Year: 2022

  • How to Manage Your Money As a Freelancer

    How to Manage Your Money As a Freelancer

    As the tide turns in the professional world from working in offices to working at home, a lot of people have chosen to simply work for themselves and have complete control over their professional lives. Many people are making a great living off of it, however, without a steady income, you are going to have to find new and interesting ways to budget your money and keep your finances in order. Here is how to manage your money as a freelancer. 

    A freelancer

    Set a Budget

    You are going to need to make a certain amount of money every month, and when you have that number, start budgeting around that. It’s the same as when you were making an income from your old job. You know how much you need to make, so set out to make it. If you have your jobs all lined up so that you can make that goal, stick to the budget.

    In the world of freelancing, money comes and goes, so don’t start living as if you are going to make this kind of money every month. Things can change. Do your own accounting, keep track of everything, and put some back into your business and keep some for yourself. Know where your money is going. 

    Demand On-Time Payments

    You are running a business and people are hiring you to produce great work. It is well within your right and highly expected that you demand your payments on time. Depending on how clients pay you, you could wait a few days to get paid or have payment of receipt. 

    Find what method works best for you. Some people pay through an ACH while others may want to send you checks, use wire transfers, pay by PayPal or set up an escrow where the money sits for a bit before you get paid. Learn more about the difference between ACH and wire transfers on this website so that you can choose which option works best for your finances. 

    Set Aside Tax Money

    This cannot be said loud enough. You have to pay your taxes. You are HR now, you have to decide how much money is going to come out for the government, and when you can figure out that calculation, set that money aside every month as the year goes on, so that you aren’t stuck with a huge tax bill at the end of the year. 

    You are your own accounting department now, be smart with setting aside all the funds you need. This will help you adjust your budget and let you know if you need to change things up to make more money. 

    Conclusion

    There are several other factors that will affect your income as a freelancer. The best you can do is check your money every week to ensure you are on track. The closer you pay attention, the faster you can fix a problem before it arises.

    I’m using FreeAgent to manage my SmallBusiness accounting. Sign up for a free trial and save 10% if you decide to subscribe.

    In the world of freelancing, money comes and goes. Here's how to manage your money as a freelancer.
  • Instagram: Alternative Ways to Increase Your Number of Likes

    Instagram: Alternative Ways to Increase Your Number of Likes

    Instagram is a social media platform that allows users to share predominantly photos and videos on just about anything to their followers. Instagram has more than 800 million active monthly users and counting. It is thought to have over 500 million people using it daily. This is great exposure when you are a business looking to become more visible in an online environment where you could potentially be lost at sea without the right strategies in place.

    Instagram

    The app is free to download on the App Store and Google Play, and users can also browse Instagram stories, posts, and profiles on the web.

    There are several different ways to increase your Instagram following, and consequently, your number of likes. Below are three alternative business approaches that you can use to increase your number of Instagram likes. One of which is to seek out a company to help you become instantly popular. You may have heard of Buzzoid Instagram likes. Well, seeking out these could please you when it comes to how popular your Instagram posts could look to customers and rivals.

    Outsource Instagram Likes

    We can take away much of the work of growing our Instagram as a business and cost-effectively buy-in much-needed likes for our posts. That is whatever they happen to be about. They all count towards our brand whether they talk about our business in general, our staff, or a particular product that we are trying to sell.

    We cannot rely on naturally picking up Instagram likes. Particularly when we are new to the platform. We can therefore look to give our Instagram posts a boost by seeing how others can increase the number of likes we have received in an instant.

    Engage with other users’ content

    One way to get more Instagram followers is to engage with other users’ content. When you engage with someone’s post, it not only shows the original poster that you’re interested in what they’re posting, but it also increases the visibility of their content.

    If you’re regularly engaging with other users’ content, chances are they’ll start to notice and might even return the favour by following you or liking your content. You can engage with other users’ content by liking their posts, commenting on their posts, and tagging them in your posts.

    Share relevant and interesting content

    Of course, one of the most important things you can do to increase your Instagram following is to share relevant and interesting content. If you’re sharing boring or irrelevant content, though, people are less likely to follow you.

    When you’re sharing content, make sure it’s something that will appeal to your target audience. If you’re a business, you should also make sure that your content is branded and that it aligns with your overall marketing strategy.

