Tag: entrepreneurship

Top 10 Books for Launching Your Online Business

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 15 October 2023

Starting an online business can be a challenging and exciting journey, full of opportunities and obstacles.

Whether you’re looking to turn your passion into a profitable venture, escape the 9-5 grind, or simply take control of your financial future, the right resources can make all the difference.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of ten of the best books about starting an online business, each offering valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to launch their own venture.

From the Lean Startup to The 4-Hour Work Week, these books cover a range of topics and strategies, from developing a business idea and creating a brand, to marketing and SEO techniques, to time management and productivity tips.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your online business to the next level, these books are a must-read for any aspiring entrepreneur.

“The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries

“The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries is a guide for entrepreneurs and startup companies looking to build successful businesses. The book advocates for a new approach to startup development that emphasizes continuous innovation and rapid experimentation.

Ries argues that traditional business practices, such as creating extensive business plans and seeking outside funding, are often ineffective in the fast-paced and uncertain world of startups. Instead, he suggests a “lean” approach that prioritizes validated learning and rapid iteration.

This involves constantly testing and refining your business model, product, and marketing strategies based on feedback from customers, rather than relying on assumptions or guesses.

Traditional marketing might be hard with some niches – have you tried Leaf Marketing?

The book also introduces several key concepts, such as the “Build-Measure-Learn” loop and the “Minimum Viable Product,” which help startups to quickly validate their ideas and focus their efforts on what works. Throughout the book, Ries provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the principles of the lean startup and demonstrate how they have been successfully applied in various industries.

“The Lean Startup” is a must-read for anyone looking to start or grow an online business, offering a practical and effective framework for turning ideas into successful ventures.

“Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence—and How You Can, Too” by Gary Vaynerchuk

Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence—and How You Can, Too” by Gary Vaynerchuk is a guide for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners looking to build successful businesses and personal brands in the digital age.

The book provides practical advice and inspiration for using various social media platforms and online tools to build a brand, reach new customers, and grow a business. Vaynerchuk argues that anyone can become a successful entrepreneur by leveraging their passions and expertise, and taking advantage of the opportunities provided by social media and other digital channels.

Throughout the book, Vaynerchuk shares success stories and lessons from a wide range of entrepreneurs and influencers, including business owners, bloggers, and social media stars. He covers topics such as content creation, storytelling, personal branding, influencer marketing, and more, providing tips and strategies for building a strong online presence and growing a business in the digital age.

In summary, “Crushing It!” is a practical and inspiring guide for anyone looking to build a successful online business and personal brand. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this book is full of useful advice and real-world examples to help you achieve your goals.

“The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich” by Timothy Ferriss

“The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich” by Timothy Ferriss is a guide for individuals looking to achieve more freedom, flexibility, and financial success in their careers. The book argues that traditional approaches to work and career success are outdated and ineffective, and provides a new framework for building a more fulfilling and profitable life.

Ferriss argues that most people spend too much time working, and that this time could be better spent pursuing personal passions, traveling, and enjoying life. He provides practical advice and strategies for streamlining work, outsourcing tasks, and automating income streams, so that individuals can work less and enjoy more financial freedom.

Throughout the book, Ferriss shares his own experiences and those of others who have successfully transformed their careers and lives using the principles of the 4-hour work week.

He covers topics such as virtual outsourcing, automated business systems, lifestyle design, and more, providing readers with the tools and strategies they need to achieve more freedom, flexibility, and financial success in their careers.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply seeking a more fulfilling life, this book is full of practical advice and inspiring examples to help you achieve your goals.

“The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future” by Chris Guillebeau

“The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future” by Chris Guillebeau is a guide for individuals looking to turn their passions and skills into profitable businesses. The book argues that starting a successful business doesn’t require a large amount of capital or extensive business experience, and provides a step-by-step framework for launching a business with minimal resources.

Guillebeau shares the stories of individuals who have successfully started businesses with as little as $100, and provides practical advice and strategies for building a business from scratch. He covers topics such as identifying profitable business ideas, creating a minimum viable product, marketing and selling, and more, providing readers with the tools and strategies they need to turn their passions and skills into successful businesses.

Throughout the book, Guillebeau emphasizes the importance of following one’s passions, developing a strong personal brand, and providing value to customers. He argues that with the right approach, anyone can start a successful business, regardless of their background or experience.

“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek

“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek is a book about leadership and inspiration. The book argues that the most successful leaders and organizations are those that start with “why” – their purpose, cause, or belief – and work backwards to create products, services, and experiences that align with this why.

Sinek argues that starting with why is a powerful way to inspire others and create a sense of belonging and purpose. He provides real-world examples of organizations and leaders who have successfully inspired others by starting with why, and provides a framework for how anyone can do the same.

Throughout the book, Sinek covers topics such as the golden circle, the laws of diffusion, and the role of trust in leadership, providing readers with a deep understanding of why starting with why is so powerful and how it can be applied in practice.

“The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization” by Eric Enge, Jessie Stricchiola, Rand Fishkin

“The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization” by Eric Enge, Jessie Stricchiola, and Rand Fishkin is a comprehensive guide to search engine optimization (SEO) and online marketing. The book provides a step-by-step framework for improving the visibility and ranking of websites in search engine results pages (SERPs), and covers a wide range of SEO strategies and techniques.

The book covers topics such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, site architecture, and more, providing readers with a deep understanding of how search engines work and what they look for in a website. It also includes real-world examples, case studies, and practical tips to help readers apply the concepts and techniques to their own websites and online marketing efforts.

“SEO 2020: Learn Search Engine Optimization with Smart Internet Marketing Strategies” by Adam Clarke

“SEO 2020: Learn Search Engine Optimization with Smart Internet Marketing Strategies” by Adam Clarke is a comprehensive guide to search engine optimization (SEO) and online marketing. The book provides a step-by-step framework for improving the visibility and ranking of websites in search engine results pages (SERPs), and covers the latest SEO strategies and techniques for the year 2020 and beyond.

The book covers topics such as keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, site architecture, local SEO, and more, providing readers with a deep understanding of how search engines work and what they look for in a website. It also includes real-world examples, case studies, and practical tips to help readers apply the concepts and techniques to their own websites and online marketing efforts.

“The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber

“The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber is a guide for small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to build successful and sustainable businesses. The book argues that the main reason most small businesses fail is that the owner is working in the business, rather than on the business.

Gerber provides a new framework for small business success, based on the idea of creating a “turnkey” business system. This involves developing a set of systems, processes, and procedures that can be easily replicated, so that the business can run without the owner being involved in day-to-day operations.

Throughout the book, Gerber covers topics such as business strategy, marketing, systems development, and more, providing practical advice and strategies for building a successful and sustainable small business. He argues that by creating a turnkey business system, small business owners can achieve greater freedom, flexibility, and financial success, and achieve their personal and professional goals.

“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini

“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini is a comprehensive guide to the science of influence and persuasion. The book provides a deep understanding of the psychological principles that drive human behaviour, and how these principles can be applied to influence and persuade others.

Cialdini covers six key principles of influence: reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. He provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate how these principles work in practice, and provides practical advice for applying them in various situations, such as sales, marketing, and negotiation.

Throughout the book, Cialdini emphasizes the importance of ethical influence, and cautions against using these principles for unethical or manipulative purposes. He argues that by understanding the psychology of influence and persuasion, individuals can achieve greater success in their personal and professional lives, and build stronger, more meaningful relationships with others.

“Will It Fly?: How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Don’t Waste Your Time and Money” by Pat Flynn

“Will It Fly?: How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Don’t Waste Your Time and Money” by Pat Flynn is a guide for individuals looking to validate and launch new business ideas. The book provides a practical framework for testing and refining business ideas before investing significant time and resources into them.

