With the advancement of technology has come a new wave of security threats. IT security Software as a Service (SaaS) technology offers an extra bit of security.
As SaaS means outsourcing responsibility for hardware and software to a specialist provider, the opponent the hackers face is much more versed with technology than a normal IT department can ever be.
A company specializing in security has experts who monitor online zero day threats and continually look for breaches.
No small business is likely to have a department tasked with nothing by securing their data and network.
There are a few key IT security considerations you should make when choosing the right technology partner.
Ensure that the SaaS company you engage performs all of the checks below.
Systems Audits
Your SaaS provider should periodically perform audits and system checkpoints to ensure that the application is operating properly at all times.
To guarantee that the protocols are being completed correctly there are Service Organization Control (SOC) reports that detail the findings of the audit or program examination.
Availability of IT Security Services
You need an application that´s up and running at any time. As such, you want to check your SaaS provider commits to defined service levels.
Your contract should include:
Service Level Agreement (SLA): availability time of the server
Recovery Point Objectives (RPO): acceptable data loss amount and the point to which data must be restored
Recovery Time Objectives (RTO): time it takes to be available for use of clients after recovery
Any system that you consider should have these elements in place and be within appropriate parameters.
For instance, a standard RPO is 30 minutes and a standard RTO is no more than four hours.
Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR)
Any security related SaaS you consider hiring should be expert at identity threat detection and response (ITDR).
The more vendors your business uses, the more challenging it is to protect against data loss.
As part of the efforts to close down attack vectors that permit security gaps later on used by bad actors, each organization should aim toward cybersecurity vendor consolidation to ensure that solutions intersect in the safest way possible.
IT Security Components
In addition to the aforementioned considerations, application, there are a few specific security components that should be in place within the application itself.
The main components to check are as follows:
Strong identity authentication features
A firewall with an intrusion prevention system
Intrusion audits
Vulnerability assessments
Making sure that your sensitive data is secure is essential in selecting the right SaaS provider.
To aid in the process, make sure that you weigh in the considerations above. If you do, you will be sure to select a strong partner to support your business.
Do you have so many passwords already that they could throw a convention? You may want to use a password convention.
How would you like to know about a simple way to have a different secure password for every account that you can easily “remember” whenever you need it – without looking it up? Read on.
Prefer Not to Remember Passwords? Use a Password Vault
Password vaults are a great way to store your credentials. Although, passwords are easily compromised, which is why the strength should be coupled by an authentication passcode.
What is a Strong Password?
First you need to understand what makes a good (i.e., difficult to crack) strong password. The easiest way to do that is to know what weak passwords are. Instead of explaining all the variables I’ll just offer how I create password conventions for clients.
First two to four letters of the site where the password will be used
A number the same length as the number of letters you selected (2-4)
A special character – not all special characters are acceptable on all systems
Decide what order you wish to combine them in and write down your pattern
Here are some examples of patterns you could use:
Three letters, special character, three numbers
Three numbers, special character, three letters
Take a word and insert numbers and special characters in specific positions
Those are the basic components of your new password system. Even the simplest version is a fairly difficult password to crack. If you’re really security conscious you can make passwords stronger by:
Using both upper and lower case letters
Using more special characters
Making the way you combine them more complicated
Making them longer – the more characters you use the longer it takes to run a password cracking system against your password
Here are some SIMPLE examples to help you understand more clearly:
Convention: first three letters, special character, three numbers
Password for Yahoo: yah-824
Password for Google: goo-824
Password for Microsoft: mic-824
Even though these are very simple examples they are much more difficult to crack than commonly used passwords.
I would recommend something a little more creative as someone who had one of these MIGHT be able to guess your pattern.
Feel free to make your convention more complicated so it is even more secure.
The key is to make your password convention easy enough to remember and keep it consistent enough to actually use it.
If you want really secure passwords make the convention complicated and write only the pattern down.
If you change your passwords you can change your pattern and even write down the new pattern or even some notes and even if someone finds them they won’t be able to figure out your passwords.
TIPS for Memorable Passwords
Use a number you know and don’t write it down
Use a base word broken up by inserting your numbers and special characters into it
Use both upper and lower case letters
Here is an example of a very complex pattern written down in your own unique code:
Write down a12B%3c and no one will ever guess what your passwords are
Example Password Conventions
So what does a12B%3c mean? Here is the translation:
You have three letters – say yah for Yahoo or goo for Google
You have three numbers – any three numbers you can remember
You have a special character – in this case the percent (%) sign
a is your first letter – make it lower case
B is your second letter – make it upper case
c is your third letter – make it lower case
Your numbers plug in where the 1, 2, and 3 are
If your number is 824, your passwords are:
Yahoo – y82A%4h
Google – g82O%4o
Microsoft – m82I%4c
US Counties – u82S%4c
While this may seem confusing at first, once you get used to it you’ll never be without a password as long as you can remember (or have with you) your pattern.
Your passwords are strong and unique but as you move from site to site while working you’ll be able to recall what one you haven’t used in a long time is because it is similar to one you use every day.
There Are No Uncrackable Passwords
WARNING: All passwords can be cracked with enough time, computer power, and motivation.
Using this convention idea is not as secure as using totally random passwords, especially if someone had access to more than one of your passwords and recognized your pattern.
