A “bot” is a computer program that operates and impersonates a human on the internet. They feature artificial intelligence to varying degrees and are not always necessarily a bad thing. Google and Bing use bots to comb the internet. It’s part of how organic SEO is constructed.

LinkedIn bots work similarly but not entirely to the same ends. LinkedIn bots are often used as part of a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and are sent on full automation to comb LinkedIn for leads. Here is an almost nearly comprehensive article breaking down the best consumer-grade bots to let loose on LinkedIn.

However, if you are not in the lead generation mess that is CRM you could fall prey to getting combed by a fake sales representative looking to peddle who knows what to you unwittingly. Here are some helpful tips to help break down who or what exactly you’re talking to on LinkedIn.

Account Frequency and Activity

LinkedIn bots can post frequently and without fault. A normal person may post often, however, it is unlikely they will be posting excessively, multiple times over the course of a day. Given the hours and nature of the content, it can reveal much about the nature of the entity on the other side of the screen.

The higher the frequency, time of day, and subject matter can give you clues. Yet ultimately, the higher the number of posts the more likely an automated response software or bot is behind the account.

The Flow of the Conversation

Bots are typically punchy, short, and to the point. While they have gotten their hold on more capable AI in recent years, they are often still clunky and repetitive. They tend to pull from a list of discernible targeted responses and will lack the nuance to have a slight change.

The greater the similarity of the individual’s comments may indicate that you are dealing with an automated response bot. Try asking the same question in a slightly different way. As the program has to elect to operate any given number of responses to filter into a given answer it is likely the entity – if it is a bot will respond with the exact same answer.

Two-Step Disassociation

Have question a, lead to question b. And have the context for that second question rooted in the first. Think,

Q: Where are you working?

A: Seattle

Q: What is the weather like outside?

A: Can you please rephrase the question?

This is indicative of bot behavior; a human would likely understand the nature of the question and comply; however, a bot cannot logically jump between the two at this point.

The Profile

It is unlikely that bot profiles will detail a rich and well-lived history. Most people give at least a general overview of their life. Where they’ve worked, their professional accolades, and so on. A bot will typically only have a profile image and a company, with maybe a school they went to or so on. Bots typically only have the most essential necessities to appear passable. Again, think of nuance and personality to discern humanity.

The more the “life” feels “lived” and the greater the personality the account has, the more likely it is in fact a real person. With bots, it can be handy to revert to the overall feel of the conversation. Once again, think Justice Stweart’s, “I know it when I see it.”

The post How to Identify Bots on LinkedIn: Fake Sales Representatives appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Additionally, native advertising platforms support the creation and distribution of ads or paid content that match the form, style, and function of the media in which they appear. By blending into the native content of the target platform, these ads are perceived as being less intrusive and sometimes readers are even unaware of the promotional nature of the post.

Native advertisements are typically presented as in-feed ads that appear in social media, are promoted via search listings, or show up as related content recommendations. They can even be blended into social media platforms, streaming services, and news sites. Oftentimes they get picked up by ad agencies and affiliate marketers.

These types of ads are becoming an increasingly popular format for advertisers. Native advertising can be considered a part of any company’s ad distribution operation. They are often part of a company’s overall content marketing strategy.

The majority of native advertising platforms will offer A/B testing, ad inventory management, affiliate management, AI/machine learning, analytics/ad attribution tracking, audience targeting, automated publishing, behavior analytics, and bidding strategies. Some services offer even more features. It’s worth noting that these types of platforms typically support Cloud, SaaS, and web-based implementations.

Native Ad Networks Can Help Boost Brand Awareness Rapidly

If you’re looking for an effective way to generate increased awareness for your brand, product, or service, native advertising is worth consideration. Native ad networks represent an opportunity that can provide a lot of bang for the buck. Listed below are nine of the top native ad networks.

