Microsoft Office 365 is growing in popularity as more and more businesses make the move to the cloud. However, without proper planning and testing beforehand, you could get stuck in the middle of the migration process, end up with duplicated data, or even have to abort the transition completely. Needless to say, all of these scenarios could result in serious network downtime. But you can easily avoid a migration nightmare by considering these key points before making the switch to Office 365.

Do your research

Researching Office 365 can seem a little overwhelming at first, but it will certainly give you a good idea of how everything will work, and what you can expect before, during, and after the migration process. You should understand and anticipate how your business’s daily operations will change when you make the move to a cloud-based platform. You also need to be aware that traditional Microsoft Office programs and Office 365 applications are completely different in terms of functionality, features, and interface.

Create a checklist

Most businesses fail to create a comprehensive migration checklist, because they tend to focus on the technical aspects without addressing other areas that are critical to the migration’s success. These include elements such as training, informing users, and gathering adoption feedback. You can start by drafting a step-by-step plan that clearly defines the phases of the migration process, and then keep refining the plan until everything is covered.

Check email settings

For a seamless transition, you need to synchronize accounts between your active directory domain and Office 365, by using Microsoft’s Azure Active Directory Synchronization tool. Don’t forget to point your company’s mail exchanger record to Office 365, so new emails will be sent directly to the new mailboxes in Office 365. Misconfiguration of email sync during the migration could flag your organization’s email as spam, disrupting the communication process with your clients and partners.

Choose your migration

Each migration plan looks different, and you should choose the one that best fits your needs. Generally, Office 365 migrations can be divided into three categories:

• Cutover migration – this is a single provisioning and transfer of mailboxes, users, contacts, and mail groups to Office 365. The cutover process can handle up to 2,000 mailboxes, and the migration time depends on the number of users and mail volume.
• Staged migration – if you don’t want to migrate all your resources at once, staged migration is a good alternative. It allows you to move mailboxes in smaller batches over a much longer period of time.
• Hybrid migration – this type of migration is perfect for organizations that need to move more than 2,000 mailboxes and wish to run local Exchange servers and Office 365 simultaneously.

Test everything

Once you have broken down the whole migration into various phases, it will be easy to design a testing procedure for each phase. Standard testing processes include migrating a small amount of data, sending and receiving emails, and application trials, in order to ensure that everything works as expected. The more components you can test before migrating to the platform, the less chance there is of your company facing issues afterwards.

If you’re considering an Office 365 migration, why not let our expert technicians do the job for you? We can migrate your resources seamlessly and smoothly without disrupting your business. Get in touch today.

Wouldn’t it be grand if you could afford to hire your own personal assistant? Someone who could take care of menial tasks, sing songs to you, and generally just make your life more pleasant? As technology develops, we are getting closer and closer to virtual assistants who are just as good as their real-life counterparts. In fact, Cortana, the assistant for Microsoft Windows 10, can do all three of the tasks mentioned above (yes, she’ll actually sing for you) and a whole lot more. Here are some handy tips and tricks every Windows 10 user should know about their new virtual assistant.

Get directions

Let’s start with something very practical that nearly anyone can use – directions. Simply put, Cortana makes it easier to get them. All you have to do is ask her “How do I get to Tony’s Pizza?” She’ll then paste your location and destination into the Maps app, and wallah! Instant directions.

But when it comes to getting to a destination, Cortana can do more than just directions. She can also provide you an estimate as to how long it’ll take to get there. Simply ask her, “How long will it take to get to xyz?” and she’ll tell you. Better yet, if your default method is bus or train, she’ll also tell you which number or line to take.

Set an alarm

While setting your own alarm isn’t the most tedious task in the world, it is certainly easier and quicker with the help of Cortana. To get some alarm-setting assistance, simply tell Cortana, “Set an alarm for XXX”. She’ll then display your alarm entry to ensure she got it right, and at this point you can edit it if there was any misunderstanding.

Make decisions for you

Whether you’re trying to decide what type of sandwich to order at lunch, or the color of a new shirt you’re going to buy, Cortana can help. How, you might ask? Simple – she uses the tried-and-true method of a coin toss. Ask her to “flip a coin”, and you’ll never struggle again when it comes to making menial decisions.

