By now, you’re sick of being begged to take COVID-19 seriously, so I won’t do that to you. I’m sick of hearing it myself. I’ll ask you, instead, to consider something different.
I’ll ask you to consider someone who is helping you maintain normalcy. Someone who is helping you care for your family through all this. Someone who continues to get up every day, go to work, tolerate a range of personalities, and maintain the smile across his or her face. Think about the retail workers. You know, the people we are currently hailing as heroes, for risking their lives to feed us. The people who some of you may have dismissed in the past. The people who come to work because they care about their customers, and because they have no other options to support their families. Society loves these heroes on the front lines right now, more than ever before. I know I do! You see, I used to be one of them. I used to work for a popular grocery chain, where customers always came first. I worked long hours, always putting on my best face out front, then bonding with my coworkers over everyday frustrations in the back. Years after I left, some of those coworkers remain my closest friends. I still go back to see them, which is normal for retail workers who have moved to other job titles. I even bought a house with one of them. We had a little girl, and built a life from the ashes of the mundane retail grind. These people that I love continue to go to work every day, often working in close quarters because that’s their job. They look customers in the face, much closer than the recommended 6-feet, and they smile, because they still want to give their absolute best. They know they’re putting themselves at risk. They know they could be carrying this back to their families, and their families know it, too. In the end, they persist, because they know they must. This is why many stores have begun offering drive up services. You can pick your groceries online or on an app, then drive up and have them loaded into your car. You have minimal contact with anyone inside the store. Cashiers can be used to gather orders, in some stores, and other departments are still busy stocking or cleaning. Doesn’t it seem like a nice solution for everyone? I know it stinks to not be able to be around others. I already miss my friends and my neighbors. However, I know drive-up services will help keep my family healthy. These services will help me stay out of the stores, and they will help my retail working partner keep a safe distance from the public. Good grocery stores will work out ways to maintain staff while maximizing drive up service. When done correctly, these services allow workers and customers to distance themselves while continuing the service relationship. Won’t you please consider using drive up grocery service until this is over? It’s a small sacrifice to make to keep families like mine healthy throughout this unfortunate pandemic. Please find links to the drive up guidelines for grocery stores around me. Feel free to add your local grocery store links in the comments. Price Chopper https://www.pricechopper.com/services/pick-up/ Weis https://www.weismarkets.com/weis-markets-adds-weis-2-go-curbside-pickup-and-home-delivery-more-61-new-locations Call to see if your location complies Wegmans https://www.wegmans.com/groceries-online/ Walmart https://grocery.walmart.com/ Call ahead as slots are filling fast Tops https://www.topsmarkets.com/shoponline P & C https://www.pandcfresh.com/online-shopping/ Whole Foods Market https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/grocery-delivery-and-pickup Sam’s Club https://www.samsclub.com/content/club-pickup BJ’s https://www.bjs.com/content?template=B&espot_main=BopicPageEspot
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Selling CBD is a rising, profitable revenue avenue. However, too many people are starting out with little to no education. Any new business requires thorough knowledge of the product and the market before the sales begin. Find out exactly how to get that lucrative business going, how to keep it legal, and how to make a tidy profit from this up-and-coming line of natural products. Can I Sell CBD Online? Starting an online CBD business is not only easy, it can be fast tracked. The number of customers is exploding as more states allow for these sales. If you can answer yes to the following questions, you can sell CBD online. 1. Are you selling industrial hemp CBD with under 0.3% THC? 0.3% is the legal limit for selling CBD in most states, as well as federally. According to the Federal Drug Administration website, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334, or the Farm Bill, the plant Cannabis sativa and any part of that plant is legal for sale as long as the plant has less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. It is essential to find a supplier who guarantees these levels. 2. Is your business registered? Registering a business is as important as any other business aspect. A registered business is recognized by the local municipalities, has legal rights in regards to trademarking a brand, and can pursue action if another business infringes on these rights. Taking the time to complete this process protects yourself, the business, and the profits that come from selling CBD online. 3. Do you have licenses for selling CBD? The December 2018 Farm Bill removed CBD and hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, giving it a national green light for sales. However, individual states are still responsible for sale regulation. Every state requires different licenses for all types of sales, including CBD. Obtaining the proper licenses and permissions for sale must be part of the business building process. 