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Why Amazon HQ2 Should Choose Atlanta

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Amazon sparked a national contest with 238 proposals filling in for the role of Amazon HQ2. Recently, the list narrowed down to 20 notable cities as potential candidates. On the list, Atlanta Georgia offered a deal that may be difficult to refuse. From offering financial incentives to free land, there is great potential in occupying Amazon. Although that is a fact, there is an even bigger advantage for Amazon to move to Atlanta.

Amazon gave a promise to bring in 50,000 lucrative jobs and $5 billion in additional investments to the new location of HQ2. The impact of the tech innovative company will be net positive for Atlanta, Georgia. This includes fame and national respect to the region. The offer is appealing to Atlanta, however the city has prior recognition as they hosted the 1996 Olympics. Instead, Amazon may be the one getting the respect if they move to Georgia.

Amazon HQ2

The Atlanta region is already attracting the tech company due to their professionalism. The city is business driven as copious Fortune 500 companies are within the Metro Atlanta area. This will foster Amazon’s wish for a stable and business-friendly environment. The community welcomes businesses in with their title for high degree of affordability and a healthy economy.

Amazon is in search for employment in software development and related fields. On the forefront of their talent search is Atlanta Georgia with the surrounding schools of Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College. The appeal does not end there, Kasim Reed, the mayor of Atlanta is offering incentives and development that would be worth more than $1 billion. Moreover, the whole state of Georgia seems to be in support of occupying HQ2. Georgia is also uniquely presenting a branding opportunity to Amazon, with the town Stonecrest offering to rename itself as Amazon, Georgia. The small town outside of Georgia finalized the deal by granting legal power in the town of Stonecrest to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo.

Amazon HQ2

Image From Fortune

‘Think of Atlanta as a blank canvas, and every company that moves here has the opportunity to paint whatever picture they want which then becomes part of a tapestry that’s now making Atlanta an exciting place to live’, spoke Lilian M Raji from The Lilian Raji Agency.

The tech company will announce the winning city later in 2018. Meanwhile, proposals are still being presented to Amazon by representatives. As governors continue to voice their opinions, communities are silenced out by the public. Small businesses and agencies within Atlanta are able share their professional insight to Amazon. This is why Amazon HQ2 Should Choose Atlanta:

How will Amazon HQ2 affect the economy of the city?

“Amazon HQ2 will provide huge economic benefits to the city and state it ends up in, just as the headquarters in Seattle has served as a huge driver of their economic growth.  

The benefits of Amazon opening HQ2 in Atlanta are projected to include:
50,000+ high paying jobs created
Generating 5 Billion in real estate investment
Increased funding for the educational system, including new schools
Improvements in transportation links and transportation infrastructure

Additionally, Amazon’s presence would also help generate a lot of new supporting businesses.  For Atlanta, this could help grow our business and tech community, which includes small businesses”. -Alex Membrillo of Cardinal Digital Marketing.

Amazon is searching for talent in software development and related fields. What is your city’s tech scene like?

“Atlanta has an awesome tech scene.  Not only are we home to many tech-forward companies, but we offer a thriving environment for tech startups.  Atlanta metro is home to a number of technology incubators and accelerates helping propel these companies’ success including Atlanta Tech Village and Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) at Georgia Tech.   

Georgia can support the creation of new jobs, including for software development.  We have top talent graduating from schools’ including Georgia Tech, University of Georgia, Emory, and Morehouse College.  According to HiringSolved, in 2016 Georgia Tech ranked 6th in the U.S. for most alumni working at Silicon Valley companies, and we’d love to keep that talent in Georgia”. -Alex Membrillo of Cardinal Digital Marketing.

How will the community welcome Amazon HQ2?

“Atlanta’s #PrimeUpATL campaign is showing that Amazon HQ2 is getting a lot of support from Atlantans.  People are excited to see the continued growth of our city in a variety of industries including film, automotive, and technology.  
If Amazon HQ2 chooses Atlanta, I think they’d see an overwhelming amount of support from the entire state”. -Alex Membrillo of Cardinal Digital Marketing.

