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3f029fec1ab30d894476eee86c73ef7a	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/annemariaduran/	Annemaria DuranForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Annemaria DuranForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
0f59872c4f112dcd1eb187b968ea6e7f	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/brittainladd1/	Brittain LaddForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Brittain LaddForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
92ff80680c78e2aebf13577e827abf04	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/carolkimura/	Carol KimuraForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Carol KimuraForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
2516c1120aaea7facb7f0b6585645e38	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/chrisstefanyk/	Chris StefanykForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Chris StefanykForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
bc5069c886fe9865c170e396e6febe96	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/danielhussem/	Daniel HussemForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Daniel HussemForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
71dc10283259daea1e5f7036036da5a8	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/elizabethshea1/	Elizabeth SheaForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Elizabeth SheaForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
d6451b31da5601717ef96c2b9d3e3234	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/haseebtariq/	Haseeb TariqForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Haseeb TariqForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
e24f3a126431364295b8f10e77d94a7e	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/janicechou/	Janice ChouForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Janice ChouForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
a637380c66f2204fc71dd1cf6a7558db	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/jeffgrover1/	Jeff GroverForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Jeff GroverForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
18373aeac1c2a58d1ef062358ad5769e	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/jeffschmitz1/	Jeff SchmitzForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Jeff SchmitzForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
deef0558cac113cb864a6667d0da3bd3	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/jenniferkyriakakis/	Jennifer KyriakakisForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Jennifer KyriakakisForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
41d612c3be9a692967888e4a0c9d2677	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/jessicawong1/	Jessica WongForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Jessica WongForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
268dd17e8b26c3311bbff232f9f8e7c8	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/jimkreyenhagen/	Jim KreyenhagenForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Jim KreyenhagenForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
4d7cc84d48212db4589466b9e75db3a6	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/jonathanbacon1/	Jonathan BaconForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Jonathan BaconForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
8e469d30abdced2b1b05b59ffad01d9a	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/keithbendes1/	Keith BendesForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Keith BendesForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
fc4b4a2f62785f35e0a942378c4b5aa4	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/kennahigian/	Ken NahigianForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Ken NahigianForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
249a023e9e402dd48f53ca1bdd0f4c9e	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/kensterling1/	Ken SterlingForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Ken SterlingForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
485f7d254f60bd3dfaf2930b89d3a46d	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/kristenwessel1/	Kristen WesselForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Kristen WesselForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
294fc5bb6524fb3477953c4d89ab01ec	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/lianadouilletguzman/	Liana Douillet GuzmánForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Liana Douillet GuzmánForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
cf1de115da60db8b96b74cc6fea4d018	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/lisefeng/	Lise FengForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Lise FengForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
1144020246c2f75b3ab4a373069e0173	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/mailekeone1/	Maile KeoneForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Maile KeoneForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
420557269eebad3729a51f66c45d82c4	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/michaelgeorgiou/	Michael GeorgiouForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Michael GeorgiouForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
fa1bcec4fc3c065393c5f0e3b1e75830	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/mikeneumeier/	Mike NeumeierForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Mike NeumeierForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
9a4b48c1eb6be3cc2e797e1994fdeb40	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/morgankelleher/	Morgan KelleherForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Morgan KelleherForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
c8519bbe8790468f7fc4c6a33cd4254b	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/noahechols/	Noah EcholsForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Noah EcholsForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
122b18cbdd3ee0df08a924899796d4d5	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/paulkoulogeorge/	Paul KoulogeorgeForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Paul KoulogeorgeForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
3bb60c998814dd6cfb0536a64ab405fe	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/pawelkijko/archive/	Pawel KijkoForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Pawel KijkoForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
7cde883a18b5b09ee7c1ff1a83b5e7d6	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/rondakalistaylor/	Ronda Kalis TaylorForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Ronda Kalis TaylorForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
8e66011efe4ed04999105b9efda1b717	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/stuartdraper/	Stuart DraperForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Stuart DraperForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
f22eb6ef72676205cc049e13fa847f16	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/people/udiledergor/	Udi LedergorForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)	Udi LedergorForbes Councils Member \|COUNCIL POST Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. Opinions expressed are those of the author.\| Membership (fee-based)
9bb129e467e820b89835094e4fc8c942	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescontentmarketing/2017/09/12/how-an-indie-horror-flick-influenced-saps-brand-storytelling/	How An Indie Horror Flick Influenced SAP's Brand Storytelling	How An Indie Horror Flick Influenced SAP's Brand Storytelling An interview with Tim Clark, vice president, head of native advertising at enterprise software giant SAP. Now in its 7th year, SAPVoice was Forbes’ first BrandVoice partner. It’s a constant tension in content marketing. On the one hand, you need to provide value to readers, and branded content should be as useful and entertaining as good editorial. On the other hand, you’re facing institutional pressure to maximize “brand mentions” and hammer home your messaging. To stay on track, take to heart an old journalistic rule: Write the stories you want to write, not the ones you “need” to write — for internal political reasons, for example. In going out on a limb, you might even find that the numbers back you up. SAP’s Clark told a story that drives that point home. “When we started with BrandVoice,” he said, “we lacked a clear sense of what we should be doing with our content. We talked too much about ourselves in our stories, and saw low page views and flat engagement.” Then he came across a story about a 2011 Australian indie horror movie called “The Tunnel.” It was fully crowdfunded, and a success — winning distribution from an independent Canadian film company. Clark asked himself, “Why can’t I write about this film and connect the topic back to our business?” Clark wrote the story, using the movie’s success to shed light on digital disruption — which, he noted, “is what crowdfunding is all about.” His headline? “Indie Horror Flick ‘The Tunnel’ Eviscerates Old Business Model.” The result was striking. The piece started trending, and fast — hitting No. 1 on Forbes’ “Most Popular” ranking. It was the first article by any BrandVoice partner to do so. More than that, Clark said, it “opened up our eyes as to what types of stories we should tell. It gave me a back door through which I could tell SAP’s story, which is largely about the changes tech is driving. It was a great example of what’s possible.” Not to mention, Clark said, the story made SAP “look slightly cooler.” “Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on your themes,” Clark said. “And don’t be so tightly married to your corporate messaging. Nothing repels an audience faster than marketing talk.”