Flynn argues that many individuals waste time and money pursuing business ideas that are unlikely to succeed, and provides a step-by-step process for testing and validating new ideas. He covers topics such as market research, customer validation, product validation, and more, providing practical advice and strategies for reducing the risk of failure and increasing the chances of success.

Throughout the book, Flynn shares his own experiences and those of others who have successfully validated and launched new business ideas, and provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the concepts and techniques. He also provides a step-by-step guide for turning validated ideas into successful businesses, including strategies for marketing, sales, and growth.

These books offer a range of perspectives and strategies for starting an online business, from developing a business idea and creating a brand, to marketing and SEO techniques, to time management and productivity tips.

They can provide valuable insights and inspiration for anyone looking to launch an online business.

Tags books, business, entrepreneurship, freelance, how to start a business, list, money, start up

HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE

How to Make Money on YouTube in South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 9 August 2023

YouTube has emerged as a powerful platform for content creators worldwide, and South Africa is no exception. With a growing community of YouTubers, the potential for earning income through YouTube is more viable than ever.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to make money on YouTube in South Africa, with key strategies, statistics, and actionable insights.

I use VidIQ to maximise my channel growth. It has helped me grow from 12K subscriber to over 50K since 2021!

Understanding YouTube Monetization in South Africa

YouTube offers various ways to monetize your channel, including AdSense, Channel Memberships, YouTube Premium revenue, and more.

However, it’s essential to meet specific requirements to access these monetization features.

YouTube Partner Program Requirements:

Minimum 1,000 subscribers
Minimum 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
Adherence to YouTube monetization policies

South African YouTube Statistics

Below are vital statistics about YouTube’s performance in South Africa that provide a valuable context:

Statistic	Value
Total YouTube Users in South Africa	9 million
Average Watch Time per User	8 hours/week
Top YouTube Categories	Music, Gaming, Education
Average CPM (Cost Per Mille)	$2 – $5

Methods to Make Money on YouTube in South Africa

1. Ad Revenue

Enable AdSense on your channel and earn money through ad impressions and clicks.

Facts:

Typical South African CPM: $2 – $5
Influenced by video content, audience demographics, and ad type

2. Channel Memberships

Offer exclusive content to channel members at different pricing tiers.

Facts:

Available to channels with 30,000 subscribers or more
A significant revenue stream for niche content creators

3. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products and earn commissions on sales made through your unique affiliate links.

Facts:

Suitable for tech, beauty, and fashion YouTubers
Potential to earn varying commissions depending on the product

4. Brand Partnerships

Collaborate with brands for sponsored content.

Facts:

Requires a substantial subscriber base
Lucrative for channels with targeted and engaged audiences

Unique Niches for South African YouTubers

1. Local Languages Content

With 11 official languages, South Africa presents a fertile ground for content creators to produce videos in different languages like Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans.

2. South African Culture and Heritage

Channels focusing on South African history, art, cuisine, and traditional practices can attract a local and international audience interested in unique cultural insights.

3. Local Travel and Adventure

South Africa’s diverse landscapes offer a niche for travel vloggers to explore wildlife, adventure sports, and local tourism destinations.

4. Social Issues and Education

Content around social development, education, and empowerment resonates with a significant portion of the population, creating a niche for channels focusing on positive change and community growth.

5. E-commerce and Entrepreneurship

With the growth of local businesses and entrepreneurship, channels providing guidance on starting and running a business in South Africa can find a targeted audience.

Challenges for South African YouTubers

1. Internet Accessibility

Although improving, internet access remains limited in certain areas. This impacts both the content creators and the viewership, as high-quality video streaming requires a stable internet connection.

2. Competition with International Content

South African YouTubers often compete with international channels, and the local audience may gravitate towards global trends. Standing out requires a strong understanding of local preferences.

3. Economic Factors

Monetizing a channel might be more challenging due to lower average CPM rates and purchasing power, compared to other developed markets.

4. Regulation and Censorship

Compliance with local laws and regulations may add complexity to content creation, especially when dealing with political or sensitive social issues.

5. Equipment and Technology

Access to cutting-edge equipment and technology may be more expensive or challenging to find, potentially limiting production quality.

South African YouTubers face a unique set of opportunities and challenges shaped by cultural diversity, economic factors, and technological infrastructure. Embracing local niches and overcoming challenges through innovation and a deep understanding of the South African audience can pave the way for success on the platform.

By recognizing these unique aspects, content creators can align their strategies with South Africa’s specific dynamics, opening doors to growth, community engagement, and financial success on YouTube.

Challenges and Solutions

Growing and monetizing a YouTube channel in South Africa poses certain challenges, such as competition and compliance with YouTube’s policies. Solutions include consistent uploading, focusing on your niche (such as YouTube SEO, tips and tricks, etc.), and engaging with your community.

Conclusion

Making money on YouTube in South Africa requires dedication, understanding of the platform’s monetization methods, and leveraging the specific trends and behaviors of the South African audience. By focusing on creating valuable content, engaging with your target audience, and strategically monetizing your channel, you can turn your YouTube passion into a profitable business.

Tags adventure sports, advertising revenue, affiliate marketing, Afrikaans, Audience engagement, Audience Targeting, censorship, Channel Growth, community growth, content creation, cpm rates, cultural insights, digital marketing, e-commerce, education, entrepreneurship, equipment, heritage, international competition, internet accessibility, local content, local languages, local tourism, monetization, niche markets, online business, online viewership, purchasing power, regulation, social issues, South Africa, South African culture, South African YouTubers, sponsorship, technology, traditional practices, travel vlogging, video editing, video monetization, Video Production, video quality, video streaming, vlogging, wildlife, Xhosa, youtube, YouTube algorithms, youtube partnership, youtube seo, Zulu

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

What Happened To Grant Cardone?

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 14 July 2023

Born on March 21, 1958, Grant Cardone grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, alongside his four siblings.

His father passed away when he was just 10 years old, and it was his mother’s frugality that would go on to shape Cardone’s early perspective on money and success. But the story doesn’t end there.

Let’s take a look at how Cardone rose from his humble beginnings to becoming a financial titan.

The Meteoric Rise

Cardone’s career began with a rather rocky start. After graduating from McNeese State University, Cardone found himself struggling with drug addiction, an ordeal that led him to rehab at 25. It was this moment that triggered the rise of Cardone, as he began a sales job in an automobile dealership and quickly ascended the ranks.

His early career is marked by remarkable tenacity and resilience.

By the age of 30, Cardone had transitioned into the real estate industry. Here, he began to establish his empire, Cardone Capital.

The firm invests in multifamily real estate, a lucrative segment with high returns. His hands-on and aggressive approach made Cardone Capital a major player in the real estate industry, with a portfolio boasting over 7,000 units by 2018.

Here’s a snapshot of Cardone Capital’s exponential growth over the years:

Year	Units Owned
2012	1,000
2014	2,500
2016	4,000
2018	7,000

Cardone was not just a businessman; he was also an author, speaker, and social media celebrity. He authored several best-selling books, including “The 10X Rule” and “Sell or Be Sold,” delivering practical advice to entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals.

He had a captivating style, which made him a favourite on various talk shows and at conferences, attracting millions of followers across his social media platforms.

The Turning Point

However, all good things must come to an end, and for Cardone, the end began to take shape in the form of over-ambitious expansion plans. While the strategy had worked well for him in the past, this time, the market conditions were not as favourable.

With the economic downturn triggered by unforeseen global events in 2021, real estate markets became unstable. As vacancy rates rose and returns diminished, Cardone Capital began to experience the first signs of strain.

But the resilience Cardone demonstrated early in his life appeared to have given way to a sense of invincibility, blinding him to the storm that was about to hit.

