Create a simple store in minutes
\nThe Shopify Starter Plan offers an easy, no-code setup. It’s perfect for sharing products across social.
\n![\"Graphic](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/starter_plan.jpg?v=1668796822\")
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What we now call members of the creator economy, we also call artists and entrepreneurs. Roman gladiators earned money for endorsing olive oils and wines that promised (presumably) that gladiator glow, and Leonardo da Vinci reportedly earned the contemporary equivalent of several million dollars a year for art sales and commissions.
\nThe 21st-century creator economy operates on many of the same principles: Influencers and creators can earn money through paid brand partnerships or by selling products. The key difference is that today’s content creators don’t need to reach celebrity status to generate income. Anyone can use digital content distribution and monetization tools to earn money online.
\nShortcuts
\nA content creator is a person who makes and distributes content. It’s a broad category—journalists, musicians, poets, videographers, and painters are all technically content creators.
\nDigital content creators represent a subset of this group. Digital creators make and publish content online, and many earn money selling work to brands or agencies or through paid brand partnerships.
\nCommon digital content types include the following:
\nCreate a simple store in minutes
\nThe Shopify Starter Plan offers an easy, no-code setup. It’s perfect for sharing products across social.
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Content creator pay varies widely. Creators with celebrity status can earn millions of dollars per partnership, while a nano-influencer might earn less than $100 for a Facebook post. In general, brands expect to pay influencers around $100 per 10,000 followers, plus content creation costs—though some creators can command more.
\n![\"Circular](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/image1_a7b8f0bf-badf-4871-b9ad-3817f18f04a1.png?format=webp&v=1683838375\")
Generally speaking, rates depend on content type, audience segment, and the value of the content creator’s personal brand. The major factors at play include:
\nCreating digital content can be a full-time job, a lucrative side hustle, or even a source of passive income. Here’s a list of eight ways content creators earn money online.
\nBuilding your social media audience and personal brand can help you earn paid brand partnerships. Once your social media accounts reach a certain size, you can charge for sponsored social media posts. Typically, you’ll create content featuring a brand’s products or services and post it to your personal social media accounts in exchange for a fee.
\nFind influencers who drive sales
\nShopify Collabs: Collaborate with creators to promote your products to new audiences.
\nInfluential writers can also secure brand sponsorships. Once you’ve reached a certain level of notoriety and website traffic or a certain number of email newsletter subscriptions, brands might pay you for sponsored content in which you feature or review their products or services.
\nYou can also generate money by accepting guest authors. Typically, brands write content and pay for the privilege of publishing on your blog or in your newsletter under a company byline.
\nMany top brands establish long-term partnerships with influencers, known, in this case, as brand ambassadors. Brand ambassadors may create and publish branded content on multiple channels, explicitly endorse a company’s products, and host or attend events on behalf of their sponsor.
\n\nMany influencers and creators use online stores to generate additional revenue streams. You can sell merchandise featuring your brand (like TikTok star Charli D’Amelio’s hoodies) or use your personal platform to launch an associated line of products—for example, a yoga influencer might develop and sell fitness apparel, and a child development expert might create a line of educational toys. If you sell digital art or stock photography, you can use an online store to display and sell your products.
\nShopify’s starter plan is designed to help influencers and content creators quickly set up an online store and start selling products on social media channels.
\nSome platforms pay qualified content creators directly out of creator funds, which are resources set aside to support promising creators and encourage more production on the platform. To receive creator funds, you need to meet the platform’s eligibility standards, and, in most cases, submit an application. TikTok, for example, requires influencers to have at least 100,000 video views in the previous 30 days to apply.
\nPopular social media platforms with creator funds include TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube. Platforms base compensation on metrics including follower activities, views, and ad proceeds—so the most lucrative platform for you will depend on your audience size, engagement rates, and specific activities on a platform.
\nSome influencers with websites or newsletters earn money through direct advertising. Essentially, you’ll sell ad space directly to a brand (instead of to an ad network) and display ads on your website or read ads on your podcast, livestream, or video blog.
\nAffiliate marketing programs are a specific type of commission-based brand partnership. You’ll request an affiliate link from a brand and distribute it to your audiences—for example, by posting it to your social media accounts, including it in a newsletter, or incorporating it in a blog. When a consumer uses your unique affiliate link to make a purchase, you’ll earn a percentage of the revenue.
\nAffiliate marketing programs can generate a passive income stream: Once an affiliate link is live, you won’t need to take any additional actions to continue earning money.
