Category: Digital

Categories
Digital

How to make money from TikTok

Making money from TikTok can be an exciting and lucrative endeavor if you approach it strategically. TikTok is a social media platform that has gained immense popularity, and many users have successfully monetized their presence on the platform. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through various methods to make money from TikTok, ranging from sponsored content to merchandise sales and more.

1. Build a Strong TikTok Presence:

Before you can start making money on TikTok, you need to establish a strong presence on the platform. Here are some key steps to get started:

  • Choose a Niche: Identify your interests and expertise. Picking a specific niche will help you target a particular audience.
  • Create High-Quality Content: Consistently produce engaging and high-quality videos. Use TikTok’s features, like filters, effects, and music, to make your content stand out.
  • Consistency: Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Consistency helps you grow your follower base.
  • Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, engage in duets and collaborations, and build a community around your content.
  • Optimize Your Profile: Use an attractive profile picture, write a compelling bio, and include contact information or links to other social media platforms or websites if applicable.

2. Build Your Follower Base:

A large and engaged follower base is essential for monetizing your TikTok presence. Here’s how you can grow your followers:

  • Use Hashtags: Research popular hashtags related to your niche and include them in your videos to increase visibility.
  • Collaborate: Collaborate with other TikTok users, especially those in your niche. Duets and collaborations can expose your content to a broader audience.
  • Cross-Promotion: Promote your TikTok account on other social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
  • Engage with Trends: Participate in trending challenges and use trending music to gain visibility.
  • Interact with Your Audience: Respond to comments and engage with your followers by asking questions and encouraging interaction.

3. Understand TikTok’s Monetization Options:

TikTok offers several ways to monetize your account once you’ve built a substantial following. Here are some of the main options:

A. Brand Partnerships and Sponsored Content:

As your follower count grows, brands may approach you for sponsored content. Here’s how it works:

  • Brands pay you to create content that features their products or services.
  • Ensure that sponsored content aligns with your niche and audience to maintain authenticity.
  • Disclose sponsored content by using #ad or #sponsored to comply with TikTok’s guidelines and maintain transparency with your audience.

B. TikTok Creator Fund:

The TikTok Creator Fund allows you to earn money based on your video performance. Here’s how it works:

  • Eligible creators can apply to join the Creator Fund.
  • You earn money based on the number of views your videos receive.
  • Payments are made monthly, and the amount varies depending on your engagement and audience.

C. Live Streaming and Virtual Gifts:

TikTok Live is a feature that allows you to broadcast live to your audience. During your live streams, viewers can send you virtual gifts, which you can convert into real money. Here’s how it works:

  • Viewers purchase virtual gifts using TikTok Coins, and you earn a portion of the revenue from these purchases.

D. Selling Merchandise:

If you have a dedicated fan base, consider selling merchandise related to your brand or niche. You can promote your merchandise in your videos and provide links or information on where to purchase it.

E. Affiliate Marketing:

Promote products or services from other companies and earn a commission for each sale made through your referral links. Ensure that the products you promote align with your niche and audience interests.

4. Monetize Your TikTok Account:

Once you’ve established your presence and grown your follower base, it’s time to start making money. Here’s how to do it:

A. Brand Partnerships and Sponsored Content:

  • Reach out to brands: You can proactively reach out to brands in your niche to propose collaborations. Highlight your engagement rates and follower demographics to show the value of working with you.
  • Negotiate terms: Discuss payment, content requirements, and deadlines with the brand. Ensure both parties are clear on expectations.
  • Create authentic content: When creating sponsored content, maintain your unique style and voice. Authenticity is key to retaining your audience’s trust.

B. TikTok Creator Fund:

  • Apply for the Creator Fund: Once eligible, apply for the TikTok Creator Fund through the app.
  • Focus on engagement: Higher engagement rates, such as likes, shares, and comments, can lead to higher earnings from the Creator Fund.

C. Live Streaming and Virtual Gifts:

  • Build anticipation: Announce your live streams in advance to build anticipation among your followers.
  • Interact with viewers: Engage with your viewers during the live stream by responding to comments and giving shoutouts to those who send virtual gifts.
  • Cash out earnings: TikTok provides options for converting your virtual gifts into real money.

D. Selling Merchandise:

  • Choose a platform: Set up an online store on platforms like Shopify, Teespring, or Printful to sell your merchandise.
  • Promote in videos: Create videos promoting your merchandise, showcasing the products, and providing links or information on how to purchase.
  • Monitor inventory and orders: Keep track of your merchandise inventory and fulfill orders promptly.

E. Affiliate Marketing:

  • Join affiliate programs: Sign up for affiliate programs relevant to your niche on platforms like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or ClickBank.
  • Create content: Promote affiliate products in your TikTok videos, explaining their benefits and providing affiliate links in your video description.
  • Monitor performance: Keep track of your affiliate marketing performance and adjust your strategy based on what works best.