Year	Vacancy Rates (%)	Returns (%)
2019	5	10
2020	6	9
2021	10	6
2022	15	3

The Downfall

Cardone’s downfall can be attributed to two main factors: his over-reliance on debt and his refusal to adapt to the changing market conditions. Cardone Capital was highly leveraged, a strategy that can amplify profits but also magnify losses in adverse situations.

In the downturn, Cardone’s debt burden became unbearable. The firm was unable to service its debt obligations, leading to several of its properties being foreclosed. As losses mounted, investors began to pull out, leaving Cardone Capital in a precarious financial situation.

Year	Debt (in million $)	Foreclosed Properties
2019	200	0
2020	300	2
2021	400	5
2022	500	8

Despite the grim reality, Cardone remained defiant, his public appearances characterized by an upbeat tone and unrelenting optimism. But behind the scenes, the reality was starkly different.

Cardone Capital filed for bankruptcy in late 2022, marking the official end of an empire that had once seemed invincible.

The Lesson

The rise and fall of Grant Cardone is a classic tale of ambition, success, and downfall.

It teaches us that resilience and hard work can lead to monumental success, but over-ambition and a lack of adaptability can just as quickly lead to downfall.

In simpler terms, think of it like this: if you’re building a castle out of blocks and you keep adding more and more to the top without making sure the base is strong, it’s going to topple over. That’s sort of what happened with Cardone. He built a big, beautiful castle, but he didn’t make sure his foundation (or money) was strong enough to hold it all. And when things started to shake a little (like a storm hitting the castle), it all came crashing down.

In the end, the story of Grant Cardone serves as a reminder that financial success isn’t just about making money; it’s also about managing it wisely.

BUSINESS TIPS DEEP DIVE ARTICLE TIPS & TRICKS

Escape the Office and Embrace the Adventure: The Rise of the Workcation

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 27 January 2023
1 Comment on Escape the Office and Embrace the Adventure: The Rise of the Workcation

Welcome to our blog post about the exciting new trend of “workcations”!

As more and more people are able to work remotely, the idea of combining work and travel has become increasingly popular. In this post, we’ll be discussing the benefits of taking a workcation, as well as some tips and tricks for planning and making the most out of your next one.

I personally use Booking.com to find a great hotel, apartment or location and plan from there.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, a freelancer, or just someone looking for a change of scenery, we hope you’ll find this post informative and inspiring.

So grab your laptop and let’s get started on planning your next adventure!

What is a workcation?

A workcation, also known as a “working vacation”, is a trend that combines the travel and leisure aspects of a traditional vacation with the remote work capabilities of today’s workforce.

This type of vacation can last for a few days, weeks, or even months and allows individuals to work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have access to the internet.

The rise of remote work

Remote working has made it possible for more people to consider a workcation as a viable option for their vacation time. With the ability to work from a hotel room or vacation rental, individuals no longer have to sacrifice the opportunity to travel and explore new destinations because of work.

However, it is important to note that not all jobs can be done remotely, so it is important to consider if your job is location-independent before planning a workcation.

There are many benefits to taking a workcation, including the ability to travel and explore new destinations, not using up vacation days, not interrupting your workflow, combating burnout, boosting creativity and productivity, and improving work-life balance.

Traveling to a new destination allows individuals to explore new cultures and try new activities while still being able to complete their work responsibilities.

Taking a workcation also means that individuals do not have to use up their vacation days, allowing them to save them for a traditional vacation later in the year.

Additionally, workcations allow individuals to keep up with their workflow without falling behind and can also help combat burnout by allowing individuals to recharge in a new environment. Being in a new environment can also boost creativity and productivity.

Lastly, workcations can improve work-life balance by showing individuals that it is possible to enjoy themselves while still being productive.

Working from Home Stats

Category	Statistic
Percentage of U.S. workers working remotely (2021)	42%
Global employees working remotely at least once a week (pre-pandemic)	30%
Increase in remote work since 2005	173%
Percentage of companies offering remote work (2021)	52%
Remote workers reporting improved work-life balance	78%
Remote workers reporting higher productivity	85%

As of 2021, 42% of U.S. workers were working remotely, with 30% of global employees working remotely at least once a week before the pandemic.

Remote work has increased by 173% since 2005, and 52% of companies offered remote work options in 2021. Among remote workers, 78% reported improved work-life balance, and 85% reported higher productivity.

How To Take A Workcation

It is important to first discuss the possibility with your boss and ensure that your job is location-independent.

After receiving approval, individuals can start planning their destination and accommodation. There are many websites available to help individuals plan their workcation such as Booking.com where I book all of my trips from as little as £35pn in London.

These websites offer a variety of options for accommodation and coworking spaces, making it easy for individuals to plan their workcation.

Working Vacations Stats

Category	Statistic
Percentage of workers who have taken a “workcation”	42%
Average length of a working vacation	5 days
Percentage of workers feeling more productive on a workcation	66%
Percentage of workers planning a workcation in the next 12 months (2021)	34%
Top reasons for taking a workcation	Change of scenery (54%), work-life balance (44%), and increased productivity (40%)

Approximately 42% of workers have taken a working vacation or “workcation.” The average length of a working vacation is five days, with 66% of workers feeling more productive during this time. In 2021, 34% of workers planned to take a workcation in the next 12 months.

The top reasons for taking a workcation include a change of scenery (54%), improved work-life balance (44%), and increased productivity (40%).

Need inspiration what you could do while on a workcation to boost your business? Here are 10 Entertaining Ways You Can Boost Your Business from a Hotel Room.

Tips and Tricks for a Great Workcation

What is a workcation?

A workcation is a combination of a vacation and work, where an individual takes a trip while also completing their job duties remotely.

What are the benefits of a workcation?

Combining work and vacation can help reduce stress and increase productivity.
Allows for the opportunity to travel and explore new places while still being able to maintain a work-life balance.
Cost-effective as it eliminates the need for separate work and vacation trips.

How can I prepare for a workcation?

Plan your itinerary and schedule in advance to ensure that you have enough time for both work and vacation activities.
Make sure to have a reliable internet connection and necessary equipment for remote work.
Inform your employer and colleagues of your plans to ensure that they are aware of your availability.

What are some challenges of a workcation?

Balancing work and vacation activities can be difficult, and it can be hard to switch off from work-related thoughts and tasks.
Being away from the office can make it harder to collaborate and communicate with colleagues.
Dealing with time zone differences can be challenging.

Tips for a successful workcation:

Set clear boundaries between work and vacation time.
Prioritize self-care activities to avoid burnout.
Stay organized and keep track of your schedule.
Stay connected with colleagues and stay on top of work-related tasks.
Don’t forget to enjoy your vacation and make time for relaxation and exploration.

How do I convince my boss to allow me to take a workcation?

Show your boss how a workcation can benefit both you and the company by increasing productivity and reducing stress.
Offer a plan for how you will stay connected and productive while away.
Propose a trial period to see how it works.
Show them examples of other companies that have successfully implemented workcations.

In conclusion

A workcation is a great option for individuals who have location-independent jobs and want to travel while still being able to complete their work responsibilities.

With the rise of remote work, it has never been easier to plan a workcation and the benefits of taking one are numerous. From the ability to explore new destinations to improving work-life balance, a workcation is a great way to combine work and leisure.

With the help of websites such as Remote Year, Workfrom, and Digital Nomad Retreats, planning a workcation has never been easier.

Tags entrepreneurship, holiday, remote, remote working, vacation, wfh, work from home, workcation, working holiday

DEEP DIVE ARTICLE HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE YOUTUBE

Top 30 Side Hustles for Students

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 30 December 2021

Being a student isn’t easy, and one of the biggest hardships you will face as a student is finding the finances to do things like… well… eat. Fortunately, the has never been more opportunity for students (or anyone, for that matter) to make a little extra income on the side.