4. If you sell edibles, do you have food permits? Food permits protect everyone, and ensures that the food vendor follows state guidelines. Any business that sells food is subject to state investigations for proper food handling, packaging, cleanliness, and storage. Selling CBD products online calls less attention than a brick-and-mortar store, but the permits remain necessary. 5. Are you in full compliance with local laws? It may seem daunting to obtain all the proper paperwork to sell CBD oil online, but it's worth the effort. CBD is exploding on the market, and the sales are there. However, protecting yourself, your business, and your customers are top priorities. Keep up with local laws and stay compliant to be successful. 6. What Products are You Selling? CBD is available in a variety of forms, including tinctures, edibles, vapes, topicals, isolates, and more. Determine what products you'd like to sell before stocking your store. Tinctures These are among the most popular products available. This is due to its ease of use and reasonable price scale. It is a liquid, administered under the tongue with the use of an eyedropper. Edibles and Capsules Edibles and ingestibles come in a variety, including gummies, capsules, and more. Some popular edibles include candy types, such as lollipops or chocolate. Many sellers find the necessary food permits worth the effort for stocking these products. Vapes Vaping has become popular across the country, however, local smoking laws must be followed. Vape accessories, liquids, and other products require valid state identification for purchase. Some CBD sellers avoid these products for this reason, while others make the effort to uphold state regulations, finding profit from these items worth the extra care necessary. Isolates An isolate is a powder or crystalline solid that includes up to 99% CBD. It is often mixed into food, or included in drink mixes. It is versatile, and blends with a wide variety of foods. Many medical patients use this alternative to avoid the THC side effects. Topicals Topicals, such as lotions or creams, and rising in popularity through their use in a number of new beauty routines. The lotions keep the skin soft, vibrant, and youthful. Shops stock topicals for customers who want a new, calming, moisturizing product. Others CBD has a variety of other uses, such as products for pets, patches, and more. Providing customers with a variety of available products brings them back for more. Keep the shop stocked with a variety of products fit for many lifestyles. Finding a Quality CBD Supplier One of the biggest hurdles in starting a proper CBD oil online business is finding the right supplier. It can be difficult to know who to trust. Look for the following when searching for a quality CBD supplier. Naturally Sourced Industrial Hemp The supply must come from industrial hemp because this is the only type of hemp approved by the USDA in the 2018 Farm Bill. It is regulated, grown by approved farms, and is labeled safe for human consumption. Any other type of hemp is unreliable, and might cause the loss of business permits, such as the food permit. Third Party Lab Testing This type lab testing is conducted by a party other than the CBD seller or grower and ensures the safety of the product. It's a second glance at the product, and only third party lab tested product should be sold. If a supplier does not openly admit to this type of testing, it is the wrong supplier for your business. Health or Medical Claims It's important to remember that no CBD supplier should be offering health or medical claims. They are not medical professionals, nor do they work in conjunction with researchers. Be sure to make no medical guarantees in any part of a CBD interaction, from the supplier to conversations with customers. Extraction Methods Does the company use ethanol extraction, or CO2 methods? CO2 is cleaner than ethanol, helping to keep the environment safer. Choose a supplier that is conscientious about their surroundings, and you'll have a supplier that also cares about the product. Pricing The pricing must be reasonable, but it must also make sense. Remember that if it is too good to be true, it's certainly not quality product. For example, anyone selling tinctures at a dollar per for 30ml 2000mg is selling snake oil. Avoid the situation completely by buying into quality. Marketing and Shipping Marketing is as easy as using social media, or as complicated as building a website from scratch. Luckily, other businesses have blazed a trail for new businesses, creating easier, faster marketing methods. Using Social Media Social media is an essential marketing tool, but it must be used correctly. Set up a separate page for sales to avoid overwhelming friends and family with products. Give customers an easy access portal, such as Facebook's Messenger program. Answer messages promptly, and share education, such as studies and success stories, on the main feed. Social media advertising reaches many people, but it does require a great deal of attention throughout the day. Building A Website Building a personal website for selling CBD oil online is not as intimidating as it seems. Sites such as WordPress, BigCommerce, and Shopify charge minimal fees for a user-friendly interface. Each site includes instructions on web building, while online forums and communities wait to provide answers. Getting a website set up is a small step toward selling CBD online with the help of these design giants. It's important to note, however, that sites such as Amazon will not allow for the sale of CBD products, as they remain a high risk. The best path to the Internet is a personal shop website. Shipping CBD USPS The United States Postal Service allows the shipping of CBD with proof requirements, as listed below.
