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  • Earning Money Online Has Never Been Easier – Top 10 Ideas

    Earning Money Online Has Never Been Easier – Top 10 Ideas

    Today, there are millions of people who earn their money online. According to a 2015 report published by Freelancers Union, there are about 54 million people in America only that work as freelancers. Some decide to start their own online business, which is no easy task. Great business ideas and a well-designed marketing plan is what you need to learn how to make money online. You can turn your ideas into reality with some basic skills, a domain and hosting. The niche you choose will be your combat arena, so choose your weapons and dive in.

    1. Translate

    If you are fluent in two or more languages, then earning money by translating would be no problem. Whether it is translating various texts and documents, replying to company emails, or negotiating deals for an import-export agent – there is work out there. You can set up professional translation services or work part time via freelance websites.

    1. Become a Virtual Assistant

    Depending on the job role, a virtual assistant can charge $20-30. The most common tasks that virtual assistants deal with are: product listings, responding to emails, research, and blogger outreach. It’s a flexible job that allows you to maintain multiple clients at once. You can easily work overtime or fill gaps in your week whenever you wish.

    1. Outsource

    The outsourcing industry is heavily on the rise, and there are new business opportunities in the international marketplace, thanks to the intersection of globalization and technology. Companies, small or big, all outsource their workforce today. So, why not start a business that focuses solely on outsourcing? Everybody needs external help at some point, so outsource the work and take a profit margin instead of doing the work yourself.

    1. Social Media Marketing

    Business leaders recognize the importance of social media presence, and they pay people who know how to take all the advantages and manage social media profiles. They employ other people to do it because usually they do not have the time to get involved with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Build up attractive social media profiles, attract potential clients, and raise brand awareness.

    1. Run an Ecommerce Store

    Creating a fully functional and easy-to-use online Ecommerce store has actually never been easier. You can have it designed for as little as $500-600, get a domain and hosting, and invest in good marketing strategies such as: networking, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), PPC (Pay-Per-Click), print media, and event sponsorship. Set up an online store, utilize a secure ecommerce payment gateway, and start selling.

    1. Train and Mentor

    There are various skills that can be taught online, with free services that Skype or other messenger programs provide. You could help people improve their writing skills, teach a language, offer marketing training, or teach/mentor in other skills you mastered in. Offer a freemium model – free accounts with limited features, and then charge for account upgrades.

    1. Paid Blogging

    Companies and individuals who own their websites are always in search of high quality content. If you are an experienced writer, you could offer blog posting services. Rookies can usually charge about $1.5 per 100 words, but after you prove good and start working on more complex projects, you could charge $5-15 per 100 words. Check out sites like Upwork and People Per Hour for freelance writing gigs.

    1. Web Design

    No smart business owner would make that crucial mistake of not having a well-designed and user-friendly website. Those who have skills in web development need practically no investment in order to start designing logos and websites for those who need it. Build up your skill set by taking online web design courses and learn the basics of coding, start building your portfolio, and offer your services.

    1. Build apps

    If you are already upgrading your skills in coding, you can also use them to build apps. You would have to go through an extensive 12-month training (in CodeAcademy) before being able to build high sales apps. The market is quite large, but so is the competition. However, if you have an idea for a great and interesting app, you should definitely try to realize it.

    1. Sell on eBay

    Now, it is not that easy to sell successfully on eBay. What you should do is to target a niche where the competition is low and profit margins are high. After you find a supplier and choose the right product, you can import items and make a big profit.

    These are just some of the most common ways of earning money online. Find something you are great at, upgrade your skills, and offer your services or products online. When there is a huge demand for something, then you can get paid by giving a good offer, right? Good luck!

  • 5 Devastating Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Blindly

    5 Devastating Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make Blindly

    A new business has an addicting feel to it, especially if you are right in the thick of it and managing it. That’s the life of a CEO right? You’re not quite at the CEO level of things but the feel of starting your own act is a step all of us dream about. Sadly, the buzzword alone is not enough if you are looking to succeed with your own business. Studies give a disturbing number if you are one of those who are sitting within the time frame where your business can be labeled as a “startup” and that is exactly what needs to be addressed.

    As Moz often puts forward the question, why do so many entrepreneurs end up falling flat on their noses despite having capital and ideas by the trunk load. There is no easy way to answer this of course and superfluous answers such as lack of resources or a mistimed investment do not help us. In fact those answers are also ready by the trunk load on the internet, but the entrepreneurs are still getting something wrong. What is it?