‘Atlanta is finally growing in a very good way. The city experienced a boom of transplants after the 96 Olympics. Lately, it’s been experiencing a boom of new companies and headquarters’, spoke CEO Lilian M Raji of The Lilian Raji Agency. The community have been kindly welcoming in new businesses ever since the famous notice and will continue to do the same for Amazon. 

Amazon HQ2

Image From Georgia Department of Economic Development

Do you support the major’s proposal? Why, or why not?

“Georgia has offered an aggressive package to encourage bringing Amazon HQ2 to Atlanta.  
Our state’s Commissioner of Economic Development, Pat Wilson, has done an outstanding job of leading a unified effort, across the region, to attract Amazon. I completely support Atlanta’s bid for HQ2”. -Alex Membrillo of Cardinal Digital Marketing.

Besides financial incentives, what does your city offer?

“Atlanta offers a lot of things that make us a top contender for HQ2.  In addition to our top-tier high educational institutions and job talent, we have nationally ranked schools, a business-friendly, tech-driven culture, and low cost of living.

Atlanta is also a transportation hub for the southeast.  Three major Interstates cross through Atlanta, and we’re home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the largest international airport in the world.

Many Fortune 500 companies already call metro Atlanta home.  This includes The Home Depot, UPS, Coco-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Aflac, and Southern Company.  Mercedes-Benz USA recently opened their new North American headquarters in metro Atlanta, which followed Porsche opening a headquarters in Atlanta in 2015.  Georgia is also number 1 in feature film productions, with a film presence that is continuing to expand.

While we first made the international spotlight when we hosted the 1996 Olympics, our city is continuing to shine.  In 2019 we’ll host the Super Bowl, and we are currently being considered by FIFA to host the 2026 World Cup”. -Alex Membrillo of Cardinal Digital Marketing.

 

‘Atlanta also has the busiest airport in the world, making executive travel here much easier.  And while I have a lot of issues with Delta, Delta has proven to be the best domestic airline amongst the major players and it’s based in Atlanta!’ from CEO Lilian M Raji  of The Lilian Raji Agency

Amazon HQ2

Image by Hartsfield-Jackson via ABC.

What is in your city that isn’t found anywhere else?

“Atlanta is an extremely unique place to live and work.  We have a diverse population, including many transplants.  As a southern city, we’re known for our friendly hospitality.  Here we still wave to friends and strangers alike as they pass by.  We also offer an extremely great place to live, which is important to businesses as employees must like where they live if you want to retain talent.  People can find an area that fits their personality, such as the hipster vibe in Little Five Points, the small-town feel of Decatur, or the suburban areas in Alpharetta.  If you want high-end luxury shopping or top notch dining, head to Buckhead.

Our residents are warm, just like the sunshine.  Nicknamed, a “City in a Forest”, you can spend the days in the lush, green outdoors or out on the town.  Atlanta has also revitalized areas for urban redevelopment. The Atlanta BeltLine, which has gained national attention, is comprised of 22 miles of unused railroad tracks circling the core of Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods.  Other popular trail systems include Big Creek Greenway, which spans 20 miles, and The Silver Comet Trail, which runs 61.5 miles, ending on the Georgia/Alabama state line. All these projects have enhanced our connectively and communities.  

To echo Migos’ sentiments, Amazonians can go from “Raindrop to Droptops” if Amazon chooses Atlanta”. -Alex Membrillo of Cardinal Digital Marketing.

‘Atlanta has SPACE.  There is so much land available in the Atlanta area that a new company can design exactly the type of headquarter they want to build.  As much as I love New York, New York can’t offer this’, says CEO Lilian M Raji of The Lilian Raji Agency.