How strong your password needs to be depends on what you’re securing.
Privileged Password Management
Privileged password management is an advanced type of password authentication that is used for privileged identities. For example, IT admins and CISOs.
It’s a fear every business owner has: a breach in security. Whenever you have something valuable, you risk losing it.
Whether it’s a break-in, a data hack, or employee theft, such threats cause businesses to lose time and money. Increase security or pay the price.
More than that, these breaches can hurt customers and severely damage a company’s reputation.
If you’re wondering how to best protect your business, consider re-evaluating your on-site safeguards, cyber security, and how well you’ve prepared your staff.
On-Site Security
In the digital age, when the term “security” comes up, most people focus on cyber attacks.
Cyber security is certainly relevant and important. But you shouldn’t neglect protecting the actual location of your business, along with whatever goods or information you store there.
A study that evaluated non-residential burglaries found that break-ins typically arise because of three factors.
One was that someone was motivated enough to commit the crime. But the other two factors were that the locations made good targets and were not adequately protected.
The study defined “burglary” as any type of breaking and entering, whether or not the offender stole anything.
It’s interesting that the report found that businesses tend to suffer greater losses than residences do.
This is true despite the fact that criminals break into residences more often than commercial buildings.
And while companies do report most burglaries to the authorities, the typical recovery rate for anything stolen is less than 10%.
These would include the potential for someone to break into your building, as well as to commit embezzlement or fraud.
The department points out that:
“Crimes against businesses are usually crimes of opportunity. Failure to take good security precautions invites crime into a business.”
Many of the security measures you should take are simply common sense. Your building and parking lot should be well-lit.
Make sure you store any cash and sensitive information in a secure, anchored, and fireproof safe.
Your building should be easy to see into so that it’s obvious if anyone is breaking in or not.
Increase security by installing strong locks and burglar-resistant glass. You should also have a reliable security system.
Keep in mind that alarm systems are not for retail businesses alone. SimpliSafe, a prominent figure in the security solutions scene, notes that “whether you’re a boutique clothing spot, a small translation firm, a restaurant or a literary agent,” it is still important for you to protect the premises of your business.
Some companies, such as ones specializing in graphic design, own costly equipment.
Many businesses have sensitive client information on-site. You might not keep cash on hand, but your property is still valuable.
It’s also wise if, as part of your alarm system, you have a camera for capturing video footage of break-ins.
Video recordings are helpful for those monitoring your security. And the police will appreciate that footage because “they also have significantly higher probability to apprehend a suspect.”
Cyber Security
The data showing how cyber attacks are impacting small businesses is unnerving.
Small Business Trends reports that even though small businesses say they are exceedingly concerned about cyber security, only 14% believe they have strong measures in place for preventing cyber attacks.
This is a problem because small businesses receive 43% of all cyber attacks, and 60% of SMBs close down six months after they receive such an attack.
To protect your business from hackers, make sure you install antivirus software and that you keep it up to date.
Encrypt your internet connection and use a firewall. Make the connection as secure as possible by using a password and by concealing the name of your network.
Also make sure that you’re using the safest methods available to you for any of your financial transactions.
Back up your data on a regular basis and store copies of it in another location (such as the cloud).
Be particularly careful with data that employees access through mobile, especially if that means they’ll be using public Wi-Fi.
Install apps for security, and require employees to password protect and encrypt their data.
Employee Caused Breaches
2023 research shows that 80% of data breaches occur as a result of a negligent employee or contractor.
Small businesses need to implement advanced authentication to reduce the potential of a data breach.
Advanced authentication is a type of protection of access that merges passwordless and multifactor authentication.
The advanced is simply an adaptation for each user depending on how the user interacts with access portals.
Educate Your Staff
To prevent a security breach because of poor planning or carelessness, the LAPD suggests you educate your staff about cyber attacks and their consequences for your business.
Make sure that you are absolutely clear to your workers about your security policies and the repercussions for breaking them.
Get written confirmation that employees understand and will abide by your procedures.
Document Your Security Policy
Your policy should cover social media use, as well as how employees should discuss sensitive company information with clients.
Procedures for reporting crimes within your company should be clear.
Maintain accountability for sensitive information. Someone in an outside department should be able to verify its accuracy.
And it’s wise to limit any means by which someone could access sensitive data or commit theft. If an employee leaves your company, change your passwords and locks.
One of the most important steps you can take to prevent employee security breaches is to carefully vet potential hires in the first place.
Thoroughly check the information on candidates’ resumes, including references. Consider running a background check on anyone you want to hire.
Conclusion
As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities and a lot on your mind. Don’t let security be something that slips through the cracks.
Step back and assess where your company is as far as protecting the location of your organization, as well as your digital data.
And then do everything you can to train your staff and get them on board with your procedures.
Originally published 3/30/17; updated 1/3/24 to improve formatting for mobile devices, remove broken links, and add additional information.
Business decisions are usually based on the use of cold, hard data. Without data, these decisions will be made of mere fluff, while lacking the support, stability, and reliability to make the correct call.
The best way to collect data from the right sources is surveys, where the target audience for a decision can share their thoughts and produce quantifiable evidence for a business’ needs.
