GroupM teams up with YouTube, Disney and NBCU to transform streaming ads

Group M is planning to simplify the buying and placement of ads on streaming services for advertisers.

Through the GroupM Ad Innovation Accelerator program, GroupM is joining forces with BrightLine, Disney, KERV, NBCUniversal, Roku, Telly, and YouTube to develop a new ad format for streaming services. This format aims to cater to viewers who prefer to avoid commercials.

The collaborative effort aims to transform the conventional 30-second ad spot by incorporating advanced digital technologies. This innovation aims to strengthen connections between brands and viewers, delivering measurable outcomes for advertisers partnering with GroupM.

Why we care. This program addresses changing viewer preferences and offers a potential solution for more effective streaming service advertising. It also presents a promising opportunity for advertisers to connect with younger audiences, who are increasingly shifting from traditional TV to streaming services.

What is GroupM?  GroupM, the media-buying division of European advertising conglomerate WPP, is one of the largest investors of advertising dollars in the U.S.

What Group M is saying. Mike Fisher, Executive Director, Investment Innovation, GroupM U.S., said in a statement:

  • “Brands advertising in ad-supported streaming environments have an incredible opportunity to engage with attentive consumers, but the rapidly evolving media landscape makes it difficult for advertisers to efficiently and resourcefully launch interactive advertising campaigns.”
  • “Our clients need a simple way to activate interoperable and attributable campaigns across the ad-supported streaming ecosystem. With key stakeholders at the same table, we will shape impactful outcomes that allow advertisers to execute creative, engaging and effective campaigns.”

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Deep dive. Read Group M’s announcement in full for more information.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/groupm-youtube-disney-nbcy-streaming-ads-436257

Google Ads updates gambling and games policy

The Google Ads gambling and games policy United States country-specifics has been updated.

From January 4, the platform will accept and run ads for sports betting from state-approved entities in Delaware.

Why we care. Eligible advertisers who want to run sports betting ads in Delaware will need to apply for accreditation.

Certification. To obtain certification, follow these steps if you meet Google’s policy and country-specific requirements:

  • Privately-licensed operators: If you are based in one of the countries where Google permits online gambling content, fill out the online gambling application form in the Google Ads Help Center. Providing all the requested information will help prevent delays.
  • State-run entities: If you operate in one of the countries where Google allows only state-run entities, use this form. When completing the form:
    • In ‘Summary of the issue’Note that you’re requesting certification to advertise as a state-run gambling entity, and provide your website URL.
    • In ‘Campaign name and Ad group name’: Enter N/A if you haven’t set up a campaign or ad group.
  • Social casino game operators: Use this form to submit your website URL or app, Google Ads customer ID, and the country group you are targeting. 

You must submit a separate application form for each country you want to target.


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Deep dive. Read Google’s announcement in full for more information.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-ads-updates-gambling-games-policy-delaware-436261

Online surveys: easy cash for paid surveys

Paid online surveys can help you make money while you’re in front of the computer.

If you have some free time in your lunch break or a spare half an hour in the evenings, why not fill in a few online surveys for money?

Paid surveys are simple, effective ways to make some cash, and some online surveys even let you win prizes every now and then.

Use these handy links to skip ahead to the part of the article that interests you. Otherwise, read on…

 

 

The Top Online surveys FOR MONEY

Business man completing online surveys on a laptop

The online surveys that pay are the ones we’re discussing, and that we think are worth your time.

Jasmine says…

Quote 1

Nielsen Online Panel is one of our favourites because you don’t have to really do anything. All you have to do is download their app onto your home computer and you’re automatically entered into a prize draw of up to £30,000. 

Quote 2

 

ONLINE SURVEYS FOR MONEY: IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE?

thoughtful woman

Whilst doing online surveys for money won’t provide you with a steady, substantial income, paid surveys are a great way to make cash for very little effort. Lots of our readers find the best paid online surveys are the ones they can put towards the bill for their summer holiday – not bad coming from the odd half an hour in front of a computer.

Online surveys could be right for you if:

internet marketingYou’d like to make in excess of £50 a month for very little effort

internet marketingYou’d like the chance to win large cash prizes, vouchers and holidays

internet marketingYou spend a lot of time in front of your computer anyway

internet marketingYou’d like a fun and flexible way to make money from home

 

Moneymagpie’s three golden rules for online surveys

moneymagpie_moneymagpie_online-surveys-easy-cash-for-paid-surveys_red-check_goldRule 1: NEVER pay to join online surveys. Use our list of recommended sites below, and let us know immediately if you come across any paid surveys that ask you to pay to join them (you can leave a post at the bottom of this page). The list also includes some of the best paid online surveys.

Rule 2: Set up a separate email account just for emails from online surveys. That way your personal account won’t be flooded with online survey related emails (which can get frustrating!).

Rule 3: Be aware that you won’t qualify for all online surveys. Companies that offer paid surveys are often after a ‘sample group’, which means they only look for a particular number of people within a specific age range or area, or who use a certain product. This means you won’t be able to complete some online surveys simply because you’re too young, too old or simply the wrong sex! So don’t take it personally, but do sign up to lots of online surveys to increase your chances of being selected.

ONLINE SURVEYS FOR MONEY: How to get started

Step 1: Register with several online survey companies moneymagpie_online-surveys-easy-cash-for-paid-surveys_red-check

You can sign up to as many sites offering online surveys for money as you like. In fact, the more sites that offer paid surveys you sign up to, the more money you’ll make. See our list below of recommended online survey companies.

Step 2: Check your inbox in your free timemoneymagpie_online-surveys-easy-cash-for-paid-surveys_red-check

Most paid surveys are sent to you via email at random times. If you have online surveys for money waiting for you, keep in mind that some will close by a specified date or when enough people have taken part so get your skates on or you’ll miss out!

