Business & Side Hustles | Clever Girl Finance https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/category/business-and-side-hustles/ Empowering women to achieve financial success. Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:56:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cropped-Favicon-06-12-400x400.png Business & Side Hustles | Clever Girl Finance https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/category/business-and-side-hustles/ 32 32 27 Side Hustles For Women That Make Real Money https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/side-hustles-for-women/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:21:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=14362 […]

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Women can do anything because we are truly amazing. And if you’re looking for side hustles for women that make real money, we have just the list for you!

To choose the right side hustle for you to try, it’s all about looking for ones where you can use the skills you already have. Then you’ll need to decide how much money you’d want to earn. And you’ll also need to consider how much money, time, and effort you can afford to invest. So keep reading to learn more!

Side hustles for women

When you’re starting a side hustle, your idea can come from a place of passion, or you can pursue something you’re already good at. The possibilities are endless! All you need are a few tools, a good work ethic, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

That said, in this article, I ‘ll be breaking down some of the best side hustles for women!

27 Lucrative side hustles for women

Time is money, so I’ve rounded up some of the best-earning jobs! With the gig economy being so strong right now, there’s never been a better time to explore side hustles for women. Plus, it’s always a great idea to earn more money if you can.

With a side hustle, you can work online, part-time, or however you want to design it.  So read through this list to get an idea or two for your next venture. (And be sure to check out our list of best side hustle books as well!). Let’s get into it!

1. Offer freelancing services

In the USA, there are over 70 million freelancers, which make up about 36% of the workforce. I personally find that freelancing is great because it offers flexibility and a high potential for full-time income. 

I can work from anywhere, pursue personal passions, and earn extra money. It also allows me the opportunity to use the money making skills I already have. When I became a freelance writer, I really enjoyed the freedom with my time, as well as the ability to set my own prices and find clients I wanted to work with.

For example, I could choose to go out and get my own clients from the start. I was also able to join the three most popular freelancing sites, UpworkFiverr, and Freelancer.com which gave me more options to find work.

Freelancing also offers a wide variety of industries and job categories to pursue. For instance, you can make money freelance writing, manage social media accounts, or do video editing. In addition, skilled graphic designers, web developers, and coders are in demand in pretty much any industry.

2. Become a bookkeeper

If you have bookkeeping skills, you only need a reliable internet connection, a laptop, and and an online meeting tool like Zoom or Google Meet to start offering your services.

You can provide bookkeeping services online or offline, and it can be one of the best side jobs for women who are great at math and business management. Your clients can range from local businesses in your area to hundreds of business owners online.

Whether you decide to work online or in person, your clients may prefer one accounting software over another. So, you may need to learn and become comfortable with the most popular ones.

To get started you can check out Quickbooks and Freshbooks for an easy and affordable way to get your bookkeeping side hustle started.

3. Start a blog

Blogging is easily one of the best side hustles for women who want to make money online. It’s also a great way to share your expertise and provide value to people looking for information or guidance. 

However, making money with blogging is a long game that requires a monetization strategy and a lot of hard work.

But if done the right way, it can become a profitable way to earn money. In fact, there are many bloggers in different niches earning six figures and even seven figures a year! 

With blogging, you have the ability to generate income in several ways. For instance, bloggers can get paid for sponsored blog posts, affiliate marketing, and allowing ads on their websites. And some offer digital or physical products such as journals, clothing, and more. Want to learn more? Read our detailed article on how to become a blogger and start making money!

4. Proofread for businesses

Proofreading is the final check before a document or an article is published or shared. Proofreading is among the best side hustles for women because the hours are usually very flexible. And if you have a full-time job, you can work around it easily. 

A proofreading job focuses on correcting errors and inconsistencies in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. So, if you have a great eye for detail and love to read, you can make extra cash as a proofreader.

You can proofread for any type of business that publishes newsletters, sends emails, etc. And since most companies have websites, you can offer your services to every business that publishes blogs and articles. And you can also work as a writer and author for clients.

For aspiring proofreaders, the Louise Harnby website has tons of resources and amazing insights. The American Copy Editors Society is also a great place to start. And if you’re looking to network, LinkedIn is full of writers and proofreaders.

5. Become a transcriptionist

A transcriptionist listens to recorded or live audio files and converts what they hear into written content. If you have good grammar skills and pay attention to detail, then consider transcription services.

You also have an edge if you already work in the medical or legal fields because that’s where most of the need comes from.

If you’re not in the medical or legal field, you can still offer general transcription to corporate clients.

In addition, I find that being a transcriptionist is an excellent option for side hustles for women who don’t have set free time. It offers many benefits, including working at your own pace and according to your own schedule.

You’ll need transcription software, a good headset, and reliable internet to get started. Check out places to find online transcription jobs in this article from The Write Life.

6. Tutor students

Tutoring also offers one of the best opportunities for side hustles for women who have a passion for teaching. And if you already have the skills and experience, you can be an online tutor or teach in person for just about any subject and make an extra income.

You can advertise your services around your town or city. Alternatively you can sign up with online sites like the ones on this list from Indeed.

7. Teach English online

If you’re looking for ways to work from home by teaching English online, consider VIPKid. They connect you to children who want to learn how to speak English. It’s a one-on-one format, and the sessions are quick.

And you won’t have to spend time making lesson plans. So you can focus on teaching. 

However, since your students are mostly from China, VIPKid teachers work late nights, but this may work well with your day job, depending on your schedule. So, that is something you’ll have to consider if you want to try teaching English online as a side hustle.

Other websites to consider include Preply and Cambly.

8. Sell an online course

As people actively seek ways to learn new high-income skills or gain new knowledge, online courses have become incredibly popular. And they’re not limited to accredited education anymore. There’s an online course for just about anything.

To get started, think of something you’re really good at. Which might be content editing, drawing, writing, etc. Figure out how to teach others how to get to your skill level.

Next, set up your course and earn money as students enroll. Check out this list of sites from Zapier where you can sell your course.

Selling courses is also one of those side hustles for women that can be considered a long game. But over time, it can become one of the best passive income streams.

9. Start a virtual assistant service

Virtual assistant services are one of my favorite side hustles! Basically, as a virtual assistant, you provide services to individuals and businesses with all kinds of online administrative tasks. You can offer services depending on skills you already have or are willing to learn.

Virtual assistants generally help clients respond to emails, schedule meetings, offer customer support, and do bookkeeping.

You can also offer more specific virtual assistant services such as social media management (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.), blog management, content creation, etc.

Ultimately, what you offer will depend on tasks you enjoy doing and the kind of clients you’d like to work with, making this one of the best side hustles for women.

Being a virtual assistant is a great way to make extra money if you’re detail-oriented and awesome at time management. To get started, you’ll also find free virtual assistant training videos on YouTube! And there are many courses and certifications you can take to brush up on skills like social media and digital marketing.

Then, you can focus on finding clients by reaching out by email, social media, or setting up a website.

10. Be a wedding photographer

Do you take amazing pictures? If so, you can make some money on the side by being a wedding photographer! You can book clients according to your schedule and make money from doing something you enjoy.

It can be a profitable side hustle but wedding photography work may require being available on weekends.

Aside from photographing weddings, you can also venture into doing sessions with families, influencers, or local businesses. And sites like Shutterstock allow you to sell and earn a small commission for your photos.

11. Resell on Amazon

Reselling on marketplaces like Amazon is among the best side hustles for women looking to make extra cash. You can sell items ranging from electronics and used books to anything customers may need.

If you have a savvy eye for selecting the best items to resell, becoming a seller on Amazon is for you. With Amazon’s system already in place, you don’t have to build your audience.

So, you can focus on picking the right products, taking good photos, and making sure you have clear descriptions and keywords in your listing.

You can also flip items that you find and fix them up to look new. For example, painting or reupholstering furniture. Flipping items can help you to make quite a profit.

12. Sell handmade products

Similarly, if you’re good at crafts or making things with your hands, you can sell your products on Etsy. It is the largest online marketplace for handmade crafts such as embroidered goods, jewelry, journals, home goods, upcycled items, soaps and so much more. Make money from your hobby!

Also, the products are not limited to handmade physical goods. You can make and sell digital products and printables on Etsy, such as graphics that customers can download. It is one of the better side gigs because digital products can quickly become passive income.

13. Start an online consignment store

If you are interested in and are knowledgeable about certain items like clothes, electronics, toys, or antiques, you could start an online consignment store.

You can also specialize in smaller markets. For instance, rather than selling all types of clothes, you can choose to only accept children’s clothes, designer brands, or vintage items.

Personally, my favorite way to shop is through consignment stores. And I mostly buy from three places that carry brands I like. I’m comfortable spending money on pre-owned designer bags there because I trust the owner and know she vets every item.

It can be a great part-time job to do in your spare time. You can start your own website for this or use eBay.

14. Walk dogs or pet sit

Dog walking and pet sitting have always been available as side hustles for women to make money. And thanks to apps like Rover and Wag, it’s now easier for dog walkers and responsible pet owners to connect. The earning potential isn’t bad, either.