If you are an agency from Atlanta, and wish to contribute, please fill out this form here: https://ownersmag.com/attention-marketing-pr-agencies-atlanta/

*Sponsored by Penji

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How a Startup Incubator Can Accelerate Your Business

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In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, startups often find themselves navigating a maze of challenges that can hinder their growth and potential.

This is where the concept of a startup incubator comes into play as a guiding light for emerging ventures. A startup incubator is more than just a physical space; it’s a dynamic ecosystem designed to nurture and propel early-stage ventures toward success. 

In this article, we’ll tackle some of the most common questions surrounding incubators. For instance – what is the role of a startup incubator? How does it differ from an accelerator?

And most importantly, how can it optimize your business? 

Let’s begin!

What is an incubator in a startup ecosystem?

In a startup ecosystem, an incubator refers to a supportive environment or program designed to help early-stage startups grow and develop.

Incubators provide a range of resources and services to entrepreneurs, typically for a fixed period of time, with the goal of nurturing and accelerating the growth of their businesses.

Here’s the usual process of how an incubator supports a startup:

Onboarding

Startups who applied and were accepted are welcomed into the incubator with an orientation session. During this phase, startups get an overview of the program’s structure, expectations, and available resources. They also meet their mentors, advisors, and fellow cohort members.

Mentorship and Guidance

Startups are paired with mentors who have relevant industry experience or expertise.

Regular mentorship sessions provide guidance, feedback, and insights to help startups navigate challenges and refine their strategies.

Workshops and Training

Incubators organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various aspects of entrepreneurship. Topics covered during the startup incubator program may include:

  • Business planning
  • Marketing strategies
  • Product development
  • Legal and regulatory matters
  • Fundraising

Access to Resources

Aside from training sessions, startups can also gain access to resources such as:

  • Office space
  • Co-working environments
  • Internet connectivity
  • Meeting rooms

Some incubators provide access to shared equipment, startup software, and other tools needed for product development.

Networking and Events

Incubators often facilitate networking events, pitch sessions, and demo days where startups can showcase their progress to potential investors, partners, and the broader community.

Business Development

Startups work on refining their business models, products, and market strategies. They receive support in identifying their target audience, creating a value proposition, and developing a sustainable revenue model.

Funding and Investment

Incubators may provide introductions to potential investors, venture capitalists, and angel investors Startups also learn about different funding options and how to pitch their ideas to secure investment.

Graduation

Successful completion of the incubator program results in a “graduation” for startups.

Graduated startups may continue to receive support through alumni networks, ongoing mentorship, or access to incubator resources.

Startup Incubator vs. Accelerator

team of people

A startup incubator and a startup accelerator are both support programs designed to assist early-stage startups, but they have distinct characteristics and objectives. Here’s a comparison between the two:

  • Focus. Incubators typically have a broader focus and cater to startups in various stages of development. They often work with startups that are in the ideation or early development phase. Accelerators, on the other hand, are more specialized and typically work with startups that have a viable product or service and are ready to scale rapidly. They focus on accelerating growth and reaching key milestones quickly.
  • Stage. Incubators are well-suited for startups that are still refining their business models, conducting market research, and building their initial product or service. Accelerators, meanwhile, are best suited for startups that have a minimum viable product (MVP) and are seeking to refine their business model, gain traction, and secure funding to scale.
  • Mentorship. A startup incubator provides mentorship and guidance, often with a focus on helping founders refine their business ideas, develop prototypes, and validate their concepts. On the other hand, an accelerator’s mentorship is often geared towards specific aspects of growth, such as scaling operations, marketing, fundraising, and product-market fit.

Startup Incubator Examples

man using post-its

If you’re looking for the best startup incubators in the world, here are a few you of the most popular ones to consider.

1. Y Combinator

Situated in the USA, Y Combinator is considered one of the best startup incubators which has played an instrumental role in fostering the growth trajectories of some of the most renowned startups globally. The Y Combinator program spans a duration of three months, during which startups receive a funding injection of $500,000, albeit subject to certain conditions.