Paid surveys can take anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes to complete. When you receive the email it’ll tell you roughly how long the online survey will take and give you a link to a new window where the survey will begin.

Step 3: Trade your points for cash or vouchers moneymagpie_online-surveys-easy-cash-for-paid-surveys_red-check

With most online survey for money companies you earn reward points as you go. Obviously the more active you are, the more points you will earn. Depending on the site, you can convert your points into vouchers or cash. You may also get entered into prize draws as well.

Step 4:  Start enjoying your little pot of extra cash and goodies each month!

 

ONLINE SURVEYS FOR MONEY: OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Middle aged man using Laptop and drinking from a mug

Here are the sites offering online surveys we approve of. They’ve all received a thumbs-up from online survey users, but if for any reason these paid surveys fail to impress you then please do let us know at the bottom of this article. And always remember our number one golden rule: NEVER PAY TO JOIN AN ONLINE SURVEY SITE!

Online survey sites

 

 

Make money from your smartphone or table

Swagbucks

With online surveys that pay, you can make money from the comfort of your sofa just using a smartphone or tablet. For example, you can download the Swagbucks app and start making money by completing surveys (as well as all the other fun ways Swagbucks lets you make money.)

 

MobileXpression

MobileXpression provides one of the easiest ways possible to make money. All you have to do is download their software onto your phone/tablet and you’ll immediately start earning points you can redeem for a reward.

The goal of MobileXpression is to get a better idea of how people use the mobile internet and determine the rank of certain websites, much like TV uses ratings.

If you fancy getting easy rewards on top of doing online surveys for money, then sign up for MobileXpression here now.

Paid online surveys reviewed…

  1. Branded Surveys
  2. Swagbucks
  3. InboxPounds
  4. Valued Opinions
  5. Opinion Surveys
  6. The OpinionPanel Community
  7. Ipsos i-Say
  8. Panel Base

Branded Surveys

Facts

  • Available to people based in the United States, Canada, and the UK
  • Age requirements 16+ years old
  • Average earnings of $0.50 to $5 per survey
  • Payment method is via either Branded Pay (direct deposit in the United States), PayPal cash, gift cards, prepaid Visa card, or charitable donations
  • Need a minimum 1,000 points to cash out

Good

+ It has a 4.5 out of five ‘star rating’ on TrustpilotPaid online surveys reviewed

+ When you register as a new member, you’ll earn 50 points, then another 50 points will be credited to your account after filling out your profile (a $1 sign up bonus in total)

+ Once your account is created, you can immediately start taking surveys, which can be worth up to $5 each

+ Branded Surveys’ loyalty programme, Branded Elite, offers the opportunity for anyone to earn bonus points on a weekly basis

Bad

– The website design isn’t as straightforward as other survey sitesPaid online surveys reviewed

Sign up with Branded Surveys here.

Swagbucks

Facts

  • Swagbucks LogoPoints redeemable for gift cards or for cash through PayPal.
  • Get five points for signing up
  • Earn ‘swagbucks’ (SB) by answering surveys and polls, watching videos, playing games, searching the web with the SB search engine and with cashback shopping
  • At 450 SB, you can get a £3 Amazon Voucher; 720 SB gets you a £5 Amazon voucher. You’ll need 800 SB for £5 in cash; top prize of £100 cash will cost you 16,000 SB. To earn a £100 Amazon Voucher = 14,400 SB, while £100 at M&S = 13,600 SB.
  • Polls earn you 1 SB
  • One-minute surveys earn you 4 SB
  • 15-minute surveys earn you 70 SB
  • 20-minute surveys earn you 80 SB
  • Earn 10 SB for signing up to promotional emails

Good

Paid online surveys reviewed+ Lots of surveys to take

+ Earn SB by just answering quick questions about your preferences/lifestyle

+ Prize redemption is straight forward and you have the option of getting points converted into cash and not just gift cards

+ Loads of well known brands and shopping sites to earn cashback with, such as eBay, Iceland, Dunelm and Notonthehighstreet.com

+ Didn’t receive any emails (these can be turned on for extra Swagbucks)

Bad

Paid online surveys reviewed– Sections of the site encourage you to place gambling bets in exchange for high payout swagbucks but you ultimately spend more money placing the bet than you would get for your bucks

– Most of the offers in the “Offers” section cost you money or require you to subscribe to something; most free offers are only worth 1-2 SB each

Visit Swagbucks

Inbox Pounds

Facts

  • You’ll receive rewards for activities such as reading emails, taking surveys, playing games and signing up for offers
  • You can earn rewards from using the site’s web search facility
  • Joining and engaging with other sites can also earn you rewards

Good

Paid online surveys reviewed

+ You earn 40p for completing your profile (took less than two minutes)

+ You earn cash, not points

+ Presented with five surveys to complete on activation of account

+ Received a few emails within the first 15 minutes just telling us how much we’ve earned and encouraging us to go to the site to earn more

Bad

Paid online surveys reviewed– Layout is a little messy, but not too difficult to navigate

– To earn rewards from joining a game site and taking part in competitions you are required to deposit money first

Visit InboxPounds 

Valued Opinions

moneymagpie_valued-opinionsFacts

  • Allows you to work towards gift card for popular retails (like M&S, Amazon and Argos)

Paid online surveys reviewedGood

+ Easy to navigate

+ Lets you earn up to £5 per survey

+ A new feature on their website allows people to find a survey for themselves from their dashboard

BadPaid online surveys reviewed

– Like all online surveys, you have to wait for a survey that is appropriate for you, which is often luck

Visit Valued Opinions

Opinion Surveys

make money onlineFacts

  • Surveys take anywhere between five and 30 minutes
  • You earn an entry into a £1,000 prize draw for each completed survey

Paid online surveys reviewedGood

+ Easy sign-up with simple personal questions such as age, gender, nationality and education

Bad

Paid online surveys reviewed– Sometimes you don’t get entered because you weren’t what they were looking for

