Increase Your Visual Content Engagement in 5 Steps (Infographic)

Visual content is very powerful -- yet many business owners create content and it doesn’t perform as expected. You can’t publish visual content and expect instant website traffic and social shares to just happen. An effective piece of visual content tells your story and really pulls the reader in. So, what exactly is an effective piece of visual content?

In an effort to explain what steps are required to publish a piece of visual content that engages your target market, my company teamed up with HubSpot to create this infographic.

Here are the five steps to creating effective visual content:

More at:http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/244443

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10 Warning Signs of too Much Debt

Do you have debt that is bogging you down and keeping you from reaching your financial goals? Using credit and debt can be a powerful tool that allows you to buy a home, a vehicle, send children to college, and even provide leverage for other purchases, but when you accumulate too much debt, it can pose a serious problem.

Keeping up with your debt payments is only part of the problem. Just because

you can afford to fit these payments into your budget, you’re still putting added strain on your finances. Money that is used towards paying down debt can’t be used elsewhere. That means if you’re spending money each month on credit card or other unnecessary debt, you’re taking money away from other areas of your budget that can be used to build wealth and plan for the future.

It can be difficult to actually realize when you’ve reached a critical point with your debt situation, but there are some warning signs that can help you identify the problem before it becomes too serious to address. Here are a series of statements to compare to your situation. If any of these apply to you, it is time to stop and take action to remedy the problem.

10 Warning Signs of too Much Debt

1. You don’t have any savings.
    
2. You only make the minimum payment on your credit cards each month.
    
3. You continue to make more purchases on your credit cards while trying to pay it off.
    
4. You have at least one credit card that is near, at, or over the credit limit.
5. You are occasionally late in making payments on bills, credit cards, or other expenses.
    
6. You don’t even know how much total debt you actually have.
    
7. You use cash advances from your credit cards to pay other bills.
8. You bounce checks or overdraw your bank accounts.
    
9. You’ve been denied credit.
    
10. You lie to friends or family about your spending and debt.
11. Take Action Now

    Sometimes we know deep down inside that we have a debt problem, but it is easier to deny the problem than to address it. It can be painful and require hard work, but the sooner you realize that you are in over your head, you can begin to make positive changes. Delaying changes to your habits will only prolong the problem and make it worse. If you don’t think you can tackle the problem alone, there are people out there willing to help.

More at:http://financialplan.about.com/od/creditdebtmanagement/qt/WarningSigns.htm

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The Psychology of Spending Money

The Real Culprit Behind Your Urge to Splurge In a perfect world, we would all avoid too much credit card debt and would never have to deal with the desperation of being unable to meet our credit card payment obligations.

We'd never have creditors hounding us for payment.

We'd never know the frustration of not being able to afford what we really want because every extra cent has to go towards keeping up with the minimum payments on our credit cards.

But this isn't a perfect world, and unfortunately these distressing situations are the norm for many people.

If you find yourself in this position, or headed there, take control of your spending now. Don't wait until your situation is so dire that you have few options available to you.

An important aspect of debt that is not always addressed is why you got too deeply into debt in the first place. Why did you keep charging items you couldn't afford? Why did you feel the urge to use those little plastic cards for things that weren't necessary, even when you began to struggle to make the payments? What causes your compulsive shopping?

Facing the factors that give you the urge to splurge can be uncomfortable, but if you don't face them, you may never get control of your spending and your debt. If you're always trying to pay off yesterday's purchases, many of which have long since worn out or been forgotten, how will you acquire the things you truly want for tomorrow?

One negative aspect of using credit cards instead of cash is that you don't feel like you're spending real money. The pleasant feelings you experience when you purchase the item are disconnected from the unpleasant or painful feelings of making the payment when you get the credit card statement.

Studies show that most people are much less likely to buy, or less willing to spend as much, when paying with cash as opposed to credit cards. Try leaving your credit cards at home. Pay with cash, check, or a debit card.

To really get control of your spending and your credit card debt, you need to examine what money means to you. Make an effort to notice how you interact with money and what beliefs and attitudes you have about money. Studies also show that people with low self-esteem engage in more impulse spending and buying things they don't need.

Remind yourself daily that money or a lack of it doesn't determine who you are. Your worth as a person has nothing to do with how much money you have. Once you truly believe this, and money is no longer connected to your sense of self-worth, you open up the psychological barriers that were keeping you from wisely handling the money you do have and limiting your ability to make more.

Right now, your unconscious limiting beliefs may be keeping you from being financially successful, but as you begin to build up your feelings of self-worth and develop a positive attitude about yourself and about money, you'll attract positive things into your life. As you do so, you'll feel less of a need to generate positive feelings by purchasing things, and you'll find it easier to stop buying items you don't really need.

There are hundreds of books, magazine articles, and Internet web sites about getting rid of credit card debt. Some of them offer sound advice about the psychological aspects of money and spending that you'd do well to consider.

If psychological factors influence your spending, credit reduction programs are like using perfume to cover body odor: they will treat only the symptoms, not the root cause. Working on the psychological aspects while taking steps to reduce debt will greatly increase your chances of long-term success.