Set reminders

In this busy world where many of us are constantly on the move, it can be easy to forget tasks, errands, and other important things we need to do. Cortana can be really handy here, as she can provide a set of reminders based on either people or location. Here’s how it works.

Let’s say the next time you’re at the grocery store you want to remember to buy milk and eggs. All you have to do is tell Cortana to “Set a reminder”, tell her to remind you to “buy milk and eggs”, and then give her the location details of where you want to be reminded. The next time you’re at that grocery store, an alarm will go off reminding you to buy your desired items.

As for the people reminders, these work in the same way as the location-based ones, but instead for the contacts in your phone. To activate this, tell Cortana “The next time I call Amy, remind me to talk with her about work”. The next time you talk with Amy on the phone or via text, your reminder will appear on the display.

Check the weather

No virtual assistant would be complete without being able to act as the weatherman and tell you if there is a chance it’s going to rain, snow or sleet. And Cortana does just that. Whether you need to know the weather right now or next week, Cortana can provide you with the forecast for anywhere in the world. All you have to do is ask.

Switch on your PC remotely

How nifty would it be if you could turn on your PC remotely and save precious time at work, just by telling your smartphone to do it? With Cortana, now you can. First you’ll need to download the free app VoiceWake for both your smartphone and PC, and you’ll also need to change some settings in the BIOS. This is undoubtedly a bit technical, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you get started.

Interested in learning more about Cortana or other Windows 10 features? Toying with the idea of installing some new IT in your office? Get in touch with our experts today.

Over the years, the virtual assistant has evolved. First there was the Microsoft Paperclip (aka Clippy), later we had Siri, and now we have Cortana, the new assistant for Microsoft Windows 10. If you’re a Windows 10 user who loves the operating system just as much as we do, you may be curious as to how you can best utilize your new personal assistant. Here’s how you can get the most out of Cortana and make your life easier in the process.

Get directions

Let’s start with something very practical that nearly anyone can use – directions. Simply put, Cortana makes it easier to get them. All you have to do is ask her “How do I get to Tony’s Pizza?” She’ll then paste your location and destination into the Maps app, and wallah! Instant directions.

But when it comes to getting to a destination, Cortana can do more than just directions. She can also provide you an estimate as to how long it’ll take to get there. Simply ask her, “How long will it take to get to xyz?” and she’ll tell you. Better yet, if your default method is bus or train, she’ll also tell you which number or line to take.

Set an alarm

While setting your own alarm isn’t the most tedious task in the world, it is certainly easier and quicker with the help of Cortana. To get some alarm-setting assistance, simply tell Cortana, “Set an alarm for XXX”. She’ll then display your alarm entry to ensure she got it right, and at this point you can edit it if there was any misunderstanding.

Make decisions for you

Whether you’re trying to decide what type of sandwich to order at lunch, or the color of a new shirt you’re going to buy, Cortana can help. How, you might ask? Simple – she uses the tried-and-true method of a coin toss. Ask her to “flip a coin”, and you’ll never struggle again when it comes to making menial decisions.

Set reminders

In this busy world where many of us are constantly on the move, it can be easy to forget tasks, errands, and other important things we need to do. Cortana can be really handy here, as she can provide a set of reminders based on either people or location. Here’s how it works.

Let’s say the next time you’re at the grocery store you want to remember to buy milk and eggs. All you have to do is tell Cortana to “Set a reminder”, tell her to remind you to “buy milk and eggs”, and then give her the location details of where you want to be reminded. The next time you’re at that grocery store, an alarm will go off reminding you to buy your desired items.

As for the people reminders, these work in the same way as the location-based ones, but instead for the contacts in your phone. To activate this, tell Cortana “The next time I call Amy, remind me to talk with her about work”. The next time you talk with Amy on the phone or via text, your reminder will appear on the display.

Check the weather

No virtual assistant would be complete without being able to act as the weatherman and tell you if there is a chance it’s going to rain, snow or sleet. And Cortana does just that. Whether you need to know the weather right now or next week, Cortana can provide you with the forecast for anywhere in the world. All you have to do is ask.