    Rose gold Instagram Canva templates.

    50 Rose Gold Canva Instagram Templates. Expertly designed to help you grow your following and increase engagement. Easily edit in Canva.

    Use Instagram ads

    Another way to increase your Instagram following is to use Instagram ads. Instagram ads are a great way to reach new people who might be interested in your product or service.

    Instagram ads are also a great way to target specific demographics, interests, and even locations. If you’re not sure how to get started with Instagram ads, you can learn more about them here.

    Sometimes it is not enough to post around what you are trying to sell, you have to be more direct. This is where ads can work. You can not only target them to the right people but be very clear in your message about what you are selling and how useful it could be to your target audience.

    These ads could contain promotions to attract potential buyers. Discounts can work well to introduce someone to a product that they might need to buy again to replenish stocks. Giveaways are another way to attract attention and interest. It is about starting to build a following for the product or service that you offer.

    By using some or all of the above strategies, you can start to increase your Instagram following and get more likes on your posts.

    By using some or all of the strategies in this post, you can start to increase your Instagram following and get more likes on your posts.
  • How to Use Video On Your Website

    How to Use Video On Your Website

    Using video can go a long way to increase engagement on your website. Video can grab the attention of your visitors and allow them to explore your website even more. 

    The longer you can keep people on your website the more Google thinks your website has quality content. It will then go ahead and increase your search engine rankings. 

    Video is one of the most effective ways to keep people on your page and reduce your bounce rate. Here is a look at some ways in which you can use video on your website.

    Video blogging

    Use a Video on Your Homepage

    A homepage background video is a great way to immediately grab the attention of your audience. You can introduce them to your services with your video. To make your video look professional you can hire someone who does corporate video production to do it for you.

    If you are in a competitive niche having a background video on your website that showcases what you have to offer can immediately let a visitor know if you have what they are looking for. This will keep them on the page for longer if you do have something that interests them.

    Add Video Testimonials

    You probably already know the power of written testimonials. When people read about all the benefits that they can get from using your products and services, especially from others who have already used them, they are more inclined to make a purchase. 

    However, if you want to step up your game and make your testimonials stand out, using video testimonials on your website is the way to go.

    Accompanying Videos

    When you write a blog post, it is a good idea to summarize what is in the blog post in a video. You never know how your visitors will prefer to consume content. Many of them would prefer to watch a video rather than read a long blog post. 

    Video content tends to be more engaging and it creates an emotional connection with your audience. You should make it a point to practice making accompanying videos for each of your blog posts, to help bring your point across clearly and give your visitors options.

    Use Video On Product Pages

    One of the things you should consider doing is using video on product pages. If you’re selling a product then showing your website visitors exactly how they can use it is a great way to convert them. 

    Creating a video of the product in use gives people an image in their minds and this may be all that is needed to get them to press the purchase button.

    Make Your Website Stand Out

    If you’re looking to have your website stand out then video is one of the best ways to do it. Adding high-quality video to your website will capture the attention of your visitors immediately. 
    It will also help you to get visitors to stay on your website longer and convert them if you use videos on product pages. With all the benefits that can be derived from using video, it should always be at the forefront of your mind whenever you are creating content.

    Looking for an e-commerce platform? Try EKM, you can get a 28-day trial today and start setting up your online shop straight away! Or, try Ionos and earn up to £150 back on your purchase.

    If you're looking to have your website stand out then video is one of the best ways to do it. Adding high-quality video to your website will capture the attention of your visitors immediately. 
  • How To Use Canva’s Colour Picker Eyedropper Tool

    How To Use Canva’s Colour Picker Eyedropper Tool

    Canva is a design tool providing templates for users to create anything from eye-catching graphics to presentations, posters, social media images and more. The platform can be accessed on any device with an internet connection.

    It doesn’t require any prior knowledge of design or drawing and has been used by people with all levels of experience in the field.

    Canva was founded in Australia in 2012 by Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht. It started as a side project but soon became the company’s focus after it gained popularity among designers who needed an easy way to create high-quality designs without needing expensive software like Photoshop or Illustrator.

    Canva Colour Picker Eyedropper Tool

    I use Canva on a daily basis and one of the tools I find really useful is the colour picker eyedropper tool.