More at: http://financialplan.about.com/cs/creditdebt/a/UrgeToSplurge.htm

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The Urge to Splurge

Do You Indulge in Impulse Spending or Over Spending? Does your spouse or partner complain that you're spending too much money? When your credit card bill arrives, are you surprised to you find that you charged more during the month than you thought? Does your closet contain lots of shoes or clothes that you almost never wear? Do you own every gadget known to man (or woman)? Do you come home from the mall with items you had no intention of buying? Do you spend money on things that you didn't realize you needed until you saw them on display in the store?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you probably suffer from impulse spending. When people are unable to save money for the things that are really important to them, like a house, a new car, a vacation, or retirement, impulse spending is often the culprit.

If you don't have specific financial goals, it's more difficult to resist spending money on items that don't really have any meaning to you. Once you're already saving regularly towards your most important financial goals, you may want to have a fund to use specifically for occasionally spending money on unplanned items. Then you can indulge in occasional impulse spending without jeopardizing your financial future.

Impulse spending, or recreational shopping, can put a strain on both your finances and your relationships. To overcome the urge to spend money, learn to recognize your needs from your wants. We're constantly bombarded with messages from advertisers who appeal to our psychological needs to tempt us into spending money on things we want but may not need. Allow a cooling-off period before spending money on anything you haven't planned for in advance.

One method of controlling your spending that works well is to carry an index card in your wallet. When you see something you want to buy, write it on the card. Force yourself to wait two weeks (or any other period of time you set for yourself, but at least a week) before spending the money on this item. During this cooling off period, if you see something else you want, add it to the card. However, you can never have more than three items on the card at any one time, so to add a fourth item, you have to remove one of the other items from the list. If you're an impulse spender, you'll find that you're frequently crossing items off to make room for the newest "must have" thing.

Another good rule to adopt is to pay cash whenever possible. When you go shopping, leave your credit cards at home. Most impulse spenders use credit cards more often than not. When you use credit cards, the reality of the amount of money you're spending and how you're going to come up with that money, is suppressed. When you pay with cash, it feels like you're spending "real" money.

Learn to recognize wants from needs, and practice controlling your impulses to spend your money on things you don't really need, and you'll be able to change your spending habits and end up far ahead financially.

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How to Stop Impulsive Credit Card Spending

Impulsive credit card purchases feel good the instant you make the purchases and for a while after you enjoy whatever you’ve purchased. But, the honeymoon period ends once you get your credit card statement in the mail and you realize you actually have to pay for what you bought.

Impulsive credit card spending can be costly, especially since you don’t have to actually visit the store to use your credit card. Your spending impulses can cause you to rack up debt right from your living room by making phone or internet purchases. If you want to stop racking up credit card debt, you have to learn to control your impulses.

Learn the Cause Of Your Impulse Credit Card Purchases

What triggers your impulse spending? When you get the urge to make an impulsive credit card purchase, pay attention to how you’re feeling. Are you sad or angry about something? Are you trying to impress someone? Do you get a thrill form making credit card purchases? Impulsive credit card spending is based on emotions. Paying attention to how you feel when you make impulsive credit card buys can help you get your credit card purchases under control.

Tips to Curb Impulsive Spending

Don’t buy right away. Keep an impulsive shopping list in your purse or wallet. Rather than make a purchase the instant you get the urge, write it down and think about it for at least one week. Give yourself a month for purchases more than $500.

Then,if you still want the item and you can afford to purchase it, go back and buy it with cash.

Plan your purchases. Don’t let things you see in the store dictate how you spend. Instead, plan your purchases by making a list before you shop. Avoid buying things that aren't on your shopping list, giving an exception gives you an excuse to make even more exceptions.

Set spending priorities. Mortgage payment or new television? When you see the choice right in front of you, it seems easy enough. Yet, many people prioritize their spending based on what feels good rather than what makes sense. In the spur of the moment, you might find yourself spending your mortgage money on a new flat screen tv, then borrowing money from friends and family to pay your mortgage. Make a list of what’s most important and follow that list when it’s time to make credit card purchases. Take care of your needs before your wants.

Don’t deprive yourself. Some impulsive credit card spending comes from keeping your spending on such a tight leash that you never get to enjoy your money. Rather than starving yourself financially, allocate some money to spend on things you like. Keep your leisure spending in check, though, and be careful not to overspend.

Leave your credit cards at home. If you don’t have your credit card in your wallet, you can’t use it right? When you go shopping, carry only enough cash to buy the things that are on your list, not a penny more. Keep your priorities in mind and don’t make any unplanned purchases.

Shop with a partner. Shop with someone you can trust to help keep your spending in check. Make sure this person won’t an enabler to your spending impulses and will stop you from making purchases you haven’t planned and can’t afford.

Give in to your second thoughts. Don’t be afraid to put back something you know you really shouldn’t purchase, even if the clerk has already scanned it and put it into your basket. In the long run, it’s much better to put something back than it is to pay for it because you were too afraid not to purchase it.