Subsequently, founders are immersed in a sequence of mentoring and refinement initiatives that culminate in the prestigious Demo Day. Here, founders showcase their concepts to an audience comprising investors and handpicked media representatives.

Mentees: Airbnb, Dropbox, Coinbase, Gitlab

2. Techstars

Techstars directs its energy toward nurturing startups rooted in technology. Since its inception in 2006, Techstars has been a driving force behind the growth of numerous startups. Annually, they select more than 500 fledgling companies, providing them with up to $120,000 in investment and the invaluable chance to partake in mentorship programs.

Backed by an impressive funding sum of $21.3 billion, Techstars stands out as a reliable choice for technology-oriented startups. Within its portfolio of activities, Techstars hosts several high-profile events and initiatives, including Startup Week and Startup Weekend.

Mentees: Uber, DigitalOcean, SendGrid

3. 500 Startups

500 Startups operates as a dual-purpose platform, functioning as both an accelerator program and a seed fund dedicated to startups. Positioned primarily as a venture capital entity, they proudly proclaim a management portfolio worth $2.7 billion. Their primary interests converge on sectors where technology, innovation, and capital growth converge harmoniously.

Their extensive investment history spans more than 2,600 startups worldwide, underscoring the maturity and comprehensiveness of their accelerator program across diverse markets. 

Mentees: Grab, Canva, Credit Karma

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need an incubator for my startup?

If you’re in the early stages, lack experience, and could benefit from structured guidance, resources, and mentorship, an incubator might be valuable. However, if you’re aiming for rapid growth and have a clear roadmap, an accelerator could be more appropriate. 

Do startup incubators provide funding?

Yes, many startup incubators provide funding as part of their support package. However, the funding offered by incubators can vary widely depending on the specific program, location, and the terms of the agreement. Some incubators offer direct funding to startups, while others may connect startups with potential investors or provide resources to help them secure funding elsewhere.

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Preparing the Shift to Mobile eCommerce: Tips + Tools

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We Are Social reported that around 50% of the 16 to 64 demographic use their mobile to purchase something online weekly. With those in mind, your eCommerce business shouldn’t be confined to one place. It’s essential that you have a website and social media sites. Plus, don’t be afraid to list your products other than those platforms. Here’s how to make a successful shift towards mobile eCommerce.

1. Use Website Builders

two women looking at a website

Most website builders nowadays can optimize your eCommerce site on the desktop or mobile. These tools help you design and layout your website and make tweaks before publishing it. Moreover, you can add pages, such as blogs, products, and contact pages, to make your eCommerce site operational.

You don’t need to hire a web designer or developer immediately when creating your site on these builders. It’s ideal for new eCommerce site owners, considering you want the business up and running from Day 1 without any hassle.

2. Set Up Secure Payment Methods

One way to enhance your customer’s experience in your eCommerce site is setting up payment gateways. Although you install payment gateway plug-ins on your desktop, it’s crucial that it’s working on your mobile site, too. This way, your customers won’t experience any mishaps or issues when paying via mobile.

3. Widen Reach with Social Commerce

person using a smartphone

Mobile eCommerce isn’t only about a mobile eCommerce app. After all, it’s a catch-all term to describe all eCommerce-related strategies done on mobile. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have opened avenues for eCommerce sites to integrate their store into these platforms. Plus, social media sites are easily accessible on phones, allowing customers to browse anywhere. 

You can promote your best-sellers and new products on these platforms. Then, ensure that you link to your website. This way, your customers can view other products, regardless of where they’re browsing them.

4. List Products on Other Relevant eCommerce Marketplaces

Even though you have a website, you can reach more people when posting items on other eCommerce stores. This allows you to get more exposure. It’s possible that your competitors are in the same marketplace. However, if you have the correct copy and high-quality images, your customers are likely to buy your products.