5. Maintain and Grow Your TikTok Presence:

To continue making money from TikTok, it’s essential to keep your audience engaged and attract new followers. Here are some tips:

  • Stay up-to-date with TikTok trends and challenges to remain relevant.
  • Monitor your analytics to understand what type of content resonates with your audience and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
  • Experiment with different video formats and styles to keep your content fresh and appealing.
  • Engage with your audience through comments, likes, and direct messages to build a loyal following.
  • Collaborate with other TikTok creators to cross-promote each other’s content and reach new audiences.
  • Stay true to your niche and maintain authenticity to keep your audience’s trust.

In conclusion, making money from TikTok requires dedication, creativity, and a clear understanding of your audience and niche. By consistently producing high-quality content, growing your follower base, and exploring various monetization options, you can turn your TikTok presence into a profitable venture. Remember that success on TikTok often takes time, so stay patient and persistent as you work towards your financial goals on the platform.

Categories
Digital

100 ways to build backlinks to your website

Building high-quality backlinks to your website is crucial for improving your search engine ranking and increasing your online visibility. Here’s a list of 100 ways to build links to your website.

1. Create High-Quality Content: 1.1. Produce informative and engaging content that naturally attracts links.

2. Guest Blogging: 2.1. Write guest posts for authoritative blogs in your niche. 2.2. Include a link back to your website in your author bio.

3. Infographics: 3.1. Design visually appealing infographics. 3.2. Share them on your site with an embed code for others to use, linking back to you.

4. Skyscraper Technique: 4.1. Find popular content in your niche. 4.2. Create better, more detailed content and reach out to those linking to the original.

5. Broken Link Building: 5.1. Identify broken links on other websites. 5.2. Reach out and suggest replacing them with your relevant content.

6. Resource Pages: 6.1. Locate resource pages in your niche. 6.2. Propose your content as a valuable addition.

7. HARO (Help a Reporter Out): 7.1. Sign up as a source on HARO. 7.2. Respond to relevant queries from journalists.

8. Collaborative Content: 8.1. Co-create content with industry experts. 8.2. They’re likely to link to the content when it’s published.

9. Testimonials: 9.1. Offer testimonials to businesses or products you use. 9.2. Request a link back to your site in exchange.

10. Internal Linking: 10.1. Link to your own relevant content within your website.

11. Social Media Profiles: 11.1. Optimize your social profiles with website links. 11.2. Share your content on social platforms.

12. Blog Comments: 12.1. Engage in meaningful discussions on relevant blogs. 12.2. Include your website URL in the comment.

13. Podcast Appearances: 13.1. Be a guest on industry-related podcasts. 13.2. Request a link in the show notes.

14. Webinars and Workshops: 14.1. Host webinars or workshops in your niche. 14.2. Encourage attendees to link to your site.

15. Reddit Participation: 15.1. Contribute helpful answers and discussions on relevant subreddits. 15.2. Share your content when it’s appropriate.

16. SlideShare Presentations: 16.1. Convert your content into slides and upload it to SlideShare. 16.2. Include links back to your website.

17. Forum Signatures: 17.1. Participate in forums related to your industry. 17.2. Add a link to your site in your forum signature.

18. YouTube Channel: 18.1. Create informative videos. 18.2. Include links to your website in the video description.

19. Q&A Platforms: 19.1. Answer questions on Quora, Yahoo Answers, etc. 19.2. Include your site’s link when relevant.

20. Press Releases: 20.1. Write newsworthy press releases. 20.2. Distribute them through PR distribution services.

21. Email Outreach: 21.1. Contact relevant websites or bloggers. 21.2. Suggest your content as a resource.

22. Local Business Directories: 22.1. List your business on local directories. 22.2. Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information.

23. Influencer Collaborations: 23.1. Partner with influencers for content or promotions. 23.2. Ask them to link to your site.

24. Niche-Specific Directories: 24.1. Find directories specific to your industry. 24.2. Submit your site for inclusion.

25. Social Bookmarking: 25.1. Share your content on platforms like Digg, Reddit, and Mix.

26. Image Sharing: 26.1. Share original images on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. 26.2. Include links to your site in the descriptions.

27. Giveaways and Contests: 27.1. Host online contests or giveaways. 27.2. Promote them on various platforms.

28. Alumni Associations: 28.1. If you’re an alumnus, request a link from your alma mater’s website.

29. Test and Review Products: 29.1. Test products or services and write reviews. 29.2. Ask the companies for a link in return.

30. Local Sponsorships: 30.1. Sponsor local events or organizations. 30.2. Get mentioned on their websites.

31. Create Resource Guides: 31.1. Compile comprehensive resource guides in your niche. 31.2. Outreach to relevant websites for inclusion.

32. YouTube Collaborations: 32.1. Partner with YouTubers for content collaborations. 32.2. Request links in video descriptions.

33. Email Signatures: 33.1. Include your website URL in your email signature.

34. LinkedIn Articles: 34.1. Publish articles on LinkedIn with links to your website.

35. Local Newspapers: 35.1. Write guest articles for local newspapers or magazines. 35.2. Ensure they include a link to your site.

