How to Use TikTok for Business

Sure, TikTok offers an entertaining platform where users can spend their extra time laughing at lip-syncing videos and learning from makeup or cooking tutorials. But TikTok can be a valuable resource for small businesses, as well. Brands can promote themselves through the Tiktok for Business platform, reaching an engaged audience of millions. After all, the social media platform boasts more than 3 billion downloads and 1 billion monthly active users.

What is TikTok for Business?

What is TikTok for Business? The platform is an all-in-one tool for marketers to advertise on TikTok. The company offers a variety of solutions for brands to increase their engagement via TikTok, including everything from interactive polls to enticing hashtag challenges. Brands even can employ various advertising options to increase their reach among TikTok users.

How does TikTok for Business work? Brands using TikTok advertising can employ the specialized ad platform or create their own organic video content to share with TikTok users. TikTok ads then appear for users in between other videos, often creatively appearing similar to non-advertising video content to bolster engagement.

Is TikTok for Business Free?

TikTok for business is a popular platform for marketing brands because of its flexible and cost-effective pricing structure. It’s free to set up a TikTok account, and advertising costs are based on engagement. To place an ad, prices start at $10 per CPM, with a minimum ad group budget of $50. According to reports from AdAge, TikTok advertising costs can range from $50,000 to $120,000, depending on the ad format and its duration.

Why TikTok Users Should be Part of Your Business Marketing Strategy

Why should TikTok users be part of your business marketing strategy? The enormous engaged audience on Tiktok makes it an ideal market for practically any brand to reach. Almost two-thirds of TikTok users told Global Web Index they tend to purchase from brands they see advertised on the platform.

TikTok is also an ideal market for brands targeting youthful audiences. The social media platform is dominated by Generation Z, and its user base is largely composed of the key demographic aged between 18 and 34 – an age group with more than $140 billion in buying power. In fact, young adults spend more time on TikTok than they spend on other social media platforms. TikTok users spend an average of 80 minutes each day on the social media platform, interacting with organic content and ads.

The TikTok for Business platform is designed to encourage TikTok users’ engagement with branded content. TikTok features a variety of ad formats that appeal to brands and their different audiences.

Setting Up Your TikTok Business Account

How do you set up your TikTok Business account? Getting started on the social media platform is simple, just following the following basic steps:

1. Download TikTok from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Log in to TikTok or sign up for a free TikTok profile.
3. Select the “Me” tab from the bottom of the screen.
4. Choose “Manage account,” then select “Switch to Business Account.”
5. Select the category that best represents your brand. Answer a few other questions about your organization.
6. Once you’ve established your TikTok for Business profile, you are ready to create short videos and other marketing content for your target audience.

Ways to Use TikTok for Business

TikTok’s engaged audience thrives on the variety of content presented by the social media platform, and small businesses are relying on the platform for a variety of social media marketing campaigns. How are small businesses using TikTok for Business?

TikTok Adverts

Posting video ads are some of the most common ways small businesses use TikTok for Business. Brands can establish TikTok advertising campaigns and place a variety of ad formats to meet various business and audience needs. Small businesses can choose TikTok ad formats such as in-feed ads, top view ads, and branded effect ads.

Influencer Marketing

The most popular TikTok influencers are followed by millions, and brands can harness the power of such engaged audiences by partnering with TikTok influencers in multiple ways. Because they use their platforms to inspire, encourage and motivate audiences, TikTok stars are in the perfect position to encourage followers’ choices and influence their behaviors. Choosing to partner with influencers in the right niche or category can help brands appear on TikTok users’ Discover page.

Brand Takeovers

A brand takeover advertisement is another popular TikTok marketing choice. These ads dominate screens for the first few seconds a user opens the platform, capturing the audience’s attention. Brand takeover ads also appear in other areas of TikTok, and they can feature links to a branded landing page within the platform.

TikTok to Create Content

Because TikTok is a naturally engaging platform, it can be used to interact with target audiences simply by creating organic content like entertaining or motivational videos and other niche content. Popular TikTok content used by successful brands includes hashtag challenges, how-to videos, and product demonstrations. Other types of TikTok videos employed by brands include team introductions, before-and-after videos, case studies, and videos that tell unique stories of products, customers, and brands.

TikTok for User-Generated Content

Organic content is one of the best ways to generate new business from TikTok, but a brand can only generate so much of its own content. That’s why user-generated content is a popular marketing tool on TikTok for Business. When users see other people like themselves interacting with a product, it inspires trust in the brand and motivates them to try it out, too. User-generated content is the online equivalent of traditional word-of-mouth advertising.

What is the TikTok Target Audience?

The TikTok app continues to grow in popularity, and the TikTok community is a youthful and engaged audience. Of TikTok’s 1.2 billion monthly active users, 43% are between 18 and 24 years old, and another 32% are between the ages of 25 and 34. 138 million of TikTok’s monthly active users live in the United States, where 21% of all people said they used TikTok in 2021.

Brands Using TikTok for Business

TikTok for Business is taking off among the world’s most popular brands. While some only post TikTok videos and advertisements occasionally, others have mastered the platform and use it to engage audiences by the millions.

Interested in what many brands are doing right on TikTok to help model your own social media marketing strategy? The following five companies are rocking it on TikTok for Business:

Spikeball

TikTok was practically made for brands like Spikeball. Without video, how else is a target audience going to grasp a game that crosses volleyball with foursquare? Watching the game must be almost as much fun as playing it since Spikeball boasts 1.2 million followers watching its fun and entertaining video content.

