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What is a Media Strategy? How it Works?

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What is a Media Strategy? How it Works?- World Marketing Tips

Media Strategy

The association’s relationship with the media should not be trusted by chance. Nor should we leave it to improvisation or goodwill. We must create a strategy that allows us to access them. The four basic steps to take to make it are those that we see below.

Also read : B-Roll: The Little Secret Behind Almost Every Good Video

1.- Generation of Internal Resources

If the association assumes the media’s relationship as an essential task, it must be clear that things do not happen alone. You must allocate resources to this task, starting from creating a work area responsible for this work. The ideal is to have several people with exclusive dedication. Still, if the group’s size does not allow it, several of its members will take charge of external communication as a priority occupation. In addition to human resources, other necessary resources are a space where you can work and file the documentation, a telephone (preferably with fax), a computer with a printer and Internet connection and minimal knowledge of journalistic writing. Other valuable resources are, for example, the advice of communication professionals, experience in graphic design, photocopier,

2.- Study of Media and Environment

Before starting any strategy, it is necessary to know what we will act on, in this case, the environment and the media. First of all, we must see the society we are part of: its composition, how it manifests itself, what are its myths and demons, what is its structure, how are relationships established between individuals, groups and institutions, what are they? Its communication channels. Everything allows foreseeing how it can react to the messages launched by the association and establish the most appropriate way to get them through.

If the association directs its activity to specific social groups, it will have to produce its study, especially towards them. And if we are going to use the media as vehicles to get our messages across, it was evident that we must know with whom we are playing the rooms. Here are some of the most important aspects to study concerning the
It is the first thing: who are they, what type (newspapers, magazines, radios, televisions, what is their periodicity, where are they and how to get in contact with them. It does not hurt to know which are individual companies and which are part of a communication group. Sending information to a communication medium

Editorial lines

Two are the most exciting aspects to know: the ideology of each medium and its information priorities, that is, the topics for which they have a preference.

Degree of Specialization

The universal information media are focused, and what are they specialized in (professional sectors, age groups, subject matter, etc.).

Social Weight

That is, their ability to influence their environment, to generate an opinion. The four variables that best guide to assess the social power of a medium are: a / the support (radio, press, television; b / the circulation (number of copies that go on sale) and the number of readers in the case of the media or the audience if it is radio or television (it is estimated that four people read each newspaper sold and that per each call to the radio there are 200 listeners); c / the territorial scope of dissemination; and d / implantation in specific social groups or decision centres.

Structure and Organization

These two aspects must be analyzed whether we refer to the medium as a company or as a communication vehicle. It is interesting to know your business objectives or your work organization, for example, to tell if economic benefit prevails over information quality. It is necessary to understand aspects such as the sections or the programming, the weight of the information on the opinion or the publicity, its design and its formats, or prepare the informative material.

The Professionals

It is essential to know the medium’s human team, both in the commercial and journalistic areas. It is not the same to deal with excellent and good journalists as with mediocre or sensational professionals.

3.- Strategy Planning

Before planning actions aimed at the media, we have to take into account a series of points.

Taking the initiative

The association cannot be waiting for the media to approach it. It is the association that must be present in the press proposing topics and sending information.

Establish personal relationships

It is convenient to have people of reference within the media, to know who is in charge of the issues that affect us and to establish some relationship with them. This second takes time and is usually the result of repeated contacts or complicities generated by mutual “favours”.

Insist

Appearing in the media is not easy, but you don’t have to throw in the towel. The association cannot fail to send the information it deems necessary and whenever it deems it appropriate. When you least expect it, you can find your space.

Responding to demands

If a media outlet seeks information, the association must provide it, and if it cannot, it must provide an explanation or alternative. And there are no excuses; If a media calls and does not find an answer, you can forgive it once, twice. But the third time will look for other topics or other sources that offer you more guarantees.