005bdb7497ea7097664e64bc628651f1	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescontentmarketing/2018/01/11/5-social-media-tips-for-your-content-marketing-strategy/	5 Social Media Tips For Your Content Marketing Strategy	5 Social Media Tips For Your Content Marketing Strategy An interview with Shauna Gleason, director of social media at Forbes. Content people have long viewed social platforms as link-bearing pivots that swung users toward content hubs. But that’s over, as social has matured into something that demands their primary attention. Here are five things content marketers can do to master social in 2018, courtesy of Forbes’ Gleason. 1. Embrace influencer marketing. If you don’t have your finger on the pulse of social platform changes, you’ll quickly get left... [+] behind. Forbes can testify to the benefits of influencers. Recent takeovers of Forbes’ Instagram account by coding evangelist/model Karlie Kloss and musician The Weeknd to support Forbes’ yearly 30 Under 30 and Celebrity 100 lists, respectively, dramatically boosted the account’s numbers. “Influencers like that put Forbes before a youthful audience interested in business, tech and entertainment.” Gleason said. “That’s a desirable audience for us.” Of course, Forbes has access to the movers and shakers who appear on its cover. Your organization needs to create its own network of influencers. If you need help doing that, Gleason says, call your local social media agency—and fast. 2. Draft a strategy. “Always ask why you’re doing something in social,” Gleason said. “You need well-defined goals, a plan and resources to achieve them.” If something doesn’t fit the plan, you should be asking if it’s really worth executing. What’s the ROI? Does your organization have redundant social accounts, blunting your messaging? If so, reevaluate. “A department that wants to launch a Twitter account should have to justify it from a business perspective,” Gleason said. “What’s the goal? What will the messaging be? If the applicants can’t answer those questions, it’s not worth the time and resources.” That goes for any social initiative, of course, not just a new Twitter account. 3. Dig deep into data. Gleason’s team cranks out both weekly and monthly performance reports for each social platform. “Reacting to what the data tells you is one way to build engagement,” she said. Gleason’s team has translated data into new video formats and even the acquisition of a Forbes contributing writer specializing in Korean pop, a genre that produced startlingly good numbers on Forbes Twitter. If you don’t have staffers daily parsing the data your social streams crank out, then get them. Not only will it boost your numbers, but your own time will be better spent on creating the content that matters and statistically performs best. 4. Watch the platforms like a hawk. In December, to combat “fake news,” Facebook announced a policy change. Users could no longer modify the headlines and descriptions of posts to which they linked. Basic methods of audience development become obsolete in the course of a morning. Gleason’s team made fast technical changes in reaction to the Facebook move. Can your organization move nimbly in the ever-shifting social landscape? It’s not only policy changes, either. The stream of new products flowing from the platforms bears attention, too. “If you don’t have your finger on the pulse of social platform changes, you’ll quickly get left behind,” Gleason said. 5. Consider social platforms as destinations in themselves, not distribution channels. Link-outs from social posts are useful. But these days the point is to keep user eyeballs on the platform itself, since that’s where your readers are spending time. “Users are used to being inundated with click-bait, especially on Facebook,” Gleason said. “Our goal is to post content that users expect to see on Forbes’ Facebook, Instagram, etc. Our feeds are curated thoughtfully.” Implicit in all of the above is that content marketers need to become fluent in social, or at least make sure they’re working closely with their shops’ social teams. Silos have to break down. “When social was new, marketing or comms teams could easily execute it,” Gleason said. “It hasn’t been that way for years. Investing in an experienced, dedicated social team is crucial for brand awareness, growth and audience development.”