Dog walking is a great side hustle because the clients are adorable, you get exercise, and you can book according to your schedule.

15. Become a makeup artist

Make money from your ability to make other women feel beautiful. You can offer your services as a makeup artist for events like weddings, proms, or family photos. You just need clean tools, makeup, and your expertise to get started.

Use social media platforms and word of mouth to advertise. You can book clients to come to your home, or you can travel to them, making this one of the great side hustle ideas for women!

16. Start a laundry service

Yes, you read that right! You can make extra money by starting a laundry service. You can start your own laundry service and advertise around your city and through social media like Facebook ads.

And you can also check out Laundry Care. You can apply as a provider, and they’ll help you set up your own laundry service and handle all of the paperwork – like billing clients for you. Starting a laundry service can be a good job for moms also, as it’s easy to fit it around any schedule.

17. Start a cleaning service

If cleaning is something you consider a relaxing activity, a cleaning service could be the right side hustle for you. I personally think cleaning houses is a nice, quiet job, and I can do it on my own time, typically any time during the day.

And depending on the level of cleaning you offer, it can be done in a few hours. When I cleaned houses as a side job, I found that it would usually take about three hours to fully clean a house. Set your own prices and try to take on some long-term clients, making this a lucrative side hustle.

You would need a reliable way to get to jobs, so it’s best if you have a car. Start with one client or two, do a great job, and you’ll see your clients double through word of mouth.

18. Join a delivery service

Today, you can deliver just about anything and get paid for it. Popular side hustles for women include driving people, working as couriers, food delivery drivers, or delivering groceries.

So, if you’re comfortable driving people around, you can drive for Uber or Lyft. You can also become a food delivery driver for Uber EatsSkip the Dishes, or DoorDash. And then, there’s Instacart for grocery deliveries.

With any of these side hustles, you can set the hours and areas you’ll work. And you can even decide which jobs you’ll pick up. Slight caveat – the average pay can be less than what you see online. And how much you make depends on your work times and how generous customers are.

19. Sell a book you wrote

If you’ve written a book or you have a great idea for one, you can sell it and make money from the royalties. This is likely the best of the side jobs for women if you love to write.

First, decide if your book will be fiction or non-fiction and come up with an outline. Then, do the actual book writing and editing, and then it will be time to publish. You can go for a traditional publisher or try out self-publishing.

And remember that a book can make you money for years to come, as long as people keep buying it.

20. Create an app

If you’re great with technology, you can create an app. You can first come up with app ideas that will help your customers with something or make their lives easier. Then, start creating the product.

You’ll likely need to know how to code and understand app development tools. After it’s ready, you can sell it and make money from advertising and subscriptions.

21. Sell baked goods at home

If you’re an excellent baker and you want a work from home job, then open a baking business right in your kitchen! You can create a website, take orders, and bake and deliver the treats.

You may need to acquire a license for this, as well as fulfill other kitchen requirements, but it can be a lucrative way to make money and you can do this during your free time. Remember to include the price of supplies when setting your fees. 

Enjoy coming up with new recipes, baking and packaging the products, and selling them to repeat customers!

22. Purchase or rent out real estate

If you want to get into real estate, there are many ways to do so and make money, making this one of the best side hustles for women.

The first and simplest method is to rent out part of your home, such as a basement or an extra room. You can do this using Airbnb or take on a more permanent tenant.

Another way is to start investing in REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). It will take a while to see a profit, but you can make money!

Yet another way is to purchase a rental property or commercial space and rent it out. Obviously, this would take some startup capital, but it can be very lucrative.

23. Be a chef

Are you a great cook? Become a personal chef! People can hire you to do their shopping, come up with a menu, and cook their meals for the week.

Not only is this a creative job that is fun, but you’ll also be able to help others save time and eat healthy meals!

You may need licenses and permits to do this job. It’s a fun career, and you can likely pick your hours to some extent.

24. Create a subscription box service

Have you ever seen those cute subscription boxes you can buy with all sorts of themes? From coffee to nail polish, there’s a subscription box that provides items monthly for its subscribers.

You can create your own business doing this. You’ll need an idea, a website, and customers to start.

25. Be a mystery shopper

Get paid to mystery shop! Go into stores and report on your experience, which will likely include how the store looks, how professional the employees are, etc.

If you have an eye for detail and you have the extra time, this can make a great side hustle.

Plus, you get to go to stores you love, so that makes it fun for people who enjoy shopping.

26. Become a home organizer

Is your house neat and tidy all the time? You might be the perfect candidate to become a professional organizer! You can specialize in organizing closets, garages, or whole houses. 

According to Clutterless Home Solutions, the best way to begin with something like this is to focus on creating a brand and use social media to market your services.

27. Be a fitness instructor

Do you love helping others to be healthy? Are you encouraging and supportive? You might have what it takes to be a fitness instructor.

You can teach classes one-on-one or work with a group of clients, depending on your schedule. According to Coursera, you need to obtain the necessary certifications, and choose a specialty like yoga or senior fitness, and figure out where you will work, such as a gym or if you will freelance.

Expert tip: Create a plan of action for your side hustle

When it comes to the best side jobs for women, it’s all about creating a plan of action. When I started my side hustle as a freelancer, I laid out the services I would offer, my target customers, and my plan to market my business.

I also think it’s essential that you create a budget for your business so you can plan your financials to make a profit! For me it was ensuring, I could bring in enough each month to cover my business expenses and still save.

And remember to schedule everything. When I worked multiple jobs, I would schedule in my calendar my full time job hours, my side hustle hours, plus any time I planned to spend with family, etc. That way I never overbooked my schedule.

Why a side hustle is a great idea

Side hustles for women are a smart addition to your financial plan for a lot of reasons. If you’re considering starting a side job, here are some of the benefits.

Extra money for your goals

Side hustles make money, and that means that you can reach your financial goals faster. Whether that’s saving for a rental property, paying off credit card debt, or simply having more spending money, side hustles can help. 

If you’re working full time and you have a goal that will take you two years to achieve, side jobs give you the opportunity to reach it much faster, maybe even in half the time! 

Financial security

It’s good to have more than one source of income. Having an extra income provides more stability if you experience job loss or if your hours change at one of your jobs.

In addition, having extra money may enable you to save an emergency fund or financial cushion, so you have money to fall back on if needed. Overall, having a second job really gives you more freedom.

Possibilities for the future

You may start a side hustle based on something you enjoy doing or something that pays well. Having a side job is a good way to find out how much you can make from a job, and it may allow you to do work that you love full-time in the future.

Additionally, it could open the door for more job opportunities based on networking or working in a new industry that you were previously unfamiliar with.

What is a good side hustle for a woman?

A good side hustle for a woman is whatever you are interested in doing! There are no rules for what type of business a woman can or cannot do. 

So explore all the different ideas and options you have, decide on what you are interested in doing, and then take action to get started! You should also consider the amount of money you want to earn from your side hustle and choose something that is likely to help you earn that amount.

How can women make money on the side?

When it comes to making money on the side with a side hustle, it’s all about having a business budget in place to track your income and expenses so you can plan to become profitable as soon as possible. 

Starting a business from scratch essentially means keeping your expenses low, implementing a marketing plan to get more customers, and understanding how to maximize your profit margins.

How can I make an extra $2,000 a month?

You can definitely make an extra $2,000 a month with a side hustle. $2,000 monthly is ~$71 a day or ~$500 a week. Knowing this, you can explore different side hustle ideas that earn you this amount.

Consider side hustles tied to products and services that are in high demand. For example, financial services, food services, childcare services, and personal care services are all great places to explore.

Keep in mind you need to give your side hustle time to grow and work up to being able to make $2,000 a month.

What side hustles pay the most?

Typically, side hustles in the fields of technology and marketing tend to pay very well. You may also consider starting a freelancing business where you can set your own rates, like freelance writing, editing, etc., because then you can decide how much you want to make.

While some jobs do tend to pay higher than others, remember that if you really set your mind to it, there are many careers that you can be successful in.

If you enjoyed this article on the best side hustles for women, check out this related content.

 Boost your income with these money-making side hustles for women!

To get started with side hustle ideas for women, start with something you’re good at or something that you would like to spend time doing.

And if you want to make more money, consider taking our completely free “Build your business” bundle! Remember to save and invest the money you earn from side hustles so you can achieve your financial dreams!

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32 Best Items To Flip For Extra Cash https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-items-to-flip/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-items-to-flip/#respond Wed, 13 Dec 2023 20:17:17 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=62513 […]

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Flipping items can be a fun and rewarding side hustle. While some items may require a bit of work to resell, it’s worth it. If you pick the best items to flip, you can make a good amount of money.

Best items to flip

All the extra cash you make from flipping can add up more quickly than you’d think. So before we cover the best items to flip for extra money, here’s why you should consider flipping as a side hustle!

Why it’s a great idea to flip items

You might wonder if it’s worth your time to start flipping for money. After all, there are a lot of ways to make money; why flip items? It’s a good business for a few reasons.

First, it can be easy to do; you just need to find the best items to resell, fix them up, and resell for a profit. Obviously, if you’re learning how to start a business with no money, that can take some time, as well.

