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25 Digital Marketing Tips for MSME #GrowingBusinessesTogether

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 24, 2021 35

Are you an MSME or planning to register yourself as one?Setting up as an MSME is easy and packed full of several benefits.Now about digital marketing as an MSME. How do you go about it? Should you employ someone or do it yourself or maybe take some help on a freelance basis?

Whatever you do, the following tips for digital marketing will help you get started on the right foot. So how can you, as a small business, get set up with digital ,marketing?Don’t worry .I have got you covered.As a digital educator and an entrepreneur,I am working online since 2014.I create branded content for health,education ,finance and other categories both for small ,medium and large corporations.

The Government of India is helping micro,small and medium enterprises(MSME) set up their business,create jobs,have access to financial support easily through their dedicated website.But just starting an MSME is half the job .The difficult part is marketing with little or no budget.Thats where this post will help you.

What’s interesting about my journey ,even if I say so myself ,is I have no business background.Infact I had no clue that a digital education business is a small business too.

In case you are interested only in the digital marketing tips and not an MSME,I guarantee this post will help you too.

25 Digital Marketing Tips for your MSME

1. Your Brand website:

Your website is your calling card. So this one needs to be authentic with a custom domain name and not a free WordPress site. Get your website and domain. Use a service like Hostgator, which helps you set it up. Their customer care is fantastic, and you can get your website set up in one day.

2. Get your Google My Business page set and use the power of Google and local SEO to target your customers in the right geographical region. This is crucial if you are a service-based industry and want to appear in the search result as an X Road Shop.It’s now being called Google Business Profile.

3. Submit your site to search engines like Google, Bing at the least. This will happen automatically even if you don’t do it manually, but takes more time.

4. Local listings: Submit your site to local listings. Don’t forget to see the Domain Authority of the place where you are submitting your website. Avoid strictly spammy, low authority directories.

5 Claim your social media handles. Instagram and Facebook at a minimum and then Pinterest,Twitter and LinkedIn.This not only helps you with the brand building but is a wonderful way to start a conversation with your audience.

6 Ebook: Create a super helpful ebook download for your customers and use it as an optin for your website visitor. When people make a transaction with you online or offline, don’t forget to share the details about getting this valuable ebook. You can use CANVA to create a beautiful ebook or pay someone to make one for you.

7 Build an email list. Email marketing is still one of the best ways to make readers your fans and customers. But this needs an investment of time and energy. Revue is a newsletter subscription option through Twitter again free. This is crucial but will take time.

8 Use CANVA to create your social media graphics, ebook covers, and anything creative in bulk. It’s easy to use, and with my link, you can even get a thirty-day free use of Canva Pro.

9 Use Schedulers like Jetpack or CANVA pro to schedule all your social media posts and concentrate on building your business.

10 Have a Content calendar to leverage opportunities for special promo days. Think Independence Day, Diwali, Durga puja, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, to give special offers, freebies, etc.

11 Create a loyalty point digital card to create customer expectations. Don’t forget to fulfill your promise.

12 Create a Blog on your website: Content marketing and SEO are still among the best ways to spread the word. Think how-to articles, helpful resources, educational materials centered around your product’s services, and lateral keywords.Check out my free resource list of Blogging tools to get started .

Remember content marketing and list building are golden , when it comes to digital marketing.

13 Push notification like the one signal push notification is super helpful. Web push is free for up to 10000 subscribers currently.

14 Video: Video marketing is big. There are no two ways about it. Don’t forget CANVA is again an excellent tool for creating quick social animated videos. You also have platforms for Live Video too, like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram. Quickly survey where your audience is most engaged and start with one platform.

15. Podcast: Podcast through the Anchor app is free and easy to set up. Try Twitter spaces later when your followers increase. Nowadays Facebook allows podcast RSS feed submission, giving your followers an opportunity to listen to your podcast on the Facebook app itself.Check out my podcast here.

16. Giveaways: This is an excellent way to grow your social media followers and get reviews from users.

17. Challenges: This works well to have highly engaged fans. But the challenge needs to be well planned with concrete prizes which highlight your products or services. Terms and conditions need to be legally full proof to avoid controversy.

18. Guest blogging on an authority site in your niche will work well if the article is high quality and helpful. Guest post on sites in your niche and write an authentic, original, highly targeted post with a killer optin offer that readers can’t refuse. You can use that useful ebook, white paper .original, market research as a value-added offer.