Switch on your PC remotely

How nifty would it be if you could turn on your PC remotely and save precious time at work, just by telling your smartphone to do it? With Cortana, now you can. First you’ll need to download the free app VoiceWake for both your smartphone and PC, and you’ll also need to change some settings in the BIOS. This is undoubtedly a bit technical, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you get started.

Interested in learning more about Cortana or other Windows 10 features? Toying with the idea of installing some new IT in your office? Get in touch with our experts today.

It seems like just yesterday that Samuel L. Jackson was chatting up Siri on national television to the amusement of millions. If you’re like most of us, you may have been tickled with the idea that a virtual assistant could be so helpful and charming all at once, and marveled at just how far technology has come. With the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, the virtual assistant has now developed even further. Cortana has a handful of tricks up her sleeve that can make anyone’s life easier, and here’s how you can take advantage.

Get directions

Let’s start with something very practical that nearly anyone can use – directions. Simply put, Cortana makes it easier to get them. All you have to do is ask her “How do I get to Tony’s Pizza?” She’ll then paste your location and destination into the Maps app, and wallah! Instant directions.

But when it comes to getting to a destination, Cortana can do more than just directions. She can also provide you an estimate as to how long it’ll take to get there. Simply ask her, “How long will it take to get to xyz?” and she’ll tell you. Better yet, if your default method is bus or train, she’ll also tell you which number or line to take.

Set an alarm

While setting your own alarm isn’t the most tedious task in the world, it is certainly easier and quicker with the help of Cortana. To get some alarm-setting assistance, simply tell Cortana, “Set an alarm for XXX”. She’ll then display your alarm entry to ensure she got it right, and at this point you can edit it if there was any misunderstanding.

Make decisions for you

Whether you’re trying to decide what type of sandwich to order at lunch, or the color of a new shirt you’re going to buy, Cortana can help. How, you might ask? Simple – she uses the tried-and-true method of a coin toss. Ask her to “flip a coin”, and you’ll never struggle again when it comes to making menial decisions.

Set reminders

In this busy world where many of us are constantly on the move, it can be easy to forget tasks, errands, and other important things we need to do. Cortana can be really handy here, as she can provide a set of reminders based on either people or location. Here’s how it works.

Let’s say the next time you’re at the grocery store you want to remember to buy milk and eggs. All you have to do is tell Cortana to “Set a reminder”, tell her to remind you to “buy milk and eggs”, and then give her the location details of where you want to be reminded. The next time you’re at that grocery store, an alarm will go off reminding you to buy your desired items.

As for the people reminders, these work in the same way as the location-based ones, but instead for the contacts in your phone. To activate this, tell Cortana “The next time I call Amy, remind me to talk with her about work”. The next time you talk with Amy on the phone or via text, your reminder will appear on the display.

Check the weather

No virtual assistant would be complete without being able to act as the weatherman and tell you if there is a chance it’s going to rain, snow or sleet. And Cortana does just that. Whether you need to know the weather right now or next week, Cortana can provide you with the forecast for anywhere in the world. All you have to do is ask.

Switch on your PC remotely

How nifty would it be if you could turn on your PC remotely and save precious time at work, just by telling your smartphone to do it? With Cortana, now you can. First you’ll need to download the free app VoiceWake for both your smartphone and PC, and you’ll also need to change some settings in the BIOS. This is undoubtedly a bit technical, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you get started.

Interested in learning more about Cortana or other Windows 10 features? Toying with the idea of installing some new IT in your office? Get in touch with our experts today.

Whether you’re considering a new tablet as a gift for a loved one or are interested in decking out your offices with a couple dozen of them, the iPad Pro is worth your consideration. With the ability to use a keyboard as well other new features, this iPad takes a quantum jump ahead of its predecessors. Here are four of its best features that are worth a look.

Stunning display

The iPad Pro’s display makes images look pretty, one of the reasons Apple is touting it as the go-to device for graphic work. It offers a 2732 x 2048 resolution, with 264 pixels per inch – more than either the 13- or 15-inch Macbook Pro. This is certainly one of the best features of the iPad Pro, and a technological achievement for Apple.

