year, the outcomes for our clients have been nothing short of astounding. Click-through rates (CTRs) can increase by up to 30%, and impressions can increase by up to 300%.

Influencers Are Critical to the Success of Startups

In the last two years, influencers have been critical to the success of numerous startups. It's an excellent method to gain quick visibility for your business, as well as the ever-important third-party validation. Rather than relying just on ad content, your brand is marketed to your target audience by individuals they already know and trust.

Whether they have millions or just a thousand followers, the finest influencers today are those who give accurate material and have won their followers' trust. That means that your connection with those influencers must be genuine rather than based only on a payment.

A good influencer would aim to provide more than simply a product endorsement to their audience. They want to offer special deals or vital information about your company that aren't available elsewhere. So, after you've determined who your core market will be, the ideal time to start engaging with influencers is likely now, far before your launch date.

Genuine Interactions are more critical than ever before

At Hawke Media, we've observed that the most influential influencers are those that take the time to connect with their fans on a human level, either directly through their live content or simply by reacting to comments. We've seen this across the board, and it's a lesson that applies well to companies that want to engage their consumers - genuine interactions are typically the quickest way to win over an audience.

Live events, for example, are becoming increasingly popular as long as they are delivered on a platform that audiences can accept. The old-fashioned webinars that forced listeners to be spectators are no longer available. People nowadays want to connect with live events and participate in discussion panels. These events mimic the in-person experience without requiring anybody to leave the comfort of their home offices, increasing loyalty and fostering a feeling of community.

Where is Be Will Digital Marketing in the Future?

Last year, Hawke Media hosted eCommerce Week LA with over 45 panels and workshops, over 100 presenters, and over 7,000 participants. With eCommerce Week LA 2021, we're holding another exciting week of events geared mainly for startups to explore what's going on in the sector and what we expect to happen in the coming year.

That isn't your typical live conference. You'll be able to join us from anywhere in the globe as we talk with venture capitalists, rock-star CEOs, mentors, best-selling authors, pro athletes, and some of the most significant changemakers in their fields. I can't think of a better method to separate the truth from the rumors or to feel inspired and motivated for the following year.

Startup entrepreneurs and teams are welcome to attend eCommerce Week LA 2021 for free online. So sign up today to book your VIP spot at the year's most exciting e-commerce event.

How to Manage a Startup Business: 7 Beginners Tips

1. Take Decisive Steps 

Suppose you have a terrific concept for a profitable business. It doesn't matter how brilliant an idea is if you don't take action to make it a reality.

As the vision bearer, you must take significant measures to establish, fund, and manage the firm. The change will not occur until you take responsibility and begin preparing what to do to start moving.

2. Market Research

The first step is to thoroughly research the market/industry in which you wish to invest. Whatever your business concept, you must thoroughly research your rivals. It is essential to approach the market with the understanding that there are other traders with great ideas.

Conduct a market research study to learn about your rivals, their products and services, and how they reach their customers. With this knowledge, you can price your goods and services competitively.

You must also identify your target demographics, including age, region, and preferences. Every practical company choice must be based on current consumer needs and desires because customers are the primary source of money for businesses, who must prioritize them.

3. Know Your Target Audience Before Spending

To be successful in business, you must first define your target market. The examination of potential consumers is part of market research. To achieve sustained company profitability, you must sell your goods and services to more than just family and friends.

It's also critical to understand how current market conditions impact demand for your goods and services. For example, the best company services and products are marketed to satisfy a community need. It means that if you sell items or services that people want, your firm will be profitable.

Who may do market research cheaply? For example, a market survey is free. To do "desktop" research, you can read and follow news sources, publications, and forums related to your business.

4. Pool Your Startup Funds

You are the first investor in your startup because you invested your own money in it, expecting a high return. Typically, starting a new firm requires a significant cash investment.

You can borrow money to start your business if you don't have enough money to create one. You could be eligible for a grant. See US Grants for further information.

