<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting is crucial for maintaining healthy finances, especially for businesses. If your tax affairs are in disarray, your overall financial situation is likely to suffer as well. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s more concrete information on what tax accounting is, and how tax <a href="https://sonary.com/accounting-software/">accounting software</a> can simplify the process of filing your taxes accurately.</span></p>
<h2><strong>What Is Tax Accounting? </strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting is simply accounting for taxes. It involves using accounting principles and methods for determining taxes owed to the government (federal, state, or local). It’s governed by the rules provided by the relevant government agency, for instance, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting differs from financial accounting, which deals with the preparation of financial statements. While tax accounting may only focus on taxable transactions, financial accounting typically encompasses all transactions. </span></p>
<hr />
<h3>Top Accounting Software</h3>
<p><a href="https://sonary.com/b/intuit/quickbooks+accounting-software/">QuickBooks</a>: <strong><span style="color: #339966;">Special Sale: 50% OFF for 3 months</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://sonary.com/b/oracle-corporation/oracle-netsuite+accounting-software/">NetSuite</a>: <span style="color: #339966;"><strong>Financial management solution</strong></span></p>
<p><a href="https://sonary.com/b/freshbooks/freshbooks+accounting-software/">FreshBooks</a>: <span style="color: #339966;"><strong>30-day FREE trial with no credit card</strong></span></p>
<hr />
<h2><strong>Types of Tax Accounting </strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting can be divided into three distinct types:</span></p>
<h3>Tax Accounting for Individuals</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting for individuals focuses on personal income tax and capital gains or losses. It may also account for any qualifying deductions. Tax accounting is relatively more straightforward for individuals as it’s based on their tax burden, which is typically income for most people. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because it’s simpler, you can do your own tax accounting as an individual and aren’t required to have an accountant. However, having a dedicated accountant or <a href="https://sonary.com/accounting-software/">accounting software</a> for taxes can save time. </span></p>
<h3>Tax Accounting for Businesses</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting for businesses is slightly different from that for individuals. While companies, like individuals, must analyze earnings and assets, they must also account for any outgoing funds. These can be business expenses or funds for shareholders (dividends). </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting is often part of businesses&#8217; overall accounting operations. Although businesses are not required to have an accountant, most companies have an in-house accountant or outsource the services to tax professionals. </span></p>
<h3>Tax Accounting for Tax-Exempt Entities</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some organizations, for example, non-profits, are exempt from paying taxes. However, they still need to do tax accounting. In other words, these organizations need to file tax returns, providing information about the funds and donations they’ve received, and what they’ve been used for. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>The Importance of Tax Accounting</strong> </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although tax accounting differs from financial accounting, it’s an important component of financial management. Whether you’re a contractor filing as an individual or a business, tax accounting offers several benefits.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27346" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01115235/tax-accounting-feature-1.webp" alt="Tax accounting can be done yourself with tax accounting software" width="690" height="394" srcset="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01115235/tax-accounting-feature-1.webp 690w, https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/01115235/tax-accounting-feature-1-300x171.webp 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 690px) 100vw, 690px" /></p>
<h3>Compliance </h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The main reason why tax accounting is important is that it’s a legal requirement. All entities are obligated to pay taxes according to the applicable rules, and tax accounting is the only means by which the amount owed can be determined. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not paying taxes or paying less than what’s owed can result in legal ramifications for you and your business. </span></p>
<h3>Tax Reduction</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Efficient tax accounting, which takes into account all relevant information, can help you avoid being overtaxed. Moreover, you can use strategies to minimize your tax liabilities. For example, certain activities or investments may qualify for tax credits. Like, if your business utilizes renewable energy, you may be eligible for clean energy credits. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The money you save from taxes can be diverted toward other financial goals or expenses. </span></p>
<h3>Expense and Revenue Management</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting also allows businesses to prepare for taxes in advance and allocate expenses accordingly. They can foresee their expenditure, revenue, and profit.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>How Can Tax Accounting Be Done</strong> </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Depending on the size and complexity of your finances, you can perform personal or business tax accounting in several ways.</span></p>
<h3>Utilizing Tax Accounting Software</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax software is the most common solution for tax accounting. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax preparation software, typically paid, simplifies the process by compiling information provided by users in real-time. More importantly, good accounting software ensures accurate calculations and assists in compliance with tax rules and regulations. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It may even help you save money through tax optimization, leveraging tax deductions and credits. Not all solutions are the same, so choose the one that best suits your taxation needs. </span></p>
<h3>DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Tax Preparation</h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another option is handling tax accounting on your own using basic, free tax software. This approach is more economical and offers more control. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">While DIY tax accounting is cost-effective, it’s prone to errors and may not be suitable for businesses. You may miss out on opportunities for tax deductions. it may be time-consuming and require learning about the tax code. </span></p>
<h3>Outsourcing to Tax Professionals </h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The third way is hiring tax professionals. These are tax accounting experts who use specialized tax software to prepare and optimize your taxes. They’re highly knowledgeable, reducing the likelihood of errors. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">More importantly, tax experts understand the tax code and can identify opportunities for tax reductions. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That said, outsourcing tax accounting is costlier than both previously mentioned approaches. It also involves increased reliance on a third party for a crucial task such as taxes. Granting them access to your financial data also carries inherent risks.</span></p>
<h2><strong>The Best Tax Accountant Software</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some of the<a href="https://sonary.com/accounting-software/"> best tax accounting software</a> solutions:</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27372" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/02063716/man-doing-taxes.webp" alt="" width="850" height="486" srcset="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/02063716/man-doing-taxes.webp 850w, https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/02063716/man-doing-taxes-300x172.webp 300w, https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/02063716/man-doing-taxes-768x439.webp 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" /></p>
<h3><a href="https://sonary.com/b/intuit/quickbooks+accounting-software/">QuickBooks</a></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">QuickBooks is <a href="https://sonary.com/content/quickbooks-vs-freshbooks-comparison/">among the most popular accounting solutions</a>, particularly for small businesses. It’s an easy-to-use platform that makes financial accounting and tax preparation seamless. It’s highly customizable, with hundreds of add-ons available. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With <a href="https://sonary.com/content/how-to-set-up-quickbooks-online-get-free-guided-setup/">QuickBooks,</a> businesses can track all transactions going in and out, so everything is accounted for when it’s time to prepare your taxes. It can also categorize your expenses by tax category. All bank and credit card transactions are automatically synced with the software. </span></p>
<h4><strong>Key Features</strong></h4>
<ul>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Auto income and expense tracking</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax-based expense categories (for example, GST)</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">TurboTax integration</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detailed reports</span></li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Pricing</strong></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quickbooks offers a 30-day free trial, and its plans start at $15 per month for the first three months. </span></p>
<h3><a href="https://sonary.com/b/oracle-corporation/oracle-netsuite+accounting-software/">NetSuite</a></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NetSuite by Oracle offers various business management solutions for large enterprises, including tax management software. This software can automate tax calculations for businesses worldwide, making it ideal for multinational companies that are required to pay taxes in different countries. For instance, it can automatically validate VAT registration in Europe and calculate correct taxes for goods sold or bought. </span></p>
<h4><strong>Key Features</strong></h4>
<ul>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Real-time tax rates from 110 countries</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Automated VAT/GST calculation</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Audit reports</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Automated summaries of spending </span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SuiteTax API to connect with tax service providers</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Integration with other NetSuite products</span></li>
</ul>
<h4><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Pricing</strong> </span></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The software is available for an annual licensing fee, which varies depending on the modules you choose and the number of users. </span></p>
<h3><a href="https://sonary.com/b/freshbooks/freshbooks+accounting-software/">FreshBooks</a></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">FreshBooks is tax-ready accounting and bookkeeping software made for small businesses. It offers accounting tools and detailed cash flow, revenue, and profit reports. The software allows tax accountants full access to the reports to prepare for tax filing. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While it doesn’t offer tax form preparation, its detailed financial accounting makes tax calculation easy. </span></p>
<h4><strong>Key Features</strong></h4>
<ul>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Double-entry accounting tools</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Accountant access</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax-related metrics (for example, sales tax tracking)</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Automated bank reconciliation </span></li>
</ul>
<h4><strong>Pricing</strong></h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">FreshBooks plans are some of the most affordable, with entry-level plans starting at a discounted rate of $5.70. However, most useful features are accessible with Plus or higher plans. There’s a 30-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up. </span></p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tax accounting is essential for maintaining healthy finances, whether you&#8217;re an individual or a business. It ensures compliance with tax obligations and prevents financial disarray. Tax software simplifies the process, making it easier to file taxes accurately and avoid overpayment. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">That said, choosing the <a href="https://sonary.com/accounting-software/">right tax accounting solution</a> tailored to your needs is imperative for effective tax management.</span></p>
<h2><strong>FAQ </strong></h2>
<p><strong>Q: What is the tax accounting process?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>A:</strong> The tax accounting process involves recording, analyzing, and reporting financial transactions, assets, and deductions to calculate taxable income.</span></p>
<p><strong>Q: What are the different types of accounting?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>A:</strong> The different types of accounting include financial accounting, managerial accounting, and tax accounting. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Financial accounting focuses on reporting financial information to internal and external stakeholders. Managerial accounting helps internal decision-makers. Tax accounting specifically deals with tax-related matters and assists with tax preparation. </span></p>
<p><strong>Q: What are the two methods of tax accounting?</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>A:</strong> The two methods of tax accounting are cash and accrual. The cash method records income and expenses when they are received or paid. However, in the accrual method, income and expenses are recorded when earned or incurred, regardless of when the cash changes hands.</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