\nSome influencers create both free and paid content—the free content elevates your personal brand and allows you to leverage influencer marketing revenue streams, and the premium content generates money through paid memberships. You might distribute a paid newsletter, release members-only podcast episodes, or use a membership site to run a subscription service.
\nConsider using your personal social media accounts or social media advertising to promote exclusive content to potential customers.
\nCreators with particular areas of subject matter expertise or knowledge of a craft can use online learning platforms like Udemy or Skillshare to create and distribute free or paid online courses. Free options can elevate your personal brand and help you build your following, and paid courses generate revenue by monetizing an existing audience or meeting a market need.
\nWhen it comes to content, the sky’s the limit—a business owner might design an intro to small-business finance, and the king or queen of cupcake decoration might offer a six-module course in cutting-edge techniques.
\nYes. A 2022 survey found that 21% of all content creators make over $50,000 a year, and more than 35% of content creators with four or more years of experience make $50,000 a year or more.
\nContent creators define success based on content type and individual creator goals. Common digital content metrics include the following:
\nTikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube all pay qualified content creators directly out of established creator funds. Platforms base compensation on metrics including follower activities, views, and ad proceeds—so the most lucrative platform for you will depend on your audience size, engagement rates, and specific activities on a platform. /p>
\nContent creators set rates based on follower counts, engagement rates, content type, and audience segment. Consider using an influencer platform or conducting research to determine the going rate for content from similar creators. Once you’ve set your starting rates, experiment with what the market will bear, keeping in mind that you can always raise your rates over time.
\nhttps://www.shopify.com/blog/get-paid-to-create-content
\nA clear snapshot of your business’s financial performance can help you secure funding, obtain loans, and, for so many reasons, reduce headaches.
\nFor that, your balance sheet is crucial. After all, scrambling through piles of receipts or scrolling for emails is stressful with a deadline looming or an auditor watching over you. You don’t want to miss an opportunity for an acquisition, investment, or loan because your financial records are unorganized or unbalanced.
\nIf you’re in a time crunch to create a balance sheet, don’t worry. We’ll walk you through all the important steps, share balance sheet examples, and show you the balance sheet format to follow so you can get your financial records up to date—fast.
\nTable of Contents
\nA balance sheet is a financial statement that shows a business’s assets, liabilities, and stockholder equity, and is shared either on a monthly or quarterly basis. The main benefit of a balance sheet is to know what a business is worth.
\nA balance sheet can help you obtain a loan, establish a value for your business, and keep financial records organized for tax agencies.
\nWhen a lender or bank is deciding whether to provide credit to a business, a balance sheet helps them estimate risk. Lenders typically look at liabilities to ensure a business isn’t overextending itself financially—lenders want to make their money back. If existing debts (i.e., liabilities) are much higher than assets, a lender may hesitate to extend further credit.
\nWhile lenders may look at your income statement to assess profitability (i.e., do you have more revenue than expenses), a balance sheet helps identify assets such as real estate, machinery, and inventory that could be used to recoup their money if you’re unable to pay back the loan.
\nAlternatively, Shopify store owners can obtain cash advances and loans through Shopify Capital. In lieu of a balance sheet, Shopify uses data from previous sales to see how much money the merchant is qualified to borrow. Shopify then takes a percentage of the merchant’s future sales to pay back the loan.
\nIf someone is looking to acquire your business, they’ll request a balance sheet to help understand your financial position.
\nOther aspects involved in setting a business valuation include the size of your customer base relative to the industry, competitive advantages, the employees and executives of your company (particularly during “acquihire” valuations), year-over-year growth, and revenue and profit.
\nA balance sheet can help you understand whether your business has more assets or liabilities at a moment in time.
\nOver the years, your balance sheet will also include historical data, which can help you—or your lenders or your investors—evaluate your financial strengths and weaknesses, and how they’ve changed over time.
\nSmall businesses may list only a handful of the items below. As with most financial documents, complexity scales with your business. Starting with a balance sheet template can make things easier.
\nAn asset is an item of economic value that a company owns. Most assets are tangible assets, but there are also intangible assets.
\nNew businesses typically have assets such as inventory, cash, equipment, or machinery—all tangible—and, in some cases, intangible assets like patents or trademarks. Enterprise assets may also include things like investments, accounts receivable, land, transportation, logos, brand recognition, and marketing assets, such as an email list or social media account.
\nThe balance sheet equation for assets is:
\nLiabilities + Stockholder equity = Assets
\nThere are two types of assets on a balance sheet:
\nCurrent assets are short-term resources, typically convertible into cash or used up within a year. Examples include:
\nNon-current, or long-term assets, are investments that are not expected to be converted into cash or used up within a year. Examples include:
\nA company’s liabilities refers to the debt it owes. It costs the business money over time and decreases the value of the business.
