First, it’s important to consider what you’re saving for. Without a clear savings goal, you’re likely to be more tempted to dip into your savings for all kinds of reasons. Setting strict purposes for your savings accounts can help you to ensure that your money is put to good use. This could include setting aside some savings for emergencies, saving up for a holiday or saving up for a deposit on a house.
Putting it all in one account
Having all your savings in one account is not recommended. Consider setting up savings accounts for different purposes – such as one for emergencies and one for personal luxuries such as a hot tub. This could prevent you from draining your savings to buy a hot tub without leaving anything left for emergencies. You may also find that different savings accounts are better suited to different purposes.
Saving in too many places
It’s also possible to set up too many different savings accounts for too many different purposes. The more spread out your savings are, the less interest you’ll make on each savings pot. You also won’t be able to contribute as much to each savings account, leading to slower growth of savings. A savings account for emergencies, a savings account for a primary personal goal and a savings account for secondary goals is all you need.
Settling for a low interest account
A lot of people don’t take the time to shop around when choosing a savings account. Some banks could pay much higher interest than others. It’s important to occasionally compare different banks and make sure that you’re earning as much interest as you can.
Ignoring withdrawal penalties
Some high interest savings accounts require you to make a compromise – often including withdrawal penalties such as paying you no interest for a month if you take money out or only allowing you to withdraw a certain amount per month. Factor these in when choosing a savings account.
Not seeking out professional advice
Putting your money into a savings account may not always be the best way to manage your savings. There could be other options to consider like bonds or stocks. By talking to a financial advisor, you can work out the best way to manage your savings based on your investment goals. Try to seek out independent advice rather than talking to someone at a bank.
Not topping up your savings
It’s important that you’re constantly contributing to your savings – even if it’s just a small amount each month. Too many people who come into money quickly fritter it away without putting anything back into it. Similarly, many people stop saving once they’ve reached a certain goal (such as buying a house) – continuing to save could allow you to chase other goals without having to rely on borrowing (such as home improvements).
Selling more stuff than you have been is undoubtedly one of the best ways to increase your bottom line and start seeing more money coming in, but it’s not exactly easy, is it? Well, yes and no. The methods you can use to increase sales are actually quite simple, but of course, you have to be willing to work hard and put the effort in to make it happen. Up for the challenge? Here are four simple strategies to start selling more stuff right now.
Nobody wants to see yet another generic website flogging the same old products without a trace of personality, right? You know you can do better than that! So, to stand out, let your brand’s quirks shine through. Whether you’re a hoodie shop run by cat lovers or a soap boutique obsessed with everything lemon-scented, lean into your weird. Customers love a good story, and that story begins the moment they land on your page or spot your sign in the real world. When your name, vibe, and visuals all say, “We’re different, and we’re proud of it,” you’ll hook people before they’ve even sampled your goods.
2. Go Beyond Boring Visuals
If you think a few grainy photos taken in your cluttered garage will cut it, and make your customers want to spend any money at all, then sorry but you need to think again. High-quality images, eye-catching graphics, and even professional promotional videos can transform your brand into a full-blown experience. Imagine your potential buyers actually hearing your enthusiasm, seeing your product in action, and getting excited to whip out their wallet. That’s the beauty of turning ho-hum content into compelling mini-films—or at least polished clips—that create an emotional connection. When your brand feels legit, people are more likely to trust you, and trust is the golden ticket to more sales.
3. Stir Up a Buzz (Without Getting Buzzed)
Small businesses often rely too heavily on random discounts, splashing “SALE!” everywhere like it’s confetti. Sales can help, sure, but if that’s your only trick, customers will just wait around for the next price drop. Instead, get people talking about you for other reasons. Maybe you donate a portion of proceeds to a local animal shelter or host quirky livestream events where you answer customer questions while juggling water balloons. It’s the unexpected touches, the inside jokes, and the human moments that keep your brand top-of-mind.
4. Cultivate a Community
Chasing one-off sales can feel like herding cats. Instead, focus on gathering a loyal following. Interact with your customers on social media—thank them by name, ask for feedback, and actually listen to what they say. People love feeling like they’re part of something bigger, and when they do, they’ll happily spread the word to friends, family, or even random strangers who seem interested. A thriving community around your brand means free PR, genuine reviews, and a warm-and-fuzzy feeling that sets you apart from the faceless corporations of the world.