What Is Tax Accounting?

Tax accounting is crucial for maintaining healthy finances, especially...

<p>With over <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/">1.5 billion active users</a>, TikTok offers small and medium businesses (SMBs) a chance to connect with their audience organically. The platform’s algorithm is famous for presenting highly personalized content users want to see. That can help brands reach the right audience and increase their visibility. With the right strategies and <a href="https://sonary.com/creative-tools/best-influencer-tools/">tools</a>, you too can build a thriving community for your brand on TikTok. </p>
<h2>The Power of TikTok for Small Brands</h2>
<p>Small business growth on TikTok has been tremendous. In a <a href="https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/new-study-shows-small-businesses-are-finding-their-home-on-tiktok">2022 survey</a> by the platform, 67 percent of SMBs said they were optimistic about the growth potential the app offers. Moreover, 78 percent of these businesses indicated they would increase their investment in the platform. </p>
<p>All kinds of small businesses have found success with TikTok. While some went viral with their content, others succeeded with user-generated content on TikTok. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@peachyslime?lang=en">Peachy BB’s</a>, a homemade slime brand from Austin, Texas, went viral on TikTok through its videos demonstrating the slime-making process. Andrea O., the business owner, already had decent viewership, but things quickly changed when <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@peachybbies10/video/7253985473234750763">Kim Kardashian discovered her slime through TikTok</a>. Her video about her newfound customer instantly went viral. Today, the brand has over 6 million followers and a strong customer base. </p>
<p>There are many other similar success stories of small brands on TikTok. Many factors are at play, including how TikTok connects users with content. The app&#8217;s algorithm is very good at targeting and showing your content to an interested audience.  </p>
<h2>Developing a TikTok Strategy for Small Brands</h2>
<p>While TikTok may be SMB-friendly, you still need a solid strategy to get more followers, views, and sales. From tapping into TikTok content trends for businesses to running sponsored posts, you can use a variety of tactics to build your brand on the social media platform. </p>
<p>Here are TikTok marketing strategies that work:</p>
<h3>Content Planning</h3>
<p>You need to plan the content you want to share for your brand. The content needs to be authentic and relatable. The good news is that your content doesn’t necessarily need to be highly edited or polished. Many audiences prefer original, raw content, for instance, behind-the-scenes footage or personal stories. </p>
<p>Do some homework on the kind of content relevant to your business niche already present on the platform. Get inspiration from existing videos and <a href="https://sonary.com/creative-tools/best-video-editor-tools/">create your own</a>. </p>
<h3>Targeting the Right Audience</h3>
<p>There’s no secret formula for viral content creation on TikTok. You have to find and target your audience to go viral. Here are some ways:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Use relevant TikTok hashtags for brand visibility</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Answer your audience’s questions or address their pain points</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Collaborate with influencers relevant to your brand niche</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Use TikTok analytics for small businesses to understand how people react to your content</li>
</ul>
<h3>Scaling with Advertisement</h3>
<p>You can also reach out to a larger audience through advertisements on TikTok. The platform offers great tools for creating advertisements, including easy-to-use templates. You can target your audience with sponsored content using their interest or behavior on the app. </p>
<p><a href="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13095724/tiktok-article-image-1-1.webp"><img decoding="async" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13095724/tiktok-article-image-1-1.webp" alt="Leverage influencer tools for high quality videos" /></a></p>
<h2>Leveraging Influencer Tools for Brand Visibility</h2>
<p>Influencers have redefined the TikTok scene. It wouldn’t be wrong to say they’ve made the platform what it is today. Consider this: over <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1398218/tiktok-us-influencers-by-followers/">67,000 TikTok influencers</a> have 100k or more followers. </p>
<p>Influencer marketing is a strong strategy that small brands have used since the platform&#8217;s early days. It’s essentially a testimonial for your brand and helps you connect with the right audience. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@popflexactive">Popflex Active</a>, an activewear brand, was founded by fitness influencer Casey Ho. As an influencer herself, she built partnerships with content creators on TikTok to increase the brand&#8217;s reach and give the audience an unfiltered look into the products. </p>
<h3>Identifying the Right Influencers</h3>
<p>Because TikTok influencer collaborations are so powerful, they can potentially turn your brand into an overnight success. However, the secret to success with influencer marketing lies in choosing the right affiliates. The creator you collaborate with must be relevant to your brand and relatable to your audience. </p>
<p>Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t necessarily have to collaborate with influencers with the largest followings. The so-called micro-influencers with smaller followings but higher engagement are becoming the preferred choice for small businesses. </p>
<h3>Using Influencer Tools</h3>
<p>The best way to reach out to influencers and manage collaborations is through an <a href="https://sonary.com/creative-tools/best-influencer-tools/">influencer marketing tool</a>. These tools can help your business find and connect with TikTok content creators relevant to your niche or liked by your targeted audience. </p>
<p>PopularPays is a sought-after influencer tool for engaging TikTok audiences through influencer collaborations. It makes searching, communicating, and collaborating on content with influencers easy. Compared to other influencer tools that mainly offer search and vetting, PopularPays also enables relationship management and content tracking. </p>
<h2>Mastering Video Editing to Enhance Engagement</h2>
