Author: knjohn

5 Types of Social Media Videos That Will Skyrocket Your Engagement Rates | Getentrepreneurial.com

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There’s definitely no shortage of social media video content on any of today’s top social networks. On Facebook alone, users watch 100 million hours of video content each day. Around 400 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute.

With so many videos being uploaded and watched on an hourly basis, it can be hard to ensure your business’ content gets the visibility it deserves. It’s worth noting that social media users don’t often seek out videos. Instead, they typically find a video to watch when scrolling through their feed or by looking at a video shared by a follower.

In order to boost your engagement rates, you not only need to understand how users find videos on social media, but also the types of videos that are most suitable.

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Petsafe Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder Review | Digital Trends

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If you are rudely torn from your slumber each morning by a hangry meow, or you’re worried about your faithful canine’s rumbling belly when you have to work overtime, you may appreciate the benefits of an automatic pet feeder. Petsafe’s second-generation Smart Feed Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder costs nearly $200, but it’s packed with features, including smartphone connectivity, and it offers a fairly versatile set of scheduling options. I tested it out for a week with my cat, Bodhi, to see how well it works.

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Two Chairs is a mental health startup banking on in-person therapy | Mashable

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It’s a toss-up which is more nerve wracking: a first date or a first visit to a new therapist. Dates require small talk. But with a therapist, there can be pressure to really bare your soul.

A growing Bay Area company called Two Chairs wants to take the stress out of finding and paying for therapy. Unlike other mental health start-ups, it doesn’t skim the earnings of therapists, or sacrifice in-person appointments for video or text chats.

Instead, it runs brick-and-mortar clinics and directly employs therapists. It uses a human being (along with an algorithm) to match you with the right therapist. And then it handles the insurance paperwork so you can get a reimbursement check.

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These smart shorts tell you how to improve your workout | CNN

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Wearable technology has made big strides in recent years, from fitness trackers and smartwatches to shoes that vibrate to give you directions, tops that soak up air pollution, and a jacket that doubles as a solar-powered phone charger. Levi’s and Tommy Hilfiger are among the brands getting in on the act.

Now Greek startup Tribe Wearables wants to use high-tech clothing to make your workouts more effective.

The company is developing gym shorts that sense your every move, tell you how to improve your workouts and help prevent injuries.

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Why Are Dozens of US Teens Getting Sick After Vaping? | Live Science

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UPDATE: On Aug. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that there are now 149 possible cases of severe lung illness associated with vaping reported in 15 states.

Vaping has sent nearly 100 people, mostly teens and young adults, to the hospital with lung illnesses in the last couple of weeks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating 94 possible cases of “severe lung illness associated with vaping,” which have been reported in 14 states as of Aug 17, according to a statement from the agency. It’s unclear what’s causing the illnesses or even if there is a link between patients’ symptoms and the kinds of products they used.

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8 Factors That Keep You From Getting a Business Loan | Business news Daily

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Business loans can be essential when you’re launching a startup or looking for additional funding to expand an existing company. The funds are used to secure inventory, purchase equipment, rent operational space, hire employees or cover a host of other expenses.

According to a report by the National Small Business Association, in 2017 nearly three-quarters of small businesses were able to access the funding they needed to grow. However, financing remained a challenge for 27% of U.S. businesses. According to the NSBA report, businesses that were unable to secure capital had to take difficult actions, including reducing the number of employees and deciding not to expand operations, finance increased sales, or increase inventory to meet demands.

Since loans can be so critical to your business success, it is worth learning the most common barriers borrowers face when looking to secure a business loan. Once you learn about these roadblocks, you can take the steps to circumvent them and find the right type of loan and lender for you.

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Should You Start a Business Without a College Degree? | Business News Daily

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Entrepreneurship can be a great way to financial freedom, but building a successful business takes a lot of time, hard work and perseverance. Many young workers are left wondering when they should start a business and what education is required to do so.

A college degree is not required to start a business, but it certainly helps. College not only teaches students educational topics that can be helpful in starting a business, but also soft skills, like how to be lifelong learners.

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Twitter blocks state-run media ads after Hong Kong discord | Fast Company

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Leadership at Twitter stated today that they want to “protect healthy discourse and open conversation.” To that end, they are no longer accepting advertising from state-controlled news media entities. This comes on the heels their discovery of 936 accounts inside China that were “deliberately and specifically attempting to sow political discord in Hong Kong, including undermining the legitimacy and political positions of the protest movement on the ground.”

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