    When I’m designing, I can pick out colours from images and use them in my designs, changing the colour of backgrounds, text and other design elements.

    How to Use the Canva Colour Picker Eyedropper Tool

    Open up Canva and start your design. I’ve selected a pin and have chosen an image from photos found in the left-hand menu. I’m going to show how to change the background colour of the pin as an example.

    I want to pick the colour green from the image to use as the background. To do this, open up the colour picker tool by clicking on the Background Colour Box and then click the Add New Colour Box with the ‘+’.

    The eye dropper colour picker tool will appear. Double click on this.

    The tool magnifies the area as it is moved over the image and allows you to choose a colour by simply clicking.

    As you can see it’s simple to use and in the image above, the background is now filled with the selected colour. You can also see the hex code for the colour on the left-hand side.

    Conclusion

    Canva is a fantastic graphic design tool. I use it to create and resizeaccess images and pins for my blog. I also use it to create KDP book covers and printables. I currently use Canva Pro to acces all the features I need. If you’re starting out, the free version is more than enough to get a feel for it.

    I use Canva on a daily basis and one of the tools I find really useful is the colour picker eyedropper tool. This post shows you how to use it.

  • Side Hustles That Can Boost Your Bank Account

    Side Hustles That Can Boost Your Bank Account

    If you are of an entrepreneurial mindset, then it is more than likely that you are always on the lookout for brand new ways to enhance your income on a monthly basis. While you may be running a business, working full time, or even just getting by on the occasional deal, there are always opportunities to earn a little more cash.

    Side Hustles That Can Boost Your Bank Account

    Nowadays, one of the best ways to boost your income is by finding a little side hustle and giving it a little bit of your time and effort. While we know that a side hustle is probably never going to be enough alone to pay the bills, it probably will allow you to treat yourself every once in a while.

    In this post, we are going to be taking a look at three side hustles that you may wish to consider if you really want to boost your income this year.

    When it comes to side hustles, you need to be mindful that you shouldn’t put too much effort or cash into this little project as you want it to increase your income and not drain your bank account.

    Taking all of this into account, let’s get into the post and see if we can make you and your bank account a little happier.

    The World Of Investment

    Ok, so we understand that for some people, the word investment still sends shivers up their spine, but the truth is, modern investment is so far from what it used to be. 

    It used to be for those with more money than sense, but today, it’s something everybody can place a finger into. When it comes to investing, one of the most popular types of investment is crypto.

    It seems that since its introduction, crypto has gained some real ground, and it’s something that so many people are making money from. As time has moved forward, the world of crypto has become more accessible, and it seems that thousands of people are looking at things like trading fees on XRP and even upcoming currencies that may be worth a day one stake.

    Fulfilment

    Now, when we look at modern side hustles that are making people money, fulfilment programs seem to be the way forward, and they really couldn’t be more simple.

    The idea is as easy as this. You buy items in bulk and have them shipped to somebody like Amazon, you, of course, have to sign up with the fulfilment service first. 

    Once your items are shipped to Amazon, they advertise them, sell them, pack them, and ship them to your customers. All you have to do is sit back and earn some money.

    Now, on occasion, you can earn quite a lot from this, but you do have to take into consideration what you are spending. But, saying that, as far as side hustles go, this could be one of the best.

    Matched Betting

    Matched betting is a way of betting where you can guarantee your profit. It works by betting on both outcomes of an event and then cancelling out the stake. This strategy is often used by people who enjoy gambling but don’t want to risk any of their own money.

    The advantages of matched betting are that it offers the opportunity to make an additional income without having to risk any of your own capital. You can also make sure that your risk is limited because there are no financial risks involved. Learn matched betting here and see if it’s for you with this free trial.

    In this post, we are going to be taking a look at three side hustles that you may wish to consider if you really want to boost your income this year.
  • How To Make Money With Creative Fabrica

    How To Make Money With Creative Fabrica

    Creative Fabrica is a large marketplace where designers sell fonts, crafts, graphics and art etc. Creatives and crafters buy these designs to create digital and physical products. Creative Fabrica also has an affiliate program, which is another fantastic way of earning extra money.

    Graphic designer

    I’m a regular user of Creative Fabrica and couldn’t be without it. I use the designs to create low content books that are printed and sold by Amazon and digital downloads sold on Etsy.