In the interests of making life a little easier for our intrepid knowledge seekers and future leaders, we’ve put together a list of thirty side hustles that students can help make life a little easier while you are putting yourself through higher education.

Start a YouTube Channel

YouTube has made many people rich, and even though those people are a huge minority, there are many many more people who make a respectable side income from the platform.

And, given the popularity of YouTube, there is no shortage of advice out there to get you started. You can even start right here! You can create a channel around something you are passionate about, something you are knowledgeable about (both is a bonus) or even what you are studying.

Start a Blog

Essentially the same premise as starting a YouTube channel, just with written words instead of video! As with YouTube, you can start a blog about anything you have a passion for, special interest in, or knowledge of. It could be the subject you are studying, your favourite genre of movie or novel, or just weird facts from around the world.

If you have a talent for telling an interesting story, you can put that talent to work in blog form.

Offer Dog Walking Services

You don’t need to limit your side hustles to things online, of course. One example of a real-world side hustle is dog walking services. Pet dogs are more popular than ever, but that popularity, unfortunately, coincides with a time when more of us are out working than ever before.

Enter the intrepid dog walker.

If you like dogs, you could make a respectable side income by taking several of the furry little critters out for walkies, giving their owners some peace of mind in knowing that their best friend isn’t being neglected at home.

Become an App Tester

A lot of effort goes into making apps work, but all the effort in the world won’t make up for a lack of user feedback. App developers naturally would rather get that feedback under controlled circumstances, rather than putting an app out and waiting for the negative reviews.

That’s where app testing comes in. There are many services that provide the opportunity to be an app tester, here are a few of them;

Become a Secret Shopper

Secret shopping is the kind of side hustle that will sound like a dream come true to the right kind of person. Also called “mystery shoppers”, these are people who are paid to shop in stores or eat in restaurants with the hidden agenda of collecting information.

There isn’t a great deal of financial rewards for this side hustle, but you will typically be reimbursed for your purchases.

Take Paid Surveys

One of the older and more well-known side hustles of the Internet age is the paid survey. Exactly as the name suggests, paid survey companies will pay you a modest sum to complete a survey, with your answers being valuable to market researchers and other similar parties. Here are a few paid survey sites to get you started;

Become Part of the Machine

If you don’t have a particular skill or interest in mind for your side hustle, you could take a more generalised approach with something like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. This is a service that operates on the principle that humans are still better than machines at some things. Essentially, people who need a large number of small tasks doing (things like tagging images) can sign up and do just that.

Offer Online Tutoring

If you’re a student, it’s safe to say you’ve at least done well through primary and secondary education. That’s great for you, but there are millions of children (and adults) who are struggling with this very thing.

You can offer online tutoring in subjects like maths. Or, if you have particular areas of expertise, you could tutor in those as well.

Start an Online Course

On the subject of areas of expertise, if you are particularly knowledgeable in something, you could create an online course around it. Again, this could be something you are just good at, or it could be something you are studying, perhaps offering an introductory level of education to a subject that you are studying at an advanced level.

Sell Old Items

Granted, you wouldn’t be able to keep selling old items forever, but there are several apps (and, of course, eBay) designed to make it easy for you to find a buyer for some of your old things, from clothes to gadgets.

Become a Reseller

Essentially, the difference between someone selling old items and this suggestion is that you will be first seeking out items to sell before you can sell them. This might mean scouring things like Facebook Marketplace and Craiglist for hidden gems, or it could even mean buying things in bulk to get the price down.

Become an Affiliate Marketer

Affiliate marketing is the process of advertising someone else’s product in exchange for a “piece of the action”, so to speak. The most well-known example of this is Amazon Affiliates, where you can link to any product on Amazon and make a little cut of any sales you generate.

This side hustle works best if you have something to pair it with, such as a YouTube channel, or a blog, but really anywhere you can promote something will work. You could even go door-to-door… but we wouldn’t recommend it.

Sell Print-on-Demand Merchandise

Got a flair for design? There are many services on the Internet that allows you to create products like t-shirts, mugs, mouse mats, and other things of that nature with little more than a click of the upload button.

Again, this works especially well if you have a popular YouTube channel to base your products on, but if you can create compelling designs, you can certainly make print-on-demand merchandise a successful side hustle in its own right.

Sell Artwork or Photography

If you do have that creative flair mentioned in the last tip, you could always put it to good use in other fields, such as selling artwork and photography. A number of sites will let you upload stock imagery so that you can profit from the licensing of those images. Just remember that once you do this, you have no control over how the image gets used, so be careful what images you choose to sell.

Write an eBook (or a physical one)

When “write a book” is suggested, the first thing people tend to think of is a novel. Now, if you have it in you to write a novel, certainly give it a go. But as side hustles go, it’s not the most effective way to make money. Given the typical time it takes to write a novel combined with how long an average publisher takes to respond (probably to say “no thanks”), you might not be a student by the time you see any money from a novel.

But you can create eBooks (or regular books) that are non-fiction and centred around something you are an expert in.

Offer Proofreading and Editing Services

Don’t fancy writing a book? What about proofreading someone else’s? Most of us can put together a blog post, but we’re not all up to a professional standard with the technical aspects of our writing.

If you are confident in your command of the English language (or any language, for that matter), you can offer your services as an editor or proofreader, checking other people’s work for mistakes.

Become an Influencer

Granted, not everyone can become an influencer, but if you have an entertaining personality and you like being in front of the camera, becoming an influencer may be a viable option for you.

Influencers typically operate through social media platforms, such as—Instagram, or Facebook—and can earn money through brand deals.

Become a Ride-Share Service Driver

If you have a car, you could consider working for a ride-share company like Uber, or Lyft. Services like this give you the ability to have complete control over the amount of time you spend working on your side hustle—a kind of flexibility that is a must for busy students.

Become a Virtual Assistant

No, we’re not suggesting you be available 24/7 to respond to questions anytime someone says “Siri” to their iPhone or “Alexa” to their Amazon Echo. Websites like PeoplePerHour.com make it possible for you to find people who need certain assistant-like tasks completed, such as email management.

Review Apps and Websites

Similar to testing apps, there are also sites that will pay you to review apps and websites. We’re not talking about being paid to review something by the company that made that thing—that would be cheating. This is typically for sites that offer consumer information, and want a large number of honest reviews.

Become a Translator

If you know more than one language, you could find work as a translator. This will typically be written word translation, but you can certainly find verbal work as well. This could even be paired with our “transcribe audio” suggestion a little further down.

Deliver Things

Similar to Uber (indeed, including Uber), there are companies that offer the delivery of things like food and other items, and they need people to make those deliveries. Unlike Uber, however, this work doesn’t necessarily need a car. It’s a common service offered in big cities and can be done on a bike.

Offer Cleaning Services

Many of us struggle to find time to keep our homes or workplaces as clean as we’d like, so why not take that load off someone’s mind by offering cleaning services! This sort of work can be done in the evening or on a weekend, so it shouldn’t affect your studies.

Sell Advertising Space on Your Car

Getting your brand in front of eyeballs is most of the battle for advertisers, but that’s good for you because it means you can get paid simply for letting advertisers use your car as an ad. Services like Carvertise will pay you as much as $500 a month to put ads on your vehicle.

Rent Out Your Car

Or you could rent out the whole thing! Car-sharing services like Getaround can connect you with people who need to rent a car, letting you earn a little extra cash. If you’re not using your car at the time, this one is a no-brainer.

Rent Out Your Parking Space

If you have a parking space you’re not using in a part of the world where it’s hard to find parking spaces (we’re looking at you, London), you could rent it out to someone, and put that land to good use.

Transcribe Audio

While speech-to-text recognition is getting better by the day, humans are still often needed to transcribe audio. You don’t need any particular skill for this, but being a good typist will make your life much easier if you decide to take on some transcription work.