– Some of the surveys are quite slow to load

– We haven’t been emailed with further survey opportunities since signing up

Visit Opinion Surveys

The OpinionPanel Community

Facts

  • Aimed at students and those who have graduated within the past five years
  • Ages 16 – 30 only
  • Simple, clean, easy to navigate website with block colours and clear navigation panel
  • You are emailed any surveys you’re selected for
  • Rewards are earned though completing surveys emailed to you (£1 for completion of a 10-minute survey and £2 for longer surveys). You can also also earn rewards by writing an article that is selected to be displayed on the website (£50 per article chosen)
  • There are also competitions and prize draws throughout the year
  • Your earnings can be redeemed in the form of either Bonusbond vouchers that cover hundreds of high street stores, or shopping vouchers to spend on Amazon
  • You can find out more about this survey in our special write up here

Good

Paid online surveys reviewed+ You earn money, not points

+ Good prizes

+ Writing articles is a unique way to make money

+ Students who have recently had a place confirmed at university get £10 towards an Amazon voucher just for signing up

Paid online surveys reviewedBad

– After two hours we still hadn’t received an invite to complete any of the surveys

Visit The OpinionPanel Community

Ipsos i-Say

Facts

  • Paid online surveys reviewed280 to 980 i-Say points gets you a £2, £4 or £7 donation to “Help Nepal” charity
  • 1,380 i-Say points earn you a £10 leisure voucher (redeemable at Beefeater, Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Pizza Hut, London Eye, Hastings, Marriott, Chessington Park, Legoland, Madame Tussauds, Sea life, London Pass, and many others); a £10 compliments voucher (redeemable at retail stores such as Argos, WHSmith, Topshop, Accor Hotels, Interflora, TGI Friday’s, and many more); or £10 gift vouchers for either John Lewis, Amazon, iTunes or Zalando

Good

Paid online surveys reviewed+ Short sign-up with very few questions

+ Profile completion takes only a few minutes and includes lots of lifestyle questions

+ Colourful, easy-to-navigate website with clear information

Bad

Paid online surveys reviewed– We were rejected as “not the right demographic” after completing our first survey. No other surveys were offered.

Visit Ipsos i-Say

Panel Base

Facts

  • Paid online surveys reviewedYou have to wait for surveys, and will receive a notification by email when one becomes available
  • Rewards range from £0.25 – £10.00 for a successfully completed survey
  • Once you have reached the redemption threshold of £10 you will be able to withdraw your rewards
  • Rewards can be withdrawn by having them paid directly into your bank account, as vouchers sent to your address, or as charitable donations

Good

Paid online surveys reviewed+ Easy sign-up with normal personal questions (name, age, location, house details, income, employment)

+ Good rewards with a threshold which isn’t too high

Bad

Paid online surveys reviewed– Fully completing the profile questions will take a few hours

– After spending several hours on the site we were only offered one survey

Visit Panel Base

Which one are you going to try? Do you agree with our reviews? Have you had a different experience? Let us know in the comments below.

Useful links

If you enjoyed this article we think you’ll also like:

The post Online surveys: easy cash for paid surveys appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/online-surveys-easy-cash-for-paid-surveys-3

Amazon Turn £200 into £100k Challenge

It sounds like an impossible dream – turning £200 into £100k, but that is the challenge a civil servant from Brighton set himself in a bid to beat the cost of living. 

Dez, 43, and a father of four, was frustrated that despite he and his wife having above average salaries, they were still struggling to pay for the occasional meal out or a family holiday so he decided to take on a second job. 

Like many of us who have used Amazon, the world’s biggest shop, he decided to spend his spare time looking for bargains and then sell them for a profit on the site. 

He’s coy about his figures but in an interview last October he admitted that since he started in September 2022, he’s made well over £17,000. 

Calling himself goodbyepoor_hellorich he began charting his success on Tik Tok `and has more than 70,000 followers. Others have gone on to do the same and are calling it the “£200 to £100K challenge”. So how is he doing it and could you do the same? 


Here’s MoneyMagpie’s guide to becoming an e-commerce entrepreneur. 

Dez uses Amazon arbitrage, a selling method where you source products from different market places to sell on the site.  For example finding a t-shirt for £10 in a local store that sells for £20 on Amazon.  You buy the product, sell it on Amazon and keep the difference as profit, this is known as retail arbitrage. 

The other method is online arbitrage, sourcing products from sites like marketplace, ebay and facebook. 

Home Business
 

The skill is in analysing demand and finding items for less than the Amazon price.  The advantages, especially if it’s a second job, are that with online you can source products from home in your spare time.  It’s a low cost way to sell.  The items will arrive to you safely packaged and you can then re-use them to sell on to your Amazon buyer. 

There are thousands of online retail stores where you can find profitable inventory and if you find a great deal online you may, if you have enough financial resources, be able to buy in larger quantities and potentially make greater profits. 

You can use Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) to handle packaging, shipping and customer service.

The downside of arbitrage is that there is a lot of competition with more resellers online than shopping at physical retail stores.  It can be time-consuming and it can be hard to calculate profit. 

For retail arbitrage there are Amazon seller scanner apps you can download to your smartphone to help find profitable products to resell.  The Amazon seller app is free if you are a registered seller.  

According to a JungleScout survey, in2021, 52% of sellers reported profit margins of between 16-50% which worked out at between £2000 – £5000, annually.

It is perfectly legal to resell a product as long as it is unchanged and sold in its new condition.  However, some brands may prohibit you from selling their products on Amazon with online arbitrage – Nike and Lego do not allow third party sellers on the platform.  

What other methods are there for retail arbitrage? 

 

Private Label – this is when you create your own product label or brand, usually by modifying an existing product.  It’s the most common method of selling on amazon and can be incredibly profitable but you need to really know your markets and experts suggest you need to be willing to risk up to £5,000 because you might not get it right first time. 