    Become a Designer on Creative Fabrica

    If you’re a designer, you can sell your designs on Creative Fabrica with some great benefits! You can make money in a few ways: Get 75% for sales you refer and 50% for sales Creative Fabrica refer.

    You get paid for the downloads that customers make of your products, plus you get paid for having them on the platform.

    Become an Affiliate

    By becoming an affiliate with Creative Fabrica, you can earn 25% on every single purchase, and 20% per subscriber per month! This is a great way to make a passive income.

    You do need to have a Creative Fabrica account to become an affiliate. You can sign up here. Once your account is created, your personal affiliate link can be found in your affiliate dashboard which can be found on your account page.

    Affiliate payments can be paid into your PayPal or Pioneer account.

    Share your link on social networks and Pinterest, or create a blog and insert links into your posts.

    Use Creative Fabrica designs

    Get creative and use the designs to create your own digital or physical products. Here are some ideas for what you can create:

    • Mugs
    • Tshirts
    • Journals
    • Stickers
    • Home Decor
    • Fridge Magnets
    • Cards
    • Canvas Prints

    Can I use Creative Fabrica for Commercial Use?

    Yes, you can if you have a commercial subscription with them. I have the unlimited plan where I can download anything from the site and it works out a lot cheaper than paying for everything individually.

    You can create physical and digital products and sell them on your own blog or e-commerce store. Sell on Etsy, or upload your designs to print-on-demand companies and sell that way.

    Be sure to always read the Commercial and Full POD usage guide when you download anything to make sure you are using the design element properly when creating.

    What’s Included in a Creative Fabrica Subscription?

    There are five subscription options with Creative Fabrica; All Access, Fonts, Graphics, Crafts and Classes subscriptions.

    I have the All Access Subscription. I started by having just the graphics but changed because I wanted access to more fonts.

    If you’re going to be using Creative Fabrica a lot, it’s much more cost-effective to have access to unlimited downloads.

    Conclusion

    Creative Fabrica is a great go-to resource for quality graphics, fonts and more. They also have plenty of freebies, and you can have an All Access free trial for a month giving you access to millions of graphics, fonts, classes, CF Spark tool, and you can download 10 high-quality designs or AI creations for free!

    Click here to get your All Access free trial.

    Creative Tools and Resources

    Canva – I use this daily for banners on my blog, creating pins for Pinterest, logos and book covers, interiors and more. I couldn’t be without it!

    Book Bolt – Create KDP covers and interiors with ease. Get 20% off at checkout with my code: suefoster

    Creative Fabrica – The best place for graphics and fonts for your designs.

    Learn how to create printables – A comprehensive program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs. It equips you with the knowledge and tools to create and sell printables online. From designing your first printable to effective marketing strategies on platforms like Etsy, this course covers it all.

    Explore fonts, crafts & graphics on Creative Fabrica. Sell your designs & earn! Join affiliate program for extra income.
  • 3 Easy-To-Start Businesses You Could Do

    3 Easy-To-Start Businesses You Could Do

    Everyone knows that starting a business can be complicated. That doesn’t mean that each type of company is as challenging to start as others.

    Instead, they can be more straightforward and involve far fewer moving parts. If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, then these could be attractive.

    There are more than a few easy-to-start businesses that you could consider. It’s worth noting, however, that you’ll still need to put work into it.

    A woman opening her shop

    That includes the essentials, such as:

    • Obtaining funding;
    • Developing a business plan;
    • Creating sales and marketing strategies;
    • Registering your business, and more.

    Armed with these, you should have a problem with these easy-to-start businesses that make money.

    Easy-To-Start Businesses That Make Money: Top 3 Choices

    Franchising

    Franchising is one of the easiest ways to start a business for multiple reasons. Perhaps the most notable is that you’ll get help from experienced entrepreneurs in the niche you choose.

    That can position you for success much better than starting a company of your own. In time, you can grow this to earn a large amount of money.

    The possibility of extending your franchises is also there, which further enhances your earning potential. Though that takes time, it’s an effective option for many first-time entrepreneurs.

    Franchise Direct has numerous franchises for you to choose from and start.

    Amazon Store

    eCommerce has become one of the largest industries in the world. Taking advantage of this doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be one of the most easy-to-start businesses to choose from.