Chipotle

The restauranteur has succeeded on TikTok by regularly posting new content for its engaged audience of 1.7 million followers. Chipotle has also taken advantage of branded hashtags to generate excitement among its target market. The brand ran a TikTok marketing campaign on Halloween, for example, with a #boorito hashtag that was viewed more than 4 billion times.

NBA

The National Basketball Association has been mastering TikTok to engage sports fans since practically the inception of the social media platform. The NBA’s TikTok for Business profile shares a plethora of engaging video content for its 14.8 million followers. While it showcases game highlights and news on other platforms, the brand focuses on funny sports videos and other comedic memes to engage its TikTok followers.

Gymshark

With 5.3 million followers, Gymshark has shown you don’t have to be a global industry powerhouse to dominate TikTok for Business. The British fitness apparel brand has built its following by consistently posting quality videos that attract a broad audience. To appeal to its target market, Gymshark typically shares videos related to fitness, workouts, and inspiration.

ESPN

There’s no question that ESPN dominates on TikTok. The broadcaster boasts 23.1 million followers, which it keeps entertained with plenty of hilarious and motivational sports videos. Audiences remain so engaged that the brand boasts an impressive 1.7 billion likes.

TikTok Brand Guidelines

Before a small business even thinks about how to get paid on TikTok, it must be aware of the platform’s brand guidelines to ensure it follows all the proper rules and meets the requirements to run a successful TikTok ads campaign.

TikTok offers a list of guidelines for its advertisers, including rules that ads must be in approved languages, ads must lack spelling and other errors, ads must not encourage actions not supported by the platform, and ads must meet image and video specifications. TikTok also prohibits branded content that promotes globally prohibited industries, while other prohibitions vary by country.

How Your Business’s TikTok Account Can be Successful

Digital marketing can be simple with the right tools and strategies. Any small business has the potential to engage target audiences with a successful TikTok ads campaign and other branded content. You can interact with your followers by posting trending videos using the following tips:

• Set the proper tone. TikTok is a platform for lighthearted, entertaining content.
• Remember your personal brand voice. Always showcase your brand’s personality to better engage your target audience.
• Understand and anticipate the Tiktok algorithm. Understanding how TikTok categorizes and sorts content will help you optimize your videos for the best results.
• Post consistent Tiktok video content. TikTok users are most engaged with brands that post regular and consistent content, so don’t be a stranger.
• Don’t forget user interaction. Engaged audiences are more likely to promote a brand and include it in their user content, so be sure to interact with your followers on TikTok.
• Utilize influencer marketing. Influencers have a ready-made audience of engaged followers, and partnering with them helps brands harness the power of that influence to their own advantage.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "How to Use TikTok for Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

Best Pricing Guns for Small Retail Businesses

Even if you have a small retail business, pricing your products by hand is a labor-intensive task that takes up too much time. But you can overcome this inconvenience with pricing label guns for your business so you can zip through the job.

However, with so many different pricing gun models in the market, which one is the best one. And is there a big difference between each brand, after all, they all basically do the same thing. True enough, the job of the price gun is pretty much the same, but there is a massive difference in terms of quality and accessories.

The more recognized brands have better construction, customer support, and accessories such as labels. With that in mind, here are seven of the top-price guns you can get right now.

How do Pricing Guns Work?

Pricing Guns are a great way for merchants and retailers to affix price tags and prices onto various products. With a price gun, you can add the price labels onto the product with ease, since price guns come with the labels. Once you have loaded the price guns with the labels, you can use the pricing gun to stick the labels onto products.

Pricing guns use a unique ink roller to provide relief printing on material—in this case, a piece of paper. The ink roller is inserted into the selected slot in the magazine and then rolls over the letters and numbers arranged on the other side of the magazine. This results in an image being printed on the paper. Pricing gun manufacturers often design their products with two or more slots in the magazine to give users more flexibility when it comes to which price information they wish to print.

Benefits of Pricing Guns

Pricing guns are the most efficient way to price your goods compared to printing and sticking each individual label. The guns help reduce the cost of pricing merchandise by automating the process and allowing prices to be easily changed when needed.

• Price guns are accurate. Using a price gun ensures that the right price is being attached to the right product. Because they are digitally controlled, price guns can label items with prices, expiration dates, or even store slogans with the push of a button. Accuracy can be checked before the sticker or tag even leaves the price gun to insure the product is marked appropriately with the correct information.
• Price guns can be used on a variety of surfaces. There are no limits when it comes to marking items with a price gun. Virtually any surface can be marked with a price gun, including glass products and frozen foods.
• Price guns for product promotion. Use these easy-to-use labeling tools to make promotional impacts even with pricing and tagging on your products. Labels can be printed in your company’s signature color coding, and multi-row barrels increase both label availability and the number of possible price points. Pricing guns feature a built-in ink roller for trouble-free tag application.
• Price guns help with Inventory tracking. Pricing guns help businesses track their inventory. They have a clear display that sets up in seconds and utilizes a one-hand operation for speed, accuracy and efficiency. A price gun is a great investment to save your business time and money.

Best Retail Pricing Guns

• Top Pick: Monarch 925082 Pricemarker
• Runner Up: Perco Pro 1 Line Date Label Gun Kit
• Best Value: MoTEX MX-5500NEW Single Line Price Labeler

Monarch 925082 Pricemarker

Top Pick: Monarch is one of theleading manufacturers of pricing guns. The company makes these tools across many different price points and functionality to address the needs of various industries.

The Monarch 925082 is a 2-line eight-character per-line pricing gun with a patented no-mess inking system. All you have to do is dial the characters you need to print, and your label is ready to go.

