Month: February 2017
5 Ways to Legitimately Start Making Money Online in Your Spare Time
Have you ever wanted to make money online but weren’t sure how to get started? The good news is that tons of people are already making money online and many of them have done this by turning their expertise, passion, or hobby into profits.
To help with this process, today I wanted to share a list of five great ways you can start making money online. Each method is unique in their own way but also generating millions of dollars in revenue daily for people around the world.
Start a Blog
Blogging is one of the most popular ways to start a website or a place of your own on the internet. Ever since the creation of WordPress, it’s never been easier to get started with a website or blog without the need to know anything about web hosting, programming or even content creation.
Many blogs start out as hobbies or personal sites, then as their readership builds up, different forms of monetization and potential revenue come into play. To learn more about how to start a blog and even make some money in the process, be sure to check out this blogging resource guide.
See Also: 5 Simple Ways to Transform a Blog to a Money Making Machine
Freelance Writing
Many people are great at writing but never really get to put this to good use. At the same time, many people have a lot of free time during their day and could start making a few dollars in the process by completing articles for websites, marketing agencies and different brands around the world.
Through the use of sites like Fiverr, TextBroker, and iWriter, anyone can create an account, look up the latest article jobs, then complete them at their leisure or even create a new freelance writing business in the process.
See Also: How To Find Great Ideas For Writing A Story
Create an Etsy Store
Creativity is something many people possess but it’s not something many people can successfully make money with. Thanks to sites like Etsy.com, anyone can create an online store of their own and start selling crafts, paper products, art work, t-shirts or anything else you can think of.
When starting an Etsy store, try to provide the highest quality products and build a brand around your business. The start-up costs for Etsy are quite minimal and many of their users are earning over five-figures per month selling through their site.
Affiliate Marketing
If you have a passion for business or know how to sell products, the world of affiliate marketing might just be what you were looking for. The concept of affiliate marketing is quite simple.
Many web sites and brands will pay out a commission to site owners and partners who promote their website. Every time a new customer or lead is referred, an affiliate would then receive a commission for the transaction that takes place.
Some of the many benefits of affiliate marketing include not needing to hold any inventory, never needing to handle a transaction and there is also unlimited earning potential.
Sell Stuff on Amazon and eBay
We all use sites like Amazon and eBay on a daily basis as a customer, but not enough of us are using these online stores to their full advantage. eBay is one of the best sites for selling junk or unwanted products you might currently have in your house. What many people don’t know is that Amazon has a program of their own for selling content through their site as well. This can be done with individual products, or even with bulk products that you might already create and sell elsewhere.
Now that you’ve seen some of the best ways to start making money online, it’s time for you to get in on the action. Each of the methods are unique in their own way, and can make more or less depending on the time, work and effort you put into them.
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Alan Nicholson Design Studio Creates a Contemporary Home in California for a Retired Couple
This beautiful residence is located on the peak of a hill in California, meaning that its key attractions include the gorgeous views that we can enjoy through the house’s numerous glass walls. At a size of 2,750 square feet, it was designed by Alan Nicholson Design Studio in 2014 for a retired couple, seeking to settle down somewhere where they could take in the natural environment. It has various terraces..
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Las Vegas – Nevada – USA (by Patrick Rasenberg)
Las Vegas – Nevada – USA (by Patrick Rasenberg)
💙 O abismo on 500px by ˜Rémi Ferreira˜, Les Moulières ,……
💙 O abismo on 500px by ˜Rémi Ferreira˜, Les Moulières ,… http://ift.tt/2dAcFWw
Factors to Consider When Selecting the Appropriate Financing Option
Startup capital is hard to come by. Even with your savings, you will soon realize that you need a capital boost and that is when you will have to choose between the two common means of funding. You have to pick between debt and equity financing?
What are these two funding options?
Essentially, what these two options ask is whether you need to take a loan for capital or get an investor willing to invest in your company. Either option has significant business consequences, hence the thorough considerations.
Under debt financing, you will borrow money from a lender at an interest and you will be expected to repay the money after an agreed duration. On the other hand, equity financing is where you trade the ownership of your company for investment funds. Often, equity investors include venture capitalists and angel investors.
