In response to ongoing supply chain challenges, rising costs, and operational obstacles, Saltbox is offering more than just financial aid. The company is providing access to a business community, expert logistics advice, and professional development resources to help entrepreneurs grow.

“At Saltbox, we know that success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about luck—it’s about having the right resources, space, and support to turn big ideas into reality,” said Olivia Mariani, VP of Marketing at Saltbox. “With the Luck of the Entrepreneur grant, we’re giving small business owners a boost to help them level up in 2025.”

Saltbox is awarding a $1,500 grant to one business that tours a Saltbox location by March 31. In addition, starting March 17, all new members will be entered into a monthly drawing for $1,500 in funding. Additional prizes include free growth consulting sessions, exclusive Saltbox merchandise, and gift cards. Existing members will also have access to funding opportunities through a quarterly drawing.

“As entrepreneurs ourselves, we know firsthand the challenges that small business owners face every day,” said Katerina Cirilli, COO at Saltbox. “Saltbox was built to help logistics-enabled entrepreneurs thrive, and this grant program is another way we’re making sure they have the resources, community, and infrastructure to succeed—not just today, but for the long haul.”

How to Enter

Entrepreneurs located near any of Saltbox’s 11 locations are encouraged to tour a facility before March 31 to qualify for the grant drawing. The first winner will be announced on April 4. Current Saltbox members will be automatically entered into the new monthly and quarterly drawings beginning March 17.

For more details on the Luck of the Entrepreneur grant and how Saltbox is supporting small businesses, visit Saltbox’s website.

This article, "Saltbox Launches ‘Luck of the Entrepreneur’ Grant for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

4.7 Million Jobs Directly Benefit from TikTok

The Oxford Economics report estimates that 4.7 million jobs in the U.S. benefit directly from using TikTok. This includes:

• Over 3.1 million workers who use TikTok in their jobs by creating content for the platform or managing accounts.
• More than 1.6 million workers who benefit indirectly, such as sales teams generating leads, marketing teams engaging customers, and product teams analyzing user feedback.

Businesses Scaling with TikTok

The study found that 74% of businesses on TikTok reported the platform helped them scale their operations, a trend observed across both small and large enterprises. TikTok’s unique format enables businesses to create authentic and engaging content, expanding their reach and driving revenue growth.

“Tiktok’s impact on the US economy continues to expand, with millions of small and mid-sized businesses using the platform to reach new customers, increase engagement, and create jobs,” said Blake Chandlee, President of Global Business Solutions at TikTok. “The latest Oxford Economics report underscores this growing influence, estimating that 28 million people are employed by businesses that leverage TikTok’s features. The platform isn’t just a tool for brand awareness—it’s a catalyst for real economic opportunity, fueling job growth and innovation across the country.”

Laurence Wilse-Samson, Lead Economist at Oxford Economics, added, “The survey findings and an analysis of TikTok’s business account data suggest that millions of people in US businesses are either directly using the app as part of their jobs or benefit from the leads and opportunities it creates.”

Building on Previous Research

This latest report builds on Oxford Economics’ 2024 study, which focused on small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) using TikTok. That earlier analysis estimated that SMBs contributed $24 billion to the U.S. GDP and supported 224,000 jobs across the supply chain. Unlike the previous study, this new report considers businesses of all sizes, leading to a significantly higher estimate of total jobs impacted by TikTok.

The research was based on a 1,000-respondent survey conducted from December 2024 to January 2025, which included businesses from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To participate, businesses were required to have a TikTok account for business use. The findings also incorporate TikTok’s proprietary business account data and U.S. Census Bureau business population estimates.

Real Business Success Stories

Small business owners credit TikTok with transforming their operations and enabling them to grow.

“We started in September 2016 with nothing but a small food stand in a local flea market—just me, my husband, and two employees,” said Vanessa Barreat, owner of La Vecindad in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Today, we have 60 employees, two locations, and a thriving community of customers who found us through TikTok. Dozens of families now rely on La Vecindad, and we can even send our children to college—something we once only dreamed of.”

The platform’s impact spans various industries, including retail.