<p>Your brand’s videos on TikTok should be well-edited. That doesn’t necessarily mean top-dollar production. It only means the videos should be coherent, concise, and high-quality. While TikTok offers a variety of built-in video editing features, you can leverage <a href="https://sonary.com/creative-tools/best-video-editor-tools/">other easy-to-use tools</a> to prepare high-quality videos.</p>
<p>Here are some essential video editing tools for TikTok:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://sonary.com/b/lightricks/videoleap+creative-tools/">Videoleap</a>: It’s an online video editor with an intuitive user interface and several AI-powered editing capabilities, like AI infinite zoom, AI video generation, and AI voice changer. Plus, it offers features for editing videos made exclusively for TikTok. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">CapCut: It’s developed by TikTok’s parent company and offers many different video effects. It also comes with color-grading options, which can help produce beautiful videos. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Magisto: It’s a video editor that automates the process to help save time. Part of Vimeo, the editor is beginner-friendly. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Video Editing Tips for TikTok</h3>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Use filters to set the mood of your videos, playing with brightness, saturation, and colors. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Tap the interactive and augmented reality (AR) effects available in TikTok editor and many other video editing apps.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Use seamless transitions between different clips for a more cinematic effect. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Record videos with the phone’s camera rather than using the app and upload them to the editing platform to preserve the quality. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Use text overlays and stickers to convey your message. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Enable captions so non-native speakers and deaf audiences can engage with your videos. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Use <a href="https://sonary.com/content/how-to-edit-tik-tok-videos/">custom fonts for texts</a> on videos to make them more noticeable and legible. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Use trending music for your videos, but make sure it matches the theme or vibe of the video content. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Play with voice effects for videos with voice-overs. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Balancing Organic and Sponsored Content</h2>
<p>TikTok advertising for small brands offers an affordable way to reach new audiences. While it’s effective, the importance of organic outreach can’t be overstated. Moreover, many small businesses have shoestring marketing budgets and must use organic methods to increase visibility. </p>
<p>You can find success with a combination of organic and sponsored TikTok content. Many brands start by organically creating a community of followers and investing in TikTok advertisements to grow their audience further. </p>
<h3>Which Is Better?</h3>
<p>When it comes to organic content vs. sponsored content on TikTok, the former has greater potential. That’s because interest and engagement are typically higher when audiences find your content organically. </p>
<p>Many businesses use both organic content strategy and sponsored content to engage with existing and new audiences. TikTok calls it the ‘always engaged’ strategy. </p>
<p>The fast food chain Chipotle started with TikTok early, engaging its young user base with videos and challenges, such as the popular #ChipotleLidFlip challenge. Since the TikTok Ads platform launched, they’ve also started challenges with sponsored posts.</p>
<p><a href="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13100047/tiktok-article-2-1.webp"><img decoding="async" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/13100047/tiktok-article-2-1.webp" alt="TikTok is a powerful tool for small businesses " /></a></p>
<h2>Overcoming Challenges on TikTok</h2>
<p>Although TikTok is a great platform for small brands to find their footing, engaging TikTok audiences can be hard. Here are the common challenges brands may face on this platform:</p>
<h3>Content Saturation</h3>
<p>Depending on your business niche, too many competitors may already exist, resulting in too much of the same type of content. This can be tackled by creating something unique and making your brand stand out. </p>
<h3>Change in Algorithms</h3>
<p>Social media platforms like TikTok regularly change algorithms to serve their audience better. Unfortunately, those changes can sometimes work against you and cut your reach. It’s important to stay on top of any changes and adapt your content strategy to them.</p>
<h3>Fast Moving Trends</h3>
<p>TikTok trends come and go quickly. Brands must respond to these trends immediately, which can be difficult if workflows for content ideation, creation, approval, and sharing are not refined. </p>
<h2>Conclusion </h2>
<p>TikTok is a useful platform for marketing small businesses, as it allows them to connect with audiences on a personal level. But to be successful with TikTok marketing, you need a solid strategy that includes quality content, influencers, and perhaps some advertisement. </p>
<p>Your small brand can find inspiration in hundreds of companies leveraging the platform to engage with their audience and win their hearts. <a href="https://sonary.com/creative-tools/best-influencer-tools/">Utilize influencer tools</a> to identify TikTok influencers that can help market your brand and maybe even help it go ‘viral.’</p>
<h2>FAQ</h2>
<p>Q: What are the best practices for hashtag use on TikTok to increase discoverability?</p>
<p>A: To get discovered on TikTok or <a href="https://sonary.com/content/how-to-get-more-views-on-youtube/">YouTube</a>, use hashtags that are relevant to your brand. Also, look out for trending hashtags and leverage them whenever possible.</p>
<p>Q: How can small brands track and analyze the performance of their TikTok marketing efforts?</p>
<p>A: TikTok offers built-in analytics for businesses to track the performance of their account and content. You can see metrics like audience growth and video views to understand your content performance better. </p>
<p>Q: What strategies can small brands use to encourage user-generated content on TikTok?</p>
<p>A: Small brands can pose questions, ask for stories, create duets, and run challenges on TikTok to promote user content generation. They can also send giveaways to customers or influencers. </p>

How Small Brands Are Getting Discovered on TikTok

With over 1.5 billion active users, TikTok offers small and medium businesses...