 

Wholesale – Buying products in bulk directly from a brand or from distributors to sell on Amazon.  this, like private labelling, requires start up money.  As a business model it is more sustainable because you can replace orders every month and you aren’t searching masses of sites looking for products.  But demand for products can change and you could be left with an investment that you can’t shift.  There is also the matter of storage.  Unless you have masses of spare space at home, you could find yourself over-run with boxes. 

internet marketing
 

Dropshipping – In 2023, about 23% of all online sales were fulfilled via dropshipping and the figure looks set to grow because it is one of the easiest and quickest ways to start a business, 

You list products on your site or storefront but don’t actually have them in your possession.  You act as the middleman between the buyer and the supplier, which means you don’t have the headache of finding storage space and keeping on top of your inventory management. 

The customer makes a purchase, you process the order and transfer it to a third-party supplier (either a wholesaler or manufacturer).  The third party then prepares and ships the order on your behalf and the customer receives their order. 

It’s easy to run, there are low start up and overhead costs, you have a flexible work location and there are multiple selling opportunities from setting up our own domain to opening a storefront on places like Amazon and Etsy. 

To get started find a few products from an industry you know and position yourself as an expert in a specialised area.  Do plenty of market research to gauge the competition, find a quality supplier with a good reputation, find out where your target audience is and choose your selling platform accordingly. 

You may have to adapt your sales approach and never be afraid to change products that aren’t working.  

It’s also important to remember that with low overheads and costs comes low returns.  Experts suggest a profit margin of 15-20% is the absolute maximum you can achieve with dropshipping.  

Dez admits he tried several things before opting for Amazon arbitrage, and has diversified along the way. 

‘I started making videos about my progress and realised that people were relating to what I was doing.  it isn’t a get rich quick scheme, you have to build it slowly’. 

He also hopes that as he builds his media presence, he will get paid more by platforms like YouTube. 

So if you fancy a side hustle in 2024, give it a go and let us know how you get on. Read our guide to other lucrative side hustles here.

The post Amazon Turn £200 into £100k Challenge appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/amazon-turn-200-intp-100k-challenge

5 Steps to Choose the Right Tax Preparation Software for Your Tax Business

Home Business Magazine Online

Starting a new tax preparation business and overwhelmed by your professional tax software options? Or maybe you’ve been in practice for a while and you’re finding that your “starter” software isn’t cutting it anymore? In either case, you can simplify your search by starting with these five basic criteria that get at the heart of what matters in your tax software selection. Start with the following considerations, and you’ll avoid getting caught up in comparing the minor features of every available software and instead, quickly narrow down your choices to those that work for your business’s needs.

Step 1: Format Matters: Desktop vs Cloud-Based Tax Preparation Software

To help you narrow down your choices, start by deciding between desktop and cloud-based tax software. Each has its advantages, and the choice depends on your specific business requirements. Do you work mostly in the office or from home? Do you keep up with backing up client data regularly and downloading the latest software updates?

Desktop software offers the advantage of being installed on a local computer, providing a sense of control and security. Some desktop-based software supports more types of IRS forms than their cloud-based counterparts (more on form support below!) If you prefer to keep your data stored locally and know that you’ll be diligent with software updates and data backup, this option may be for you.

On the other hand, cloud-based tax preparation software has gained popularity for its convenience and remote accessibility. With the ability to access your data from anywhere with an internet connection, cloud-based solutions let you work from home or on-the-go. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with multiple locations or remote teams.

Step 2: Which Forms Do You Need Supported? 

When you’re just starting out as a tax preparer, it’s easy to assume that any professional tax software will support the IRS forms you need to file your client’s returns. But in reality, many software providers’ baseline packages only include the forms needed for most individual tax returns. If you plan to serve small business owners or individuals with complex tax situations, make sure your tax software supports the relevant forms.

Make a list of the specific forms your tax practice commonly deals with and cross-reference it with the capabilities of the tax preparation software you are considering. You may find that you need to choose upgraded packages or even look into different providers altogether. This proactive approach will save you from potential headaches during the tax season.

Step 3: Consider Your Price Range

Cost is always a consideration, especially for smaller firms or solopreneur tax preparers. When evaluating tax preparation software, make sure to consider not only the upfront cost but also any additional fees, such as per-return charges or hidden costs for support and updates. Some software providers offer tiered pricing plans based on the number of returns processed, while others may offer a flat-rate yearly subscription. For smaller operations, it might make sense to opt for software that offers per-return pricing structures. For any full-time tax preparer, however, an all-inclusive pricing package will almost always be more cost-efficient than a per-return model.

Step 4: Convenience for Your Clients

Any cloud-based tax software will let you work from any place that has an internet connection. But does your software offer your clients the same convenience?

Software that includes a remote tax preparation app for clients gives you an edge in the modern market, letting you cater to clients who prefer not to come into the office. Look for options that allow your clients to securely snap a picture of their documents, send them to you, e-sign documents, and send messages, all through the security of the app. This process is not only simpler than scanning and emailing documents, it’s far more secure.

If the app is capable of automatically uploading your clients’ information into your software or sending them updates on the status of their return, even better! These features not only enhance the client experience but also streamline your workflow, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.

Step 5: Integration Capabilities

Does the software you’re eyeing integrate with products like audit protection, identity theft protection, and bank products? Even if you aren’t sure that you’ll offer these products to your clients yet, it’s wise to choose software that leaves you the option to do so.

When you’re ready, you can add them to your offerings to diversify your income and help attract a wider client base. When your software is capable of integrating seamlessly with these products, it eliminates the need for manual data entry across multiple platforms, saving significant time and reducing the risk of errors. Whether it’s syncing client data to an application for a refund advance or adding built-in audit protection for clients worried about their return, product integration lets you meet the needs of your clients as efficiently as possible.