Homogeneity and continuity

The way of construction and presentation of the association’s messages must respond to a series of formal criteria that characterize it and create its style that facilitates its recognition. The use of letterhead with the association’s logo and data. Maintaining the same design in the presentation of press releases, spokespersons’ appointment. Or establishing more or less official information channels is not idle. It is not about creating waterproof information structures but about homogenizing the output of information to reach its destination with an identity mark that denotes seriousness. On the other hand, the relationship with the media must have continuity; it does not end when the association has introduced a note in a newspaper.

Friendliness

Dealing with the media must be correct, without pressure or threats that. With rare exceptions, the association is not in a position to do.

Recognition

It is of little use to get angry because the information that the association has sent to the media has not come out; it is more beneficial to recognize the medium’s collaboration when it is possible to place.

How to Promote your Ebook for free and make it Work

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Ebook

Promote your Ebook

Yes, Amazon indeed is one of the leading platforms for selling ebooks, a gold mine for digital authors. But it is also a cemetery of forgotten ebooks, of titles that never knew a sale, victims of the ‘long tail’ perhaps, or simply because they do not interest anyone. The question is: do you want your book to be one of those?

Also read : Brand Voice – What is a Brand Voice?, And How do you Develop it?

Writing an ebook is just one part of the digital author’s job. Unless you have the backing of a publisher or someone else does it for you, after writing the word ‘End’, another no less necessary task begins: promoting your ebook.

The problem is that many of the tips that are offered to us sometimes do not work as we expect. It may be because our book is not attractive (this post will not help you with this) and other external factors that make life-long advice obsolete. Hence the importance of being up-to-date on the changes in the digital landscape that may affect us.

Write to Promotional Websites or Blogs

As soon as you publish an ebook, it is advisable to concentrate on making it known more than on the sale itself, such as free promotions or offering discounts. Now,  the business of free ebook promotion websites is not what it used to be. Some pages have had to close, and others have to change direction to adapt to Google’s new restrictions on affiliate links and by Amazon. Google wants to remove from the results pages based exclusively on external links and that do not offer original content.

For its part, Amazon is closing in on websites promoting free ebooks by restricting its affiliate program to give paid ebooks a boost. It means that it will not be as easy to provide visibility to your ebook in this way as it was before. In any case, pages like free ebooks can help you give your book the push it needs in its first steps.

As the name suggests, these websites will not promote your ebook if it is not accessible, at least during a promotion like those Amazon allows you to do through its KDP Select program. We advise you to plan the advertising leaving enough time for the website to handle your request. It includes taking into account weekends, etc. Still, if you don’t get the expected response, don’t give up. An alternative is to contact blogs that may be interested in talking about your ebook. This strategy is also advantageous if you already have an ebook published for a long time but want to start a new free promotion to encourage sales.

Launch your Website:

Having a blog about your ebook or related to the book’s subject can give your work a lot of visibility. Think of a reader who sees the cover, interested in the plot, but does not know you. A website can give you confidence and consolidate the reputation of your publishing project. Make sure you have links to all the distribution channels of your ebook. The downside is that if you use affiliate identification codes, Internet users using Adblock on Google Chrome will not see the links.

Publish your Work on Many Platforms and Formats:

Why limit yourself to Amazon when your potential readers are also on Google play or Nookpress? The first thing is to know where our audience is and ensure that our ebook is in all possible channels. It does not mean that you always have to be everywhere. Sometimes you will be interested in being in one place. For example, Amazon offers authors its KDP Select program. They agree to sell their work exclusively on its platform and include it in a library fund in exchange for receiving money for loans made.
These are some of the leading platforms where you can sell your ebook and the main aspects to take into account:

Amazon:

You can benefit from access to a large readership through the Kindle device. The range of profits per sale is 70% if your ebook’s price is higher than $ 2.99 and 30% if it is lower. The KDP select loan program fund is a tempting option. Now, you must evaluate your ebook’s possibilities very well because registering for it requires publishing exclusively in the Amazon store for 90 days. Also, getting your book to be borrowed in the Spanish market is not as easy as in the Anglo-Saxon market because it has much less push at the moment.