eb8cc3368b093040ba0816894a079e40	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescontentmarketing/2018/09/21/how-one-small-marketing-change-made-a-big-difference-for-7-executives/	How One Small Marketing Change Made A Big Difference For 7 Executives	How One Small Marketing Change Made A Big Difference For 7 Executives Your content marketing strategy is sinking. What’s your next move? Perhaps it’s time for a rethink. Seven executives who specialize in content marketing shared their stories of how one small change sparked a significant shift in their business. Connect on a personal level. Ann Handley, chief content officer, Marketing Profs: At the start of this year, I got an inquiry from a reader at my personal website, asking me why he hadn’t received my email newsletter in a while. First I documented a lengthy list of excuses. Then I put my dukes down and dialed back the defensiveness…. and used his question to fuel my thinking, asking myself: What is the real value of an email newsletter? In this age of AI and Facebook Live and video, is an email newsletter even necessary? Photo courtesy of Ann Handley After weeks of soul-searching and research, I came away with two thoughts: 1) An email newsletter is the only place where individuals—not algorithms—are in control. So what if marketing leaned into that inherently personal space? 2) Most companies use their email newsletter as a distribution strategy. What if we focused not on the news but on the letter? So in January I relaunched my personal email newsletter as a way to talk directly to my audience. It’s taught me a lot about what works and what doesn’t in content and in marketing. Because I think the best email newsletters are also a kind of proxy for the best marketing, period. Create value, not ads. Photo courtesy of Juntae DeLane Juntae DeLane, chief strategist, Digital Delane, LLC, and founder of the Digital Branding Institute: One change that made a big difference in our marketing is prioritizing our brand website over our agency website. When introducing the benefits of digital branding to a prospective client, providing value to the target audience is the best way to get attention. We showcase insights instead of promoting our services. This small but significant change has generated more qualified leads and a smoother client onboarding process. MORE FOR YOUBiden’s Final Pitch To Georgia: Vote Blue And $2,000 Checks Will ‘Go Out The Door Immediately’Large Numbers Of Health Care And Frontline Workers Are Refusing Covid-19 VaccineIn Georgia, Trump Says ‘They’re Not Taking This White House’ Photo courtesy of Ed Breault Ed Breault, VP, head of marketing at Aprimo: We’ve shifted our mindset by taking the approach to give our audience relevant, remarkable, and truthful content that they can talk about—instead of just product-centric content. This transformation, however, forced a more comprehensive approach and analysis of our entire marketing operation including envisioning our content from a lifecycle point of view. This served as the trigger point driving us to look at the bigger picture of how we could better integrate our processes, people and technologies to manage this new content strategy, and ultimately deliver improved value for our audience. Take a holistic approach. Photo courtesy of Tom Gerace Tom Gerace, founder and CEO of Skyword: The most significant change we have made in marketing is shifting from standalone content marketing initiatives to putting content at the center of everything we do. People will pay attention to what brands have to say if brands offer something worthy of their time. Once we recognized that value exchange was at the core of modern marketing, we started to think about creating value for our prospects each time they encounter us. Prioritize audience experience. Photo courtesy of Shachar Orren Shachar Orren, chief storyteller, Playbuzz: I was originally the VP of Content at Playbuzz, a role in which I was constantly ensuring that content our brand and publisher partners were producing with our platform, would result in highly engaging environments for users and ultimately, meaningful two-way dialogues and deeper relationships. When I transitioned into the role of Chief Storyteller (Playbuzz's take on a CMO role), I have continued to focus on what the end user will feel when interacting with Playbuzz-powered stories. This has taken our marketing focus from that of B2B, to B2BC with UX top of mind. We have coupled this approach with our unique understanding of global content consumption habits. Today’s average user cannot be expected to simply scroll through text-heavy content; they expect content placed in front of them to be involving and high-quality. Our team keeps that in mind when producing our own marketing materials, to make sure we are practicing what we preach. Because of it, we have strengthened our relationships with partners, forged new ones and have seen more message consistency in organic mentions of the company – both internally and externally. Give readers a reason to opt in. Photo courtesy of Ian Cleary Ian Cleary, founder of Razor Social: When I started creating a summary of blog posts and gave them away in exchange for an opt-in, my email conversion rates went from 2% to 3% to 10% to 15%. I include an opt-in within the post and again as part of a popup that appears when exiting my website from a blog post. Your website visitor is more likely to opt-in when the incentive is directly related to the blog post. When I capture the email address, I have a lead nurture series that generates sales, but even if the person is not interested in buying now, I can continue to build the relationship in the future. So this small change meant a significant increase in revenue. Tap your networks. Photo courtesy of John Hall John Hall, co-founder of Influence & Co. and author of Top of Mind: I stopped relying on others to distribute content for me. It’s important that you have a distribution plan in place to reach your audience. Encourage employees to share content, or send it to influencers you know. The list goes on. Just make sure you leverage the content across your company and outside it. That’s the beauty of good pieces of content: If they’re truly valuable, you’ll have plenty of uses for them. More from Forbes Content Marketing: 5 Brand Storytelling Tactics That Will Help Inspire Your Next Big Idea How To Solve 7 Major Marketing Challenges Of 2018 5 Marketing Trends B2B Brands Need To Follow