This unit prints a maximum character height of 3mm for the top line and 5mm for the bottom line. It can hold larger label rolls to quickly reload it for improved productivity.

The Monarch 925082 comes in at 3.25 x 9.5 x 12.37 inches and weighs only one pound.

Monarch 925082 Pricemarker

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Perco Pro 2 Line Price Gun

Runner Up: This two-line pricing gun prints 16 digits for unit and case pricing that is ideal for food, inventory marking, restaurants, retail, as well as anywhere you need to label something. You can print a month, date AM/PM time, and tracking codes. Combine the top and bottom lines to print price, date, batch code, product code, or any identifiers for your products.

Perco sells its price guns with a Lifetime Warranty, but you have to register it to take advantage of this offer. The dimensions are 10.4 x 6.7 x 2.8 inches, and it weighs 1.2 pounds.

erco Pro 2 Line Price Gun, 8 Digit 2 Line Price Label Gun

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MoTEX MX-5500NEW Single Line Price Labeler

Best Value: The MoTEX pricing gun is an ergonomically designed device for easy operation during long hours of labeling items. You can print up to eight digits in one line on 12x22mm labels.

A one-touch open system lets you change the ink roller and label. And each squeeze of the trigger loads and prints the label clearly. Made in South Korea, the company provides a lifetime warranty after scanning the QR code and entering the 12-digit verification code. It is light and comfortable at only 10 ounces and 10.08 x 8.58 x 3.31 inches.

MoTEX MX-5500NEW Single Line Price Labeler

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Towa Price Gun (GS18 )

Towa price guns are known for their quality construction and reliability. An all-metal frame, adjustable print head, and serrated waste make printing labels very efficient. Made in Japan, they are considered the finest labelers in the market.

This Towa prints one line with eight digits, making it perfect for pricing, dating, and coding your products. It comes in three models: GS one-line, GL two-line, and GX three-line, along with custom band set-ups. If you want a device that will last for years, this is it.

Towa pricing guns have the advantage of being able to print a ‘top and bottom line. This is because the Towa print-head is situated in the middle of the label, not at one end like other manufacturers. The extra space on either side of the price make this gun very versatile for printing additional information, such as weight and price per Kilo or litre etc.z0

Towa GS18 Price Marking Label Gun

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Monarch 925072 Price Gun

This Monarch pricing guns prints one line with eight characters per line price labels. It comes with all the features as the other one, including the patented inking system. And just like our Best Choice price gun, it comes with the company’s quality and reliability.

The only difference with this monarch pricing guns is that it is slightly smaller than other monarch guns. It still weighs the same, but it is 12.19 x 9.69 x 3.2 inches.

One of the advantages of Monarch pricing guns is you can get labels, ink rollers, and other parts with relative ease. The convenience of these tagging guns is essential for businesses of all sizes.

Monarch 925072 Pricemarker

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Garvey 22-66 Price Gun with Date Marking

The Garvey 22-66 is a 2-line pricing gun with six characters for retail inventory, food prep labels, record keeping, and even lab management. It is made with a reinforced ABS body with internal steel components to provide durability and longevity. The design allows for easy drop-in label loading to reduce downtime and increase productivity.

Garvey offers a 100% risk-free money-back guarantee on its price guns as well as a 5-year Limited Warranty. It is not too heavy at 10.55 x 6.54 x 2.72 inches and 1.71 pounds, and the ergonomic handle reduces fatigue while labeling.

Garvey 22-66 Price & Date Marking Gun Starter Kit

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Sato Retail Price Gun

Sato pricing guns are known for their solid construction and ability to withstand the demanding wear and tear in commercial and industrial environments. It prints labels in two lines with eight characters per line. You can print a batch number on the top and a price or number on the bottom with this capability.

The Sato PB2-180 price gun is compatible with the Sato 180, LSA 1618, and Avery Dennison 216 labels. At 10 x 4 x 1 inch, it weighs 2 pounds.

Sato Price Gun: TSA180 (PB2-180)

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Meto PL 5.16, 1 Line Pricing Tool for 1600 Labels

The Meto PL 5.16 is the ‘perfect tagging gun for your light to medium labeling jobs. It uses the Meto 1600 labels and 2200 ink roller, and it’s very easy to load with its unique feed system. It has a clear, easy to read print which will be sure to make your pricing stand out on any shelf.

Meto PL 5.16, 1 Line Pricing Tool for 1600 Labels

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XL Pro 22V Date Time Label Gun 1-Line 8 Characters

The Meto PL 5.16 Is another model added to other XL Pro models. It is the ‘perfect tagging gun for your light to medium labeling tasks.’ With its flexible printing options, this machine can be used for a variety of jobs; it holds rolls that have 1200 labels each and has a quick drop-in loading feature. This tagger will help you save time when you need to get your work done fast!

XL Pro 22V Date Time Label Gun 1-Line 8 Characters

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2006 Pieces Clothes Tagging Applicator Gun Set

This garment tagging applicator gun set is an ideal tool that can be used to add barbs fasteners onto clothes,textiles,toys,luggage,bags and more. The clothing tag applicator is designed with a comfortable handle grip that is easy to use and durable. Besides, the garment tagging tool can easily adjust the height of the needle for different sizes of materials. You can choose the suitable tag fastener size according to your needs. This clothing label applicator offers great value for money and is an indispensable tool for packaging and labeling all kinds of clothes in a professional way, which will attract customers’ attention significantly.

2006 Pieces Clothes Tagging Applicator Gun Set

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ASIBT MX5500 EOS Yellow 8 Digits Pricing Gun Kit with 7,000 Labels & Spare Ink

The MX-5500 is a high performance 8 digit labeling gun for direct thermal and thermal transfer printing. It allows users to easily create, edit and print labels, tag or mark virtually any surface with nominal effort. The MX-5500 features an ergonomic design and a new easy to load mechanism.

