Payments is a big enough segment of the market that several successful conferences have emerged around the topic. A new conference is kicking off this fall with a specific focus on cards. CardCon is poised to be the premier conference for all things cards. Let’s take a look at how this new, one-day conference brings important payments information to light for business owners and freelancers.
Cardcon = The best of Consumer and Business Cards Conference
For it’s first year, CardCon is bringing together speakers from all sides of the world of cards. Speakers include representatives from Equifax, VantageScore, Capital One, Nerd Wallet, Student Loan Hero, the freelancing community, and special keynote speaker Brian “The Points Guy” Kelley.
With diverse knowledge from both journalists and industry professionals, CardCon sessions are sure to inform and entertain. Sessions are focused on topics for the media, but anyone can learn from top presenters around the industry. Scheduled sessions include a looks at the latest trends in card products, insights into writing about credit cards, credit card affiliate marketing, credit scores and reports, and meals and networking sessions.
Processing, Fees, and Payments are Vital to Understand
Whether you are a solo freelancer or the owner of a product selling startup, understanding the payment landscape is important to long-term success and cost management. Cards can be a great option for your customers to pay, but if you don’t pay attention you may find yourself paying hefty fees while constantly waiting for payments to show up in the bank.
I run a solo blogging and freelance writing business, and my payment processing fees last year ran into the hundreds of dollars. If you have a high volume or payments or high revenue, those fees can reach into the thousands. Understanding how consumers and business owners view card payments and how you can limit fees is a great step toward saving money on fees.
Control How Dollars Flow Into Your Accounts
Cash flow management is another key to business success. If you don’t have cash flowing in the door fast enough to cover the bills and payroll, you may find yourself among the roughly 25 percent of small businesses that fail due to cash flow reasons.
I have a philosophy when it comes to accepting customer payments. Make it as simple, fast, and easy as possible for your customers to pay you. After doing a project or shipping a product, you don’t want the customer experience to turn sour while collecting funds. Think of how frustrating it is to wait for a server when you want to pay and leave a restaurant. Don’t turn your payment experience into that!
Know you are Making the Best Decisions for Yourself and Your Customers
Gaining a depth of knowledge in payments can boost your business or even your personal finances. By understanding how businesses look at cards, you can optimize your personal spending to maximize rewards. As a business owner, understanding how your clients look at and use their cards can help improve the customer experience. This is a win-win for everyone involved.
Your business finances are too important to leave to chance, a best guess, or just going with the default processing option from your bank. The card industry directly impacts your business and includes a range of opportunities to improve.
Bonus: It will be a great time
Fellow freelancer and travel hacker Holly Johnson will join us. Conference organizer Jason Steele as resident freelancers and card experts. Experts Miranda Marquit and Ben Luthi join from Student Loan Hero. Gregory Karp and Claire Tsosie will speak representing Nerd Wallet. Jeff Richardson from VantageScore, Nancy Bistritz-Balkan joins from Equifax, and Joe Whitchurch joins from Capital One. The opening keynote is Brain Kelly of The Points Guy. He is one of the best-known travel hacking and credit card blogs on the web.
There are amazing slate of speakers, sponsored meals, networking sessions, and a special closing dinner event. CardCon is sure to be a fun time. Rub elbows with me and other industry experts the day before FinCon in Dallas on October 25, 2017. I hope to see you at CardCon!