A high quality survey needs to be carefully planned out, in order to extract the best possible insights to further a business’ needs.
How to Conduct a Survey
There are four main components of designing a quantitative survey. The first stage is to plan and scope out the defining questions that the survey is meant to answer- in other words, the main end goal of the survey.
Then, the survey will need to be authored in a way that presents a clear path for survey respondents to make.
This includes programming the survey and designing questions that build upon each other.
Then comes the execution and fielding of the survey, by distributing it out to willing participants.
Finally comes the analysis and reporting of the results in a digestible way.
Planning and Scoping Stage: “the Five Ws”
In the first planning and scoping stage, there are five main questions that the survey must be designed to answer, classified under the umbrella term “the five Ws”.
WHY is the research objective of the survey, and is the overall core information that the business is trying to uncover.
WHAT defines what questions need to be asked, and this can be done by creating a survey outline.
WHO helps the business determine a respondent profile.
WHEN is all about creating a survey timeline that details when the survey should launch and close.
Finally, WHERE refers to where people could take the survey, including the formatting for computers and mobile devices.
In the second stage of the survey creation process, the survey will need to be authored by creating an outline and writing great questions that will drive optimal survey results.
How to Craft Great Survey Questions
These questions will need to be both understandable and objective. It is important to stray from asking leading questions that are designed to influence the participant’s answer.
Loaded questions are also to be avoided, so that it is not assumed what a participant’s stance will be.
For example, instead of asking how often a participant drinks certain brands of soda, it would be better to lead with asking if the participant drinks soda, and if they answer yes, then asking which brands they drink on a daily basis.
Double-barrel questions are also to be avoided. This is when two questions are asked at once, which can be confusing for a participant.
Executing a Survey
Once the survey’s questions are written, the next step is to prepare it for the execution stage.
First it must be tested to ensure that the survey works and looks the way that it’s supposed to.
Next the survey must be launched and responses will begin to be collected.
Once a reasonable amount of responses have been received, as determined by any quotas, this raw data can be converted to actionable information.
It can be exported to Excel or other analysis tools that can help convert the data into a more digestible form.
The overall goal of releasing a survey is to collect data that help drive a future business decision.
It is important to transform this data into a cleaner, more visual representation so that the main insights can be communicated easier.
Line, bar, and pie charts are all common methods of visualizing data. Line charts are helpful for tracking a value over time.
Bar charts help compare specific values. Pie charts help to break down a whole into separate components, which can help determine specific demographics to focus a business’ efforts on.
In Conclusion
Surveys are a critical part of a business’ ability to connect with their consumers and target market.
Releasing one takes a lot of preparation and planning from start to finish. It is very important to ask the right questions that target exactly what the company is trying to determine.
However, the payoff for all this preparation is steep- businesses can ultimately create visual representations of their insights and drive better strategies for their company moving forward.
Building a successful blog and making money with it takes more than just publishing content and waiting for visitors to come.
You need to have a plan and work through it in order to drive traffic, build your brand, and keep your readers coming back for more.
Luckily, there are ten key factors you can focus on that will help you create a successful blog.
Research a Niche
When researching a niche for your blog, it’s important to make sure you are creating content that people will actually be interested in.
Take the time to do research into topics and trends related to the niche you are considering.
Focus on things like who is going to read your blog, what problems they might have that could be solved, or even what other people in your niche are doing wrong that you can do better.
Practical Advice You can use Google to find topic ideas. Just type a broad term you’re interested in and check through the suggestions the search engine provides. For example, via the Autosuggest:
When it comes to choosing a domain name, you want something that is memorable and easy to type.
You also want it to reflect what your blog is about without being too long or complicated.
Practical Advice. There are a few things you need to consider. Your domain name should be:
Easy to remember
Short, with your keywords included
Without numbers or hyphens
Brandable
Once you have some ideas, check if the domain name you want is available via a domain registrar like GoDaddy.
Now, since most of the .com domains are taken, you can also opt for other popular domain extensions such as .net, .io, or .blog. You can even choose among new ones like these:
Get Web Hosting
Once you have chosen the perfect domain name, it’s time to select a web hosting provider.
You want one that is reliable, secure, and offers good customer support.
When it comes to web hosting, look for a provider with good customer reviews and one that offers the features you need.
The amount of storage and bandwidth will depend on the size and traffic of your blog. It’s also important to check if they offer automatic backups, security features, staging environments, and other useful tools.
Practical Advice. Based on my experience, you want to focus on the server response time and uptime statistics.
You can find this information on the web hosting provider’s website or ask their customer support team before signing up. I recommend WP Engine since its uptime is 99.99% and then they have the highest percentage of sites loading under 200ms:
In fact, checking my Google Search Console data, I found that my site’s average response time is under 160!
Install WordPress
After choosing a web hosting provider, the next step is to install WordPress. This content management system (CMS) will allow you to manage a blog and promote content easily. You don’t need any coding skills and it only takes a few minutes to set up.
Do you know that according to W3Techs, 43.1% of all websites on the internet are built on WordPress?
No wonder why it is so popular and user-friendly.
Practical Advice. You can install WordPress in a few easy steps:
Log in to your web hosting account and go to the control panel.
Find the one-click installer (such as Softaculous or Installatron) and select “WordPress” from the list of applications available.
