Making Money

How to Market an Invention With No Money

January 22, 2021 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

If you have a great invention, you likely want to earn some money from it. The issue is, marketing a product can be incredibly expensive. Ad firms are often quite costly, for one. For another, even options like online ads you create yourself come with price tags, and it may be more than you’re able to shoulder. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. If you want to market an invention with no money, here are some options that could work.

Head to Social Media

If you’ve been able to manufacturer your invention but don’t have enough cash to market it, there are free avenues that you can explore. Usually, the easiest place to start is on social media, as you can create an account related to your invention and add posts to generate buzz or secure sales.

Social media marketing can be entirely no-cost. However, you may need to acquire a few skills and hone your technique, ensuring it costs you nothing more than time and energy. For example, effective keyword and hashtag research is usually a must. Additionally, learning how to create captivating posts, including any images or videos, could be essential.

Partner with Influencers and Bloggers

In some cases, social media influencers and bloggers will advertise your product to their followers without an upfront cash payment. Instead, they may be open to showcasing your invention in exchange for getting the product for free, earning a small amount from each sale they generate, or another similar arrangement.

Usually, you’ll need to aim at smaller influencers or blogs if you go this route. Those with large, established followings can command high prices, so they may not fit your budget. However, smaller accounts or blogs with a targeted following within your inventions niche might be open to the idea.

Find an Investor

If you don’t have the cash to manufacture or market your invention, finding an investor might be your best bet. This could include anything from asking friends and family members to crowdfunding through sites like Kickstarter or GoFundMe to securing financial support from an angel investor.

With this approach, your initial marketing efforts may be no-cost. Along with developing an elevator pitch and lengthier presentations, you may need a business plan, details about your invention, and similar documentation. As long as you have access to a computer, you may be able to create those yourself for free.

Secure a Licensing Deal

Instead of marketing your invention broadly, you could focus your efforts on finding a licensing deal. With this, you’d still need to create a presentation and similar documentation. However, you’d only focus on speaking with companies that may be interested in manufacturing your product using their branding.

Getting your foot in the door with a company that may buy a license can be daunting. But it does have the potential to lead to a financial windfall, one that can reap dividends over the long-term.

Alternatively, you could completely sell your idea to a company. With this route, you may have no rights to your invention once it’s sold, so you can’t rely on it as a long-term source of income. However, it could give you the chance to earn a pretty penny off of your invention without having to do any marketing beyond that sale.

Do you have any other tips that might help someone market an invention with no money? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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How to Make Money on Snapchat

January 22, 2021 By Vicky Monroe Leave a Comment

Snapchat isn’t just a messaging app—it’s also a great place to make some extra cash. If you have a knack for creating short, entertaining videos, you can build an audience on the app and earn money from brand deals, promoting your own merch, and more.

Read on to learn more about how to make money on Snapchat.

Build An Audience

One of the best ways to make money on Snapchat is to promote products and services to your audience.

But you won’t get paid sponsorships or brand deals unless you have a pretty sizable following. If you don’t have a big enough audience yet, here are a few quick tips to help you grow it.

Share a link to your Snapchat profile on other social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to encourage people to check out your account.
Collaborate with influencers by posting to each other’s stories or exchanging shoutouts.
Follow other people’s accounts and engage with them by replying to their stories and sending them messages.
Create entertaining stories that people will want to watch. Tutorials, dance videos, pranks, and snaps that give people a “behind the scenes look” at your day tend to be the most popular.
Snapchat puts the most recently updated stories at the top of people’s feeds, so make sure you post new snaps at least a few times per day.

Promote Products and Services

Once you have a following, you can start recommending products on the app to earn some side income. Affiliate links are a great place to start because you don’t have to wait for a brand to sponsor you. You can also handpick products you think will appeal to your followers the most to maximize your earnings.

Eventually your following may grow to the point that brands find you and offer you paid sponsorships. Depending on the size of your audience, you could earn hundreds or even thousands for promoting a product in your stories.

If you have your own products or merch, you can also feature them on your Snapchat account or even purchase ads to help your brand reach a wider audience.

Submit Snaps to Spotlight

In November, Snapchat started a program called Spotlight that pays users for viral content. You can submit your best snaps to the program for consideration, and if they get enough views, you could get a sizable payout.

Although having an established audience will help your content get views, some people have earned thousands of dollars from the program despite not being influencers. Andrea Romo, for example, earned $250,000 for a video of her sister deep frying a turkey even though she doesn’t have a big following.

Snapchat is mainly used by Gen Z, so the content that gets popular on the platform is a little different than what you’re used to seeing on Facebook and Instagram. To maximize your chances of success, study what’s trending and see if you can replicate the tone and style of those snaps while putting your own spin on things.