“TikTok was one of the major factors that helped us triple our business,” said Alex Bellman, chief operating officer of Bellman Jewelers in Manchester, New Hampshire. “Because of TikTok, we had to hire eight new employees and are now opening a second location in Boston. Without this platform, we’d have to spend tens of thousands of dollars just to try to compete with larger brands. It’s helped level the playing field for small businesses like ours.”

Beyond Business Accounts

The report notes that TikTok’s economic impact extends beyond businesses that have official accounts. Many independent creators, entrepreneurs, and personal brands use the platform to generate income, build careers, and support their professional endeavors.

This article, "New Report: TikTok Supports 28 Million Jobs Across 7.5 Million US Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

The introduction of Projects Plus follows a year of substantial growth for Zoho Projects, which saw a 20% year-over-year revenue increase in 2024. Additionally, the company reported a threefold rise in user migration from third-party project management tools, with 55% of new users transitioning from Microsoft Projects and JIRA.

“Like many of our Enterprise solutions, Zoho Projects Plus was developed to deliver supreme value and meet the needs our customers had been demonstrating within our software suite, particularly between Zoho Projects and Zoho Analytics,” says Raju Vegesna, Chief Evangelist at Zoho. “Projects Plus synthesizes the latest AI-driven tools, data-first analytics, and privacy-focused protections into software that anticipates the evolving needs of international Enterprise organizations, expanding Zoho’s global reach.”

Comprehensive AI and Data-Driven Management

Zoho Projects Plus introduces a data-centric approach to project management by integrating AI-powered tools that enhance decision-making. The platform’s Predictive Analysis feature uses historical data to forecast risks, estimate timelines, and anticipate resource needs, allowing for proactive project planning.

Other key capabilities include:

• Progress Tracking and Bottleneck Analysis – Real-time dashboards replace static tools like Gantt charts, providing up-to-date project status insights.
• Quality Control Analytics – Automated analytics ensure that deliverables meet predefined standards throughout the project lifecycle.
• Advanced AI Automation – Zoho’s AI assistant, Zia, enhances resource allocation, streamlines workflows, and enables smarter project forecasting.

Industry Adoption and Business Impact

Early adopters of Zoho Projects Plus have reported improved efficiency and visibility across teams. Steve Wooster, Vice President of Operations at Virtuoso, highlighted the platform’s impact on enterprise-wide project coordination.

“Leveraging Zoho Projects for enterprise-wide projects has increased visibility, improved communication and coordination across divisions, and ultimately led to more successful project delivery,” Wooster says. “Now, with Projects Plus, that functionality has increased while offering ease of use. Having Projects Plus directly connect between Zoho Projects, Sprints, and Analytics reduces friction by ensuring teams maintain a full, transparent view of company priorities and the ability to customize data use by department.”

Dave Smith, founder and principal analyst at InFlow Analysis, emphasizes the role of AI in redefining project management.

“With Zoho Projects Plus, organizations can embrace a future where project management is not just about tracking deadlines but about leveraging AI, automation, and unified workspaces to predict, optimize, and transform outcomes,” Smith says. “By integrating hybrid project management, collaborative work management, and a powerful layer of data analytics with contextually embedded AI across all applications, Zoho is furthering its support for mid-market and Enterprise companies by redefining how teams execute seamlessly and intelligently.”

Pricing and Availability

Zoho Projects Plus is now available globally. In the U.S., the platform is priced at $16 per user per month, which is 27% lower than the combined cost of purchasing Projects, Sprints, WorkDrive, and Analytics separately. Regional pricing details can be found at Zoho’s official site.

As Zoho continues to expand its enterprise offerings, Projects Plus marks a significant step in delivering scalable, AI-enhanced project management solutions for businesses across various industries.

Images: Zoho

This article, "Zoho Unveils Projects Plus, a Unified AI-Driven Project Management Platform" was first published on Small Business Trends

They even tell businesses when they can expect to have money coming in so they can budget and plan their finances. Read this guide for all the details that small businesses may need to know.

Essential Invoice Payment Terms

Several critical components are involved, including the invoice and payment due dates. Payment terms such as Net 60 or Net 30 define the time frame where the payment is expected. Some invoices might say “owing on receipt.”

