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You’ve heard the buzz about remote work and are ready to take the leap into managing a team of virtual employees. This is great news! Remote work can be a fantastic way to save money, improve productivity and build more rewarding relationships with your team and your clients. However, when you don't have any team members in a singular common space, it's important to know how to manage things like communication—and even trust—effectively. Here's how it's done at AC Marketing Caribbean: The first thing you have to realize is that this is completely different from an office environment. If you’re used to working in a traditional office space, you might be surprised at how much more difficult it can be to communicate with your remote team members on an ongoing basis. You need to make sure that everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing and when they need to do it by—and that they understand why their tasks are important. You also have to set up systems so that everyone knows where they can find the information they need at any given moment, whether it’s in written documents or electronic files (or both). Finally, make sure that there are clear lines of communication with your team so that no one falls through the cracks or feels like they aren’t getting enough guidance to complete their tasks. Make sure you have the right tools and technology in place. You'll want to make sure your team has the right tools and technology in place to perform their tasks effectively. We highly recommend Microsoft Teams. This is especially useful if your team members are spread out across different countries and continents. It allows you to create tasks and assign them to everyone on your team, as well as set due dates and manage priorities. You can even use it from your phone so it's easy to stay on top of things while traveling! Microsoft Teams allows us to eliminate the back-and-forth that comes with emails, particularly during the content approval process. Click here to learn more about how we use Microsoft Teams at AC Marketing Caribbean. As you build your team, keep open lines of communication. Although doing yoga in your pajamas at 7 am is completely normal in a remote space, remote work can be lonely and isolating. As a manager, you need to be present for your team, but it’s also important for them to know that you’re there for them too. Having open lines of communication maintains transparency for your team. Also, scheduling check-in meetings with your team are imperative—this way everyone gets a chance to chime in on whatever is going on at the moment so nothing slips through the cracks! It's important not just that these channels are available but also that they're used consistently because they give everyone access to timely information about their projects' overall progress as well as any specific questions they might have about their current tasks or share what support they need. Recruit self-motivated team members who do not need to be micromanaged When recruiting individuals for your team, look for candidates whose job history includes working remotely or living abroad. Encourage your team to have their own spaces to perform their tasks effectively. This can be as simple as a quiet corner at home where they can go if they need more privacy than their laptop offers or a desk outside a coworking space. Someone self-motivated is also key—you don't want someone who needs constant supervision when they're not at an office every day. What are the benefits of hiring a remote social media team? Working with a remote team is the future of work. There are many reasons to recruit and manage a remote team, including: The ability to hire the best talent from around the world. You don't have to worry about what's available locally because everything is available online! Lower office costs. If you don't need an office space or equipment in your country, why pay for it? Accessibility for anyone who can work remotely—including those who are not able to get jobs locally due to their location or other factors (such as language). Conclusion We hope that this article has helped you understand why it's a good idea to invest in a remote social media team. Managing a remote team in the Caribbean requires you to get over your preconceived notions of what it means to work with people in different locations. It's not easy, but it's worth it. Without a doubt, hiring a remote social media team lowers overhead costs for your as the team can work from home or from any location in the world. In the Caribbean market where competition is increasing, hiring a remote social media team is a useful strategy for businesses to obtain a competitive edge. Why Choose AC Marketing Caribbean AC Marketing Caribbean offers a wide range of content marketing services to help you create content for your business in the Caribbean. Here are just a few reasons why AC Marketing Caribbean is the best choice for content marketing: - Our content marketing specialists can help create content for your business that is best suited to the Caribbean consumer. - Our sales funnel strategies are designed to lead your audience effortlessly along the buyer’s journey. - You need eye-catching and engaging content that converts clicks into cash. If you need to create content for your business, but don’t know where to start, AC Marketing Caribbean has the start and finish line fully mapped out. We’re committed to helping you achieve your company growth objectives in the Caribbean! Attract a bigger audience, increase your conversion rates, and make content marketing your biggest business superpower today.