    Not setting up an “edge”

    Many call this as the “unfair advantage” that can get you up and running with a business idea, I want to build a more holistic and less hostile word around such an idea. Your business edge is nothing more than what you can do best, but takes note saying that you can work really hard or innovate is not enough. Do a quick Google search and you will figure out that those words are popularly used by lots of “up and coming “brands. It’s easy to say that you innovate: it’s quite another trick to actually pull it off.

    The problem is the word itself, it’s putting serious consumers and businesses off. If your model is anything close to resembling a B2B then avoid using such things. Define your edge properly and stick to it in the initial times. It can be something as simple as knowing animations that flow well with the website but it needs to be something which you know you are extraordinarily good at.

    Being stingy on “resources”

    To be brutally honest, by resources I merely mean the working employees or the teams. Too many startups go on the track of hiring low costing employees or consultants and that ends up hitting them. I have always maintained that if you have to choose between a fancy office and skilled workers then invest on the workers first. Low end employees end up costing more in the long run, which as we all know is when the start up starts to shrivel up. Take an example of the fact that some companies despite being relatively new, offer new hires loan repayment schemes as part of their incentive benefits. It goes a long way in not just ensuring quality but also in having happy members in your team.

    Inconsistent Marketing

    Notice I am talking about the marketing being inconsistent and not absent. It’s an important tip to pick up if you pay attention to Inbound in any form. You see online traffic can be exceedingly fickle at times: they do not have a specialized memory about what’s so special about you so they tend to forget. Consistency in your marketing means two things: being regular on when you post and being constant in what you post.

    The regularity bit is easy right? If you are maintaining a blog then, post regularly at least twice a week. Social media needs to have posts going viral at least daily and so on. Constancy in “what” you post is a bit tricky. People take it to be being repetitive but let me assure you that it is the last thing you should do. Your business line follows a certain strategy so if your business is all about catering to yacht dealership and offering great values in that domain then your marketing will focus on varying values of different kind of yachts or what the perfect price range and make for a particular buyer. You will not be jumping to comfort and luxury settings because that is not your zone as far as your strategy is concerned.

    Tax avoidance

    This bemuses me because running a business typically means you understand government policies about taxes and expenses. The problem with “entrepreneurship” being a buzzword is that many people tend to gloss over the not so minor detail of taxes and loans. What does that get them? Penalties and that leads to? Well bankruptcy if you are not controlling your expenses.

    Not controlling miscellaneous expenses

    As someone running the business you need to be aware of the investment you are putting in your venture and the returns you are getting. One can argue that these expenses are part of the investment but that’s not my job to do so. The point here is that you need to keep track of them. If you are throwing the entire office a pizza party out of the office cash then that needs to be kept track of.

    Now that’s point one, the problem is that because these amounts tend to be relatively small you end up spending quite a lot accumulating these “mini” transactions that have little to do with your business. Result? A potential loss figure showing up at the end of your month and we all know where that can go.

  • Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Investment Property

    Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Investment Property

    With the real estate market becoming such a popular way to make money, you might be interested in getting involved with it yourself. This can result in making quite a bit of money to supplement your income, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Making money in real estate involves a lot of challenges and will ultimately require a strong willpower to make things work. If you’re ready to buy your first rental property and become a landlord yourself, then take a look at the tips below:

    1. Location, Location, Location

    You’ve likely heard this before, even if you haven’t invested in real estate. Location is important, especially when it comes to a rental property, because renters want to be close to shops, restaurants, bars, schools, and other local businesses. You should also consider whether or not the home is in a good school district and what the crime rate is like, as a home in a safe area and near a good school will be much more likely to rent.

    2. Maintenance

    Being a landlord requires you to cover unexpected expenses, such as repairs or landscaping, in a timely manner. You should have enough money to cover issues that renters want fixed right away, such as roof leaks or plumbing issues, without making them wait. The last thing you want is to make renters mad by having a poorly maintained property, so always make sure you cover problems as soon as possible.

    3. Understand the Responsibility

    It can be easy to be drawn into a rental property when other landlords tell you how much money they make. However, it’s not always going to be as easy as collecting a check from the occupants. Just like with any home, maintenance and repair issues will pop up over time. This could be the middle of the night or while you’re at work, so it’s important to always be available. In addition to this, you may end up not renting for a while, which means having to cover the mortgage yourself. Another unfortunate reality is that some tenants don’t work out and have to be evicted, which can be a long and expensive process for the property owners.