As a result of the disparity associated with these business financing options, you cannot get funds from either source blindly. Before signing any agreements, keep in mind the following factors:
1. Amount needed
How much capital does your business need? The amount of capital required by your business will always determine the means of raising the money. It doesn’t make sense to look for a venture capitalist when your business needs a small financial injection. Therefore, when in need of a small amount in capital, debt financing is the best alternative.
Venture capitalists and other investors make big investments and it is a financially sound decision to look for them when in need of a big sum of money.
2. Urgency
Loans are viable funding solutions when in urgent need of funds. Although there are associated costs, the urgency of the need supersedes the associated transactional fees making debt financing a great approach. Some of the easily available and affordable debt financing options include SBA loans or borrowing from peer-to-peer lenders online.
All forms of equity financing require time. You have to find the investors, pitch your business to the investors, prepare financial projections, draw up legal documents, and convince the investors to invest in your company. Equity financing is therefore the best alternative when looking for funds to use in growing the business later on.
3. Do you need something besides money?
Are you looking for something other than a financial boost? Do you have big expansion plans? Do you foresee rapid growth in business and are in need of a big boost? You need equity financing.
Equity lenders often look at a business’s potential for growth and how they can make greater returns for their investments. If you foresee this and are looking for financing to get you there, then you need to start your search for equity lenders. You will need to prepare a comprehensive business plan, detailed financial projections, and reports of the business history. These are essential for venture capitalists or angel investors but unnecessary in debt financing.
For equity financing, you also need to have a strong management team, a strong marketing acumen, and passion for your business. These will help in convincing the investors and also require a lot of time.
Although venture capitalists own a stake in your company, they will offer excellent and professional advice and guidance to your business meaning that you will avoid unnecessary pitfalls and mistakes. Equity investors are highly experienced and they will be the best mentors for your business.
Just like many other millennials running startup businesses, you may find yourself ridden with student loans and other debts. Besides providing help with the business, the equity lenders will guide you on how to get control over the many debts. The most effective and the commonly advocated debt management strategy is debt consolidated.
The option of debt consolidation gives control over repayments by reducing the number of loans payable monthly and also the amount payable monthly and at the end of the debt repayment period. With the lower interest rate charged on the debt consolidation loan, you will be at a better position to manage your debts and expenses. Besides personal loans, debt consolidation is an effective debt financing alternative for student loans, outstanding creditor bills, and credit card debt.
4. Do you mind sharing your company?
If you are looking for the big investment from venture capitalists, then you should come to terms with the fact that you will have to share your company with an investor. If sharing ownership and the profits of the company doesn’t auger well with you, then, debt financing will be your option. You should note that a loan may not be enough to get you the necessary funding.
When in need of expertise and the guidance of an equity investor alongside funding, then, you will have to clearly highlight that fact and ask for funding to be repaid.
Besides getting bank loans and asking for mere funding from investors, you can take advantage of platforms offering crowdfunding. You should also consider talking to your friends and family, or get loans from non-governmental institutions, microfinance organizations or even getting the affordable government loans. There also are accelerators for startups that one can benefit from.
5. Interests and fees
When taking the debt financing option, you have to keep in mind the interest rate charged and the associated transaction fees. The rate charged is determined by your credit score. With possible high debts from business and personal loans, as well as your student loans, you may be considered a risky borrower. In this case, your loan application could be declined or approved at a high interest rate.
While considering debt financing, look at the repayment terms. Be smart, get the lender’s amortization schedule and determine if the loan will be expensive or affordable at the end of the repayment period.
In conclusion, your choice will depend on your personal interests, the urgency of funding, the cost of funding, and future implications on the growth of the company. Finding the appropriate financing option has lasting effects in how your business runs after financing. You will therefore note that your business may need both funding options for success.
Author Bio
Barrack Diego is a managing director at a renowned online lending institution. Check out his profile and blog for insights on options of debt consolidation, debt financing, alternative funding options, and management of student loans.
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A Family Home in Venice, California
This beautiful home was designed for a large family that wanted to see their kids grow up in it, and to enjoy the house as they did so. Located in Venice, California, in the United States, it reaches 4,700 square feet and was designed in 2011 by Brooks + Scarpa Architects. In its wide front yard, the blue-water pool and its recreational, social spaces invite us to relax and enjoy..