1. Taboola

Taboola has a global reach of 1.4 billion monthly visitors, approximately 44.5% of the global population of internet users. Roughly 50% of Taboola’s traffic comes from countries such as the United States, UK, France, and Japan. Taboola partners with 10,000+ top websites including Fox Sports, NBC, USA Today, Business Insider, Bloomberg, MSN, CBS News, etc. Their ads are delivered as recommended content and in-feed content across partner platforms.

2. Outbrain

Outbrain ranks among the top three native advertising platforms in the world. It currently boasts a reach of 1.2 billion monthly visitors. The company partners with premium publishers across different countries including the United States and UK, delivering ads in the form of recommended content, in-feed, search, and promoted listings.

3. MGID

MGID has been in the business of native advertising for 12 years. It’s ranked among the top three advertising networks in the world and MGID’s reach equals 850+ million unique monthly visitors from the web. MGID partners with top websites and blogs around the globe.

4. Revcontent

Revcontent delivers native ads in the form of recommended content and in-feed content across premium publishers such as USA Today, Tribune media, Nasdaq, and the like. Their ad inventory encompasses e-commerce, finance, health, beauty, and politics. 50% of the companies’ traffic comes from the United States and UK.

5. Yahoo Gemini

Yahoo Gemini has a reach of over one billion unique monthly visitors, with 50% of their traffic coming from the United States, UK, and France. To begin advertising with Yahoo Gemini, applicants need to have a minimum of $25 deposited in a Yahoo ad account.

6. Admixer

With over 10 years of experience, Admixer is another veteran in the native advertising industry. Their ads are delivered as in-stream, in-article, native display banners across top publishing platforms.

7. Plista

Plista partners with over 1,500 websites around the world. Approximately 80% of their traffic comes from Germany, Poland, Russia, and Australia, so this distribution makes Plista appealing to advertisers who are interested in driving high-quality traffic from these countries. The company charges clients using a cost-per-click billing model.

8. TripleLift

According to their business statement, TripleLift promises to help advertisers generate 3x higher brand awareness and consumer purchase intent. TripleLift targeting is based on country, region, browser, operating system. They partner with top publishers such as USA Today, BuzzFeed, eBay, BBC, and the like.

9. Nativo

Nativo boasts approximately 220 million unique visitors from the United States alone. This makes Nativo one of the top native advertising platforms for targeting audiences in the United States, UK, and Canada. Nativo further targets audiences based on country, device, region, and operating system.

Native Ad Networks Can Help Cut Through the Noise

In today’s media-saturated world, native advertising should be a pivotal part of every successful marketing strategy. Native ads mimic the surroundings in which they appear. This makes sure your message is delivered as discreetly as possible and allows you to catch and hold a user’s attention.

There are many native advertising networks out there, so doing some research is definitely in order. The nine listed above are the top networks you can trust to help you get your brand message in front of your target audience. Depending on your niche, you stand a better chance of converting and generating quality leads when ads are not perceived as interruptions.

The post Native Ad Networks: Top 9 Services for Advertisers and Publishers appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

If you’re a regular reader of Small Biz Technology, you’ve probably got a smidge of entrepreneurial spirit in you. This means that you’ve also probably got a bit of creativity in your soul, too. The odds are also good that you would love to find a way to inspire even more creativity, so we’ve got a few ideas that could get a fresh flow of fantastic going.

1. Start moving. Exercise is one of the best ways to inspire creativity. Get your face away from the screen and get your heart pumping. You’ll be surprised what pops into your mind while you’re getting fresh oxygenated blood moving through your veins.

Some ideas?

1. Take a walk.
2. Attend a yoga class.
3. Pump some iron.  
4. Play with your kids at the park.
5. Take a hike.

Go ice skating or roller skating.

