Working From Home: Expectations and Reality
Despite some of the hiccups, working from home has been a great experience. I feel happier in general since I get more sleep (no need to get up early to commute!), and my biggest fear, which was being unable to separate my work life from my home life, has been a non-issue so far.
read moreIt’s ALIVE: The Clear Benefits of Live Chat Customer Support
According to a report from Time Magazine, humans have a shorter attention span than ever. The average is now around eight seconds, down from twelve seconds in 1999. This drop in attention span is widely believed to be a byproduct of our digital age, with more than 77% of people reaching for their phone when there is nothing occupying their immediate attention. For businesses, this attachment to mobile devices (and technology in general) can mean a few things. Most notably, customers tend to favor online interactions – which allow them...
read moreWorking For LD: The Interview is More Important Than The Resume
If you know anything about our company, you know that culture is important to us… And if you’ve applied for a job at LongerDays, hopefully you’re taking the time to read some blogs and get a sense of what it’s like to work here. The work isn’t easy. It requires a hefty amount of brain power and no shortage of patience. It’s techy. It’s interpersonal. The day-to-day requires agility and critical thinking… But it’s about more than just the tasks. Honestly, it’s about more than the...
read moreDelegating Web Tasks: What You Need to Know
The internet is everywhere these days – but that doesn’t mean we all understand how it works. In fact, the sophistication of modern web development, app building, system administration, and the like are greater than ever. The depth of expertise is incredible… And the reason most people specialize in one area or another. When working with these types of people and services, it’s important to provide the information they need to succeed. They may have all of the technical know-how, but if you don’t provide the right information at the...
read moreHow Small Businesses Help The Community
Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities. Whether it’s a deli or a print shop, a small accounting firm or an art gallery… There’s a vibe you get from a great small business. It feels like it “should be there,” like it’s somehow woven right into the fabric of the neighborhood… And it feels that way for customers, owners, and employees alike. This is true of all kinds of businesses, not just those with storefronts or retail products. Working at LongerDays over the last handful of years has helped me feel embedded in Downtown Muskegon...
read moreHeatmap Analytic Services: The New Way to Analyze Your Website
Website analytics have been around… Most business owners and site-runners know how to use them and what to look for. Some people are downright wizards when it comes to understanding the numbers and charts that represent how people use a particular corner of the internet. Nowadays, though, “heatmap” services are adding an entire layer of website analysis that provides invaluable information for any business. The idea is pretty simple – but the implications are massive. The heatmap analysis essentially tracks cursor movement and on-page...
read moreAmazon Associates: How Does It Work?
Affiliate links are nothing new, but perhaps (like many people), you’ve only heard the term – and never explored it for yourself. The concept is pretty simple: through the Amazon Associates program, users can use special links in their blog and social media content… And when someone clicks through and makes a qualifying purchase, that user receives a commission. For those with high traffic websites, the Amazon Associates program could be a great way to earn some extra cash. Depending on the nature of your site – or the site you’re...
read moreA Job That Treats You Like A Real Person
Most of my working life has been in some form of a customer-facing role… And it still is. Finally, though, things are different. Whether it was in fast food, retail, or working at Michigan’s Adventure, I was the person customers interacted with – but when you work in places like these, no matter the size, you are just another cog in the churning business machine. A faceless number, there to run a cash register and bear the burden of complaints. You are totally replaceable, no matter your position in the company… Screw up too...
read moreThe Fine Art of Delegation
It’s no secret that LongerDays takes ongoing, day-to-day tasks off the hands of business owners – all with the goal of giving them more time to run their businesses and focus on the bigger picture. When we receive these tasks, our Team Leads often delegate the work out to other team members. It’s up to the Team Lead to create an easy-to-follow process so whoever does the task has all of the information they need to accurately and confidently do the work. So… How do we do it? It’s All About The Process Creating accurate processes is one...
read moreGhostwriting is Good – Editing is Better
I am not a mindreader, but I am a ghostwriter. I don’t know all there is to know, but I do like collaborating with clients to present our combined wisdom. As much as I would like to know everything about everything, to understand an expert view on topics and industries the world over… That simply isn’t the case. So, when the writing tasks come in – whether it’s a blog, an ebook, a newsletter, etc. – getting to the final product requires effort from both me and the client. In some cases, all the client...
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