Google Play:

Considering that Android, Google’s operating system, has a majority market share in tablets and smartphones, in addition to having the leading search engine as a backup, it is an excellent option to consider. The problem is that Google Play can sometimes apply a discount on ebooks (and not a small one). To prevent anyone from selling a title cheaper than them, Amazon will probably write to you to politely ask you to lower the price, which will impact your earnings on that platform. In short, being on Google Play could be detrimental to your Amazon strategy, according to some publishers’ experiences.

Smashwords:

The main advantage of this ebook distribution platform is being able to publish from the same place in several stores (Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, etc.), as well as having total control over the prices of your works with benefits of between the 60 and 85% on the price.

Nook press: Formerly called Pubit !, the Barnes & Noble ebook platform is intended as a tool for creating, publishing and distributing ebooks, where authors can write, edit and sell their works from the same place. Profits per sale are 40% for securities below $ 2.99 or above $ 9.99. Between both prices, the ‘royalties’ amount to 65%, slightly below Amazon.

Bubok:

This ‘made in Spain’ book publishing website offers publishing services to publish physical books and ebooks on demand. Although it is focused on traditional publishing, it also allows digital editions. Bubok’s commission is 20% on each sale.

Booktango:

This distribution platform offers authors ‘ royalties’ of 100% of sales. As a complement, it provides you with a series of paid editing services.

Create your Promotional ‘kit’:

Put yourself in the shoes of who will promote your book. What material do you need? Have a series of essential contents prepared, such as a photograph of yourself (that is good), a suggestive image of the book, a press release with a few quotes from the author, etc. Not only will it save you time later, but it will give you an image of professionalism.

Plan your Presence well on Social Networks and Forums:

Social networks are a great instrument to give your project visibility, and remain careful. They are not a direct sales channel. It is advisable to be online long before publishing . The book and publicize your work and professional profile, which will help generate interest later. The most important thing about networks is that they allow us to be close to our readers and interact with them. The same applies to forums. There is nothing worse than interrupting a conversation of interest in a meeting to sell our ebook.

Participants could interpret it as an intrusion, achieving the opposite effect. It remain advisable to use only the signature footer and work on the longer-term interest, for example, posting creative content like this. You can encourage your potential reader participation by previewing information about the ebook, sharing cover designs or experiences from the writing process. One of the best strategies to make living selling ebooks is to plan a multi-instalment editorial project and write at least the first two. In combination with a social media promotion plan, I  can help build buzz and a growing reader base. For example, you can use SlideShare as a means to promote your content.

Take Care of Criticism:

If you want others to promote your ebook, make sure that your part of the work is well done. Not only that the ebook is of quality, but that you attend to the criticisms of the readers and take good note of them. Some say that readers make opinions for readers. But authors can also extract valuable information. For example, if many readers talk about a problem in the book, listening to them will allow you to act quickly and correct it. Of course, there will be bad reviews, some disrespectful. Still, if the work is of quality and corrects the errors rapidly, those comments will be anecdotal among the positive opinions.

These tips will help give your project visibility, but they will not make you millions in three. The extraordinary thing about posting online is that we don’t have to measure success just by the work’s income. Whereas before publishing and distributing a paper book required a significant investment, today it is available to everyone, at least when it comes to money.

Yes, it is true that time is money and that writing a quality ebook requires dedication, but at least now we can make projects with a motivation other than economic reality. The important thing is to set your goal. Maybe you want to write an essay on a topic that interests you with no different motivation than social awareness. The only thing you propose is to generate traffic to a website where you develop more content around this topic. In this case, promoting your book for free or at a low price may be the most convenient option.

Also read :What is Digital Assets Management (DAM)?

How the pandemic is fueling Indian EDTech platforms?

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How the pandemic is fueling Indian EDTech platforms

EDTech – If you have not heard about the recent success of IT solutions and edtech in India, let me fill you in. Recently there is a major pandemic in India and in other nations as well. That made life very hard for many young students who were seeking an edge by going to school. But, they had other options. Some of them chose to stay at home and some of them enrolled in an online school in India or elsewhere in the world.