Become a Freelancer

If you have a skill, you could just charge people to use it. Whether it’s copywriting, illustration, video production, and more And the good thing about freelancing is that if you like it, freelancing can always become a full career when you are done with your studies.

Become a Social Media Manager

If you have a knack for social media, there are plenty of people out there who do not that would be willing to pay you to help them grow their online presence.

Get a Part-Time Job

And, finally, the obvious one. From tending bar to stacking shelves, there is always the option to go out and get a part-time job, earning money the old fashioned way.

Tags entrepreneurship, freelance, hustles, income, make money, make money online, money, passive income, self employed, side hustles

BUSINESS TIPS HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE

4 Books for New Entrepreneurs That All YouTubers Should Read

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 24 October 2020

They teach many subjects at school, but one that I think is missing from the syllabus is entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is the art of turning muck into brass, the practice of taking an idea and nurturing it until it blooms into a money-making powerhouse.

Some people say that you can’t teach entrepreneurship, because you have to have a particular personality or an elusive ‘x-factor’ to have any chance of success. I think they’re wrong.

Entrepreneurship is a skill that can be learned by anyone, and I believe everyone should try to launch a business at least once. So, if you’re a new entrepreneur, and are looking for some help and guidance from those who have tried entrepreneurship and succeeded, here is a selection of books you should consider adding to your bookshelf.

I am much more of an audiobook “reader” as I tend to take it in easier – I even use Amazon’s FREE Audible trials to load up on 2 free books every month.

Book 1: Crushing It!

Author: Gary Vaynerchuk

Number of pages: 288

Published: 2018

Why should you listen to him?: Gary Vaynerchuk is a global social media superstar.

Known affectionately as Gary Vee, Vaynerchuk was born in Belarus in 1975 but emigrated to the USA with his parents at a young age. Raised in New York City, Vaynerchuk showed entrepreneurial spirit as a boy, buying and selling baseball cards at school. He joined his parent’s wine business at 14, and after he took over in 2003, he grew it from $3 million to $60 million a year in revenue.

Vaynerchuk spotted the internet’s potential early, launching a channel on YouTube in 2006 to promote the wine business. Famous for hard work and ‘hustle’, Vaynerchuk now owns a $100 million social media digital agency, VaynerMedia, and gives inspirational speeches internationally about entrepreneurship and social influencing.

Book Synopsis: The book is part motivational and part social media strategy manual. Vaynerchuk explains how personal branding over social media is crucial to success today as an entrepreneur.

The book is in two parts. The first part gets you pumped up for the road ahead and gives you eight foundational principals on which to build your business.

The second part delves deeper into different social media platforms, covering YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and a few others. Vaynerchuk shows you how to use each platform to gain attention and grow your entrepreneurial endeavours. Each chapter is illustrated with real-life case studies from successful small businesses who have followed his framework.

Even though the book is nearly three years old, it’s often found near the top of the charts. It ranks top 10 on Amazon Audible in the categories for Social Media, Web Marketing, and E-commerce. Many people consider it one of the first books to buy when you are thinking about starting a business.

The book is available in several formats. There are the usual hardback and paperback, plus Kindle too. The best way to absorb it is via Amazon Audible, though. Narrated by Vaynerchuk and two other colleagues, you get to understand and learn the book’s lessons via Gary Vee’s unique style of delivery.

Amazon Link To Book: Buy The Book Now.

Book 2: Primalbranding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company, and Your Future: Create Belief Systems that Attract Communities.

Author: Patrick Hanlon

Number of pages: 272

Published: 2011

Why should you listen to him?: Patrick Hanlon is a world-renowned branding consultant. He has worked with the likes of Levi’s, PayPal, and Shopify to help them develop their brands and connect with new audiences.

He gives talks and lectures internationally on the topic of branding, is a contributor to the major news networks, and owns several consulting businesses which offer advice on branding in the digital age.

Book Synopsis: How do some companies like Tesla, create a horde of devoted followers while other businesses, despite access to the same level of resources, struggle or even become objects of scorn?

Hanlon argues that companies like Tesla succeed because they build a following of people who become true believers and advocates for their brand.

Primalbranding identifies the seven pieces of ‘primal code’ that humans instinctively use to form groups. He then applies this to branding and shows you how you can use these hardwired human dynamics and apply them to shape your brand and attract a legion of followers.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section explains the seven elements of the primal code. Including concepts such as ‘the creation story’, ‘the rituals’, and ‘the leader’. Hanlon then shows how these parts come together to foster ‘primal belonging’.

Sections two and three then show how these immutable traits can be used by just about anyone or anything to market and promote their products.

The book is available in hardback, paperback, Kindle and also as an MP3 CD (hello 2011!). If you want to build a following that will shout your name from the rooftops and promote your brand freely, it’s an essential one for your reading list.

Amazon Link To Book: Buy The Book Now.

Book 3: Innovation from Desperation: The Unfiltered Failures & Successes of an OG Social Media Marketer

Author: Desiree Martinez

Number of pages: 234

Published: 2020

Why should you listen to her?: Desiree Martinez is an entrepreneur, YouTuber, and all-round social media guru. As a military spouse, a life moving from base to base with her Air Force husband left her with few career opportunities and forced her to act for herself and think entrepreneurially.

She was surprised to learn that Facebook, a platform she knew well from her college days, was becoming an essential platform for businesses. So she started a social media consulting firm and has since helped hundreds of businesses shape their social presence.

Book Synopsis:

My 5* review for this book which I posted to Amazon reads:

“A real heartfelt walk through the ups and downs of working in media and social media in this current age. Running a business, raising a family and growing a brand is not easy. This is a warts and all story sharing some truly inspirational lessons. Well worth a read!”

The book is part autobiography and part how to launch your own business. It provides an unfiltered account of the ups and downs of launching a business with little support and no roadmap.

There are many lessons to learn from the book. Desiree covers topics like becoming a better content creator, what to do when a new social media platform becomes hot, and how to keep on going when everything seems to conspire against you.

Released in 2020, it also contains a chapter covering the impact of the pandemic. It’s a book to read if you can’t see yourself in any of the thousands of books available about entrepreneurship. Desiree says that she was the girl at school you who would never think could launch their own business, never mind write a book!

If that sounds like you, then this is a book worth reading.

The book is available in paperback and on Kindle, and it’s one I really recommend that you read.

Amazon Link To Book: Buy The Book Now.

Book 4: The 4-Hour Workweek

Author: Tim Ferris

Number of pages: 416

Published: 2011

Why should you listen to him?: Tim Ferris is a writer, podcaster, investor, and entrepreneur. Many know him today for his podcast about lifestyle and smart working, but it was this book – The 4-hour Work Week – that propelled him onto the global stage.

He has advised or invested in many well know internet startups, like Evernote, Stumbleupon, and Uber.

Book Synopsis: One of the best books about entrepreneurship available to read.

Ferris argues in this now-famous book about how you should strive to avoid the 9-5 and instead choose to live life on your terms by building lifestyle businesses.

Ferris writes about how he started work after college and found himself working 80 hours a week for $40,000 a year. After a little experimentation with various business ideas and working strategies, he launched his own brand of supplements and soon started earning $40,000 every month, working just 4 hours per week.

Ferris achieved his success by working smartly. He used the 80/20 principle made famous by Italian economist Pareto and outsourced most menial tasks to cheap virtual assistants overseas.

The 4-hour Work Week gives you the tools and the inspiration to build a business of your own, and enjoy the benefits while you are still young by taking ‘mini-retirements’.

Essentially, you design and launch a business that can operate day-to-day without your presence. Something that earns money on autopilot so you can head out into the world and seek out unforgettable experiences.

The book is in four parts; Definition, Elimination, Automation, and Liberation. Each step in the framework guides you through his approach to building a lifestyle business and contains lots of real-life examples to illustrate the points.