The United Postal Service allows for shipping of hemp with less than 0.3% THC and supplier information. DHL and FedEx These entities do not allow shipping of CBD in any form. Getting a Payment Processor This part is tricky, because many payment processors, such as PayPal, consider the CBD risk too high. They will not accept payment for these products. Instead, research high risk processors, such as the ones listed here. Paywize Paywize includes worldwide, diverse payment options. They offer business solutions, such as early payment, transparent fees, and user-friendly configuration. Their risk management benefits include enhanced dispute resolution, secure monitoring, and more. Easy Pay Direct Easy Pay Direct specializes in high risk products, including a CBD option under their "who we serve" tab. They provide their own brand of software, and make paying by card easy from anywhere in the world. SMB Global Payments SMB Global Payments offers all the perks of accepting payment from anywhere in the world, including credit cards, ACH payments, and more through their Gateway software. They also offer business loans for beginners. CBD is the future. The stigma is disappearing, and its use is on the rise. Buy into a piece of this highly profitable market today, and enjoy the windfall that is the wave of the future. REFERENCES: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-questions-and-answers#farmbill https://smallbiztrends.com/2012/09/register-your-small-business.html https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-bill/index https://www.newhope.com/manufacturing-and-supply/5-third-party-tests-every-hemp-and-cbd-company-needs-conduct https://cannabusiness.law/usps-issues-guidelines-for-mailing-cbd/ https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/special-care-shipments/hemp.page A vinegar/baking soda mix is magic in every room of the house. It beats chemicals because it’s natural while possessing deodorizing and sanitizing properties. Baking soda produces an abrasive element, while vinegar lifts away hard water stains when used regularly. Mixing the vinegar acid with baking soda base mixes salt water with a carbon dioxide gas that leaves a shiny clean in its wake. It is a magical mix that many people choose over smelly chemicals or bleaches, especially for areas such as kitchens.
Stainless Steel Sink Cleanup This mixture helps remove grease and soap scum from areas such as stainless steel sinks. Sprinkle baking soda around the sink, including the drains, scrub, and rinse with clean water. Consider a toothbrush for the hard-to-reach places, such as the caulk, rim, and drains. Soak paper towels or cleaning cloths in white vinegar, then line the rinsed sink. Leave them for 20 minutes. The result is a shiny, clean stainless steel surface. Surfaces Around the Room Mix baking soda with vinegar in a bowl to create a paste. Use a paper towel or cleaning cloth to wipe down all surfaces, from cabinets, to refrigerators, and dishwashers. Test a small, hidden area on the cabinets to make sure the baking soda will not remove paint or otherwise change the surface. Follow up with vinegar-soaked cloths, wiping down each surface completely. The result is a clean, shiny surface. The vinegar smell will dissipate within seconds, leaving no chemical smells. Countertop Stains A baking soda/vinegar mix will help remove stains from blueberries to coffee. Remove everything from the countertop, then sprinkle the whole surface with baking soda. Scrub with a sponge or cleaning cloth. Spray with a vinegar and water mixture, then wipe away the baking soda. Allow a baking soda and vinegar mix to work on stubborn stains for ten minutes, then scrub with a sponge. Stains lift away and leave a cleaner counter without dangerous chemical additives or films left behind. Adding to the Grease Cutting Formula While vinegar and baking soda works well against grease, adding a grease-cutting, plant-based dish detergent adds to the power of the mixture. Add a few drops to the paste then use on stovetops, hoods, cabinets, and anything covered in grease. Grease has a distinct smell that is removed through this process. The difference is noticed immediately. Cleaning with baking soda and vinegar will create a cleaner kitchen that does not have chemical films or smelly remnants. It makes sense to use this mix in an environment where food is prepared for safety and peace of mind. Use these tips weekly to ensure a safe, clean, sparkling kitchen. You're a doctor, and you understand the studies published in your peer-reviewed magazines. When you read about cardiovascular solutions and new cholinesterase inhibitors, you understand what they are and when they are used right away. However, you've also noticed the blank look on the faces of your patients that signals