Click on “Install Now”
Follow the instructions to complete the setup.
When it’s done, you can log in to your new blog with your username and password.
Choose a Theme
WordPress comes with hundreds of different themes that you can customize and use for your blog.
After logging into WordPress, go to Appearance; Themes and select one from the list.
When deciding on a theme, consider the type of blog you are creating and select one that matches the design you have in mind.
Practical Advice. There are many free templates available but I recommend using a premium theme. Moreover, if you opt to be unique, there are many sites to hire web designers. The top ones are Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Flexiple.
Add Important Plugins
WordPress plugins are like small pieces of software that can add extra features and functionality to your site.
They are essential for creating a successful blog, as they will help you do things like optimize your content for search engines, create contact forms, integrate social media, and much more.
Practical Advice. I suggest starting with popular and reliable plugins such as:
Yoast SEO (to optimize your blog for search engines)
Akismet (to fight spam comments)
Broken Link Checker (to avoid any broken links)
WP Super Cache (to make your pages load faster)
Jetpack (for added security and performance )
You can find these plugins in the WordPress repository or look for third-party options. Be sure to read reviews before installing any plugin.
Do Keyword Research
Successful blogging requires you to target specific keywords that will help you get more traffic from search engines.
For this, you can use keyword research tools to find relevant terms that have high search volumes and low competition.
These are the so-called long-tail keywords. And there are still plenty of opportunities.
In fact, did you know that based on Ahref’s research, almost 95% of their U.S. database is made of terms with 10 searches or less?
Practical Advice. During this phase, you can use tools like Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer or Ubersuggest. You can also take advantage of Google search to get ideas for long-tail keywords. But my favorite one is Keyword Surfer. Once you download and install the Chrome extensionhere, you can use it to find keyword ideas and even the monthly volume!
Write Your First Post
Now it’s time to create your first blog post.
Choose a topic that is relevant to the ones you want to focus on and make sure it adds value to your readers. Keep in mind that good content is informative, entertaining, and useful.
You should target a target keyword when writing your new articles and include it in your title, headings, slug, and meta description.
Try to cover the topic in-depth, as long-form content has been proven to be among the most successful ones.
In fact, according to Backlinko research, the first page on Google search results contains more than 1400 words, on average.
Practical Advice. Writing a blog post starts with selecting a good title. This should be catchy and it should include the keyword you are targeting.
It’s also important to keep in mind that titles should not be longer than 70 characters (including spaces).
Once you have chosen an interesting title, start writing your post, and don’t forget to include visuals like images, infographics, and videos. These will make your content more entertaining and will help you keep visitors engaged!
Set Up an Editorial Calendar
To stay organized and create content consistently, you must set up an editorial calendar.
This will help you plan ahead and manage the topics you will cover in the future.
It’s also a great way to keep track of the marketing strategy for each post and measure your blog’s performance over time.
Practical Advice. You can use tools like Trello or Asana to create an editorial calendar. Or you can use a simple spreadsheet, with columns for the title of your post, its keywords, the date it should be published, and even notes related to each topic. This way, you will always have a clear view of what needs to be done!
Monetize Your Blog
Once you have a steady amount of visitors, it’s time to start thinking about monetizing your blog.
With the right strategies, you can start earning money from your content. But first, you’ll want to get familiar with the different ways you can monetize your blog.
Practical Advice. Choose among these monetization options:
Advertising
Affiliate Marketing
Sponsored Posts
Digital Products
Donations
Advertising
Advertising is perhaps the easiest way to monetize your blog. You can use Google AdSense to display ads on your site and get paid for each click they generate.
Here’s an example of how AdSense looks on a blog post.
Other alternatives include Media.net and AdThrive.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing consists of promoting products or services from other companies in exchange for a commission.
You can register on affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, CJ Affiliate, or ShareASale, and promote them on your blog.
Here’s an example:
In this post, the author reviews Elite Trader Funding, writing about the pros and cons.
Sponsored Posts
Sponsored posts are content created for brands in exchange for payment. These can be reviews, tutorials, or even giveaways.
You will need to reach out to companies and establish a partnership with them before you start earning money.
Platforms you can join to find brands to work with include IZEA, Tapinfluence, and Influence. co.
Digital Products
Selling digital products is another way to monetize your blog. You can create ebooks, courses, templates, or any type of product you think your audience will find useful.
You can use services like Gumroad, Selz, or SendOwl to set up your store and start selling.
You can also join platforms like Teachable, Udemy, or Skillshare to offer courses and other products.
Donations
Finally, if you have been able to build a strong and engaged community of readers, you can ask for donations.
There are tons of donation apps you can use or services like Patreon or Buy Me A Coffee to create donation buttons and let people support your work.
The key is to provide value with each post and be transparent about how you will use the money.
Bonus Tips
Be patient: Building a successful blog takes time. You won’t see results overnight so keep working hard and stay motivated!
Connect with other bloggers: Join groups on social media platforms like Quora or Reddit and connect with other bloggers. This will help you establish relationships and find new opportunities to grow your blog.
Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to blogging. Keep producing content regularly to stay in your readers’ minds and increase their engagement.
Learn from others: Pay attention to what other successful bloggers are doing and apply what you learn to your blog.