ecc785a11e48bfa79b7dd974c725dae6	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescontentmarketing/2018/10/31/5-things-marketers-should-know-about-will-smiths-youtube-strategy/	5 Things Marketers Should Know About Will Smith's YouTube Strategy	5 Things Marketers Should Know About Will Smith's YouTube Strategy Will Smith is having a moment. Despite no new movies, albums, tours or TV shows to promote, the 30-year Hollywood veteran has turned himself into the EF Hutton of social media. When he talks, 4 million YouTube subscribers listen. You’ve probably watched a few of his viral videos: bungee-jumping from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon for his 50th birthday, busting a move on a Budapest bridge and interviewing an astronaut in outer space, to name a few. But beyond the splashy productions, he also gives viewers a candid glimpse into his thoughts on life and family. A few weeks ago he broke down his marketing strategy with a theater full of marketers at Advertising Week in New York City. In case you missed it, here’s a recap of a few key points: Will Smith at Advertising Week - 10/3/18 John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx 1) Be flexible. Back in the ‘80s when The Fresh Prince rose to fame, the formula for stardom looked different. Achieving success meant putting in work and sticking to a script, but in today’s climate a rigid plan can do more harm than good. “You have to be paying attention.” Gone are the days when studios could rely on an exciting trailer that tricks theatergoers into seeing a lackluster film. Phones already start buzzing with reviews on opening night, which directly impacts sales. As Scott Cook once said, “A brand is no longer what we tell the consumer it is—it is what consumers tell each other it is.” 2) Be deliberate. Make every piece of video content count and focus on quality over quantity. Smith’s motivators? Spreading joy and sharing lessons that help people. “The quality of the storytelling leads the engagement and then how much you’ll be able to carry people along with you,” Smith said. MORE FOR YOUBiden’s Final Pitch To Georgia: Vote Blue And $2,000 Checks Will ‘Go Out The Door Immediately’Large Numbers Of Health Care And Frontline Workers Are Refusing Covid-19 VaccineIn Georgia, Trump Says ‘They’re Not Taking This White House’ 3) Be daring. “I know if I post something on Saturday night with me dancing, it’ll be my biggest post for the week,” Smith said. But that’s no cue to start breaking out the choreography in every video. Engagement is important, but the desire for clicks and views shouldn’t override your brand’s goals and the message you want to send your audience. “Nothing is more valuable than your gut,” Smith argued, emphasizing that the biggest wins happen outside your comfort zone. “The metrics are there to train your gut. At the end of the day you have to make the call.” As an example he recounted how in 1997 Hollywood insiders thought the “Titanic” movie would flop before it went on to become one of the highest grossing films of all time. The metrics predicted a period piece could only be so successful, but the film defied the odds. “Use the metrics, but be very careful of thinking that they’re God. They’re not.” 4) Be human. At times you’ll need to take off your marketing hat and tap into your human nature, Smith advised. “The question is ‘How do my products, and how do my services, improve lives?’” he said. Beyond looking at the hard metrics, he reads the comments to gauge how people are receiving the content. “Staying in touch with people and not in touch with numbers and products has been really helpful for me over the past year.” 5) Be authentic. One day Will had a heart-to-heart with his son Jaden Smith. To Will’s surprise, Jaden was upfront with a girl he was dating about needing his space instead of cheating on her. “That’s from your generation. Cheating is over,” Jaden told him. For Jaden and his young friends, it’s much less stressful to own up to the truth than to get caught in a lie. The moral of the story for marketers: “Authenticity is going to be at the center of being able to create and succeed with this next generation.” Follow Forbes BrandVoice on LinkedIn and Twitter for more marketing industry insights. Read More: 5 Ways To Improve Your Brand's Storytelling 3 Steps To Take Before Telling Your Brand's Data Story 5 Social Media Tips For Your Content Marketing Strategy
3af7d9460dfeb9beb385d9aec33c9bc5	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescontentmarketing/2019/01/30/10-fast-facts-to-consider-in-your-content-marketing-plans/	10 Fast Facts To Consider In Your Content Marketing Plans	10 Fast Facts To Consider In Your Content Marketing Plans Content marketers understand how long-form content, SEO, social media and video help raise brand awareness and build a loyal audience, but others in our orbit sometimes need convincing. That's when having the right data comes in handy. Recent research shows why today's brands continue to prioritize content in their marketing mix. When making your business case, keep these industry stats and insights in mind. Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels Content Strategy & Platform Trends 1) Sponsored articles that include brand mentions sparingly get better reader engagement than those with frequent brand mentions. (Pressboard Brand Publishers Study 2018) 2) 90% of the most successful content marketers prioritize educating their audience over promoting their company's sales message, compared with 56% of those who describe their content marketing efforts as unsuccessful. (B2B Content Marketing 2019) 3) 61% of marketers surveyed publish content several times per week; 89% of those respondents reported content marketing produced higher quality leads than other forms of marketing. (ContentWriters) 4) 82% of CMOs expect to increase their digital budgets by about 50% in 2019. (Nielsen 2018 CMO Report) MORE FOR YOUBiden’s Final Pitch To Georgia: Vote Blue And $2,000 Checks Will ‘Go Out The Door Immediately’Large Numbers Of Health Care And Frontline Workers Are Refusing Covid-19 VaccineIn Georgia, Trump Says ‘They’re Not Taking This White House’ 5) Over the past two years, direct mobile traffic to publishers' websites has grown by 30%, surpassing referral traffic from Facebook. (Chartbeat/ MediaPost) 6) In a survey of 500 digital marketers, 88% said their marketing strategy includes blogging, and most posts they publish have at least one visual. (Venngage) Consumer Habits The most successful content marketers recognize content marketing as an opportunity to build trust. Once your brand becomes a source of useful, reliable information, you won't have to chase customers—they’ll come to you. 7) 82% of consumers have made a purchase based on a company's online content marketing. (Clutch Survey) 8) 96% of the top-performing B2B content marketers say their audience views their brand as a credible and trusted source. (B2B Content Marketing 2019 by Content Marketing Institute) 9) 71% of consumers say they would be willing to spend more money to support products and services from a brand they trust. (Readers' Digest Most Trusted Brand Survey 2018) 10) 38% of buyers visit at least four sites to research prior to making a first-time B2B purchase. (e-tailing group's B2B Buyer Behavior) Each piece of content your brand publishes is an opportunity to leave readers with a positive impression. Creating content that’s thoughtful and informative gives visitors a reason to engage and the motivation to continue exploring what your brand has to offer. Ultimately, this builds the foundation of trust needed to turn prospects into customers. Read Also: How To Maximize Your Brand's ROI With Live Event Partnerships 3 Steps To Take Before Telling Your Brand’s Data Story 5 Ways To Improve Your Brand’s Storytelling