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One in </span><a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/what-is-mental-illness#:~:text=In%20a%20given%20year%3A%201%20Nearly%20one%20in,12%20%288.5%25%29%20has%20a%20diagnosable%20substance%20use%20disorder."><span style="font-weight: 400;">five</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> adults experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives. That&#8217;s why mental well-being is incredibly important for a business to succeed in all areas. Employees should feel that they have the support and that their mental health is a priority for the company. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">As an employer, by <a href="https://sonary.com/hr/">creating a prosperous environment</a> at your workplace, you&#8217;re investing in your employees and building a stronger team. </span></p>
<h2><strong>How Mental Health Affects Workplace Productivity</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People manifest what they feel in how they act. This runs especially true in the workplace. To deliver their best and be productive, your employees must feel good. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When employees are stressed, anxious, or burned out, it affects their performance. They might struggle to focus, make mistakes, or miss deadlines. Studies show that depression and anxiety alone cost the global economy </span><a href="https://www.who.int/initiatives/who-special-initiative-for-mental-health"><span style="font-weight: 400;">$1 trillion</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> per year in lost productivity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, absenteeism, if linked to mental health issues, can result in detrimental financial losses. Many employers have adapted to these challenges by offering virtual support groups, flexible schedules, and wellness initiatives. </span></p>
<h2><strong>How To Identify Mental Health Issues in Employees</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Employers must spot and capture potential mental health challenges in their teams before they spiral out of control. Here are s</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">ome common symptoms to watch out for.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Changes In Behavior</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If a particular employee who used to be social is now shutting out interaction and manifesting isolation in their preferred behavior, they might be having a tough time. You should also look for frequent mood swings, unexpected outbursts of anger, or negative emotions.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Physical Symptoms</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People suffering from mental health issues portray fatigue and lethargy in their behavioral patterns. They tend to feel constantly tired or experience changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little). These are indicators of potential stress and anxiety. Complaining about sudden headaches, stomachaches, or other physical discomfort without a medical cause can also be a result of underlying mental health issues.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Performance Decline</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Employees suffering from mental anguish will show a downward trend in their performance. They might find it difficult to focus on tasks and miss important details. If an employee starts to constantly miss deadlines, deliver lower-quality work, or show a noticeable drop in overall output, these are telltale signs of a potential problem. </span></p>
<p><a href="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/04132625/mental-health-article.webp"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27024" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/04132625/mental-health-article.webp" alt="Mental health in the workplace depicted" /></a></p>
<h2><strong>How To Create a Supportive Work Environment</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you spot symptoms such as those discussed above at your workplace, prioritize creating and fixing a supportive work environment beforehand. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some ways to do that include:</span></p>
<h3><strong>Keep Your Doors Open</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When people don&#8217;t feel comfortable talking openly, it can lead to misunderstandings, frustration, and stress. That&#8217;s why you should always make yourself available to your employees. They should be able to communicate with you transparently. Holding regular team meetings, offering confidential feedback sessions, and providing anonymous suggestion boxes can also help. </span></p>
<h3><strong>Offer Flexible Work Arrangements</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rigid schedules will destroy your workforce&#8217;s motivation. That&#8217;s why you must show your employees that you trust them. Offer flexible work hours, remote work options, or compressed workweeks—where needed and manageable. Ensure continued productivity within a flexible arrangement by setting clear expectations and goals, implementing performance measurement tools, inducing trust and accountability, and promoting collaboration.  </span></p>
<h3><strong>Promote Work-Life Balance</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A hectic week exhausts your workforce, and there is a natural need for relaxation. The inability to do that causes severe burnout. Thus, you should encourage your employees to take breaks, use their vacation time, and do what they love after work hours. This will reduce burnout, increase loyalty and retention, boost creativity and problem-solving skills, and cut down on absenteeism.</span></p>
<h3><strong>Train and Educate</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many individuals lack awareness about mental health issues. Thus, you should arrange sessions on stress management, building resilience, and recognizing signs of stress in yourself and the rest of the workforce. Also, equip your managers with the skills to support their team members and prioritize their mental well-being. </span></p>
<h3><strong>Fight The Stigma </strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite our growing awareness of the importance of mental health, there&#8217;s still an underlying stigma against mental health issues. This can often prevent people from seeking the help they need. Aim to run campaigns that normalize conversations about employee mental health. Share success stories from people who have overcome challenges and won their battles. Celebrate the idea of </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">seeking help</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and glorify it across the board. </span></p>
<h3><strong>Set Ideals</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">How a company&#8217;s leaders act shapes the culture, as well as conditions the behavior of your entire workforce. The process needs to start from the top to create an environment that supports employee mental health. Leaders should actively prioritize and promote well-being initiatives, practice self-care, and show genuine care for their employees&#8217; mental health. This sets the example for the rest of the company. </span></p>
<h2><strong>How To Implement Mental Health Programs and Initiatives</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Good intentions alone aren’t enough to ensure change. You’ll need to implement <a href="https://sonary.com/content/5-strategies-to-improve-human-relations-in-the-workplace-of-the-future/">effective mental health programs</a> throughout your organization to make it work.  Here&#8217;s how. </span></p>
<h3><strong>Create A Welcoming Environment</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your workplace should be open to anyone and everyone in the organization. There should be no bias, discrimination, or resentment based on hierarchical level, race, caste, or creed. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conduct diversity, equality, and inclusion workshops to promote understanding and respect. There should be conversations about mental health across all levels of the organization &#8211; making the company policies widely understood. </span></p>
<h3><strong>Set Up Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The majority of your workforce won’t open up in public. People need a degree of discretion, trust, and confidentiality to talk about their problems. Offer access to professional counselors who allow employees to address stress, anxiety, or personal challenges without fear of judgment. Top companies like </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Google</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> offer EAPs as a part of their employees&#8217; added perks. This, of course, benefits the company in return. </span></p>
<h3><strong>Track Your Progress</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Use relevant metrics and measure the impact of mental health programs in the workplace. Companies worldwide track their progress by monitoring employee participation and absence rates in such programs.</span></p>
<h2><strong>How HR Software Can Support Mental Health Initiatives</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having <a href="https://sonary.com/hr/">strong HR software</a> for your employees can enable you to support mental health initiatives. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some ways in which it can do that: </span></p>
<ul>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Feedback Mechanism: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">HR software allows you to monitor employee well-being through surveys and questionnaires without fear of judgment, by creating an anonymous system. </span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Easy Access To Resources: </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">HR software can offer mental health resources to employees, including self-help materials, educational webinars, and even confidential counseling services.</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Measuring Success:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> HR software enables you to track key metrics and evaluate the effectiveness of your mental health initiatives. </span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Customization:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> HR software is often customizable, allowing you to tailor mental health features to your specific company culture and workforce. Based on data, you can include training modules specific to your industry or the types of mental health challenges your employees might face.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/04133716/HR-software.webp"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27025" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/04133716/HR-software.webp" alt="A depiction of how HR software helps employee well-being" /></a></p>
<h2><strong>Top HR Software To Support Your Mental Health Initiatives</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Companies like </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">McKinsey &amp; Company</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> use HR software and digital tech to make their employees productive and successfully support their mental health programs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some popular </span><a href="https://sonary.com/hr/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">HR software</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to support your mental health initiatives:</span></p>
<h3><strong>Paychex</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://sonary.com/b/paychex/paychex+hr/">Paychex</a> offers personalized consultations with HR experts, a user-friendly platform for various HR tasks, and 24/7 US-based support. It provides a flexible payroll system that reduces stress and frees up resources for more important tasks.</span></p>
<h3><strong>ADP</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ADP allows you to design an HR system aligning with your needs and mental health initiatives. They offer seamless payroll integration, 24/7 customer support, and a free trial for you to test the software.</span></p>
<h3><strong>TriNet</strong></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">TriNet provides a full-service solution with comprehensive HR support, including mental health resources, expert guidance, and real-time advice. They also offer valuable workforce analytics and a free trial to assess their software&#8217;s adaptability.</span></p>
<h2><strong>Legal and Ethical Considerations</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several legal and ethical considerations must be accounted for in prioritizing workplace well-being. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example:</span></p>
<ul>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">There should be anti-discrimination laws that protect employees.</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Employers should offer reasonable accommodation to people who are struggling.</span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">There should be a respect for employee privacy and confidentiality. </span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Everyone should work actively to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. </span></li>
	<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Confidential counseling services shouldn&#8217;t be a perk but a basic offering. </span></li>
</ul>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Conclusion</strong> </span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Organizations must create healthy work environments. If your employees are happy, they&#8217;ll keep your customers and business happy, too. But to achieve mental well-being, you need to create a supportive work environment. This can be done by implementing mental health initiatives across the organization and measuring their success through <a href="https://sonary.com/hr/">HR software</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Remember: The goal is to create a healthy and happy team that makes a<a href="https://sonary.com/content/9-key-functions-of-human-resources-you-should-know/"> productive and profitable impact</a> on your business. </span></p>
<h2><strong>FAQ </strong></h2>
<p><b>Q: What are the first steps in creating a mental health initiative in the workplace?</b></p>
<p><b>A</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">: As a company, you should assess the needs of your employees, spot areas for improvement, set goals for employee well-being, and implement mental health initiatives throughout. </span></p>
<p><b>Q: How can employers encourage employees to take advantage of mental health resources?</b></p>
<p><b>A:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> This can be done by creating a mental health-friendly workplace culture that </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">normalizes</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> seeking help and reduces the stigma that surrounds mental health issues. You must provide access to professionals and educate the workforce for a positive change. </span></p>
<p><b>Q: How can HR software be used to support employees&#8217; mental health discreetly?</b></p>
<p><b>A:</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> HR software can offer anonymous access to online resources, and assessments—maintain privacy. The software can personalize suggestions based on employee data (with their consent.)</span></p>