ASIBT MX5500 EOS Yellow 8 Digits Pricing Gun Kit

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Honelo MX-5500 EOS 8 Digits Red Price Tag Gun with 1,000 pcs Labels

A handy price stickers gun you can use immediately for a business or a retail store. Perfect for office,grocery store,product code,business organization marking and used to print price tags for clothes, bookes.It can be used as an expiration date gun for foods also.

Honelo MX-5500 EOS 8 Digits Red Price Tag Gun

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Guide to Buying Your Next Pricing Gun

Pricing guns perform a limited number of functions, so it is not hard to find quality pieces at reasonable prices. If your budget can afford it, this is one item you should splurge on because it’s more then just pricing, it’s order and accountability. Besides the higher-end price guns can last forever, so why snooze.

But before you buy one, consider the following points.

• Pricing gun type: There are pricing guns that print one, two, or three lines with up to 12 characters in a single line in the marketplace. If you only want to display the price, a single-line price gun will do the job. On the other hand, if you’re going to show additional information such as a batch number or a manufacturing and expiration date, you need a two-line price gun. And a three-line device will let you add yet more information specific to your business.
• Character requirement: Make sure to choose a pricing gun that has the character requirements for your business. This includes letters, numbers, symbols, and any other characters your business might need.
• Output quality: The print output differentiates a good pricing gun from a bad one. After all, you want your customers to read the price and other information you print on your tags.
• Volume: One of the reasons you want a high-quality pricing gun is to hand any volume of work. If your business is labeling a large volume of items, you will want a pricing gun that is reliable, easy to load, fast, and easy to use.
• Accessories: A pricing gun will require Ink rollers and labels. Make sure the company you choose always has these supplies on hand. Similarly, it would help if you also kept extra supplies of these accessories. Set a minimum for ordering more supplies so you will not get caught shorthanded.
• Cost: There are numerous advantages to using a pricing gun. The money and time saved over other labeling options makes the price gun an easy choice. For less than the cost of a few hundred labels, you can buy a pricing gun. Pricing guns have a simple design that is easy to use and maintain with reasonable shipping cost.

Label Adhesive Price Tags

A label adhesive might be the last thing you think of when you get a pricing gun, but here is why you should take another look. When you get your labels for your pricing gun, you have three adhesive options.

The first one is a permanent adhesive. This type of adhesive will ensure the label stays on there so the customer can see the information for a long time. Items with expiration dates and preventing criminals from changing tags in your store are just a couple of examples.

The second one is a peelable adhesive that will not damage the product, even if it has been there long. The only difference between the permanent adhesive is you can remove it easily. Other than that, they are the same. The label will stay stuck.

There are adhesives for different use cases. The third one is a freezer adhesive. And as the name implies, it is for items that will eventually end up in the freezer. If your business needs this type of adhesive, make sure to ask about the temperature limitations of the adhesive. Once the temperature goes down beyond a set degree, the adhesive hardens and becomes permanent.

Price Guns with Custom Labels

Remember, if you want to go beyond the regular white labels for your business, you can customize your labels. You can add everything from colors to your brand’s logo. But make sure it doesn’t interfere with the information you are putting on the label.

So, before you buy a pricing gun, consider the points mentioned above and what kind of information you will print on your labels, and the environment you will be using your pricing gun.

Pricing guns are a vital tool for any retail business. Price gun labels allow you to easily and quickly price your products with custom labels. No need to waste time printing and sticking complex price labels – simply place the label over one of the wheels, then pull the trigger to seal the deal.

Some pricing guns will help you keep track of inventory and restocking and allow you to sell items by date. Pricing guns with date coding features provides efficient record keeping and can help keep your product from being outdated or being overstocked.

Using a price gun label assures that the right price is being attached to the right product. Since they are mostly controlled digitally. Price guns can label items with prices, expiration dates.

How do you load a price gun?

Loading a price gun might seem a little bit complicated however, it is relatively easy to handle. By following these steps:

• Lift up the label compartment.
• Insert the labels inside the compartment. Then close it.
• Release the base plate by pushing the tab located by the side of your gun.
• Close the base plate and turn your gun upside down.
• Squeeze your pricing gun slowly till it catches the paper label.

How much do pricing guns cost?

A typical pricing gun costs between $30 – $80. This price is not fixed as it is dependent on many factors such as quality, brand, etc.

Qualify for discounts, special offers and more with a Business Prime account from Amazon. You can create a FREE account to get started today.

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This article, "Best Pricing Guns for Small Retail Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

Top 50 Cryptocurrencies

Cryptocurrencies are digital currencies that act as mediums for exchange, just like regular money. One of the differences between cryptocurrencies and paper money is that cryptocurrencies are designed to exchange information digitally through public databases or blockchains. The blockchain is database is distributed across computers that run using blockchain software. No single entity owns or controls the database, and anyone can access the database, offer proof of ownership, and transfer cryptocurrencies through the use of crypto wallets. the global cryptocurrency market in just a decade has grown exponentially.

How Many Cryptocurrencies are There?

The crypto space is vast there are over 10,000 digital currencies in the market today. Due to the relative ease to launch different cryptocurrencies developers and businesses are tapping into the global crypto market to generate profits and connect with tech–savvy communities. Users too are opening cryptocurrency investment accounts in a bid to speculate in the crypto market, trade NFTs, buy digital assets, and more. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Binance Coin are considered the popular cryptocurrencies in use. While lesser-known cryptos are more speculative and unpredictable. Before you buy look at the top 50 cryptocurrencies to hedge your investments.