54568f8b513e43c68f5d2e3f6888689f	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesdallascouncil/2018/05/04/five-ways-to-build-a-company-culture-that-attracts-and-retains-millennials/	Five Ways To Build A Company Culture That Attracts And Retains Millennials	Five Ways To Build A Company Culture That Attracts And Retains Millennials Shutterstock As the CEO of Artist Uprising, I have come across many lessons about millennials in the business. From my internal employees to the artists my company works with, I’m passionate about propelling people into roles that set them up for success. Companies often come to me asking why they are not attracting the millennial generation. When I take a moment to dismantle the mindset against millennials, the company begins to see active engagement in the right direction. With 51% of millennials being open to the possibility of another job opportunity, and with 38% of millennials expecting to leave their current employers for such opportunities within two years, it’s important that employers learn how to build company cultures that attract and retain millennials. If we neglect the future generation and continue to keep doing business as usual, turnover in millennial employment may cost the U.S. economy $30.5 billion annually, per a Gallup estimate. Needless to say, it's imperative that we as business leaders take a moment to consider a few ways to reach and retain the future leaders of America! 1. Stop trying so hard. First of all, stop trying to appeal to millennials. One character trait of this generation is “authenticity.” Millennials can sense when something seems “off.” When it comes to trying to attract and keep millennial employees, the same lessons apply to when you’re trying to entice millennial consumers. It has been estimated that 30% of internet users will block ads on their desktops by 2018. Authenticity is a vital way to stay relevant amongst consumers, regardless of demographics. For this reason, ads often no longer appeal to this generation and companies are starting to use influencers to authentically communicate their products and services. Simply stating, it’s starting to feel inauthentic. So, a solution could be to curate unique content, even internally. Take the time to customize hiring opportunities with a "day in the life of an employee" video. Or, try tailoring tasks towards an employee's strengths. 2. Let go. Gone are the days of serious micromanagement. As employers, reports, statistics and projections are crucial to running our companies. But, how we treat people in gathering those statistics will actually enhance (or hurt) the overall outcome of the report. Companies that are more concerned with the numbers will likely drive employees to perfectionism, which can have negative effects. It’s important to acknowledge the work getting done and the employee doing it. As according to a study (paywall) conducted by behavioral scientists Christine Porath and Christine Pearson, when an employee is on the receiving end of non-appreciation, 47% intentionally spent less time at work and 78% noted a decline in their commitment to the company. I've found millennials generally don't care about perfection or impressions. However, 84% of millennials consider making a positive difference in the world a higher priority than professional recognition. As their employer, it’s up to your leadership to guide them on what that difference will be. 3. Enjoy life more. Travel is a major integral part of this generation -- I believe companies that offer limited vacation time will not retain such employees for long. Before starting my own business, I worked for a company that offered unlimited vacation days. But, most of the employees used less than two weeks vacation time because the culture of the company was more fun. Allow your employees to work offsite from time to time. In fact, when it comes to office attendance, 69% of millennials say they don’t believe in attending on a regular basis. The more breathing room millennials have, the better they will perform. Put structure where you must. When it comes to retirement, nearly 7 in 10 millennials would rather explore, travel and experiment prior to retirement. A business model revolving around this structure is vital to keep top millennial talent. Enjoy life and give your employees the freedom to do the same. 4. Discover their strengths and focus in on them. I have every person take a personality test before they interview with us. It’s important to me to know how they are wired and where their strengths lie. I tend to put people in roles that will suit them best. It keeps employees loving their jobs and feeling like they have a sense of purpose. I want to see them excel in their identity by setting them up for success out the gate. It’s necessary to take these steps as hiring the wrong candidate can cost an employer as much as 130-140% of the employee’s salary. A personality test minimizes this risk and helps employers choose the right candidates. 5. Dare to dream. OK, here’s the real kicker. Remember when everyone thought you were crazy when you wanted to start your company? Now, you have a whole generation that is daring to dream just as you did. According to Fast Company, "Millennial values are turning the consumer market into a creator market," as creating choices, a legacy and connection are valued high. They want to be inspired. Let them generate ideas to help your company grow. Invite them into a conversation, and then listen to what they bring to the table. At my company, collaborating is a huge part of everything we do. When isolation occurs, it’s inevitable that we lose a valuable player. Lastly, each month we come together to daydream as a team together, and then we strategize on how to implement these dreams for the year. Let go, give the reins over a bit and see what magic millennials make — because they will make magic. Forbes Dallas Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Dallas. Do I qualify?