Better battery

When it comes to battery life, the iPad Pro ranks fairly high compared to other tablets. While many tablets offer eight hours of battery life on a charge, the iPad Pro chimes in at a max of 10 hours. The reason for this slightly longer life has a lot to do with the display. The screen operates at 60Hz when there is animation running; however, when you’re performing other tasks, like scrolling through web pages or reading an eBook, the screen reduces the amount of energy it consumes and instead runs at 30Hz. Because of this, 10 hours of battery life is a genuine possibility. Of course, though, if you end up watching videos on it all day then it certainly won’t last as long.

Sensitive stylus

There’s no arguing – at $99, the Apple Pencil is expensive. Price aside, though, it is a really nice tool that is capable of creating high-quality images. Two areas in which it excels are pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, both of which allow you to add shading like you would with a real pencil. It’s also worth noting that the stylus does not use Bluetooth connectivity. Instead, the iPad Pro can tell when the stylus is close to the display and scans for “tip signal”. All this adds up to is a drawing experience that is as close to using a real pencil and paper as you can get.

The new Keyboard

The fact that the iPad finally has a keyboard brings this device into a whole new realm of tablet – one that can arguably become a laptop replacement. And while not perfect, it performs just as well as a regular keyboard, and is also quite comfortable to the touch, covered in a woven fabric that is easy to clean. As for drawbacks, it can only be propped up at one angle, which can make it uncomfortable to work with when you don’t have a desk or table to set it on. And like the stylus, the keyboard does not come cheap; it’s priced at a whopping $169.

Is this a laptop replacement?

Yes, it could be. But make no mistake that the iPad Pro isn’t capable of doing everything your Macbook Pro can. Because it runs on iOS 9, you will not be able to use all the same applications you would on your Macbook, and you will have no file access. Additionally, the iPad Pro only includes two ports – a Lightning connector and a headphone jack. So while you could potentially use the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you will be limited in terms of functionality if you choose to do so.

If you’re interested in learning more about the iPad Pro, or are ready to deck out your offices with some brand new IT, call us today to learn how we can help you.

If you’re a fan of the iPad, you may be wondering whether or not to shell out the hefty chunk of cash required to purchase the new iPad Pro. And at the high price tag of $799, you may be curious to know if this can replace your laptop, since it practically costs the same amount. So if you’re at all interested in discovering what the deal is with Apple’s latest iPad, here are four features that stand out.

Stunning display

The iPad Pro’s display makes images look pretty, one of the reasons Apple is touting it as the go-to device for graphic work. It offers a 2732 x 2048 resolution, with 264 pixels per inch – more than either the 13- or 15-inch Macbook Pro. This is certainly one of the best features of the iPad Pro, and a technological achievement for Apple.

Better battery

When it comes to battery life, the iPad Pro ranks fairly high compared to other tablets. While many tablets offer eight hours of battery life on a charge, the iPad Pro chimes in at a max of 10 hours. The reason for this slightly longer life has a lot to do with the display. The screen operates at 60Hz when there is animation running; however, when you’re performing other tasks, like scrolling through web pages or reading an eBook, the screen reduces the amount of energy it consumes and instead runs at 30Hz. Because of this, 10 hours of battery life is a genuine possibility. Of course, though, if you end up watching videos on it all day then it certainly won’t last as long.

Sensitive stylus

There’s no arguing – at $99, the Apple Pencil is expensive. Price aside, though, it is a really nice tool that is capable of creating high-quality images. Two areas in which it excels are pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, both of which allow you to add shading like you would with a real pencil. It’s also worth noting that the stylus does not use Bluetooth connectivity. Instead, the iPad Pro can tell when the stylus is close to the display and scans for “tip signal”. All this adds up to is a drawing experience that is as close to using a real pencil and paper as you can get.