One big difference is that the students did not have to worry about how to get to class or how to pay for their boarding and lodging. No one offered to help. The same thing happened with students in many parts of the world. They were so used to living in those little boxes that they took no effort to try to adapt to the Western way of life.

In India, this is not the case. The students from underdeveloped countries come here to improve their education. They come from remote areas where access to technology is minimal. Those students who cannot afford school materials can get these at a very low cost. They do not have to worry about transportation or the costs of meals. All they have to do is log on to the Internet and they can start learning right away.

This is one reason why India has been able to achieve literacy rates that are even higher than those in the West. There is less crime and there is less violence. Everything is in balance. When students feel safe to study and there is less violence or poverty in the country, then they tend to think more positively.

IT Solutions

This is one of the reasons that IT solutions in India are doing well. They attract students from places where there is little development. These students understand that education is a basic right of every citizen. They fight for it every day. The government is also supporting this by making sure that the resources are available so that students can have access to top-class education.

The students and teachers work together to make sure that everyone is getting what they want. This is the best way of ensuring that you have access to all the tools that you need. This means that there are fewer excuses for not studying. Students can study any time, anywhere. Also, almost every course is available online from school-level subjects to professionals courses for instance ITIL certification. You just need to search according to your interest for instance search ITIL 4 Foundation training online and you will be provided with a plethora of EDTech platforms providing this training. There is no reason why they should be forced to be in their classes when there is no requirement to be there.

Cost of hardware

The pandemic is helping the EDTech companies by bringing down the cost of hardware as much as possible. This allows the companies to offer lower prices to customers. The lower the price, the more profit they earn. This has been a great help for struggling companies. They can now cut down on costs and still provide high-quality services to customers.

The healthcare workers and students who suffered from the virus should be fully equipped with all the necessary materials. This includes the necessary vaccinations. These people are a big help for helping to clear up the problem. How the pandemic is helping the education industry is because it helps to ensure that students continue to receive top-notch education materials. If students cannot attend class, then they cannot learn. That is just wrong.

This is how the pandemic is helping the education industry because it provides materials that allow the students to not be affected by the disease. This is because most of the school outbreaks have occurred indoors. With the use of mobile devices, this becomes a problem. With a lack of a power source, these devices cannot be used inside. So without the use of electronic boards, papers and pens students cannot study. But this can be fixed.

Education materials and technology

The pandemic is helping the education industry is because of the increase in the demand for educational materials and technology. People all over the world want to get a higher education so this increase in demand helps the companies that provide these materials to meet the demands of students. These companies can meet the demand with lower overhead costs.

As a whole, the students are now more willing to use the materials. The companies need to use these materials to help teach the students about the basics. But before they do, they will need to make them appealing to the students. By appealing to them, the companies can gain the upper hand

Why Private Label Food Products Are More Successful Than Other Food Categories

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Why Private Label Food Products Are More Successful Than Other Food Categories

Private label food products are a billion-dollar industry. They account for 17.4 percent of retail sales within the country. Over the past decade, many food brands have been battling each other while private label food products have developed further up the food chain. Most private products are getting sold beneath retailer brands. But they still advance due to being delivered by firms. Private labels allow merchants to control the price, size, package design, manufacturing, and distribution of products. Retailers may create and execute new market share concepts over domestic brands. This includes the capacity to make rapid product changes based on changing consumer preferences.

Branding and Structural:

Successful private label food products may provide merchants with greater sales possibilities. Customer loyalty can be increased with the help of customized logos and tag lines. This helps in giving the brands a character. When you compare to national brand labels, the merchants that use store brands have the ability to influence the shopper’s experience more. This helps in better marketing and cheaper deals in the stores. For instance, merchants may put this product in the best spot available in the store to increase sales.

These firms are no longer only available at grocery stores but also increase their product range. Also, they are available in a large variety. In this category, Giraffe Foods have always come first in every section.