\nFor example, if you’ve invested your own money in a business, that’s called a shareholder loan. A shareholder loan is a debt that the business owes you, the shareholder. Many new businesses typically have liabilities, such as credit card debt and shareholder loans.
\nEnterprise-level businesses may have liabilities like accounts payable, lease contracts, payroll, bank loans, and deferred taxes.
\nThere are also current and non-current liabilities.
\nCurrent liabilities are short-term obligations due within one year. Examples include:
\nNon-current, or long term liabilities, are obligations that extend beyond one year. Examples include:
\nStockholder (or shareholder) equity is the value of the business after all debts and liabilities have been settled. It will always equal assets minus liabilities.
\nThe accounting equation to calculate shareholder’s equity is:
\nTotal net assets – Total liabilities = Stockholder’s equity
\nThe terms “stockholder equity,” “shareholder equity,” and “owner’s equity” essentially mean the same thing. Stockholder or shareholder equity is typically the term assigned to corporations, whereas owner’s equity is reserved for sole proprietorships.
\nFor example, if you have $20,000 in assets and $10,000 in liabilities, then you have $10,000 in stockholder equity. As your company’s total assets grow and liabilities shrink, you’ll have more stockholder equity.
\nIn the early stages, it’s normal to have a negative balance in stockholder equity—liabilities (i.e., your startup costs) are higher than your assets. You may invest $50,000 in your business before you ever launch to the public. You could be in the early stages of buying product inventory, building an app, or designing a website. However, you have no assets and no cash.
\nExamples include:
\nSeveral key stakeholders could request a balance sheet from you. For example, your local tax agency might randomly select your business for an audit. A balance sheet with a list of assets and liabilities can help an auditor get a clear picture of your business’s financial position.
\nHere’s what those assets and liabilities might look like for a new business:
\n![\"balance](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/balance-sheet-example_7d40f86a-68ca-4dad-b073-5201f8d0fbcc.png?format=webp&v=1682808155\")
Simply make a copy of our balance sheet template to get yours now.
\nYou can use this Google Sheet to enter the numbers for your company and get a better idea of how a balance sheet works. It also includes other financial statements, like an income statement and cash flow statement to improve your bookkeeping as a business owner.
\n![\"free](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/free_balance_sheet_template.png?format=webp&v=1682808186\")
Large enterprises are likely to update their balance sheets on a daily basis, whereas smaller businesses typically update their balance sheets every month.
\nYou can find balance sheet formats and templates with a quick Google search. Here’s one from Microsoft and another in Google Docs. You can also use small business accounting software to auto-create a quick PDF balance sheet based on numbers you input, credit card information, and bank account information.
\nTypically, assets are listed first, then liabilities, and, finally, shareholder’s equity. In the early stages of your business, you might not have many assets. It’s perfectly fine to include $0 for certain lines if that’s true for you.
\nTypically, people hire a legal team to assess and calculate the value of intangible assets. However, other methods can estimate the value of an intangible asset.
\nIn a market approach, you determine the market value of an intangible asset by comparing it to the value of the same asset sold by a comparable business. For example, if your business has a patent for a production process, and a similar business recently sold its patent for $67,000, you would value your patent at $67,000.
\nNot every intangible asset needs a value. For example, if you used an external designer to develop your logo, you could use a market approach to help determine what your logo might sell for in an open market. On the other hand, if your logo is simple text, it may not reach a threshold of creativity to be protected and, therefore, saleable.
\nWhen reading a balance sheet, a higher stockholder equity is better. It means your assets are higher than your liabilities.
\nBalance sheets are used primarily to assess equity in a specific moment, but you can also compare year-over-year changes to assets and liabilities to see how your business value has changed over time—and why.
\nFor example, in 2021, say a business’ assets increased by $15,000, from $235,000 to $250,000. Also in 2021, the same business paid off a loan, reducing its liabilities by $20,000, from $70,000 down to $50,000.
\nPreviously, the stakeholder equity would’ve been $165,000 ($235,000 less $70,000). The new equity would be $200,000, an increase of $35,000—helped by a growth in assets and a reduction in liabilities.
\nThat kind of increase would make your business a more attractive candidate for a loan or investment. But it may take time to get there. Even if you’re a new company and your balance sheet is in the red for stockholder equity, you need to know where you stand. It’s your best chance to get into the black—and stay there.