The new Keyboard

The fact that the iPad finally has a keyboard brings this device into a whole new realm of tablet – one that can arguably become a laptop replacement. And while not perfect, it performs just as well as a regular keyboard, and is also quite comfortable to the touch, covered in a woven fabric that is easy to clean. As for drawbacks, it can only be propped up at one angle, which can make it uncomfortable to work with when you don’t have a desk or table to set it on. And like the stylus, the keyboard does not come cheap; it’s priced at a whopping $169.

Is this a laptop replacement?

Yes, it could be. But make no mistake that the iPad Pro isn’t capable of doing everything your Macbook Pro can. Because it runs on iOS 9, you will not be able to use all the same applications you would on your Macbook, and you will have no file access. Additionally, the iPad Pro only includes two ports – a Lightning connector and a headphone jack. So while you could potentially use the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you will be limited in terms of functionality if you choose to do so.

If you’re interested in learning more about the iPad Pro, or are ready to deck out your offices with some brand new IT, call us today to learn how we can help you.

With the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and iPad Pro both recently released, there is a lot of debate to be had as to which is the better device. So instead of looking at the differences between these two, let’s just focus on what’s special about the iPad Pro. Is it worth buying? How is it better than previous iPad models? Here are four features of Apple’s latest iPad that are worth talking about.

Stunning display

The iPad Pro’s display makes images look pretty, one of the reasons Apple is touting it as the go-to device for graphic work. It offers a 2732 x 2048 resolution, with 264 pixels per inch – more than either the 13- or 15-inch Macbook Pro. This is certainly one of the best features of the iPad Pro, and a technological achievement for Apple.

Better battery

When it comes to battery life, the iPad Pro ranks fairly high compared to other tablets. While many tablets offer eight hours of battery life on a charge, the iPad Pro chimes in at a max of 10 hours. The reason for this slightly longer life has a lot to do with the display. The screen operates at 60Hz when there is animation running; however, when you’re performing other tasks, like scrolling through web pages or reading an eBook, the screen reduces the amount of energy it consumes and instead runs at 30Hz. Because of this, 10 hours of battery life is a genuine possibility. Of course, though, if you end up watching videos on it all day then it certainly won’t last as long.

Sensitive stylus

There’s no arguing – at $99, the Apple Pencil is expensive. Price aside, though, it is a really nice tool that is capable of creating high-quality images. Two areas in which it excels are pressure sensitivity and tilt detection, both of which allow you to add shading like you would with a real pencil. It’s also worth noting that the stylus does not use Bluetooth connectivity. Instead, the iPad Pro can tell when the stylus is close to the display and scans for “tip signal”. All this adds up to is a drawing experience that is as close to using a real pencil and paper as you can get.

The new Keyboard

The fact that the iPad finally has a keyboard brings this device into a whole new realm of tablet – one that can arguably become a laptop replacement. And while not perfect, it performs just as well as a regular keyboard, and is also quite comfortable to the touch, covered in a woven fabric that is easy to clean. As for drawbacks, it can only be propped up at one angle, which can make it uncomfortable to work with when you don’t have a desk or table to set it on. And like the stylus, the keyboard does not come cheap; it’s priced at a whopping $169.

Is this a laptop replacement?

Yes, it could be. But make no mistake that the iPad Pro isn’t capable of doing everything your Macbook Pro can. Because it runs on iOS 9, you will not be able to use all the same applications you would on your Macbook, and you will have no file access. Additionally, the iPad Pro only includes two ports – a Lightning connector and a headphone jack. So while you could potentially use the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, you will be limited in terms of functionality if you choose to do so.

If you’re interested in learning more about the iPad Pro, or are ready to deck out your offices with some brand new IT, call us today to learn how we can help you.

It’s the holiday season, and that means people are more likely than ever to spend money. While people are out shopping in full force, many come home to warm up and inevitably end up surfing their favorite social media network: Facebook. So if you’ve been trying to get a piece of this action with little luck, it’s not too late to right the sleigh. Here’s how to get the most out of your Facebook ads, and make this holiday season a little more jolly.

Know your audience, and talk directly to them

If you try and target everyone, you will end up sounding like every other vendor out there. And if you sound similar to hundreds of other people, how likely are you to stand out from the crowd? Think in fresh new terms and be prepared to target your audience. You know what you are selling, and you know what your customers need. So speak directly to them. By doing so, you become unique, and unique catches the attention of your similarly unique prospects.