Twitter has over 300 million active users who tweet entirely too much, mostly about their breakfast and how they hate Mondays. But Twitter has struggled in recent years as a result of its growth and changing user demographics. With Elon Musk's recent takeover, major brands departing the platform, and the rise in hate speech under the guise of 'free speech', could this be the end of Twitter as we know it? Twitter has been going through an identity crisis for a long time Prior to Elon Musk's takeover, the company has been trying to make it easier for new users to understand how Twitter works by adding features like Moments and Moments Explore, which show you different stories happening around the world in real time. These features are meant to provide more context for breaking news stories and events that may not be covered by traditional journalists or even cable news networks. But ultimately they don't offer much more than what you can find through Google News or following feeds on Facebook or Instagram (which also has its own version of stories). To make matters worse, there's been criticism over how biased these curators who control which content gets shown have been at times—especially when it comes down to politics between conservatives versus liberals. Elon Musk acquires Twitter. The news was announced on Twitter, naturally. The deal was worth $30 billion and funded by Elon Musk's personal wealth. It was completed in less than a day, approved by the SEC and FTC. Although Musk has his own ventures such as SpaceX and Tesla Motors Inc. - both of which have attracted much attention from investors and consumers alike; this Twitter deal is likely to be no different since it will give him control over one of the most popular social media platforms ever created—a move that could greatly benefit both companies' bottom lines if executed correctly. Elon Musk bans remote work at Twitter. In an effort to make Twitter more profitable, Elon Musk has decided that remote work will no longer be allowed at the company. The decision comes after Musk took over as CEO in October and found that the company was losing $20 million per quarter and needed a drastic change. Is this the right move for Twitter? To understand why this move may benefit Twitter in the long run, it's important to first understand some of the risks associated with remote work. Although many companies rely on employees working from home or elsewhere outside of the office in order to save money and create a flexible schedule for workers, there are certain factors that make such arrangements less than ideal for everyone involved such as: Employees are often paid less than their peers who work on site because not all jobs can be done remotely (for example, manual labour or service jobs). This is especially true if you're located near an area where it costs more money to live (like New York City). In addition, there are fewer opportunities for advancement at your current company if you're not able to attend meetings or take online courses offered by them regularly—something which is harder when working remotely than if someone else were able - which could lead down career paths where paychecks might be smaller overall even though they're doing what they love instead! Rise in hate speech since Elon Musk's takeover. Twitter is a place for free speech. It's also a place for hate speech. And Twitter, unfortunately, has a problem with hate speech. If you've been paying attention to anything on the internet recently, you're probably aware of what happened when Elon Musk took over as CEO at Tesla after getting into some trouble with regulators in New York City over his tweets about taking the company private. Within hours of his hiring announcement, several high-profile users were banned from Twitter because they posted offensive content about him or made threats against Tesla employees using their personal accounts. The recent bans have caused many users to question whether this is really just another case of "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"—those who complain loudest are most likely to get results—or if there might be an actual problem with Twitter's policies around policing its platform? Conclusion What does all this mean for Twitter? Well, it remains to be seen - but it's clear that the site continues to struggle in its attempts to make itself relevant. Twitter’s tale is a testament to why it’s important to have a sound content marketing strategy in place which is adaptable and flexible enough to accommodate the dynamics of social media. The bottom line is that social media is volatile and because of this, your business should be creating content that speaks directly to your customer and not just for the sake of posting to social media. Why Choose AC Marketing Caribbean? AC Marketing Caribbean offers a wide range of content marketing services to help you create content for your business in the Caribbean. Here are just a few reasons why AC Marketing Caribbean is the best choice for content marketing: - Our content marketing specialists can help create content for your business that is best suited to the Caribbean consumer. - Our sales funnel strategies are designed to lead your audience effortlessly along the buyer’s journey. - You need eye-catching and engaging content that converts clicks into cash. If you need to create content for your business, but don’t know where to start, AC Marketing Caribbean has the start and finish line fully mapped out. We’re committed to helping you achieve your company growth objectives in the Caribbean! Attract a bigger audience, increase your conversion rates, and make content marketing your biggest business superpower today.