Next, when you pick the right items, it’s good money.

Last, it’s a pretty flexible side gig. You can work whatever hours you want, selling as much or as little as you like.

Let’s take a look at what to sell (from household items to sell for quick cash and more) and also where to sell items.

32 Of the best items to flip

Want to know how to get started? Here’s the list of 32 best things to flip for a profit.

1. Chairs or sofas

Flipping furniture like chairs or sofas is a fantastic idea. You can sometimes find a chair or sofa with good bones and reupholster it or just clean it really well.

Check Facebook Marketplace, yard sales, and thrift stores for pieces to flip. Sometimes, people will even give you furniture for free if you haul it away for them!

2. Tables

Tables are also some of the easiest items to flip. Make sure to examine the table for any structural problems, like legs that are loose. Then, polish it up and take good photos to list it.

You could even upcycle tables by painting them or put on a cool resin top and sell it for even more money!

3. Antiques are some of the best items to flip

Antiques can be worth a lot, depending on a few factors like age, condition, and the type of item. You can shop thrift stores or estate sales for unique pieces. Try to get something for a price below its value so you can target its resale value cleverly and make a profit.

4. Desks

Other furniture items that are easy to clean up and resell are desks. Desks that are made from good quality materials and are still in decent condition are a big-ticket item and one of the best things to flip.

5. Any type of furniture that is wood, metal, or wicker

Furniture that is made from one of these materials can sell well. A reason for this is that they’re generally in style and very durable. Similar to tables, these items are easy to restore to make them look nicer.

For instance, you can spray paint old wicker chairs to bring them back to life and charge more money for them. Also, finding creative ways to upcycle these pieces can help you sell them faster.

6. Cars

Cars require a lot of know-how, but they can be profitable. You need to know how to thoroughly check a car to make sure it functions correctly, as well as how to fix it up.

You’ll also need to know about various models and their usual prices to know if you’re getting a deal or not when you initially buy. The car depreciation rate is considerable, but you can flip them for profit if you do it right.

7. Regular bicycles

Bicycles are practical and convenient for everyone to have, but many people want to buy one for a low price. You can easily find bikes that need some new paint or a bit of maintenance and resell them.

8. Houses (The best items to flip for the most profit)

Flipping a house is somewhat complicated, and there’s a lot involved. But basically, you’ll need to purchase a home for a low price that needs some work.

Then, you fix the house and get it in good enough shape to sell for more than you paid for it. If you are good at home maintenance and design, this could be a good option.

9. Gym and workout equipment

These are big-ticket items that are perfect for flipping. Just make sure it’s in good condition and up to all safety standards before you resell it.

Since some of these items are heavy and bulky, some people may sell them cheaply or give them away in order to get rid of them faster, which means a bigger profit for you!

10. Electronics (Some of the best items to flip)

Things like cell phones, consoles, tablets, and other electronics can usually make you some money from reselling.

For instance, classic iPods that have high storage capacity, such as those with 120GB to 160GB, are still bringing in quite a chunk of cash!

You can get started by searching your own home or garage for old electronics that got stuffed away. These can be some of the best items to flip for extra cash.

11. Luxury handbags (Some of the most lucrative items to flip)

Do you know designers and how to spot a real design item from a fake? Then, you might be able to sell designer handbags for cash.

Sometimes, you can score some of these for lower prices in consignment stores or online. Then, clean it up like new to resell.

However, keep in mind handbags are not great long-term investments but can be a good item to flip for cash.

12. Name brand clothes

If you can find clothes in good condition that are made by sought-after brands, you could make some cash. Look for items that wear well over time and things made from high-quality materials such as cotton, wool, or cashmere.

At times, you can luck out and find name-brand items in thrift shops and at Goodwill cheap.

Sometimes, you can even shop sales at retail stores and resell items for profit on sites such as Poshmark! Check blow-out sales and try to use coupons, too, for the best deals.

13. Shoes

If you can find good quality shoes from expensive designer brands that are undervalued, buy them and resell them for a profit. Be on the lookout for anything rare or unique.

Another option is to buy old shoes and upcycle them into customized pieces and charge big money for them!

For instance, you can bling them out like this beautiful pair of high heels and charge over $100 a pair! If you’re artistic, try out some money making crafts ideas and paint designs on them!

Sometimes, people will sell their collections for slightly less than they are worth, which is a great time to snap up a bargain.

14. Cookware

Dishes, pots and pans, glassware, and coffee mugs – you can probably find many of these at garage sales. After some cleaning and maintenance, you can list them for sale for a bit more than you bought them for.

Keep an eye out for vintage cookware because these items bring in much more money than standard items do.

15. Household appliances

Appliances like microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, washers, and dryers are among the best things to flip. They’re necessities but quite expensive, so sometimes, people are happy to pay for a used model in good condition.

16. Blogs

Not one of the easiest items to flip, but if you’re willing to invest some time and learn, you can make a good amount of money flipping blogs. Many people don’t even know this is an option, and you can make thousands of dollars a month in some cases.

17. Old board games

Board games are a fun idea and one of the best items to flip. Old board games probably sound like something that wouldn’t bring in much money, but you can sometimes make a big profit depending on the board game.

18. Books

Books are an old stand-by that was more popular years ago. However, you can still make money selling books. You just need to check out what types of book are most popular and start there e.g. textbooks and workbooks. Find books in thrift shops and yard sales and sell them on sites such as Amazon.

19. Laptops

You can make some cash flipping laptops. You’ll need some tech knowledge to do this correctly, though. If you learn how to factory reset them or even figure out how to fix them, you can buy them super cheap and make a big profit.

20. RVs or campers

Flipping RVs and campers takes a lot of work and the ability to spot a good deal. But if you have some home repair and maintenance skills, you can apply them to this. Use YouTube for inspiration and advice.

21. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)

Buying an ATV for cheap, fixing it up, and reselling it can be a pretty lucrative deal. Just keep an eye out for anything on sale or undervalued. Check locally on Facebook Marketplace or possibly Craigslist to find them used.

22. Dirt bikes

Similar to other outdoor gear, check out ads in the newspaper and on sites like eBay for dirt bikes for a good price. Then, resell after maintenance.

23. Baby gear e.g. cribs, strollers, etc.

People are always looking for expensive baby items for lower prices. Check out garage sales for things in good condition that you can clean up and resell. Look for high-quality brands such as UPPAbaby, Valco Baby, and Graco to make more per item.

24. Jewelry

Jewelry is by far one of the best things to flip. There are so many different types of jewelry you can buy and sell for profit.

For example, you can find costume jewelry cheap at yard sales and thrift shops and sell it on sites like Etsy.

Sometimes, you will find vintage or name-brand jewelry and can really make bank. Of course, gold and silver are very profitable, too, but they may be harder to find at a low price.

After you find some jewelry, take the time to clean it up and take great photos for reselling. You can even start by decluttering your life, including your jewelry box, for items to sell!

25. Musical instruments

If you can find guitars, keyboards, drums, or other instruments for sale, see if you can resell them for a profit. It’s a fun hobby and a way to make some cash.

Like most things, if you find popular brands such as Fender, Gibson, Yahama, etc., you will earn more for those items.

26. Power tools

People need power tools for home repairs and DIY projects, but buying them new can be extremely expensive. This is why there’s a huge market for good quality second hand tools.

Yard sales and Facebook Marketplace are excellent places to pick up a bargain. Always check the tool for damage before purchasing.

27. Toys

Start by selling any toys that you may have from your childhood. Rare and limited edition toys sell really well. Action figures and LEGO sets are also popular in the second-hand market.

eBay is a valuable resource if you want to be a toy flipper. Use the search function to find toys that sell well and make a good profit.

28. Video games

Creating video game bundles is an excellent way to make money. Find bargains on sites such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay, then group together games in the same category or age bracket.

Use real images when selling your items instead of stock ones. These will appeal more to potential buyers. eBay and Amazon are great game reselling sites.

29. Sports memorabilia

Sports fans are always on the lookout for items to add to their collection. You can make a good profit from things that are in demand, such as:

  • Autographed products
  • Ticket stubs
  • Sports cards
  • Championship rings
  • Shirts/jerseys

30. Vintage clothes

Buying and selling vintage clothes online can turn into a profitable business. Start by sourcing niche garments from thrift shops or auctions and check that there are no stains or irreparable damage before purchasing.  Do some research into the label and style of the piece to help you price the item correctly.

Use online marketplaces such as ASOS Marketplace, Vinted, and Mercari to sell your vintage clothes and make money.

31. Wedding dresses

Flipping wedding dresses is a satisfying item to resell. Not only can you make some good cash, but you will also help make a bride’s dream come true. End-of-line, discontinued, or ex-display dresses are great to flip because the cost is often considerably lower than brand-new gowns.

If you’re crafty, you can enhance a dress by adding buttons or a belt to make the item more unique and appealing. Use a reputable site such as Nearly Newlywed or Rowely to list your dress. Take into account their selling fees to ensure you still make a profit on your item.

