Tuesday, April 28, 2020

How to Use YouTube Live to Grow Your Business: A Guide for Freelance Social Media Marketers

How to Use YouTube Live to Grow Your Business: A Guide for Freelance Social Media Marketers

YouTube Live is used to transform online videos into an interactive experience and has been a popular choice for freelance social media managers in Dubai. The platform has over 500 hours of videos posted after every minute, making it the most popular video-sharing channel in the world. 

Many contemporary social media marketers have invested in other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter in a bid to expand their audience and to drive more sales. While these three (and others) are important, failure to use YouTube as one of the primary social media channels for your business makes you miss out on great methods of lead generation. 

Apart from helping you to attract new clients, YouTube is an excellent tool for customer retention. People are more likely to be convinced through a video than on writing. Besides, YouTube is quite easy to embed on other platforms, including your blog. 

This means that you do not have to create different videos for every social media page that your business runs. However, you should learn how to make powerful video sale letters as they are essential when trying to convert the traffic. 

While uploading and sharing YouTube videos is a great start, it is not enough if you want to optimize your brand. You also need to take advantage and jump on the live streaming bandwagon. 

The YouTube live streaming feature has been greatly appreciated by many freelance social media marketers in Dubai, as some of them are even using it to host virtual events. It is a great way for businesses to get interactive with their audiences in real-time. But how does someone use YouTube live to engage their audience while still boosting their business?

This post takes you through the nitty-gritty of using YouTube live to grow your business. 

The Basics

Unlike going live on other platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, your channel has to be verified first. All that you need is to add your phone number and insert the verification code shared with you. 

It should take at most 24 hours for your account to become active and ready for live streaming. However, note that you require at least 1,000 subscribers to go live on mobile devices. 

The next step is to set up your encoding software. Depending on the device you plan on using to go live, there are plenty of encoding software verified by YouTube that you can use, such as Mobile Capture, Mobile Live, AirServer, Epiphan Webcaster X2, Gameshow, and many others. Once this is set, you are ready to begin your first YouTube live session. 

Tips to Consider for YouTube Live

Before you start your first YouTube live session, here are a couple of things to consider:

1. Prepare the basics

Before launching any social media campaigns, you ought to figure out what your goals are. What do you intend to achieve during and after that live session? If you have a team presenting, determine the roles of each member and what they will be saying. 

Other factors to consider before going live is whether or not you will need a moderator, a camera operator, or if the chat function will be activated. Furthermore, here are some things to prep before starting your live:

  • Get an accurate and keyword-oriented title to use.
  • The description has to be straight to the point with important links and/or relevant hashtags.
  • Get a relevant thumbnail image with a minimum width of 640 pixels.
  • The script has to be there. Even if you’ll not read it word by word, it is still important to have it, even if it is in point form.
  • The call to action should also be on the description and don’t forget to mention it to your audience as well (it can be included in the script).

2. Optimize the setup

Since you can’t redo or undo something during a live recording, you have to optimize your setup by taking note of the following checklist:

  • Framing your shot to ensure there are no distracting or inappropriate things blocking the view or in the background.
  • Adjusting lighting to provide picture clarity
  • Check and test your audio and internet connection
  • Turn off all interruptions

Also, if you are planning to launch a product, ensure that you have it with you so that you can take your audience on a quick tour or review of the item.

3. Pick a good time

A live session needs people to take their time to watch you in real-time. This means that they should have some time to spare. Do your research on what is the best time to go live, determined by when the majority of your audience will be around. To find this out, you can conduct a poll on other social media platforms or in the comments of your YouTube content.

4. Engage the audience

Getting people to your live stream is one thing; however, keeping them there is a whole other battle. Some engagement boosting tactics to employ are:

  • Providing recaps for the new viewers
  • Build anticipation
  • Shout out to names
  • Enable a live chat

5. Repurpose your YouTube live videos

After every session, don’t forget to save the video so that it can be viewed by your followers that missed the recording. Also, the video can be used and shared to other platforms by you or your audience, which goes a long way towards creating brand awareness. 

Conclusion

YouTube Live is a goldmine for businesses that really want to grow. Don’t be left behind. Get in touch with the best freelance social media managers in Dubai and discover the many benefits of this feature. 