What is Cryptocurrency Market Cap?

As of March 2022, the cryptocurrency market cap is $2 trillion. Simply put a cryptocurrency market capitalization or market cap is the total value of all the coins of a particular cryptocurrency that have been mined. It’s calculated by multiplying the number of coins in circulation by the current market price of a single coin.

Top 10 Cryptocurrency Options of 2022 by Market Capitalization

Despite the huge selection of cryptocurrencies in the market, not all cryptocurrencies are the same. Some go strong while others risk withering away. Those that have shown resilience continue to dominate the market. Below are our top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

1. Bitcoin

Bitcoin was originally created in 2009 making it the original cryptocurrency and the most well-known crypto token that you can buy. Originating as a peer-to-peer digital currency it is the largest cryptocurrency in circulation where its blockchain handles bitcoin cash transactions through a decentralized network without any third party to facilitate trading.

2. Etherium

Ethereum (ETH) is considered the first Bitcoin alternative. It is a favorite among program developers as it offers users a myriad of applications such as executing smart contracts in the trading of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

3. Tether

Tether is one of the first and most popular of a group of so-called stable coins which means that it is backed by fiat currencies like the U.S. dollars and the Euro is valued is pegged to those currencies. This makes Tether relatively more consistent than other cryptocurrencies, and it’s favored by investors who want some form of control over the extreme volatility of cryptocurrencies.

4. Binance Coin

The Binance Coin is a cryptocurrency that is used to trade and pay fees over the Binance crypto exchange. It has now crossed over to other marketplaces for trading in other crypto exchanges, exchanging with other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Bitcoin, processing payments, or even booking travel arrangements.

5. USD Coin

USD Coin is a stable coin that increases its value as per the fiat currency the US dollar. This is because each circulating unit of the USD Coin cryptocurrency is backed up by US dollar and kept reserved- thus guaranteeing users that they can withdraw one USD coin and receive 1$ in return making it a practical application for real-time transactions.

6. Litecoin (LTC)

Launched in 2011 Litecoin (LTC), was among the first cryptocurrencies to follow the launch of Bitcoin. This is an open-source, peer-to-peer digital currency that enables instant, near-zero cost payments to anyone in the world.

7. Cardano (ADA)

Cardano (ADA) is billed as a third-generation blockchain, following Bitcoin and Ethereum. Cardano aims to compete directly with Ethereum and other decentralized application platforms, saying that it is a more scalable, secure, and efficient alternative.

8. Polkadot (DOT)

Polkadot (DOT) is a unique Proof of Stake (PoS) cryptocurrency where those connected to the network can verify transactions to receive freshly minted tokens. It launched smart contract capabilities as early as May 2021, and already supports hundreds of projects.

9. Avalanche (AVAX)

Avalanche (AVAX) cryptocurrency ensures high transaction security coupled with speed scaling a trillion per second. AVAX functions as a rewards and payment system for users and comes with one of the fastest smart contracts platforms in the blockchain industry.

10. Solana (SOL)

Solana (SOL) aims to make Decentralized Finance (DeFi) globally accessible. Launched in March 2020 it works to improve scalability with the help of the proof-of-history (PoH) and proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus algorithm.

40 More Top Cryptocurrency Options of 2022 by Market Cap

If you are looking in investing in more cryptocurrency options below are some 40 other cryptocurrency options by market cap:

11. XMR (Monero)

Launched in 2014 XMR (Monero) is an open-source cryptocurrency. It was launched with a focus on decentralization and scalability, allowing users complete privacy.

12. Dogecoin (DOGE)

Dogecoin (DOGE) first started as a meme coin in 2021 it has seen its price skyrocket recently with many adopting its usage. Companies like the Dallas Mavericks, Kronos, and even SpaceX have started accepting it as a form of payment.

 13. Algo (Algorand)

Algo (Algorand) offers high-speed and low transaction fees compared to other cryptocurrencies. It works using the PoS consensus algorithm which users can use to trade in goods and services.

14. ATOM (Cosmos)

ATOM (Cosmos) is a cryptocurrency being offered by Cosmos network. It offers users the ability to handle smart contracts and automate transactions while working on the Proof-of-Stake consensus blockchain.

15. XRP (Ripple)

XRP is Ripple’s cryptocurrency which allows users to send money at a very low cost, attracting the potential interest of retail customers and banks alike. A key selling point of Ripple is its low transaction costs while offering transaction completions in under five seconds.

16. MATIC (Polygon)

MATIC is a cryptocurrency of the Polygon network that is based on the Ethereum blockchain and can be stored in any Ethereum wallet. It is used for payment services on Polygon and for settlements between users who work on the Polygon trading platform.

17. TerraUSD (UST)

TerraUSD (UST) is a stable coin hosted by the Terra network and pegged to key currencies. TerraUSD coins are all pegged to their respective currencies algorithmically, instead of using reserves of fiat currency.

18. SHIBA INU (SHIB)

Created in August 2020 SHIBA INU is an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency like Dogecoin within the Shiba ecosystem. SHIB can be purchased and sold through ShibaSwap, but can also be found on Uniswap and other crypto exchanges.

19. EGLD (Elrond)

Elrond’s token is EGLD or eGold is used for paying fees, rewarding validators, and staking. Launched in 2020 its blockchain protocol seeks to offer extremely fast transaction speeds by using sharding where data is spread across multiple computers.