Target fans of similar brands

Facebook allows you to target followers of specific brands. So if you don’t know who your audience is, try targeting those of similar brands. Chances are the followers of that brand will be nearly the same as your target prospect, so you’re likely to see some results by doing this.

Get to the point quickly, and be concise

No one has time for long sales pitches at this time of year, so be concise in your copy. Your time is valuable, and your current and potential customers are busy. You only have a short window to catch their attention, so make your opportunity to do so count. Write clear, concise copy that speaks directly to them and quickly explains your offer.

Optimize your images

Christmas and the New Year are about family and making personal connections. According to marketing guru Dan S. Kennedy and author Kim Walsh-Phillips, ads that feature people are more likely to be clicked on, provided you adhere to the following two rules:

1. Use an image of a person smiling and looking straight into the camera. According to Dan and Kim, this has proven to work time and time again in their own tests.
2. Have the person wear a red shirt. For Dan and Kim, red shirts tested 75% of the time better than other colors. And speaking of tests…

Test, test, and test again

Scientist test their ideas for a reason. It’s a proven way to discover if their theories are correct. The testing principle should also be your guiding light when it comes to Facebook ads. So set apart a portion of your budget and create several different versions of your ads to test, and see which works better. Specific areas of your ad to be tested include the headline, copy, and images. You will likely find that one version of your ad is working better than the other. And once you do, put the rest of your budget towards that specific ad.

Give a visual of the reward

Just like using a headline to give a teaser about an article, you want to let your target know what reward is in store for them if they click on your link. When you’re advertising a product, you absolutely want to do the same thing. Whether that’s a coupon, video, free report, or pair of shoes, make sure to show an image of it in your ad.

Mind your relevance score

Last but not least, don’t forget to pay attention to your relevance score. Why is this important? When your relevance score is high, you get more visibility for a lower price – and therefore more bang for your advertising buck. If you have a low relevance score, then it’s time you went back to the old drawing board, hoping for better luck next year. We can’t say this enough – test, test, and test again. Test different headlines, test images, and test copy to see what gives your relevance score the bump you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in more Facebook tips, or new technology for the new year, don’t hesitate to call our IT experts. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

There is no better time than the holidays to advertise your products. People are whipping out their wallets and looking to spend, and if you create effective ads, you’re sure to score a piece of the pie. So when it comes to Facebook, the largest social media network with over a billion users, how can you take advantage? Well, here are a few tips to help you create Facebook ads that convert, and could bring some holiday cheer to your new year sales figures.

Know your audience, and talk directly to them

If you try and target everyone, you will end up sounding like every other vendor out there. And if you sound similar to hundreds of other people, how likely are you to stand out from the crowd? Think in fresh new terms and be prepared to target your audience. You know what you are selling, and you know what your customers need. So speak directly to them. By doing so, you become unique, and unique catches the attention of your similarly unique prospects.

Target fans of similar brands

Facebook allows you to target followers of specific brands. So if you don’t know who your audience is, try targeting those of similar brands. Chances are the followers of that brand will be nearly the same as your target prospect, so you’re likely to see some results by doing this.

Get to the point quickly, and be concise

No one has time for long sales pitches at this time of year, so be concise in your copy. Your time is valuable, and your current and potential customers are busy. You only have a short window to catch their attention, so make your opportunity to do so count. Write clear, concise copy that speaks directly to them and quickly explains your offer.

Optimize your images

Christmas and the New Year are about family and making personal connections. According to marketing guru Dan S. Kennedy and author Kim Walsh-Phillips, ads that feature people are more likely to be clicked on, provided you adhere to the following two rules:

1. Use an image of a person smiling and looking straight into the camera. According to Dan and Kim, this has proven to work time and time again in their own tests.
2. Have the person wear a red shirt. For Dan and Kim, red shirts tested 75% of the time better than other colors. And speaking of tests…

Test, test, and test again

Scientist test their ideas for a reason. It’s a proven way to discover if their theories are correct. The testing principle should also be your guiding light when it comes to Facebook ads. So set apart a portion of your budget and create several different versions of your ads to test, and see which works better. Specific areas of your ad to be tested include the headline, copy, and images. You will likely find that one version of your ad is working better than the other. And once you do, put the rest of your budget towards that specific ad.