Employee Mental Health: Promoting Well-Being In The Workplace

One in five adults experience a mental health condition at some point in...

<p>Today&#8217;s consumers demand information, education, and entertainment. Content has become the lifeblood of visibility. Search engines and social media algorithms are realizing that. </p>
<p>That’s why companies use copywriting frameworks, email marketing tools, <a href="https://sonary.com/website-builders/">website builders</a>, <a href="https://sonary.com/ecommerce/">e-commerce platforms</a>, etc, to fast-track their content creation process—without compromising quality. Let’s explore how content marketing can help you win in 2024. </p>
<h2>The Importance Of Content Marketing</h2>
<p>Why would people buy from you if they’re not aware of who you are and what you offer? </p>
<p>Your customers should trust you—deeming you credible and capable enough to solve their problem. Your content is the first thing they see. That’s why content marketing allows for brand awareness and credibility. Let’s explore strategies that can turn your potential customers into satisfied clients. </p>
<h3>Blogs</h3>
<p>Even with a low attention span, 77% of internet users still read blogs. Thus, publishing informative and engaging blogs can establish you as a thought leader. Address your audience’s problems and pain points, then provide solutions and insights.</p>
<h3>Videos</h3>
<p><a href="https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/online-video-consumption-statistics">92.3%</a> of internet users worldwide watch digital videos on a weekly basis. Showcase your products or services and share customer testimonials with visual appeal. Many brands create behind-the-scenes glimpses to connect with their audience like a human. Leverage this tool to captivate your audience. </p>
<h3>Infographics</h3>
<p>Infographics can increase website traffic by up to <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/infographic-stats">12%</a>. They’re amazing and have a high dwell time. You can use these to summarize key statistics, illustrate data, and share quick takeaways.</p>
<h3>E-books and White Papers</h3>
<p>The use of e-books for digital marketing is anticipated to continue increasing. A rough estimate suggests a <a href="https://www.statista.com/forecasts/1294239/number-of-ebook-users-global">9%</a> growth—making it 92.9 million active users. Provide valuable resources, industry reports, or practical guides to showcase expertise and develop trust. And in turn &#8211; bring more leads. </p>
<p><a href="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/07131340/content-marketing-2-1.webp"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26403" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/07131340/content-marketing-2-1.webp" alt="Content Marketing can be presented with a website builder" /></a></p>
<h2>Effectively Present Your Content Through A Website Builder</h2>
<p>Creating quality content is great. But it&#8217;s not worth much if it doesn&#8217;t reach your audience. Let’s explore how having a website builder can help your content reach your ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) on social media, emails, and search engines. </p>
<h3>The Importance Of Website Builder</h3>
<p>A website builder lets you create and edit websites without coding knowledge. It usually offers a drag-and-drop interface and templates to simplify the website development process. Popular website builders include Shopify, Squarespace, and <a href="https://sonary.com/b/wix-com/wix+website-builders/">Wix</a>. </p>
<h3>How To Choose The Right Website Builder?</h3>
<p><a href="https://sonary.com/website-builders/">Choosing the right builder</a> is necessary to make your website visually appealing and ensure your content lands perfectly. When selecting one, prioritize features that align with your content presentation needs. </p>
<p>Consider factors like:</p>
<p><strong>Visual Appeal</strong></p>
<p>You can choose a builder that offers pre-designed templates and intuitive design tools. This gives you more space for customization. For example, Squarespace comes with beautiful, modern themes and drag-and-drop functionality. That’s why countless businesses choose it every day. </p>
<h4>Content Integration</h4>
<p>Before choosing a website builder, make sure to check what content formats can be integrated. Select a builder that offers dedicated sections or plugins for blogs, videos, and other media. Squarespace is a good choice as it allows you to embed videos directly on your homepage. Also, you can create dedicated blog pages for SEO-optimized content pieces.</p>
<h4>SEO Optimization</h4>
<p>Select a builder that is SEO-friendly. <a href="https://sonary.com/content/website-builder-features-you-need-to-know/">Look for features</a> like meta descriptions, image alt text, and mobile responsiveness. For example, Squarespace takes care of these technical aspects, such as optimizing content with headings, sitemaps, customized titles, alt text, and structured data. </p>
<h3>How To Integrate Content Into Website Design </h3>
<p>Once you&#8217;ve selected the builder, strategically integrate your content into your website for increased engagement. Make sure you have a responsive <a href="https://sonary.com/web-design-software/">website design</a>. Here are some tips:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Blogs:</strong> Utilize a dedicated blog page to publish SE-optimized articles regularly.</li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Videos:</strong> Showcase product demos, customer testimonials, or explainer videos for your audience.</li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Images:</strong> Use high-quality images on your website to break up text and add visual appeal to your content.</li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Interactive Elements:</strong> Add interactive elements like quizzes, polls, or surveys to increase dwell time. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Mobile Optimization</strong>: Ensure your website looks stunning and functions smoothly on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Expand Your Reach Through Email Marketing</h2>
<p><a href="https://sonary.com/email-marketing/">Email marketing is a powerful tool</a> for content creators and businesses. It can land you straight to your ICP’s inbox. By integrating email marketing into your content marketing efforts, you can enjoy many benefits, including:</p>
<h3>Amplified Reach and Engagement</h3>
<p>You can promote your content (blogs, articles, videos) directly to everyone who subscribed to your email list. This, of course, <a href="https://sonary.com/content/12-effective-ways-to-grow-your-email-subscriber-list/">expands your reach</a> greatly. Moreover, tools like Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer drag-and-drop email builders to craft visually appealing newsletters.</p>
<p>You can also include your social media sharing buttons within emails to bring them out of their inbox and into your community. Use HubSpot or MailerLite for this. </p>
<h3>Building Brand Trust and Loyalty</h3>
<p>An email marketing campaign can help you build a degree of trust and customer loyalty. It helps you segment your audience based on their preferences. This allows you to have a personalized communication with them.</p>
<p>Also, you can offer exclusive discounts and early access—creating subscriber-only content. Use Sender or ActiveCampaign to help you out. Send regular newsletters, industry updates, or even birthday greetings to stay in touch with your audience and build profitable relationships.</p>
<h3>Driving Retention and Return Sales</h3>
<p>You can send a personalized welcome email sequence to new subscribers. This could create a funnel introducing them to your brand, products, and values. </p>
<p>Revive inactive subscribers with targeted email campaigns offering special discounts or personalized recommendations to bring them back to you. This is invaluable for customer retention.</p>
<p><a href="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/07132527/email-marketing-picture.webp"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-26409 size-full" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/07132527/email-marketing-picture.webp" alt="Email marketing as a method for content marketing distribution" width="1024" height="1024" /></a></p>
<h2>Leverage Influencer Marketing and Collaborations</h2>
<p>People want a personalized connection with the entity they’re doing business with. That’s why influencer marketing is a powerful tool for making a humanized connection with your customers. 60% of marketers agree that influencer-made content performs better than branded content. Here&#8217;s how different types of influencers align with audience segments:</p>