32. Photography gear

Photographers who are just starting out often don’t have the funds for brand-new equipment, so they shop second-hand instead.

Even used photography gear isn’t cheap, so you will need funds upfront, but you can still make a good profit if you buy at the right price and add a margin. Lenses, cameras, and tripods are usually in demand.

Expert tip: Increase exposure of your items online with keywords and free shipping

The more people that see your flipped item, the quicker you will sell it. So it’s a good idea to always use keywords in your item’s title, description and tag. This will allow more people to see it, increasing your views.

Not sure what keywords to use? Think about the words that you would use to find your item online. Another great place to find information on keywords is the insights area on Facebook Marketplace.

Yet another way to get your product seen is to share your listing with online communities or groups that may be interested in what you have to sell.

Additionally, free shipping is an attractive offer for buyers. It can help your listing stand out from others and make people feel like they are getting good value.

Giving free shipping doesn’t have to mean eating into your profit. Simply build it into your list price, so the total price covers the item and the delivery charge. Don’t forget to state local pick up as a delivery option for people that live close to you.

Where to sell items

Another great perk to flipping is there are plenty of online platforms and apps to sell your items. Here are the best places to sell items for profit!

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is ideal for finding buyers that live in your area. All you need is a Facebook account to get started.

It’s an excellent way to begin if you are pretty comfortable with Facebook; you might even find some deals for things to buy and resell.

ThredUp

Used clothing is one of the easiest things to flip. ThredUp will provide you with a bag to pack your used items into. Then you simply send it off, and they will pay you depending on what things they’re able to sell.

Get paid in cash or by ThredUp credit. And it’s free, so there’s that.

Amazon

The Amazon site is vast, and they have a well-organized system for sellers. You can sell various things on Amazon, so it’s a great place to get started if you’re new to flipping items.

eBay

eBay is a good place to begin selling items because you can sell almost anything, including books, toys, clothes, and furniture. If you want a one-stop shop for selling your items, this is it.

OfferUp

OfferUp is a unique and easy way to sell items. OfferUp is an app, and it’s pretty simple to set things up. Household items are pretty popular, so you can quickly look around at what you have at home and sell some things right away.

Etsy

Etsy is a site that almost everyone has heard of. Although you can find many things, Etsy specializes in unique and crafty items like jewelry, clothes, art, and decor. It’s a great place to sell original items.

What to do with the extra cash from flipping items

Now that you’ve made some money, are you wondering what to do with the savings you may have? It’s essential to have a plan for any profit that you make. Here are a few ideas on what you can do with your extra cash:

Put extra cash towards a down payment on a house

If you dream of owning a home, use the money you make from flipping items to help you with how to save up for a house. Down payments are a pretty big cost, and most people need to save up thousands.

A good amount is 20% of the home cost, though you can sometimes do 10% or even less depending on the type of mortgage you qualify for.

Use the money for an investment opportunity

If there’s an investment you’d like to get started with but you need more cash, this could be your big break. Whether it’s real estate or investing with index funds, you can invest using side income to take a bigger risk.

Save some money to buy more items to flip (invest back into your business)

You’ll also need to keep some of your funds for buying more items. At first, a lot of your money may go directly back to your business.

Still, over time, you’ll get better at flipping, find out what the easiest items to flip are, and be able to charge competitive rates.

What products are easiest to flip?

The best items to flip (and the easiest) are ones that are desirable and worth a decent amount of money so that you can make a profit on them. Branded items, seasonal products, and limited edition items do particularly well in the flipping market. Examples include clothing, shoes, antiques, furniture and decorative items,

Discounted items are also great for flipping, especially once they return to their original price. You can make a good profit while still keeping the item lower than the average price and for a relatively small amount of effort.

How do you buy and flip items for profit?

The key to a successful flipping side hustle is having a solid plan. Use our step-by-step guide to start flipping like a boss!

Use a large box to collect and store your flipped items

Having everything that you want to sell in one place makes the process of listing and selling anything much easier. As you’re collecting things to flip, check the condition and clean each item as you go to save time later on.  

Take clear pictures of each object

The best pictures of objects are taken in natural light against a plain background. You don’t need to invest in a professional camera or hire a photographer to take a good picture, especially because this will have a negative impact on your profit margins.

List your items to sell

Selling your items on more than one platform will increase your chances of a sale. As you grow your flipping business, you will start to see which items sell best on which platform. You can easily list products for sale from apps on your phone, which means you don’t even have to log in to your laptop!

Ship them out as soon as they are sold

Here comes the exciting part. You’ve made a sale! Now it’s time to send your item off to its new home and start seeing money come in.

The process is totally addictive. Pack and post the product as soon as possible so you can move on to the next one.

Repeat the process

Once you’ve emptied your box of flippable items, it’s time to start finding more. There are so many sources to find hidden treasures. The more you source and sell, the easier you will find the process.

Is flipping items still profitable?

Absolutely, flipping items can be very profitable! All you need is a good eye for a bargain and knowledge of what people like to buy.

There is no limit to how much you earn, and it won’t take up all of your spare time, making it the perfect side hustle. Some people even earn a full-time income by flipping items every day!

Here are our top tips to make money from your flipped stuff.

Source $0 items

The most profitable items are ones that cost you nothing! Do you have any unused, unwanted gifts at home? These make ideal items to flip for a 100% profit.

Keep an eye on your local Facebook Marketplace for free objects you can collect, upcycle and resell.

Browse thrift stores and flea markets

Thrift shops and flea markets are arguably the best places for flippers to find second-hand goods that can be flipped for a decent profit. Increase your chances of making money by searching for things that will sell well and are in good condition.

Price it right

This will ultimately be determined by the item you’re flipping and how much you paid for it.

Do your research to find out the value of what you’re selling and price it competitively to increase your chances of a sale. If you want to attract higher prices, flip unusual or rare items.

Factor in selling fees and shipping costs (if applicable) to your price to ensure you have a clear picture of how much money you will make when it sells.

How much can you make when you flip items?

How much you make when you flip items definitely depends on what you’re selling, how many items you sell, and what you charge. So there’s no clear-cut answer for this.

However, you can likely make between $500 to $3,000 each month. Any way you look at it, that’s plenty of cash to help you do a lot of things financially.

If you liked reading about what items to flip and how to earn more money, check out these articles next!

Get started with these best items to flip and make cash fast!

Flipping items is something that you can do if you have many things to sell or are great at spotting a deal. It’s one of the most profitable side hustles because you can start with the easiest items to flip and move on to bigger items as you earn more money.

It’s a great way to make cash fast, and it can be turned into a full-time business if you like it that much! So get started today and learn exactly how to build your business with our free course!

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17 Best Items to Resell for Extra Cash https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-items-to-resell/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-items-to-resell/#respond Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:38:57 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=61760 […]

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Are you searching for new ways to make extra income? Let us introduce you to reselling and give you ideas on the best items to resell! In this article, we’ll discuss where to find items (some are right in your own house!) and where to sell them as well.

Best items to resell

If you’re a natural bargain hunter (maybe a coupon-clipper who constantly looks for the best coupon websites), keep reading to learn how to use that skill to make extra cash. Let’s get to it!

How does reselling work?

As the word implies, reselling involves buying items and selling them again for profit.

So, follow the age-old advice to buy low and sell high. But how do you figure out the best things to resell?

With the help of technology, it’s never been easier to build a reselling business or learn how to start business from scratch ideas. Nowadays, you can essentially sell anything.

My advice is to start with your unwanted stuff. Then, find items from yard sales, auctions, and marketplaces. Sell items you find for a profit, noting what sells well and what you can list at a higher price.

Why reselling for cash is a great idea

Reselling is great if you’re looking for ways to make money. It’s one of the best and most unique side hustles you can do in your spare time.

You might even learn new skills. Most importantly, starting a side hustle can help you build a financial cushion through the following:

Build your emergency savings

With the extra income, you can build or boost your emergency fund account.

We’ve been living through a series of “unprecedented times.” Many households are feeling the impact of inflation on savings, an unstable job market, and a looming recession.

That’s why it’s crucial to pad your emergency savings in case of job loss, medical emergency, and other unexpected expenses.

Pay off debt

You can also use any additional cash you generate to learn how to pay off credit cards fast. Paying off debt saves you interest and fees.

It also frees up more disposable income to spend on things you like. Flipping items for a higher price in a resale business can help you enjoy more of your life. 

In addition, being debt-free not only benefits your bank account but also helps you feel better physically and mentally as well.

Have cash on hand

Starting easy side hustles like this and making extra money is an excellent way to save for vacations, home renovations, and other planned expenses you might have.

It also increases your ability to invest, so your money works for you. 

The 17 best items to resell for a profit

There are two approaches you can take when choosing what to resell. The first is to buy or sell items you know enough about.

You can also research the most lucrative items for resale and learn how to sell them. It’s not necessarily hard, but it does take time and effort.

You’re never too old to learn new things! Check out the list below for some ideas of the best things to resell. 