\nAnalyzing a balance sheet involves assessing a company’s financial health using various ratios and metrics. Some of the key financial ratios include:
\nThese ratios help evaluate a company’s liquidity, solvency, and efficiency. For a detailed understanding, compare these ratios with industry benchmarks or historical data to identify trends and potential risks.
\nThere are some limitations to be aware of when analyzing a balance sheet:
\nManage your money where you make it with Shopify Balance
\nShopify Balance is a free financial account that lets you manage your business’ money from Shopify admin. Pay no monthly fees, get payouts up to 4 days earlier, and earn cash back on eligible purchases.
\nWouldn’t it be great if you could recite a sales pitch to a stranger and within minutes they become a paying customer? Unfortunately, selling is rarely so simple. As seasoned sales managers know well, courting potential customers takes time and effort. The good news is customer conversions can happen when you follow a proven and standardized sales process.
\nHere’s an overview of this structured sales process and some of the tactics you and your sales team can use.
\nTable of Contents
\nA sales process is a sequence of seven stages that convert would-be buyers into paying customers. Understanding these sales stages—which include finding qualified leads, directing them into your sales funnel, closing deals, and following up—provides a road map for your sales reps as they pursue potential customers.
\n\nSales processes hinge on a symbiotic relationship between a seller and a customer. As a seller goes through the sales process, the customer experiences their own buying process, weighing whether they want to purchase a product. The burden, however, is on you, the seller, to gently lead a potential customer through the various stages of the sales process. This means showing knowledge of their needs, addressing their doubts, offering information about your products, and pitching solutions to their problems.
\nWhen you arm your sales team with a clearly defined sales process map, you help them work as efficiently as possible over the course of a sales cycle. They can recognize what a potential customer needs at any given point—whether that’s product information, a price quote, or just a friendly nudge to complete their purchase. Equipping your team with a defined sales methodology can make their work more efficient and potentially speed up your sales cycle.
\nIn the business world, the sales process is often broken into stages that indicate the flow of the seller-customer relationship. The seven-step sales process is as follows:
\nA successful sales process begins with prospecting, which involves seeking potential customers (sometimes called leads) for your business’s sales pipeline. Potential sales prospects include the target audience identified in your marketing campaign, people referred to you by existing clients, and people who found your website in an online search.
\nSeller preparation starts with examining the potential customers entering the sales pipeline. For maximum customer success, you’re looking for so-called sales-qualified leads (SQL) who seem well-informed about your offerings and are inclined to make a purchase. It’s also worth pursuing marketing-qualified leads (MQL), who may not yet be ready to buy but have some familiarity with your company. Sales reps use this stage, typically identified in a sales process flowchart, to research customers, understand their interests and pain points, and estimate their spending budgets.
\nThe approach is where you contact your prospective customer. This can be in person, over the phone, over video chat, or by email. Sales reps at this point tend to use one of three approaches:
\nThe next stage involves presenting your product to your prospective customer. If you’ve made it this far, the person across from you has enough interest that they’re willing to hear a sales pitch. This is where your research can pay off, helping you tailor your presentation to the client’s known desires and skepticism. Your goal is to present your product as the solution to the prospect’s needs.
\nIf you’re lucky, you may have a client who’s ready to buy the moment they hear your presentation. Otherwise, you’ll need to field questions and objections from your potential customer. Sometimes all the client needs is more information about your product or services. In other cases, you may need to negotiate to win a sale. This could mean offering discounts, including freebies, or adjusting the terms of a service or maintenance agreement.
\nAt this point, the entire sales process reaches a critical juncture, when the current sales process results in a deal or in both parties walking away. Your client may ask for a few more concessions before they’re willing to buy, and you’ll need to decide what you can afford to offer. You can also nudge the customer forward, perhaps by suggesting that a price increase is coming or supplies are limited. If you and your customer are on the same page, you’ll end up with a sale.
\nAn effective sales process continues past the moment when money changes hands. As a seller, you’ll follow up with the customer over time, making sure they’re enjoying their purchase, answering further questions, and troubleshooting any problems. This kind of customer service can result in long-term goodwill and the prospect for future business with the client, or with others in their network.
\nUse the following best practices to make each stage of the sales process as effective as possible:
\nSome sales cycles go more smoothly than others. Here are some well-known challenges and some common sales process mistakes to avoid:
\nYou measure the success of a sales process based on two metrics: the number of leads that convert into paying customers and the amount of money generated in a sales cycle. Some companies prioritize getting as many customers as possible, even if many of them don’t spend very much. Others place a higher value on total revenue, even if the money comes from a comparatively small set of clients. Set business goals that clarify which of these to prioritize.