36. Resource Outreach: 36.1. Identify websites linking to outdated resources. 36.2. Offer your updated content as a replacement.

37. Podcast Show Notes: 37.1. If you’re a podcast guest, request links in the show notes.

38. University Websites: 38.1. If you’ve given guest lectures, ask for a link on the university’s website.

39. Wikipedia Citations: 39.1. Add valuable information to relevant Wikipedia articles. 39.2. Cite your website as a source.

40. Online Courses: 40.1. Create and promote online courses in your niche. 40.2. Include links to your website in course materials.

41. eBook Publication: 41.1. Write eBooks and offer them for free or for sale. 41.2. Include links to your site within the eBooks.

42. Alumni Magazines: 42.1. If you attended a university, inquire about being featured in alumni magazines.

43. Association Memberships: 43.1. Join industry associations and ask for a link in your member profile.

44. Local Meetups: 44.1. Attend and sponsor local meetups or events. 44.2. Get mentioned on event websites.

45. Reddit AMAs (Ask Me Anything): 45.1. Host Reddit AMAs and include a link to your website.

46. Expert Roundups: 46.1. Participate in expert roundups on other websites. 46.2. They often link to contributors’ websites.

47. Trade Shows: 47.1. Attend industry trade shows and get listed on their websites.

48. Google My Business: 48.1. Optimize your Google My Business profile with a link to your site.

49. Content Syndication: 49.1. Syndicate your content on platforms like Medium and LinkedIn. 49.2. Include canonical tags to your original content.

50. Free Tools and Widgets: 50.1. Create useful online tools or widgets. 50.2. Require users to link back when they embed them.

51. Email Newsletter: 51.1. Start an email newsletter and promote your content. 51.2. Encourage subscribers to share and link to it.

52. Job Postings: 52.1. If you have job openings, list them on your website. 52.2. Job boards often link back to the hiring company.

53. Badge Creation: 53.1. Design badges for awards, certifications, or memberships. 53.2. Encourage recipients to display them with a link to your site.

54. Industry Reports: 54.1. Conduct industry research and publish reports. 54.2. Earn links when others cite your findings.

55. Web 2.0 Properties: 55.1. Create profiles on Web 2.0 sites like HubPages and Squidoo. 55.2. Include links to your site in your content.

56. Educational Institutions: 56.1. Collaborate with universities on research projects. 56.2. Get credited with links on their research pages.

57. Non-profit Contributions: 57.1. Donate to charities and request a link on their donor pages.

58. Video Descriptions: 58.1. Include links to your website in YouTube video descriptions.

59. Pinterest Pins: 59.1. Create pins that link back to your site’s content.

60. Help Forums: 60.1. Participate in forums where people seek assistance. 60.2. Share relevant content links.

61. YouTube Cards and End Screens: 61.1. Use YouTube cards and end screens to promote your website.

62. Scholarship Programs: 62.1. Offer scholarships to students and request a link from universities.

63. Content Translation: 63.1. Translate your content into different languages. 63.2. Attract a global audience and earn international links.

64. Slideshare Backlinks: 64.1. Add links to your site within SlideShare presentations.

65. E-commerce Platforms: 65.1. If you have an e-commerce site, list your products on marketplaces. 65.2. Include links back to your site in product listings.

66. Newsjacking: 66.1. Monitor breaking news and create relevant content. 66.2. Pitch it to news outlets for backlinks.

67. LinkedIn Groups: 67.1. Participate in LinkedIn groups and share your content. 67.2. Avoid spamming; provide value.

68. Surveys and Polls: 68.1. Conduct industry surveys and publish the results. 68.2. Earn links from those citing your survey.

69. Online Reviews: 69.1. Encourage customers to leave online reviews. 69.2. Mention your website in profiles.

70. Podcast Directories: 70.1. Submit your podcast to directories. 70.2. Include links to your site in podcast descriptions.

71. Visual Content Sharing: 71.1. Share visual content like memes and comics. 71.2. Add your website’s watermark.

72. Collaborative Projects: 72.1. Collaborate with other websites on projects. 72.2. They may link to you as a contributor.

73. Newspaper Columns: 73.1. Write columns for newspapers. 73.2. Ensure your website is mentioned in your bio.

74. Pinterest Boards: 74.1. Create Pinterest boards related to your niche. 74.2. Include links to your content.

75. Content Curation: 75.1. Curate valuable content from others. 75.2. Link back to the original sources and let them know.

76. Local Business Associations: 76.1. Join local business associations and request a link.

77. Podcast Mentions: 77.1. Mention your website in podcasts you host or guest on.

78. Niche-specific Forums: 78.1. Join forums dedicated to your niche. 78.2. Participate and include your website in your signature.

79. Webinar Promotion: 79.1. Promote your webinars through partners and collaborators. 79.2. They can link to your registration page.