As the uncertainty of 2022 looms, users everywhere have expanded their use of the web exponentially. After sifting through the data on Alexa.com, we've gathered the top 10 most popular websites in Jamaica - the higher the ranking, the more traffic and page views. So, with that, let's get into it! 10. Office.com - With more people working remotely than ever before, we all have to learn how to stay better connected even if we can't get to the office. Microsft Office helps bridge that gap and connects all of your mobile productivity apps at once. People check their emails often and thoroughly among one of the higher daily time averages per viewer. At 12 minutes per visit, there is plenty to cover on the Office website. 9. Scotiabank.com - The fact that Scotiabank has stayed so strong for visitors from Jamaica, who spend 5:52 minutes per user on the site. A clear indicator of the future of banking in the Caribbean. 8. Wikipedia.org - We all have questions, and in most cases - Wikipedia has answers. Users tend to spend 3 to 4 minutes on the page, but it does get a consistent flow of viewers daily. When we're talking about Wikipedia, of all websites—you shouldn't be surprised to hear it's remained on the top 10 for some time now. 7. Live.com - The massive live platform helps connect while working remotely. Combined with email and calendars, it stays at the forefront of the digital landscape in Jamaica, which is why users spend an average of 5 minutes on the page — just enough to keep on top of things. 6. Bongacams.com - This adult website has been consistent for quite some time with Jamaican traffic. Though users don't stick around as long as other websites, a general average user might only stay on the website for just over two and a half minutes. 5. Yahoo.com - Yahoo has just about everything any user might need - from email to financial news, and until recently, their massive questions platform. Generally, users move quickly through Yahoo, at just 5 minutes per page visit on average. 4. Facebook.com - One thing that will never stop is people's desire to stay connected. People use Facebook for funny videos, memes, marketplaces, and the ability to communicate with loved ones even over long distances. Jamaican visitors often scroll through the platforms on average for around 18 minutes. Facebook isn't going anywhere soon. 3. Amazon.com - Amazon maintains along with the next two on this list - sitting higher than some other islands in the Caribbean for Jamaica. The average time users spend on Amazon is around 11 minutes, indicating that users are spending more time and money on the international shipping platform. Given the world, it's no mystery why people value convenience and safety worldwide, and Jamaica is no different! 2. Youtube.com - As one of the most popular social media websites globally, Youtube is bound to be at the top. The average user spends 19 minutes on the page per visit, giving them plenty of time to search for the information or clips they need. This video-based platform has perfected the art of engaging and retaining its users. 1. Google.com - Google has always, and will always, likely be one of the top websites in the world. With the world in upheaval, many of us have questions - we want to learn things and grow as individuals. With an average user spending just under 20 minutes on the site, they're looking for answers in a sea of information. Adapting to the new digital landscape looks a little different for everyone. People are looking for answers, information, and connections between applications, emails, videos, and social media before anything else. As a small business owner, you're going to want to meet their needs and catch their eyes. In this case, your best bet to connect with audiences in Jamaica will be to rank your site on google or get a fair amount of buzz going through Youtube or Facebook through careful and direct advertising. If this was helpful, please share. And don't forget to subscribe to the AC Marketing Youtube Channel. Let us know what else you'd like us to cover in the comments below.

Youtube has grown and become a hugely diverse platform with users of all backgrounds. With the number of channels increasing alongside the number of countries being represented, diversity keeps growing. Out of the Bahamas, there are dozens of well-known, popular channels running across various niches. We've compiled a list of five of the most subscribed-to channels out of the Bahamas. We've used the website socialblade.com. If you're looking through the data yourself, you'll notice a few channels on the list are set to the location - but aren't coming from the Bahamas. We've gone ahead and cut those out to bring you the most relevant channels. With this insight, we'll better look at the kind of content coming out of the Bahamas and their audiences' offerings. 5. Homemade Heroes Universe - with 35.4k subscribers since they joined in July of 2014, HH universe offers skit videos, cosplay, movies, video games, and more as a sort of variety. Some of their early videos have a few thousand views each, with a total of 33,267 views to date. 4. cameronmd80 - Cameonmd80 offers a Bahamian approach to aviation, primarily offering plane spotting videos, watching from the Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas. Each video has a few thousand views each, with the channel sitting around 14,684,319 in total. They joined YouTube in February of 2009, and the track has gained around 36k followers since. 3. Brittany Kyss (Kinkyislandgirl) - Brittany Kyss is a lifestyle and beauty channel out of the Bahamas. They joined on April 29th, 2012, and have since gained a subscriber list of 82.4k. They have 6,690,295 views total, and each video varies from a couple hundred to a couple thousand, between videos about hairstyles, hair-care, accessories, and fashion. 2. Quality Lyric Channel - Since late 2006, Quality Lyric Channel has amassed 73.7k subscribers and 49,327,964 views across its videos. Each video varies from a couple of thousand pictures to a few hundred thousand. The channel offers lyric videos for popular music like The Notorious BIG, Lil Jon, Nelly, and Mad Cobra. 1. Munroe Global - The motivational and leadership-based channel, Munroe Global, is the most subscribed-to channel out of the Bahamas. It has around 519k followers and was created on July 30th, 2011. Currently, they have about 50,998,957 views across their videos that range from a couple thousand to a few hundred each. The content goes from faith-based to leadership skills and coaching videos, most done in an easy-to-follow 2D animation style. The sort of content we see on the internet varies significantly from the audience to audience and even more so from country to country. If you look at some of the other popular channels, you see anything from conspiracy theories, yoga, wellness, movies, music, and more. This list shows that if you're looking to do well for your target audience in the Bahamas, niches like beauty, music, or hobbies tend to do rather well. Knowing your audience is essential when building your channel, and niching down to match them will benefit you greatly. If this was helpful, please share. And don't forget to subscribe to the AC Marketing Youtube Channel. Let us know what else you'd like us to cover in the comments below.