<h3>Micro-Influencers</h3>
<p>Micro-influencers have a small yet highly responsive following (typically 10k-50k).</p>
<h3>Mid-Tier Influencers</h3>
<p>Mid-tier influencers have a follower count of around 50k-250k, with a relatively broader reach.</p>
<h3>Macro-Influencers</h3>
<p>Macro-influencers are viral sensations (250k+ followers), commanding a considerable reach and brand awareness. </p>
<h2>Share Your Content Across Social Media</h2>
<p>Around <a href="https://www.demandsage.com/social-media-users/">4.9</a> billion souls use social media globally. Hence, you can achieve an insane reach and engagement for your content from diverse audiences. Here’s how you can capitalize on social media for your content marketing:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Platform Selection</strong>: Understand where your target audience spends their social media time, as different platforms facilitate specific demographics and interests. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Content Adaptation:</strong> Repurposing your content for different platforms makes it connect with the audience you’re looking for.</li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Engagement:</strong> Engage in comments and messages promptly, answer questions, and participate in discussions. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Integrations</strong>: Connect your social media with other marketing channels to hit everything simultaneously. </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Video Marketing Integration: Create short, informative, and entertaining videos, optimizing your titles and descriptions for search and using hashtags.</li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Analytics:</strong> Use insights to improve your content strategy, tweak your posting schedule, and identify the platforms that offer the best ROI.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Additional Content Distribution Methods </h2>
<p>To tap into people who don’t use mainstream mediums to seek information, you can distribute your content differently. Here are some other avenues you can consider while developing your content distribution strategy. </p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Podcasts</strong>: You can host your industry-focused podcast and launch an audio series to push your brand. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Webinars:</strong> You can use webinars to showcase your expertise and generate leads with real-time engagement. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Online Forums</strong>: You can engage in discussions and come out as a thought leader in your industry. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Personalize Your Content Marketing with CRM</h2>
<p>Content personalization isn’t a premium feature that you offer to selected customers. It’s now something that everyone expects. Thus, there’s a need for storing, organizing, and sorting customer data. </p>
<p><a href="https://sonary.com/crm/">CRMs</a> can help you gain valuable insights into individual customer behavior, preferences, and purchase history—ultimately increasing your customer retention by developing trust.</p>
<p>For example, consider a customer who recently purchased a running watch from your online store. It’s only natural that they might be interested in other complementary accessories. For example, heart rate monitors or running shoes. A CRM can help you display personalized product recommendations based on past purchases.</p>
<p>Also, CRMs work best with your email marketing strategy. You can send targeted email campaigns based on your customer’s past purchase history. This personalization helps you develop a stronger bond with your clients. </p>
<h2>Optimize Your Visibility Further with SEO </h2>
<p><a href="https://www.vividfish.co.uk/blog/89-of-customers-begin-their-buying-process-with-a-search-engine-source-fleishman-hillard">89%</a> of customers start their buying journey with a search engine. Optimize your website from a people-first approach so that search engines display you on high-ranking pages. </p>
<p>There are three basic components of SEO that you have to focus on. Let’s look at each in detail and see how a holistic effort can benefit your brand:</p>
<h3>On-Page SEO</h3>
<p>On-page SEO relates to optimizing your webpage to help the search engine understand what the page is about and how it satisfies the user’s query. This involves optimizing your metadata, like titles, headings, and content, with keyword incorporation. Do it naturally while creating SEO-friendly content.</p>
<h3>Off-Page SEO</h3>
<p>Off-page SEO involves reaching relevant websites to link your web pages. You can utilize guest blogging, forum posting, social shares, and collaborations. This increases your domain authority and content visibility. </p>
<h3>Technical SEO</h3>
<p>Make sure that your website loads quickly and perfectly on all devices. Optimize your source code and remove any bugs and technical errors. Your website should be focused on mobile-first, as most of your visitors will likely use a mobile to land on your site. </p>
<h2>Ensuring Authenticity In Your Content Strategy</h2>
<p>Nobody will buy from you if they don’t trust you. Countless brands are pushing content that shows them as the best in the market. Here are some best practices to show your audience you’re authentic: </p>
<h3>Leverage Real Customer Experiences</h3>
<p>You can feature genuine stories from real customers &#8211; showing their challenges, successes, and emotional journeys. Don&#8217;t shy away completely from negative experiences; address them honestly and show how you improved based on feedback.</p>
<h3>Create UGC Campaigns</h3>
<p>The best way to market yourself is to let your customers market you. UGC, or user-generated content, can be immensely helpful for your brand. Create interactive contests and challenges, unique brand hashtags and trends, or host a livestream with Q&amp;A sessions. Let your users participate in the content creation process and bring you growth. This is key in showing authenticity. </p>
<h3>Implement a Content Moderation Strategy</h3>
<p>You should have a solid content moderation strategy in place to restrict unhelpful content and refine helpful content. This is especially true for comments from users. For that, you can create pre-defined guidelines for acceptable language, content, or brand tone. Also, your moderation process should be very clear, diverse, and transparent. You don’t want to silence genuine user voices. </p>
<h2>Measure The Success Of Your Content Marketing</h2>
<p>A detailed data-driven analysis can help you understand your content performance by looking at impressions, clicks, or subscriptions. Here are the key metrics you can use to track while looking at content across different channels:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Content Performance:</strong> Check for your website traffic, engagement, content shares, social media engagement, lead generation, and overall conversions. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Email Campaigns</strong>: Look at your open rates and click-through rates, unsubscribe rates, and overall conversion rates of the campaign using MailerLite or Mailjet. </li>
	<li aria-level="1"><strong>Website Engagement:</strong> Check if your website is engaging enough for your ideal visitor. Evaluate your heatmaps, scrollmaps, and form abandonment rates. </li>
</ul>
<h2>Summing It Up</h2>
<p>Content, email, distribution channels, and <a href="https://sonary.com/website-builders/">website builder platforms</a> work synergistically to make your digital marketing strategy a win. You must hit all fronts at the right time and with the right intensity. Adopt a holistic digital marketing approach by leveraging these interconnected strategies for maximum impact.</p>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<p><strong>Q: What do you mean by content marketing?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A</strong>: Content marketing is the process of creating and distributing engaging content online. </p>
<p><strong>Q:</strong> How can content marketing bring leads and sales?</p>
<p><strong>A</strong>: Helpful content attracts interested audiences and solves their problems. The idea is to pull them into the buying journey as they discover your market offerings and make a purchase.</p>
<p><strong>Q: Does content marketing really work?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A</strong>: Yes. Content marketing, if done strategically, can bring you impressions, engagements, leads, and revenue—at the same time building your credibility and trust.</p>

Maximize Your Online Presence: The Power Of Content Marketing In Driving Business Growth

Today's consumers demand information, education, and entertainment. Content...