80. Data Sharing: 80.1. Share industry-related data or case studies. 80.2. Encourage attribution with links.

81. Industry Awards: 81.1. Participate in industry awards programs. 81.2. Earn links when you win or get nominated.

82. Pinterest Infographics: 82.1. Share infographics on Pinterest. 82.2. Include links to your site.

83. Public Speaking: 83.1. Speak at conferences or events. 83.2. Get your website mentioned in your introduction.

84. Geo-specific Content: 84.1. Create content specific to geographic regions. 84.2. Attract local backlinks.

85. Video Interviews: 85.1. Conduct video interviews with industry experts. 85.2. They may link to the interview on your site.

86. Link Reclamation: 86.1. Monitor mentions of your brand online. 86.2. Reach out to unlinked mentions and request a link.

87. Product Reviews: 87.1. Offer your products for review. 87.2. Ask for a link in the review.

88. Meetup.com: 88.1. Host or attend meetups listed on Meetup.com. 88.2. Get listed on event pages.

89. WikiHow Contributions: 89.1. Contribute to WikiHow articles. 89.2. Include links to your site as references.

90. Social Sharing Buttons: 90.1. Add social sharing buttons to your content. 90.2. Encourage readers to share your content.

91. Public Relations: 91.1. Engage in PR activities that result in news coverage. 91.2. Ensure your website is linked in articles.

92. Content Roundups: 92.1. Curate and host weekly or monthly content roundups in your niche.

93. Answer the Public: 93.1. Use Answer the Public to find popular questions in your niche. 93.2. Create content answering these questions and outreach.

94. Ask for Links: 94.1. Politely ask colleagues, partners, and clients for links.

95. Controversial Content: 95.1. Write thought-provoking content. 95.2. Encourage discussions and links.

96. Association Sponsorship: 96.1. Sponsor industry conferences or events. 96.2. Get listed on their event websites.

97. Historical Content: 97.1. Create content about historical events in your niche. 97.2. Attract links from history enthusiasts.

98. Advertise on Blogs: 98.1. Invest in sponsored posts or banner ads on relevant blogs. 98.2. Ensure they include a link.

99. Contests and Challenges: 99.1. Organize contests or challenges. 99.2. Promote them to attract links.

100. Alumni Forums: 100.1. Participate in alumni forums or networks. 100.2. Include a link to your website in your profile.

Incorporating a variety of these strategies into your link-building efforts can help improve your website’s authority, search engine ranking, and overall online presence. Remember that building high-quality links is a long-term process, so be patient and persistent in your efforts.

Categories
Digital

SEO in the 2030s

SEO is constantly evolving, and as we move into the 2030s, we can expect to see some significant changes in the world of search engine optimization. These changes will be driven by advancements in technology, changing user behavior, and shifts in search engine algorithms. Here are some of the SEO trends we can expect to see in the 2030s:

  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play a larger role in SEO:

As AI becomes more advanced, it will play an increasingly important role in SEO. Search engines will be better able to understand user intent and deliver more personalized search results. This means that SEO strategies will need to adapt to the changes brought about by AI.

  1. Voice Search will become more prevalent:

As more people use voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, voice search will become more prevalent in the 2030s. This means that SEO strategies will need to adapt to optimize for voice search queries.

  1. Mobile-first indexing will become the norm:

Mobile-first indexing has been a trend for several years, but in the 2030s, it will become the norm. This means that search engines will prioritize mobile-optimized content in their rankings.

  1. Video content will be king:

Video content has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it will continue to do so in the 2030s. This means that search engines will prioritize video content in their rankings.

In conclusion, the SEO landscape will continue to evolve in the 2030s. Artificial intelligence, voice search, mobile-first indexing, and video content will all play significant roles in SEO in the coming decade. As businesses and website owners adapt to these changes, they will be better equipped to rank higher in the search results and reach their target audiences. Stay ahead of the game by keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in SEO.

Categories
Digital Futurism Uncategorized

Employment in a Post COVID19 World

Now that many of us are at home due to lockdown, we wonder whether we will get our jobs back after the COVID-19 pandemic. There is indeed little knowledge regarding how the world will transform after the pandemic. But we have a clue of professions that will thrive after the virus and those that might become less relevant.

Skills That Might Thrive in a Post Coronavirus World

Do not panic if you do not have the skills mentioned in this section since you can still acquire them to become relevant in the job market after the pandemic. One thing to note is that you need to be flexible and adaptable to survive the changes that might be brought about by the pandemic.

Tech Savviness

Getting tech-savvy is one of the best ways to get ready for a post-COVID-19 world. Due to the virus, the tech world is transforming very fast as companies to brace for a similar outbreak in the future. The fact that technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality will help make companies more resilient in the future. Therefore, anyone that can help companies integrate these technologies will have a chance to get employed. Utilizing gig economy apps that will boost your income, such as Fiverr, Upwork and TaskRabbit will be growth areas in the post Covid world.   