\nYes. It’s always wise to align your sales process with the expectations of customers in your industry. If it’s common for customers to pay less than the sticker price of an item, empower your sales reps to offer discounts. If most customers expect face-to-face meetings, make time for those. You can assume your competitors will be accommodating customers in this way, so you’ll want to keep pace.
\nBusinesses qualify leads using criteria such as budget, decision-making power, location, and need. When your lead aligns with all or most of these criteria, they typically count as a sales-qualified lead (SQL) and warrant the effort that goes into the sale process. A prospect may also profile as an SQL if they know the salesperson directly or found your company via a strong personal referral.
\nYou can organize and streamline the sales process by using client relationship management (CRM) software. CRMs collect and store customer information, activity, and communications in a centralized and accessible database. You can use CRM data to track leads as they progress through your company’s sales funnel.
\nTraining is critical to a successful sales process. Sales managers train sales reps to learn about the business’s products and services. This lets them tailor their sales pitches and deftly answer questions from clients. Managers also train their sales teams on price negotiations, so they can offer discounts while preserving the company’s profit margins. Finally, but equally important, managers train their teams on the nuances of client interactions, including how to pursue a lead and entice them with carrots (such as discounts) and sticks (an impending price hike).
\nhttps://www.shopify.com/blog/sales-process
\nFor some small business owners, networking comes naturally. Maybe you started your business in part to expand your personal network, or maybe you just identify as a social butterfly. Other business owners fall firmly into a different camp—after all, a passion for your products or services doesn’t necessarily translate into a desire to spend social energy at conferences and cocktail hours.
\nThe good news is that effective networking isn’t an inborn personality trait—it’s a set of skills that can be learned. With a bit of practice, anyone can become an engaging, competent networker—and small business owners can use those skills to attract customers, stay up to date with industry trends, and generate peer support.
\n\nNetworking is the process of building relationships and making connections for the purpose of social or professional advancement. It can be informal and organic, like a water-cooler chat with the new intern, or structured, like an industry conference or a local young professionals meet-up.
\nNetworking can help professionals of all stripes land a job and elevate their personal brands.
\nFor small business owners and entrepreneurs, building a strong professional network is particularly critical. While some professionals might only network periodically (e.g., during a job search), business owners face an ongoing need to raise brand awareness, reach new audiences, and stay up-to-date with industry trends.
\nHere’s how networking can help:
\nAnybody can learn how to network effectively. Consult these networking tips to boost your skills and maximize returns on your efforts:
\nMost clichés contain a fundamental truth—and preparation really is the key to success. Here’s what to consider before you start networking:
\nBeing fashionably late isn’t helpful for professional purposes. When it comes to networking events, you want to be one of the first people at the party. You can ease into the environment and casually chat with other early birds in a small group setting.
\nAttending events is a great way to network—but so is waiting in line at your local coffee shop, taking a flight, and catching up with old friends.
\nSkilled networkers are good at building relationships in every context—and research shows that this personality trait is correlated with business success. You never know when you might have the chance to help somebody (or when they might be able to help you).
\nPeople rarely buy the first time they hear of you; rather, it takes multiple touchpoints to reach a new customer or make a sale. The same is true for building a new relationship. An in-person conversation represents one powerful touchpoint, and elevating your personal and professional profile can increase the likelihood that your new connections will encounter your name a second (or third) time.
\nYou might post on your small business’s blog, start a newsletter, or seek out opportunities to appear on podcasts or panels. These strategies can help you refine your talking points and improve the chance people will reach out to you as a networking target.
\nSeek opportunities to help people. You’ll build relationships, generate goodwill, and activate what psychologists call the reciprocity principle—when people receive help, they’re inclined to return the favor. For example, if you’re chatting with somebody at a networking event, you might offer to make helpful introductions or schedule a follow-up call to offer advice on a specific situation.
\nDon’t be afraid to make requests. Research shows people tend to underestimate others’ desire to help. Asking for help can also build relationships—when you seek help from somebody, you’re making yourself vulnerable and implicitly complimenting their expertise, both of which create trust. Studies also suggest that somebody who rejects a request for help will seek ways to help you in the future, which means that even if your new connection can’t help you now, making the request can pay off down the road.
\nOld networking strategies are prescriptive: use somebody’s name frequently in conversation, wear a suit, hide your quirks. But today’s professional environment is more welcoming of diversity and prioritizes authenticity in relationships. So, go ahead, let your quirks show.