In today’s dynamic job market, the concept of a “permanent job” has become increasingly elusive. Gone are the days when individuals would spend their entire careers with a single employer. Several factors contribute to this shift, including evolving employment laws, changing career trajectories and in some cases, unscrupulous employers.
UK Employment Rights and the Two-Year Threshold
In the United Kingdom, employment rights are closely tied to the length of service. Notably, certain rights, such as protection against unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy pay, become applicable only after an employee has completed two years of continuous service with an employer. This means that employees with less than two years of service have limited protection under UK employment law.
This two-year qualifying period has significant implications. Employers may be more inclined to dismiss employees before they reach this threshold to avoid potential claims, leading to job insecurity among newer staff members. Conversely, employees may feel less committed to roles where they lack full employment rights, contributing to higher turnover rates.
The Frequency of Career Changes in the UK
The notion of a “job for life” has long since become outdated, with individuals now changing jobs and even careers multiple times throughout their working lives. Several studies highlight this trend:
A 2018 study by Indeed revealed that 98% of UK workers had changed jobs at least once in the previous five years, indicating a significant shift towards job mobility.
Research from London Business School found that 59% of women anticipated having four or more careers during their working lives, with two-fifths expecting to shift at least seven times.
According to StandOut CV, the average British worker changes jobs every five years, and approximately 10% have made a complete career change over the past decade.
These statistics underscore a workforce that is increasingly adaptable and open to new opportunities, reflecting a departure from traditional career paths.
Factors Driving Job and Career Mobility
Several factors contribute to the rise in job and career changes:
Desire for Better Compensation: Seeking higher pay is a primary motivator for many individuals considering a job change.
Lack of Job Satisfaction: A significant number of workers feel unchallenged or uninterested in their current roles, prompting them to seek more fulfilling opportunities.
Career Development: The pursuit of new skills and experiences drives many to change jobs or careers, aiming for personal and professional growth.
Economic Factors: Economic downturns and industry-specific challenges can lead to job losses, necessitating career changes.
Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological change can render certain skills obsolete, encouraging workers to retrain and switch careers.
Implications for Employers and Employees
The increasing fluidity in job and career changes presents both challenges and opportunities:
For Employers: High turnover rates can lead to increased recruitment and training costs. To retain talent, employers may need to offer more competitive salaries, clear career progression paths, and a positive work environment.
For Employees: While job mobility can lead to better opportunities and personal growth, it also requires adaptability and continuous learning to remain competitive in the job market.
Conclusion
Even in occupations such as teaching, where job security was not previously an issue, the myth of a permanent job is increasingly being dispelled in the modern UK workforce. With employment rights linked to tenure and a cultural shift towards job and career mobility, both employers and employees must adapt to a landscape where change is the only constant. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for navigating the evolving world of work.
When you are a small business owner, you are always looking for ways to save that little bit more. Great marketing is a requirement, but you can’t have the bottomless wallet that franchises have. But you don’t. There are more cost-efficient resources available that can be just as effective as the expensive methods. Let me speak about a few that are not as expensive but will pay serious dividends.
With the nonstop beats of digital life, just appearing is no longer an option—but survival. But writing, publishing, engaging on a daily basis? That is a full-time job in itself. Introducing social media scheduler software—the great replacement that keeps you alive as you do what is really important.
Tools such as Buffer, Later, and SocialBee are your backstage crew, rolling out posts smoothly regardless of how far you are with a growing business. Better still, a great many have free or budget plans, which means you can have a regular posting schedule on a non-splurging budget.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is not as trendy as a trending hashtag on a trending-for-a-minute reel, maybe, but here is a little secret I can let you in on: it is a smart business’s secret weapon. Strategically wielded, an email is not another message amidst a crowded inbox but a direct route into a listener’s attention, a way to create loyalty, initiate conversations, and sell with no algorithmic wars involved.
And the great thing is that you don’t have to have a big budget in order to get started. Tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and Brevo allow you to create a following at no cost at all, with costs scaling as you grow. That means you can have 100, 500, or 1,000 subscribers on a free basis.
Low-Cost or Complimentary Graphic Design Tools
You do not necessarily have to hire a high-end designer to create nice-looking images. Canva and Adobe Express are just two examples of quick ways that you can produce nice-looking images with no design experience.