Sometimes seemingly random things will go viral, so don’t be afraid to post content that isn’t perfect and polished. Just get creative and experiment, and who knows—you might earn some money!

Create and Sell Geofilters

If you have an eye for design, you may be able to make money on Snapchat by selling geofilters, which are fun graphics that people can layer over their snaps.

Geofilters are only available to people in a certain location that you select when you make them. Because they have a limited radius, they’re often used to promote local events.

Many people buy custom geofilters for their weddings and birthday parties so guests can add them to their snaps. Lots of businesses also use them to generate buzz before a store’s grand opening or a big sale, so there’s definitely a market for them.

Etsy is a great place to sell geofilters, but you can also market them through your own website. Letting your friends and family know you design custom geofilters may also get you some sales.

Snapchat is a great place to earn some extra income so you can pay down your debt faster and save more. Hopefully these tips will help you turn your favorite messaging app into a lucrative side hustle this year.

How to Get Paid for Writing Slogans

January 21, 2021 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

If you can create short statements that really pack a punch, writing slogans might be right for you. While it isn’t as popular as longer-form writing, it’s possible to make a pretty penny jotting down brief branding-oriented sentences for companies. If you are wondering how you can get paid for writing slogans, here’s what you need to know.

Enter Slogan Contests

If you’re new to slogan writing and want to see if you have what it takes, you may want to start with slogan contests. Many companies launch contests to see what members of the public have to offer, and the winner typically gets some kind of prize, including potentially a cash payment.

If you’re looking for contests, sites like SloganSlingers can be a great place to start. However, companies may also launch their own contests, using their social media page or website as the host.

It’s important to note that competition can be fierce in these contests. However, it’s a great option for seeing if you can come up with something great quickly, so it isn’t a bad place to start.

Sign Up on Freelancing Sites

At times, companies looking for a quick slogan or two head to freelancing sites to find a writer. There are plenty of general freelancer sites that welcome writes, and you could potentially find slogan writing work there.

Freelancer.com and Upwork both have a section dedicated to slogan-related projects. Fiverr and Guru do, as well. Here are some freelance marketplaces as well.

Platforms	Best For:
Fiverr	Finding Freelancers
Bark	Finding Unique Freelancers
Appjobs	Gig Economy Professionals

If you go this route, you’ll need to have a compelling profile to secure work. Usually, this includes a brief overview of your expertise, as well as information about any formal education and training you may have that’s relevant to the niche. You may also want to post examples of your work, feature testimonials from past clients, or take similar steps to stand out from the crowd.

Launch Your Own Website

It is possible to land slogan-writing work through your own website. If you use this approach, your site functions similar to a resume, highlighting what you bring to the table. You can also include pricing information, as well as a contact form for interested parties to reach you.

While this option may seem like a passive way to find opportunities, that isn’t always the case. Managing your own website can take work, including SEO optimization, creating content to drive traffic, and more. However, it can be worth the effort, particularly if you have a solid portfolio of past work you can display.

To start making a website, buy your own hosting and domain at Bluehost.

Secure a Marketing Job

Slogan writing usually falls into the marketing category. As a result, a position with a marketing company or a business’s marketing department might let you get paid to write slogans.

Usually, if you’re going to land a marketing job, you’ll need to have some relevant education. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be a degree in advertising. In some cases, English or writing-oriented degrees can work. Similarly, certain business, sales, or analytical degrees might suffice, depending on the full nature of the role.

Start a Marketing Company

If you have the drive and the slogan-writing chops, you might be able to launch your own marketing company. It may not be the easiest way to get started, but if you have substantial marketing experience and solid examples of past work, it is an option that could pan out.

Do you have any additional tips that might help someone get paid for writing slogans? Have you ever gotten paid for writing slogans, personally? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

5 Ways to Make Money With Cargo Vans

January 19, 2021 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

If you own a cargo van, you’re in luck. You can actually use your vehicle to make some cash, either as a full-fledged business or a side hustle. If you want to put yours to work, here are five ways to make money with cargo vans.

1. Moving Assistance

When most people move, they have to either rent a vehicle that’s large enough to carry their items or hire a moving company. This can actually be a money-making opportunity for anyone with a cargo van, as the vehicle can hold most big furniture items, a ton of boxes, kitchen appliances, and more.

If you offer moving assistance, you need to decide if you’re simply a driver or if you’ll also help with loading and unloading. That way, you can price your service appropriately.