    In some cases, it’s as simple as choosing the products you want to sell and setting up an Amazon store. Countless people have tried this in the past and seen success.

    Though you’ll need to put effort into sourcing high-quality products and marketing this can be quite effective.

    Try an EKM online store. Get a 28-day trial today and start setting up your online shop straight away!

    Blogging

    How much do you think you could make by starting a blog? As simple as it sounds, it could offer you significant revenue. One of the most notable examples of this is The Huffington Post, which started life as a small blog.

    Naturally, it’s since become a well-known brand. While it would take years and extensive work to get to this, you could still reap a significant amount of money even if your blog doesn’t get this large.

    You’ll have multiple ways to make money with this once your audience is large enough. These include:

    • Affiliate Links
    • Banner Adverts
    • Sponsored Content

    Though you’ll need to put the work into growing your audience, there are more than a few ways to do so. With high-quality marketing, you’ll start to see a return on your investment.

    Start a blog now and earn up to £150 depending on which services you take out through my Ionos Referral Link.

    Easy To Start Businesses That Make Money: Wrapping Up

    Many people are surprised at the number of easy-to-start businesses that make money. While these offer significant revenue potential, you’ll still need to put work into them.

    As straightforward as some companies can be, success is never as simple as people would want. Spending the time and effort researching and planning your business is vital.

    The simplest way to start a successful business is to be informed and put in the work. Coupled with each of the above, you should have a problem launching your company.

    If you’re a first-time entrepreneur, then these 3 easy-to-start businesses could be attractive to you.
  • How To Take Control Of Your Next Marketing Campaign

    How To Take Control Of Your Next Marketing Campaign

    You’ve heard ‘create better content,‘ but there’s more to marketing than that. You may really master your next campaign by considering the key additional components in marketing. Read on to learn more.

    Two women working in an office

    Stand Out 

    One of the biggest marketing difficulties today is standing out in a sea of competition all yelling and vying for customers’ attention. Without defining the most critical elements, many marketing companies spend a lot of time, energy, and money expressing their message on the correct platforms and channels.

    This includes their messaging and company identity. The distinction is in first researching and defining these topics. To address both issues, serious research and interaction with a company’s target population will be required. If you don’t know how you can stand out from the crowd you could try some 1 on 1 Google Ads Training to improve your skills. 

    Social Media Is More Than Gaining Sales

    Showing off your wares on social media is a terrific idea. But resist the need to make every social media profile about this. Instead, you must acknowledge that social media may help you build a lasting relationship with your clients. Long term, it will pay off handsomely.

    Of course, such a benefit requires more than just talking about your next product or great deal. Instead, think about how you can help your prospects and connect with them daily. Creating a content calendar, consistently replying to comments and messages, and even using automation might help you incorporate your brand into your prospects’ everyday lives on social media.

    Tracking

    To create a successful marketing effort, you must first define success. Sure, we’re talking about picking and measuring metrics. Even the most seasoned marketing professional can fail in this area. There are so many different outcomes to track and compare, not to forget so many different platforms. 

    Always Go For It 

    You can also include promotion in your next marketing effort. Promotions can help you re-engage old consumers and entice new ones to explore new products or services.

    Of course, promotion needs to be many things. For example, if you are giving away a free product, make sure you have more than enough to fulfil demand. Remember to exploit the buzz about your campaign to increase traffic to your site and increase social media interaction. Keeping this in mind, making material easily shared is necessary.

    Always On-Brand

    Your company’s marketing materials must be easily identifiable by your target demographic. In essence, it must be on-brand, which means you must identify your brand before creating or releasing any marketing.

    Many marketing organizations focus on the visual aspect of brand identification, including assets like logos and hours spent choosing company colours. However, it is necessary to remember that marketing tone is equally significant. Many firms have a brand timetable or roadmap that outlines each part of their identity, which both internal employees and external contractors can follow.

    Experiment

    It may appear that after your campaign is up and running, you have figured out what your customers want. But keep in mind that marketing is a dynamic sector that is always developing.

    Remember that your prospects’ requirements and desires change as well. The same is true for their interests and inclinations. Trying new things can assist achieve long-term success.

    Always Think Long Term

    Finally, keep in mind that the campaign you are presently working on is merely a small part of a much larger plan. Marketing requires a 5-year plan, divided into 12 months, and perhaps even smaller portions. The objective is that each initiative should contribute to a broader total. That includes establishing defined goals and targets for each campaign, as well as a long-term strategy for your business.