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5 Ways to Update Old Cabinets: A Guide for Freelance Interior Designers

5 Ways to Update Old Cabinets: A Guide for Freelance Interior Designers

Freelance interior designers in Dubai are always on the search for the latest trends on how to breathe life to dull spaces. Home cabinets are probably some of the most expensive components of your house. Whenever they become old, regardless of where they are located, for instance, in the kitchen, living room, or bathrooms, a complete overhaul will prove to be more expensive. 

When you have the cabinets updated, they not only make it appear prettier but also improves the value of the home; hence, appealing to future buyers. Even if the house isn’t sold any time soon, these fresh cabinets will make you more confident about your house.

So how do you add some flair to your old cabinets? 

1. Throw on some new paint

Paint is probably the most popular method used by the professionals to bring back life to dead cabinetry. Paint affects how the light permeates the house. Having dark colors painted on your cabinets make them appear dull, which is going to be the general feel of the space. Brighten up the place with some light colors. 

All that you need for a start is a sandpaper & strong cleaner, a little elbow grease, paintbrush, and of course the paint itself. What you don’t require is a ton of money, as the end result is almost as good as a new unit.

2. Change or add door hardware

Believe it or not, but the door hardware on your cabinets have a significant impact on the general aesthetics of the unit. Without having to change the physical door, the knobs and pulls can be changed and replaced with trendier ones. Metals with modern designs such as copper, nickel, and brushed chrome can work wonders on your old cabinets. 

The styles you choose can also change. While there are people who prefer to go without any handles or doorknobs, it is prudent to consult first with your freelance interior designer in the UAE, whether or not the door types can support that. 

Other homeowners might prefer more intricate and curvy oblong designs for their door hardware. Whichever the choice you make, having a change on cabinet door hardware brings the old cabinet units back to life. However, you shouldn’t fall into the trap of following the trends as this is one of the biggest design mistakes to avoid in 2020.

3. Replace cabinet doors

At some point, the cabinet doors begin to show their age. This can be attributed to the wear and tear that they have been exposed to over the years, or their style is simply outdated. When this happens, you might have to replace the doors while the other parts of the unit remain intact. 

There are many options to choose from when it comes to picking the best doors for your old cabinets. However, whichever type you decide to settle on, they ought to reflect the general aesthetic of your space. There are traditional wood cabinets, those fitted with glass (these can be categorized into transparent, translucent or opaque), and many others. At the end of the day, the design you pick depends on your unique style.

4. Add interior storage

Adding interior storage to an old cabinet affects more of the functionality than the looks. However, the benefits that come with it are so worth it. You can make the most out of your old cabinet’s storage space by installing drawer base pull out shelves. Your items will become easier to access, and also your room will appear more organized. 

Other ways freelance interior designers in Dubai can add more storage to your cabinets is by installing pegboard drawer organizer systems, anti-slip drawer liner mats, etc. The type of extra storage to go for depends on where the cabinets are and what their purpose is. If, for instance, you’re remodeling the wardrobe cabinets for a child, then you have to consider their toys and study space.

5. Add crown molding

If your old cabinets are still in good shape, but you feel like they need an upgrade, nothing screams “I spent a lot of money on these cabinets” like crown molding. These kinds of trims transform your storage cabinets into a seamless design. 

Furthermore, apart from adding personality to your room, wood cabinet detailing also grandeur and more height. Be sure to learn how to paint the moldings like a pro, to add a consistent pattern to your decor. 

Take Away

Your cabinetry is a direct reflection of your style and commitment to quality. Having old cabinets and limited finances to support a complete overhaul shouldn’t give you a dilemma. These simple tips and the assistance of a freelance interior designer in Dubai are all that you need to give your home a refreshing new look.

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How to Grow Your Business on Social Media in 2020// Social Media Marketing in Dubai

How to Grow Your Business on Social Media in 2020// Social Media Marketing in Dubai

As the internet is gaining more coverage around the globe, there is an influx of social media sites. Many companies are striving to place an advertisement on leading social media sites. Celebrities and companies are equally launching products on these platforms. Social media is thus slowly becoming an integral part of our society. Social media marketing in Dubai and across the globe has enabled businesses to drive sales and improve their products and services through customer experience feedback gathered from these sites.