Common Invoice Terms

Here are a few other terms you should be familiar with.

Immediate Payment

The money is required right after the invoice for the transactions is issued. That way, the small business has an immediate cash flow.

Cash Before Shipment (CBS)

Payment needs to be made before the products and services are shipped. This reduces the risk of the invoice not being paid and provides the seller with advanced funds.

Cash in Advance (CIA)

This is used quite often in international transactions to lessen the risk. Payment must be made before goods and services are provided.

Payment in Advance (PIA)

One effective method to protect the seller’s interests is to request payment prior to delivery. This approach guarantees cash flow before the work commences.

Cash Next Delivery (CND)

CND requires the payment to be made the day after the delivery. This is perfect for quick turnaround industries since it offers a short credit period.

Cash on Delivery (COD)

Payment is made when the goods and services get delivered. Buyers are the winners here because they verify their purchases before paying.

Cash With Order (CWO)

This arrangement is advantageous for the seller, as they receive payment at the time the order is placed. This means the seller gets the funds before any work starts.

Contra Payment

This payment type is about two different parties and offsetting debts that work together. This way, there’s no cash exchanging hands.

End of Month (EOM)

As the name suggests, the payment is due at the end of the month when it is issued. This allows a buyer to manage their cash flow.

Monthly Credit Payment

This allows buyers to pay off outstanding balances month to month. It’s a tool used to establish regular payment schedules.

Interest Invoice

These serve as penalties for late payments. Interest invoices act as incentives for timely payments and help compensate the seller for any delays.

Terms of Sale

The terms of sale encompass various aspects, such as payment requirements and delivery. This approach ensures a clear and transparent agreement.

Net 7/10/30/60/90

These are the days the buyer has to pay after the invoice is issued. It’s a way to establish a flexible schedule based on industry standards and the relationship between a seller and purchaser. 

Invoice Payment Terms Example

Following is a fictional example of the invoice terms for a website design contract.

• Invoice Number: #001234
• Invoice Date: The date indicated on the invoice
• From: ABC Web Design Services, 123 Digital Lane, Tech City, TX
• To: XYZ Retail Company, 456 Commerce Blvd, Market Town, CA
• Description: Complete website redesign and deployment.
• Amount: $5,000
• Payment Terms: Net 30 (Payment due 30 days from the invoice date, making the due date 30 days after the invoice is issued)
• Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (Preferred), Check, Online Payment Platforms (e.g., PayPal)
• Bank Details (for Bank Transfer):
  • Account Name: ABC Web Design Services
  • Bank: TechBank USA
  • Account Number: 123456789
  • Routing Number: 987654321
• Late Payment: Late payments may incur a 2% monthly interest charge.

This fictional invoice clearly describes the amounts, due dates, and payment terms. There’s flexibility because Net 30 is offered, and allowing multiple payment methods is convenient.

The Impact of Payment Terms on Cash Flow

Immediate terms boost on-hand cash and allow for quick access to funds. However, you can limit your customer base if they have cash considerations. EOM or Net 30 can delay a business’s flow but potentially increase opportunities.  A business owner should consider all the options for an effective invoicing process. Additionally, options like invoice factoring and invoice financing can help with immediate cash flow issues.

Choosing the Right Payment Terms for Your Business

Businesses can select suitable payment terms for prompt payment :

• Choose one that supports your cash requirements. If you need a steady inflow, immediate payment might be your best choice.
• EOM or Net 30 are best suited to long-term customers with a good track record of paying on time.
• You can potentially speed up transactions by offering convenient methods like digital payments and checks.