More at:http://credit.about.com/od/reducingdebt/a/stop-impulsive-credit-card-spending.htm

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5 Bad Money Habits You Need to Quit ASAP

Even if you have the best of intentions, you can still find yourself getting into trouble with your money—especially if you’ve fallen into one of these dangerous money habits.

If you’ve been struggling with your finances, take a look at this list to make sure you’re not sabotaging yourself with any of these bad habits.

1. Impulse Purchasing

Impulse purchases are all about emotion. You see a sale youdon’t want to miss or an item you long to have immediately, and you jump to buy it before you think rationally about whether you really need it or can really afford it.

To curb impulse spending, force yourself to wait a certain period (it could be a day or 30) before pulling the trigger on a purchase. It will give you time to really think about your decision, and chances are you’ll realize you don’t really need it after all.

2. Not Budgeting

You will never stay afloat financially—never mind actually getting ahead—if you don’t have a budget in place and know how to stick to it. A budget allows you to see how much money you’re bringing in and where it’s all going, and it enables you to make changes that help you save more money and avoid going into the red each month.

Budgeting doesn’t have to be a big chore. Sign up with a program like Mint that automatically tracks your spending for you, and all you have to do is pop into your dashboard each day to make sure you’re staying on track and make adjustments as needed.

3. Relying on Credit Cards

Unless you’re able to pay the balance off in full each month, using credit cards is one of the worst things you can do for your finances—especially if you’re using them to live above your means. Every dollar you put on a card will cost you many times more in interest, and you could spend years of your life and thousands of dollars paying down purchases you don’t even remember making anymore.

No purchase is so important it’s worth that.

4. Love of Convenience

Every once in a while, a convenience purchase can be a nice treat, or a necessary exception if you’re in a great hurry. But if you find yourself regularly making convenience purchases, you’re just being lazy, and it’s costing you.

Stop getting fast food every day and learn to make a few basic meals in bulk that you can enjoy throughout the week. Stop buying a pricey latte on the way into work every morning and get up 5 minutes early to brew a cup at home. A little extra work on your part could wind up saving you big-time.

5. Personal Vices

Yes, this includes traditional “vices” like drinking, smoking and gambling. But it also includes less-obvious vices like eating out way too much or being a shopaholic—anything that tempts you to spend large amounts of money you know you shouldn’t be spending.

Quit these bad habits and your life, not just your wallet, will be happier for it.

More at:http://budgeting.about.com/od/Optimizing-Your-Finances/fl/5-Bad-Money-Habits-You-Need-to-Quit

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What business lessons can we learn from the Manchester Christmas Market traders?

With German Christmas markets a festive draw in city centres throughout Europe, ‘tis the season to eat bratwurst and browse for gifts. For the sixteenth year, the much-loved German Christmas markets have returned to Manchester, boasting an array of wonderful stalls run by small businesses from the North West city and beyond.

With more than 300 stalls in such proximity, competition is rife. The pressure is on to win over consumers and market traders have learned many valuable business lessons over the years. We spoke to three traders to find out what they believed were the most important business lessons they’ve learned from trading in such a competitive environment.

Be unique

Phil Fowler owns a small local business called Popsters, which transforms old records into clocks and coasters. A labour of love for Phil, Popsters only trades face to face at the Manchester Markets, selling online throughout the rest of the year. 

Phil believes that to catch the eye of potential customers you must bring unique products to the market. But while Popsters’ vinyl gifts are one-of-a-kind, he knows that having a one-off product on its own is not necessarily enough to seal the deal. “It’s tempting to think that because I’ve got a unique product, that’s all I need,” he says. “You can’t get my product anywhere else, but actually I’m still competing with everybody else who’s got a gift item to sell in the same price bracket.”

Listen to your customers

Another key lesson we learned from the Manchester traders is the importance of getting to know your customers. Standing in a customer-facing environment, seven days a week for five weeks solid means that traders get plenty of face-time with their customers. All three interviewees were unanimous about the importance of building good customer relationships and listening to their feedback.

Ken Jackson, from handmade gift specialists Timber Treasures, comments: “I think having a good relationship with customers is vital. Having a nice chat with them, keeping them happy – even if they’re not buying – you still need to try to maintain a good rapport with them.”

Similarly, Graham Kirkham, from Garstang-based cheesemakers Mrs Kirkham’s, advises: “Listen to what your customers are telling you, time and time again. Even if it’s criticism – don’t take it in a bad way.”

Develop your product range

Listening to the customer is only half the battle. Acting on their feedback is imperative to success. Graham adds: “As a result of feedback, we’ve introduced more blue cheeses and more soft cheeses. Refresh your stall, refresh what you’re doing, keep it interesting and keep your customers interested.”

These traders spend a great deal of time vying for public attention in a crowded marketplace and the lessons they can teach us are pertinent no matter how big or established your business. Keep these three basic business principles in mind if you want to maintain a competitive edge and thrive in 2015.

More at: http://www.startupdonut.co.uk/blog/category/sales-and-marketing

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