The book is available in hardback, paperback, Kindle, and audio CD. It’s become a classic of the genre and regularly makes it into top-10s of books about entrepreneurship.

Amazon Link To Book: Buy The Book Now.

I hope you find this list of books useful.

Remember, if you sometimes struggle to find the time actually to sit down and read; there is an alternative. You can listen to a book when you are out and about—maybe travelling to work or out getting coffee.

You can download and listen to many useful books about YouTube and entrepreneurship using Amazon Audible. Every month for a small monthly subscription, you can listen to a book often narrated by the author themselves.

Educating yourself is the single best thing you can do for your career, so why not try listening to two of the books mentioned above with a 30-day trial of Amazon Audible.

Tags books for entrepreneurs, business advice for entrepreneurs, business lessons for entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, how to avoid burnout as an entrepreneur, make money on youtube

BUSINESS TIPS DEEP DIVE ARTICLE HOW TO MAKE MONEY ONLINE

How To Start A Business with No Money (Step by Step Guide)

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 16 May 2020
3 Comments on How To Start A Business with No Money (Step by Step Guide)

Are you looking to start your own business? To start a business with no money is hard and is definitely something that takes time.

I don’t mean 7 hours in the bath soaking like a prune “time” – I mean months of foundation and years of grind, reinvestment and research on the job.

So how do you start a business with no money?

Pick a niche that you are going to live in for years to come. A topic you know and can talk about in fine detail in blogs, videos, phone calls and meetings for hours on end. Over time you will build your reputation, leading to long term success. Lead with value and have patience.

As long as you have the love for the business, the passion for its niche and the ability to delay gratification enough to reinvest the money then you will go far.

Here are nine steps that you should follow to get the best startup possible.

Make sure that you’re picking your niche.

This is the core focus of anything, whether it’s YouTube, a career, a long-term goal, or in this case a business.

It needs to be something that you truly love. Because something that you have been educated to, that you really hate, can only carry you so far.

Love and passion will get you up at six o’clock in the morning.

Love and passion, and the absolute thirst for that specific business, is what will drive you through when that customer cancels on you, or when you’ve had that hard day, or when you’re scrambling around for that extra bit of money in the early days.

The love and the passion of your niche is what will make you want more. More of that niche, more of that business, more in general just going forwards.

I love business, and I love social media, and I love YouTube, that’s why I’m constantly reading new books. I binge Gary Vaynerchuk and many other entrepreneurs – reading and listening to in audio books.

I use Audible to hunt out all of the best stuff. You can do the same too, they even give away free audiobooks to new people, but it’s that thirst for that knowledge, that love of that thing, which will drive you to read more books, that will drive you to educate yourself more, which will drive you to make that content, which will drive you to share it, or sell it to someone.

Because if you’re not passionate about something that you’re selling, if you don’t care about the thing you are selling, whether it’s your face, your personality, your brand your services or product, if you don’t care people can see straight through you.

You Might Need To Start A Business As A Side Hustle

When I first started my own business I was working in security. 12 to 14 hour days, every day. I’d get up in the morning, travel for an an hour and a half to work, an hour half to travel back.

I was tired, I was exhausted, but I knew that security wasn’t going to be my career, I wanted something at that time in the web development world.

I wanted computing, I wanted design. So in the hours when I finally got home, or I was very lucky, on the hours that I worked on a night shift, where all that pay attention to was the CCTV cameras, I took my laptop in and I worked on myself, my side hustle, my passion.

This was back in the day, the dark days when Wi-Fi wasn’t free at every coffee shop and a corner shop.

So unless you could hijack somebody’s Wi-Fi network, or connect to a network that gives you Internet via the cable – you were screwed.

So I had to buy that a little mobile data dongle. A pen drive sized usb stick that would give you half a Gigabyte of traffic for the month and cost £40-50 pounds. and it was it was appalling. It never truly connected, the signal was absolute shit. I mean this is the birth of 3G, it was terrible.

However the point is – if you can use that downtime.

If you do a 9am-5pm, and you’ve got kids. Why not start working the 7pm-1am shift on your side hustle?

Yes you’ll be tired! But you’ll have that passion, you’ll know that that drive, those extra hours, are on you, in you, on your business. This is your time to build your brand.

Maybe you really love real estate, and you want to be in real estate, that’s your own business, and you work in real estate, why not start writing blogs about real estate. Do your research!

Go out there and learn some things. Push your reputation outside of the company that you’re in. This will be your parachute when you leave. This is your reputation, this is your proof that you know what you’re talking about. You could blog on LinkedIn, build connections, grow your influence out there.

Do you have your own website to anchor your content?

Share your blogs in multiple places, it builds you as an individual outside of your specific company, and it preps you for the future, because right now you’re starting of your business, could be your side hustle that expands. Maybe you’re lucky and you have enough money or backing behind you to start full-time.

Live lean, no silly spending. You might have the money to start, it may have been your parents, it may have been some kind of inheritance, you may have been lucky and been invested in. Don’t be stupid, this is money for you and s good source to start your own business. Don’t go out and buy silly watches, don’t go out and buy a stupid car just to impress people, that’s not how this works.

You need to live lean, think sensibly, spend sensibly, put your nose to the floor and grind that brand.

Working your side hustle is a short term fix to build your brand. If you’re full-time, even better, you’ve got those 16, 18-hour days to really pour in that content, really pouring that brand, really reach out to people. And something that I can’t express enough, if you are full-time straightaway don’t get lazy!

Investing In Yourself

This is paramount, I can’t express it enough.

Over the last 10 years many things have changed within technology in social media. YouTube was a mere fledgling 10 years ago, and now it’s the juggernaut that’s threatening to turn off all of your normal mainstream TV.

10 years ago mobile phones were pointless and dumb, now they rule the world, and you can run a business from a smartphone.

10 years ago many of these social media platforms didn’t exist at all, you was shuffling around MySpace, and promoting yourself on Friendster.

Invest in yourself and your future, by learning. Help yourself to start a business with no money by building your knowledge. Constantly listen to the expert, constantly read books, constantly build skills, because it’s that tool kit that will help you in the long run.

When I first started in web design I pretty much a one-trick pony. I could sell, and I’m okay with online social medias through open source software. I was good with forums and networking, keeping my eye what is new. That was the emergence of the social media network.

I could chat I could talk, I had the gift of the gab, and I could show people how to set up forums and blogs, and that was kind of it. I know in the long run if I’d learnt to code, and learn to design and stuff like that, that could build my future, and that can build yours right now.

There’s nothing stopping you going to a library. There’s nothing stopping you googling online, or finding YouTubers that you can listen to, expand your brain, try new things. Or if you are making money, there’s nothing stopping you paying a little bit of money to go on an accredited course.

I don’t mean these charlatans that are like “Here’s my Merc, here’s my Ferrari, this is how I made it, you can have this giant mansion too.” We know who you are Tai Lopez, calm your shit!

But if you invest in yourself it will pay out in the future, because all of the useless general knowledge that’s in my head, all of the random facts, figures, and skill sets are the things that help me think on the hoof, think on the whim, grab that gut feeling out of midair to win me that sale, or to chat to someone.

It’s that piece of knowledge that you throw into a sales pitch, and it could win you that big boy, that retainer, that thing that makes your side hustle into a long-term thing.

Before You Start Your Own Business – Get Your Own Website!

Yes, they’re not as powerful as they used to be, the whole world used to revolve around one man, his business card, and his website.

Now, it’s kind of all buzzing around social media, but you still need places to host your own content, control the narrative, and to push people. This specifically for people with a side hustle.

I have 2 active websites that I try to update regularly. That’s where I can list my services, my expertise, my testimonials, my case studies.

To start a business with no money, I can write two or three blogs a week to boost it to 150, 200 blogs a year, all that are search friendly. Blogs that help people solve theirs problems, me get found in search, and hopefully convince you that I have enough of expertise to teach you something that you didn’t know.