Communicating Your Payment Terms Effectively

Communicating invoice payment terms effectively is crucial for maintaining a clear and professional relationship with your clients. Here are key points to consider for enhancing transparency and understanding in your invoicing process:

• Clarity of Payment Terms: Ensure that your invoices clearly state the payment terms. This includes the due date, any early payment incentives, or charges for late payments. Making these terms visible and unambiguous helps set clear expectations.
• Highlight Payment Terms: To ensure that the invoice payment terms receive proper attention, consider emphasizing them or using bold text. This approach can help make certain that the terms are clearly understood and not missed by the client.
• Diverse Payment Options: Offering a variety of payment methods can significantly improve the convenience of your clients. This might include:
  • Credit or debit card payments
  • Online payment platforms (e.g., PayPal, Stripe)
  • Bank transfers
  • Checks Providing multiple options caters to different preferences and can expedite the payment process.
• Detailed Itemization: A transparent invoice should include a detailed breakdown of all products and services provided, along with their respective costs. This itemization helps the client understand exactly what they are being charged for, reducing the likelihood of disputes and confusion.
• Clear Instructions for Payment: Include specific instructions for each payment method offered. This should cover necessary details like online payment links, bank account information for transfers, or mailing addresses for checks.
• Contact Information: Ensure that your contact information is easy to find on the invoice. If clients have questions or concerns about their invoice, knowing how to reach you is essential for quick resolution.
• Use Clear Language: Steer clear of complex terminology or jargon that could confuse your clients. The objective is to ensure that the invoice payment terms and the entire invoice are as clear and comprehensible as possible.
• Prompt and Polite Communication: When sending invoices, accompany them with a polite message thanking the client for their business and highlighting the importance of adhering to the payment terms. This can set a positive tone for the transaction.
• Follow-Up System: Establish a system to track and follow up on unpaid invoices. Sending gentle reminders both before and after the due date can promote timely payments and help maintain a positive relationship with your clients.

Incorporating these practices into your invoicing process can significantly enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication regarding payment terms, leading to smoother transactions and healthier business relationships.

Addressing Late Payments

You need to have a process for handling overdue accounts. Check the following boxes so your expectations are clear.

• Make sure your requirements are outlined. Clients prioritize paying when they understand the consequences of late or delayed payments.
• Legal protection can be provided by defining the consequences of late payment.
• Ensure you are very upfront about the percentage and amount of late fees and interest charges.
• Clearly define your overdue procedures. These should include phone calls and reminder emails before a collection agency. 

Payment Method and Billing Process

A variety of customers prefer having multiple payment options. Online payment platforms, credit cards, and bank transfers all simplify the process and expedite transactions.

Recurring Payments and Invoices

Ongoing services that have recurring invoices and payments automate the entire billing cycle. It’s a great way to have predictable cash flowing in and out, and automation reduces the amount of administration.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Payment Terms 

Watch out for these errors when you’re drafting payment terms.

• Make sure the late fees are transparent if you extend payment deadlines.
• Not enforcing your terms consistently is a big mistake.
• Some small businesses even forget to offer incentives for early payment. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=O6qtAT_SnIM%3Fsi%3Df5t35j-vD2cmg2os

FAQs: Invoice Payment Terms

Here are some answers to common questions.

What are the best payment terms to encourage quick invoice payments?

Begin by understanding how to create an invoice that clearly outlines payment terms, facilitating quick transactions for clients. This usually involves detailing the payment steps either in an email or directly on the invoice. Refer to an invoice example to help you get started, then incorporate concise payment deadlines and think about offering early payment discounts.

How does the invoice date affect payment terms and due dates?

This date marks the beginning of the payment term. If you’ve agreed on a certain length of your payment term with clients, the due date will fall at the end of that term. For example, if your payment term is one week, then the due date would fall one week after the original invoice date.

Is it a good idea to offer discounts for early payment?

Incentivizing fast payments and improving your cash flow is a good idea for those that need to encourage fast payments. However, discounts can reduce your revenue over time. Communicating clearly and creating strong relationships with ongoing clients can encourage getting paid on time without reducing your revenue.

Read More:

• What is an invoice?

Image: Envato Elements

This article, "Common Invoice Payment Terms and How to Write Them" was first published on Small Business Trends

The indictment alleges that Greer used his company’s bank accounts to cover personal expenses, including payments to bookmakers Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian to settle gambling losses, as well as the purchase of a 2021 Mercedes Benz. Greer allegedly concealed these payments in the company’s financial records and directed them to be recorded as business expenses to lower taxable income.

Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in operating an illegal sports gambling business.