\nYour professional persona might be a more polished version of you, but it will still reflect who you are. If you love to crack jokes, don’t stifle your instincts. If you dress in bright colors, work some into your professional outfits. If you’re naturally soft-spoken, that’s absolutely fine. You don’t need to imitate somebody else to build authentic connections—you just need to develop a professional persona that leverages your innate talents and personality characteristics. A recent Harvard study found that this strategy can decrease anxiety, improve performance, and increase your odds of making a lasting impression.
\nMake sure to follow up after every connection. Request a business card when you meet, and send an email or LinkedIn message after the event. If applicable, include some reflection on your conversation, a link to a relevant interesting article, or an invitation for future connection. You can also follow your new connection on social media platforms to stay in touch.
\nThe firm handshake is one piece of old-school advice that still applies in most cases. While you don’t need to have the world’s strongest grip or use a handshake to express dominance, offering a completely limp hand can be disconcerting for your new connection. Stand, smile, make eye contact, and match your partner’s level of pressure.
\nHere are a few key items to bring to a networking event:
\nActively listening is the process of attending to a speaker’s words, using non-verbal cues to gauge intent, and communicating attentiveness through verbal signals and body language. Here are a few tips:
\nNo. Attending networking events outside your industry can help you build connections with other business leaders, raise your brand profile, and stay up to date with trends in other industries that could affect your business.
\nhttps://www.shopify.com/blog/networking-tips
\nIn 1846, a group (or syndicate) of five New York City newspapers found covering the Mexican-American war too expensive and too slow to do individually. So they funded a private mail service to bring back dispatches from reporters in Texas, sharing both the content and the cost. Thus was born the Associated Press—and content syndication.
\nToday, content syndication is still a tactic many businesses use to maximize their content’s reach in a cost-efficient way. Sharing one piece of content across multiple publications can help you make the most of the content you work hard to create by disseminating it to a wider audience. Here’s what content syndication is and how you can get started doing it.
\nTable of Contents
\nContent syndication is the practice of republishing web content, including blog posts, videos, audio content and podcasts, and graphics, on other websites—with permission, of course. The main reason businesses engage in content syndication is to reach a broader audience than they otherwise would have publishing on their website alone.
\nWhen you repurpose content originally published on your site to other sites, that grows your audience, improves brand recognition, and drives traffic back to you, without damaging your SEO performance. As such, it’s considered a form of content marketing.
\nTake BestSelf Co., for example. Via content syndication, it was able to build an audience large enough (more than 3,000 subscribers in three weeks) to launch a Kickstarter that ultimately raised over $300,000.
\nSyndicated content is clearly marked and always links back to where it originally appeared. The content being syndicated can appear in full or in part on other sites; sometimes it may only appear with a headline and a link. Syndicating content to a partner website can also be reciprocal: you might also agree to republish content from their blog, which gives your own blog additional content.
\nWhen it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), Google’s algorithm punishes duplicate content, but syndicated content isn’t considered duplicate when it’s correctly attributed. That means syndicated content should be clearly labeled as having appeared somewhere else first and should link back to where you originally published it on your website.
\n\nLike most business marketing strategies, content syndication entails free and paid options. When choosing where to syndicate content, take a look at your budget as well as the target audience of the outlet, making sure it matches or complements your own.
\nFree content syndication involves republishing content that appears on your website on another platform or publication. A content creator could do this on:
\nOther free platforms include community-specific forums like Reddit and niche Facebook groups. Allen Brouwer and Cathryn Lavery, co-founders of BestSelf Co., tried both. During a podcast conversation these co-founders shared their opinions on:
\nPaid content syndication is, as its name suggests, syndication you pay for. It generally refers to two distinct forms of distribution:
\nThe goal of content syndication is to increase how often your brand appears online and how many people see your content. The benefits of coming up with a content syndication strategy can include:
\nWhether your site is large or small, identifying the right syndication strategy will ensure your valuable content doesn’t go to waste.
\nWhat you are trying to accomplish with content syndication will call for different tactics, so it’s important to identify what you want to get out of it. A goal could be to increase brand awareness or generate new leads. An online craft store might want to get more knitting fans to sign up for its newsletter, so it would repurpose its how-to knit blog posts on Medium.
\nNext, decide if you want to pursue paid or stick to free syndication. If your budget is zero, you can use the free options listed above. If you have a budget, content discovery services such as Taboola can be effective for driving leads, as they refer directly to your site. Wire services can help drive investor interest, improve brand recognition, or even support organic media coverage.
