Adam Ayers

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Leverage the power of social commerce by directly promoting and selling your products through your social media profiles. Social commerce has emerged as a groundbreaking phenomenon that promises to shape the future of online shopping. With an increasing number of consumers making purchases directly from their favorite social media platforms, businesses have a unique opportunity to tap into this growing trend. However, venturing into the realm of social commerce requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Here, the business leaders of Rolling Stone Culture Council explore valuable advice for brands seeking to harness the power of social commerce and effectively promote their products on popular social media sites.

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Succeeding in the culture space often comes down to “who you know.” Whether you’re looking to get your business off the ground or are ready to expand your company’s reach to new audiences, knowing the right people can often be what determines your success. When one person could introduce you to 10 more people and then 20 more after that, or come up with an idea that could bring your product to the next level of innovation, making the right connections becomes of the utmost importance. But when it comes to “who you know,” a little intentionality can make the process of building your network that much simpler. To help, seven Rolling Stone Culture Council business leaders offer their insights on the key to making the right business connections in the culture space and the impact doing so has on your eventual success in your industry.

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In an age where technology and data rule, the music industry must learn to dance to this new tune.

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Following these creative suggestions for thought leaders can help you gain the authority you need to stand out. In a crowded industry full of experts, standing out and gaining recognition as a thought leader requires a touch of creativity. While expertise and knowledge are essential, it's the ability to showcase your unique perspective and captivate audiences that sets you apart. So, how can you harness creativity to become a standout thought leader in your field? Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members explore unconventional strategies that will help you make a lasting impact, attract attention and position yourself as a trusted authority in your industry.

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When it comes to promoting your business, a well-crafted pitch can make all the difference. In the competitive landscape of public relations, understanding how to develop a good pitch for your business is essential. From telling a compelling story to leveraging effective data and statistics, the content and delivery of your pitch could help your company stand out from the countless other pitches members of the media receive every day. Below, 12 Rolling Stone Culture Council members delve into the crucial points you should keep in mind when working on public relations for your business. Here's why these elements are fundamental in capturing the interest and attention of both journalists and your target audience.

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Ensure the success of your startup by following these 12 tips to build the best possible team through effective hiring practices. Building a successful startup requires assembling a team of talented individuals who can contribute to its growth and navigate the challenges of the early stages. However, hiring the right people for a startup can be a daunting task. It requires a strategic approach to identify individuals who not only possess the necessary skills but also align with the company's vision and culture. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members shared some essential tips for bringing on the right people to help grow a startup in its early stages. These insights will empower entrepreneurs to make informed hiring decisions that lay a solid foundation for long-term success. 

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Customer engagement is key to the success of any marketing campaign. Discover how to drum up excitement and participation in your next initiative. From social media giveaways to local in-store contests, businesses have found innovative ways to spark customer engagement around their marketing initiatives. Regardless of what specific approach is used, it's crucial for businesses to not only capture attention but also create a sense of excitement and involvement among customers. However, leaders may not always be sure of the best way to drive that engagement. To help entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to drum up engagement around a specific marketing initiative, 13 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council shared their expert insights. Read on to discover their best strategies for increasing customer engagement and why they're effective in driving success.

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This generation is looking to support businesses that value ethics and authenticity. Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, has become a highly sought-after demographic for marketers due to their significant purchasing power and influence. However, effectively targeting this generation requires a different approach than previous generations, and there are some common mistakes that companies are making. Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share what companies should avoid when marketing to Gen Z and why these practices can come across as inauthentic. By understanding these mistakes, companies can create more effective marketing strategies that resonate with this influential demographic.

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From prioritizing necessary but high-cost items to leveraging technology, learn more about how to manage costs wisely while scaling your business. When it comes to scaling a business, managing finances effectively is crucial for success. As a business grows, so do its expenses, and without careful management, costs can quickly spiral out of control. But how can you keep costs under control while expanding your business? Below, Rolling Stone Culture Council members share expert tips and insights for managing costs wisely when scaling your business. From tracking expenses to optimizing processes and negotiating with suppliers, these strategies can help you build a sustainable business while keeping your finances in check.