If convicted, Greer faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. The charges were announced by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally for the Central District of California.

Image: Canva

This article, "California Businessman Indicted for Tax Evasion" was first published on Small Business Trends

As freelancers are projected to represent half of the U.S. workforce by 2027, Fiverr sees this program as a means of offering additional financial incentives. The program will provide up to $10,000 in Fiverr shares to eligible freelancers, with equity grants distributed over four years based on annual eligibility requirements.

“Freelancers are the backbone of today’s economy and the heart of Fiverr’s success,” said Micha Kaufman, Founder & CEO of Fiverr. “With this initiative, they’re not just shaping the future of work—we’re actually giving them a piece of it, making Fiverr not just a platform for work, but a place where equity can also be earned.”

Eligible freelancers will be notified in the coming days regarding their participation in the program. The initiative is structured to encourage sustained excellence and continued engagement among Fiverr’s highest-performing freelancers, while also serving as an aspirational goal for others on the platform.

“This is something we’ve long wanted to offer, and after careful development and extensive work, we’ve created a program around how we can build success together with our talent,” added Kaufman. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to innovation not just in technology, but in how we value and invest in our talent community.”

The Freelancer Equity Program marks a significant step in Fiverr’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with freelancers by offering them a direct stake in the company’s success.

This article, "Fiverr Launches Freelancer Equity Program, Offering Shares to Top Freelancers" was first published on Small Business Trends

Supporting Small Manufacturers

According to the SBA, approximately 99% of American manufacturers are small businesses, and the initiative aims to further support their resurgence. The agency highlighted recent job growth in the sector, citing the addition of 10,000 manufacturing jobs in the President’s first full month in office, reversing previous job losses in the industry.

“With the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, we’re slashing red tape, expanding access to capital, and fueling a manufacturing resurgence that will create high-paying jobs and revitalize communities across the country,” Loeffler said in the announcement.

Key Components of the Initiative

The SBA outlined several measures under the initiative to support small manufacturers, including:

• Regulatory Reduction: The agency plans to cut $100 billion in regulatory burdens through its Office of Advocacy, which will work across federal agencies to eliminate policies that disproportionately impact small manufacturers.
• Red Tape Hotline: A new hotline will allow small business owners to submit feedback on excessive regulations for review.
• Office of Manufacturing and Trade: A newly established office will provide dedicated resources, training, and support to small manufacturers in collaboration with SBA field offices nationwide.
• Loan Program Enhancements: The SBA will reduce barriers to its 504 loan program, which provides funding for real estate, construction, and equipment purchases without requiring ongoing taxpayer subsidies. Additionally, the 7(a) Working Capital Pilot program will be expanded to help small businesses finance inventory purchases and export-related expenses.
• Workforce Development: The SBA will partner with agencies, trade schools, and private sector stakeholders to promote a pipeline of skilled manufacturing workers.
• Trade and Tax Policies: The initiative supports broader manufacturing policies, including tariffs for fair trade, tax cuts on domestic production, and 100% expensing retroactive to Jan. 20, 2025.

Made in America Roadshow

As part of the initiative, representatives from the newly established Office of Manufacturing and Trade will embark on a multistate “Made in America Roadshow” over the next two months. The tour will feature roundtables with small manufacturers across the country to gather industry feedback and identify further opportunities for support.

Administrator Loeffler will formally launch the initiative today at an aerospace and defense manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, where she will be joined by state and federal leaders as well as small business owners in the manufacturing sector.

The SBA stated that this initiative reflects a commitment to bolstering the nation’s industrial base while ensuring that essential goods are produced domestically. The agency emphasized that supporting small manufacturers is a key component of economic growth, job creation, and national security.

This article, "SBA Launches Made in America Manufacturing Initiative to Boost U.S. Industry" was first published on Small Business Trends

Affordable technology has eased the friction of digital workplace transformation, opening the process up to businesses of all sizes and budgets. Yet, surprisingly, the majority of businesses are still lagging behind, and the trend applies extra to small businesses.