1. Sports memorabilia

With technology, it’s become easier to buy and sell sports memorabilia. It’s expected to grow into a $200 billion industry by 2032, according to Globe Newswire

People have always been passionate about their teams and sports heroes. So, look for items connected to well-known teams and players since a large fan base means a bigger market for you.

In addition, the age, rarity, and condition of the items affect the price you can sell pieces for, as well as whether the item is authenticated or not.

Sports jerseys, autographed pictures, game balls, action figures, and trading cards are some of the best items to resell.

2. Antique items

There’s always a market for antique pieces, so they’re some of the best items to resell. Think antique clocks, lamps, china, decorative items and even vintage toys.

With antique items, you’re dealing with a small number of products. So, you’ll most likely spend most of your time looking for inventory.

Check out thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets for great options at affordable prices. You may be able to buy from auctions and other antique dealers as well. Of course, don’t forget to check the good ol’ Facebook marketplace.

3. Shoes

There are many ways to resell shoes depending on who you want to sell to and what you know.

So, if you know sneakers, there’s money in selling limited edition sneakers like Adidas and Nike styles.

You can also make extra money from selling designer shoes from luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Christian Louboutin.

Similarly, there’s a market for more mainstream brands like UGGs, Converse, or Michael Kors.

4. Toys and games

Collectible and old-school toys are some of the best items for reselling. You can always find buyers for vintage action figures and Barbies, Beanie Babies, and American Girl Dolls.

Apparently, there’s also a market for Pokemon trading cards.

If you don’t know anything about trading cards, you can make cash selling video games and board games instead.

If you can find the season’s hottest toys, you can also make a good amount of money.

However, this would mean ensuring you’re up to date with what’s trending on social media. 

5. Musical instruments

Kids and adults alike are known for starting a hobby only to abandon it shortly afterward. That’s why musical instruments are great items to resell. There’s always someone looking to buy one and another looking to sell.

Guitars, basses, and amplifiers are the most popular to flip. But you can also sell drums, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, etc.

6. Sporting goods

There’s a high demand for used sporting goods because they’re expensive to buy new. Bikes, ski equipment, golf clubs, and camping gear are among the best items to resell.

Find items online at places like Facebook Marketplace or garage sales that you can try to flip for profit.

7. Exercise equipment

Many people buy exercise equipment with the best intentions. However, these items can sit for years without being used. Often, they’re also heavy and bulky, so people are happy to get rid of them.

You can typically sell treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and home gyms for decent profits. Even weights, kettlebells, and yoga mats are some of the best items to resell.

8. Clothing

The secondhand apparel market is growing. It’s expected to become a $350 billion industry by 2027, according to ThredUp

If you have a talent for fashion, you can niche down and only look for designer, vintage, or branded clothing to sell. You may also choose to curate well-loved pieces for everyone. It’s best to start with what you know and what you own.

You could ask family and friends for unwanted clothes as well.

Then, get comfortable sourcing items from consignment stores, shops like Goodwill, garage sales, store clearance racks, and thrift stores. ThredUp is also a good place to find branded and designer items to sell.

9. Books

I think books are one of the best items to resell because it’s not difficult to find inventory. Remember that Amazon started as solely an online bookseller. That said, you can resell books through Amazon.

I check out library sales and yard sales when I want to find books to sell. Sites like NextDoor and other local classified ads can turn up some good finds, too. Check the best online marketplaces for reselling books to make a great profit.

The most popular books to resell are textbooks since they are so expensive, and no one typically wants to reread them after they’re done. (Find the best place to sell textbooks online!) There’s an audience for most non-fiction books, arts and crafts, and sheet music as well.

10. Household items and decor

To find household items to sell for quick cash, look around your home for stuff you want to get rid of. It’s a win-win! You get to declutter, make money, and try your hand at reselling.

It may take trial and error to find what sells in your area. But shelves, paintings, decorative pieces, and holiday decorations are great things to sell via online marketplaces.

You can also make good money from selling expensive kitchen appliances such as air fryers, espresso machines, or blenders.

11. Furniture

You would need a large area for storage and a bit of sweat equity to resell furniture. But people are always looking for affordable furniture. So, they’re great items for resale.

Start with basic pieces like tables, chairs, couches, and desks. Mid-century modern furniture is making a comeback, so these are great items to look for.

You can also fix up pieces like dressers and sideboards and make more money. As always, the first place to look for furniture is your own home or storage space. 

Keep in mind that furniture is bulky to ship, so it is better to do it locally. Facebook Marketplace is a good option for this.

12. Handbags

Just like shoes, handbags are a great reselling option, especially if you want to sell designer handbags for cash.

But again, it’s best to start with what you know because there are lots of imitations out there. Authentic luxury handbags are some of the best things to resell in today’s marketplace. Personally, this is one of my favorite ways to make money!

As you gain experience and get to know your buyers, you can focus your attention on brands that resell well.

You may choose to specialize in high-end designer bags, such as a Hermes Birkin bag investment, Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. On the other hand, your bestsellers could be brands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, and Longchamp.

13. Jewelry and other accessories

Jewelry and accessories are very lucrative resell items. Finely crafted jewelry pieces like engagement rings can be worth a lot because of their quality and material. The same is true for high-end sunglasses and expensive watches.

For instance, diamond earrings or costume jewelry from well-known designers can fetch you a pretty penny. Just ensure you have authentication or an appraisal so you can ask for a better price. 

With inexpensive accessories like belts, hats, and scarves, focus on selling more items. Show customers fun and interesting ways to wear them, and they, too, can become some of your best resell items. 

14. Tools

People usually buy hand tools and power tools for one project and then decide to sell them. On the other hand, these tools can get expensive, so many would look for previously owned items first.

This is why selling tools is a great way to make extra income. Look for name-brand tools like DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch because buyers want trusted brands.

Power tools like weed whackers, circular saws, and cordless drills sell well. But so do common tools like hammers, saws, socket sets, and screwdrivers.

15. Electronics

Electronics offer multiple avenues of reselling. Smartphones, gaming systems, cameras, and laptops are popular items that are both in demand and readily available.

At the start of your selling venture, stick to brands and models that retain their value, like Apple iPhones, iPads, and Samsung Galaxy phones.

There’s also a market for popular consoles and games from the ‘80s and ‘90s. So, you can make money sourcing and selling them.

16. Kids’ gear

Baby gear, clothing, and toys are expensive, especially for parents trying to stick to a baby budget and keep up with changing needs as their kids grow. That’s why kids’ stuff is one of the best items to resell.

You can also feel good about reselling these items because you’re providing a great service to parents looking for ways to save.

There are ways to earn money selling gently used kids’ stuff. You can focus just on children’s clothes. Or you may choose to focus on the best things to resell, such as good quality toys, gently used strollers, high chairs, and cribs. 

17. Vinyl records

Vinyl records are somewhat of a nostalgia item for some collectors, making vinyl LPs one of the best things you can sell.

In addition, vinyl record sales continue to increase in sales over consecutive years, per VarietyThis means theres strong demand and a strong market for these collectibles.

Expert tip: Determine what items sell best

One great way to make extra cash is by reselling items that you have around the house or that you find at other resale shops. By using online marketplaces as well as local options for reselling, there’s likely a good chance of finding buyers for these popular resale items. 

I like to do my research ahead of time to determine the best items people want to buy in my area. And I keep in mind that I might also have other used products that could fetch a decent resale price.

Use the idea of extra cash as motivation to declutter your home or check out vintage retailers for great resale items. 

5 Ideas for where to find items for resale

If you didn’t automatically think of a pile of stuff you’ve got lying around, you may wonder where to locate these great items to resell. Avoid retail stores and check out these common treasure troves of the best stuff to resell, which could be worth real money to someone else.

1. Your home

First of all, you definitely want to take a look around your home for any potential resale products. Even if you don’t live in a large place, you might be surprised at how much stuff you’ve accumulated over the months and years. 

Do a closet purge, and go through your drawers and storage units to see what you don’t need anymore. Chances are good that you’ll uncover some great items that will draw a higher price. It’ll feel great to clear space in those cluttered areas, and your wallet will thank you, too.

2. Relatives’ homes

Along the same vein, why not consider if your parents, friends, or other family members are holding on to stuff they don’t need?

Now, be sure these relatives are on board with clearing out their things, but they may be thrilled that someone else wants to help them get rid of household items! 

If you get their approval, you could spend a few Saturdays going through spaces in a loved one’s home to find anything worth reselling. Being open to flipping items is also helpful. 

You’ll have to work out an agreement with your relatives about how to divvy up the money—or maybe they’ll say you can keep it all!

3. Antique and vintage stores

Once you’ve exhausted options at home and within your family, it’s time to go antiquing. Antique stores and vintage shops are fantastic places to find items. 

It may require some research on your part unless you’re an antiques expert. You can look up items online or talk to appraisers in your area to find out the potential value of something and the best items to flip

Just be careful not to spend more to purchase vintage items from a retailer than you can reasonably expect to earn through resale. 

4. Flea markets

Similar to an antique store, a flea market is a wonderful resource for stuff to resell.

In most cases, the sellers at flea markets are also reselling, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good deal. If you’re really interested in spending time on this side hustle, you can explore area flea markets regularly to pick up some of the best resell items. 