Famous Private Label Food

Giraffe Foods was established by Eugene Powell and also the person naming the brand Giraffe Foods. This company offers endless opportunities. So, that you can explore many things you can add to your brand. Giraffe foods has 23 years of leadership. Custom sauce manufacturing wouldn’t be so flavorful and successful without their loyalty to their values.

Custom-Made Sauces

A sweet or fiery flavor, you can surpass your guest’s cravings with an assortment of private name sauces, plunges, and dressings. Giraffe Foods offer arrangements for making custom sauces, which spare labor costs and propose consistency over your brand. It allows you to be in control of the complete flavor profile. They cherish making comfortable and delightful condiments to bring an astonishing component to your nourishment, having your clients visit you over and over once more.

Best Brand Hot Sauce

Giraffe  Food offers the best brand hot sauce. Consumers are progressively getting access to new worldwide flavors. It opens up a world of perpetual conceivable outcomes for your visitors. They have mastered curating sauces by combining original and modern ingredients. Giraffe foods are known for uncovering hidden pearls from over the world. They give attention to your menu with the flexibility of choices. The choices range from vegetarian dressings for health-conscious clients to families looking forward to loosening up over a few wines and fish to companions devouring over pizzas. Whatever the event, they have something interesting for you.

Custom Sauces that assess your tastebuds

You can enhance the flavor of your dishes with their custom sauces. The flavors range from gentle to hot and sweet to sour. You can take the best brand hot sauce and make your custom cocktail. You have the option to improve your dining experience with a best brand hot sauce sauce that can take your guests around the world with amazing flavors.

Chicken Beverages sauces

Rethink chicken recipes with our imaginative sauces by including layers of flavor. Their chefs carefully select ingredients that make a dish tell a story. These sauces are not bad for health as well. Food lovers will prefer them over anything else. You can use these base sauces and customize them into something complex and unique.

Beef and other meats sauces

Giraffe Foods’ wide choice of BBQ sauces is a crucial expansion to your spice cabinet. They bring you a broad choice so that you can invent delicious sauces and marinades that your guests will love.

Plant-Based sauces

Giraffe Foods make tasty vegetarian and plant-based items as well. They carefully make sauces, plunges, marinades, hummuses, and much more. Their veggie lover choices will make your diet more enticing.

Fish and other marine food sauces

Giraffe foods love to experiment with include new flavors. They can make fish taste fresh and delicious. Whether you broil, bake, grill, or fry, they have something in store for you. You can add a combination of their sauces to your dishes and turn it into a signature formula. You can explore them until you have a mix that is right for you. You can use the best brand hot sauce here as well.

Three Pillars of Persuasion: Ethos, Pathos, Logos

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Ethos, Pathos, Logos: Learn from Aristotle the Three Pillars of Persuasion

Three Pillars of Persuasion

Little progress has remained made in the art of presenting since Aristotle. He wrote more than 2,300 years ago in his famous Rhetoric that there are three types of persuasive arguments or modes of appeal in a speech: those connected to ethos, pathos and logos

Also read: Webinar: What is it, and How to use it in your Content Strategy?

1. Arguments linked to the Ethos

They are of an affective and moral order and concern the issuer of the speech. They are, in short, the attitudes that he must adapt to inspire confidence in his audience. Aristotle wrote in Book I of his Rhetoric:

“ Good men we believe more fully and with less hesitation; this is generally true whatever the issue, and true where absolute certainty is impossible and opinions remain divided.

2. Arguments Referring to Pathos

They are of a purely affective order and fundamentally linked to the recipient of the speech. Seth Godin opines on his blog :

It is not the facts that change the behaviour of people. This is an emotion that changes your behaviour. It is the stories and irrational impulses that change behaviour. Neither the facts nor the bullet point lists .

To my knowledge, smokers don’t quit when they read statistics on lung cancer; they stop smoking when they or people close to them have cancer. Indeed, as emotional arguments, stories, anecdotes, analogies, metaphors, similes can remain used, all told with passion. Effective stories resonate in the hearts of the audience.