A recent survey by Zoho, “Trends in Digital Workplace Transformation,” noted discrepancies in organizational maturity between international companies and those based in the United States, with US-based ones lagging behind slightly, 61% domestic versus 62.3% average internationally. The margin deepens significantly for small and medium-sized businesses, ranked at 58% maturity.

The survey outlines a few reasons why this may be the case. At a base level, it found many US small businesses remain vulnerable due to weak security measures and lack of awareness about the severity of issues and what can be done. While larger enterprises and tech firms have made progress in adopting new security protocols, small businesses often can’t afford that luxury, either with time or money, and thus incur higher risks.

The survey highlights two key areas where small businesses are particularly demonstrating a deficit, and what can be done about this: adopt more integrated and scalable digital solutions while simultaneously placing renewed emphasis on security for all of its employees. This can be done without overwhelming limited resources, as well.

Centralize information

To start the digital workplace transformation survey highlights some organizational areas where small businesses are excelling beyond their larger counterparts.

Consider how a company handles service and support tickets, a vital part of any growing organization. The small businesses surveyed in the digital workplace transformation survey were more likely to have adopted a structured and automated request management system than their larger counterparts, who are more likely to employ a more catch-as-catch-can informal and manual request channel. Additionally, the study found that small businesses do a better job of establishing a cadence for internal updates, with more than half (53%) running routine team meetings.

However, small businesses start trailing the pack when looking at the survey’s workplace trends entirely enabled by technology. Small businesses rarely employ dedicated, organization-wide communication channels or self-service capabilities for employees to collaborate with others. Much of this is understandable: Technology carries a financial cost that many smaller organizations simply can’t pay. For SMBs to continue growing, it’s paramount that information become centralized and accessible by anyone within an organization to support asynchronous work.

Thankfully, better CRM tools are becoming available, for less money, every day, and the pricing structures have evolved to match their democratization. One in particular, “land and expand,” has become quite popular among SMBs because it scales along with the business, allowing for new pieces of software to be added to a package, or an increase in user base, whenever the company would like—without locking them into unnecessary contracts or incurring extra fees. SMBs should look out for vendors offering these sorts of pricing structures and opt to use the associated CRMs, which will give employees time to adjust workflows before going all-in on a new way of working.

Emphasize security

Over the last few years, security tools have become far more sophisticated and affordable; many of them come standard with software packages focused on small businesses. Yet, according to the survey, many businesses still haven’t worked these safeguards into their workflows. Only half of US businesses make use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), biometrics, or one-time passwords (OTPs) to access systems—far more secure methods than the old-fashioned, one-password method.

Both in-person and remote work suffer from security concerns, as well. Less than 25% of remote workers surveyed said they undergo secure access policies, such as VPN encryption or authentication, while working from home. At the office, only 30% of organizations surveyed have implemented physical security controls, like distributing ID badges or designating secure areas. Across the board, less than one fourth of employees have received any cyber threat training whatsoever.

Small businesses can buck this trend by prioritizing education for their employees. It begins by demonstrating what questionable activity looks like—phishing emails, scam phone calls, and shady access attempts—followed by actions employees can take right away to mitigate risk. This last point is of particular importance given that a mere 15% of employees surveyed claim to have ever reported a security threat through official channels.

Part of this process should include establishing organization-wide communication channels to disseminate information, verify the identity of a sender, or hear directly from HR. The survey found that few small businesses have this piece in place; without easy means of communication, it can be difficult for employees to align on best practices, even when the company itself is small. A small step companies can take is to append a “security updates” segment to mandatory team meetings, even if there isn’t much to discuss. This establishes a routine and makes space for employees to ask questions.

Continued change

Perhaps most importantly, the digital workplace transformation survey identified a troubling trend: small businesses rarely implement new tools when the technology becomes available, setting them far behind their larger counterparts.

This isn’t to suggest all small businesses undergo a complete overhaul of their processes—far from it. Rather, the survey suggests that SMBs begin looking at small areas where technology can enhance either workplace communication or security, and begin laying the groundwork for lasting digital transformation. These small pieces begin to add up quickly.

Most importantly, small businesses need to recognize that these are important steps for companies to take at some point; the earlier SMBs can start on their maturation journey, the better.