\nYour most valuable tool in content syndication is creating content that people want to consume. Audiences tend to connect with specific, personal stories. Make sure to edit any articles you write thoroughly so it’s clear and free of typos and other errors. If your idea lends itself to a graphic, those can also help make your article more engaging.
\nBefore your content is syndicated, it needs to be housed on your website. Make sure you optimize your website for syndication. Your blog needs to use the “rel=canonical” tag for original content. This tag, located in the html code of your site, ensures that Google and other search engines identify your site as the original location of the content, which will push your site higher in the search rankings. Whether you use WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or another website builder, you should be able to find a how-to on including this piece of code in the right place.
\nFor free content syndication, look for similarly sized or larger outlets that have a similar target audience as you. Approach them with a highly customized outreach message about why your content is a good match for their audience. Persistence is key, so don’t be afraid to reach out multiple times.
\nFor paid content syndication platforms, research your options and find a reputable partner who works with sites that are already serving your target audience.
\nTrack your content’s performance against the goals you set in the beginning. Did you drive the amount of web traffic, social media follows, or leads that you set out to? Analyze what you achieved and compare it to the money (and time) you spent on it to determine if the syndication effort had a positive return on investment.
\nContent syndication can hurt your site’s SEO, but it doesn’t have to. In fact, valuable backlinks and consistent traffic from syndication can even help boost your SEO. Google’s algorithm punishes duplicate content, but syndicated content—when correctly attributed—isn’t considered duplicate. Content syndicated on your partners’ sites should be labeled as having appeared somewhere else first (on your site) and should link back to where you originally published it.
\nWell-established, reputable media outlets do not run unattributed content—so pick syndication partners carefully. It’s also important that you do the work to send the appropriate links to the original piece of content and attribution information. If you find your content on another site unattributed, that’s not content syndication, that’s content duplication, or may even be plagiarism.
\nAnything that has been published before and is being reposted or rebroadcast by a new outlet is in syndication. Classic ’90s sitcoms appear on Netflix via syndication. An AP article in The New York Times has been syndicated, as has a shoe company’s blog post that is republished on Medium.
\nContent syndication is not the same as guest blogging. Guest blog posts are original content created by someone outside the blog where they are published. If you have an idea for a guest blog post for a site like Forbes or Business Insider, you can pitch those publications directly. Keep in mind, though, the article must be original.
\nhttps://www.shopify.com/blog/content-syndication
\nIf you’re looking to start a new business, you may opt to form an LLC, or limited liability company, which is one of the more common options for a small company. In order to establish an LLC, you’ll need to file articles of organization.
\nArticles of organization are foundational legal documents for establishing a business entity in the form of an LLC in any given state in the US.
\nIn this article, you’ll learn more about what articles of organization are, why you need to submit them, and how to get started filing them to create your LLC and new business.
\nTable of Contents
\nArticles of organization are legal documents involved with setting up an LLC within a US state. They set out legal rights, capabilities, fiduciary duties, potential liabilities, and other official aspects of the relationship between each member of an LLC, as well as between members and the LLC itself.
\nArticles of organization also include the operating agreement and the corporate statutes in the state where they are filed.
\nYou file articles of organization with your state government. An LLC must meet specific requirements set forth by the individual state authority in the area where it will do business. The state also typically requires businesses to pay a fee when filing articles of organization. Some states may refer to these as a certificate of formation or certificate of organization instead.
\nArticles of organization are LLC-specific, but are very similar to the articles of incorporation that are filed when setting up a corporation.
\nWithout articles of organization, your limited liability company doesn’t legally exist.
\nThe document helps to create a public record of your business information and existence, including the business name, your name and contact information, and other information about where to send lawsuits and legal notices.
\nIf you’re running your business from home and don’t want your personal address to be listed publicly as a place to send official notices, you can work with a registered agent.
\nA registered agent provides their address for this type of communication. Some companies exist solely to provide registered agent services; however, small-business lawyers often offer their offices as your registered agent for an annual fee.
\nIf you choose to work with a small business lawyer to help set up your LLC or file your articles of organization, check to see if they can serve as your registered agent as well.
\nWhen you’re ready to get your LLC going, follow these four steps to properly file and structure your articles of organization. As the guide goes into, the details required can be vastly different state by state.