The Christian scientist, writer and philosopher, Blaise Pascal, correctly stated that “the heart has reasons that reason ignores.

3. The Arguments linked to logos

They stick to the theme and the message itself of the discourse, entering here the proper domain of the Dialectic. Logical arguments supported by solid evidence are used, appealing to reason and the intelligence of the audience.

Find the Balance Between Analytical and Emotional Exposure

Stephen R. Covey defines these three arguments very clearly in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People :

“Ethos is personal credibility, the faith that people have in our integrity and competence. It is the trust we inspire, our emotional bank account. Pathos is the empathic side, the feeling. It means that one remains aligned with the emotional impulse of another person’s communication. Logos is the logic, the reasoned part of the exhibition. ”

To maintain credibility with the audience ( ethos ) a speaker needs to strike a balance between their logical ( logos ) and emotional ( pathos ) arguments. It is necessary to present facts in a presentation accompanied by an emotional appeal. In our presentations, we often make the mistake of basing all our persuasive argumentation on data and facts ( logos ) neglecting the other two, especially the emotional appeal ( pathos ). We forget that emotion moves action more than reason.

Also read: What is Newsjacking, And How can you apply it?

Brand Voice – What is a Brand Voice?, And How do you Develop it?

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Brand Voice - What is a Brand Voice?, And How do you Develop it?

We’ll say it straight out: Without a brand voice, your outstanding business model will not remain heard. No chance. With the Brand Voice, you establish a connection with your customers. Through them, you share the values ​​and motivations of your company. A brand voice is booming when it ensures that your audience develops a connection with you, relates to what you do, and most importantly, believes in what you say and do.

This article shows you companies that hit the nail on the head with their brand voice. Plus, learn how to develop your brand voice.

Also read: What is SMS Marketing? Why choose SMS Marketing?

What is a Brand voice?

You use the brand voice to speak to your customers. The communication style of your brand defines it. Your brand voice is aimed at your target group and can come in any type as long as it fits your brand values ​​and persona – be it authoritarian, playful, intellectual, ominous, friendly, or funny.

Just as you communicate in a certain way with your family, friends, partners, and colleagues, you can also communicate precisely and successfully with your customers.

Customers invest more in brands they have an emotional connection with than in brands that publish uninspired, disjointed content. It’s less about what you say. It’s how you say it. Ways you can express your brand voice include email, website text, press releases, packaging, advertisements, and social media platforms, among others.

How do you Develop a Brand Voice?

The first step in developing the brand voice is to define your brand identity by setting your vision, mission, and values and highlighting the aspects of your company that will help make it stand out from the competition. First, choose three individual keywords for your company. These should be exact words that instill a deep feeling. Think of: passionate, reliable, weird, or relaxed. Think about the mood your content should trigger and how your company should be perceived. These descriptions will set the tone of all of your content.

The next thing to do is figure out who you’re addressing.  The social networks offer tools to gain knowledge about this. If you can, reach out to your audience and ask them what they love most about your brand. It is tremendously valuable information that you can use in developing your brand voice. From Facebook to Instagram to Twitter, they all have analytical tools that break down age, gender, location, and the time when they most often interact with your brand. Make a plan for how your brand will share its content on various social platforms.

Finally, create a style guide, a tool that will help you keep your brand voice consistent.

Notable Examples of Brand Voices

It’s essential to find out what works best for your brand voice, but here are what we think are the best examples of companies with excellent brand voice.

New York-based product Glossier describes itself as a “human-powered beauty ecosystem.” Your brand voice speaks of wellness and beauty care for modern women through self-determination and self-care.

Their sensitive posts and accessible images create a direct connection with their target audience. Bright, feminine images remain often combined with simple pictures and precise formulations.

The New Luxury Book

As a lifestyle website with the themes of streetwear, sneakers, cars, lifestyle, and art, High Snobiety conveys style-conscious branding for the young, modern and provocative.

iPhone Advertisement

Apple has always been a role model when it comes to how to stand out from the competition. Everyone feels welcome, and many feel pampered by owning their products.