Analyze your analytics: Use Google Analytics or other tools to track your website’s performance and understand what works and what doesn’t. This will help you adjust your strategy and make better decisions in the future.
Final Words
Building a successful blog requires dedication, time, and effort.
Remember that it’s about providing valuable content that is useful to your readers.
You should also focus on SEO and the basics of blogging to make sure you create content with high-quality standards.
Finally, you will be able to monetize your blog and start earning money. Leverage different options like advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or digital products.
I was able to reach someone, and they gave me a phone number. But I can never get through on it.
No doubt as well-known as CBN is, there is huge demand for their assistance.
We Need Your Ideas
Six more generators would be a simple solution. And a few years ago, there was plenty of good-paying work and I could have made that happen by myself.
Work is slow now, and I am getting slower due to age. I can’t work sixteen hours a day like I once could.
So I’m asking for your ideas. For example:
Work: Is there any remote work that Stephen could do for you?
Charity: Who else should I contact?
Connections: Does anyone have any connections who could assist?
Fundraising: Can you recommend a way to raise money to buy the generators the community needs?
I did get Stephen to open a PayPal account so he can hopefully accept money. It seemed to work fine on my end, but he sees a “suspicious activity” message.
PayPal wants a bank statement. But of course no one in his community has a bank account.
So PayPal is a dead end (unless someone knows of a solution)?
In today’s digital age, the power of video content cannot be underestimated.
Whether you’re a business owner, content creator, or an individual looking to share your stories, leveraging AI video creators has become a game-changer.
These powerful tools use artificial intelligence to create engaging videos while saving you time and effort.
However, how can you pick the best AI video creator when there are so many options?
What are the key elements to consider that will support your objectives and creative vision?
Ease of Use and User Interface
User-friendliness and interface are essential when selecting an AI video generator.
Your creative process can be considerably impacted by a platform that is well-designed and user-friendly. Look for a dashboard tool with clear, orderly navigation and a short learning curve.
An added benefit is a drag-and-drop interface that simplifies arranging and manipulating video elements.
Customization Options
The capacity to create and personalize your content is essential, even when AI video makers automate most of the video creation process.
It is not uncommon for AI video creators to suggest a video clip or image that doesn’t accurately reflect the text and message you want to deliver.
Therefore, being able to customize a template to replace irrelevant assets easily is essential when choosing a tool.
You also will want to use a platform that provides a wide range of templates, themes, fonts, colors, and transitions.
The more customization options available, the more you can tailor your videos to match your brand identity or storytelling style.
Video Styles and Types
Different AI video creators specialize in various video styles, such as animated explainer videos, infographics, and social media ads.
Pick a platform that supports the objectives of your content. While certain tools might be ideal for producing interesting educational content, others are ideal for creating captivating marketing videos.
If you don’t plan on using multiple AI video tools, choose a program that offers the most variety of templates.
Consider the types of videos you intend to create and ensure that your chosen AI video creator offers suitable templates and features.
Media Library and Assets
An extensive media library is a gold mine for video producers. Ensure the AI video generator you are considering gives you access to a wide selection of premium stock images, films, audio tracks, and graphics.
A word of caution. Some programs have a very limited number of assets included in your package, especially if it is a lower-level pricing tier.
It is possible to be lured into creating an awesome video but then realize that you have to pay additional money to use your chosen assets because they are not included in your package.
The availability of these assets can enhance the visual appeal and overall impact of your videos. Additionally, the ability to upload your own media is a big plus, especially when the available assets are limited.
AI Capabilities and Automation
The ability to automate is what distinguishes an efficient AI video producer. AI can streamline the process by recommending appropriate videos, settings, and creating text-to-speech narration.
Before committing to a specific tool, take it for a test drive. See how accurate or relevant the AI assets are to your content.
Look for a tool that harnesses AI to streamline your workflow and save time. However, striking a balance between AI automation and creative control is vital; the tool should enhance your creativity rather than replace it.
Video Editing and Enhancement Tools
While AI-generated material is the focus, a complete AI video platform should provide the necessary editing tools.
Trimming, cropping, adding text overlays, and applying filters can help your videos be even more engaging.
The ability to make minor adjustments and tweaks ensures that your final product meets your exact specifications.
Export and Sharing Options
How simple is sharing your completed video once it has been exported? Choose an AI video tool that supports various output formats and resolutions to ensure compatibility with many systems and devices.
Social media integration and direct sharing options can streamline the process of getting your videos in front of your target audience.
Customer Support and Resources
No matter how user-friendly a tool may be, you might encounter questions or technical issues along the way.
A trustworthy AI video creator should provide thorough customer support, including guides, Frequently Asked Questions, and quick assistance.
Check out the resources that are accessible, and be sure that assistance will be available when you need it.
Price and Subscription Plans
AI video creators often operate on a subscription-based model. Evaluate the pricing structure and subscription plans to determine if they align with your budget and usage requirements.
Some tools might offer free trials or limited-feature versions, allowing you to test the platform’s capabilities before committing.
This is an important step you don’t want to miss. Trying out different platforms can help you evaluate their functionality, ease of use, and compatibility with your needs and budget.
User Reviews and Reputation
It’s always helpful to read customer reviews before making a purchase decision. One person’s problem might not be important to you, but another could make or break the deal.