5. Garage sales

Let’s not forget about the good old garage sale (or yard sale). People holding garage sales are often eager to unload their stuff and may be happy to make a quick 100 bucks for a day’s work if they need $100 dollars fast

I find that weekends are a good time to explore garage sales in nearby neighborhoods, and it just takes time and effort to pick out the types of things I can resell for the biggest profit. I look for items that are good quality, of course.

Where to list items for resale?

Now that you’ve got a few ideas on what to resell for profit explore your options to find the places where you can make the most money.

Different platforms cater to different customers. Check the fees and policies of the platform before you sign up, and make sure it’s right for your inventory.

Here are a few sites to consider.

Social media sites

You can post pictures and descriptions of items you’re selling on social media sites. Instagram and Facebook Marketplace are free to use.

However, you have to keep in contact with buyers and give them directions on how to pay, and some customers will make it a hassle for you. 

Another way to use social media is to drum up interest from potential buyers by posting photos or descriptions of items. But redirect people to your website, where they can browse and purchase your products.

Your own website

You don’t have to be tech-savvy to create a website. You can also get one done from freelancing sites like Fiverr or Upwork.

Building and maintaining a website costs money, but it would also save you from paying commissions and fees.

Keep in mind that drawing traffic (customers) to your website can be challenging if you don’t already have a large following. You’ll probably still need to post on free marketplaces to direct people to your site. 

Amazon

Amazon is a good place to sell everything we have on this list. To sell on Amazon, you have to sign up for a merchant account.

They also charge a fee for every item you sell, depending on your plan. But you can sell on a well-known site with a built-in system.

eBay

Just like Amazon, there’s nothing you can’t sell on eBay. You can list a huge variety of the best resell items, including collectibles, antique items, video games, clothes, shoes, etc.

You’ll need to follow the platform’s guidelines and selling policies, of course. They also charge fees based on the item’s category and selling price.

On eBay, you have to build up a reputation with reviews. You might start with less expensive items first to establish your account.

Etsy

Etsy is another platform that’s been around for a while. If you want to sell on Etsy, you’re restricted to only items that are handmade, vintage, or qualify as a craft supply

Poshmark

Poshmark is another marketplace you might consider. It’s a great place to sell accessories, home goods, designer clothes, and shoes.

Poshmark also takes commissions, so take that into account when setting prices. For sales under $15, they charge a flat fee of $2.95. And for items that sell over $15, they take a 20% commission.

OfferUp

OfferUp is an app that lets you purchase and sell items locally. Once you download the app, you upload photos and create descriptions for the items you want to sell.

Listing on OfferUp is free, and you can arrange payment and delivery with your buyer.

However, if you choose to accept payment and ship items through the app, you’ll be charged a service fee. (It’s either $1.99 or 12.9% of the final price without shipping costs, whichever is larger.)

Vestiare Collective

Vestiare Collective is an online luxury consignment with one of the most meticulous authentication processes, so you know you’re getting the real deal. It could be a great place to source vintage clothing pieces and designer brands for your reselling venture.

Similarly, they accept designer bags, watches, jewelry, and clothing in case you need to offload pieces you can’t sell.

Craigslist

Try Craigslist when you want to list items that are good quality but cheaper than retail price. There are items under a wide range of categories, including sporting goods, books, CDs, jewelry, furniture, electronics, and so much more. Craigslist is just one of many online marketplaces where you can set up a resale business. 

What is a good resell item?

There are quite a few good resale items to choose from, as seen above. Think about items that are likely to still be in great condition even after use.

Kids’ gear may be a good option, as well as exercise equipment that often goes unused by the original owner. And, of course, if you have collectibles that are in demand at the moment, those may be some of the best things you can sell.

What is the best item to flip?

One of the best items to flip is anything in the furniture category, especially good-quality wood furniture.

It isn’t a skill we all have, but if you’ve got space to store and refinish wooden dining sets, for example, you could make a good resale by doing the work of making it look like new. Try flipping furniture to get the best return on your investment potentially. 

What is a good resell profit?

A good resell profit really depends on what you need to earn. In general, figure out not only how much money you’ll spend acquiring items to resell but also how much time and energy it’ll take between flipping items and finding places to sell them. According to Rayobyte.com, resellers like to aim for a 50% profit margin.

For example, an item you pay $20 for, you’d want to resell for at least $30 (that’s only if you didn’t spend any money to repair or refurbish it). You don’t have to stick to that amount, but make sure you’re pricing things high enough to make it worth your while to resell it. 

If you enjoyed this article on the best items to resell for cash, check out this related content:

Start reselling to make extra cash!

Finding the best items to resell is truly a great way to make extra cash. There are multiple ways to get started, like decluttering your home and selling your own unwanted stuff.

The start-up costs are minimal. Also, you can begin making money right away with a few listings on social media sites and apps.

However, it’s not one of the businesses that run themselves for passive income. 

Start today and use your extra income to pay off debts, or take a lovely vacation. Check out our completely free courses on investing and learn how to make your money work for you.

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How To Sell Printables On Etsy In 5 Steps https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-sell-printables-on-etsy/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-sell-printables-on-etsy/#respond Fri, 13 Oct 2023 11:06:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=59142 […]

The post How To Sell Printables On Etsy In 5 Steps appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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Looking for a way to make extra cash? Well, finding out how to sell printables on Etsy is a solid move. Not only is this a great side hustle, but it allows you the opportunity to be creative, too. Keep reading to learn more about this income idea!

How to sell printables on Etsy

If you’re wondering how to get started, you’ve come to the right place. From the initial idea and design to setting up your Etsy shop, this guide has everything you need to know. 

What are printables, anyway?

This is the name given to digital products that you can sell online. You design, create, and upload these materials to your online store. 

There’s a whole range of printables you may choose to sell.

For example, calendars, artwork, organizers, workbooks, coloring books, gift tags, wedding budget breakdown printables or invitations, greeting cards, photography, graphics, and other types of stationery. 

When a customer buys your printables on Etsy, they can download the materials in various formats and print them at home. Some sellers use a print-on-demand (POD) service, allowing the buyer to purchase the material and have it printed by a third party.

Can you make an income selling printables on Etsy?

The short answer is yes. There is money to be made by selling printables on Etsy and you can make a good side income.

In fact, the latest statistics show that the demand for Etsy printables has soared over the years, according to Influencer MarketingHub

Of course, the potential earnings from selling printables on Etsy vary widely. Success depends on factors like product quality, marketing efforts, and niche selection. 

Despite this fact, you should know that it’s possible to make a substantial income, and there are success stories out there!

To maximize your income, continually improve your designs, expand your product range, and invest in marketing. Participating in Etsy’s promoted listings can also boost visibility.

5 Simple steps to selling printables on Etsy

Selling printables on Etsy is a savvy way to get started if you’re wondering, “What can I sell to make money from home?”.

Of course, if you’re new to this process, you may not know where to begin. We’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at five simple steps that you can follow to get set up. 

Step 1: Identify your product

First up, you need to decide what type of printable product you want to sell. You should work to both your design strength and the current demand in the market.

With that in mind, here are some ideas that you might want to consider for your Etsy printables: 

Ideas for Etsy printables
Image from Etsy.com
  • Organizers
  • Calendars
  • Checklists 
  • Coloring pages
  • Lyrical quotes 
  • Wedding invitations 
  • Seat placements 
  • Artwork 
  • Bridal shower games 
  • Guest lists 
  • Gift cards and tags 
  • Posters 
  • Scavenger hunts 
  • Flashcards 
  • Photo booth props 
  • Food prep sheets 
  • Self-care materials 
  • Budget planners 

It’s important not to try to do everything at once. So, if you want your Etsy store to be a success, you will need a niche.

For example, you may choose to specialize in bridal shower materials. You could make invitations, party games, and props for photos. 

By choosing a niche, you give yourself a good shot at getting known for certain products. You can build your brand around your offering so that customers know what to expect. 

Step 2: Create your printables

If you love design, it’s one of the hobbies that make money. You will need some design flair to learn how to make printables to sell on Etsy.

To get started, you will need to choose your software. You can use Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Affinity, or any other design program to make printables.

And if you’re new to the realms of design, it’s worth getting up to speed on how to use them. You could take a design course or find tutorials and guides on the software’s respective websites below: 

Take the time to perfect your craft. When you are happy with your designs, make sure you download them in high quality. You will need to offer a range of formats for your Etsy store.

Step 3: Establish your Etsy shop

Next up, you’re going to need to open an Etsy store. If you already have one, you can skip this step. Follow the simple steps below to get started here: 

Sign up for an Etsy account

The first step in this process is easy. Visit the Etsy homepage and click on “Sell on Etsy”.

Choose a name for your store

After signing in, click “Open Your Etsy Shop” to begin the setup process. You’ll need to choose a shop name and personalize your shop’s appearance, banner, and policies to make it unique.

You will also need to add a logo for your store. This could be vital when attracting customers. 