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Industries are feeling the pressure to adapt to consumer demand for sustainable practices — and failing to keep up could mean losing market share. As consumer demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products and practices continues to rise, industries across the board are being forced to adapt and innovate. Companies that fail to keep up with this shift risk losing market share and falling behind the competition. As leaders in the culture space, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council see how consumer demand for sustainability is affecting cultural industries and, here, discuss some of the innovations and changes that are on the horizon. By understanding the impact of sustainability on their industry, companies can position themselves for success in a rapidly evolving market.

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With so many different people in any given industry, it's helpful to know how to identify the right individuals to network with. When you’re a business leader, connections that are made while networking can open doors to new opportunities and future collaborations. But knowing who to connect with and how to do so naturally can be a challenge, especially with so many potential ways to find and contact other professionals in your industry. To help you, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council experts share their top recommended strategies for how to find the right people to network with. Follow their advice so you can strategically make the right connections to help your business succeed.

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The end of the year is an ideal time to reflect on what you've learned and how you can apply it to your business moving forward. One of the most important aspects of an end-of-year review is assessing what went right and what went wrong for your business. Setting expectations for the following year based on those statistics helps ensure that your company continues to improve. Here, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members share the most valuable lessons they learned over the past 12 months and the key takeaways they'll implement in their businesses in 2023.

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In a world of abundant information, it's imperative to learn how to "filter" media and distill it down to what's necessary for your job. Keeping up with the 24-hour news cycle can be exhausting. It's harder than ever to stay apprised of new social media trends, international news and local stories — especially because trends come and go faster than ever before. For those who work in the culture space, it's essential to have the information necessary to do your job well, which means learning how to tune out some of the noise. To help you do this, 10 Rolling Stone Culture Council members offer their tips for keeping up with relevant news in a productive, efficient way.

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Media appearances are excellent ways to raise positive awareness about your brand, but you'll need to make a great impression first. Getting press for your business helps your public relations tremendously, whether it means being featured on a podcast, an Instagram Live or even a news segment. Giving a face to the business helps humanize the brand and also allows you to share more explicit insight into your company's values. Making a good impression is key, but the pressure of a live video or audio segment can be nerve-wracking. To help, 14 Rolling Stone Culture Council members share their tips for making sure you're prepared to represent your business well.

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Staying autonomous as your business scales up requires a strong understanding of yourself and your mission — and trust in your team to carry out that mission. If you're an independent creator, you may be considering scaling your business. While scaling is a great way to increase your presence and profit, it also often requires bringing other people into the mix — a significant adjustment when you're accustomed to working independently. Fortunately, it is possible to grow your brand without losing sight of your original creative vision. To help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share 11 tips to help you scale your business while still maintaining your autonomy.

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If you're looking into affiliate marketing programs, make sure you understand these essential steps to success. By now, it’s likely that every social media user has seen YouTube stars, Instagram influencers and other popular content creators asking their followers to use their affiliate links when purchasing from a business. That's because an affiliate marketing program is an optimal way for businesses to usher in leads and make additional profit. With websites and a bountiful number of social media platforms, businesses can partner with influencers, celebrities and even other businesses to create a program that benefits all parties. However, this marketing strategy has to be approached the right way. Below, 11 members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share the tips they believe are key to a successful affiliate marketing program.

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These tips can help you level up your social media game, regardless of industry. With so many other businesses on social media, getting potential consumers to notice yours can be an uphill battle. One element that you can use to stand out, however, is the quality of your posts. With the right combination of words, visuals and strategy, you can ensure your posts get the level of engagement you’re looking for. To help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council each list their No. 1 tip for writing quality social media posts. Follow their expert advice to level up your social media game and expand your audience.

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It’s never too late to make changes for the better. In the excitement of getting their first business up and running, new entrepreneurs may rush through the website-building process, aiming for speed to market rather than a well-planned design. In doing so, though, they may end up missing a few key components along the way, making mistakes that could cost them in the long run. Even if your website is already live, however, it’s not too late to make some valuable changes. Below, a panel of Rolling Stone Culture Council members discuss some of the mistakes first-time entrepreneurs make when building their websites and what can be done to fix them.