5. Develop an App or Hire an App Designer and Developer

web developer

Not all eCommerce sites have an app for their eCommerce products. But you can change the game by having one for easier browsing and a smoother experience. However, app development is challenging for non-developers. There are no-code app makers to use for your new app. 

Or, if creating an app is too tedious, hiring an app developer and designer is a much better alternative. They have the know-how to create an optimized app for your eCommerce site. You can find them on freelance sites like Fiverr or Upwork.

Mobile eCommerce Tools

1. Shopify

shopify website

Shopify is one of the top eCommerce tools for all businesses. You can build a site, sell online, market your products, and manage your business. You don’t need experience developing or designing a website on Shopify. The eCommerce platform has a no-code website builder, letting users create sites in minutes. Additionally, Shopify allows you to integrate apps into your online store, including payment gateways.

2. Wix

wix website

Another contender in website building is Wix. Like Shopify, it’s fast, easy, and simple to create and design a website. Their web design feature, “Editor X,” allows you to customize your site. Also, you can use their Wix Payments feature. It’s their solution for all payments, allowing customers to pay via Apple Pay, credit card, and other payment methods.

3. Stripe

stripe website

If you need a payment method solution, Stripe is one of the best eCommerce payment tools! You can accept payments globally. Plus, Apple Pay and Google Pay are two payment methods to integrate into your Stripe account. Stripe is also advanced because it can detect fraud and block it. Plus, you can increase conversions and launch subscriptions.

4. PayPal

paypal website

An alternative to Stripe payments is PayPal. As one of the oldest payment methods, you can trust this tool for easy payments. You can install PayPal for your checkout needs. Plus, you can even request payments! Additionally, PayPal accepts credit and debit card payments worldwide!

5. Sked

sked website

Don’t have time to post all the time? Consider Sked as your social media management tool. You don’t need to publish and tag your posts manually. Sked helps you tag posts directly on their dashboard. You don’t have to worry about losing your product tags. Plus, Sked will add your shoppable posts in one gallery!

Post your products on these sites:

  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

6. Planoly

planoly website

Another social media management platform to consider for your mobile eCommerce needs is Planoly. Like Sked, Planoly enables users to tag shoppable posts without leaving the social media management platform. You can post your products with Planoly:

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

7. Canva

canva website

Content creation tools are necessary to make your mobile eCommerce strategies successful. Canva is one of these tools to promote your eCommerce site and products. You can use the abovementioned social media schedulers or other options. It’s easy to create designs for your social media platforms. Or you can create custom designs for your website and post them on other eCommerce marketplaces.

8. Jotform

jotform website

If you want a simple yet functional app, you can create one with Jotform! They use a drag-and-drop model when you build and design your app. Plus, you can use their templates to build your app in minutes. Finally, you can share your app with a QR, which will download the app to your customers’ devices.

9. Glide

glide website

Glide is another no-code option to consider when building your app. Like Jotform, you can create using templates and customize your app design. Additionally, you can integrate productivity tools into creating your app and automate workflows!

10. Buildfire

buildfire website

Our final mobile eCommerce tool is Buildfire! They have a dedicated eCommerce solution that allows you to sync your products and organize your inventory. You can even add a notification so users are informed when their products are in stock or when they need to complete checkout.

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How to Grow a Business on TikTok: 8 Branding Strategies  

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With over 1 billion average monthly active users, TikTok provides new opportunities for businesses to engage with audiences. TikTok for Business has emerged as a dynamic social media marketing channel that helps small businesses grow. Have you ever wondered how to grow a business on TikTok in a highly competitive social media marketing world? Explore the best TikTok branding strategies that could help your business reach a massive audience. 

1. Choose Your Niche Topic

person recording a video

Like most social media platforms, you must create and share-worthy content to be popular. You must create consistent branding if you’ve chosen TikTok to promote your brand. The possibilities to produce excellent content are endless. Pick a more familiar topic and share your knowledge and experience about it.

First, research your competitors to see the types of content they post on the platform. Then, try your best to produce better content to outrank them. Likewise, monitoring and analyzing user feedback will let you understand whether or not you are moving in the right direction.