the need to break terms down to "common speak", where you explain terms in the simplest words possible. "Street talk" means talking to the general public, while "professional talk" is best suited for colleagues, who work with the bigger terms daily. How, then, do you gear your blog to communicate to your target audience, when your target audience is the general public? Start with the Words Think about the words you use with your patients, and which ones make them cock their heads, followed by the familiar glazing of the eyes. These are the words that must be simplified in the blog. Make sure whoever writes your blog is either simplifying or defining all words that might seem unfamiliar in every blog post. The readability leads to the shareability, and attention, of your overall blog. Bridge the Gap There is a considerable gap between the way a physician thinks about information, and the way a patient thinks about the same situation. Bridging this gap belongs to the blogger, so don't be surprised if your blog seems "dumbed down" to you, as the professional medical personnel. It's not dumbed down - it's arranged in a way that more people will be able to consume the information. Turning big words into smaller chunks, explaining and defining medical terms, and breaking up information are all methods to bring technical terms to the general public. Respondeat Superior That's right - let the master respond. Let the blogger take over the translation between medical terms and creating a universally understood blog. When you have a blogger who has medical experience, you'll have someone who knows how to talk to a general audience while still communicating the points you want your patients to know. Is there a new drug available for dementia, and you're excited to share the new drug with your clients? Tell your blogger about it, and show him or her the study you found. You'll discover that your patients are responding with new knowledge, interpreted from your website, based on research in which you believe. Hiring a blogger to reach your clients in new ways bridges the gap between you and your patients, creates more content shared across social media, and educates your patients on research that matters to you. Ask for a sample blog today, and find out what a professional medical blogger will do for you. Medical blogging helps a medical website gain attention from search engines, but they serve a higher purpose - keeping patients updated with the latest health care literacy, in a language that is not only relatable, but shareable. However, the process is time consuming, leading many facilities to hire a blogging professional, who will be interested to know exactly what topics interest the facility most. Coming up with these topics for the blogger does not have to be an overwhelming task; start with this list of ideas to create offshoots of related blog topics.
Healthy Living Without offering medical advice online, a series of healthy living blogs is useful to the patient. Creating tips and tricks for beating springtime allergies, protecting the body against heat waves, or recognizing signs of a heart attack are all shareable, relevant blogs that help promote health throughout the community, without giving any medical advice. Prevention tips, FAQ's from within the practice, tips to avoid specific health issues, and question-based blogs, such as, "Do I have spring allergies?" is a great place to begin blogging in this fashion. Practice News When something new is happening at the office, it's a good idea to blog about it, to keep your readers abreast of changes in their favorite office. Any news, from a change of staff to a move to a phone number change, belongs in the blog. Patients will begin to rely on the blog to stay updated on everything happening in the office, so make sure to continue the informative blogging process once it has begun. Promotions Most offices do not offer direct promotions, but direct promotions are not the only types of promotional blogs found on successful medical sites. Direct promotions, such as discounts on specific procedures, belong in a blog, but so do any activities in which the office is directly participating. Is the team running a fun run marathon in support of cancer research? That belongs in the blog. If your office receives grants, new equipment, or sizable donations, these are also acceptable blog topics. Many doctors correctly assume they need a blog to stay relevant, especially if they concentrate in a specialty. However, so many blogs exist that are not working for these doctors that many have abandoned the pursuit of shared knowledge. Hiring a professional blogger who can go over your blog, diagnose it, then apply the following treatments, will provide you with a blog your patients will want to share.
