This website is using cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible on our website.
More info: Privacy & Cookies, Imprint
Sending photos to newspapers for publication as an amateur photographer requires a bit of research and preparation. Here are some steps that can help you:
Choose target newspaper: Find newspapers or magazines that might be a good fit for your photos. Think about what topics and sections your photos cover and which newspaper would be best for them.
Research contact information: Look for contact information for the newspaper's editorial or photo editor. You can often find this information on the newspaper's website or call the editor to find out.
Select and prepare photos: Select some of your best photos that might be of interest to the target newspaper. Edit them, if necessary, to improve their quality.
Add image description and information: Write a brief but meaningful image description for each photo. Also add relevant information, such as the location and date the photo was taken, and the people or events that are in the picture.
Provide accompanying text or article: If you have background information on the photos or have a story related to them, offer a brief accompanying text or article that might increase interest in the photos.
Send request by email or mail: Send your photos, photo descriptions and any additional information in a clear, professional email to the editor. Alternatively, you can send a letter with a CD or USB stick containing the photos.
Clear copyright and rights: When you send your photos to the newspaper, you should make sure that you own the copyright to the images and that you give the newspaper permission to publish them. It is customary to have a written agreement to record the rights and terms.
Be patient: It may take some time before you get a response from the newspaper. Be patient and wait for a response. You may also have to write to several newspapers before you get a positive response.
Follow-up: If you haven't received a response after some time, you can politely send a query to make sure your email or letter arrived and if the photos were reviewed.
Keep in mind that not all photos are selected for publication and that the decision often depends on the editorial team and their need and interest in your images. Keep at it and don't give up if your photos aren't selected right away. With time and experience, you can improve your chances of being published.
In 2023, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) plays a prominent role in the business world. Advancing digitalization has increased the importance of effective customer management, and CRM software has established itself as an indispensable tool. In this article, we take a look at the sales figures and vendor landscape in the CRM software sector.
Market Overview: Revenue growth and trends
The CRM software market is witnessing steady growth in 2023 as companies worldwide increasingly rely on these solutions to optimize their customer relationships. According to data from market research firm Gartner, global CRM software revenue was approximately $48.2 billion in 2020. This trend is set to continue, with revenues expected to exceed $80 billion by 2025.
Some of the defining trends in 2023 include:
Customer centricity: companies are increasingly focusing on the needs and wants of their customers. CRM software makes it possible to centrally manage customer information and design personalized interactions.
Customer centricity.
Artificial intelligence and automation: integrating AI and automation into CRM software improves efficiency in data collection, analysis, and customer communication. Predictive analytics is used to predict customer behavior and provide personalized recommendations.
Multi-channel communication: Customer interactions today take place across multiple channels. CRM software enables seamless integration of communications across email, social media, live chats, and more.
Vendor landscape: diversity and competition
Vendors of CRM software are diverse, offering solutions for companies of many different sizes and industries. Both established players and emerging companies contribute to the diversity of the vendor landscape.
Leading CRM software vendors in 2023 are:
Salesforce: One of the pioneers in the CRM space, Salesforce offers a wide range of solutions, from sales to marketing to customer service.
Microsoft Dynamics 365: Microsoft's suite offers comprehensive CRM capabilities and seamless integration with other Microsoft products.
HubSpot: Known for its user-friendly platform, HubSpot covers sales, marketing and customer service. Zoho CRM: Zoho offers an affordable, feature-rich solution that caters to both small and large businesses. Oracle CRM: Oracle offers scalable CRM solutions for companies of all sizes with a focus on artificial intelligence and data analytics. The vendor landscape in CRM software is characterized by competition and innovation. Companies have the ability to choose from a wide range of solutions that meet their unique needs. The CRM software market in 2023 continues to grow, reflecting the growing importance of customer relationship management in today's business environment. The diversity of vendors and the integration of advanced technologies such as AI and automation underscore the transformation of this critical industry.The public relations (PR) industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, with PR software playing a central role in addressing its changing needs. In 2023, the PR software market has evolved to offer a wide range of solutions for businesses. We take a closer look at revenue figures and the vendor landscape to understand the dynamics of this emerging sector.