2. Create Engaging Content

Working with TikTok influencers and putting hashtags is crucial for promoting your brand to a large audience, but let’s face the truth: these strategies will only work if the content you share is balanced. 

Remember that on TikTok, you only have 15-60 seconds to convince the users to follow you. So, pay more attention to the quality of content rather than posting irrelevant things just to be active.

Be sure to create a pleasant, understandable video, as this is the first thing that catches a visitor’s attention. As a creator, you must ensure the correct design is used for all posts. Think about the captions of your videos. If you need more insights, read our blog about what to consider in creating a TikTok content strategy.

3. Work with Influencers

influencer recording a video

TikTok influencers may be known for their small audiences compared to Instagram influencers. But, reaching out to target users will help you promote your brand or company. 

Develop professional partnerships with influencers whose audience might be interested in your brand and will likely buy. This is similar to the principles of Instagram advertising works.

Tapping influencers into the TikTok platform is one way of producing high-quality content. It also enables you to get more sponsored publications. So, if your budget allows partnering with the influencer to promote your product, go for it! 

4. Join a Hashtag Challenge

The TikTok hashtag challenge is a dynamic marketing strategy that encourages users to participate in creating and sharing content about a specific theme. The goal is to generate user-generated content that aligns with your brand’s message, values, or products. It also aims to drive user engagement and increase brand visibility.

TikTok content creators might have a limited following compared with Instagram influencers. Nevertheless, the key lies in connecting with your desired audience to market your business effectively. Collaborating with influencers whose followers align with your brand’s appeal can attract potential customers inclined to purchase. This process is similar to the principles of advertising on Instagram.

5. Collaborate with Other Creators Via TikTok Marketing Campaigns

Sometimes, you want your brand to reach a large audience, but your budget is limited. In such situations, a partnership with content creators or other brands may work for you.

For instance, if you work in the fashion industry and want to promote your company, you may find other people from this field with a solid following for potential collaboration. Reach out and tell them you’re interested in a partnership project. The mutual potential benefits of collaborative projects are noticeable, so there is a high chance someone will take up your suggestion.

6. Invest in Advertising

tiktok ad

TikTok introduced a specialized advertising system, benefiting brands from a large user base. TikTok offers three types of digital advertising:

  • Native In-Feed Ads
  • Hashtag Challenge Ads
  • Brand Ads. 

Brand ads are the most efficient way to drive traffic to your landing page. And when it comes to targeting TikTok ads, there are two options:

  • Interest Targeting. Like Facebook ads, this option lets you pick an interest relevant to your target audience. The platform shows ads to a particular group.
  • Behavioral Targeting. This ad targeting type allows you to advertise to people based on their behavior within the last week or two.

7. Keep Up with Trends and Make Them Work for Your Business

As you’ve already noticed, TikTok is full of trends. This is a social network where trends change over time. It ranges from popular songs, video effects, challenges, and hashtags. But how do we identify a trend among millions of videos on TikTok? Keep up to date by tracking hashtags and themes. You must follow these trends and analyze how your business can benefit.

8. Monitor and Assess the Results of your Campaigns

Hashtags and creativity are all good, but remember that a fundamental element of any marketing strategy is evaluating the results of a campaign. Using an analytics tool, you can get valuable insights from your promotional efforts and how to improve them. If you need more engagement, consider what mistakes could have caused such an effect and how to fix them. Your clips may be underperforming because they’re not funny enough. Updating yourself with analytics is a powerful way to enlarge your audience and generate more sales.

Conclusion

TikTok stands as a significant milestone in the evolution of contemporary social media. Centered around interaction, it has attracted millions of Gen-Z users and become the most active advertising channel. With these eight branding strategies at your disposal, you’ll be able to understand how to grow a business on TikTok. Once you’ve learned the basics, showcasing your product or brand to a large TikTok community will be easier.

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