The right tax software does more than prepare simple returns. It lets you work the way you want to work, serve the clients you want to serve, and ultimately helps you grow your tax practice. Take the time to research and compare your options in terms of price, form support, and additional features like remote work capabilities and integration with other products. With a little effort upfront, you’ll avoid the headaches of tax software that doesn’t meet your business’s needs and enjoy the efficiency and ease of tax software that does.

The post 5 Steps to Choose the Right Tax Preparation Software for Your Tax Business appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/money/taxing-times/5-steps-choose-right-tax-preparation-software-tax-business/

Facebook rolls out ‘Link History’ for all users – and uses data for targeted ads

Facebook has started archiving all users’ link history globally on both Android and iOS devices.

While users have the option to opt out, the feature is turned on by default, allowing Meta to utilize the collected data for targeted advertising.

Why we care. As the digital marketing industry moves towards a cookieless future and stricter privacy laws, targeted advertising, while effective, faces uncertainties. Facebook’s new feature could very well prove to be a loophole for marketers wishing to reach high-value consumers, but the solution could be temporary.

Accessibility. This feature is gradually being introduced and so may not be currently available in your location. Meta hasn’t provided a specific timeline for the rollout of the Link History archive option just yet, but it has confirmed it will be expanding to all mobile users globally.

As of now, this feature is exclusive to mobile and is not available on desktop.

Advertising

How it works. Link History is a feature that keeps track of the websites you’ve visited on the Facebook mobile browser over the last 30 days. If enabled, it stores links you’ve tapped within Facebook’s Mobile Browser for this duration. It’s important to note that links visited in Messenger chats are not included in Link History.

How to turn Link History off. To turn off this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Select any link within the Facebook app to launch Facebook’s Mobile Browser.
  2. Click on the three dots located in the bottom right corner, then select Browser settings.
  3. To enable link history, toggle the switch next to “Allow Link History”, and confirm by tapping “Allow”.
  4. To disable link history, toggle the switch next to “Allow Link History”, and confirm by tapping “Don’t Allow”.

What Facebook is saying. A Facebook spokesperson said:

  • “You can choose to turn link history on or off at any time. When you turn link history off, we will immediately clear your link history and you will no longer be able to see any links that you’ve visited. Additionally, we won’t save your link history or use it to improve your ads across Meta technologies.”
  • “When you turn link history off, it may take Meta up to 90 days to complete the deletion process.”
  • “When link history is on, we may use link history information from Facebook’s Mobile Browser to improve your ads across Meta technologies.”

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Deep dive. Read Facebook’s announcement in full for more information.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/facebook-link-history-targeted-ads-436197

Could happy advertisers be the key to connected TV success? by MNTN

ad server

For years, CTV and linear television have been battling it out for viewership numbers. And it looks like CTV is coming out on top. Seeking more flexibility and lower costs, consumers have cut cords en masse, resulting in CTV viewership surpassing linear.

With ~230 million users in the U.S. alone, CTV offers a clear opportunity for advertisers to reach new audiences. But viewership numbers aren’t the only draw. With an array of results-focused capabilities, CTV has turned television screens into powerful performance advertising engines that brands of today don’t have to go without.

CTV continues to grow in popularity with viewers, and streaming services wisely cater to those customers. But there’s another consumer group they need to keep happy: advertisers. As ad-supported content offerings grow, streaming services and other CTV advertising platforms are developing more sophisticated technologies to meet advertisers’ needs. And though it may not be immediately evident, these technological advances are leading to a better experience for viewers, too.

TV has become a powerful performance channel

Advertisers once used television primarily as an awareness play. This is because viewers used to consistently tune in to their favorite newscast, weekly sitcom or sports broadcast, offering the possibility of reaching millions of eyeballs with one advertisement. But at the same time, this channel was inaccessible for many brands — advertising costs were high and determining when (and even if) an ad would run was difficult, if not outright impossible.

CTV changed this, opening doors to businesses for whom advertising on television had previously been a pipe dream. By providing brands with precision audience targeting, comprehensive reporting and the flexibility to change out ad creative when needed (among other benefits), CTV has transformed television into a performance advertising channel akin to social media and search. And many advertisers are already using it this way.

Studies revealed that while 81% of marketers said they use CTV to raise brand awareness, two-thirds classify it as a performance marketing channel. Additionally, many brands use CTV to drive specific outcomes: over half of respondents said they use the channel specifically to generate measurable web visits, conversions and revenue.

Brands may be using CTV as a performance channel, but some streaming heavyweights have fallen short when it comes to the advertiser-user experience. Netflix suffered when they failed to deliver on advertisement guarantees made when launching their ad-supported tier in late 2022. A year later, Netflix is still working to improve advertisers’ experiences. And they aren’t alone on this front.

CTV adtech is evolving to meet advertisers’ needs

On November 1, 2023, Netflix announced a slew of new features to meet advertisers’ needs better. Beginning in Q1 of 2024, brands who advertise on Netflix can utilize the following:

  • Binge ads: An ad format that lets viewers watch a fourth episode ad-free after watching three consecutive ad-supported episodes.
  • QR codes: Advertisers can include QR codes in their creative to encourage viewer engagement.
  • Sponsorships: Already available to advertisers in the U.S., Netflix’s sponsorships are broken into three categories: title, moment and live. With sponsorships, advertisers can be a part of major content releases (i.e. “titles”), seasonal moments and specific live events.  
  • Refined measurement: Netflix will partner with third-party providers to expand advertiser measurement capabilities and enable campaign verification.

Netflix isn’t the only one working on this. Paramount also recently refreshed its advertising platform. Their new product Conduit, which aggregates Paramount+ and Pluto TV inventory, was built to address issues associated with CTV fragmentation, like the separation of rival brands in ad blocks and accurately tracking ad running frequency.