    4. The Tenant Is Important

    When you’re eager to have a monthly rent check you might be tempted to take any renters you can find, but it’s important not to overlook any details. If possible, use a property management company that will not only show the home to prospective renters, but also screen them to ensure they are the right fit. This will be incredibly helpful in the long run and ensure you find a tenant that will provide you with a reliable check every month.

    5. Is the Property Going to Make You Money?

    Just because a property looks nice does not mean it’s going to be a desired spot for renters. There are many things you should consider in order to make sure you will generate income from this investment. Mortgage payments, repairs needed, taxes, walkability, etc., are all details that will help you determine if you’re likely to generate income (and how much) from this buy.

    Investing The Right Way

    Purchasing a rental property can be a wonderful way to make more money, but it’s important not to go into this blind. Consider your options, weigh the pros and cons, work the numbers, and then make the decision based on facts rather than anticipation.

  • Your Basic Guide to Surety Bonds

    Your Basic Guide to Surety Bonds

    Business deals require guarantees. Nobody wants to make their investments without proper protection. The most elegant means of protecting your business these days are surety bonds. These guarantees are required by business entities (often government agencies) to ensure that their contractors will meet all the requirements from the contract. However, the deal is not made directly, but through a surety company.

    Why ensuring through bonds?

    Bonds serve to literally bond someone to stick to their promises and agreements. Let’s say that you own a construction business. In the bonds world your name is the principal. When you want to work for any of the government entities, from the federal to the local level, you are asked to buy the bond. This entity that requires that you buy the bond is called the obligee. That way they want to ensure you will finish your tasks on time. Finally, the mediator behind the bond is the surety. If the principal fails, the surety pays the obligee. Everybody gets proper protection when they are ensured through these bonds.

    Bonds can boost your business

    First of all, there are different kinds of bonds. They all represent a different sort of guarantee. For instance, when a business owner wants to get a license or a work permit, they need to ask for a license bond. Moreover, if you want to protect your business from fraudulent schemes, you can introduce fidelity bonds. That way you will ensure that your workers and clients cannot pull any dishonest tricks against you.

    Finally, bonds that ensure that business gets done are most often required by the government. Their main purpose is to ensure that tax payers get the services they have paid for through their taxes. Therefore, businesses that are assigned to do projects on behalf of the government actually work for the people of the USA. If your business keeps scoring public projects and delivering great performance, you will be recognized as a reliable and punctuate associate.

    Do bonds insure your business?

    What new business owners fail to understand is that bonds issued by surety agencies do not bring you any kind of insurance. They are here to ensure that you do your job properly. You are the bonded site in that process and surety bonds should force you to do all your tasks on time, to avoid being charged for deadline breaks and other postponements. This is why business owners can seek protection through other kinds of bonds, as illustrated in the previous paragraph, as well as real insurance deals.

    Additional requirements for a business

    While it is clear that the surety pays the claim to the obligee, it remains blurry how they charge the principal. Every surety agency will ask every principal to sign an indemnity agreement. By agreeing to terms of such an agreement, you accept to give your personal and business assets to the surety. They will allow the surety to reimburse all the claims that had to pay to the obligee. Because of that, it is good to know that even the most beneficial surety bonds are nothing to rush into.

    Bonding is obligatory in every field of business. What differs from niche to niche are types of bonding. Although there are dozens of protection strategies on the free market, many of them are highly risky and often cause more harm than protection. Surety agencies are licensed entities. What is more, government bodies are more often than not included in business deals with these bonds. This is why business owners should not hesitate to gain advantage from participating in deals based on surety bonds.

  • Top 10 tips for online Branding

    Top 10 tips for online Branding

    In order to shape up and create the identity of a certain company, branding is something that has to be done! Becoming recognizable for both existing and possible clients is very important for any business looking to expand and find its own place in the market.

    Create a logo

    Having a specific logo that will make people think about your products and services as soon as they see it is a great start when it comes to branding. It can be placed anywhere – at your web page, as a profile picture at social media, as a signature in e-mails, etc.

    User-friendly website

    Most people look for solutions to their problems online so make sure that you devote enough time in building your website that will be easy to use with all important information for further research presented at the front page.

    Mobile-friendly website

    Apart from being simple to use, a website should also be mobile-friendly, considering the great popularity and rising need for Smartphones nowadays. A lot of people do their shopping and browsing on their phones, so it is very important to create a website that would prove to be useful on both computer and phone screens.