800b05d82dd0ae3b05fc5e9ac73bdb04	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesdallascouncil/2018/06/11/meeting-the-demands-of-the-connected-commuter/	Meeting The Demands Of The Connected Commuter	Meeting The Demands Of The Connected Commuter Shutterstock Industry prognosticators have heralded the coming of the connected commuter since the 1980s, but what was once a science fiction fantasy is now becoming a reality. The future of mobility will revolutionize, rebuild and redefine the way we travel to and transact in high-density commercial and urban centers. To get to this future state, we need to challenge current perceptions, centralize services and reconsider existing assets to adapt to the changing landscape. Challenging Perception Innovation intrinsically depends on disruption. When a collective perception is blocking progress, it takes an organized effort and unbiased data to affirm or dispel the notion. In 2011, I took part in case studies organized by the City of Dallas. The aim was to understand the true demand for parking in the downtown Dallas area. Parking is an illustrative example because the parking transaction is cumbersome and rife with friction. As I have seen in my line of business, consumers want to know a parking spot’s location, pricing and availability -- often referred to as LPA -- and will likely dismiss parking options advertising an inflexible rate pinned to the highest, profit-driving price point the market will tolerate. Parking operators have historically struggled with delivering the LPA to their potential customers and offering dynamic pricing based on availability. Consumers ultimately interpret the static and unfriendly data as a lack of parking availability. The findings of the case studies showed that, contrary to the prevailing perception, there was actually an excess of parking available. With the notion dispelled, development companies were able to build up on surface parking lots. Multifamily or mixed-use developments have gone in downtown, bringing value and commerce to the area and setting the stage for the short-spurt means of transport we are seeing today. Centralizing Services Consider all the modes of transport available in urban areas -- hail-services, circulator buses, public transport, shared cars, bikes and scooters. Now imagine a service that links them all together. A service to which I can say, "I’m going to this particular entertainment venue and I need to be there by this time, and I can see all the different ways I can get there." Then as I choose my mode of transport, I am connected with a nearby restaurant to see if I’d like to make a reservation or store offering a special promotion. That is the idea of the internet of things -- connecting the various landscapes of building infrastructure with retail, restaurateurs and hospitality -- and it all is governed by mobility. If done in the right manner, it serves up relevant content and offers consumers opportunities to create the best experience where they are and where they are headed. Businesses benefit from centralized searches on their assets or services. They would see relevant searches and when they don’t see actions or transactions on a relevant search, they could question whether that is because of the area, the price or because consumers are using alternative means. This insight can make a case for promotions that lure a potential customer who is planning and cost-analyzing a journey to an area or destination. Reconsidering Assets As mobility continues to evolve, physical structures around transportation will need to adapt. Parking garages may be repurposed as transit hubs with floors or zones holding various purposes such as car-sharing or bikes. Cost-effective adaptations could make the space a more inviting, secure environment, like lighting features, planters and maybe media advertisements to increase revenue. When the autonomous vehicle is introduced, it will get unlocked in two areas first. Private roadways and private parking. Private roadways, typically referred to as toll authorities, are those in which a driver pays a premium to drive on. These roadways will become autonomous vehicle roads and drivers will pay a higher premium because it has been deemed a regulated area that your vehicle can self-govern the driving. When autonomy is unlocked in a parking lot, the vehicle can valet park itself and allow you to get out in a now redesigned transit hub. When you’re leaving, your choice of transport is there to greet you. Transportation in a connected landscape is more than getting from A to B, it’s a journey that offers curated possibilities and removes pain points along the way. In my mind, it will not only be more convenient -- it will be more magical. Forbes Dallas Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Dallas. Do I qualify?