Genuine user feedback can provide valuable insights into the tool’s performance, reliability, and overall user experience.
Platforms with positive reviews and a strong track record are likelier to deliver on their promises.
Conclusion
The new field of AI video makers enables individuals and companies to quickly produce engaging and compelling videos.
Keep in mind the following essential considerations as you set out on your quest to find the best AI video creator: simplicity of use, adaptability, video styles, media collection,
AI capabilities, editing tools, export options, customer support, pricing, and user reviews.
By carefully considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your creative aspirations and helps you craft videos that resonate with your audience. Embrace the power of AI and unlock a new realm of video creation possibilities.
An important point to remember is that any AI platform can streamline your video creation process and offer suggestions on what to include.
However, the ultimate responsibility for the video product lies in human hands – yours!
Of course, I broke that up into 300 words a day then went to 500, and finally to 1,000 words per day. It took time and patience.
But it got easier as the days and months went on.
If you are new to blogging or even if you are an experienced blogger you need to create a blogging schedule that you can stick with: a blogging schedule that won’t make you feel all stressed out.
There were over 570 million blogs on the internet in 2021. As of 2023, that number is over 600 million! This number is based on activities reported by:
WordPress
Tumblr
Blogger
Wix
Squarespace
Medium
And this number is constantly growing. In the United States alone there are 40 million blogs.
So, you see, having a schedule to blog, will set you apart from the millions and help you track your blog to success.
Not all bloggers have a schedule as you may have noticed.
So, you see, having a schedule to blog, will set you apart from the millions and help you track your blog to success.
Yes, that’s right. A simple calendar, one that you can write on or refer to on your mobile device.
Having this calendar is more of a psychological game.
This calendar will help you to complete tasks by writing them down and having them on a calendar.
It’s like setting a goal. For example, if you set a goal to write 2x per month you want to be sure to have the time to meet that goal.
Tasks for Your Blog Schedule
Now, there are also many tasks that are needed to complete a blog post. For example:
Now, you don’t want to commit to writing a blog post every day or every week, especially in the beginning.
So, keep it doable for yourself. Plan out a blog post once or twice a month.
Whatever you do, be sure to stay consistent. Consistency is one of the keys to blogging.
Look over your life schedule, other commitments, jobs, family, health, etc., and find the best amount of time you can commit to blogging.
Pick the Best Time for YOU to Write
Some people can write in the early morning and others late at night. Find your sweet spot!
However, this doesn’t matter except to you. Choose your best time to be creative and think clearly to write concisely.
Not only the time to blog consistently but the place to write your blog posts is important.
Now, find the place that suits you best for your writing. However, you may need a quiet spot or a place away from others in your home.
Increase Your Blogging Schedule
Now, after you start blogging effortlessly for a while, increase your schedule a notch.
Go from one blog post per month to 2 or from 2 to 4 blog posts per month.
Don’t let yourself get too comfortable for a while. Otherwise, there will be no growth and no gain.
Most bloggers today post weekly. But according to Orbit Media, those that post more often do get better results.
According to their study:
High-frequency bloggers are getting better results. In fact, more than any response to any question in the survey, daily bloggers are the most likely to report “strong results”.
Conversely, inconsistent bloggers are the least likely to report “strong results”.
And who could have predicted the changes due to COVID-19? Are you aware of the severe shortages in commonly prescribed medications?
Pharmacies Experiencing Shortages of Medications and Staff
Did you see that there is a 60% shortage of Albuterol inhalers? This is extremely serious at a time when many people are having respiratory issues and having trouble breathing!
Besides the lack of availability of common medications, there are serious labor deficiencies. The shortages of staff are now being made worse by the mandates. Find out more about these shortages in the infographic below.
Mobile Technology in Health Care [Infographic]
We already had wearable tech, A.I., 5G, the use of Virtual Reality and telehealth also known as telemedicine. But it really ramped up due to quarantines, lock-downs and people being afraid to visit doctor’s offices and hospitals.
As far back as 2015 when Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society examined the use of Mobile Technology in the Health Care Industry, it was already clear that the industry is integrated with mobile technology. (As shown in the infographic, below.)
It is encouraging to see that there is an adoption of the use of technology, even if there is still quite a ways to go in areas like electronic health records (EHR).
Presumably, there would be people who are concerned about security and privacy and any HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance issues.
The fact that these numbers are as high as they are indicates that there is forward momentum, especially since any technology advances that violated HIPAA would be shut down and would not be reflected in these numbers at all.
It is clear that a society focused on technology that is specific to the health care industry is the right group of people to be looking at these statistics and reporting back to us where we are in the look toward the future.
Some Mobile Technology Highlights Leading Up To Where We Are Now
Back at the turn of the 21st century, we were excited to have a cellular/mobile phone that would allow us to text each other. Hey, the idea of having a cellular phone at all was exciting.
No longer were we constrained by a car phone or a bulky satellite phone. Or, at least, we were moving toward the freedoms that were presented with these new devices.
At the same time, there was a boom in the usage of PDAs (personal digital assistant) and companies like Nokia became popular with their PDA devices. Even the health care industry got into the process of using them.