19. YouTube Channel: This may not be possible immediately starting out, but it is a beautiful way to drive awareness about your business brand have engage users.

20. WhatsApp broadcasts: This is an option when people subscribe to your website and agree to receive the broadcasts.

21. Paid ads: This needs a whole other blog post but is a good option once you have the basics set up the right way.

22. Influencer marketing needs to be done carefully; use a site like Blogchatter to find authentic content creators. Try a mix of sponsored posts, interviews, writeups depending on your business.

23. Course: Take a course like the free Goldman Sach’s 10000 women to make the journey easier.You can also create your own course on Udemy or Coursera and give certification to help educate young people and provide job opportunities.These help in brand building in the long run.

24. Set up an affiliate dashboard to convert your customer to your marketing fairy. This can work well as long as you have a transparent and easy way of tracking affiliate sales.

25. Book me for a consultation if you want more help with finding digital marketing ideas.I also write brand-focused ebooks as optins .

The year 2021 and 2022 has been unreal. We were pushed headlong into science fiction horror stories. The unlikely result of the lockdown and pandemic is the digital explosion.

Everyone from Neil, Ratan, Mukesh, and my neighbor’s sabzi wala now have their own Google My Business profile, a Razorpay or phone pe link, and a promise of service at the doorstep. Start your digital marketing with what you have, and where you are. Then innovate. The world is your market and playground.

Growth Matters Forum is a community for business owners to explore ideas, streamline growth and create an impact. Join the community here to get more helpful resources. Read about tokenization in ecommerce. If you are a company of one, even then these are helpful ways to market.

How to Create a Personalized Art Calendar for 2022 (plus free Calendar)

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 19, 2021 10

Want to gift a customized calendar for 2022? Use CANVA to make for free.

First, upload your own artwork or family pictures on CANVA. If you want to start creating artwork, check out my post on online art creation.

Use one of the many free beautiful Calendar templates available or use mine.Link at the bottom of this post.Its free.

Insert the art or photo in the place holder using drag and drop on desktop.On the mobile click on the photo ,then click the replace option .

Use the various effects like background remover, photogenic to make the art-pop. Add unique stickers, mark special days and customize colors and fonts.

Preview online.

Now save your design on your desktop or on phone.

There are affiliate links in this post . The links in no way affect my content or what I share with you .Thank you for supporting the website.

Print it out and send as a gift to family and friends.

Here’s a free CANVA account membership to create your own calendar . Check out the art calendar I made.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAEwMA28o7g/view

Do you like this?

You can also customize my Free Art calendar here or Print out a copy to use.Let me know if you like it in the comments below.

Online Art Classes You Will Love!

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 18, 2021 10

Art Class online? Do they work? Depends on what you are looking for. I love the opportunity to learn from creators worldwide, and online art class broke glass ceilings for me.

I am a doctor and love everything about being one. But something else I love, is being a creative artist. If writing was the introduction to the world of art, I fell into the watercolor world with Tangi back in January 2020. That magical platform disappeared in July 2021, leaving us Tangi creators with only memories.

A creator-first community is a dream for artists, and that’s one reason I am excited about the Pinterest creator platform, the born on Instagram program, the Youtube creator, Google creator concepts. All in all, if you are a creator, these platforms are trying something new. Depending on your interests, learning is the name of the game. But how helpful these actually are, will be a post for another day.

It’s unbelievable what one can learn by listening and watching. I stopped painting when I was nine. It took a pandemic and lockdown to remind me of a world of watercolors, pencil, and paper. There are more fun times with painting because I try not to judge. I just paint. It’s so relaxing that after I paint, I feel I can do anything.

It’s crazy, but my daughter painted this picture with me when she was four and we were running out of paper. These are a mix of acrylic, crayons, and sketch pens.It was the best way to make her sit for some time in one place.

Now she is 9 and we are both trying different types of art and it’s time I shared about my favorite teachers.

The Online Art classes I adore are:

Rooftop app

Seascape with Watercolour and gouache

An art class I attended, this time with Rajasthan circle, a creative community under the @rooftop_ app.

Zwendelive

I painted this today with Zwende live, and if you check out my Instagram, you will find most of the artwork I created.