c048d8c6a830a8e4a9a6f680f414f513	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesdallascouncil/2018/08/02/six-tips-for-hiring-the-right-contractors/?sh=213113848f5e	Six Tips For Hiring The Right Contractors	Six Tips For Hiring The Right Contractors Shutterstock As the founder of The Good Contractors List, I have a lot of people ask me, "How do you make sure you aren't getting a bad contractor?" That is a loaded question, because everyone's definition of "bad" may be different. I have found that many people expect a contractor to be close to perfect; otherwise, they are bad. Business owners often view mistakes that are common among all people as unacceptable when they are dealing with a contractor. I believe this is because of the fear people feel about transactions with contractors. The horror stories are too numerous, and the first sign of things going south induces fear. I believe there are more good contractors out there than bad ones, but the bad ones ruin it for the good guys. However, there are some things that you can do as a business owner to ensure you are as safe as possible when hiring contractors. 1. Don’t panic and make hasty decisions. The biggest reason contractors take advantage of business owners is because they're vulnerable when something happens in their business or building. Business owners tend to go into panic mode and want to return to normal as quickly as possible. So, they jump online and start calling the contractors that are on the first page of search engine results. Most people don’t realize how difficult or how expensive it is to get on the first page of a search engine. Contractors pay big money to be the top choice on a search engine when a potential customer is in panic mode. There's a reason they can afford to be there. I’m not saying that everyone on the first page is bad, but I am suggesting you think before you start calling. 2. Consider the tradeoffs of working with a larger company. Contractors with the greatest resources (I like to call these guys Mega-Contractors) are typically quicker than most smaller companies. But with these great resources come some things that are not in your favor as the client. The problem is, in my opinion, that business owners and independent clients don't take into consideration what it will cost them to hire someone with massive amounts of resources. How does the contractor pay for all that advertising and the fleet of wrapped trucks? They have learned how to upsell customers to pay for all that advertising and make a bigger profit. 3. Avoid the 'buck in a truck.' On the opposite end of the spectrum are the smaller guys that are less experienced at running a business. They may not have many resources or even carry general liability insurance. They may be good at their job, honest and friendly, but if something goes wrong, they may not have the capital or resources to fix their mistake. Generally, one-truck guys are best for small jobs that have little chance of going sideways. 4. Do your research and dig for gold. Online reviews can be helpful, but they can be manipulated. The companies with the highest number of good reviews tend to be the ones who go after reviews. Normally people don’t take the time to review a company if they are satisfied — unless there is an incentive. There are amazing contractors who have operated their businesses for more than 20 years that have few to no reviews at all. That's because they don’t solicit good reviews -- they simply do their job. So, when you do your research, take reviews with a grain of salt and try to dig a little deeper. Go to websites like the Better Business Bureau, not to look at the complaints or lack of complaints about them but to see pertinent information. Get their address, how long they have been in business, their website and the name of the owner. Once you have the owner's name, make sure to check them out online as well. Dig as deep as you can with a company. You may be surprised about how much you can find out in a short amount of time. 5. Always focus on the details. Whether you are just doing a repair or planning for a major office remodel, the contractor needs to give you the details of what they will be doing before they begin work. Ask your technician to explain why they came to the conclusion they did and what the process is to fix the issue. If you are doing a remodel, make sure the contract includes details about materials, like the lengths, colors, styles and so on. If the contract is too vague, then you won’t have a leg to stand on if you are not satisfied at the end. The contractor could simply say, “We did not agree on granite!” 6. When you feel the pressure, run. If the contractor you are working with is turning up the pressure to sign right now, then politely ask them to leave — especially if they are using fear-inducing words. Contractors who attempt to scare clients are doing it to bring on the vulnerability panic that I spoke of earlier. In summary, most contractors are not bad, but you need to be careful when choosing contractors. Size and resources alone are not indications of a good contractor. Always do your research and get as much information as possible about the company. Research the owner and make sure there is nothing negative tied to their name. Always get a detailed contract or a detailed explanation of the services required to fix your business's issue before you allow a contractor to move forward. Most of all, follow your gut: If you have a little voice saying “not this guy,” then listen! If you follow these tips and work through issues with your contractor, I believe you can avoid being one of the horror stories we all hear about. Forbes Dallas Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Dallas. Do I qualify?
9f707ed4f002f4bb7bdc64b57fa19bf0	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesdallascouncil/2018/10/03/three-things-business-owners-should-know-about-the-gig-economy/?sh=5194ce6c5b07	Three Things Business Owners Should Know About The Gig Economy	Three Things Business Owners Should Know About The Gig Economy So, you're a business leader in 2018. The world's economy is rapidly evolving around you, and you're seeking new ways to capitalize on emerging trends. Where a new frontier opens up, entrepreneurs, opportunists and companies emerge to capitalize on new opportunities -- something we've seen for several years now with the growth of the so-called gig economy. Gallup defines the gig economy as "multiple types of alternative work arrangements such as contingent workers, independent contractors, online platform workers, contract firm workers, on-call workers, and temporary workers." Increasingly, technology is powering the gig economy, which has been a lynchpin in catalyzing business growth. If you're thinking about taking advantage of independent workers in your own business, here are three things you should know about the gig economy. Growth According to Gallup's latest research poll on the gig economy's growth, 36% of U.S. workers have some form of gig work arrangement in 2018. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2005, roughly 11% of U.S. workers had an alternative job. The correlation between this growth and technology's imprint on society is unmistakable. More workers are applying via gig-based applications, ushering in a new paradigm of human resources demands for companies attempting to adapt to new workplace demands both internally and externally. From delivery and graphic design to grocery shopping and web development, demands are perpetually adapting to technology's innovations. Everyone from Gen Zers and millennials to Gen Xers and baby boomers have discovered ways to make the gig economy work to fulfill their end goals. Flexibility (Especially For Millennials And Boomers) While the gig economy presents challenges, like any other economic paradigm, what it also presents that many traditional forms of employment do not is flexibility. The nature of today's gig economy offers opportunities for companies and contractors alike. Companies, on the one hand, can now hire highly motivated contractors anywhere in the world who can work for them remotely, which then encourages a competitive field to choose from. On the other hand, millennial contractors in particular value the work-life balance gigging provides, seeing it as a step toward realizing their goals, whereas Boomers may see it as a way to gain freedom while making ends meet. An earlier study found that 58% of full-time and part-time independent workers proactively chose this path for many of the same reasons. Redefining Work As the gig economy continues to grow in lockstep with technology's advancements, most contractors who choose to work in the gig economy are motivated by the need to supplement their income. While some businesses may lack insight into their own employees' place in this ever-evolving paradigm, many of them benefit from employing gig workers. As the trends evolve, we're seeing more companies employ independent contractors in all areas of need, particularly for work overflow when traditional full-time employees are unable to meet deadlines or when the specialization a task requires, like coding or web design, is in demand. Scaling up or down based on the needs of a company presents an advantage that an otherwise traditional company may not have. The nature of work is transforming the way companies and workers interact with each other. Thus, I believe it is imperative for companies that choose to work with contractors to implement policies that clearly outline what they expect and how they can best maximize their own company while valuing the independence of their workers. The gig economy presents an opportunity for leaders and workers to collaborate and redefine the way the social contract between the parties is understood. Emerging trends indicate a growing desire from both new and older workers in the workforce seeking additional means to supplement themselves and create more work-life balance. Traditional employers are discovering new ways to ensure they maximize production by hiring competitive, highly skilled workers. Jobs may be finite, but work is infinite. Forbes Dallas Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Dallas. Do I qualify?