2. Attend a conference. Listening to other people talk about their experiences while surrounded by like-minded peers is an ideal way to come up with new ideas. Your neurons will begin firing as soon as the first speaker gets going. And, if you have the means to travel to a conference far from your home, you can get even more inspiration. Check out some of these options:

• Traffic & Conversion Summit in Sunny San Diego, CA (internet traffic, not your commute)
• Podfest in Orlando, FL  (all about podcasts)
• Content Marketing Conference in Boston, MA
• Small Business Expo in Chicago, IL
• South by Southwest in Austin, TX

3. Take care of yourself. A wellness retreat will help feed your mind, body, and soul. In these retreats, you spend a few nights in a luxurious lodge, hotel, or resort where you are pampered to no end. Each retreat has a different focus,  whether its fitness, relaxation, nutrition, or mindfulness. At a retreat, you get to take time away from the stresses and struggles of real life and reconnect with yourself. It can be helpful to bring a journal with you to record all of the creative ideas that will be sparked as your senses are stimulated in memorable surroundings. This are some notable choices:

• Mii amo Resort in Sedona, AZ
• Kripalu Center in Stockbridge, MA
• New Life Hiking Spa in Killington, VT
• Maui Eco Retreat in Maui, HI
• Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, FL

4. Read a book. If you are unable to get away for a wellness retreat or you are just not in the mood to exercise, try reading a book. There are several titles available that are perfect for inspiring creativity in all aspects of your life. These books are written by authors who have experienced the ups and downs of life. They share their experiences in easy-to-read texts filled with relatable experiences. Consider these titles:

• The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
• You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
• The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)
• Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates U
• Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You

5. Commit to daily journaling. Publishers have made this easier than ever before. You can buy journals that drive the topics, like a gratitude journal or a one-line-per-day journal. You can also find books filled with topics that will help guide your writing.

• Do one thing every day that scares you: Inspirational and Motivational Journal for Entrepreneurs, Goal Getter, Hard working People and Fitness Enthusiasts – Dream Big, Never Quit
• The One-Minute Gratitude Journal
• One Line A Day Journal: A 5 Year Journal. One Line Per Day
• Self Discovery Journal: 200 Questions to Find Who You Are and What You Want in All Areas of Life (Self Discovery Journal, Self Discovery Questions)
• Wreck This Journal (Duct Tape) Expanded Edition

6. Volunteer in your community. Getting involved in your community lets you meet new people. It gives you the opportunity to see all of the good happening in your community and to give something back. No matter where you live, someone is looking for volunteers. Check out the opportunities near you:

• https://www.nationalservice.gov/serve/search
• https://www.volunteermatch.org/
• https://www.unitedway.org/get-involved/volunteer
• http://www.createthegood.org/
• https://www.idealist.org

7. Read something different. If you always read books about entrepreneurs or business, it’s time to change it up. When you stick with the same genre, you are not learning anything new – you’re just rereading the same things. Try some different publications that might outside of your normal reading lists. Of course, it is important to stay up to date in your industry, but reading something new every now and then doesn’t hurt. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Read a biography about someone who isn’t involved in business.
• Pick up a magazine about a hobby that interests you, but you haven’t tried yet.
• Read a newspaper from a place you like to visit.
• Read one of the best 100 books to read in a lifetime.
• Read a Pulitzer Prize winner

8. Find or become a mentor. One of the best ways to learn about yourself and about other people is to become a mentor or find a mentor for yourself. It is possible to do both through the website SCORE. You can learn about issues in the business world by participating in workshops and webinars on the SCORE website.

9. Listen to a podcast. If you are tired of talk radio and audiobooks are just too long, podcasts are a good alternative. It easier than ever before to find podcasts about topics that are of interest to you. Once you find them, you simply subscribe and they can be synced to your smartphone or other electronic device. Check out a few of our favorite podcasts for small business owners. These are some of our favorite podcasts for female entrepreneurs.  

10. Start networking. When you’re looking for a way to inspire creativity, get out there and talk to people. If you’re not sure where to go, try some local networking opportunities. Networking opportunities provide opportunities to learn about businesses in your area and to share yours with business owners. If you aren’t sure where to start with networking, these websites organize and share opportunities by location.