Innovation and Creativity

The world has already witnessed the relevance of innovation and creativity, and this implies that jobs that fall under this category will blossom after the pandemic. For instance, businesses that have been able to deliver products and services virtually, such as dropshipping through alibaba, amazon affiliate marketing, or those that can switch to newer products quickly, will be better able to weather the storm. Thus, more creative thinkers and innovators will be needed after the virus. If you are not in this field, it is important that you get acquainted with the skills ahead of time.

Data Literacy

Data has played an integral role as a fuel of the fourth industrial revolution. This makes it clear that after the virus, many companies will need data literacy to remain relevant. With accurate data, companies will not struggle to predict the impact that future disruptions might have on them. Also, if they rely on the right data, companies will be able to provide their customers with the right products and services before and after any pandemic. Fintech, crypto currency and blockchain businesses look to be market winners in the post covid world.

Jobs That Might Become Irrelevant After the Pandemic

Machines and artificial intelligence are already taking up the jobs that have been lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, today, if you check into a hotel, your towels and toothbrushes will be delivered by robots. This implies that a good number of hotel attendants might lose their jobs to machines after the virus.

There are also brick-laying robots that can do up to 3000 bricks in an eight-hour shift. This is a sure indication that this job will be lost to machines, especially because construction companies will be looking for ways to reduce expenses and maximize profits.

Most jobs that can be automated are highly likely to become irrelevant after the virus since robots can do them. These might include jobs such as customer service and office attendants, assembly line manufacturing, and retail and customer interaction jobs.

The Bottom Line

The pandemic is already here with us, and the impacts it will have might be inevitable. Thus, be sure to get committed to learning so that you find employment in the future. With the quick evolution of technology, no one is sure which jobs will be lost to machines, and it would be bad if you are caught unaware. Therefore, make sure to start getting as many skills as possible to get ready to survive.

Categories
Digital Uncategorized

Digital Marketing Trends for 2021

The year 2021 has already shown no signs of slowing down when it comes to new trends in digital marketing. The online marketspace is now more crowded than ever before, with a range of different services and apps all vying for user’s attention. Here are some of the top digital marketing trends for 2021 so far.

AI and Machine Learning

Computers and algorithms have long been used to make human tasks quicker, easier and more efficient. However, the rise in AI and machine learning is seeing machines and computers not just carry out pre-typed instructions, but be able to start solving problems independently. Whilst AI still requires human programming, machine learning differs in that it does not need specific instructions in order to carry out and complete a given task. This means that over time, a machine can learn itself how to improve efficiency and solve a problem, which is very exciting if slightly unnerving. Whatever your personal opinion of machines taking on a mind of their own, 2021 promises to be the year that AI and computers begin to surpass humans when it comes to coding and programme development.

Data Driven Marketing

Rather as it sounds, data driven marketing is the process used to adapt marketing strategies to the information obtained by analysing data. It is now even easier for online businesses and sites to gain greater insight into their customer’s preferences, tastes and habits. This enables marketing to digitally target to specific users and can also be adapted and altered to suit the audience they are trying to capture the attention of just as frequently as those tastes themselves change. This means that by using data driven marketing, companies are able to stay ahead of trends and it is likely that 2021 will see the levels of this type of information gathering only increase.

Snackable Media

Snackable media is quick, easy to consume and designed to be as visually appetising and appealing as possible. The rise in popularity of apps such as TikTok, Snapchat and Triller offer users the chance to make bite size chunks of content with little to no social media skill. Although sometimes critiqued for encouraging users to have an ever shortening attention span, snackable media provides the opportunity for brands and influencers to connect with their audience on a much more frequent basis than uploading to other forms of media, such as YouTube. Snackable media bridges the gap between platforms such as YouTube and grid format platforms such as Instagram, which still offer a much more static level of media communication between users and audience. 2021 promises to be the year we want to dip in and out of social media, taking a bite over here and a nibble over there without sitting for hours watching painstakingly edited videos.

Digital Darwinism

Darwin is all about evolution and survival of the fittest. When applied to the digital world, this term has been coined for those looking to stay ahead of the curve and not just survive but thrive online. We live in an age of constant change, with technology upgrading faster than most business models can keep up with. The way we fundamentally consume media, communicate with one another and run our everyday lives continues to adapt and evolve in this new era of technological advancement. It is likely that 2021 will continue to see the growth in popularity for all things ‘smart’ – smart watches for fitness, smart devices for home tasks along with smart meters, smart phones, smart speakers, smart cars – the list is endless! As is the appetite for the next big advancement in the digital race.

Evolution of Consumer Experience

All the main digital marketing trends of 2021 are primarily centred around one concept – the evolution of the consumer experience. Never before has advertising and content been so directly user centric, with brands gathering data about their users in order to create the most customised experience possible. But this level of interaction goes two ways. Consumers now want user friendly apps that help them make a difference in the ‘woke’ generation. Apps such as Yuka are great for giving instant feedback on the health content of a product and TED have a tailor-made app where users can enjoy a lecture or talk anywhere, anytime. Buycott is also an app that allows users to see whether or not the item they are purchasing has been tested on animals or been manufactured using illegal labour and Signal is bound to be the new WhatsApp, offering end to end encryptions and passwords to keep chats even more secure. Customers are demanding more of their experience online and brands are ensuring that they are creating and curating to meet those needs more now in 2021 than ever before.