Give a visual of the reward

Just like using a headline to give a teaser about an article, you want to let your target know what reward is in store for them if they click on your link. When you’re advertising a product, you absolutely want to do the same thing. Whether that’s a coupon, video, free report, or pair of shoes, make sure to show an image of it in your ad.

Mind your relevance score

Last but not least, don’t forget to pay attention to your relevance score. Why is this important? When your relevance score is high, you get more visibility for a lower price – and therefore more bang for your advertising buck. If you have a low relevance score, then it’s time you went back to the old drawing board, hoping for better luck next year. We can’t say this enough – test, test, and test again. Test different headlines, test images, and test copy to see what gives your relevance score the bump you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in more Facebook tips, or new technology for the new year, don’t hesitate to call our IT experts. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

If you’ve tested out Facebook ads, or are thinking about it, you may be struggling to get the results and feedback you were hoping for. So, with the holiday season underway, and potential customers open to commercial messages, there is no better time to right the ship, get your ads working, and start making sales. If you’re at all curious about Facebook ads or could use some guidance with your current strategy, here are a few ways to take your Facebook ads to the next level.

Know your audience, and talk directly to them

If you try and target everyone, you will end up sounding like every other vendor out there. And if you sound similar to hundreds of other people, how likely are you to stand out from the crowd? Think in fresh new terms and be prepared to target your audience. You know what you are selling, and you know what your customers need. So speak directly to them. By doing so, you become unique, and unique catches the attention of your similarly unique prospects.

Target fans of similar brands

Facebook allows you to target followers of specific brands. So if you don’t know who your audience is, try targeting those of similar brands. Chances are the followers of that brand will be nearly the same as your target prospect, so you’re likely to see some results by doing this.

Get to the point quickly, and be concise

No one has time for long sales pitches at this time of year, so be concise in your copy. Your time is valuable, and your current and potential customers are busy. You only have a short window to catch their attention, so make your opportunity to do so count. Write clear, concise copy that speaks directly to them and quickly explains your offer.

Optimize your images

Christmas and the New Year are about family and making personal connections. According to marketing guru Dan S. Kennedy and author Kim Walsh-Phillips, ads that feature people are more likely to be clicked on, provided you adhere to the following two rules:

1. Use an image of a person smiling and looking straight into the camera. According to Dan and Kim, this has proven to work time and time again in their own tests.
2. Have the person wear a red shirt. For Dan and Kim, red shirts tested 75% of the time better than other colors. And speaking of tests…

Test, test, and test again

Scientist test their ideas for a reason. It’s a proven way to discover if their theories are correct. The testing principle should also be your guiding light when it comes to Facebook ads. So set apart a portion of your budget and create several different versions of your ads to test, and see which works better. Specific areas of your ad to be tested include the headline, copy, and images. You will likely find that one version of your ad is working better than the other. And once you do, put the rest of your budget towards that specific ad.

Give a visual of the reward

Just like using a headline to give a teaser about an article, you want to let your target know what reward is in store for them if they click on your link. When you’re advertising a product, you absolutely want to do the same thing. Whether that’s a coupon, video, free report, or pair of shoes, make sure to show an image of it in your ad.

Mind your relevance score

Last but not least, don’t forget to pay attention to your relevance score. Why is this important? When your relevance score is high, you get more visibility for a lower price – and therefore more bang for your advertising buck. If you have a low relevance score, then it’s time you went back to the old drawing board, hoping for better luck next year. We can’t say this enough – test, test, and test again. Test different headlines, test images, and test copy to see what gives your relevance score the bump you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in more Facebook tips, or new technology for the new year, don’t hesitate to call our IT experts. We’re happy to help in any way we can.

The Google Play Store is filled with hundreds of thousands of Android applications, many of which add great functionality and value to your device, but some of which are simply a waste of memory. So how do you sort the good ones from the bad? We’ve highlighted seven must-have apps that you need to try out today. These apps will help you get the most out of your Android device.