“The undercurrent here is that there’s a lot of programmatic technology, and these platforms don’t always play super nice together, and we feel as a publisher the buck stops with us to serve a high-quality ad experience,” said Leo O’Connor, Paramount’s senior vice president of advertising, of the update. “If a viewer gets a bad ad break watching one of our shows, they don’t get upset with the ad server. They don’t get upset with the TV manufacturer.”

https://adage.com/article/digital-marketing-ad-tech-news/paramount-ctv-ad-tech-update-conduit-gives-more-programmatic-controls/2525451

MNTN has revamped its adtech, as well. MNTN Next Gen TV was developed to help advertisers and their teams transform television into an even more powerful growth engine. Some of the major updates include enhanced audience building, verified measurement and optimized creative. Performance optimization also got an overhaul; its dedicated product and engineering teams have upgraded MNTN’s performance engine to deliver an unrivaled return on investment. With MNTN Next Gen TV advertisers are already earning, on average, 27% lower cost per acquisition and 38% more site traffic.

Viewer experiences with streaming ads can be inconsistent

Paramount’s O’Connor isn’t wrong in the assumption that bad ad breaks can reflect poorly on the streaming services serving them. And in the early days of ad-supported streaming tiers, the user experience has been inconsistent at best.

Alyssa Boyle, associate editor at AdExchanger, spoke to this first hand when she reviewed Disney+’s new ad-supported tier in February 2023.

“Whether I was watching ‘Hannah Montana’ or the National Geographic show ‘Airport Security’ about cocaine smuggling, the ad experience was pretty much the same,” Boyle said.

She also noted that ad repeats and those of rival brands weren’t uncommon.

“I saw repeat ads from Capital One and a university in Southern New Hampshire, as well as ads for both Huggies and Pampers in back-to-back episodes of ‘The Simpsons.’”

But a better ad-viewing experience could be on its way. In supporting the needs of advertisers, those updates to ad technology could, in turn, address (if not solve) the needs of viewers. For instance, enhanced audience building will help advertisers be more precise about who they serve ads to, ensuring that they consistently target viewers interested in and/or who could benefit from their product. For viewers, this means more ads that are actually relevant to their interests and needs — and fewer that aren’t.

Evolving CTV adtech could signal good things for advertisers and viewers alike

The ongoing rise of ad-supported streaming content paired with the performance capabilities of CTV should be reason enough for advertisers to invest in the channel. If not, the recent CTV adtech updates are helping to solidify the argument. Increasingly sophisticated advertising technologies will allow advertisers to produce top performance results and tap into CTV’s full potential, but they can also make for a better viewing experience — a win for CTV advertisers and users alike.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/could-happy-advertisers-be-the-key-to-connected-tv-success-435426

Maximizing Efficiency in Construction: A Guide to the Latest Concrete Crushers

Home Business Magazine Online

Efficiency in construction is a pivotal aspect in the modernization of infrastructure and the creation of sustainable developments. Concrete crushers play a crucial role in this domain, offering a solution that optimizes efficiency by reusing materials and reducing waste in construction projects. These crushers have evolved significantly, incorporating advanced technologies to streamline the process of breaking down concrete structures into reusable materials.

How do the latest concrete crushers maximize efficiency?

Boost productivity 

The latest concrete crushers are designed with cutting-edge features that enhance productivity and efficiency on construction sites. These machines have robust crushing mechanisms that efficiently break concrete into smaller, manageable pieces. Innovations in crusher design, such as hydraulic systems and intelligent controls, allow for precise adjustments in crushing parameters, ensuring optimal performance while minimizing energy consumption.

Exploitation of resources

One of the key elements in maximizing efficiency is concrete crusher for a exploitation of resources. Concrete crushers enable the extraction and reuse of concrete from demolished structures, transforming waste material into valuable resources for new construction projects. This recycling process reduces the need for raw materials and minimizes landfill waste, aligning with sustainability goals and environmental regulations.

Versatility 

The versatility of modern concrete crushers contributes significantly to efficiency gains in construction. These machines are adaptable to various job sites and can handle different types of concrete structures, ranging from foundations and slabs to reinforced concrete. Their mobility and compact design enable easy transportation between sites, saving time and resources while maintaining high productivity levels.

Sustainability

Concrete crushers contribute significantly to sustainability by promoting the circular economy. By efficiently breaking down concrete structures, these crushers facilitate the extraction of valuable raw materials, fostering a closed-loop system where recycled concrete can be utilized in new construction projects. This reduces the demand for fresh concrete and minimizes the environmental impact associated with quarrying and production processes.

Acceleration in project timelines

In the realm of construction efficiency, time is a critical factor. The latest concrete crushers are engineered to expedite demolition, allowing construction teams to complete projects within tighter schedules. This acceleration in project timelines enhances efficiency and reduces labor costs and overall project expenses.

Ensures safety and reliability

Efficiency in construction isn’t solely about completing tasks quickly; it’s also about ensuring safety and reliability. Advanced concrete crushers prioritize safety features to protect operators and maintain operational integrity. Automated systems, remote operation capabilities, and reinforced structural designs contribute to safer working environments, reducing the risk of accidents and downtime.

Incorporate advanced features

The latest concrete crushers incorporate advanced features and designs that significantly enhance efficiency. One such innovation is exploiting hydraulic systems, enabling crushers to exert immense force, effectively breaking down concrete structures into manageable pieces. These crushers boast powerful jaws and blades that efficiently crush and pulverize concrete, rendering it suitable for reuse in various construction applications.

Streamline the demolition process

The good thing about employing the latest concrete crushers lies in their ability to streamline demolition. These machines are engineered to pulverize concrete structures swiftly and effectively, reducing the time required for demolition. The utilization of such equipment minimizes manual labor, which not only expedites project timelines but also ensures a safer working environment for construction personnel.