The successful and notorious party game Cards Against Humanity relies on snappy phrases and black humor in its posts on the social networks to leave a memorable impression on former, current, and future customers. Just check out their parody of a popular snack they call Pringles! Their social media posts aren’t afraid of being offensive, but their consistent tone makes for a high success rate.

The well-known American organic supermarket Whole Foods combines open-mindedness, playfulness, and the topic of nutrition in its shops, in the text for the website, in merchandise, and on social media. This uniformity across different platforms assures their customers that their community and wellness values stand behind their brand voice.

You don’t always have to speak directly about your company. Frank’s RedHot creates humorous memes to interact with the audience in new and fun ways.

Time to Find your Voice

Creating a booming [brand voice] is about establishing a tone that speaks directly to your customers and builds a healthy community. Your [brand voice] is the individual and honest manner that ensures that your target audience stays happy and connected to you. Remember that while consistency is crucial, flexibility is also essential. Be ready to adjust your [brand voice] as your customer’s priorities – and the market – change over time.

Also read: Content plan: Why it is Essential in a Content Marketing strategy

What is the difference between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy?

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bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can happen for many reasons. It could be because you lost your job or experienced a decrease in income. Job losses caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic are one example. Other cases involve unexpected expenses, such as medical bills, that could put people over the edge financially. As challenging bankruptcy can be, seeking legal help that will provide personalized case evaluation and counsel regarding debt-relief options can alleviate your situation.

Here is the difference between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy.

How Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Works

One of the biggest benefits of a Chapter 7 is that you will not pay back creditors through a repayment plan. Instead, the court appoints a bankruptcy trustee to sell your nonexempt property—property you can’t protect with a bankruptcy exemption—for the benefit of your creditors. You will be able to protect most household belongings.

Not everyone qualifies for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, however. If you make too much money to meet income requirements, explore filing under Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if I would qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

If your household income is lower than the median household income in your state, you are eligible. Or, if you do not have enough remaining to pay a meaningful amount to creditors through a Chapter 13 repayment plan, you will pass.

Will I lose property in Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Your state decides whether you can use the federal exemptions or state exemption laws. Although exemption laws differ, you will typically be able to keep these types of property in bankruptcy:

  • Home equity.
  • Insurance.
  • Retirement plans.
  • Personal property.
  • Public benefits.
  • Tools used on the job.

Check your state exemption laws for other exemptions.

Which should I use—Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Most people who file for bankruptcy choose to use Chapter 7 if they meet the eligibility requirements. Chapter 7 is a popular choice because, unlike Chapter 13, it does not require filers to pay back a portion of their debts.

How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Works

Chapter 13 is a bankruptcy reorganization designed for debtors with regular income who have enough left over each month to pay back at least a portion of their debts.

Typically, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is for debtors who:

  • Don’t qualify for Chapter 7 but need debt relief to lower credit card payments, stop litigation, prevent a wage garnishment
  • Have non-dischargeable debts such as alimony or child support arrears they’d like to pay off over three to five years, or
  • Have fallen behind on a house or car payment and want to get caught up on missed payments and keep the property.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the trustee does not sell your property. However, you must pay creditors an amount equal to the nonexempt property value. In exchange, you pay back all or a portion of your debts through a repayment plan.

Chapter 13 Frequently Asked Questions

How much of my debt will I have to repay if I file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

It will depend on the types of debt you have. Here are the general guidelines:

  • Bankruptcy fees. You must pay 100% of the bankruptcy filing fees, trustee commissions, and your attorney’s fees.
  • Priority debts. You must pay 100% of the following obligations: child and spousal support arrears owed to the parent or child; most tax debts except those first due at least three years before your bankruptcy filing; wages, salaries, or commissions you owe to employees up to a specific limit; and contributions owed to an employee benefit fund.
  • Secured debts. If you want to keep your home, car, or other secured property, you will have to pay 100% of the arrearage amount, 100% of debt secured by a tax lien, and remain current on the monthly payment.
  • Unsecured nonpriority debts. You will pay anywhere between 0% and 100% of the amount you owe, depending on your disposable income, the length of your repayment plan, and the total value of your nonexempt property (you will have to pay for it.