Over the years, Youtube has diversified and grown to be a widely varied platform with users of all backgrounds. With the number of channels increasing alongside countries and political entities, diversity keeps growing. Out of Barbados, there are dozens of well-known, popular channels running across various niches. Today, that's what we're going to delve into the data. We've compiled a list of five of the most subscribed-to channels coming out of Barbados. We've used the website socialblade.com but cut through the noise to pull just the relevant ones. When viewing the information on your own, you'll see a trend of channels using Barbados as their location without actually being based there. We've omitted those and the official channel for the international pop star, Rhianna, for this list and getting more unbiased local information. With this insight, we'll get a more accurate look at the kind of content coming out of Barbados and what they are offering their audiences. So, with that, let's get into it! 5. James Street Methodist Church Media Team - With 4.42k subscribers, we have the James Street Methodist Church channel. Their videos vary from daily devotions, weekly devotions, harvest, and preaching for their digital congregation to view. They host live streams, such as the one for the harvest festival. Since November 8th, 2016, the channel has been around and has 1,578,531 views total. Each video has high engagement, with daily uploads. 4. RupeeTV - With 18.2k subscribers comes RUPEETV, the official channel for soca musician Rupee, from Barbados. Known best for his songs, "Tempted to Touch," "Jump," and "What Happens in De Party," the channel offers fans a place to listen to his music and engage with the musician directly. Since November 26th, 2009, the track has been around and has 12,774,052 views total. Each video has anywhere from a few thousand to 1.9 million on one. 3. PMOBarbados - Next, at 21.1k subscribers, we have the official YouTube channel of the Prime Minister's office of Barbados. They began the track in October 2019 and have since gotten 3,749,405 views. The videos on the channel feature press releases, event announcements, and other public affairs-related content for the people of Barbados, with regular live streams for people to catch when they're online. 2. bajanmusicfan - with 24.2k subscribers and over 19,221,790 views since they joined in 2010, next up is bajanmusicfan. The channel has tons of videos, with hundreds or thousands of views each. They offer their subscribers a place to stream music from local stations in Barbados in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Before we get to number one on the list today, honourable mention goes to Brainy Bajan Beauty. The channel is a DIY beauty, project, hair, and makeup tutorial channel based in Barbados. They have their subscriber count hidden, so we can't add them to this list. Since they joined YouTube in 2010, they've netted 3,983,381 views, with anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of views on each video. It's probably safe to say the channel would be among these if we had an exact metric. 1. Starpoint Productions Official - Music Production and Publishing company, Starpoint, makes the number one spot on the list today. They started on August 9th, 2011, with 11,643,791 views to date and 26k subscribers. Their videos feature locally produced music, with varying views averaging anywhere from 400 to a couple of thousand views on each. The sort of content we see on the internet varies significantly. Factors include location, age and gender. Barbados population is highly engaged with content that centres around religion, music, and beauty. The most subscribed channel to date out of Barbados is Rhianna's official channel. However, her audience is more international than others on this list. This list shows that if you're looking to do well for your target audience on the island of Barbados, pick a niche and stick with it. If this was helpful, please share. And don't forget to subscribe to the AC Marketing Youtube Channel. Let us know what else you'd like us to cover in the comments below.