To achieve maximum efficiency, selecting the appropriate concrete crusher based on project requirements is imperative. Factors such as the size of the project, type of concrete, and desired end-product specifications play a pivotal role in determining the most suitable crusher for the job. Whether a jaw crusher, impact crusher, or cone crusher, each type offers unique capabilities that can be optimized for specific applications, ensuring efficiency throughout the construction process.

Wrapping up

The latest concrete crushers are indispensable tools for maximizing efficiency in construction. Their ability to recycle materials, adapt to various job requirements, enhance productivity, and prioritize safety makes them vital assets in modern construction practices. By embracing these innovative technologies, construction companies can achieve higher efficiency, lower costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The post Maximizing Efficiency in Construction: A Guide to the Latest Concrete Crushers appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/equipment/maximizing-efficiency-construction-guide-latest-concrete-crushers/

Business Challenges of Your Business Structure — And What to Do When It Grows

Home Business Magazine Online

By Jim Conroy, CEO of The Neat Company

Starting a business requires organizing that business. Whether you’re going to function as a sole proprietorship or a corporation, being in business means keeping books and reporting profits to the IRS. Here are some ways your home business can meet those challenges.

Your business is what you do that people will pay you for. Whether you design websites, work as a contractor or landscaper, run a bakery, or provide dental services, your business structure is central to how you operate and navigate challenges.

Your business structure is who owns the business, who is liable for its actions, and who pays taxes on its profits.

The following chart from the Small Business Administration lays out the basic business structures available to you for operating your business. Except for partnerships, any of these can be a one-person operation.

Business structure Ownership Liability Taxes
Sole proprietorship One person Unlimited personal liability Self-employment tax

Personal tax

Partnerships Two or more people Unlimited personal liability unless structured as a limited partnership Self-employment tax (except for limited partners)

Personal tax

Limited liability company (LLC) One or more people Owners are not personally liable Self-employment tax

Personal tax or corporate tax

Corporation – C Corporation One or more people Owners are not personally liable Corporate tax
Corporation – S Corporation One or more people, but no more than 100, and all must be U.S. citizens Owners are not personally liable Personal tax
Corporation – B Corporation One or more people Owners are not personally liable Corporate tax
Corporation – Nonprofit One or more people Owners are not personally liable Tax-exempt, but corporate profits can’t be distributed

Source: Small Business Administration

However your business is structured, calculating profit or loss for tax purposes is a universal requirement. While some states tax business revenue, the IRS taxes on profit — revenue less expenses. Sole proprietors, in particular, need to ensure that what they do is treated as a business, not a hobby, in order for the IRS to allow their expense deductions.

Sole Proprietorships

Sole proprietorships are often the choice for home businesses or side-hustles. The simplicity of operating as a sole proprietorship is clear-cut – you perform work, get paid, and report your profit or loss directly on your personal tax return using Schedule C and Schedule SE. You’re your own boss and can make decisions and act on them immediately.

However, sole proprietorships come with limitations. Capital may be scarce. This makes it harder to obtain loans, nor can you float an IPO. Unlike corporations, which have multiple bankruptcy options for protection, sole proprietors are personally liable for business debts.

Other Business Structures

Partnerships have the same pass-through taxation as a sole proprietorship, and can benefit from the expertise of each partner. Limited liability corporations (LLCs) can reduce liability concerns, but the tradeoff is more legal oversight and regulation. Corporations further insulate the assets of the corporation’s owners and can usually more easily secure funding. However, they are subject to double taxation: the corporation pays tax, and then the owners pay tax on any share of profits returned to owner as dividends.

Bookkeeping Challenges

Regardless of the structure, bookkeeping becomes increasingly complex as the separation of individual owners from liability increases. Sole proprietors must spend time to track revenue and allowable expenses in order to correctly file taxes. This is true whether you throw all your invoices, receipts, and bank statements on a desk at the end of the year and start organizing them, or handle them on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. As the business grows, errors become more likely as more tasks must be accomplished and more employees may be involved in recordkeeping.

Growth Challenges

A lot of home businesses exist just to generate income that supplements their salary from working for someone else — the classic side-hustle. But many more want to grow their home-based business into a larger entity that becomes their primary source of income. If that’s you, the challenge is one of both increasing volume and complexity. A business that started on the dining room table may expand to a dedicated home office. If regularly and exclusively used for your business, you can deduct the cost of that space. Growing further to an office, warehouse, or other facility provides additional expense items to track for deductions — or the intricacy of depreciating your business assets. Adding employees involves tracking their salaries, paying taxes you must withhold to the IRS (see IRS Publication 15), and a hodgepodge of forms and deadlines, each furthering the possibility of making an error.

Growth and market changes also underscore the logic for streamlining your processes to prevent them from interfering with actual commerce.

Managing Documents

Time, cost, and accuracy are your challenge regardless of your business structure. You will have tax deadlines to meet. This is not just the IRS deadline on April 15, but local business tax deadlines, often on different dates. If you have employees, you will need to provide withheld tax to the IRS semi-weekly or monthly, accompanied by the required form (usually, but not always, Form 944). Accuracy is essential. Penalties range from 2% to 15% of the taxes you did not deposit on time, in the right amount, or in the right way. And the more your business grows, the more prone it is to blunder from lack of time or green employees.

Basic ways to handle this bookkeeping have been paper ledgers and journals, file cabinets, and spreadsheets, all of which multiply possible error or omissions. One great help for a home business is a document management system (DMS). A DMS can grab relevant data in whatever way works best for you: scanning, uploading computer files, emailing attachments, or smart phone photograph. Through optical character recognition (OCR), it converts any input into digital data. These data are then stored securely in the cloud. Then you — or anyone you provide access — can manipulate the data to track invoices, receipts, related documents, and more. You can even generate reports to gain insight on your business, such as cash flow statements or profit and loss statements.