Social media is an excellent way of increasing brand awareness online. Most internet users have discovered some brands online when visiting social media sites. As accustomed, once people spot a brand, they dive deeper to seek out more information relating thereby directing traffic to the brand. As a result, the products are ranked among the top searches, thus making it more discoverable by the internet. Any search for a related item will automatically land you on the product. It implies that, once you click on the search button for the product, the cluster under which it belongs to or a related item, the result will land you at that product. It applies to all internet users, even the ones without the intention of looking up the product or are also not aware of it will stumble upon it in their attempt to choose what to go for. Social media can, therefore, play a pivotal role to influence consumer trends. There are several ways to grow a business through brand awareness on social media. They are discussed below.

12 Best Ways to Increase Brand Awareness Through Social Media

Brand awareness through social media is critical for the growth of any business. The more people know and share about you, the more you are likely to gain market. Continue reading to find out how best to increase or boost awareness of a brand on social media.

1. Share great content to increase brand awareness

When creating content, seek to add value to the audience by publishing information that leads to more discovery of the product. Remember to share solutions by answering their questions consistently and promptly. Keep up with the current trends and avoid duplicating or repeating previous posts.

2. Follow influencers

Social media being all about influence no one does it better than industry influencers. Follow them and engage them on social. Use any possible chance you have to network with their followers through commentaries or answering queries.

3. Use visual content 

Visual content is considered more appealing to social media users than a text-only post. Express your brand through graphics and pictures. Posts containing images draw more attention than just plain text. Remember to create content that the audience craves.

4. Apply different tone for different platforms

Different social media sites call for different tones when connecting with users. It is because the audience varies depending on the business that primarily goes on the website. You can be playful on twitter than LinkedIn because unlike Twitter, LinkedIn is more of a professional social site and thus a bit serious. 

5. Avoid posting similar content on all channels

It is not advisable to make similar posts across social channels. If you want to share a similar piece of information on many channels, write a unique message along with the information that you seek to post. Do not copy and paste one post all over the social media platforms.

6. Consistent branding across channels same as the website

Establish a branding style to guide you. Stick to company colors and themes. Make a business logo and use it always. Maintain a vibrant brand across all channels, websites, and blogs. It will enable people to recognize you, thereby increasing awareness of the brand quickly.

7. Start a blog

Use the blog to inform your audience on new trends and create posts that offer solutions to common problems. Share the content throughout your channels. Remember, good quality content will be cross shared by many of your readers. Use tested and proven methods to promote your blog spot. However, when engaging the audience, it is essential to note that social media marketing in Dubai is subject to the set regulations that govern social media in general.

8. Ask questions to instigate conversations

Share items in your channels that can start conversations around a specific topic. It is a great way to keep your audience engaged and learning something new. Choose a trending or a very engaging subject. If you can tackle it well, then non-followers may start joining your conversations. Keep doing what you do best, and they are likely not just to follow you henceforth but also tap in more followers to your channels.

9. Boost successful posts

Fund the social accounts and boost your posts to reach a wider audience. There are high chances to grow your audience when many people see your posts. It is an excellent way of making people aware of the brand.

10. Use social listening tools

When someone mentions your brand, these tools give you an alert which enables you to engage with the person right away. Social listening tools will let you monitor your platforms for direct mention of your brand, customer feedback, and any discussions related to topics, competitors, industry, or keywords. The data is then analyzed, and the results shared. Based on the results, you can see insights and missed opportunities and formulate a strategy for your campaign. HubSpot, Hootsuite, and Buffer are some of the leading social listening tools.

11. Share your CSR activities

When you have a community social responsibility program in action, then share everything about it. People have shown increasingly lean towards brands that give back to the community. Organize for activities and post each with compelling captions on social media for everyone to see.

12. Use of GIFs

GIFs make rounds on social media platforms. They are shared and re-shared many times over and are simple to make. Record funny videos relating to the brand then convert it into a GIF. It can go viral before you know it, the whole world will be knocking at your door.

How to choose the right social media platform for your company may be an uphill task. However, when conducting social media marketing in Dubai, approach various social media channels differently so that you can gain a wider following. 

Conclusion

Brand awareness plays a crucial role in growing your business. It has enabled many companies to identify and set new marketing campaign strategies that have yielded positive results. Companies have been allowed to engage with consumers through feedback directly. Apply the points above as a guide to succeed in your campaign.