How long will my repayment plan last if I file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

If your gross household income exceeds the median yearly income for a household of your size in your state, your plan must last five years—unless you can pay 100% of your unsecured debt in a shorter period. If your income is less than your state’s median yearly income, you can propose a three-year plan.

We are facing foreclosure. If we file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, can we keep our home?

You can pay off a mortgage “arrearage” (late, unpaid payments) over the length of a three- to five-year repayment plan. For this to work, you will need enough income to meet your current mortgage payment while paying off the arrearage and other required debts.

Once you file your Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition, the “automatic stay” stops foreclosure proceedings until your repayment plan is approved (or rejected) by the court. If approved, the mortgage lender must accept payments towards the arrearage over the length of your repayment period. If you make all the required payments and stay current on your regular monthly mortgage payments, you will avoid foreclosure and keep your home.

I owe back taxes to the IRS—can Chapter 13 bankruptcy help?

Yes. Although you must repay 100% of your tax debt (unless it qualifies for discharge because of its age), you can do so over three to five years.

How Laundromats Should Market their Services Amidst Pandemic

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How Laundromats Should Market their Services Amidst Pandemic

The recent health crisis has resulted in an economic recession, which has made it hard for businesses to struggle. With the situation, entrepreneurs realized that they have to create a business model that is both pandemic- and recession-proof.

If you are running a commercial laundry, it is unnecessary to panic. You can worry, but do not overdo it. Investors even suggest laundromat to those looking for business opportunities in this pandemic. A neighborhood laundromat is the best option when compared to restaurants these days.

Let’s know how investors should market their laundromat services amidst the pandemic.

Strong Online Presence

Almost all people search on Google for products or services from local shops or businesses, including neighborhood laundromats. However, some businesses don’t mind having a website or social media page. If your business falls into this category, then you are losing potential customers.

Now is the perfect chance to start. Social media presence helps attract new customers and retain the previous ones. Share relevant content and keep your potential customers engaged.

Introduce Business App

Most Internet users spend hours on their smartphones. As a result, mobile apps have become prevalent in our daily lives. It makes sense as it can be integrated into your website or social media pages. Moreover, the app streamlines the tasks of the laundromat staff.

Customers can easily inquire to their chatbot or book a laundry pickup and delivery appointment with a business app. It ultimately improves your efficiency.

Offer Cashless or Alternative Payment Methods

Hygiene and sanitation is at the top of our minds these days. Carrying cash is a mode of transmission of the coronavirus. Thus, offering cashless payment methods is more convenient.

As we suggested integrating a business app, one of its advantages is the convenience of app-based payments. Your clients can use debit cards, credit cards, and online payment. It reduces safety risks since there’s less cash to pass around on-site.

There’s no better time to jump on the trend, use alternative payment methods at your laundromat. Not to mention, customers tend to spend more when they are not using cash. That’s an added bonus.

Energy-Efficient and Eco-friendly Initiatives

Eco-friendly initiatives regarding energy efficiency and waste reduction have been in discussion these days. Even if we are in a pandemic, this topic continues to rise.

As a laundromat owner, you can do your part by investing in energy-efficient laundry equipment. Energy-efficient washers and dryers use less water and electricity. Moreover, it has features that help you detect leaks or problems with the equipment.

Other eco-friendly initiatives are using natural detergents and educating staff and customers about greener laundry practices. Several clients look forward for laundromats that prioritizes sustainability.

Final Thoughts

Indeed, the pandemic has proven how laundromat services are resilient and adaptable. After all, whether things are “normal” or we are in the middle of a pandemic, people need to clean their clothes. Practically, commercial laundry services are pandemic- and recession-proof. Thus, continue to provide them access to affordable yet high-quality laundry service during this pandemic.