Your Next Step

The next step in any business is to create more efficient processes that increase its profitability. Up-to-the-moment data enables you to make smart decisions and secure financing when needed. Accurate records support growth from garage to giant. Meeting the challenge of picking the right business structure enabling your business to function well, proactively move forward, and embrace change provides the means for sustained growth.

The post Business Challenges of Your Business Structure — And What to Do When It Grows appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/business-start-up/legal-structure/business-challenges-business-structure-grows/

Why Testing Your Home for Radon Is So Important

Home Business Magazine Online

By Insoo Park, CEO – Ecosense Inc.

Homeowners typically take a number of steps to safeguard their dwellings. Insurance policies provide for recovery in the case of floods, fires, and other calamities, and home warranties — which function in a way that is similar to insurance — provide relief when major systems and/or appliances fail or pests such as termites cause damage.

Typically, these precautions combine inspections, which are meant to detect and allow for the prevention of problems, with restoration efforts that mitigate damage when problems occur. They give homeowners peace of mind as well as protect their investments, and although their costs can be significant, they are usually considered to be well justified.

Despite the fact radon exposure has serious health ramifications, radon testing is one area that often falls off the radar in terms of safeguarding the home’s occupants. Unfortunately, radon rarely gets attention except when a home is inspected for a real estate transaction, during which time constraints limit the test period to two or three days.

Testing prior to purchase is certainly worthwhile, but the results may fall short of determining one’s potential radon exposure over time. That’s because indoor radon concentrations tend to vary from day to day, week to week, and month to month. The surest way to understand your family’s radon risk is to continuously monitor the radon in your home.

The Dangers of Long-Term Exposure to Radon Gas

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is responsible for 1 out of every 6 deaths globally, making it one of the leading causes of death in the world. The National Cancer Institute identifies lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world, accounting for nearly three times as many deaths as the second most deadly form. Among lung cancer deaths, only cigarette smoking causes more deaths than radon gas.

Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that occurs naturally when the element radium breaks down. Because radium is found in rocks, soil, and water, it is often present in and around homes. As radium releases radon, the gas can be drawn into homes through cracks and other openings in foundations and slabs, where it can accumulate to dangerous levels.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over 20,000 people die annually in the U.S. from radon-related lung cancer. It is considered especially dangerous because those who are affected by radon show no immediate symptoms.

What is also concerning is not only high levels of radon alone but a strong relationship between prolonged exposure to low levels of radon and lung cancer. The EPA further believes that 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated levels of radon.

The Need for Ongoing Radon Monitoring

When radon testing is conducted during the time constraints of a home purchase, a 48-hour test period under closed-house conditions is typically the best test option available to a homebuyer. However, continuous monitoring over extended time provides a much clearer picture of occupant exposure.

It is not unusual to see large variations in indoor radon concentrations. Frequently, hourly average swings in radon concentrations follow a daily pattern. Additionally, radon levels typically fluctuate as a response to changes in weather or activities happening within the house. In fact, radon levels can be quite different from season to season.

Such fluctuations make it critical that the threat of radon be addressed by long-term monitoring. Monitoring over several months is necessary to provide a true assessment of the potential for health risks. In addition, reliable monitoring devices should be used that can accurately track temporal radon variations.

Overcoming the Challenges to Proper Radon Testing

Ensuring that you have used a reliable monitoring device is the first step to obtaining a clear picture of the radon threat. Passive radon tests commonly use charcoal to absorb air in a space, with an analysis of the charcoal done later in a lab setting. The accuracy of such passive tests has been challenged by recent studies, including a University of Calgary study that showed the tests result in imprecise results as much as 99 percent of the time.

Active radon monitors use electronic sensors to detect alpha particles emitted by radon. The most effective monitors can produce readings in as little as 10 minutes with a high level of sensitivity. The monitors also provide ongoing feedback on any fluctuations that occur in radon levels.

Proper placement of the monitoring device is also critical, which is why readings should be taken in locations where occupants are more likely to be for extended periods of time, such as living rooms, playrooms, or bedrooms. The ideal placement for the monitor is at least 20 inches above the floor, 12 inches from an exterior wall, and 36 inches from exterior windows or doors. Monitors should not be positioned inside closets, cabinets, or crawl spaces.

Mitigating When High Radon Levels Are Detected

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L) and the EPA says that levels of 4 pCi/L or higher should be addressed. Obtaining an accurate reading should involve at least 90 days of monitoring. However, if levels are shown to be 8 pCi/L or higher over a seven-day period, immediate action should be taken.

When high levels are detected, increasing ventilation by opening windows and doors is a temporary measure that can be employed. Monitoring should be continued to see if the increased ventilation lowers levels. Active Soil Depressurization is a mitigation strategy that prevents radon from entering the home by drawing the gas from below the house and venting it into the air where it is diluted to safe levels.

The Value of Radon Monitoring and Mitigation

Long-term exposure to elevated levels of radon gas has been repeatedly demonstrated to increase the risk of lung cancer in humans. It takes years for this form of cancer to develop, with detection of the disease usually only happening when it is in its advanced stages. Ongoing monitoring for radon ensures that elevated levels can be detected and avoided before they result in deadly consequences.

In addition, proper measures to reduce radon exposure have the potential to dramatically impact insurance costs. According to the Cost of Cancer article on Health Payer Intelligence, the average lifetime cost of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment in the U.S. is approximately $282,000 per case. Taking the number at face value results in an estimated annual healthcare cost for radon-induced lung cancer treatment of nearly $10 billion nationally (228,820 new cases/year x 14% x $282,000).

For something that is, to some degree, preventable, that is a big number. As to who pays it, we all do — through the taxes that support Medicare and Medicaid, private insurance premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and charitable contributions. That is why radon monitoring efforts are so important, both for our personal health and the health of the nation.

The post Why Testing Your Home for Radon Is So Important appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/home-improvement/testing-home-radon-important/