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Instagram Best Practices for Marketers: A Guide for Freelance Social Media Managers in Dubai

Instagram Best Practices for Marketers: A Guide for Freelance Social Media Managers in Dubai

Freelance social media managers in Dubai have mastered the art of using every useful platform to increase engagement, especially if one wants their brand to remain relevant. Knowing the ins and outs of a social media channel such as Instagram is a way to determine whether or not your marketing strategies become successful. 

 If you haven’t figured out how to get the most of your engagement and increase sales on Instagram, now is the time to do so. With over a billion active users on Instagram, the platform has enabled the growth of thousands, if not millions of businesses across the globe. Over the years, it has evolved from just a photo-sharing app to an essential tool businesses use to target their prospects.

Instagram as a Great Marketing Platform

Having a business Instagram profile entails more than just posting pictures and videos without a solid plan. There are a lot of things to take into consideration before launching your social media campaigns, meaning whatever you post or comment on such a platform, has a great impact on your brand.

Since every business has its own goals, the first thing to consider is whether or not Instagram is the best social media platform for your company. If you can engage your audience and show off your brand with a unique visual identity, then this is the channel for you. 

Stand out from the rest while using Instagram as a marketing platform for your business with these trends to keep track of in 2020.

1. Interactive Instagram stories

Since its inception in August 2016, the stories feature on this channel was used by people and businesses alike to keep their audience up to speed on minor things. Many advances have been made, making it an interactive platform. There are many best practices for Instagram stories to follow if you wish to engage your audience in a more personal way. Some of the ways you can make your stories more interactive is using polls, questions, and posting ads with a purchasable link. 

Other businesses might choose to use the stories feature to announce a new product or post made to their page or on their website. Either way, try and use the many interactive options on your Instagram stories for maximum engagement.

2. Stay ahead with the latest Instagram trends

Instagram is constantly changing, and that’s why you require a qualified freelance social media manager in Dubai to monitor the latest trends. Features such as the story’s features were received positively, with millions of businesses using it to their advantage. Brands and influencers are all racing to capitalize on these new functions whenever they are launched to engage their followers actively.

If you own a business, ensure to find out more on how to correctly use other useful features such as IGTV, Instagram Carousel, boomerang, etc. While it is not a must to use them all, you also don’t want your audience to think that you are behind on the trends.

3. New ways to use hashtags

 You probably know that using hashtags is one of the best ways to increase the visibility of your posts. However, the techniques are constantly changing, and you may be left behind if you are not flexible enough. 

For instance, you are not guaranteed to get on the explore tab even if you use 30 hashtags. Tracking the performance of your hashtags with analytics is one of the best and latest trends that can help you to make informed marketing decisions. The use of hashtags can also be used on sponsored Instagram posts as long as you use them wisely. 

4. Balance promotional and inspirational content

Avoid sounding too salesy on your Instagram page. Strike a good balance between promotional content and engaging & inspirational stuff. If every one of your posts is all about telling people how great your brand is, they are likely to be put off and might not engage on your posts, or worse still, unfollow you.

Instagram is a platform where users go to get inspiration. Your page should also offer that, as well as a platform for them to interact with you better. 

5. Incorporating a call-to-action 

Instagram is a great platform to help you drive traffic to whatever you want to achieve. This means that for the majority of your posts, include a well-worded call-to-action that can be used to spark engagement among your followers.

Apart from using the right words, ensure that they are also carefully placed in strategic places that can encourage action from your audience.

Over to You

Instagram can be a tough nut to crack, as you will be competing with other established companies and influencers. The key here is to always practice consistency. These tips will be a great stepping stone for you to realize your marketing ambitions. 

Get in touch with some of the best freelance social media managers in Dubai for further assistance and make your brand visible not only on Instagram but also on other social media platforms.

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Sunday, April 26, 2020

Your 2020 Guide To Managing Money As A Freelancer In The UAE

Your 2020 Guide To Managing Money As A Freelancer In The UAE

Becoming a freelancer in the UAE is finally being recognized as an alternative form of employment with the government putting in place measures to help freelancers in Dubai work legally. Free zones like Ajman free zone, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and twofour54 Abu Dhabi are some of the areas that have been established to help freelancers launch their freelancing career in the UAE. Therefore, if you have been contemplating becoming a freelancer, you should start the process immediately. You can start your freelance career while still working a full-time job as you build your profile to help you overcome money flow issues.