Check your local regulations for any business licenses or permits you may need. SBA.gov can give you more information, and this article from NerdWallet offers a list of how to get a business license in each state. If you need more information, Etsy provides a helpful guide on legal policies and requirements.

Depending on your state, you may need to pay sales tax on the income that you make from Etsy. That can be a complex system. Be sure to read up on tax information before getting started with your shop.

Set up your payments

Before you get started with how to sell printables on Etsy, you need to make sure that you can get paid. You should link your Etsy store to a bank account for payments and configure your shipping options. You can do this during the set-up pages. 

To enter your payment information, you should first choose the country where your bank is located. This will determine what currency you get paid in. Select whether you are an “individual” seller or a “business” next. 

You will then need to fill out some personal details: your name, address, and other information. When you have done all of the above, you can connect your bank to Etsy using PLAID

Since you are dealing with downloadable products, you don’t need to worry too much about the shipping details. However, you may still need to fill out the details. 

For that reason, you should select “Calculate them for me” when choosing the postage prices. Enter your country of origin and zip code, and then for processing time, you can select “1 day”.  You also need to select a preferred delivery service before you can continue.

Step 4: List your printables

When you have set up your store, it’s time to get rolling with how to sell printables on Etsy. There’s an art to getting this part of the process right. Here’s what you need to do:

Add your printables to your store

After you’ve learned how to make printables to sell on Etsy, you should add your printables as listings. Make sure to provide clear, enticing titles and thorough descriptions so your buyers know exactly what to expect.

Perfect the promotional pictures 

A picture is worth a thousand words. This is the first thing that buyers will see, and so you need to make it count. Follow Etsy’s guidelines when choosing the right size.

Make sure that the pictures you use are bright and colorful. Your designs are your products, and so they need to capture the buyer’s attention. 

If you want to, you can create “mockups” of how the printables will be used.

For example, if the printable product is a picture, you can show it in a frame hanging on the wall. 

Get the pricing right 

Pricing your Etsy printables well is a must.

For instance, look at what other sellers are charging for similar digital products and go for an average price point.

When choosing a price, take into consideration the Etsy fees. The platform charges $0.20 USD per listing and also a transaction fee of 6.5% of the selling price, and other fees may also apply.

Offer high-quality printables

High-resolution images are crucial for achieving crisp and clear prints. So aim for a minimum resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch) to ensure that your printables look sharp and professional. 

Additionally, save your design files in suitable formats like PNG or PDF. These formats preserve image quality and ensure that your printables maintain their visual integrity when customers print them.

Include printing instructions

In your product descriptions, go beyond just showcasing your digital products. Provide customers with clear and specific printing instructions. 

Recommend the appropriate paper type, size, and weight for optimal results. These instructions help customers achieve the best possible print outcomes.

Give buyers multiple file formats

Cater to a broad customer base by offering your digital products in various file formats. Common formats include PDF, JPEG, and PNG. Clearly state the available formats in your product listings so that customers can choose the one that suits their needs. 

Display sample prints too 

Enhance your product listings by including images or mockups that showcase your digital products when they are printed. Showcasing sample prints demonstrates the quality of your designs and assures potential buyers that your printables will look impressive.

Step 5: Advertise your printables

By this point, you should have your store and printables ready to go and know how to sell printables on Etsy. So, how can you make some sales? The answer is promotion, promotion, and more promotion.

Use social media to share your designs

Social media could help you sell your printables. You can make short, snappy videos sharing a sneak peek of your designs. This type of content works well on Instagram Reels and TikTok. 

Advertise via the Etsy platform

Don’t forget to utilize Etsy’s advertising tools. The platform offers both on-site and off-site advertisements. These ads can cost around 0.20 USD to 0.50 USD per click.

Expert tip: Offer seasonal promotions on your Etsy printables

When we talk about how to sell printables on Etsy, promotion is key. Consider offering seasonal discounts, flash sales, and more to entice buyers.

For example, you might do a Christmas expense planner deal for people doing Christmas on a budget or a spooky Halloween offer. The promotions that you run should align with your audience.

So if you choose to open a bridal store, selling wedding-related stationery, that should guide the deals you offer. In the lead up to wedding season, you could offer a sale for your customers. 
You may find that this is a case of trial and error.

When you first set up your Etsy store, try out a few different promotions. You will quickly see which ones hook customers’ attention.

Is it worth selling printables on Etsy?

Yes it is definitely worth selling printables on Etsy. The stats show that the demand for printables is rising. That means that now is a good time to jump aboard and make some money.

However, you will need to have a knowledge of design and a creative flair to get started with unique side hustles like this.

How much money can you make selling printables on Etsy?

How much you make selling printables on Etsy depends on a range of factors. To make money, price your printables in line with the averages and ensure that you have easy download instructions. 

Every Etsy shop is different, so there is no exact number for how much you will earn with your store.

However, according to Smart Money Mamas, the median amount for a shop is approximately $300 a month, making this a possible side hustle but not a full-time job. But there are also shops that make a lot more than this, as well as less, so much of it will depend on your particular shop and ideas.

What is the best way to sell printables?

Using Etsy is one of the best ways to sell printables. You can create your own designs on your chosen platform and then upload them to the online selling website.

As part of how to sell printables on Etsy, you should first create unique designs. Make sure that they are available in a variety of formats so that buyers can download them. You can then list these digital products on the Etsy marketplace and sell them as downloadable content. 

How much does it cost to sell PDFs on Etsy?

Etsy charges 0.20 USD per listing and then a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale. 

However, the costs don’t end there. If you are paying for design software, this is an additional fee that you will have to cover before you make a sale. Your time is also valuable. Take into consideration how long it takes you to complete each design. 

When you are deciding how much to sell your PDFs for, you should look at all of the above costs. That way, you can make sure that you are making a healthy profit and not wasting your time on this side hustle. 

If you liked reading about selling printables, check out these ideas next!

Discovering how to sell printables on Etsy can help you earn money!

Selling printables on Etsy is a smart thing to add to your list of high-income skills. Especially if you have a flair for design and some smart ideas for how to make printables to sell on Etsy. Since you don’t have to physically post these products, you could make a nice passive income this way.

Whether you decide to sell organizers and calendars or even create your own artwork, there are plenty of opportunities to seize. Starting a side hustle like this can help you find financial success and more freedom with your time and money.

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How To Make Money As A Teenager: 39 Lucrative Ways https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-make-money-as-a-teenager/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-make-money-as-a-teenager/#respond Mon, 25 Sep 2023 17:41:42 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=58901 […]

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Are you keen to hear ideas for how to make money as a teenager? You’ve come to the right place! 

You have things to pay for, such as clothes, entertainment, going out with your friends, and let’s not forget gas or transportation.

That said, making money at your age can seem like an uphill battle. Luckily, there are ways to make money other than gift cards and cash from birthdays and holidays. So keep reading!

As life gets more expensive, you are probably looking for ways to fund these expenses (Hello, 18th birthday party!). And perhaps savings for the big goals you have for yourself as a teenager.

Why you should make money as a teenager

Although you may not need to bring in a paycheck, it is still a good idea. Even if you spend most of your money on fun experiences or cute clothes, there is an opportunity to save.

To grow your savings

When you make an effort to keep part of your paychecks, it will add up over time. It may seem like a small amount of money is not worth saving; however, every little bit counts. The years will allow compounding interest to grow your money to new heights.

To build long term wealth

Additionally you can turn your earnings as a teenager into the beginning of your retirement nest egg or even fund your college expenses in a few years!

By starting your savings early, you could have millions of dollars by the time you get to retirement age just from saving small amounts. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Remember that budgeting as a teenager is an essential aspect of planning your savings too!

How to make money as a teenager: 39 Ideas

Now with “why it matters” out of the way, it’s time to answer the question, “how to make money as a teenager without a job?”.

Take a few minutes to check out this list of ideas. And then choose something that interests you and get started today.

Remember that as you make money, it’s essential to increase your financial literacy as a teenager too!

1. Start a blog

Curious about how to make money as a teenager without a job? One fun way is starting a blog, especially if you enjoy writing and creating content. You can blog about any topic that interests you.

Blogging is not an easy way to earn an income, but it can be enjoyable. It’s a popular work-from-home job that can eventually make money online.

It may take several months before your blog posts earn money, but it can be a lucrative income once you get the ball rolling. Affiliate marketing and running ads from Google Adsense are great ways to generate revenue through your blog.

Research what you need to get started, utilize resources that teach you how to build a blog. Next, pick out domain names as options for your blog. Choose and buy the one that represents your blog the most. 

In addition, be familiar with online platforms for marketing purposes. And be prepared to create regular content for a growing audience.  

2. Tutor younger kids

If you have excelled in a particular subject or have expertise in a particular area, it is time to put those book smarts to the test.

Many parents search high and low for a tutor to help their kids excel. To start, check with parents in the area if they need a tutor for their children. You can also market yourself to the neighborhood.

In addition, you can advertise posters around town to generate broader interest. As you start hearing from potential clients, talk to your parents before meeting up.

You can offer in-person tutoring, but online tutoring may also be an option. See what works best for your schedule and the families you are tutoring for.