Market Overview: Revenue figures and trends
The PR software market is witnessing a remarkable revenue growth in 2023, as organizations are increasingly turning to these technologies to optimize their communication strategies. According to data from market research firm Statista, global PR software revenue was approximately $4.8 billion in 2020. This revenue is expected to rise to over US$7 billion by 2025, highlighting the high growth potential of this sector.
Formative trends in 2023 include:
Artificial intelligence and automation:
An increasing number of PR software vendors are integrating AI and automation to increase efficiency in data analysis, content development and media contact identification. This is leading to increased demand for such solutions.
Real-time analytics: Companies are increasingly demanding real-time analytics capabilities to respond quickly to current events and trends. This has driven the development of tools that provide real-time data and offer quick insights into the performance of PR campaigns.
Integration of Social Media: The importance of social media in PR communications has led to increased integration of social media data into PR software. This allows companies to better manage their online reputation and more effectively engage with their target audiences.
Social media integration is a key component of PR software.
Vendor landscape: diversity and competition
The vendor landscape in PR software is extremely diverse, with numerous companies developing innovative solutions to meet the diverse needs of customers. There are established companies as well as emerging startups that are intensifying competition.
Leading vendors in 2023 include:
Cision: With a wide range of tools, including media monitoring, influencer identification and real-time analytics, Cision is a key player in the industry.
Meltwater: Meltwater stands out for its comprehensive media monitoring and analytics, covering traditional media and social media.
PR Newswire: This provider focuses on press release dissemination and offers tools to monitor media coverage.
TrendKite (now part of Cision): TrendKite stands out by using AI to identify trends in media coverage.
Prezly: Prezly is known for its tools for managing media contacts and creating engaging online press releases.
The number of vendors in the PR software industry has grown steadily, indicating the increasing interest in these technologies. While established companies dominate, innovative startups have the opportunity to gain market share through unique solutions and approaches.
The PR software market is growing rapidly.
The PR software market in 2023 is characterized by rising revenue figures and a diverse vendor landscape. Companies are increasingly turning to these technologies to improve their PR strategies and succeed in a changing media landscape.
An analysis of commercial register data shows that start-up activity in Germany has plummeted this year after the corona pandemic ended in 2022.
In recent years, Germany has experienced an unprecedented economic roller coaster ride, ranging from the corona pandemic to inflation. But while the pandemic has put many businesses to the test, and even forced some to close, inflation has managed to affect startup activity in the country in a very different way. A detailed analysis of commercial register data over the past five years sheds light on this remarkable trend.
A look at the data
The commercial register data show a significant decrease in the number of company start-ups in Germany since 2022. In particular in the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, the number of start-ups remained relatively stable, with fluctuations being recorded in the various calendar weeks. In 2019, the year started with 2,880 foundations in the 20th calendar week, but reached a low point of 2,354 foundations in the 25th calendar week before it rose again.
The post-pandemic tipping point
However, times changed after the end of the Corona pandemic in 2022. While the economic outlook was initially optimistic, analysis of the data for this year shows a striking void in start-up activity. Only 1,878 and 2,414 start-ups were recorded in calendar weeks 24 and 23, which represents a drastic decline compared to previous years, even if these figures do not include the start-up of associations. Post-pandemic uncertainty, coupled with economic uncertainties and rising inflation, seem to deter potential entrepreneurs.
Inflation as the new stumbling block
While the Corona pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on business activity, it is worth noting that inflation has emerged as a new factor negatively affecting start-up activity in Germany. Inflation can increase the cost of starting a business as commodity, rent and labor prices rise. This could make budding entrepreneurs reluctant to start new businesses as economic uncertainty and rising costs pose a significant risk.
Outlook and challenges
Current data suggests that start-up activities in Germany are facing serious challenges. As the economic landscape continues to be characterized by uncertainty, it will be crucial for governments, business associations and companies alike to devise strategies to encourage entrepreneurship and support budding founders. The effects of inflation on start-up activity illustrate the need for a holistic approach to ensure economic stability and growth in Germany.