With social media posts, slides, flyers, and pro-style business card templates, you can have a pro-looking brand at a fraction of the cost. The free editions are that effective, and shelling out a bit more a month on the pro editions will cost you no more than a few coffees.
Website Builders with In-Built SEO Tools
A quality web presence is not negotiable, though paying a developer can be expensive. Website platforms Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress allow you to have a professional website with no code necessary.
On top of that, these sites have SEO functionality that helps you get Google-discoverable without needing a specialist. A good website builder fixes that easily with simple SEO functionality available in keyword optimization, smartphone compatibility, and website speed.
Print Marketing
With all the emphasis on digital, it is easy to forget that printed matter can be just as effective. Brochures, postcards, and flyers can leave a lasting impression, especially when used strategically at in-person events or in retail spaces.
One of the least expensive and simplest promotional printing devices is business card printing. A well-laid-out card is not merely a device for contact information but a tangible reminder of you. Handing out a card at a networking event, a conference, or a social encounter leaves a person with something in their possession, making it more likely that you will be remembered.
The Power of Word-of-Mouth Marketing
Word-of-mouth is probably both the lowest cost and most effective form of marketing. Customers are your largest promoters, and a satisfied client is worth more than a paid endorsement. Elicit comments, testimonials, and social media posts. A simple discount-based or reward-based client referral is all you have to do in order to attract new clients.
Individuals have more faith in a suggestion from a friend or a loved one than in any form of ad. Getting customers to speak out about their experiences, be it in terms of web-based reviews, video interviews, or social media shout-outs, can have a ripple effect that draws in more customers. Giving out exclusive referral rewards in terms of a discount rate, in-store credits, or free goods can promote repeat sales alongside new clients. Direct engagement with customers in terms of appreciation from you about a review, as well as displaying a client’s endorsement on your website and social networking pages, gives a human touch that reinforces that client’s faith in you. The more natural and genuine, the more effective.
Leveraging Local Community Events
Another great method of small business marketing on a budget is via engaging in local activities. Participating in, sponsoring, or hosting local fairs, networking sessions, or pop-up shops exposes you to potential customers. Having a small booth, distributing free samples, or giving event-only deals can create genuine engagement with minimal expenditure.
Taking Advantage of Free PR Opportunities
You don’t necessarily have a big PR budget to secure media coverage. Local newspapers, blogs, and trade magazines are looking for newsworthy material. In case you have a new product launch, a wonderful event, or a remarkable accomplishment, craft a press release or pitch a story to a targeted journalist. Word of mouth can do wonders regarding the level of awareness about a brand.
Making it Real and Personal
At the end of the day, small businesses have something that big brands lack: human connections. Customers love shopping from brands that are human. Speak with customers in a human tone, respond to messages, and give a glimpse into backstage moments. Authenticity is paramount, and that breeds loyal customers that keep on returning.
Maximizing User-Generated Content
Getting customers to produce content about your brand is likely the lowest-cost form of marketing. A social media snapshot with you in it, a glowing endorsement, and a video endorsement are all examples. User-generated content is social proof. It says to new customers that authentic users have confidence in and love your brand. A small contest or just a request that customers tag you in a post can really boost visibility at little cost.
Stay Connected Using SMS Marketing
SMS is an extremely underrated, highly effective promotional strategy for small business marketing. The open rate on SMS campaigns is much higher than that on email, which makes it a direct means of communicating with your customers. Whether you are sending out deals, reminder appointments, or exclusive offers, cost-efficient plans on SMS market solutions such as SimpleTexting and EZ Texting are available specifically for small businesses.
Offering loyalty schemes
The loyalty of your customers is what will keep bringing in new customers, although you do not have to spend thousands on software. A repeat visit with a good punch card or a points-based plan with a spreadsheet will do just as much. Customers enjoy earning a reward from loyalty, as a considerate plan can keep them engaged with spending as little as they possibly can.
Taking Advantage of Video Content
Video is likely the best promotional activity, though it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. The quality of phone cameras is high, which puts small businesses in a position to create great materials at a low cost. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts allow companies to reach a large audience with fun clips. Some tips on a straightforward process, some backstage moments, or client comments can do very well in making a brand. There are free editors in apps like CapCut and iMovie that can be used so that you do not have to spend any money at all.