Your chance of getting a job as a freelancer highly depends on your profile and skills. It is easier to start a freelancing career in the line of industry you are experienced by tapping your networks. However, if you are lost on where to start, you should enroll for online freelancing training courses that can help you prepare for a successful freelancing career. As a freelancer, one of the biggest challenges that you will experience apart from acquiring new clients is managing your money. Unlike in the formal employment where you get paid at the end month, freelancing payments can be unpredictable. Some clients will pay some jobs upfront; others may pay in milestones while others will pay upon the completion of the project.

The different payment timelines make it difficult for most freelancers to plan for their money, which makes it imperative for every freelancer to demonstrate good money discipline. You should also learn how UAE freelancers cope with unstable finances as it will help you stay financially stable. Like any business, you must plan for the bad times, you must pay your bills and taxes, and you must save for your future. In this article, we will help you smoothly transition into a freelancer by helping you manage your money for a more satisfying and jovial life.

3 Money Managing Tips That Will Help You Manage Your Freelancing Money In 2020  

1. Track your income

Your first activity should be to have the numbers. How much money are you bringing as a freelancer in the UAE? For example, do you know how much money you earned last week or last month? Is it the same as you earned in the same period last year? If you do not know how much you earned, you are not alone, but that is not good enough. While some freelancers think that the unpredictable nature of freelancing payments makes it impossible to manage their income, in reality, it is possible to manage their income with a little more effort. You can start by having a historical view of your income, giving more importance to repeat clients.

You should treat income from repeat customers or seasonal projects as your main income. You can even go ahead and have a different account for your regular income, as it can help you enjoy some financial stability in irregular freelancing career. You can also use apps like Mint or simple spreadsheets like Google Sheets to help you manage your budget.

2. Pay your taxes

If you are operating in one of the freelancing free zones in the UAE, this step may not be necessary, but you must check with the authorities to ensure that you are not required to pay taxes on your income. Some areas only exempt income from special categories, and thus, any other income you make may be subject to taxes. The type of license you have may also affect your tax obligations. A freelancing license has a unique set of guidelines that are different from the general trading license and thus, you must keep in mind all your tax obligations. With clear information, you can use online calculators like the Neuvoo tax calculator to help you determine your actual tax obligation.

3. Create a budget

Once you have paid up your tax obligations, the remaining amount of money is what you should budget. It is helpful to have a formula that you should always use to help you allocate your budget. For example, you can use a method like 50/30/20 to help you allocate your budget towards different applications. In this 50/30/20 method, you set 50-percent of your after-tax income for necessities, 30-percent for effects that you would like but cannot be described as a necessity and the remaining 20-percent for savings and paying down your debts. You should not feel limited to using that formula; you can alter it to suit your current money needs.

Things that you should include in your budget include:

  • Primary needs: In this category, you should factor your food expenses, clothing, and rent. Things that are also necessary for you to work like an electricity bill and internet bill belong to this category.
  • Short term emergencies: Anything can happen in this industry. Your client could be unable to send payment on the set date. Your car could also break down in between payments. Saving for short term emergencies will help you overcome short-term emergencies without bothering your friends and relatives.
  • Retirement: It is good to have a retirement plan to cater for your old age. You can set a specific amount of your after-tax income, like 15 percent, as part of your retirement plan.
  • Pay your debts: Carrying debt is not good, especially if it is accruing high interest. You can save a lot by paying off your bad debts and thus, you should plan to clear them based on their interest rates. Those that accrue high interest like payday loans should be on top of your list.
  • Save for long term emergencies: Since freelancing is a global business, happenings in one part of the world can impact the life of a freelancer. You also do not know how soon you will land another gig once you complete your task. As a freelancer, you should always work to have a six months cushion of your basic needs to help you in times of difficulty.
  • Insurance: You should have in place medical insurance as the bare minimum. You should also consider other types of insurance covers that you need, like car insurance, life insurance, and property insurance.

Wrap Up

Freelancing is a highly rewarding venture that is capable of meeting all your financial obligations. However, you must put in place measures that will help you manage money as the industry is highly unpredictable. You can be overwhelmed by work this month, but struggle to get jobs the following month. Therefore, the success of a freelancer in the UAE depends on how well you manage your money during the high seasons when you have adequate jobs. If you are finding it difficult to sustain yourself, you should consider raising your rates.

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