Overall, the analysis of the commercial register data makes it clear that start-up activity in Germany is influenced by a variety of factors, from the pandemic to inflation. The coming months and years will show whether and how Germany can overcome these challenges in order to stimulate start-up activities in the country again.
| Year | KW 20 | KW 21 | KW 22 | KW 23 | KW 24 | KW 25 | KW 26 | KW 27 | KW 28 | KW 29 | KW 30 | KW 31 | KW 32 | KW 33 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2880 | 2746 | 2148 | 2708 | 2157 | 2354 | 2793 | 2785 | 2801 | 2770 | 2714 | 2770 | 2596 | 2692 |
| 2020 | 2697 | 2069 | 2625 | 2121 | 2237 | 2807 | 2840 | 3048 | 3034 | 2735 | 2954 | 2861 | 2682 | 2809 |
| 2021 | 3458 | 2744 | 2857 | 3467 | 3286 | 3266 | 3334 | 3181 | 3278 | 3068 | 3219 | 3046 | 2939 | 2992 |
| 2022 | 2344 | 2299 | 2708 | 2414 | 1878 | 2345 | 2372 | 1993 | 2138 | 2111 | 2431 | - | - | - |
| 2023 | 1692 | 1821 | 1327 | 1861 | 1604 | 1791 | 2235 | 1749 | 1703 | 1888 | 1755 | 1128 | 2294 | 819 |
Data sources: Commercial Register 2019-2021, StartupDetector Newsletter 2022-2023 (excluding associations).
Note: Data missing for week 31-33/2022
The GEM country report Germany 2021 presents pleasing results regarding start-up activities in 2021 and their connection to the COVID-19 pandemic. The start-up rate, measured by the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA), has increased significantly compared to the previous year. This could be due to a positive response from business and the adaptability of those looking to start a business during the pandemic.
Start-up rate at the second highest level since 1999
The TEA rate, which represents the proportion of 18-64 year olds in Germany who have founded a company or are in the process of founding one, reached the second highest value in 2021 since the survey began in 1999 – 6.9%. This represents an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to the previous year (4.8%). This increase suggests that, despite the ongoing uncertainties due to the pandemic, the willingness to start a business has increased in Germany.
Pandemic as driver for new business opportunities
Interestingly, more than a third of the TEA founders surveyed appear to indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has opened up new business opportunities. This makes it clear that in the midst of the crisis, entrepreneurial opportunities can also arise that lead to new start-ups. In 2020, that proportion was even lower (a quarter of TEA startups were based on pandemic-related opportunities).
More focus on digital sales channels
Although around 76% of TEA founders in Germany have set up their sales channels digitally, the report shows that there is still room for further progress in the field of digitalization. In particular, cooperation between established companies and young, up-and-coming start-ups could lead to a win-win situation. Digital sales platforms and the customers of established companies could offer young companies faster market access.
Gender differences in start-up activity
An interesting aspect highlighted in the report concerns gender disparities in start-up activity. This shows that the gender gap, i.e. the difference between the start-up activities of men and women, was reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This applies above all to the prospective founders (nascent entrepreneurs), whose proportion is equalizing. The results indicate that women are more likely to intend to start a business, but are less likely to put them into practice than men.
Measures to promote start-ups by women
The report proposes various measures to further reduce the gender gap and to promote the start-up activities of women. This includes the expansion of childcare options, the promotion of women in business and STEM subjects and the presence of successful female founders as role models. Access to venture capital for female founders could also be improved, especially in the technology-oriented area.
Conclusion: increase in start-up activities despite the pandemic
The GEM country report Germany 2021 shows that the start-up rate in Germany increased in 2021 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This could be due to an increased adaptability of the entrepreneurs, the identification of new entrepreneurial opportunities and the positive reaction of the economic policy. Gender differences in start-up activity have also narrowed during the pandemic, indicating increased support for start-ups by women. In order to further support this trend, targeted measures could be taken to strengthen the framework conditions for women in the start-up world.