With 2020 and 2021 behind us - the way we interact with the internet has completely changed Alexa.com has nailed down the top 10 most popular websites in all of Trinidad and Tobago. Alexa ranks based on average daily visits, time spent on sites, daily pageviews, percentage of traffic from search, and backlinks. Hopefully, by the end of this video, you can better understand how to navigate and market towards your Trinidad & Tobago audiences and potentially expand your reach. So, with that, let’s get into it! 10. Reddit.com - This part-social media, part-news site is the perfect time sink. At number 10, it sits a little bit in the middle of daily time spent, at just 5:44 minutes per visitor - as people are often clicking in and out of the site onto other source websites. With a slightly lower than average daily page view of just 4.60, it gets about 36% of its traffic from search engines, leading the pack from behind in this respect. Reddit also has a relatively high number of backlinks on other sites, at 284,345 sites - meaning its reach does extend pretty far out. 9. Bing.com - Bing currently occupies the lower end of daily time spent at just 2:52 minutes per visitor and daily page views at just 2.67. This lesser-used search engine is still at the forefront of users’ minds. It provides different search results than the higher-volume google and even yahoo. 8. Live.com - this Microsoft website corrals the group with visitors spending close to 5 and a half minutes each visit. Live combines email and calendars and keeps people connected on the digital landscape, which is more important than ever. It commands 9% of its traffic from search engines but has only 55,356 backlinks across the web. 7. Zoom.us - With more people working from home than ever before, especially in the wake of the pandemic and expanded remote work, Zoom was bound to make this list. Zoom users spend an average of nearly seven minutes on the zoom website and 23.61 page views per user. It also gets a higher percentage of traffic from search engines - 16%, to be exact - and has a much higher backlink amount of 234,766 across the web. 6. Netflix.com - For users looking for entertainment, Netflix is king. However, with its strong app focus, the website only gets a meagre 4:46 minutes per user for each visit and around 3.61 page views per visitor. Netflix brings in around 9.20% of its traffic from search engines and boasts just about 554,766 backlinks to its name. 5. Yahoo.com - The high number of backlinks can be the main driving attribute, drawing a consistent user base with 4.83 daily page views per user. It gets only 8.50% of its traffic from search engines but keeps users on the page for just around 5 minutes. 4. Facebook.com - Trinbagonians spend close to 18 minutes per day, making it a leader in this category, with 8.58 page views per user and 8.90% of its traffic from search engines. Where it truly reigns king is its 11,540,199 backlinks across the web. This number ensures users not only find themselves on Facebook more often but that they will also be incentivized to continue to come back. 3. Amazon.com - As people want to stay connected and get the things they want most, Amazon is often peoples’ first choice when it comes to online shopping. Amazon sits high on this list, boasting 11 minutes daily per visitor as they shop for desires and necessities alike. Daily pageviews sit at 9.96 per user, and they maintain around 19% of their traffic from search engines. While their backlinks might be lower than others, it’s still higher than most of this list, with 708,569 across the web. 2. Youtube.com - Users in T&T spend the most time of any other website on this list on youtube, sitting at about 19 and a half minutes, with ten daily page views per user. Youtube gets nearly 13% of its traffic from search engines and has a high number of backlinks, at 4,543,524 across the web. 1. Google.com - google has a little bit for everyone, all the time. They are dominating the top spot. The daily time spent lags just behind youtube, but people are spending more time per user on google than any other site - at 18.51 page views per user. There are over 6,480,338 backlinks to google, putting it just behind facebook but still towards the top. As we all change and adapt our internet usage to the times, everyone may look slightly different. People searching for answers, connections, and interconnected web apps and tools will turn to the best in the industry for each. As small business owners, you need to know how best to meet their needs while reaching your audience. Your best bet for audiences in Trinidad & Tobago is ranking on search engines like Yahoo or Google to expand your reach. Either that or using Facebook as a marketing tool and youtube for careful and direct marketing. If this was helpful, share it with your network. And don’t forget to subscribe to the AC Marketing Youtube Channel. Let us know what else you’d like me to cover in the comments below, and I’ll see you soon!