• www.meetup.com
• www.eonetwork.org
• www.eventbrite.com
• Myopportunity.com
• State Chambers of Commerce

The post 10 Easy Ways to Inspire Creativity in Yourself appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

“As connected as we are now, there is still a fundamental disconnect between people and the companies that attempt to reach them through these technologies.” -Danny Chan for Huff Post

In a world of social media and digital technology, it almost seems counterintuitive to focus on human connections. But, the reality is, business owners have to be more aware, and work harder than ever, to build and maintain connections with customers and to be as human as possible in this digital world.

Quality Over Quantity

One quality, in-person exchange with a customer will build more trust and go farther than 1,000 unopened emails. A firm handshake, eye contact, and a friendly smile make you so much more relevant to a customer than an unnoticed aggressive email marketing campaign. Since we do operate in a digital world, face-to-face interactions sometimes aren’t an option. Pick up the phone. Not to send a text message, but to make a good, old-fashioned phone call. To your customer, you just took the time to show them that they are worth your time, and they know your time is precious.

Try Something New and Go Live

When it’s not possible to make direct contact with your customers, social media has wonderful tools for connecting with your audience in a way that resonates with them. A step above Stories, Live streaming is changing the marketing game. You can deliver information to your customers in real time! Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all have live functions. Tap into this fantastic resource and let your customers into your personal, or your brand’s, world. Live streaming is designed to be interactive. Users can comment during your stream and you can respond to their questions. It allows you to have a conversation.

Don’t Forget About Yourself

While we’re over here focusing on how to maintain the human connection with our customers, it’s equally as important for YOU, the small business owner, to maintain human connection. Being a small business owner can be a lonely existence. All of your free time is spent building up your brand. You’re tight for cash because you’re using all of your funds to fuel a new start-up. It’s so important to take time to invest in human connection for yourself. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas:

• Start co-working—it’s where remote employees who generally aren’t otherwise connected, gather to work side-by-side. It can really help create a feeling of “office morale” that you may be missing.
• Attend industry and networking events—you’ll get to chat with clients, stay relevant on current industry standards, and you will probably make some great business contacts that might turn into friends.
• Reach out to other small business owners in your community—if you’re lonely and looking for support and human connection, chances are there are others in the same boat.

The post Human Connections in a Digital World appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

It can also open doors for your career or company. In most cases, your professional achievements have been aided by others who have coached you, offered introductions to get you in the door, or inspired you to think in new ways.

Your network is the most important career tool you have, which is why networking app, Shapr, hopes to make meeting likeminded professionals part of your daily routine.

Shapr is a completely free app that facilitates introductions with nearby professionals. The app uses your self-selected #interests, location, and goals to narrow your search, by curating a daily batch of people worth meeting in your neighborhood. Keeping with the goal of networking more mindfully, Shapr intentionally limits the number of new connections to 15 profiles a day. The focus is on quality over quantity, so that users have time to meet in person. The app is growing a devoted following with 2 million professionals already using the platform.

Shapr can be used to find mentors in your field, allies in your community and collaborators for your side hustle. It’s a perfect tool for entrepreneurs who hope to meet co-founders, partners and investors for their ideas.

The result is a pool of smart, like-minded people who are actively interested in expanding their networks.

With more than 2 million user matches each month, Shapr is positioned as the lifestyle app that will make networking a daily habit. Swiping your daily batch takes less than two minutes a day, and no endless search is required to find professionals who are geographically close and ready to meet up in person.

With any networking activity, your goal should be to open a long-term dialogue, not close a sale. When you meet someone new, be inquisitive. Ask how you can help and offer to make an introduction or share a resource. Set a great foundation for a meaningful and long-term relationship.

So what are you waiting for? Download Shapr today and start swiping!

Published in partnership with Shapr.

The post This App Will Help You Network More Mindfully appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

With the newly added updates and capabilities, Groups on LinkedIn can be vital sources for:

• Driving traffic to your website (sharing articles, updates, etc)
• Growing your LinkedIn Company Page following
• Sharing Industry Insight/Expertise
• Getting a pulse of the industry
• Connecting and networking
• Compiling survey results

When interacting in LinkedIn Groups, whether they’re your own or other industry groups, be sure you are being a good “social citizen”. ‘Like’ other’s posts, comment on things you find interesting, and share when you see fit. Below are a few updates to LinkedIn groups which will enhance your user experience.