20. MANA (Decentraland)

MANA (Decentraland) is an Ethereum token that powers the Decentraland virtual reality platform. MANA can be used to pay for virtual plots of land in Decentraland as well as select goods and services.

21. TRONIX (TRX)

Tronix (TRX) is the primary cryptocurrency of the TRON blockchain which is used to manage transactions between entertainment, content creators, and purchasers. With the help of the TRON blockchain, people who actively use social media networks, and other types of entertainment will benefit from the use of their content by others.

22. Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC)

Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) is an Ethereum cryptocurrency that is intended to represent Bitcoin (BTC) on the Ethereum blockchain. It was created to allow Bitcoin holders to participate in decentralized finance apps that are popular on Ethereum.

23. Dai (DAI)

Dai is a stable coin cryptocurrency that aims to keep its value as close to one United States dollar.  Dai is maintained and regulated by MakerDAO, and offers ab automated system of smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain.

24. Filecoin (FIL)

Filecoin is an open-source cryptocurrency that powers the Filecoin network. The Filecoin network is a decentralized peer-to-peer file storage network that aims to let anyone store, retrieve, and host digital information.

25. TrueUSD (TUSD)

TrueUSD is a stablecoin launched by parent company TrustToken and is pegged to the US dollar. This cryptocurrency facilitates trading in both digital assets and other physical assets.

26. Pax Dollar (USDP)

Launched in September 2018, Pax Dollar is a cryptocurrency that is pegged to fiat money. Pax Dollar offers the advantage of transacting with blockchain assets through minimized price risk.

27. Neutrino USD (USDN)

Neutrino USD (USDN) is stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Through its Decentralized Forex (DeFo) extension users can swap it for popular national currencies, indices, or commodities.

28. Tribe (TRIBE)

Tribe is the governance cryptocurrency for FEI. Fei Protocol creates a tight peg by providing $1 redeemability for Tribe.

29. Cronos (CRO)

Cronos (CRO) is the cryptocurrency token of Cronos Chain. It is a decentralized, open-source blockchain developed by the Crypto.com payment, trading, and financial services company.

30. FTT

FTT is the cryptocurrency token of the crypto derivatives trading platform FTX. Launched in 2019 FTX claims that it stands out due to features such as clawback prevention, a centralized collateral pool, and universal stable coin settlement.

31. Gemini Dollar (GUSD)

Gemini Dollar (GUSD)is a stable coin that is pegged to the US dollar issued by Gemini. Founded in 2014 this digital currency allows you to buy, sell and store digital assets.

 32. Liquity USD (LUSD)

LUSD is the USD-pegged stable coin used to pay out loans on the Liquity protocol. To borrow users must first open a Trove and deposit a certain amount of collateral (ETH) to it and can then draw LUSD up to a collateral ratio of 110%.

33. ECash (XEC)

ECash (XEC) is the rebranded version of Bitcoin Cash ABC (BCHA). This cryptocurrency is designed to act as a means of transaction used to pay for goods and services.

 34. sUSD

sUSD is a cryptocurrency developed by the Synthetix protocol. It is a stable coin that tracks the price of the US dollar through price feeds supplied by Chainlink’s decentralized network of oracles.

35. Celo Dollar CUSD

cUSD (Celo Dollars) is a stablecoin that is pegged to the US dollar. With cUSD, users can share money on their mobile devices.

36. Qcash

Qcash is a stablecoin that is designed to mirror the value of the Chinese Yuan (CNY). It was created to have a stable cryptocurrency that can be used as a digital CNY.

37. mStable USD (mUSD)

mStable USD is a cryptocurrency that is backed by a basket of USD-pegged stable coins. It also offers some of the best risk-adjusted savings in terms of the rate of return that will be earned in one year in DeFis.

38. Stably USD (USDS)

Stably USD (USDS) is a cryptocurrency and operates on the Ethereum platform. Pegged against the US dollar collateral it is held in FDIC-insured trust accounts managed by Prime Trust.

39. KuCoin Token (KCS)

KCS is a native token of the KuCoin exchange launched in 2017. It is designed to act as a profit-sharing token that allows traders to draw value from the exchange.

40. Huobi Token (HT)

Huobi Token (HT) is a cryptocurrency token of the cryptocurrency exchange Huobi Global. It is based on the Ethereum blockchain platform and is used by Huobi in its loyalty program that rewards members with a range of discounts.

41. Zcash

Zcash is a digital currency that offers fast and confidential process transactions at low fees. With it, users can pay friends, family, and service providers or even use it to purchase at stores or online stores.

42. Fantom (FTM)

Fantom is the digital cryptocurrency for the Fantom exchange an open-source smart contract platform for digital assets and decentralized apps (dApps). Fantom aims to solve problems associated with smart-contract platforms, specifically transaction speed.

43. Stellar Lumens (XLM)

Stellar Lumens (XLM) is the native cryptocurrency of Stellar, a blockchain-based payment network. With Lumens, users can trade in assets at relatively lower fees.

44. SAND

SAND is the cryptocurrency used for The Sandbox, a popular 3D metaverse game built on the Ethereum network. With it, users can explore, purchase land and create structures that can be monetized.

45. EOS

EOS is the cryptocurrency underpinning the EOS.IO blockchain protocol. With it, users can execute smart contracts, and help in trading digital assets.

46. Helium (HNT)

Helium (HNT) is a native cryptocurrency for Helium a decentralized blockchain-powered network for the Internet of Things (IoT). The Helium token was created mainly for the maintenance of hotspots and paying network operators.

47. Flow

Flow is the native currency for the Flow network a blockchain built for apps, games, and digital assets.  The crypto Flow is designed as a payment method as well as a long-term reserve asset for the entire Flow economy.