The plan is if I am helpful then maybe you feel indebted to me, and you share me around, link to me as a creditable source. This helps build my brand, and the stronger the brand the more you can charge in future. Building that brand could also open doors do that big pitch, winning you that customer, and in the long term maybe even securing that lifeline to cement your side hustle as a business with a heartbeat.

QUESTIONS – Should I customize my website? Can I just use templates? How much is this going to cost me?

Website customization can look great and hit the nail on the head branding wise but its not always necessary from day onw.

Customization could get you every fine minor detail, they move buttons they put your design, they hone it in your value proposition, but if you don’t have any pennies

You can build amazing websites without any coding knowledge, with templates and amazing designs from Wix.

The key point is as long as the website looks professional and isnt broken from day one, then you have a starting point!

You just need somewhere to push people. Most custom WordPress templates allow you to pick your color scheme. Many WordPress templates can have distinctive niches or styles and from there you simple start writing. If you have a little income you wish to invest in a premium YouTube template then that might get you a step closer to a unique look – but that isn’t always necessary.

Once you have a site you can establish your own writing style and build up some statistics you can share with potential clients. This is your proof you can attract and audience and could help promote their products or services.

Start A Business with No Money by Creating Content

You need to figure out what you’re good at.

Are you fantastic at writing? Are you brilliant at video? Or maybe you’re a talker? You can create a podcast?

That content is what will carry you forward. That content is what people will get to know you for.

In my case, I’m okay in front of a camera, I could talk about my passion, my love, and those videos are very luckily quite long recently, so I can turn them into podcasts, write them into blogs, and then I can share them out.

Pinterest, LinkedIn, Facebook, Reddit, Medium, Forums, Facebook Groups, Twitter – The more you share the content the larger the spider web is to catch more “flies” aka affiliate sales, product leads, video views etc

The content is what will build up your reputation.

Nobody knew who I was three years ago (probably nobody knows who I am now lol) but the difference between now and three years ago is that now I’m able to find clients, pay my bills and based on my reputation and establish stats I can build my income streams month on month.

All this from the proof built from my blogs, YouTube channel, Testimonials and leading lead with value.

However, if I DIDN’T start making content 3 years ago… none of this would exist today.

Best of all this content will always be there to send me traffic, leads and clients. You can reuse it, re-share it and it show your passion and knowledge on your topic and niche.

Yes, some things will change, video quality will change, in some of my older videos I’ve got a completely different backdrop, in some way older videos I have problem with frame-rate.

But, they’re still reusable you can re-share them, and you never know, that one thing that could have turned that person’s brain onto business, three years ago in that video that you made, if you’re re-sharing it, it could still find them today!

Win you that client, that click, that money, that income, that thing that makes you full-time on YouTube. The thing that allows you to be a full-time artist, or a full-time creator!

So start creating today.

Business Outreach

Start a business with no money and you will need to reach out to people and let them know you exist.

This is your networking.

If nobody knows you, and you get a chance, go business meetings around you that you can go to in the morning. There will be networking groups that do breakfasts or evenings. Places that you can press flesh and chat.

These can help you be found locally. Or you could try it online with chat rooms, forums, Facebook groups.

That outreach is something that gives you that additional thread that you could put in that spider web, that makes it bigger, that catches those flies.

I’m pretty much an introvert, so for me I was reaching out on things like Facebook, and LinkedIn. I reply in forums, I was posting on blogs.

These build up over time – if you are linked via your website and your name, and you leave a very intriguing comment then people might be intrigued and check you out.

This is not me telling you to spam videos and comment sections.

If you truly engage with the post, the blog, the forum, and you help them, they will remember you when they need more advice and maybe even suggest you to others in times of need.

There’s a website I post on from time to time called Quora.

It’s basically Yahoo questions, they post a lot of questions, I answer a load of YouTubey questions, and then I can end up drop in my video, or they click on my name and it drops them back on my website, or my youtube channel.

You can do the same!

These outreach programs could be the way that you get into the DMs of somebody. It could be you reaching out on Instagram answering their question. It could be you tweeting at someone, or replying when they’re asking a question about your specific thing.

Gary Vaynerchuk for example, the world-renown Gary Vaynerchuk, started on twitter by simply replying to everything that had some kind of wine term in it.

When people were worried about a red, or a white, or whether it’s a Rioja, or whether it’s a Grenache, he would jump in, offer them some advice, give them some links, not try and sell, just let them know that his around, over, and over, and over again, and he slowly built reputation.

That is the way that you build your audience on blogs and YouTube – one subscriber, two subscriber, 10 subscribers.

Builds your YouTube channel, build your blog, your websites, your mailing list, and over time – your business.

Can Working For Free Help You Start A Business with No Money?

Many people see this is some kind of slave labor.

I can’t pay my bills with “exposure”

I totally agree! I’ve been in situations where I was saying to myself

Yeah, well I need to pay my gas and electric bill, and you’re giving me exposure – brilliant, Om nom nom nom nom nom nom nom!

Oh no I’m gonna get kicked out of my house now, ’cause that was my rent, thank you!

But there are times when exposure truly does help.

I use a website called PeoplePerHour, but there are other ones out there for example UpWork, Fiverr.

They are “gig economy” websites in which you can set up your offerings for next to nothing but slowly build a client base and reputation.

I get peanuts from it!

However, what I do get is a contacts, reviews and a chance to hone my skills in the niche I offer.

As you start a business with no money these successful sales and interactions are your practice – prepare your brain muscle, build a portfolio.

Over time those 20-30 mini sales can help you land those bigger fish. 20-30 clients willing to praise you and give you feedback that you can put into testimonials and justify your pricing.

Over the last 3 years I have landed some of my largest retainer clients through just doing something small.

You impress them, build up trust and up-sell when you get the chance. Now those clients are the vast majority of my monthly income!

Don’t get me wrong, some are dickheads, right? And that’s fine! Just remember at the end of the day if you designed logos for 20 clients, each with 3 different styles… you now have 60 examples you can display in your rapidly growing portfolio!

You could even use tools to make it easier for you to deliver those tasks – I have a load of easy to use tools on my resources page.

Reinvest Your Income – How To Grow A Business with No Money

Okay so you’ve reached out, you’ve started getting sales, started building up reputation – maybe there’s a trickle of income.

Now this is where you have to be very smart, and reinvest that back in you, your business and your skills.

It can be so easy to get your first pay slip, and blow it on something fancy. It can be all too easy to think this ever growing gold mine will produce clients and money forever… but you need to future proof your business.

In the first year, you’re really passionate, you’ve really got that drive, so you’re really going out there, you’re doing a lot, you’re tapping that low-hanging fruit.

Those connections you may have already known that you could pluck quite easily, quite early, but if you don’t invest in your future, if you don’t keep learning to grow your future – spider web that catches your clients disappears over time.

Very soon all that easy traffic and low-hanging fruit will just disappear, and you’ll start to starve, and so will the business.

If you wanna grow in the future, you need to invest in the future.

There’s no point in eating this year’s harvest if you’re not buying seeds to plant for next year, and next year, and next year.

Keep funneling it back into yourself.

I’m not saying don’t take an income. If you can afford to take an income and still invest into the business then do so, just be smart.

Do you really need that wage?
Could you live a little more humble?
Could you live a smaller house?
Could you use a different laptop?

You could learn to start a business with no money – You just need be a little bit more sensible and use that extra bit of money to invest in your business, to get that next customer, and the next customer, that guarantees you a future three years down the line – rather than just assuming next week will be fine!

Customer Care is Paramount!

You’ve hooked them in, they may even be one of your free clients, if you keep them happy – they will come back.

They might even up-sell or might refer a friend!