PDAs for databases and anything that could be adaptable to the medical industry at the time. Primarily, it was determined that the use of PDAs helped patients to record their medical issues, making it easier to relay it to their doctor, later.
These PDAs had their own mobile operating system and were a perfect example of handheld computerization.
The concept actually started almost a century before and there had been great strides made throughout the 20th century, leading up to what was about to emerge in the 21st century.
Health Care Apps on Mobile Phones
As we were underway into the new decade, we saw the introduction of the touchscreen mobile operating systems within the cellular/mobile phone.
In 2007, Apple announced their iPhone and the following year (2008), the Android device became a popular addition to the smartphone family.
The term ‘smartphone’ was actually coined for an AT&T device, but by definition it is a device that has its own mobile operating system.
During that time, with the PDAs giving way to their more sophisticated cousins, a new factor was added to the mix. That was the telephone carrier. In the case of the iPhone, consumers were limited to using AT&T as their service provider.
There have been many changes since then, including the process of unlocking an iPhone 6. This is quite different from how the unlocking first began in 2006, resulting in bricked phones and challenging methods of unlocking.
Some industries, like the unlocking service providers, have been affected by these recent changes. However, many consumers are happy to be able to unlock their devices and use whatever cellular service provider they choose to use.
The Future of Health Care and Mobility
Technology is changing fast. The health industry is changing fast. There are also some misunderstandings and disconnects between the two.
Recently, in a journal article by Punjani, Bhanji, and Meghani, called “Implications of Social Media in Health Care Practice” and appearing in the “International Journal of Nursing Education,” there was a reference to how all hospitals block Google.
While this is not a discussion about Google or even whether Google should or should not be blocked, the interesting point is that the use of the word, “all,” should not be used.
Before I lose you entirely, the point here is the disconnect that occurs between the health industry and the technology industry, including mobile technology.
In this case, the hospital administrators were having trouble managing malware and blamed all malware on the existence of Google. In reality, the malware was coming through the sites that the nurses clicked on and it was not coming from Google directly.
The article continued by indicating how unfair it was that the nurses did not have access to information because Google has malware.
Speaking from my own background in technology, there are at least seven to eight holes in that theory. It really doesn’t merit the title of theory because of the missing information.
However, we are not here to pick on someone’s misunderstanding of technology. Their expertise lies in the health care industry and they should solicit the assistance of information technology experts to understand the blending of the two.
Medical Personnel Need Tech Access
In the case of this article, the nurses realized the value of having access to information and they desired to have access to information that would help them to help their patients.
This trend is not going to stop. Even if medical professionals do not have access to the information in their place of employment, they are not unaware of the existence of the information when they have access to it from their homes, their laptops at Starbucks, and now their smartphones in their cars (not while driving, of course!).
So, this (and other studies), while possibly stunted in some cases, demonstrate that our future includes a continued marriage of the healthcare industry and the technology industry and has high hopes of a smooth transition as information and training is shared with those who need it most.
Why Nursing Homes Need Telemedicine
Nursing homes do not have sufficient physicians to see all their residents. If they add an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) using telemedicine to consult with doctors, they can improve patient outcomes.
Nursing Home Crisis: Shortage of Nurses
In 2021, 99% of nursing homes are reporting staff shortages. The shortage of nurses is particularly critical. Find out more in the infographic below.
Wound Care in the Age of Coronavirus [Infographic]
What are Telemedicine and Telehealth? [Infographic]
See the infographic below for details.
Healthcare Jobs of the Future [Infographic]The Booming Business of Telemedicine [Infographic]
The main difference is that Telehealth covers remote clinical services while Telemedicine covers remote non-clinical services. See the infographic below for more details.
Originally published 11/7/15; updated 6/18/20 because it had become outdated and to add another infographic; updated 8/18/20 to add Tele-health vs Tele-medicine infographic; updated 3/14/21 to add Wound Care infographic; updated 7/28/21 to add Healthcare Trends infographic and update featured image. Updated 12/13/21 to add the Nurse Shortage infographic; updated 1/4/22 to add the effects of drug and staff shortages and that infographic. Restored and updated 8/7/23.
We all have witnessed the crazy adoption of ChatGPT, and it has now been a daily driver for several industries — be it content or development.
Although the tool has helped in the mainstream adoption of AI, but it has also instilled fear of losing jobs.
The internet is filled with listicles like “10 jobs that AI will replace by 2030,” and the fear is real.
AI is a double-edged sword; in addition to the fear of stealing jobs, AI can help solve the job problems it is touted to create.
For instance, AI has helped in creating job sites like SkillGPT that connect job seekers with recruiters who are passionately looking for people with their skill sets.
The platform offers curated recommendations of candidates with the skills that the job role requires.
Moreover, AI can also assist in upskilling the continuous learning of employees which can help in safeguarding their careers from future disruptions.
Curious to know how? Read to the end of the article.
Why Should Businesses Invest in Upskilling Their Workforce?
In addition to investing in the latest technology, businesses must also invest in employee training.
According to the Workplace Learning report by LinkedIn, 89% of learning and development professionals believe that upskilling employees is crucial to navigating the ever-changing future of work.
To ensure the successful adoption of AI in the workplace, employers need to provide learning opportunities that lead to upskilling and reskilling.
In this way, they can mitigate the potential resistance from employees and foster a healthy human-AI collaboration.