2. Furniture or Appliance Delivery

Similar to moving assistance, many people don’t have a vehicle that can carry furniture items or large appliances. You could offer your cargo van to those making purchases, charging them a fee to drive their new stuff to its destination.

At times, you may even be able to partner with smaller furniture or appliance stores that don’t have their own delivery team. With that, you may be able to work as a contractor or as an employee, depending on the arrangement.

3. Rent It Out

If the idea of personally driving someone’s property around doesn’t seem ideal, you could go another route. By renting out your cargo van, you’re creating a source of semi-passive income. Aside from maintaining your vehicle between rentals, handing over and picking up the keys, and dealing with some paperwork, you don’t have to do anything else to earn money from your cargo van.

Sites like Getaround can be a way to find renters. Plus, the company can provide you with some protections, like suitable insurance.

4. Dump Hauls

If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you could charge people to handle large dump runs for them. You’d collect everything the person wants to dispose of and take it to the nearest processing center.

Make sure that, if you go this route, that you account for dump fees when setting your prices. At times, this can be a little tricky, as fees can be based on the weight of what’s getting thrown out. However, you can use area junk removal prices set by competitors as a guide or look at your nearest center’s price tables to create your own estimates.

5. Mobile Service Provider

With a few modifications, you might be able to turn your cargo van into a mobile service location. For example, some people operate mobile massage, pet grooming, catering, florist, and other kinds of services out of a van.

Whether this approach may work for you depends on your existing skillset. However, it could be worth exploring if what you have to offer could be handled out of a van.

Can you think of any other ways someone could make money with cargo vans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

What Is The Minimum Wage in California

January 5, 2021 By Allen Francis Leave a Comment

As Tupac once said, California knows how to party. If you ask most people where they would like to move if they could, New York or California would probably be high on their list. California is known as the Golden State because the area rapidly modernized due to the industry expansion expedited by the 1848 gold rush era. And California then only became a state in 1850. The first Mcdonald’s opened in California in 1937. Video games, Barbie dolls, the Frisbee, and the skateboard were all created in California. And of course, California is notorious for the Hollywood film industry. The point is that for almost two centuries, California has been at the crux of industry. Are you planning a move here? So, what is the minimum wage in California?

If you are planning a move to California, you should brace yourself financially. California has the highest cost of living standards in the country, relative to New York City. And the rent in California is astronomically high.

If you plan on moving to California, then you should have a strategically calculated personal budget, employment attainment strategies, and a plan.

What Is The Minimum Wage in California?

As of January 1, 2021, the minimum wage in California will increase from $12 to $13 or $14 per hour relative to the city or district. In some circumstances, the minimum wage in California

Generally speaking, any business with 25 employees or less will now pay $13 per hour. For businesses with 26 employees or more, the minimum wage in California will increase to $14 per hour.

However, these Californian cities have mandated these 2021 New Year’s minimum wage increase no matter the number of employees involved:

San Diego – $14.00 per hour
Oakland – $14.36 per hour
Daly City – $15.00 per hour
Half Moon Bay – $15.00 per hour
Petaluma – $15.20 per hour
Santa Rosa – $15.20 per hour
Richmond – $15.21 per hour
San Carlos – $15.24 per hour
South San Francisco – $15.24 per hour
Menlo Park – $15.25 per hour
San Jose – $15.45 per hour
El Cerrito – $15.61 per hour
Redwood City – $15.62 per hour
San Mateo – $15.62 per hour
Cupertino – $15.65 per hour
Los Altos – $15.65 per hour
Palo Alto – $15.65 per hour
Santa Clara – $15.65 per hour
Belmont – $15.90 per hour
Sunnyvale – $16.30 per hour

Sound good to you?

Well, if you are planning on moving to California anytime soon, you have to pay attention to your finances.

That is because the minimum wage in California, even with the increase, is overshadowed by the living wage.

California Living Wage

The minimum wage is the state-mandated minimum amount that a business must pay its employees. But the living wage is the amount of money you must make to live a realistically comfortable lifestyle.

If you are a single adult with no children, then the minimum wage and the living wage are almost at parity. So, if you were a single adult with no children living in California, you would need to make at least $32,000 annually to live comfortably.

If you were a single adult living in California with two children, you need to make a living wage of at least $78,000.

Are you a single adult with three children? Then you would need to make a living wage of at least $100,000 to live comfortably in California.

A working couple with three children would need to make over $104,000 together to satisfy a realistic living wage.

The cost of rent, mortgages, utilities, and consumer goods are a lot higher in California relative to other states.

Cost of Living in California

Want to buy a home in California? Good luck with that.

The average price of a home in California is over $600,000. Meanwhile, the national average price for a new home is about $320,000.

