Essentials for the Traveling Entrepreneur

Travel is oftentimes a staple for entrepreneurs, and getting where you are going and making sure you are packed is only half the battle. These essentials can make travel easier, more comfortable and even more fun.

Audio splitter

Whether you’re listening to music or watching a movie, an audio splitter is an affordable travel necessity that makes it possible to share audio with your travel companions without any trouble.

Portable power bank

Don’t lose power on your phone while you’re on the go again. Having a portable power bank or a phone case that has an extra battery pack keeps your phone going when you’re away from your hotel room.

Wikivoyage: Kiwix

Wikipedia travel guides are a great tool for traveling, but if you don’t have internet they may be inaccessible. With the Wikivoyage download from the Kiwix app, you can access the entire TravelGuide database for information about your travel location, restaurants, things to see or do and more for free.

Neck pillow

Sleeping on any flight can be uncomfortable, but a neck pillow can keep your neck in one comfortable position and help you get to and stay asleep.

Smart suitcase

From motorized cases to expandable packing space to portable charging enabled, having a smart suitcase can make your trip much smoother. Travel and Leisure has a list of many great options to update your luggage.

Waterproof phone case

If you will be traveling near water, a waterproof phone case is the way to go, as you can ensure that whatever happens, your phone is protected. Amazon has many different waterproof options, but be sure to read the reviews so you don’t end up waterlogged.

Noise-canceling headphones

There’s nothing worse than needing to get work done or trying to sleep on a plane with a chatty seatmate. Noise-canceling headphones are a great way to block out the sounds that you want to avoid while playing the audio you want or even just acting as an over the ear earplug/ conversation repellent.

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The Importance of Weekend Mobile Marketing

Mobile can be a cruel world. Apps rise and fall from fame faster than you can say Pokémon Go. In this digital jungle, having the skills and know-how to draw the maximum number of active users, user retention, in-app purchases, and marketing campaigns from your maps and mobile games is detriment to your success.

An unerring part of the equation in mobile marketing is to get your app or mobile game above the hundred app tide or risk drowning. Let’s take a closer looks at who to advertise to, where to advertise, and when to advertise.

First off, take a look at the numbers. Even though people may appear to be on their phones all day every day, there is a big difference in the time of day (and week) people user their mobile devices. Weekends (Saturday being the highest point, Monday being the lowest) are the time of week when people are most active, according to SOOMLA Q1 2016 Mobile Insights Report. An Appsflyer reportsuggests that installs jump 25% during the weeked for iOS and 6% for Android.

There’s also the importance of which device you choose to market your apps or mobile games. While smartphones are usually used on the go, tablets often stay at home, a more laid-back device. A chart from SOOMLA suggests that while people use their phones more often, they use their tablets longer. So, if you’re looking to dramatically increase your user retention, start a marketing campaign via tablets during the weekend.

Since you’ll have a little downtime on the weekend, why not catch up on some great mobile marketing articles? Remember not to get too cozy. If you need a little refresher on stay productive over the next couple of days, check out my previous article on How Successful People Spend Their Weekends. Share them with coworkers, friends, and family—not only are they informative, but a fun learning experience:

Digital Marketing Blog
Your Customers Are Mobile. Shouldn’t You Be Too

The Fiksu Blog
How Topps Targets Baseball Fans Across Facebook & Twitter Mobile Apps

Flurry Analytics Blog
Mobile to Television: We Interrupt This Broadcast (Again)

Localytics
These 5 Brands Have the Best Mobile Ads We’ve Ever Seen

Mailchimp Blog
Perfecting Our Own Automation Recipes

Twitter Blog
Three New Insights for Travel Brands on Twitter

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How Successful People Spend Their Weekends

For many, weekends are reserved for lounging, Netflix, video games, and binge eating. But for the successful few, the weekend is an optimal time to maximize gains for the upcoming week. Not to say weekends should be work-filled, in fact, it’s important to disconnect and refresh every week, or, face burning out. It’s about using your time wisely. Truly successful people find smart ways to make the most out of those couple days out of the office. Here are a few of my favorite weekend practices:

1. Make Time for Friends and Family

If friends and family aren’t at the top of your list, you’re doing it wrong. You don’t want to wind up rich, but alone like Michael Newman in the critically acclaimed 2006 comedy, Click, by the inimitable Frank Coraci.

2. Exercise

Staying fit is crucial to your health and overall performance. Even sneaking in a 15-minute jog or two is enough to get the heart racing. Though junk food may be tempting, reach for a carrot every once in a while to keep that cholesterol down.

3. Pursue a Passion or Hobby

Replace Netflix with some sort of fun learning activity; take guitar or piano lessons, an art class, write a haiku, or start a bottle cap collection—anything that keeps your mind and body active.

4. Disconnect

Plan a trip into the mountain or take the kids to the beach. Just make sure you leave your phone behind. It’s important to connect with something other than the Internet.

5. Volunteer

There is nothing more rewarding then helping others. It will not only do others good, but it will boost your spirits knowing you’ve made a difference.

6. Avoid Chores

Chores equate work and that’s about the last thing you need in your time of relaxation. Unless it’s absolutely immediate, it can wait until Monday when you’re back in the grindstone.

7. Socialize

Connect with friends. But, talk about things besides work, otherwise it might feel like you are working. Enjoy a sports game, play chess in the park, watch a play, or throw a b-b-q; there are a number of ways you can spend quality time with friends.

8. Network

Wherever you are, there is always opportunity to strike a deal or meet a new client. Always keep a few business cards handy, just in case.

9. Meditate

Close your mind off to daily activities and open up to a world of true rest and relaxation. If only for a few minutes during the weekend, practice meditating. You can do this by joining a yoga or meditation class or simply unwind at home (preferably in a quiet room where you can’t be easily disturbed).

10. Recharge

Plug yourself into the aforementioned steps and reinvigorate yourself. Go back to the office feeling both strong in mind and body. You’ll find that ideas will come easier and your overall energy lasting longer.

Incorporate these simple things successful people do over the weekend and you’ll find that taking care of you, essentially helps take care of your business. If you’re struggling to come up with activities to do by yourself or with friends and family, below are some of my all time favorite places to visit in Minneapolis:

• The Minneapolis Insitute of Art
• Target Field
• The Guthrie Theater
• Minnehaha Park
• Lake Harriet
• Mill City Museum
• Lake of the Isles
• American Swedish Institute
• Minneapolis Skyway System
• The Museum of Russian Art
• Anthony Falls
• The Weisman Art Museum
• Loring Park
• Walker Art Center
• The Mall of America

As you can see, there are almost never-ending things to see and do. Where are some of the ways you spend your weekend?

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