\nStart by going to your state’s filing website—typically the secretary of state website. Learn more about where to find and file your state’s articles of organization forms below:
\n| Alabama | \nAlaska | \nArizona | \n
| Arkansas | \nCalifornia | \nColorado | \n
| Connecticut | \nDelaware | \nFlorida | \n
| Georgia | \nHawaii | \nIdaho | \n
| Illinois | \nIndiana | \nIowa | \n
| Kansas | \nKentucky | \nLouisiana | \n
| Maine | \nMaryland | \nMassachusetts | \n
| Michigan | \nMinnesota | \nMississippi | \n
| Missouri | \nMontana | \nNebraska | \n
| Nevada | \nNew Hampshire | \nNew Jersey | \n
| New Mexico | \nNew York | \nNorth Carolina | \n
| North Dakota | \nOhio | \nOklahoma | \n
| Oregon | \nPennsylvania | \nRhode Island | \n
| South Carolina | \nSouth Dakota | \nTennessee | \n
| Texas | \nUtah | \nVermont | \n
| Virginia | \nWashington | \nWest Virginia | \n
| Wisconsin | \nWyoming | \n
Pay attention to whether your state calls them articles of organization, certificate of formation, or certificate of organization so you know how to find your document.
\nEach article above tells you where to find your articles of organization document, how to file it (i.e., by mail, or if you can submit it online), what the filing fee is (anywhere from $50 to $200), and any additional information you need.
\nNext, gather the information you’re going to need to file your articles of organization and fully form your LLC. Again, pay attention to the specific requirements of your state. The form will be reviewed by the filing state’s secretary of state or corporate registrar, so it’s important to stick to your state’s guidelines.
\nHere are a few examples of just how particular state authorities can get, highlighting why it’s important you carefully review your local rules before filing:
\nOnce you have the information you need in order to fill out your form, it’s time to input the proper information. Here’s a sample form from South Carolina:
\n![\"Example](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/Articles_of_Org1.png?format=webp&v=1683157500\")
The information you need to fill out on your form will vary from state to state. Some of the fields you could expect to see on your own articles of organization form include:
\nOnce you’ve filled out the fields in your articles of organization form, it’s time to file them. These requirements will also vary state by state.
\nIn some states, you can simply submit your form and filing fee online. Others require you to mail it in alongside a check. Look into your state’s requirements so you can get your form submitted and be on your way to forming your LLC.
\nTo make the process easier on you, here are some articles of organization templates and examples.
\n![\"An](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/aoo2.png?format=webp&v=1683157747\")
The above template is available as a free articles of organization template that includes most of the information your state will need. You can fill this out and file it if your state allows. However, you may need to download your state’s specific form.
\n\n
![\"Example](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/aoo3.png?format=webp&v=1683157739\")
Here’s an example of California’s articles of organization form. This state allows online filing, making it easy to fill out and submit within minutes. It’s a simple one-page form that requires information like your business name, designated office address, mailing address (if different), purpose statement, and more.
\n![\"Example](\"https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0070/7032/files/aoo4.png?format=webp&v=1683157799\")
New York state also allows articles of organization to be filed completely online, but you can still download the form above to fill out and mail if you choose. Input your LLC’s name, county, and more to fulfill the requirements and get your New York business up and running.
\nIf you’re ready to file your articles of organization, there are a few final details to note. First, while it’s not required to retain an attorney to file your articles, an attorney licensed in your place of business will have a good understanding of any unique requirements.
\nKeep in mind that articles of organization do not suffice as a business license, and you will need to apply for this separately. Finally, articles of organization are public record in all states. Be aware of this, and don’t include anything in your filing that you don’t wish to be public knowledge.Articles of organization FAQ
\nArticles of organization create a public record of your business information with your state’s officials.
\nArticles of organization are a document that is used to form a limited liability company (LLC) in the United States. It must be filed with the state government in order to legally form the LLC. The document includes information about the LLC, such as its name, purpose, and members. The article of organization also includes the name and address of the LLC’s registered agent and must be written in accordance with the laws of the state in which the LLC is being formed.
\nIf you plan to form an LLC within your state, yes, you need articles of organization, or your state’s equivalent, on file.
\nYes, your articles of organization can be rejected. This can be due to not following the proper filing process, information being filled out incorrectly, or your business name already being taken.
\nIf approved, your business will be established as a separate legal entity. This is a key part in legally forming your LLC. Make sure to complete the other forms and requirements to finalize your LLC before you can begin business operations. These other tasks include:
\n– Creating your operating agreement
\n– Getting an EIN (employer identification number)
\n– Opening a business bank account
\n– Getting a business license
Most states require you to file articles of organization with your secretary of state. You can do this either online or by mail, depending on your state’s requirements.
\nhttps://www.shopify.com/blog/articles-of-organization
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