Before seeking external funding, you, as the entrepreneur, must first invest your own money into the firm. Once you have spent your finances (equity), you may start looking for investors that share your vision and are willing to invest.

When seeking company funding, the first place to go is generally family and friends. Then, if you still need money, desire for angel and venture capitalists. Local banks, credit unions, and cooperatives may also offer business loans.

5. Business Risks & Challenges

Risks and obstacles can influence every new business or investment initiative. To prevent or manage business risks and difficulties, you must first recognize and understand them. Only then can you create a thorough strategy to deal with future setbacks.

Once you've identified and listed all the risks and problems, you may devise a plan to prevent, mitigate, or manage them. Consult others to help you identify dangers and difficulties and find solutions.

6. Join A Reliable Team

It's tough to succeed alone or without a solid team. To obtain the skills and monetary resources you lack working alone, you must partner with like-minded individuals. Your business partner should be a soulmate who shares your vision and goal.

It would help if you also had a coach. A mentor will inspire you, teach you new skills, help you define your company's goal and vision, help you create business networks, and more. A mentor is a successful businessman, educator, or business coach.

7. Create Business Networks

Building your company network demonstrates your dedication to the venture and is critical to its success. The appropriate networks help you increase sales, discover new partners, lenders, and coworkers, and grow your business operations.

Remember that others will trust you if you believe in your business and are committed to it.

So, how do you interact with other company owners? Begin by joining several business organizations and networking events. Startups should stick to local business gatherings. You also consider attending professional and trade groups meetings.

The next stage is to learn from the more senior and experienced business professionals. Talking to successful business individuals and hearing their success stories may provide invaluable information. Introduce yourself and what you do; they may have valuable business advice for you.

Remember to repay the favor by assisting other company owners and partners. So you'll be the first person they think of when they encounter a potential customer who wants your products or services.

Top 5 Best Industries to Reteach in 2021

At the moment, finding employment seems like an epic quest. Sometimes you receive money and coffee as a return for your efforts, while other times, you get nothing but irritation. From industry to industry, sector to sector, the workforce suffered its most significant shake-up since the advent of the internet. Employees have been caught in the crossfire, unable to do anything except go with the flow.

With that in mind, these are the five most OK sectors to consider moving to in 2021. A few months on a training course may result in a significant career change.

Here are this year's top five trending industries and sectors:

1. Information Technology

IT has been a hot topic for years. Still, our demand for and dependence on extensive computer resources has increased rapidly since the epidemic. The laptop shortage of 2020 is still going on, demonstrating how much the world has grown dependent on working from home (WFH). However, it is not a fad. Even when we return to the workplace, we will need IT, experts. From data analysis and web architecture to programming and software implementation, crunch data, one of the top IT job sites on the internet, has the best IT jobs.

2. Medical Care

Healthcare in the United States is expected to have a net value of $2,612 billion in 2020 (Statista), up from $800 billion in 2010. It is an almost 300 percent increase. There's no disputing that healthcare is a thriving industry. And it is critical to retain personnel such as physicians and nurses because we have seen what happens when a virus hits and threatens to devastate healthcare systems. In addition, retraining your work skills in healthcare may lead to a lifetime career.

3. Online Learning

A comparable increase has occurred in the number of educational institutions that have gone online. However, some systems do not plan to reintroduce students to campus until at least next year. It would imply that more online courses will migrate so that distant students can access them. Nevertheless, in 2020, there was a substantial increase in online education and e-Learning, and this trend is expected to continue.

4. Food Services

Even though restaurants are an essential source of employment, we saw as many as 110,000 establishments close by 2020, not including fast food and take-out businesses. While nations were under lockdown and eating out was impossible, fast food and takeaway restaurants saw a surge in demand. Therefore, Food services is a critical growth sector that will always be in a great market.

5. Electronic Entertainment

Despite being officially a part of IT, gaming and electronic entertainment grew more popular last year. It is because we needed to amuse ourselves more since we spent more time at home.

As a result of this need, game creation is a critical sector emphasized for future trends. Gaming may be your next great thing if you have the intellect and imagination for it.