Customer care is paramount because if you upset somebody, you’re really desperate in two months time, and you’ve got a fantastic idea that you know that client would really love – you are 100% sure they will buy – if you’ve upset them, you can’t phone them anymore.

They won’t refer you to anyone anymore, and it might leave a nasty taste in their mouth that they spread faster to your potential clients.

Bad news spreads 10x faster, than good news.

Now, for the sake of your small business that you’re starting right now, reset, go back to number five – Create Content – and work your way to Customer care over and over again.

Content
Out Reach
Free Work
Reinvest
Customer Service
REPEAT

Your biggest mistake would be getting lazy – keep building – you can start a business with no money and reap the rewards for years to come!

Why not check out the five biggest mistakes I’ve made in business – so you can avoid them and grow your business faster!

Tags business, business growth, business investment, business start up, entrepreneurship, gary vee, how to grow a business, how to start a business, how to start a business with no money, how to start your own business, start a business from scratch, start up

BUSINESS TIPS DEEP DIVE ARTICLE TIPS & TRICKS

How Working For FREE Can Help Grow Your Brand

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 22 April 2020
No Comments on How Working For FREE Can Help Grow Your Brand

Working for free. Should I work for free? Should you work for free?

Working for free can be a great way to build up a brand and your personal reputation within your niche. As you work for free you would build up contentions, reviews, a ever increasing portfolio, and most importantly, improving your skills from all the practice as you do so. Working for free might not earn you money in the short term but can be a very valuable investment in your long term future earning power.

It’s become a meme over the years, if you were creative, you’ve seen it. In fact, you’ve probably been approached, and people are like…

“Hi, can you do this, this and this for me?

Great. Sure. Here’s a quote.

“Oh, I wasn’t expected to pay you. I thought you could use the exposure, you know, get out there.”

And people are thinking, yeah, there’s exposure where you promote me and exposure where I die, a cold, lonely hungry death in the middle of a field because your exposure, can’t pay my rent. Your exposure, can’t pay my bills. Your exposure is me dying of exposure. I get that. I do. I do. That’s why you need to be sensible about this. Right?

I couldn’t do the whole free thing to start with either. And it’s become much more of a thing now that I can because I have a steady income.

Make Working For Free Your Side Hustle

Now, working for free can initially be your side hustle. I’m not saying that it has to cost you thousands of pounds to do a project that you hand away for nothing and you have no control over. I mean that you can build upon your future by adding value, leading with value first. Your side hustle has the potential to be the base for your future business success.

When I first started doing YouTube consultancing, I set up a profile on a few freelance websites like PeoplePerHour, on Fiverr. Yes, that does technically mean that I got paid for it, but it was pittance, deliberately pittance because I wanted to attract people to me. So I could pull a few strings and build a few Lego bricks on top of my board. They are good marketplaces that can offer you a chance to practice your skills or build a portfolio. So that aside, on the PeoplePerHour website, or Fiverr for example, I sell really, really cheap logos or really, really cheap Web designs, or really, really cheap channel reviews or video optimizations for say three, four or five dollars.

The money is negligible. But, what it does do, is it gives me a chance to build up 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 examples of me doing the thing that I want to get paid for, to do. If it’s on PeoplePerHour as well then it’s an hour’s worth of work, two hours worth of work depending on how much you’re willing to sacrifice in your time. But let’s say you do 20 logo designs at a $1 each, that’s 20 bucks, that’s not really much for you. It’s a cup of coffee, or that’s your electricity to cover that laptop that made those on, but you now have 20 designs that you can put in your portfolio, 20 designs that you can then show to a new client that is willing to pay you two 300 pounds for a logo and you’ve got 20 examples of stuff that you’ve done in the past.

Yes, it does mean that you sacrifice a bit of your time. Yes, that does mean that you couldn’t have charged 200 pounds for 20 of them each and made four grand. But if people don’t know you, the grand value price of one sale when they don’t want to buy from you is zero, zip, zilch nothing, nada. I would much rather have 20 sales, 20 logo designs at 20 bucks at one buck each, because then I’ve got those examples that I can then go and hunt the next big fish that’s willing to pay maybe a little bit more, 20 bucks each 50 bucks each 100 bucks each.

Working For Free is Improving Your Skills

Now, this is one of the things that that doesn’t dawn on people. I’ve been on YouTube for about eight, nine years. I’ve been creating these videos on this channel for about three. That means somewhere out there, there’s thousands of videos that I’ve edited, or I’ve been in, or I’ve uploaded, I’ve downloaded, I’ve deleted and that means that I can do this, I can communicate with a camera, I’ve improved my skill, I’ve improved my lighting, I’ve improved my ability to talk to you, to edit. Improving my skill, improving my speed, improving my skill set that I can sell to somebody else.

Improving my expertise that I can pitch to somebody else. Hi Mr. logo man. Yes, here’s 20 examples from point number one and I can do it much better than I used to because logo number 20 is better than logo number one because I learned how to do graphic and vector work a little bit better. And instead of it taking me four to five hours to render that wonderful piece of artwork, I can do it in half hour to an hour, and I can start tweaking and I can make it bigger.

Skill, improvement, more money.

You’re investing in yourself by doing free stuff – Building your reputation.

You’ve sold 20 logos to 20 people or 20 teddy bears, or 20 stockings or 20 handmade cards, it doesn’t matter what it is, you’ve sold 20 things to 20 people that can leave you 20 reviews. Those 20 reviews, you can then put on mailing list. Those 20 reviews you can put on your website. There’s 20 reviews, or people that hopefully you can refer to. Those are 20 advocates that know who you are and what you can do, that will refer hopefully another friend next time they need a logo, a teddy bear, a T shirt, a sock design, whatever you’re doing.

That reputations stacks on top of the skill that you’ve learned and the portfolio that you’ve gained. All of which has helped me in the past, hook that bigger fish. That’s got my foot in that door. Though I’ve got a couple of people that have come from these platforms, they are constant retainers, they are clients that I consult with. They are people that I directly work with, and they wouldn’t have found me if they hadn’t have used the freelance site to buy something small from me, for me to over deliver value, for them to trust me with my portfolio, the reputation, the reviews, and loving my work for me to then upsell.

I didn’t advertise for these people. I didn’t put ads on Facebook, I didn’t go out there on Google ads and hook people in. I’ve not pulled them in with some kind of skeezy sleazy kind of sales click funnel. I offered them value at a fair price and created quality, for them. And I’ve got my foot in the door, in which I can start talking to, and then I upsell, and I upsell and I upsell which then, supports the ability for me to give cheap, entries at the other end of that one dollar logo, those five dollar logos, those mini cheap reviews.

Leverage your new skill base, the things that you have learnt, your reputation, your portfolio, that foot in the door, you’re not actually doing it for free anymore.

Yes, initially, you do have to do the legwork, build the foundation and build upwards. And all it takes is for you to slowly stack over time. You put in some hard work.

And yes, let’s say you you have some really bad luck, and you sell 400 of these logos at one dollar each. You now have a huge portfolio, you’ve now had a skill based on these things. It may look like you are working for free, but you’re actually investing in yourself. And sometimes someone will help subsidize that by upgrading or by selling or buying or promoting you. And I did a lot of this at the start of my consulting career. I worked my ass off for 12 months, giving away freebies, or very cheap reviews and very cheap this and very cheap that. Why? Because it built those connections.

I’ve got 400, 500 videos on my youtube channel. They’re exactly that. I worked for free. Don’t get it twisted, yeah. YouTube can pay me a little bit of money in advertising but trust me it is pittance compared to what you can make by building that reputation. Building a back catalog. Making those links, putting your foot in the door and building a business from the ground up. All by just initially working for free. It’s one of the very important steps that you have to deal with when building a business and this nine of them here which I’m sure you know.

If you want more advice on how to start and grow your business using YouTube watch this video below.