Youtube

There are so many incredible artists there. My favorite ones who share watercolor art are Jenna Rainey and Dewinton and paper co.

Instagram

I love watercolor by all my Tangi friends. Find a list of all artists here

I adore Instagram.

The Artist network newsletter:

They send some great tutorials to follow. You can learn so much by looking at their step-by-step tutorials.

Winsor and Newton newsletter.

7 Things about these Online Art Class you should know

The platforms I mention have many free art classes. They also have paid workshops. Most of the free courses are beginner-friendly.
They happen online through the Zoom app. You can join your phone or desktop.
Kids can join too. If you want your child to explore different art forms, there are many options to try to know what they enjoy most.
These art classes are usually forty minutes to an hour-long.
You can get feedback if you create along with the artist.
Option to buy the class recordings in some cases.
They are always a mood booster.

Seascape painted with Brusto Watercolour and Gouache

I am a watercolor girl, but I love mandala, doodling, and ink washes too. If you enjoy exploring your creative side, start with any of these or check out the creators on Instagram.

Diabetes in ENT practice

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 17, 2021 6

Diabetes in ENT practice can take a serious turn because when people come to us with nonresolving neck infections, recurrent facial nerve palsy, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and recurrent nasal bleeding they are all medical emergencies.

Nothing works until the underlying deranged blood glucose level is identified and corrected.

This is where it’s important to be aware.

In ENT practice Diabetes causes mainly two types of complications:

1)Neuropathy

Bells palsy, SSNHL(Sudden sensorineural hearing loss), Unilateral vocal cord palsy, dysphagia, progressive hearing loss, vertigo.

2)Immunodeficiency because of impaired white cell phagocytic activity.

Immunodeficiency causes poor wound healing areas surgery or trauma.

Nonresolving infections include life-threatening conditions like malignant otitis externa, and invasive fungal rhinosinusitis/Rhino-cerebral mucormycosis.

Deep neck space infections often become complicated because of poor blood sugar control.

Nonresolving mouth ulcers, recurrent episodes of mucositis, and glossitis can all be presenting symptoms in patients with Diabetes.

In all these cases, urgent control of blood sugar requires hospitalization and insulin to control blood sugar . The problem is because of the stress of acute infection blood sugar control is an even bigger struggle.

Primary care physicians and ENT surgeons both will need to motivate patients for better blood sugar control. In the long run, together with medication, and lifestyle, it’s the patient’s motivation that can make healing possible.

You may like this too where I talk about the problem with non-sugar sweeteners.

Diabetes Complications for the Unaware!

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 16, 2021 2

On World Diabetes Day, I shared some material created by the Indian Medical association about Diabetes. The focus was on preventing loss of vision due to Diabetes.

But today, I will talk about all the complications. It’s the series opener for complications of Diabetes and will include Eye, ENT, Kidney, heart, and quality of life issues with Diabetes. Something about Diabetes that people must know.The control is truly in your hands.

Genetics and epigenetics- It’s a polygenic disease. That makes it tricky. Luckily or unluckily, depending on how you look at it, type 2 has a strong lifestyle dependence. That’s where knowledge about epigenetics comes in. We talk about life living and in between. Diabetes is a chronic disease which just like Hypertension, leaves its footprint everywhere it goes.

The Numbers in India (source)

Diabetes in India:65·0 million in 2016. The order of prevalence in 2016 was highest in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Delhi, Punjab, Goa, and Karnataka.

A critical risk factor for Diabetes in India – Being overweight.

Gestational Diabetes is another problem affecting between 5 and 8 million pregnant women in India every year. (source)

International Diabetes Federation found approximately 415 million people had Diabetes in 2015. Check out Diabetes numbers in your country here.

If you are what you eat, imagine the food label on a chips packet. That’s what you are made of if that makes up a lot of your snacking. Now before any more numbers, let’s see what this blood sugar does. There’s also Genetic susceptibility to microvascular complications.

Role of Advanced Glycation end products in Diabetes: source

Advanced glycosylation end products (AGES) are caused by increased intracellular glucose of the intra and extracellular proteins, creating glycation products that get deposited, causing damage. That’s behind the pathogenesis of diabetic complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiomyopathy. Glycated proteins are also behind diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and aging. You age faster with uncontrolled blood sugar. Recent studies suggest that AGEs interact with plasma membrane-localized receptors for AGEs (RAGE). This alters intracellular signaling, gene expression, the release of pro-inflammatory molecules and free radicals.