Group Conversations

Previously, LinkedIn groups we’re often overlooked. You would have to navigate to the group section of your profile to access the conversation. If you had notifications turned on for groups, you would receive a number of emails, or group digests, however, if you’re anything like me, you deleted them and turned off all email notifications.

Now, LinkedIn is making it easier to access your Groups from your homepage. Visibility of groups has improved and conversations will be more easily accessed.  

What does this mean for small business: Instead of taking 5 extra steps to communicate in groups, you can now join the conversation right from your homepage. Small business owners are always running low on time and this makes life just a bit easier.

iOS & Android Apps

LinkedIn has had an app for years. However, their app was missing some key functionality, especially when it came to accessing their groups. If you are a group owner, you can now access and manage your group with a few thumb clicks.

What does this mean for small business: If you need to moderate a comment, jump in on a conversation, or post something on the fly (event insights or photos), the app will be endlessly helpful.

Rich Group Posts

LinkedIn Group posts have always had slightly limited functionality. Make a mistake? You have to delete the post. Want to reply to a comment? No way. Want to post a video? Sorry.

But now, LinkedIn has created richer group posting capabilities. Users are now able to reply to comments directly on posts, edit their posts after they’ve been posted, and even post native videos.

What does this mean for small business:  The more comment and post capabilities offer more in-depth ways to communicate with your audience and peers.

Streamlined Admin Roles

LinkedIn groups used to have a whole host of roles from editor to manager and admin. Now, Groups will just be offering owner and manager roles. The former roles were a bit confusing and often led to many back and forth conversations. Now, the choice is a bit easier.

LinkedIn Groups have always been a great resource for small business, and now they are upping the ante. As a free resource, LinkedIn groups are a no-brainer to include in your marketing strategy. It’s time to take advantages of the new updates LinkedIn groups have to offer and join in on the conversation.

The post Behold the Power of LinkedIn Groups for Small Business appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.

Better Business Networking

Networking is a vital part of small business success because you never know where a new connection will lead you. As guest contributor, Jen Slaw, says, “Our connections will become our clients, team members, strategic partners, mentors, and advisors.” By networking, you can form relationships that will better your business. If networking isn’t your thing, take a look at this article. Jen Slaw is sharing five things you can do to immediately expand your business network.

Click to read 5 Steps to Form & Nurture Business Relationships

Relationships with Contractors

No matter how hard you try, you can’t do it all yourself, small business owner; you will occasionally come across tasks that are better handled by an expert rather than using a DIY approach. One such example is app development. More and more small businesses are understanding the benefits of creating their own app, but lacking knowledge of coding and design requires them to hire out. This article can help you form a better relationship with your app developer so you can clearly communicate your needs and help to create a stunning end product.

Click to read 5 Tips for Working with an App Developer as a Small Business Owner

Social Media Relationships

Social media is an ideal place to cultivate your relationships with your customers, and no one knows more about this subject than Ted Rubin, the Chief Marketing Officer of Brand Innovators and creator of the concept “return on relationships.” In this article, Ted offers tips to help you make better digital connections using social media.

Click to read Ted Rubin’s Advice on Building Personal Relationships through Social Media

Bonus Article: Workplace & Employee Relationships

Forming strong relationships with employees involves creating a culture within your small business where team members know they are valued and love to come to work. To create a better workplace environment, check out this article by guest author Randy Stocklin, the founder of One Click which was named one of Inc. Magazine’s 50 Places to work in 2016. Randy is sharing four tips that will help you build stronger relationships and culture in your business.

Click to read How to Build a Rock Solid Company Culture

So how are you doing on relationship management in your small business? Check out the articles above to get help in these specific areas! You can also get more advice at SmartHustle.com – or spark up new relationships with your business peers by joining the Smart Hustle Community.

The post Smart Hustle Recap: Tips for Stronger Small Business Relationships appeared first on SmallBizTechnology.