48. Maker (MKR)

Maker (MKR) is the cryptocurrency used for MakerDAO and Maker Protocol based on the Ethereum blockchain. MKR token’s purpose is to generate another Ethereum token, called Dai, that seeks to trade on exchanges at a value of exactly US$1.00.

49. Stacks token (STX)

Stacks token (STX) is the cryptocurrency used on the Stacks blockchain. This cryptocurrency is designed to execute smart contracts and purchase decentralized applications, NFTs, and other assets.

50. Chiliz

Chiliz is digital money for sports and entertainment for the Socios.com platform for sports enthusiasts. It lets users trade tokens to show their support for professional sports teams

How to Pick the Right Cryptocurrency

If you’re wondering which cryptocurrency to invest in you should base your purchases on market capitalization, the volume of coins in the market, and what purposes does the cryptocurrency serve. If you do not have the stomach in speculating on a cryptocurrency that is volatile perhaps you should look for stable cryptocurrencies. For additional resources on cryptocurrencies checkout or articles on how to buy cryptocurrency, how to sell cryptocurrency, and how to accept crypto payments.

What are Smart Contracts?

A smart contract is a digital transaction agreement between two people in the form of computer code. They run over a blockchain, which is a network of computers that executes the actions when predetermined conditions have been met and verified such as fund transfers, purchases, or exchanges. The code controls the execution, and transactions are trackable and irreversible. They help in eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries, fraud losses, and accidental transactions.

How Much Does Cryptocurrency Cost?

Simply put prices for cryptocurrency prices are based on supply and demand. The price will rise if demand is greater than supply. However, stablecoins are pegged against a particular currency so they have a 1:1 value.

What is the Most Popular Cryptocurrency?

Bitcoin is the most popular cryptocurrency in the market and is the most traded crypto on blockchains.

What’s the Next Big Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrencies have yet to completely go mainstream. They are prone to high volatility and unpredictable as investment advice it is best to keep an eye on cryptocurrencies that have a market cap and good prices. You can also check out.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "Top 50 Cryptocurrencies" was first published on Small Business Trends

SBA Expands Community Advantage Pilot Program to Provide Funding to Underserved Entrepreneurs

Impactful reforms to the SBA’s Community Advantage loan program have been announced by Vice President Kamala Harris and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

SBA Expands Community Advantage Pilot Program to Provide Funding to Underserved Entrepreneurs

The loan program is a key tool for Community Development Financial Institutions, Community Development Companies, microlenders and other critical mission-based lending partners. It prioritizes equitable access to capital for low-income borrowers and those from underserved communities.

Community Advantage Reforms Lauded

The reforms have been lauded by around 100 organizations, including small business community allies, stakeholders, leaders and industry experts. The reforms also drew praise from congressional members.

Among the multiple reforms listed in the official SBA press release is an extension to the pilot program until September in 2024. It was originally going to end this year, but will now continue for a further two years. The SBA has also removed the restrictions that prevent individuals with criminal backgrounds from accessing the Community Advantage program.

Reforms to ‘Build on Momentum’

The head of the SBA, Administrator Guzman, said of the reforms: “America’s mission-driven lenders have been a critical partner to the SBA in getting much-needed financial relief to underserved businesses throughout the COVID pandemic. Scaling the SBA’s Community Advantage pilot program will help us build on that momentum, create a broader distribution network and better ensure the opportunities of our nation’s accelerating recovery are accessible to more entrepreneurs pursuing their American dreams of starting and growing a successful business.

“The Community Advantage pilot expansion and reforms reflect the central role that President Biden and Vice President Harris have given to building equity across this Administration and removing historic inequities and barriers that have limited economic growth for all. My thanks to Vice President Harris, a longtime champion for Community Development Financial Institutions and other mission-driven lenders, for supporting this important change and helping to improve access to capital for more American entrepreneurs.”

Small Business Leaders Respond

Many small business leaders and local organizations responded positively to the reforms. One such, the president and CEO at Small Business Majority, John Arensmeyer, described the value of the loan program, saying: “The Community Advantage Pilot Program is a vital resource that has helped mission-driven lenders provide more capital to underserved entrepreneurs, particularly those owned by women and people of color.

“These loans allow small business owners the flexibility in capital they need to sustain their operations, including covering payroll, making business improvements, buying supplies, and hiring employees.  While many small businesses are still struggling to recover from the pandemic, now is the time to take the next step to extend and expand this critical program to support entrepreneurs who need it most.”

Image: sba

This article, "SBA Expands Community Advantage Pilot Program to Provide Funding to Underserved Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends

How Do You Sell Your Company for $100 Million in 2 Years?

It’s the dream of every entrepreneur that ever started a company. How do you build something in a short period of time that another company will pay $100M for?

On The Small Business Radio Show, Josh Landan started his career telling stories from behind the lens – filming, directing, writing, and producing films and documentaries featuring some of the world’s top surfers, snowboarders, and skateboarders. The passion for bringing his athlete friends’ stories to life led him to create Saint Archer Brewing Company. Josh sold this company to Coors for $100 million.

We first talked about how he went from surfers, skateboarders and snowboarders to beer to $100 million. Josh said, “I had an idea, and I went for it. I thought that it would be fun to do. I wasn’t scared to jump into the deep end and move my family to San Diego. When you push yourself into the deep end, it is amazing what you can learn and accomplish.  This is what most people are not willing to do.“

Josh raised $3 million for the first business for Saint Archer Brewing from family and friends. He adds “they invested in me because my family was on the line. They believed in me. That is not something that is learned in college.”