Every time I’m forced to review a LinkedIn Live show, it feels like my eardrum has an allergic reaction. Does anyone like the sound of their voice? These are the thoughts that clouded another year of lockdown in Trinidad and Tobago. If you told me in 2010 that I would be live streaming over 100 events in 2021, I would stare at you with distrust. In January of 2021, I was cautious yet hopeful about growing our sales. I didn’t want to plan too far ahead, but I also reviewed the data, telling a story. I needed to spend more time on LinkedIn, invest in better equipment and tailor our services to the B2B industry. Twelve months later and we’ve doubled our sales. Here are the five skills that I honed to achieve my goals. Video Lighting I never understood why we envy celebrities. If you had a team dedicated to making you look good, wouldn’t you be fabulous 24/7? It doesn’t help our mental health when we’re scrolling through their Instagram and wondering why not me? Well, I have some good news Candice, you too can get those likes. Invest in good lighting. As a woman of color, it was essential to understand how my skin tone differs from most YouTubers, and their advice would need some tweaking. I also learnt about the 3 point lighting setup; brighter isn’t always better. Here is a low budget option and the key light that every interview setup needs. Audio Sound Basics If you’re an aspiring podcaster and don’t know what a Yeti is, what are you really doing? The marketing team behind the Blue Desk Microphone did an excellent job with influencers. I went with the crowd, and it was a great place to start. Eventually added a few accessories, such as a boom mic arm and shock absorber. After some lengthy visits to BH Photo in NYC, I made a note of alternatives and upgraded to the Shure MV7. The quality is superior and there is no need for accessories because everything is built-in. I’m still working on not moving around as much. Video Display Resolution My first LinkedIn Live was in my bedroom on my lame ass 720p laptop camera. It was scary and I felt it could be perceived as unprofessional. Regardless, I soldiered on, and those first attempts are the reason I’m more comfortable with the responsibility of managing my clients’ brand. After signing my third client to our LinkedIn Live retainer, I upgraded from the Logitech 1020p to the 4k. I’m usually not for trends, but this was worth the hype. The algorithm loves high-resolution videos and we saw an increase in impressions when I upgraded. Makeup Artistry The Makeup industry was valued at $532 billion in 2019 and is expected to exceed $716 billion by 2025. Multiple factors contribute to its growth, but none as impactful as influencer marketing. Outside of not being able to afford a makeup artist every week, I would not have felt comfortable with someone coming to my home during the pandemic. The democratization of makeup application allowed me to experiment and learn from popular Youtubers such as Jackie Anna and Robert Welsh. As much as we believe that you should not judge a book by its cover, the numbers don’t support this adage. After learning about contouring and eyelash applications, we’ve seen a 100% attendance increase with positive comments about my appearance. Live Video Hosting Oprah is worth 2.6 billion dollars. Much of her wealth began from interviewing people on her talk show. After hosting more than 100 live events, I better understand her value. It takes specific skills to navigate questions, emote without interrupting while making the discussion interesting for the viewer. I don’t believe Oprah’s style reflects today’s distracted social media users. However, I took notes from Ali Plump, Hot Ones and Graham Norton. One of the biggest takeaways was research. It makes the guest feel comfortable and helps with the flow of conversation. My extrovert nature paired well with my new skill because it was the only time I engaged with humans. It became an energy booster! Summary I got a call from a global company requesting a quotation for hosting. I declined. Although I’ve gained immeasurable insight into multiple industries, these are survival skills. It’s easy to lose sight of your goals when the main objective is to pay your bills on time. Luckily, I’m in a privileged position to be mindful of this fact. If you want to learn more about what we do for our clients, sign up for our newsletter here.

Image from Facebook When it comes to social media, it is often underutilised. Many businesses, especially non-profit organisations, may not have money to fund large marketing campaigns, which is where social media can fill that gap. The San Fernando Center for Displaced Persons has proven that they can do just that. In Episode 5 of my #ACMlive LinkedIn series, I take an in-depth look at how they are doing digital right using their Facebook page. They Tell A Story This NGO understands the importance of using social media to tell a story. Shortly after opening, the post to their Facebook page offered great insight by clearly stating what the organisation does. The post went on to generate over 500 comments and close to 5000 shares. Posting the type of content that your audience wants to engage with is so important. The higher the number of shares, the more people will see your posts and the engagement will continue to increase. Successfully telling their stories is a way to ensure that those who see the posts will be compelled to learn more about the organisation or even offer their assistance. They Move Others To Become Invested Telling a story also helps to get others invested in the organisation and the journey. Posts to the San Fernando Center for Displaced Persons Facebook page are consistent, clear and transparent. These posts inform and also serve as proof for the general public. They demonstrate how the resources are used and show that the organisation does what it promises. People often appreciate and trust this type of content and are more likely to get invested. Evidently, from posts seen on the Center’s Facebook page, they were able to gain support from individuals and corporate Trinidad. They Include A Call To Action Once your audience knows your story, becomes invested and decides to follow the journey, you need to tell them precisely what you would like them to do. This is also important for those who may not be regular followers but come across your page and immediately ask themselves how to help. Commonly referred to as a ‘call to action’. This is usually incorporated into your posts or listed as the final statement. This eliminates the guesswork, making it more likely that people will be inclined to act on your suggestions. Examples of a specific call to action can sound something like: · Sign up by clicking here · Join our mailing list for more updates · Donate by clicking the link below Doing digital right is especially important for small businesses and, as we saw in this instance, NGOs. Having smaller marketing budgets is no longer a deterrent as the various social media platforms can successfully tell others what you do and get them involved. Join us on YouTube to learn more about digital marketing in the Caribbean!