Human Exhaustion Think about the end of your day. You're exhausted after you close the office and send the staff home. This provides for one of two major blog diagnoses: an unfinished blog, or a sloppy blog. You are intelligent and you know everything there is to know about your field; the truth is, though, that you are simply too tired to communicate it in an interesting, shareable method, on a consistent basis. The obvious treatment for this ailment is to hire a part-time blogger. Send him or her copies of articles you find interesting or relevant to your blog targeting audience, or send a quick email whenever you have a new idea for what will work on your blog. When you have the right fit with a blogger, and work out a regular schedule for blog posts, the result will be a consistent, researched, timeless blog that communicates clearly with your target audience. Placing Design Over Content If you were an interior designer, you would want pictures and website design to control the blog. However, you are a doctor, with a specialty. Images continue to help in search engines, but they must not overwhelm your blog. The diagnosis here is a blog that overwhelms with widgets and images, but does not provide enough information for the patient. The treatment is to review the page with your web developer. Discuss ways to bring the content of the blog to the forefront of the website. Remember that patients come to you for information, not for visual stimulation - they have more specific companies for that sort of entertainment. Redesign your website to provide your basic information, then place the blog in the forefront of the site. This will give the patient what he or she came for right away - information concerning your specialty. Giving Away Too Much Again, you are smart. You have a deep knowledge regarding your specialty, and you love to share with your patients. However, blogging everyday is simply overwhelming, and will have an adverse effect on your blog traffic. The diagnosis here is overwhelming the patient with information. The treatment is a working schedule with your blogger. Typically, two blogs a week is well received; however, speak with your blogger regarding your demographics to determine what works best. When you work with a professional blogger, and share your blog with your patients, you'll notice increased results. Medical facilities are discovering the importance of blogs attached to their websites, to both keep existing clients and obtain future clients. Similar to any retail store, patients are leaning more on websites to not only help them find a doctor, but maintain a connection with their doctors of choice. Connecting to your patients with a reliable, informed blog that has sharing capabilities helps you stay relevant among a growing number of your patients.
Greater Visibility and Connection As a practice, you will gain a greater visibility among your patients, as well as a clearer connection to what they need, and what they enjoy - sharing information with their friends. Write blogs - or share with your blogger - your specific demographics, and what you know about your community. Write about educational topics that connect your patients to their community. For example, if you live in an area prone to springtime flooding, ask your blogger to research and discuss the dangers of moving water, followed by a cautionary tale regarding standing water a week later. Frequently Asked Questions As a medical practice, you get plenty of questions. Ask your receptionist to record the most asked questions, or poll your staff for the same information. Pass this information on to your blogger, along with suggested answers, if desired. You decide if you should devote a whole page or a blog series to the answers organized and researched by your blogger. Relevant Information The most current, relevant information is a must for every medical blog, which is why it's important to consistently share information with your blogger. You want your blogs to reflect the latest medical research; for example, as an obstetrician, you would never advise expectant mothers to eat deli meat; a blog from ten years past would state that deli meat is OK in some cases. Consistent updating with the latest information is essential to keeping patients coming back to the blog, and coming back to the office for decidedly trusted medical support. Understand To Whom You Are Talking It's essential to understand who is reading your blogs. This leads back to your demographics, and for whom you are asking the blogger to write. Discuss your demographic with your blogger, communicating whether you'd like to focus on a more education-based community, or if you'd like to talk to an overarching group of eclectic backgrounds. Perhaps you have a multi-cultural patient base; perhaps you'd like to initially share with colleagues, but reach out the general community; perhaps your focus is only on creating content to be shared across social media. Communicate with your blogger to ensure a readable blog for your target audience. Websites that grab the most attention rely on the content quality of the page. The content must be able to achieve its goal - finding, and keeping, a customer's attention. High-quality content has the most potential to turn a curious seeker into a paying customer. You want the services of a professional writer who understands your audience and who can grab that audience's attention. Many businesses have an extensive list of content wishes, but no time to finish the list. Outsourcing writing to a professional writer offers a number of advantages to your company.