Categories
Digital Futurism

Cloud-Based Document Management

What is ‘Cloud Storage’?

Cloud Storage is a convenient way to store your documents, so you can access them anytime. With Cloud Storage, documents are not only stored on your computer, but also on an off-site storage unit, which means you and your clients can have access to it wherever you have an internet connection. Data in Cloud Storage is stored on multiple computers running concurrently, which ensures you have access to your files at any time, 24 hours a day. These web storage spaces can range from the very specific, such as photographs and email, to general servers which can host videos and allow you to transfer and keep huge amounts of data at one time. More about Cloud-Based Storage: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-storage.htm http://www.computerweekly.com/feature/A-history-of-cloud-computing

Types of Storage

Types of storage can vary hugely, and nowadays, there is virtually every type available, depending on your specific needs. Websites such as Google Documents, allow you to store important documents, and share them with other people, Flickr is a huge data space for saving photographs and YouTube allows you to upload and share videos with whoever you want, email servers like Gmail can store gigabytes worth of correspondence, and sites like megaupload will store virtually any kind of data and allow you to email the link that lets others to download it. You can also upload content from your IPhone and certain types of android phones, to store it permanently and give you more data space on your phone. Even sites such as Facebook, MySpace and blogging sites like Tumblr and WordPress are types of Cloud Storage, allowing you to upload your memories online and access them anytime you like. http://www.document-options.co.uk provides a networking service which makes it easy to share your documents among company computers.

What are the benefits of Cloud Storage?

Cloud Storage is insanely handy when it comes to backing up documents, saving them from accidental deletion or the case of your hard drive getting wiped. It also allows you to easily share documents with other people, and keep them in one place, instead of the hassle of transferring multiple data from drives, or emailing others individually with your data. This kind of storage also allows you to potentially store thousands of gigabytes of data without the need to but a whole new hard drive, or separate computer. The price for this service can range from being free; sometimes with companies charging extra for ‘premium’ services such as more space, or quicker uploads, to a flat fee, to different prices, depending on your needs. CSNET gives a rough comparison guide; how different are Cloud Databases?: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13846_3-20022794-62.html

How secure is it?

This is an often-asked concern, and of course, it should be addressed. What happens to your data when it’s uploaded to the Cloud? Who can access it? Different techniques are used by different companies to safely store personal data, to varying degrees of success. Most systems now use encryption: a special kind of data coding that requires the user to have an encryption key to access it. This kind of security is widely regarded t be the safest form of online data protection, as it is very difficult for hackers to breach. In addition to this, the majority, if not all sites use a username and password system, which is usually created by the user, ensuring they can only give access to people of their choice. As you can see, Cloud-based storage is a great and convenient way to store and share documents, as well as providing a useful backup tool.

Categories
Digital Information Technology

Privacy Issues Surrounding Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is one of the latest trends in Information Technology. It is the process of using a network of remote servers to store, process and manage data and programs for use within the company. Previously all hosting of this information was done on local terminals or on local servers and accessed via a Local Area Network (LAN).

The advantages of the new data storage system are bountiful. This system allows one software license to cover many employees that otherwise would have needed many licenses. Cloud computer is also beneficial for companies that employ a hot-desk policy as the employee can access all their saved work from any terminal. Of course with every new technology there are issues.

The Disadvantages

One disadvantage companies should be aware of possible of outages. If the server hosting the data goes down, your entire workforce is left with no access to their work. In contrast; if local terminals store the data, one computer failing only results in one staff member having no access.

The big concern with cloud computing, which worries a lot of IT professionals, is the risk to data security. According to a survey of US Business Executives last year, 26% had experienced some data or trade secrets stolen and 40% of those who were surveyed thought that it was becoming easier for data theft to occur.

Data Protection Laws in the UK state that companies must keep data secure and be used only in specific business related activities. However storing data with a third party, who owns and maintains the server, raises the question of who is responsible for the management of the data security.

In addition these large banks of data are increasingly becoming a prime target for malicious computer based attacks. By taking down the server, dozens of companies can be rendered inert. And unlike with an internal storage system, in-house IT departments can do little to get the company back to work.

However companies should be more concerned for the security of the data. There are many organisations that would be eager to obtain valuable data from a company. It has not been unheard of companies stealing business leads to propose their own services or products.

One of the greatest fears is consumer information, including financial details, being stolen for internet scams and rogue purchases.

Combating Data Theft

Combating data theft has become one of the major focuses for internet security companies. The very basic precaution that companies can use is data encryption. Of course security experts would be keen to point out that simple encryption requires a lot of trust between you and your server provider.