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A Guide to Developing Your Career Prospect
Career development is the bedrock to attaining career growth. Many working professionals who maintain a gradual but constant career development experience enviable boosts in their career potential. They realise that the current job they hold is a stepping stone to the bigger goals they aspire to reach.
It is also true that there are many professionals who have over time ignored or forgotten to invest in their career development with dire consequences. Whilst some of these professionals may still be employed, the chances of rising to an enviable position becomes much slimmer.
While some companies provide training to help their employees improve on their job, the kinds of training they offer might not be a great fit for your career path. The decision to advance your career prospects in the direction of your goal lies solely with you.
Whether you are still searching for a job or currently employed, this decision will ultimately decide how far you can go in your career. Research shows that employers are more likely to hire professionals with proven skills for coveted positions.
What is Your Role as a Professional
As a professional, you need to realise that to reach the summit of your career pursuit, you will need to do more than just have a routine job that pays the bills as this will not set you apart from other colleagues. You will need to understand that the job you currently hold might cease to be or that a more lucrative job might turn up that requires a higher level of competence and qualifications than your first job.
Being ready for these possibilities means you are on your way to bigger challenges down the road. To be sure you are on safe ground, start by objectively evaluating yourself and testing your qualification by applying for advertised jobs. An honest reflection will reveal just where you stand and whether you have been putting your career development in jeopardy.
Start challenging yourself to attain those goals you dreamed of. You can achieve that by following the below actionable tips aimed at giving your career prospect a jolt.
Tips to Start Boosting Your Career Capital
These tips do not follow a particular order. You just want to make sure you make them part of your professional life going forward.
Acquire Advanced Studies and Certification
Acquiring additional skills and knowledge increases your overall value. This might include getting a certification to specialise, taking an advanced course online, or exploring other fields.
Regardless of what you choose, the important thing is that you will be increasing your knowledge and your career capital for the future ahead.
See Also: How To Change Careers Without Losing Your Mind
Set a Goal and Pursue It
Professionals don’t always set goals after they land a job but this is something that should be taken seriously. Setting a target pushes you to go beyond your comfort level.
Be assured that reaching that milestone is worth the effort as the attainment of such a goal will increase your value and relevance. For instance, you might have started out as a content editor, but you can also set a goal to pass the Google Analytics Exam.
See Also: 4 Sure-Fire Ways to Motivate Yourself to Reach Your Goals
Be Active on Social Media
The advantages you can reap from professional networking are real and far-reaching. By staying active on social media and widening your support network, you have ensured access to pipelines of information, some of this communicated to you in real-time. They could include information on emerging trends, job openings, career fair, direct access to employers, and much more.
Use Seasoned Professionals and Mentors
Mentors are valuable guides who can help you make important decisions during your career. This could include what skills you need to develop, when to ask for a raise, and if you are ready for fresh challenges.
You will need a mentor when starting out and even when you are established. To have a mentor means you get experienced grooming, insight into exclusive opportunities, and much more. You can avoid pitfalls and common mistakes along the way.
Participate in Career Conferences
Participation in career fairs is important to better understand recruiters and companies looking to hire the best talents. You can strengthen and grow your professional network during these career fairs and also get guidance from industry experts.
You can…
- Get access to onsite interviews from companies
- Get the opportunity to meet experts and influencers
- Get an insight into companies look for in candidates
- Networking and meeting other professionals is guaranteed
- You can literally put a face on your application by being participant
Develop an Entrepreneurial Mindset
The reward of good work is rising through the ranks. However, with performance comes more responsibility. You will be required to perform other functions in management and administration.
In such cases, you will have to explore and acquire skills in other verticals. When you start to rise to an executive or management position, you might assume responsibilities that require making decisions crucial to the performance of the company. In such a case, you should start thinking in management and business terms.
The below infographic by Market Inspector aims to capture these tips that will help professionals increase their career capital.
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💙 Barred Owl (Strix varia) on 500px by Jean-Claude…
💙 Barred Owl (Strix varia) on 500px by Jean-Claude Sch.☀ Canon… http://ift.tt/2dfWJx4
Earn More Respect For Yourself By Saying ‘NO’
You’re reading Earn More Respect For Yourself By Saying ‘NO’, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.