1. High Quality Professional writers maintain a level of professionalism by delivering high quality content. Quality is not compromised due to quantity; no matter how much content you request, the quality is consistently high. The writer knows that your reputation is resting in his or her hands; the content on your website reflects your company directly. Professional writers present the best work possible, checked and double checked, to make your company look clean and polished. 2. Set Deadlines The professional writer will ask for deadlines for your project. How soon do you want it? Many professionals offer a deadline, such as a 24-hour turnaround for projects, depending on length or necessary research. The writer is part of the marketing team, and is thus disciplined to respect important deadlines, and will follow a strict editorial calendar. Ask your freelance writer for a copy of the editorial calendar, and work together to establish specific deadlines for individual projects, i.e., two blog posts a week and one newsletter by the 29th of each month. 3. Affordability Consider how much it would cost to hire an in-house writer, and you'll understand why outsourcing writing makes more sense. Paying the writer on the basis of delivered content leads to less overhead than a full-time, or even part-time, salary. Align the cost of outsourcing writing to hiring someone in-house. Often, outsourcing will be cheaper, especially with the right content writer. You will increase your profit margin by reducing costs, and you will have an excellent working relationship with a dependable, affordable, competent freelancer. 4. Time Consider how much time you have in your day. Do you keep a journal? Do you write down the events of your day? You don't, simply because there isn't time after running your business. How do you think you'll find time to pen a blog on a regular basis? Outsourcing the writing to a content writer means giving the task to someone who makes time for writing ONLY. This makes sense. The freelance writer is devoted to researching your brand and discovering creative ways to talk about your brand. It's a time saver that leaves you able to complete other tasks, such as working with your sales team or finding new suppliers. Some business blogs draw in thousands of readers every month. Many of these blogs offer advice and how-to's, which are always guaranteed to draw a crowd. However, the blogs that draw in the most readers also add a personal touch somewhere within the blog. Whether it's an employee feature or use of people-oriented language, some blogs draw in the crowd by becoming part of the crowd.
1. Employees Are the Brand Some blogs and websites will allow the employees to be the face of the brand. This brings a human feel to the brand, and allows customers to get a "behind the scenes" feel to the business. Customers need to trust a business, and understanding who is behind the product generates this trust. 2. Bring in Outsiders Inviting guest bloggers to contribute to your blog provides different insights and a sense of transparency for your customers. It proves that you trust others in your area of expertise, and that you are human. You communicate that you are not the only expert, and that you also listen to the advice of others. Customers will grow to trust you as a human who is the same as them - who needs advice and the word of others occasionally. 3. Use Pictures Using pictures doesn't mean grabbing stock images. Customers recognize these right away, and honestly, they reduce the credibility of your blog and website. Instead, take pictures of the back end of your business. Let customers inside the workings of what you do. Ask a designer to create images that coincide with your brand. Use images that draw a reader into your world visually. 4. Make it All Sharable This is one of the most important parts of having a blog. Those little "share" squares must be present on every single blog. Make sure customers can share every blog, on every forum, immediately. Don't make the buttons difficult to find, either. People are more apt to come to a blog where they can easily share what they like with their friends. Most blogs place the share button near the top of each article, which is quickly becoming the prime spot. People often scan an article then share it, so a share button at the end of an article may not be noticed. 5. Keep the Theme Consistent Throughout You've worked hard on your brand. It's polished, professional, and it took months to finish. Why would you stray from it in your blog? For instance, if your brand has an old-time image in its design, keep the images and feel of the blog old-timey. Consistency is important. Consider the most popular brands in the country - people will recognize the image, even without the brand name. This should be the goal of your business. Keep the brand consistent across the board. |
AuthorRebecca has been blogging for ten years. She'd love to help you fill your blog! Archives
August 2019
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