To circumnavigate this you could obtain a split key encryption protocol where an IT security provider holds part of the encryption key and your company holds the other part. The encrypted data is held with the server host. This provides some security to the data; but other options should be explored depending on your business and its needs.

The Bottom Line

Despite there being a risk to data – cloud storage has a number of benefits which outweigh the risks to organisations. For instance information can be taken anywhere using cloud storage and accessed through most modern mobile devices. So holding meetings or delivering print proofs to your print supplier is easier and more secure as no physical copies are held.

Companies must remember that data stored on paper is just as vulnerable to criminals or competitors. And its more frequent that it is lapses in concentration or human error that has caused some of the biggest data leaks.

Categories
Digital Futurism

What will a Trump presidency mean for the Internet?

Trump has strong views on the internet. He ran his political campaign on Facebook and Twitter, urging America to ignore the mainstream press: to turn to the internet. He got “a lot of honesty over the internet”. However, he’s also pinpointed it as an arena ripe for cyber-crime, “the security aspect of cyber is very, very tough. And maybe it’s hardly doable.”

Trump is concerned about cyber attacks and the internet as a recruiting ground for terror. He calls cyber attacks the “warfare of the future” where “America’s dominance…must be unquestioned” and promises to develop weapons. Despite the decisive rhetoric, it is unclear how knowledgeable Trump is on the threats or the solutions. One strategy for securing “cyber” is “closing” parts of the internet. What he actually means is unclear. Does he mean to “turn off” parts of the internet that he doesn’t trust, or take out physical infrastructure in risky areas? He’s not sure how to do it: “We have to go see Bill Gates… We have to talk to them about, maybe in certain areas, closing that Internet up in some way”. “Somebody will say, ‘Oh, freedom of speech, freedom of speech.’ These are foolish people.”

Trump’s plan is flawed. “The Internet is designed to be decentralized,” Andy Sellars, a fellow at Harvard Law School Cyberlaw Clinic, told TIME. “It’s designed to be that no single power could deny its use”. So in his desire to fight cyber war, Trump will need the help of the powerful media sites to block and remove content or, like China, ban undesirable sites. But how aggressive should Facebook, Twitter and Google be in Trump’s cyber war? There’s no simple algorithm. Not everyone who tweets #ISIS is bent on terror.

The power behind these huge internet companies may intimidate Trump. Glenn Kelman, chief executive of online real estate firm, Redfin, thinks Trump “feels hostility towards these companies and their size” and would embrace dictating terms. Trump already thinks Google is biased against him due to its positive autocorrect algorithms. And Facebook has the power to manipulate voters; it has had allegations of political bias in its trending topics and faced an internal investigation.

Trump’s also not happy with Apple. He’s likely to want them, and other developers, to create backdoors into their encryption codes. He’s already called for a boycott of Apple products after their refusal to unlock the phone of one of the San Bernardino shooters. “Who do they think they are?” he cried. Tim Cook explained Apple’s position: the “fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect.” A backdoor for government agents is a backdoor for hackers.

Despite being in favour of regulating encryption, Trump is generally anti-regulation. He’s likely to be sympathetic to the firms who want changes to the rules on net neutrality. Currently, ISPs must treat all internet traffic equally. Broadband providers are not allowed to manipulate traffic, or costs, on their networks. Trump has already hinted at abandoning what he called President Obama’s “attack on the internet”.

Despite wanting to turn off part of the internet, Trump is “committed to preserving Internet freedom for the American people and citizens all over the world,” according to Stephen Miller, his National Policy director. He was opposed to President Obama turning over “control of the Internet” to “the United Nations and the international community”, fearing that “Internet freedom will be lost for good” with ICANN becoming fully independent.

Except, ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, the Internet’s address book, has always been about coordination, not control. ICANN doesn’t deal with access to the internet or content. World wide web creator, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, told The Washington Post, it “has no power whatsoever over individual speech online… The actual flow of traffic, and therefore speech, is up to individual network and platform operators.” The government had a temporary contract overseeing ICANN which has expired. This hasn’t changed how ICANN works and Obama wasn’t giving away rights to the UN. The government involvement was “symbolic” .

However, by insisting that the United States retained “authority”, Trump risked giving others a platform to claim “control” of the Internet. Had the transition of ICANN been delayed, and DNS responsibilities shifted to the United Nations, other countries would have gained influence over global Internet policy.

Just like America, the internet under a Donald Trump Presidency looks confused. Trump’s statements point to restricting an arena that is defined by its inclusivity and openness. Just like his promise to build a wall around Mexico, Trump looks set to corral technology, blocking information and incorporating spy holes into operating systems. His view of the world wide web is at odds with America’s tech companies. Even Trump’s immigration policies could affect Facebook and others who rely heavily on talented workers from abroad.

Categories
Digital

How Document Management Can Help Your Company’s Green Agenda

Customers have an affinity for companies which do their best to be as green as possible. It’s easy to enforce policies which save a little time and effort within the company, but which result in huge wastages of paper, plastic, and other finite resources. A document management system could be the end of these paper wastage woes, leading to a completely revolutionised information handling system within your company, and between partner companies. The article below will describe the ways in which document management can help your company’s green agenda, and will provide some simple pointers regarding the implementation of this system.