Philip Colthrust, Managing Director of Sightfactory, advises that entrepreneurs and small businesses take advantage of the shift in consumer dynamics that are taking place due to COVID-19. This can be an excellent opportunity for any brick-and-mortar business to shift online and increase its revenue. Here are some of his tips taken from a Live show on the FAC LinkedIn Page: Align yourself with a web development company that knows what they’re doing. Many banks have a shortlist of website developers they can suggest. Be sure to have a proper business plan detailing your transformation to an online business. Your project has to be more than just “I want to sell stuff online”. Try a hybrid model – both an online and brick and mortar business, but be sure to allocate products accordingly to each segment of your business. Don’t go online to sell to the same clients you already have. Ecommerce is about expanding your reach to more clients. If you can access a more extensive base – regional or international – think about how you can deliver your product to them at a cost that’s good for you. Shipping out of the Caribbean is difficult, but Sightfactory is working on Shop Caribe – an online marketplace to facilitate regional shipping at a better rate. Ensure that e-commerce transaction fees are built into your pricing structure. Consider the costs and benefits of going online – what does it cost you to sell products in your store versus online? Which is more viable for you? You can save money in running your small business if you go straight online. Treat eCommerce as an investment to boost your business. Hopefully, this series of blogs gave you a better understanding of the nuts and bolts of setting up an eCommerce business in the Caribbean. All the best to any small and medium-sized business owners who are about to start the online journey! Subscribe on YouTube to learn more about digital marketing in the Caribbean!

I already have a business account at my bank and can accept credit card payments. Can I connect this account to my website? An eCommerce account is not a Point of Sales business account. Your business needs to open an eCommerce account to accept payments online in the Caribbean. You must apply for an eCommerce account so that your bank can provide you with a Merchant ID that you can give to First Atlantic Commerce (FAC). FAC uses your unique Merchant ID to link the online transactions on your website to your bank account. You will need a payment gateway company like FAC to facilitate this link for you on your website. Getting approval for an eCommerce account requires the same “know your customer” (KYC) procedure as an applicant for a regular business account would. This means you have to be able to provide your bank with a viable business plan and maybe even a beta website (an example of what your website would look like). Your bank’s website would have what requirements they need for opening an eCommerce account. For this reason, Christopher Burns, CEO of FAC, recommends that you apply for your Merchant ID in conjunction with meeting website developers and FAC. FAC offers a checklist for you to ensure best practices such as Terms & Conditions, Refund Policies, Logos and more, so they help hold your hand through the process. Do everything in parallel but don’t leave the banking part for last as it takes a while to get approval for your eCommerce account. Hence, you need to set a realistic timeline. Your Ecommerce Business Plan Whether you’re approaching a website developer to design your website or your bank to open your eCommerce account – you need to provide a viable business plan. This involves really thinking through the process: Transportation and Delivery: Once someone purchases your product, how will you deliver it to them? Pricing: How will you set your prices so that they are both competitive and deliver enough sales revenue to cover your overhead costs? Marketing: How will you market your website to ensure you reach a broad customer base? After all, success depends on people knowing that your business is online and can accept online payments, so advertising is important (and it’s also an expense to consider). Speaking of expenses… Be Aware of eCommerce Transaction Fees Taking your business online allows you to reach a wider target base and increase your revenues. Depending on your bank, you may have monthly fees and/or per-transaction fees, that need to be added to your Expense Account. Ensure you include this when setting your prices and establishing what volume of transactions you will need for your online business to be economically viable. Is Ecommerce Viable in the Caribbean? Consumer culture varies by geography, so keep in mind that what works for the USA or Europe won’t necessarily work in the Caribbean. Right now, FAC has a lot of telecommunications, travel and government clients in the Caribbean, but not many retail clients. However, this can be to your advantage – remember that Jeff Bezos started an eCommerce business long before it became mainstream. And more and more people in the Caribbean are using credit cards and shopping online. Amazon is actually one of the top 5 websites visited in the Caribbean. So there is a demand for online retailers in the niche e-commerce market of the Caribbean. Furthermore, local banks are rolling out new debit cards that can facilitate online payments. Your customer base for online shopping in the Caribbean is about to get bigger. Will your business be ready to supply them? Currently, small business online retail in Trinidad consists mainly of the “click and collect” model – where customers order online and pay in person when they pick up the product. By having an eCommerce account and facilitating online payments, you incentivize customers to use your website for its convenience. And that’s not all – online retailers like Amazon actually use online payments as a business strategy. This is because a quick and easy online payment incentivizes impulse buying among consumers. And various studies have shown that people spend more – up to 83% more – when they use their credit cards than when they have to use cash. This is due to rewards programs, incentivization and the psychological aspect of cash in hand. So if your website allows people to make easy purchases 24/7 online – expect an increase in revenue. Subscribe on YouTube to learn more about content creation in the Caribbean!