Continuous Learning Needs Generative AI
Even the employees must be willing to stay updated with the latest trends and exhibit the zeal to improve continuously.
As AI gradually gets better (and faster) at performing technical and creative tasks, there will be a spike in demand for robust communication and soft skills.
So on top of technical skills, employees will also need to buckle up their collaboration and leadership skills to stay competitive.
Businesses should be mindful of these factors while crafting their learning and development (L&D) programs.
The programs should be crafted in a manner that results in the holistic growth of their employees.
Drawbacks of the Existing Learning and Development Programs
It is clear that businesses need to invest in upskilling their workforce to maximize profits and productivity.
However, the conventional methods of learning and development (L&D) programs come with several pitfalls that hinder overall success.
Let us explore them in detail:
Generic Curriculum
Everyone has different preferences for learning (such as video and text) and grasping power.
Sadly, traditional learning and development programs attempt to use the “one-size-fits-all” approach.
The courses are usually created once and seldom updated. Plus, they offer little to no customization.
Learning Format
With the advent of TikTok and reels, people’s attention span is at an all-time low!
In comparison, the traditional learning materials are in a long format like webinars, PowerPoint presentations, which makes it challenging to learn and retain the information.
Measuring Impact
Several businesses still prefer the classic instructor-led method of delivering the L&D sessions. The downside is that it is time-consuming and challenging to track the sessions’ impact.
How Can AI Augment the Continuous Learning and Development Process?
Now that we are clear on the shortcomings of traditional L&D models, let us address the elephant in the room, i.e., how AI can help solve them.
Microlearning
The training materials need to be short and to the point to instill the learning into the daily workflow. Microlearning can help with that.
Microlearning is all about providing small bits of knowledge pieces instead of an hour-long session.
There are several AI-based platforms that leverage microlearning for L&D. One such platform is Axonify, which focuses on training frontline staff.
With Axonify, businesses can create short pieces of content which can be consumed anytime and even through mobile devices.
For example, bank staff can watch a short clip on the process of daily operations like credit card pre-approval.
It also serves as a knowledge base so that the associates can get answers to pressing questions.
Plus, it also offers tests to reinforce the information being taught and gamifies the entire process through leaderboards.
Through gamification, even employees feel motivated to learn.
Axonify also uses “adaptive learning” to personalize the learning experience for each employee. And it can be further customized based on their topics of interest.
Enhanced Analytics
The AI tools can evaluate the answer sheets and candidates’ performance. This reduces human error and offers accurate results.
It also helps quickly identify the learners’ knowledge gaps and ensures that the continuous learning goals are met.
With AI, businesses can understand the course completion time and preferred learning methods.
Then, all this data can be used to optimize the learning materials for maximum efficiency.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Virtual reality has been in the news lately, especially after Apple announced Vision Pro.
The device delivers an immersive experience to the wearer by blending the real and virtual worlds.
Thanks to VR, you can not just capture your moments in the video but also experience depth.
For example, you can shoot your kid’s first birthday. And then you can revisit the moment where you can witness the incredible depth of the cake and the burning candles — as if you are experiencing it for the first time.
On top of personal use, VR also has fantastic use cases when it comes to upskilling the workforce — especially in the healthcare industry.
Employees can be trained to perform complex surgeries using VR simulations.
There are also Operator Training Simulators (OTS) that provide a learning environment identical to the real one.
And they can be used to train operators that handle heavy machinery.
In the nuclear industry, even a slight mistake can have massive repercussions. With virtual simulations, the chances of fatal injuries can be minimized during the learning process.
Bias Reduction
Going with the instructor-led approach can invariably contain biases which can hamper the overall efficiency of the L&D program.
For example,, the instructor can exhibit bias towards certain genders or certain employees during training. This can breed partiality.
AI-based training is free from such biases and prejudices. It instructs and evaluates all the candidates on fair grounds.
Even the personalized learning recommendations are backed by the actual usage data of the users.
Increasing Accessibility
When it comes to employment, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits businesses from discriminating against people with disabilities.
As businesses become more inclusive, it is crucial to make the learning materials accessible to all kinds of learners. Fortunately, AI can help with this.
For example, Google provides the “Live Caption” feature in the chrome browser that makes it accessible for people with hearing impairments to comprehend video content.
It automatically creates captions for any video being played on the browser.
Likewise, Google has the feature of image descriptions in Chrome. It can describe the content of images and be a game-changer for people with blindness.
With such AI tools, businesses can make their L&D programmers accessible to the masses.
Embracing the Future with AI
It is evident that upskilling the workforce is not an option but rather a necessity to survive in the competitive landscape.
Brands such as Dell use AI for their “Learning Studio” to train their employees about future skills, compliance training, and soft skills.
Rather than thinking of AI as a competitor for the human workforce, it should be leveraged as a colleague to elevate their skills and enhance their performance.
Or in the People Also Ask section:
You cannot grow food or easily get water to drink or bathe in. Having no water makes like a struggle.
![Mobile Technology in Health Care; Drug and Staff Shortages [Infographics]](https://growmap.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Drug-Shortages-due-to-Covid19-825x510.jpg "Mobile Technology in Health Care; Drug and Staff Shortages [Infographics] 34")