What is a document management system?

A document management system is a highly sought after business tool to streamline the processing and storage of documents within a company or organisation. It often includes a way to digitise the post you receive each morning, such as automated scanners and image conversion software, as well as programs custom designed to sort and categories each of the documents scanned. Some more high-tech systems even include text recognition software which allows the system to pick out certain key phrases, names, or even email addresses and telephone numbers, then either flagg them for later or file them in the appropriate area of the system.

How can a document management system benefit my business?

Before the advent of the document management systems in use today, business often required a team of porters to ferry printed documents between different depots where they could be sorted and responded to. The modern office has no porters, and no expensive printed materials. Employees in the office of today communicate only by email to other employees within the company and outside, sharing information using the bits and bytes of the internet, rather than the inks and blots of the printed word. Allowing your employees to communicate using digitally encoded information shooting down the copper cable or fibre optic internet connections your company makes use of will dramatically boost productivity, and will slash the time spent communicating between different departments and buildings in person. This reduction in paperwork will not only win you coveted ‘green points’ among your customer base, it will also gain you some respect among colleagues and fellow business owners, thereby increasing profitability and boosting the likelihood of lucrative business deals taking place with the new found respect among your business circle coming into play.

Are there any disadvantages to a document management system?

While document management systems can and do revolutionise business all over the world and every day, they can be prohibitively expensive to set up. It’s worth checking with government departments to investigate the availability of grants or subsidies for the machinery required to go paperless. It’s also important to adequately investigate the full costs of an entirely paperless company, and balance this against the savings made by withdrawing printed media from your company. While the initial expense of this system may be high, it’s worth taking small steps to make the most of a setup which is bound to save you and your company money in the long run.

Of all the ways that your company can be made greener, investing in a document management system is one of the best ways to bring this idea into reality. By investing in the machinery and data infrastructure required, you too can have a paperless office with the appropriate document management software and hardware.

Categories
Digital

How Big Data Will Change The Future

Big data is big business, its constant media presence meaning it needs little introduction, its analytical potential highly sought for the ability to predict outcomes that not only shape the future but bringing the future into the present. From Bloomberg and Forbes to industry specific outlets such as GovTech.com and Stanford University’s Medical Science Department, updates on its development come thick and fast.

Such advances inspire enthusiasm and trepidation in equal measure, with the benefits of sophisticated research being weighed against the consequences of such a resource falling into the wrong hands. It is often seen, however, as the inevitable outcome of our historical drive towards increased efficiency, greater quality of life and enhanced communication, with one writer at Stanford University suggesting the insights afforded by such technology are as important as those yielded through the invention of the microscope and the advent of DNA sequencing.

One of the key innovations of big data analysis is the ability to respond in real-time to real-time consumer trends. Researchers such as Hinchcliffe and Kim have discovered that this is giving consumers unprecedented leverage in marketplace dynamics, allowing popular opinion to determine the direction of product development. Companies such as Viacom and Kia have utilised these tools to foster what Hinchcliffe and Kim call “social business”, a business model in which communications channels between consumer and producer are opened up to allow for the free-flow of marketplace data.

Stockbrokers have adopted this insight and are now successfully using it to predict the rise and fall of stocks. When the frequency of searches for the word ‘debt’ increases dramatically, for example, traders can feel confident that a crash is on the horizon. Similarly, if the percentage of searches for the name ‘Microsoft’ increases, traders will know that an increase in share prices is coming. The subtleties of the science behind these predictions are infinitely more complex, but the premise is simple: predicting behaviour based on available data. When the amount of data reaches a pitch at which multiple outcomes and variables are calculable, accurate predictions of probability can be given.

We are all exposed to the effects of big data every time Amazon makes a product recommendation, or a Google Ad targets us, yet it has implications that reach far beyond market research. The ability to monitor and respond to trends and predictions in real-time is already having significant impact on key industries in the development of medicines and the prevention of crime.

A report from GovTech.com highlights the unique insight available through big data in its application by police forces, which, in the past, have been able to determine crime-prone areas through historical data only, relying on information related to previous incidents. Using what is known as ‘Risk Terrain Modelling’, two professors at Rutgers University are pioneering research designed to predict future crime ‘hot-spots’ based on correlations of a wide range of seemingly disparate variables, including everything from geographical terrain to real-estate price fluctuations.

Police forces have shared data with other agencies, such as Child Protection Services, for a long time, and this is part of the reason why domestic violence and child abuse cases have steadily fallen. During this current time of recession and austerity, the emphasis within these services is always prevention, and this is something that big data offers. Police in Kent are already using these tools to direct officers to areas, sometimes as small as a football pitch, where high crime is predicted, while Bangor University reports that police in the US have seen reductions of 19 per cent in burglary, assault and similar crimes.