‘No’ is such a simple word, yet saying it aloud is somehow harder than saying yes. In a society where saying yes is encouraged to get ahead in life, ‘no’ is a term that is generally associated with negativity and refusal, and many people believe that saying it can cost us a lot in adult life. In order to counteract this, we end up saying yes…a lot.
But saying yes too much can cause us to be over stressed and ultimately makes others value our time less. The more we say yes to someone, the more likely they expect us to say yes the next time they ask. So where do you draw the line?
In this post, we will give our top tips on how you can set healthy boundaries as well as how saying no can benefit us, not just in the workplace, but in other areas of life too.
How Do You Say No?
Many of us who self-identify as people pleasers will find it difficult to say no. But once you detach the phrase from its negative connotations, you will realize how easy and effective it can really be. Here are our four top tips for saying no:
1) Remind Yourself That The Decision Is Up To You
It’s important to have a good balance between saying yes or no, so before you rush to answer, ask yourself firstly whether you have time to fit this in, what you will gain by saying yes or no, and whether this person has helped you lately, if at all. You are totally within your rights to decline a request if you have too much going on, or if you don’t believe it is your responsibility to complete a particular task.
2) Give The Person Asking You An Alternative Solution
Offering someone an alternative solution and apology can help to soften the blow when saying no to something. For example, “I’m sorry, I would love to help but I’ve got two deadlines due for tomorrow”. Alternatively, if you want to do something but don’t have the time, ask for a rain check. By making a plan for the future, you are still showing good faith.
3) Remember That People Appreciate Honesty
Depending on the nature of your relationship with the person and the nature of the question, you may want to explain why you’re saying no. In some instances, no explanation is required, for example if someone says, ‘do you have time to fit xyz in, or shall I assign it to someone else?’ In other circumstances, you can explain that you have other commitments and why you can’t make it. If you’re honest and genuine, people will almost always understand.
4) Learning To Tolerate Others Reactions
Often, the reason for saying yes rather than no is because we are afraid of how the other person will react. In reality, we cannot anticipate everyone’s reaction, but if you start saying no more, people are more likely to give you respect and understand your boundaries, even though they may feel disappointed or upset initially. If you don’t set boundaries and continue to say yes, this may lead to feelings of resentment and bitterness towards that person in the future.
The Benefits Of Saying No
Saying no can be difficult, but it’s an important part of having healthy relationships and an overall sense of well being. We say yes because we don’t want to let others down or because we are empathetic to their situation, but ultimately, we warrant treating ourselves the exact same kindness that we give to others. Here are some of the benefits of saying no:
Saying No Prevents Others Taking Advantage Of You
Whether you’re in a situation where you’re doing extra work to bail out a colleague, or agreeing to dog sit for a friend despite having already made plans for the night, saying no is a way you can take back what is yours and regain the respect you have for yourself. Too often, people take advantage of the kindness of others, leaving the person being taken advantage of feeling resentful for saying yes to a situation they didn’t want to be in.
Saying No Gives You More Time To Spend On What’s Important
There are only 24 hours in a day, and although we may take this time for granted, it’s vital that we use it wisely. By saying no more, you can spend the little time you have left after a working day to do what makes you happy, whether that’s spending time with your kids, going for an evening walk or catching up with friends. Ask yourself what the person requesting a favour of you will be doing in their spare time.
Saying No Helps You To Better Achieve Your Goals
Harnessing the power of no is the best way to get where you want to be, faster. It is easy to assume that someone’s opinion of you may be changed if you say no to them, when in actual fact, true friends will value your time, and colleagues or managers will respect your desire to focus your attention on what’s important.
Saying No Increases Your Overall Well-Being
Your reason for saying no doesn’t always have to be work-related. Without self-care, how can we recharge ourselves to perform at our best in the workplace? Setting aside some time each day to relax and connect with ourselves is the best way to do that. Try taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or simply cooking yourself a good meal and you’ll soon see the benefits.
Once you grasp the concept of saying no, you will find you have more time for the things you love, while still maintaining good relationships at work. Give it a try and see how it benefits you.
Arash Asli is at the forefront of business growth. As Co-founder and CEO of Yocale, he has a unique blend of technology, business development, corporate, and finance experience. Arash is honored to have been named the Business in Vancouver’s Top Forty under 40 business executive.
You’ve read Earn More Respect For Yourself By Saying ‘NO’, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.