394486c034a46112fdadf0f24fabfd50	https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesdallascouncil/2019/04/15/artificial-intelligence-in-stock-market-investing-is-it-for-you/	Artificial Intelligence In Stock Market Investing: Is It For You?	Artificial Intelligence In Stock Market Investing: Is It For You? Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming part of our lives, often without us even realizing it. I use it in my digital marketing agency and investing, and my phone uses it to enhance my user experience. Many of the online social media interactions and phone conversations we have are with computers. The difference is often unrecognizable. I believe this begs the question, why not use AI to help you invest? I’ve been investing since I graduated from medical school. In my financial book for doctors, I explain that I sold all of my stocks years ago and quit the market. I’ve stayed out of publicly traded stocks for well over 10 years. Only recently have I found a couple of exceptions that work, including using AI programs that automate stock picking and the buying and selling of shares (aka algorithmic or automatic trading). I've observed that a number of high-income earners — including business owners, C-suite executives, entrepreneurs with successful exits and independent professionals such as doctors — have been expanding their portfolios into a wider range of asset classes over the past decade. I’ve consulted many of them on real estate, debt investments, biotech startups and reputation management. Stock trading is evolving. For example, we now have systems for tax loss harvesting that can help turn stock market losses into tax deductions. For many, I've observed that investing through self-directed IRAs, Roth IRAs and Solo 401(k)s can provide more flexibility and a variety of tax benefits. The use of AI in trading has seen growth in recent years. Wired reported that at least 1,300 hedge funds are using some form of computer modeling for the majority of their trades. There are three main ways I've observed this type of technology applied: 1. Discovering Patterns Incredibly powerful computers are able to crunch almost countless data points in minutes. This means they are also able to detect historical and replicating patterns for smart trading that are often hidden to human investors. Humans simply aren’t capable of processing that much data or seeing these patterns at the same rate of technology (if at all). Consider that AI can evaluate thousands of stocks in moments. According to CNN, when it comes to high-frequency trading, some hedge funds use AI to decipher as many as 300 million data points on the New York Stock Exchange in the first hour of daily trading alone. 2. Predictive Trading Based On Sentiment By analyzing news headlines, social media comments, blogs and more, AI can predict the direction of stocks and the moves of other traders via sentiment analysis — the process of categorizing opinions (or sentiment) people have shared in text. 3. Speed In Trading While not revolutionary, this technology adds even more speed to trading. Today every millisecond counts. AI means automated trading without even needing to call your broker or get on an app. AI isn't perfect. But, machine learning helps ensure this technology gets better and better. AI is already learning to continuously improve on its own mistakes. It deploys automated trading assistants and constantly works to improve its performance, not only by fine-tuning programming but also by inputting masses of new data. At a minimum, AI can benefit the human roles related to automated trading. Morgan Stanley, for example, rolled out its own AI tools to enhance the work of its financial advisors. But there are still caveats with using this technology to trade automatically. AI still relies on quality data being input, as well as the interpretation of that data. And despite AI's expected growth in the stock market, I've found that the sizes of your gains and losses can depend on the amount you've invested and the strategy you've employed; your net returns can be impacted by the volume and frequency of trades because you might be required to pay fees for using AI to do your trading. Essentially, if you are trading all day, you might be incurring costs on each trade that will eat into your gains or deepen your losses. For example; if you were trading cryptocurrency with $100, and you made a 10% gain — but your buy-and-sell trading costs were $5 on each side — you wouldn’t truly have any net gain. While I believe it is still wise to have a well-rounded portfolio that allows for allocation in private investments, debt and real estate, if you’re going to invest in stocks, you might consider leveraging AI. It could be especially helpful for busy professionals who want to invest intelligently but haven't mastered day trading. The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult with a licensed professional for advice concerning your specific situation. Forbes Dallas Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners in Dallas. Do I qualify?