Adobe apps

Adobe offers a suite of apps for Android tablets, including the Acrobat Reader, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Clip, AIR, and so much more. These are all very useful for processing images, opening documents, and editing files. If you happen to be a user, most of the Adobe apps also work well with Creative Cloud.

Flipboard

Flipboard is a popular news application that uses a magazine-style interface. This app allows you to stay up-to-date with news and topics you’re interested in. You can easily customize your news digest from your favorite sources, such as Facebook, Twitter, RSS feeds, The New York Times, and more.

Google Drive

With Google Drive, you gain access to a suite of powerful apps including Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Keep and much more. Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage, which you can use to store all kinds of digital files and access them from anywhere.

Kindle

There are tons of ebook reader apps out there, but few can measure up to Amazon’s Kindle app. Kindle provides you with more than a million ebooks to download and read on your Android device. You can also manually download different books in various formats, and then transfer them to an external storage device.

CamScanner

This nifty application allows you to use your Android tablet’s camera to scan documents such as invoices, forms, and receipts, and have them exported in PDF format. You can store, sync, and collaborate on these documents across any number of web-enabled devices. The app also comes with support for fax sending, OCR, printing, and more.

LastPass

We get it – you have numerous accounts for social networks, apps and websites, and memorizing all of your passwords can be confusing. LastPass is a password management application that will securely store your passwords, and automatically log you into various apps and websites. With LastPass, you don’t have to remember every password you use.

Zedge

Zedge is a search engine for downloading ringtones, notification sounds, wallpapers, and themes. It is a good place to start if you’re looking to customize the look and feel of your device in order to give it a personal touch. It’s super popular among Android tablet users, with millions of freebies available and a simple user interface.

These applications are far from being a comprehensive list, but they can help optimize the performance of your device. If you want to learn how to use Android tablets to boost your business’s efficiency, give us a call today.

Whether you’ve just purchased a new Android tablet or already have one, finding and installing the right applications is one of the most important decisions you need to make as a tablet user. But with the Google Play Store and its plethora of options, choosing a set of apps for your device can be overwhelming. So instead of downloading apps at random, check out the list below for the essential ones you need to get for your tablet.

Adobe apps

Adobe offers a suite of apps for Android tablets, including the Acrobat Reader, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Clip, AIR, and so much more. These are all very useful for processing images, opening documents, and editing files. If you happen to be a user, most of the Adobe apps also work well with Creative Cloud.

Flipboard

Flipboard is a popular news application that uses a magazine-style interface. This app allows you to stay up-to-date with news and topics you’re interested in. You can easily customize your news digest from your favorite sources, such as Facebook, Twitter, RSS feeds, The New York Times, and more.

Google Drive

With Google Drive, you gain access to a suite of powerful apps including Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Keep and much more. Google Drive offers 15GB of free storage, which you can use to store all kinds of digital files and access them from anywhere.

Kindle

There are tons of ebook reader apps out there, but few can measure up to Amazon’s Kindle app. Kindle provides you with more than a million ebooks to download and read on your Android device. You can also manually download different books in various formats, and then transfer them to an external storage device.

CamScanner

This nifty application allows you to use your Android tablet’s camera to scan documents such as invoices, forms, and receipts, and have them exported in PDF format. You can store, sync, and collaborate on these documents across any number of web-enabled devices. The app also comes with support for fax sending, OCR, printing, and more.

LastPass

We get it – you have numerous accounts for social networks, apps and websites, and memorizing all of your passwords can be confusing. LastPass is a password management application that will securely store your passwords, and automatically log you into various apps and websites. With LastPass, you don’t have to remember every password you use.

Zedge

Zedge is a search engine for downloading ringtones, notification sounds, wallpapers, and themes. It is a good place to start if you’re looking to customize the look and feel of your device in order to give it a personal touch. It’s super popular among Android tablet users, with millions of freebies available and a simple user interface.

These applications are far from being a comprehensive list, but they can help optimize the performance of your device. If you want to learn how to use Android tablets to boost your business’s efficiency, give us a call today.