    Lastly

    Better content isn’t enough to run a successful marketing campaign. It also means keeping an eye on the data and allowing it to guide your growth.

    You've heard ‘create better content,' but there's more to marketing than that. You may really master your next campaign by considering the key additional components in marketing. Read on to learn more.
  • Can’t Niche Down Your Blog? You Could Be a Multi-Passionate Creative

    Can’t Niche Down Your Blog? You Could Be a Multi-Passionate Creative

    Niche-specific blogs are a great way to build a following and to stand out from the crowd. But what if you can’t niche down?

    multi-passionate creative

    What is a Multi-Passionate Creative?

    Multi-passionate is a new term that has been coined to describe a person with multiple passions.

    This person can be someone who is a writer, an entrepreneur, and a designer. They have the ability to shift their attention from one passion to another without losing interest in any of them.

    The best thing about being multi-passionate is that it allows you to explore your interests and find out what you are best at.

    Do You Need To Niche?

    If you’re a creative who is multi-passionate, you don’t have to worry. You can still have a successful blog with multiple topics. You just need to find your own voice and create content that’s relatable to all of your passions, then group your passions into relevant categories on your blog.

    You have different passions and interests in life. You might be interested in fashion, cars and cooking or you might be interested in art history, travel and design. And it’s okay if you don’t know what your niche is. You don’t need to know what your niche is or even have one at all to start blogging.

    I am a multi-passionate creative. I don’t have one specific niche that I’m passionate about, instead, I have a variety of passions and interests. I love yoga, creating notebooks, printables blogging, WordPress, affiliate marketing, e-commerce, drop shipping, and making money online. The list goes on.

    I found it hard to narrow down because it’s my nature to be curious and creative. It would be very difficult for me to stick with just one topic when my main goal is to share what interests me most in life with others.

    No Niche Necessary: How to build a fulfilling multi-passionate business by adding flavour in your unique way.

    The struggle of being a multi-passionate creative is that it can be difficult to find the right path for yourself. It is hard to know what you want to pursue because there are so many options available.

    The best way to find your passions is through trial and error or by trying different things until you find the ones that fit you best.

    Niche blogging is not for everyone. It takes a lot of time and effort to find, research, and write about topics that are relevant to the niche. For some people, it’s just not their thing.

    If you search online, there are lots of articles that tell you that you must niche down. I have never been able to do this. I have tried but found it very hard to come up with content ideas on just one subject.

    You can still be a successful blogger without niche blogging. You just need to blog about different topics in your free time or get creative with your content marketing strategy.

    Does this sound like you? If so, you a more than likely a multi-passionate creative.

    Tips For Maintaining Multiple Passions Without Losing Focus & How To Make Money From Them!

    Give Yourself Time

    It’s important to remember that you don’t need to be making money from your side hustles all the time. It’s okay if you only make a few hundred pounds/dollars a month from them and it can be a lot of fun to experiment with different side hustles.

    Set Goals

    It can be helpful to set goals. This includes setting specific goals like “I will make £1000 by the end of this year” or more general ones like “I will enjoy myself and try new things.” Setting goals can help you stay motivated and on track with your side hustles.

    Have a To-Do List

    Note down ideas as soon as they come into your head. Make a list of everything that needs doing and tick each one once completed.

    If you’d rather not use pen and paper, use a cloud-based task management app like Microsoft To Do.

    Choose Your Blog Name Wisely

    If you haven’t started your blog yet, don’t tie yourself to one niche if you’re not sure which direction your blog is going to take, choose your blog name wisely. I used my name so that I could write about anything.

    Find A Common Theme

    Your multiple passions often have a common theme that can be grouped on your blog. If you look at my blog my main categories are Money, Business & Blogging. I have recently started low-content book publishing and enjoy it immensely. I can still write about this side hustle on my blog because it will fit in the making money and business categories.

    Finally, I have created a few niche blogs and have only kept one of them. None of them has been as successful or made as much income as this blog. So, this shows that you don’t necessarily have to niche down. Do whatever interests you and see how it grows.

    Niche-specific blogs are a great way to build a following and to stand out from the crowd. But what if you can't niche down?