Is it time to rethink Credit Cards and Cash? More and more, customers are enjoying the ease and security of encrypted digital wallets and other bill-paying services. PayPal, its subsidiary Venmo, and other players like Apple Pay and Google Pay, Square, Stripe, and Zelle® are gaining popularity, especially with millennials. Consider choosing one or two of these applications to add to your existing slate of credit cards for both your website shopping cart and in-store sales.

While they cost retailers a small fee like credit card services, the fees for these apps are generally comparable, although they differ from region to region. Check with your bank for service bundles that can benefit you or consult with your CPA.

Some apps even offer free payments from checking accounts vs a fee from a credit card, which makes them great for small businesses. This gives you the opportunity to offer customers a way to pay without a credit card that is faster and safer than taking checks. Other apps offer complete packages including point-of-sale equipment, website services, and more.

P.S. Just as you do for credit cards, list the information of any app you accept at your point-of-sale counter, on all marketing material, and of course, on your website. In fact, showcase this new service on your website's home page so every visitor becomes aware of the new payment apps you accept.

Livestream Isn’t Just for Movies Anymore!

Livestreaming creates a sense of excitement for your in-store events, and is an ideal way to launch a product or service, promote your products or guest speakers, and of course, leads customers to chat live or by text. Embed it into your web site and follow up with an email blast to remind your customers to see the event live or on tape later.

Test the Waters With a Low Cost Dip

Test livestreaming with Instagram, Linkedin, YouTube Live, Facebook Watch, Twitter's Periscope, or perfect your comfort level with small retailer and consumer-friendly apps like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. For more ambitious livestreaming, check out Vimeo Enterprises, Lightbox, Evmux, and other companies for more long-term investment, if you plan to host monthly or more frequent events. Check other local business livestreams to discover local providers.

Or, you can take a total dive with your own YouTube Channel

DVDs have vanished but, thanks to YouTube, information resources will never die. You can expand your audience by creating your own YouTube Channel where you post videos that relate particularly to your restaurant, tea room, or tea shop. For example, display your afternoon tea table service and show-and-tell what you serve when diners visit. Discuss the teas your serve, and mention retail items that are specialties.

Do you sell a unique brewing accessory? A short video is the ideal way to show how it works and which teas work best with the brewer. Even something as short as two minutes can do the job of how to and why to buy.

You can even show a demonstration for some of your most popular food items, how you custom-blend your signature teas, or how customers can blend their own at home. The possibilities are endless and can highlight your shop’s mission, and showcase you as an authority as you share your tea expertise with the viewers. Best of all, your channel is available 24/7, can be updated continuously, and promotes your online sales not just in your city but throughout the country. Remember to put a link to your YouTube Channel on every page of your web site and on in-store promotional flyers. Incorporate links to your website on every YouTube video you post.

And, yes! You can learn how to create your own YouTube channel … on www.youtube.com

Driving viewers to your YouTube channel is an investment that will repay you over and over again. That investment includes using professional camera, sound, lighting, and makeup personnel so that you and your products look great. This enhances customer confidence in you and your business. Follow up with strong SEO (search engine optimization) and targeted marketing to get the word out about your channel’s availability (and for Livestream Events, too.)

P.S. With the proper lighting on your laptop, a good auxiliary microphone, and a green screen behind you, you can create video content easily and on a budget. Refreshing content and adding them to your YouTube channel is a win-win marketing step forward. Remember to post the channel link on ALL social media you use plus your web site. Oh, and have FUN with it!