Want to buy a home in San Francisco? The average price of a new home in San Francisco is $1.3 million.

San Francisco is also notorious for having the highest rents in the country. The average rent in San Francisco is $4,200 per month. In Los Angeles, the average rent is about $2,800 per month.

You will pay about 43% more for utility payments than the national average.

Buying groceries in California is about 33% more expensive than the national average.

And relative to your tax bracket, California has the highest income taxes in the United States. If you make more than $1 million annually, your tax rate will be over 13.3%.

If you make $58.600, then your tax rate will be 8%.

Plan Ahead

You should make sure that the minimum wage in California will sustain you and your family long before you attempt to move there.

California is the Golden State, but make sure you don’t end up looking for Fool’s Gold.

Save Money Before Planning to Move

While making sure that the minimum wage sustains your family in California, you also have to make sure that you have savings. Here are some savings platform you can use before moving or while you are already in California.

App	Fess and minimum:	Best for:
Digit	30-day free trial period. $5 per month	Setting aside automatically
Acorns	$1 per month	Spare change investing.
Qapital	$3 membership	Letting you set rules to automate savings.

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Financial Coping Advice in a Pandemic World

December 18, 2020 By Allen Francis Leave a Comment

After weeks of employments reports where only 700,000+ people applied for unemployment insurance in a week, over 855,000 people applied for unemployment benefits this week.

It looks like unemployment applications are slowly inching back up to the 1 million+ range per week again.

For millions of Americans, there is not a lot of reasons to have hope in a post-pandemic world.

Don’t be overwhelmed. Here is what you must consider doing now.

Develop Long-Term Goals

The world is not fair. That phrase has practically become my daily mantra, However, there is no hope in despair.

If you don’t have a job now, think about what you could potentially do in the future. How could your previous work skills and professional experiences be re-purposed in a post-pandemic world?

And consider how you can start over. As cruel as it sounds, we are all starting over again.

There are many online education platforms that are offering free and reduced-price online classes for unemployed people and government employees. Check out edX and Coursera to start with.

Start reviewing jobs in the online gig economy and remote jobs industry. Consider your existing skillsets and the new skills you can reasonably acquire in the near term and how you can leverage such into new job opportunities.

Be realistic, be patient, and don’t be rash – it will take time for you to chart a new employment future.

Get an Emergency Fund

Before the pandemic struck, the general wisdom was to try to put at least the equivalent of six months’ worth of paychecks in an emergency fund.

Now, such an advance is just not realistic for people, and it is cruel to say to people.

Since the pandemic wrecked the economy, over 70 million people may have lost their jobs. The government offered a one-time $1,200 at the beginning of the crisis.

Now, many people are months behind in rent, mortgage payments, and other various bills. And on top of that, many of the jobs that evaporated earlier are not coming back.

These jobs will be obsolete or rendered moot by the workplace occupancy reduction mandated by social distancing mandates and the advent of remote working.

If you are one of the lucky ones to still have a job, it is imperative that you put some money in an emergency fund, no matter how little.

You can put 10% or 5% of your regular pay into an emergency fund. Every little bit helps.

In this economy and the uncertain future we all now face, it is better to have a little bit saved in an emergency fund than nothing at all.

Additionally, having an emergency fund could give you a better sense of personal security in a world turned upside down.

Here are some emergency fund platforms you can try or invest in.

App	Fess and minimum:	Best for:
Digit	30-day free trial period. $5 per month	Setting aside automatically
Acorns	$1 per month	Spare change investing.
Qapital	$3 membership	Letting you set rules to automate savings.

Pay Down Your Debts

The only truly certain things in life are taxes, death, and debt. Depending on the kinds of debt you own, you can’t even escape that after death.

There are many Americans grappling with compounding debt issues and unemployment.

If you are fortunate to be employed now, develop a plan and timetable to pay down your debts. Get on top of your debts now or they will get on top of you in the future.

Develop a Budget

Develop a weekly and monthly budget to make the most of the finances you have now. Think about what you can do now instead of what you can’t do. There is no future in despair and the future is coming now.

To get your personal budget started, you can use these savings platforms as mentioned above. You can also start investing in platforms such as these.

Platforms:	Fees and Minimum:	Best for:
Robinhood	Free	Beginner investing
Acorns	$1 per month	Spare change investing
The Motley Fool	$99 for the first year.	Stock advising

Or you can also try saving directly to the bank on these plaforms:

Platform:	Fees to sign-up	Best for:
CIT Bank	Free	Wide range of Financial Services
Lending Tree	Free	Best for keeping an eye on credit score
BBVA	Free	Safe digital banking

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