This article, "New Survey Reveals Small Businesses Lag Behind Larger Counterparts in Security and Unification" was first published on Small Business Trends

The report finds that social media is the dominant marketing tool for early-stage entrepreneurs. According to the study, 63% of new SMBs rely on social media as their primary marketing channel, and 73% of respondents said that both paid and unpaid social media posts are their biggest revenue drivers.

Despite this focus, many small businesses are looking to diversify their marketing strategies. 33% of new SMBs consider email marketing an underutilized tool, and only 15% leverage SMS marketing despite its strong engagement potential.

New SMBs are also turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations and enhance their marketing efforts. The report found that 72% of SMBs plan to use AI for marketing in 2025, with AI being used for tasks such as content creation (37%), customer data analysis (32%), and personalized messaging (31%). Additionally, 41% of highly confident SMB owners are already using AI to analyze customer data.

“It’s difficult to be a small business right now, but what’s clear from our study is that the spirit, passion, and resilience of the SMB is still quite strong,” said Frank Vella, CEO at Constant Contact. “The newest entrepreneurs are digitally savvy, and they understand that adaptability isn’t just a survival tactic, it’s a growth strategy.”

While optimism is high, small business owners acknowledge ongoing challenges. Nearly half (45%) of new SMB owners feel very confident in their business growth for 2025, while 55% express concerns due to factors like customer acquisition, rising costs, and shifting consumer habits. Additionally, 35% believe economic factors will significantly impact their success in the coming year.

Despite these challenges, 95% of entrepreneurs said they would choose small business ownership again, with 71% expressing excitement and 57% feeling proud to be part of the SMB community.

Constant Contact’s findings highlight the adaptability of new entrepreneurs as they integrate social media and AI-driven technology into their growth strategies. As SMBs seek to expand their marketing efforts beyond social media, AI and automation are set to play a critical role in helping businesses remain competitive in an evolving economic landscape.

“By harnessing social media to enhance customer relationships and embracing advanced technologies like AI to maintain stability and work smarter, they’re turning challenges into opportunities and redefining what it means to thrive in any economic landscape,” Vella added.

This article, "Constant Contact Report Highlights Social-First, Tech-Driven Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

The new MacBook Air models are powered by Apple’s latest M4 chip, which features a 10-core CPU and an up to 10-core GPU. According to Apple, the M4 model is “up to 2x faster than the M1 model” and offers “up to 23x faster performance” when compared to Intel-based MacBook Air models. The chip’s Neural Engine, which enhances AI-based tasks, is “up to 3x faster than on MacBook Air with M1.”

Apple states that the M4 chip improves efficiency in everyday tasks such as web browsing, spreadsheet calculations, and video editing. Battery life remains a key feature, with Apple claiming “up to 18 hours” of use on a single charge.

Apple has introduced an all-new sky blue color option, which joins the existing lineup of midnight, starlight, and silver. The new MacBook Air continues to feature its signature thin and light design, making it portable and suitable for work, study, and entertainment.

The updated MacBook Air includes a 12MP Center Stage camera that automatically adjusts to keep users in the frame during video calls. It also now supports “up to two external 6K displays” when the laptop lid is closed, expanding its use for professionals and students who need a multi-screen setup.

The new MacBook Air is designed to take advantage of Apple Intelligence, enabling features such as Image Playground for creative visuals, Genmoji for personalized emoji creation, and advanced writing tools. The integration of ChatGPT into Siri and Writing Tools allows users to access AI-powered assistance with built-in privacy protections.

The macOS Sequoia operating system enhances the user experience with features such as iPhone Mirroring, improved Safari browsing, and better gaming support.

Apple highlights its environmental commitment with the MacBook Air, which features “over 55 percent recycled content,” including a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure. The company continues its transition to renewable electricity for manufacturing as part of its Apple 2030 initiative.

Customers can pre-order the new MacBook Air models now, with availability beginning on March 12. The 13-inch model starts at $999, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,199, with education pricing available for both. Additional details and configurations are available on Apple’s website.

Image: Apple

This article, "Apple Unveils New MacBook Air with M4 Chip and Lower Starting Price" was first published on Small Business Trends