US retail sales soared 9.8% in March from the previous month, according to the Commerce Department, beating forecasts for a more modest 5.9% to 6.1% increase. Consumers, buoyed by the vaccine rollout and armed with federal relief checks, spent in stores and online in several categories including apparel, electronics and sporting goods.

Guide Social CEO Matt Johnston shows you how to create TikTok videos that will be prioritized by the platform's algorithm, which means designing videos to get more replays, completions, shares, likes and comments. Create videos that include a reveal to encourage complete views and incorporate trending sounds to engage users, Johnston recommends.

Entrepreneurs may find that they're not achieving their desired results despite being busy, but taking a pause from day-to-day tasks can free time to find solutions to problems and activities that don't move the business forward, writes entrepreneur and coach Sara Sabin. "The interesting thing that I have discovered is that when I slow down, reflect, and reprioritize on the key focus areas, my results are accelerated," Sabin writes.

Sales managers sometimes believe they don't have the time for coaching, but coaching is an invaluable method of developing a salesperson's talents and skill sets, writes David Brock. Although technology, analytics and outsourced coaching methods can help improve a salesperson's performance, they're still no substitute for quality coaching by a manager who understands their team's daily needs and challenges, Brock writes.

American Airlines plans to operate more than 90% of the domestic schedule and 80% of the international capacity it flew in 2019 this summer, and it's adding 150 new routes for the summer vacation season. "Throughout the pandemic, our trademark has been to build a schedule based on what customers tell us they want and need," said Brian Znotins, vice president of network planning.

Small businesses in Wisconsin laid off fewer workers and stayed in operation longer than they predicted a year ago, according to surveys. Jeffrey Sachse, director of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh's Center for Customized Research, cites such factors as furloughs or reduced hours and flexible business models.

Myths about Paycheck Protection Program loans prevent some small-business owners from applying, writes M&T Bank's Jess Seburn, who clears up five misconceptions. PPP loans can go to businesses with or without employees and to those with other Small Business Administration assistance, Seburn notes.

With the IRS extending the tax filing deadline, it's critical to maximize your deductions and pay less taxes, writes columnist Bridget Reed. After touching on the differences between standard and itemized deductions, Reed reminds entrepreneurs to make deductions for their student loans, home office and self-employment along with any medical expenses.

Tax experts discuss how sole proprietors, partners and S corporations should figure and pay the first of the estimated quarterly tax installments, which is due today. "You still have to complete the 2020 return to get a bottom-line number to pretty much do an estimate," said Rhonda Collins of the National Association of Tax Professionals.

AppLovin was poised to sell in 2016 for $1.4 billion, but when the deal fell through, the company, which helps app developers scale, expanded to mobile gaming. This article looks at how AppLovin's revenue subsequently grew and how its initial public offering led it to a $28.6 billion valuation.