Okay, I'm Inspired! I'm a Small Business Owner in the Caribbean. How Do I Get Into Ecommerce? Let's learn from Steve Jobs. You need to start hiring professionals in their field to handle the technical aspects of online shopping. It has to work simultaneously, as you focus on creating a profit. Check out this conversation with Vivienne Shakespeare-Reynolds from CoolMarket and Christopher Burns of First Atlantic Commerce (FAC). They are based in the Caribbean and can help your eCommerce dreams come true. Finding a Web Developer - Sightfactory Sightfactory is a web application development studio based in Trinidad and Tobago. They provide a complete set of services to deliver the greatest user experience through a mix of visually stimulating design, intuitive layout, user-friendly functionalities and interactive components. In terms of eCommerce, Sighfactory can create a website for your business so you can sell your products online. Sightfactory's client portfolio includes: The Trinidad and Tobago Ferry Service – whose website they designed so that you can now purchase tickets online using your credit card. The Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago turned to Sightfactory to develop a custom-built real-time online ticket booking application. The result? Easy ferry ticket booking. Destination Trinidad and Tobago – a tour website where you can book trips and tours in Trinidad and Tobago and pay online via credit card. First Atlantic Commerce (FAC) FAC provides online payment solutions and international credit card processing for merchants, banks, and partners worldwide. They provide a payment gateway solution that enables merchants to accept and process credit and debit card payments online. So together, Sightfactory can set up your website, and FAC can facilitate online payments. And voila! You're now utilizing eCommerce. The Ecommerce Process in the Caribbean To dive into eCommerce, you need these four things: Formulate a strategy and plan for your online business model. Apply for an eCommerce merchant account with your local bank (different from a standard business account). Have a website developer like Sightfactory set up a functioning website for your business. Have a gateway company like FAC provide the connection between your website and your eCommerce merchant account (takes 1-2 weeks). Subscribe on YouTube to learn more about content creation in the Caribbean!

On May 14th, 2020, an analysis by Comparisun stated that Amazon's founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos was in line to become the world's first trillionaire by 2026 if his wealth kept growing. Jeff Bezos is currently the richest man on earth, with a net worth of over US$145 billion. How did he get here? Amazon began in 1994 as little more than a simple online bookstore. From those humble beginnings, Amazon has become the largest online eCommerce retailer and one of the world's most influential and recognizable brands. Amazon is the most valuable internet retailer in the world. It is the most valuable retailer period, having surpassed Wal-Mart back in 2015. It is also the third most valuable company in the world, topped only by Apple and Microsoft. Bezos realized early on that eCommerce was a powerful business model and capitalized on it swiftly. Now the cat is out of the bag, and businesses worldwide recognize that eCommerce has revolutionized retail. In fact, online shopping is one of the most popular activities, with online sales projected to increase from US$1.3 trillion in 2014 to US$4.5 trillion in 2021 (Statista, 2019). And the impact of COVID-19 has only served to boost the impact of eCommerce. Ecommerce penetration rates, which are currently at 15%, are expected to increase to 25% by 2025 (MarketWatch, 2020). Furthermore, experts predict that the impact of the coronavirus will not just be a short-term boost to eCommerce but one that's here to stay. This is because people expect ease of use. In addition to the convenience and benefits of contactless payments. Both of which are likely to cause a permanent behavioural shift towards digital purchases. But What Exactly Is Ecommerce? Ecommerce, also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce, refers to the buying and selling goods or services using the internet and the transfer of money and data to execute these transactions. Given that the consumer dynamic globally is shifting towards online retail, there are increasing benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who get into eCommerce. Your business doesn't have to be a retail giant to capitalize on eCommerce. "When you grow up, you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money. That's a minimal life....Everything around you was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it… Once you learn that, you'll never be the same again."- Steve Jobs, founder of Apple. And believe it or not, you have more in common with the late billionaire than you may think – Jobs never wrote any code for Apple. He did not know technology. He was not an engineer or software developer – he was more renowned for his business savvy and strategic, creative mindset. He was merely a man with a vision, so if you have an idea of how your eCommerce venture will be, you're already halfway there! "He did not know technology. He'd never designed anything as a hardware engineer, and he didn't know software. He wanted to be important, and the important people are always the business people. So that's what he wanted to do." – Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple on Steve Jobs. Subscribe on YouTube to learn more about content creation in the Caribbean!