What are the Microvascular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus? source

Retinopathy
Neuropathy
Nephropathy

What are the Macrovascular complications?

Peripheral Arterial disease
Coronary artery disease 2 to 4 times greater in type 2 DM
Cerebrovascular disease

Diabetic Retinopathy :What you must know

Diabetes is the leading cause of loss of vision in age groups 29 to 74 years in the USA. People with Diabetes have twenty-five times more chance of becoming legally blind than those with no diabetes.

Two types of Diabetic Retinopathy

Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Proliferative Diabetic retinopathy

Nonproliferative Diabetic retinopathy appears in the late first or second decades of living with Diabetes. Usually occurs with greater than 20 years of Diabetes. Duration of disease and degree of control determines the progression of complications. Usually 25 % in 5 years and 80 % incidence in 15 years.

What happens in Nonproliferative DR?

Retinal vascular microaneurysms, blot hemorrhages, cotton wool spots. This progresses to proliferative Diabetic retinopathy with time. More severe the nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy more chance of Proliferative retinopathy in five years

What happens with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy?

Appearance of neovascularization in response to retinal ischemia

Vessels appear near optic nerve macula->Ruptures-> vitreous hemorrhage-> fibrosis ->Retinal detachment.

How can you prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?

Prevention is still the most effective treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

BLOOD sugar and blood pressure control intensively will slow progression and prevent loss of vision.

Regular eye examination by an ophthalmologist is crucial.

What is needed once Diabetic Retinopathy is diagnosed?

Prophylactic photocoagulation may be indicated.
Ophthalmologist review needed for optimal care
Laser photocoagulation helps preserve vision.
Proliferative Diabetic retinopathy needs Pan retinal laser photocoagulation.
In the case of Macular edema, focal laser photocoagulation is needed.

Conclusion :

In Diabetes, the first rule is to get the Blood sugar normalized. Most often, two to three drugs are needed to get it in control. But a lot depends on what you eat when you eat and how active you stay.

Invest in a good Glucometer.

Invest in an excellent digital blood pressure machine.

Invest in your body and get a treadmill if possible. Walk and be as active as possible.

References:

The increasing burden of Diabetes and variations among the states of India: the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990–2016
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(18)30387-5/fulltext
Diabetes mellitus and its complications in India
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27080137/
Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes in India by Individual Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Clinical Factors
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2772684
Complications of Diabetes 2017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5866895/

Hoarseness and Leukoplakia(white patch) of Vocal Cord

By Dr.Amrita Basu(MBBS,MS) on November 10, 2021 4

As doctors, we want to help people get better. But sometimes it’s more about what you want to do when. All of us have an inner barometer for things going right and wrong. The gut feeling is often correct. But many don’t listen to their gut or their body. These are the people who will take advice from several people and then do nothing.

Luckily the elderly man who came with hoarseness in September was someone who listened and took action.

Let me start from the beginning.

A sixty-year-old man came to me with hoarseness for two weeks(approximately) and no other symptoms.

He was a farmer by profession with no history of any addictions.

Laryngoscopy revealed a whitish patch over both his vocal cords.

One week of conservative management brought no improvement.

The patient was advised of further tests, including a biopsy.

The histopathological report of the biopsy revealed a fungal infection of the vocal cord. It was an Aspergillus infection. The patient received a loading dose of antifungal followed by oral antifungal for five weeks. The treatment is underway, and he is significantly better. The patient is happy with voice quality and is under follow-up weekly.

In many cases with a short duration of hoarseness and leukoplakia, conservative management is indicated. But that was a red signal when the patient didn’t get better with voice rest, steam, and appropriate medications.

As my daughter said on listening to me discuss this case with my hubby-

” Being a doctor seems to be like being a detective with very few clues. That’s the reason why you ask so many questions.”

If you plan to become a doctor or know someone who wants to be a doctor, asking all those questions will help you.Curiosity and the why, that’s what help us find answers.

But the real work starts with you.When you decide to work on “You.”

There’s simply no other way of living a healthy, happy life. Look inside. See what works,what makes you feel happy ,healthy,strong What keeps you feeling at peace?

Do more of that .

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How to Create a Personalized Art Calendar for 2022 (plus free Calendar)

Online Art Classes You Will Love!