<p>A virtual private network (VPN) protects your connection to the Internet and helps mask your identity by hiding your IP address. It redirects traffic through a remote server from the VPN provider and encrypts data to prevent attackers from stealing it or seeing your activity online. Privacy is a big concern for online users. VPNs essentially ensure anonymity on the Internet and enhance privacy.</p>
<p>While a <a href="https://sonary.com/content/vpn-types-of-vpn/">VPN can be great for online security</a>, it can sometimes have issues. One of the most common problems is that it just won’t connect. This comprehensive troubleshooting guide will take you through all the possible fixes for a VPN that won’t connect.</p>
<h2>Common VPN Connection Issues </h2>
<p>There can be countless possible causes behind a VPN not connecting such as server overload or downtime, an outdated application, configuration errors, or network issues. Here are some of the most common issues.</p>
<h3>1. Problem: Incorrect Login Credentials </h3>
<p>If you’ve received an error message that your login credentials are incorrect, this can prevent <a href="https://sonary.com/content/how-to-use-a-vpn/">access to VPN services</a>. This runs true for both free and paid VPNs. </p>
<p>Other than incorrect login details, expired subscriptions can also prevent access. </p>
<h3>Solution: Verify and Update Account Details </h3>
<p>Verify that you’re logged in with the same account you used to subscribe. If your account has been compromised, change your password immediately and inform the VPN provider. Make it a habit to change your password periodically. </p>
<p>Log out of devices that aren’t yours after using your VPN account.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26277" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01083141/4-1.webp" alt="VPN" /></p>
<h3>2. Problem: Connection Drops </h3>
<p>If the VPN server isn’t responding, chances are it’s overloaded with requests to also connect. VPN servers don’t have an unlimited capacity for handling requests and often experience peak hours. This is known as a server overload.</p>
<p>It could also be experiencing downtime, meaning the service is not working. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as server overload too, maintenance, or technical failures. VPN providers often update their servers for security reasons which can cause them to temporarily not work. </p>
<h3>Solution: Switch IP/Servers</h3>
<p>If the server is down, it won’t receive traffic from your device. A quick fix to an unavailable VPN server is simply using another one. Most VPN providers offer servers from various locations worldwide. For instance, if you’re trying to connect through a server in North America, try changing it to a server in Europe or Asia and see if you’re successfully connected.</p>
<p>You may have to disconnect first, select a different server, and then connect.</p>
<h3>3. Problem: Unable To Connect After A Settings Change </h3>
<p>Let’s say you make an update (changing your IP address for example) to your network settings and your VPN fails to connect. Or even changing your Domain Name System for example.</p>
<p>The VPN configuration settings may have a problem. For instance, a mismatch in client and server protocol can result in the VPN not connecting or connecting but not working. A VPN protocol determines the tunnel, a secure pathway within a network, for transmitting data. Some of the protocols used by VPNs include OpenVPN, IPsec, and L2TP.</p>
<p>Similarly, a port that the VPN needs to send data may be blocked. Ports are assigned according to the type of traffic, for example, emails or web requests. Again, port use also depends on the protocol.</p>
<h3>Solution: Review and Adjust Your Settings</h3>
<p>Try changing certain settings such as your protocol. A VPN protocol is a set of rules that determines how your data travels from your device to the VPN server. </p>
<p>Changing the protocol used by the VPN can sometimes restore the connection and allow you to browse the web securely. This can also be helpful if you’re connected to the VPN, but the connection is lagging.</p>
<p>The exact steps to change the protocol for the VPN may differ by application and device.</p>
<p><strong>Here are general guidelines for changing it:</strong></p>
<ol>
	<li aria-level="1">Launch the VPN software on your device.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Go to Settings or Preferences.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Locate connection or protocol settings.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Select a different protocol from the one currently selected (for example, from IPsec to OpenVPN).</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Save the changes.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Reconnect with VPN.</li>
</ol>
<p>If you’re using a<a href="https://sonary.com/content/vpn-types-of-vpn/"> router-based VPN</a>, you’ll need to log in to the router settings through the browser and change the protocol from the router settings.</p>
<h3>4. Problem: Your Internet Connection Is Not Stable </h3>
<p>If you’re experiencing VPN drops in areas with weak wifi signals, a common culprit of a VPN not working is network issues. </p>
<p>A VPN can only connect if your network is working. So, if there’s a problem with the Internet connection, you won’t be able to enable a VPN connection. Network issues, in turn, may be caused by disruptions from the Internet service provider (ISP) or a faulty router.</p>
<h3>Solution: Stabilize Your Network Connection</h3>
<p>Check your internet connectivity. If on Wi-Fi, ensure a strong signal or switch to a wired connection. Restarting your router is also a common way to stabilize your connection. You could also change your DNS server or update your firewall. </p>
<p>If all else fails, turning to your mobile hotspot can also help in the meantime at least. </p>
<h3>5. Problem: The VPN Drops After Installing New Software </h3>
<p>You just installed a new software on your computer and then your VPN drops. This can be frustrating and even concerning. This tends to happen due to conflicts between the new software and your VPN.</p>
<p>This could be explained by your antivirus or firewall program. These are designed to protect your device from threats, but can sometimes be over-protective and block VPNs from working. It may perceive the VPN as a threat. </p>
<h3>Solution: Adjusting Security (Firewall) Settings</h3>
<p>Try temporarily disabling the firewall and using a VPN. If the VPN connection is established, add it to the allowed or exclusion list in security settings and turn the firewall back on.</p>
<h3>6. Problem: The VPN Is Not Updated </h3>
<p>If you receive an error message that your VPN is not updated, that may just be causing the connection failure. It’s outdated! </p>
<p>This could be due to security or compatibility issues. Missing features and improvements and bug fixes may also explain why an outdated application may fail you. </p>
<h3>Solution: Update Your VPN Application</h3>
<p>It’s important to ensure your VPN software is updated. That not only ensures you face no connection issues but also offers the latest features and fixes any security vulnerabilities. To ensure you’re using the latest version of the application, check the version/release history on the official website, and compare the latest stable version number with what you have installed.</p>
<p><strong>If it’s outdated, here’s how to reinstall the VPN software:</strong></p>
<ol>
	<li aria-level="1">Uninstall the VPN application from your computer or mobile device.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Restart your device to ensure any data from the application is cleared.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Download and install the application from the website/store.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Launch the application and log in to your account.</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Connect to a VPN server of your choice.</li>
</ol>
<h3>7. Problem: VPN Not Connecting On Mobile</h3>