    Lead a blog

    Having a website sometimes is not enough with more demanding clients. Therefore, creating a blog that offers useful and meaningful content that explains some of the most common topics people look in their search and is related to your business is a great way to implement your branding image in the market.

    Add diversity

    Some people are just not into reading articles and find it more comprehending to receive information from an audio-visual source instead. Therefore, do not forget to include videos, pictures, charts, etc. in your blog to appeal to the wider audience.

    SEO

    Even a great website and purposeful blog will not do you any good if possible clients are not able to find you in the search. Therefore, investing in professional Search Engine Optimization is a sure way to generate more traffic to your business brand.

    Social Media

    Online social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are integral part of today’s society and you have to make your brand visible in this area as well. Moreover, people are more likely to seek answers and read reviews at social media than bothering to visit your website in search for contact form. This is why your social page should always be active and responsive.

    Social buttons

    This is related to social media but it involves your work with website and blog. Do not forget to add social buttons at pages for different products, services and blog entries so that people can share your brand more easily.

    Newsletter

    Make sure to take advantage of your customer’s email list and send them newsletters with new products and offers. This way, you can inform your clientele about any changes quickly and efficiently. A simple yet informative newsletter will play a significant role in establishing your brand.

    Marketing strategy

    In order to always move your brand further up, you need to work on your marketing strategies constantly. With many other things that have to be taken care of, no single person can do this job properly all the time and therefore it is best to seek professional help from digital agencies in Sydney in order to work on fresh and innovative ideas without any setbacks.

    If you make sure that you do not skip any of the important steps and keep working towards your goal establishing your brand online will prove to be an essential part of your overall business success.

  • April 2016 Stamp Duty Changes Cause a Stampede

    April 2016 Stamp Duty Changes Cause a Stampede

    The UK chancellor, George Osbourne, has just revealed his latest budget for 2016. One of the headaches caused for the property market from the previous budget was the stamp duty rise – set to come in on April 1st 2016. The changes will see investors pay a 3% surcharge on stamp duty for their property purchases in the future, therefore, many are rushing to beat the profit reducing tax increase and pushing their buy-to-let mortgages through as quickly as possible.

    In fact, in January 2016 the number of buy-to-let mortgages rose by 22% on 2015 – a huge increase which clearly indicates the concerns property magnets have. 9,500 loans were taken out in January compared with 7,800 the year before. The total amount borrowed increased by an even higher rate, 40%, to £1.4bn. Nowhere else has this been noticed more than by letting agents in Stockport, who have noticed a huge rise in demand with the regeneration of the town centre, in turn causing many investors to focus on the area.

    Aside from the large increases in the commercial, investor side of the property market, there has also been a notable increase in the residential area. Homeowners looking to re-mortgage their property also appear to be rushing to get things sorted before April, in fact the amount lent (according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders) was £5.8bn which is the highest since January 2009 and is a 32% increase on this time last year. First time buyers we also active in January with 21,400 home loans being obtained, a 14% increase.

    Another reason for the rise in home loans, re-mortgages and buy-to-let mortgages in January 2016 was the lenders producing appealing packages. Mortgage rates are currently very low and the numbers of people obtaining them is just as low, therefore, the banks and building societies are looking to get customers in by creating attractive propositions elsewhere. It has proved to be very successful and goes some way towards generating the profit they require in another side of the property market. The number of ‘challenger banks’ on the landscape these days who are offering tailor made, attractive propositions to first time buyers is forcing the bigger players to up their game and offer something better than historically they have been doing.

    We are now moving in to the Spring of 2016 and the buoyant property market is set to be under the spotlight as the most popular moving period of the year begins. First time buyers will be tracked more than anyone to see how the governments ‘help to buy’ scheme performs, to see if it has in fact stimulated the market or if it has been another failed project. The ‘Help To Buy ISA’ works by rewarding first time buyers who are saving for a deposit by giving them £50 for every £200 they save. The maximum government bonus it is possible to receive is £3,000 and you must have saved at least £1,600 before you can access your government bonus of £400.

    Amidst global uncertainty in the markets (particularly in China), George Osbourne and David Cameron will be desperate to see a great year in both the lending and property sectors for 2016, it will separate the UK somewhat for the global issues. It will also be interesting to see how the challenger banks fair. Many now don’t trust the big corporations and would prefer a more ‘down to earth’ lender that won’t take their money and gamble with it leading to a possible second wind for building societies. Building societies gradually got bought out and sold off to banks but were the solution to the greed and relentless profits that the large banks target.