In the first week, Josh was selling a lot of beer. “I come from skateboarding which is built on authenticity. I took it to a craft beer category that was asleep at the wheel. What did the other brands really stand for? In skateboarding, I knew everything about the brands. I brought this to beer and to consumers.” Josh adds that he didn’t have the best beer, but had the best brand.

Two years later, Coors paid him $100 million for his craft beer brand.

Finally, Josh explains why he said no to Anhueser-Busch who wanted to buy his current company, Ashland Hard Seltzer.

Listen to the entire interview on the $100M sale on The Small Business Radio Show.

Image: ashlandhardseltzer

This article, "How Do You Sell Your Company for $100 Million in 2 Years?" was first published on Small Business Trends

Increase Revenue and Grow Your Business at This NYC Expo

As an entrepreneur, one of your goals is to increase your revenue and grow your business. And whether you are a startup or an established business, learning new skillsets is one way to achieve this. New York City Small Business Expo 2022 is designed to educate small business owners with workshops to drive immediate action and business growth.

Experts from leading brands will share their strategies for implementing business-critical information to help your business grow. Speakers from Google, Wells Fargo, Yahoo, authors, and industry experts will take part.

Register now by clicking the red button and attend this one-day event on June 24, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in New York City.

Register Now

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Featured Events, Contests and Awards

TECHSPO Atlanta 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
June 30, 2022, Atlanta, Georgia

TECHSPO Atlanta is a two-day technology expo returning June 30th to July 1st, 2022 at the luxurious The Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. TECHSPO Atlanta brings together some of the best developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, innovators and evangelists looking to set the pace in our advanced world of technology.

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New York City Small Business Expo 2022
June 24, 2022, New York, United States

Small Business Expo is America’s Largest Business to Business Trade Show, Conference, Educational & Networking Event for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups. It is the most anticipated event of the year to take strategic action to immediately improve and grow your Small Business. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a must-attend event for you. Register today, it’s FREE!

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More Events

• Charlotte Small Business Expo 2022
  April 06, 2022, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Imagination Way – Unattended Retail in Consumer Environments
  April 06, 2022, Online
• 1-day Marketing Boot Camp for Students
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• Human Resources and Benefits Leadership Virtual Assembly- April 2022
  April 11, 2022, Virtual Event, United States
• Innovation Review on Autonomous Vehicles
  April 14, 2022, Online
• Webinar: Getting to Yes: Presentations that Compel Workshop
  April 14, 2022, Online
• PATCA Management Consultants Networking Breakfast
  April 18, 2022, Online
• Boston Small Business Expo 2022
  April 21, 2022, Boston, United States
• TECHSPO New York 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  April 21, 2022, Online
• Chief Data and Analytics Officers, APEX East 2022
  April 25, 2022, Online
• Insurance AI and Innovative Tech USA 2022
  April 26, 2022, Chicago, United States
• We would like to invite you to meet Mr. Brandon Wilson
  April 28, 2022, Online
• Unicorn Battle Asia Part of the Unicorn Events
  April 28, 2022, Online
• Philadelphia Small Business Expo 2022
  May 04, 2022, Philadelphia, United States
• DigiMarCon Midwest 2022 – Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition
  May 09, 2022, Chicago, Illinois
• TECHSPO Chicago 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  May 09, 2022, Chicago, IL
• Social Media Strategies Summit Public Agencies and Government
  May 09, 2022, Online
• Social Media Strategies Summit – First Responders | Virtual Conference
  May 09, 2022, Online
• TECHSPO Toronto 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  May 12, 2022, Toronto, Ontario
• Chicago Small Business Expo 2022
  May 19, 2022, Chicago, Illinois

More Contests

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the Small Business Events Calendar.

This article, "Increase Revenue and Grow Your Business at This NYC Expo" was first published on Small Business Trends

US Farmers Facing Skyrocketing Fertilizer Prices Due to Russia-Ukraine War

Farmers across the United States are feeling the pinch of rising fertilizer prices.

Reports show that since early 2021, fertilizer prices have rocketed as much as 300%. Amid shortages, inflation and the war between Russia and Ukraine, the cost of this essential product for farmers is continuing to rise, according to Modern Farmer.

US Farmers Facing Skyrocketing Fertilizer Prices Due to Russia-Ukraine War

John Waddell, American Grower’s Supply owner, said the price of his fertilizer supply has increased. Subsequently, he is forced to pass the cost on to customers.

”Cost is going up. It’s up about probably 50% on our end. So it’s hard to not pass that on,” said Waddell.

As a result of the higher costs, it can be difficult to sell products likes fertilizer at the moment, said Grower’s Supply owner.

”It’s a compounded scenario with multiple additives that have created such a high price on us being able to pull stuff in,” he added.

Shawn Jones, owner of 417 Mowing, has similar concerns, saying several of his fertilizers have gone up between 50% to more than 150%.

Russian War has Made the Situation Much Worse

With an organic fertilizer produced in Russia, the war in Ukraine has made the situation worse.

Rising fertilizer costs are having a double whammy on farmers, who are having to pay for the fertilizer and then for the food supply chain later when the increasing costs are passed on to stores and customers.

With the cost of fertilizer continuing to go up, many landscaping companies like 417 Mowing, who anticipate continued shortages, have started to stock up on fertilizer and other essential products like grass seed for the next fall.

Farmers across the United States would be wise to keep their eye on escalating costs and, like some companies are already doing, stock up on essential items like fertilizer to avoid running into supply chain issues that would significantly damage their business.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "US Farmers Facing Skyrocketing Fertilizer Prices Due to Russia-Ukraine War" was first published on Small Business Trends