<p>If you’re using a VPN app on your mobile device, it might not work if it doesn’t support the network you’re connected to. One example could be from your workplace if it’s a <a href="https://sonary.com/content/how-to-set-up-a-vpn-for-your-business/">corporate establishment</a> with strict policies.</p>
<p>When your VPN refuses to connect to your mobile device, it could be due to issues like incompatible VPN protocols or app-specific settings. For instance, if you&#8217;re using a VPN app that doesn&#8217;t support the network you&#8217;re connected to (e.g., a strict corporate network), it may fail to establish a connection.</p>
<h3>Solution: Check VPN Settings</h3>
<p>You can try a few steps to solve the issue of VPN not connecting on mobile.</p>
<p>Step 1: Ensure you have the right VPN protocol in your app’s settings. </p>
<p>Some networks may require specific protocols. </p>
<p>Step 2: Check if the VPN app has all the necessary permissions to allow for internet access on your device. </p>
<p>Step 3: If you’re still experiencing issues, restart your mobile device. </p>
<p>Step 4: As a last option, you could also remove and then reinstall the VPN app from your device. </p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26275" src="https://assets.sonary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/01082947/DALL·E-2024-02-01-10.28.23-A-frustrated-person-sitting-in-front-of-a-computer-showing-a-VPN-connection-error-on-the-screen.-The-scene-conveys-a-sense-of-confusion-and-the-need-.webp" alt="VPN" /></p>
<h2>Additional Considerations</h2>
<h3>1. My VPN is Too Slow</h3>
<p>A slow VPN means your internet connection while using the VPN is slower than usual. This can make performing any actions very frustrating. It’s likely due to high server traffic or excessive encryption. </p>
<p><strong>Here are the steps to solving the issue:</strong></p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Try switching to a different server location that’s closer to you</li>
	<li aria-level="1">The next step would be to change your VPN protocols (such as from OpenVPN to IKEv2 or L2TP) to see if one performs better </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Check the speed of your internet to ensure this is not the issue </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Lower the encryption level in your VPN settings &#8211; this will increase speed but lower security. </li>
</ul>
<h3>2. My VPN Isn&#8217;t Hiding my IP Address</h3>
<p>If your VPN is not hiding your IP address, your online activities and location are exposed. This goes against the privacy and security efforts of using a VPN. It can stem from misconfigured VPN settings or other leaks. </p>
<p>Here are the steps to solving the issues:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Check that your VPN is actively connected</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Perform a DNS leak test to check the requests are going through the VPN </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Disable IPv6 in the network settings of your device </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Enable a kill switch on your VPN if available &#8211; this ensures internet access is blocked with the VPN drops</li>
</ul>
<h3>3. My VPN App Won&#8217;t Open</h3>
<p>This means you aren’t able to launch your VPN app on your device, and can’t establish a secure connection. This can be caused by app bugs or other issues with apps on your device. Outdated versions or corruptions can also be responsible. </p>
<p>Here are the steps to solving the issues:</p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Start by restarting your device &#8211; sometimes the simple method works best</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Update the VPN app on your device, and make sure you have the latest version</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Clear the cache and data on the VPN </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Reinstall the app if all else fails </li>
</ul>
<h3>4. My VPN Is Blocked or Banned</h3>
<p>Network-wide VPN bans take place when a specific network decides to block the VPN connection. This is common in government or corporate networks and makes it impossible to use a VPN on that network. </p>
<p><strong>Here are the steps to solving the issues:</strong></p>
<ul>
	<li aria-level="1">Try a different server location </li>
	<li aria-level="1">Change your VPN protocol that might not be blocked</li>
	<li aria-level="1">Used obfuscated servers &#8211; some VPN providers offer the ability to bypass restrictions </li>
</ul>
<h2>VPN Restrictions </h2>
<p>Your workplace network, for example, may have specific VPN policies. While many businesses use VPNs to secure their data, they may restrict use to specific providers. They may also require you to connect to their VPN when working remotely. This helps prevent any kind of detrimental cyber attack. </p>
<p>Ensure you’re familiar with VPN usage policies in your workplace before installing an application and connecting with it. Always check the policies of your company with your IT manager. </p>
<h3>Device-Specific Settings and Restrictions</h3>
<p>It’s possible to restrict the use of VPNs to specific devices only. This is called device filtering, enabling the admin to select which devices can connect with a VPN server from a provider. As a result, only trusted devices can connect with the VPN server.</p>
<p>If you’re trying to connect to a VPN provided by another party (for example, your employer), ensure that your device is registered and trusted by the VPN application.</p>
<h3>Network Devices and Their Role in VPN</h3>
<p>Network infrastructure components, like routers and modems, play an important role in establishing a VPN connection. After all, the data is transmitted via these devices.</p>
<p>The router or modem should support the VPN protocol, and any built-in firewall features in the router should permit VPN traffic. Additionally, some routers also have built-in VPN capabilities, allowing them to establish remote private connections.</p>
<h2>Seeking Professional Help</h2>
<p>If you’re still unable to connect to a VPN server, you should contact technical support from your VPN provider. It’s best to try the fixes suggested above before contacting support. Ensure that you have all the information ready to provide to a representative. Inform them about the fixes you’ve already tried.</p>
<p>You can also find helpful resources on community forums specific to the VPN provider and VPNs in general.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>VPN connection issues can often be resolved by fixing network connection problems, switching servers or protocols, or updating the application. As a golden rule, update your VPN software regularly, as and when a new version is released. This ensures seamless connectivity and allows you to take advantage of new features. To have a trouble-free experience with a VPN, only<a href="https://sonary.com/vpn/"> choose the best VPN provider</a> with solid infrastructure, a good track record, and a user-friendly interface.</p>
<h2>FAQ </h2>
<p><strong>Q: What are the most common reasons for a VPN not connecting?</strong></p>
<p><strong>A</strong>: Incorrect login credentials, connection drops by server overloads, switching your IP or server, adding new software or updating something on your device, and an unstable network connection are highly common reasons that users might encounter with a VPN. </p>
<p><strong>Q: How can I fix a VPN connection that keeps falling? </strong></p>
<p><strong>A:</strong> Basic checks such as verifying internet connectivity, trying different servers and advanced techniques like switching VPN protectors are some of the best troubleshooting information. </p>
<p><strong>Q: Can a VPN affect the speed of my internet? </strong></p>
<p><strong>A</strong>: Yes, a VPN can sometimes affect your internet speed due to the encryption process that secures your data. The distance to the VPN server can also affect its speed. Here are<a href="https://sonary.com/content/8-ways-to-speed-up-your-vpn/"> 8 ways to speed up your VPN. </a></p>

A Troubleshooting Guide: Why Your VPN Won’t Connect and How to Fix It

A virtual private network (VPN) protects your connection to the Internet...

Maab Saleem