3. Work at a restaurant part-time

If you’re wondering how to make money as a teenager, fast food establishments and sit-down restaurants always need extra help. For example, many are looking for teenagers to take over the cash register or hostess table.

Other potential openings include cook, busboy, waitress, and more.

Depending on the setup, you could make minimum wage or have the opportunity to earn tips. Either way, you will build your resume while taking home a paycheck.

Plus, most restaurants have a free or discounted food policy for employees.

4. Provide lawn mowing and landscaping services

Landscaping is an excellent idea regarding how to make money as a teenager!

Many people are too busy or don’t want to care for their lawns. It is a labor-intensive job that you can turn into a booming business.

Lawn mowing is a straightforward service to provide in your spare time for extra cash. However, you could also plant garden beds, weed flower gardens, rake leaves, clean up after their dog, or water any landscaping in their yard. Be creative based on the lawns in your local area.

Lawn work is great if you want to know how to make money as a teenager, as it allows you to start working and earning money quickly.

5. Provide snow services as one of your side gigs

Snow removal services can be a great way to make extra money if you live in a cold area. People typically avoid cleaning the snow out of their driveway at any cost.

You can take advantage of that need and offer to shovel driveways, sidewalks, etc. Some might even want you to shovel snow from their parking space at work.

Set up a regular rotation of clients so that you always have enough snow to shovel.

6. Offer babysitting services (A simple way to make money as a teenager)

Babysitting can be easy to break into. An excellent place to start your babysitting activities is through family and friends. If you do a good job, they can spread the word around the community.

You might be surprised how much you can earn as a reliable babysitter. A typical rate is at least $10/hour plus an extra $3 for each additional child.

Plus, most parents provide a meal to the babysitter.

7. Become a parent helper

Another opportunity similar to babysitting is a parent helper, one of the best ideas when wondering how to make money as a teenager without a job.

The parent would be home while you help out around the house. Work might include anything from entertaining the kids to folding laundry. It can be an excellent first step if you aren’t quite ready to watch a houseful of kids alone.

Some great places to start include care.com and sittercity.com.

8. Start a photography or video editing business

If you’re terrific at photography or video editing, you’ve found your answer for how to make money as a teenager online.

You can offer to take pictures of an event or edit photos taken by the client. Get started by learning about photography through YouTube videos and reading about photography.

Video editing would be very similar. Online education is a good way to brush up on your skillset so you earn an income.

9. Become a DJ

Although buying the equipment may require some start-up capital, becoming a DJ is pretty straightforward.

Birthday, graduation, and sweet 16 parties need a DJ to set the mood, but professional DJs can be quite expensive. That’s where you come in. 

Suppose you can keep a party flowing smoothly, you’ll be the one giving advise on how to make money as a teenager. Get the word out through flyers and friends to start your new gig.

10. Teach music

If you’re a music lover but being a DJ isn’t your thing, you can teach music.

Whether you play the drums, piano, or trombone, if you have a few years of musical experience, you can teach other teens and children to play.

You can conduct lessons at your house or offer to travel to your student’s homes.

11. Coach little league sports

Coaching little league sports can be a fun way to earn extra money.

Many leagues require experienced players to coach the next generation. You will earn some cash and become a role model to an entire team of little leaguers.

You might have more fun than you think. Plus, the schedule is usually flexible.

12. Work as a golf caddy

Do you live near a golf course or know people who golf? You can become a golf caddy.

Your primary responsibility would be toting around someone else’s bag and retrieving lost golf balls. And in between these simple tasks, you can learn more about the game and make money from tips.

It can also be a fun way to network with community members. Start by looking up golf clubs in your neighborhood and reach out about applying for a job.

13. Work as a grocery store cashier

As a  grocery store cashier, you’d learn how to deal with people and money while earning an income. You’ll fit right in if don’t mind scanning coupons and small talk.

It’s a great way to meet new people and has fun conversations while you help check people out. To apply, go chat up your local store and see if they’re looking for help. 

14. Become a clothing store sales associate

Do you like fashion and organizing your closet by color or season? If so clothing store sale associate could be an excellent position for you.

This job entails helping customers find what they need and answering questions. You will also be responsible for keeping the store organized and clean.

Start by looking for open position at your favorite store. It would be great because you already know and like their products. Plus, you could get discounts on things you’d like to buy.

15. Be an attendant at a movie theater

Working at a movie theater or cinema involves collecting and selling movie tickets. You can also work the concession stand and serve popcorns, hotdogs, and such. 

It can also involve showing people to their seats and making sure no one is disrupting the movie. 

16. Work as a bowling alley attendant

A bowling alley attendant is a position that focuses heavily on cleaning and working large cleaning equipment.

In this position, you’ll be required to sweep, mop, take out the trash, and perform other related activities. You may also be required to do some customer service like help with bowling shoe rentals.

17. Work at the gym

If you already spend most of your time at the gym, then you might as well work there. Most gyms will allow you to work out for free as an employee.

Not only can you save on your gym membership as one of the rewards, but you also take home a paycheck.

Don’t limit yourself to traditional gyms. Also, check out other sports centers.

In high school, I worked at the tennis center, where I had played for years. It was a fun job with people I already knew and enjoyed spending time with.

Most jobs in these centers are relatively laid back, so it can be a soft entrance into the demands of the working world.

18. Offer pet-sitting services as a fun way to make money as a teenager

Many people need pet-sitting services for a variety of reasons. Whether they need someone to watch their dog while they are out of town or feed their fish while on holiday, pet sitting can be exciting work.

It’s also short-term, so you don’t have to commit to a tremendous job that will take much time.

It’s one of the best ideas for how to make money as a teenager. You can work, even if you can’t drive yet, by pet-sitting in your neighborhood.

Pet sitting is the way to go if you want to meet new furry friends and get paid for your love of animals. You can find clients by asking your neighbors, through word of mouth, local vet clinics, or on sites like rover.com.

19. Become a house sitter

Like pet sitting, people need someone to watch their house when leaving town. Responsibilities can include picking up the mail and watering plants.

Some clients prefer you stay in their homes while they are out of town. Others want you to stop by every couple of days.

The best place to start this business is through family and friends. You can spread the word through flyers and referrals as you get more comfortable and receive good feedback.

20. Clean out garages

Many people need your services if you have a knack for organizing. With overflowing garages across America, you can help clean out their junk in exchange for cash.

So decide on a flat fee for your service. You can charge based on the garage’s square footage or the number of boxes you will need to go through.

Depending on the amount of stuff, this can be a time-consuming job. However, you can schedule a time that’s most convenient for you.

21. Wash cars in your neighborhood

Cars can be a significant investment. Many people are too busy to clean their cars. Washing cars is a good way to earn money fast.

Car washing is one of the best ideas for how to make money as a teenager. Plus, you can charge more if you go directly to the customer.

If you have a water spigot, you should be able to take your services anywhere. Make sure to bring soap, rags, and any other cleaning products with you!

22. Become a summer camp counselor

A camp counselor is a good option if you only have time to work in the summers. Scout your local libraries and community leagues for open positions.

You’ll need to work with a wide range of kids all summer. Being crafty, patient, and outdoorsy can help you excel at this job.

23. Become a lifeguard

Becoming a lifeguard will require specialized training. You’ll need to get certified, but it can be a lucrative income for a teenager.

Most lifeguards are paid above minimum wage because they carry a lot of responsibility. Yet it’s a great way to earn extra money over the summer. 

Inquire for opportunities at rec centers or YMCAs near you. 

24. Get a job at a theme park

Theme parks can be a lot of fun, even as an employee.

Although it will be work, many theme parks offer extra things for their employees, such as free tickets.

So it’s a great way to make money as a teenager, and there are many roles you can take on. Some popular positions include ticketing, custodial, and entertainment.

24. Teach kids how to code

Coding is a valuable skill. You may have learned the basics in your computer science class. However, it’s helpful to know a little more. There are many online classes you can take to improve your skills.

Once you’re good at coding, you can earn significant money teaching younger kids to code.

Many parents are willing to pay top dollar for their children to learn this skill.

26. Sell food at the farmers’ market

Are you a fantastic baker? Consider setting up a stand at the farmers’ market. You can perfect your craft and learn how to make money as a teenager while sharing your baking skills with the community.

Plus, you’ll be more in charge of your earnings. Instead of a regular income, you’ll learn how to run a business centered around your baking skills.

27. Flip items (A savvy way for how to make money as a teenager without a job)

Flipping items is very lucrative. All it entails is finding items to sell, fixing them up, and then selling them for profit.

You can start by asking your parents if they would like to get rid of household items that you can sell for profit

Then take that extra cash and buy more items to flip for more money. Amazon and garage sales are great places to look for items. Things such as electronics, books, game systems, and DVDs are easy to start with.

You can work on this on your schedule and sell the items on Facebook Marketplace or eBay.

28. Make stuff and sell it on Etsy

If you are creative and enjoy crafting, there are a ton of money-making crafts you can sell! For instance, printables, bath and body products, jewelry, and more.

You can have fun and make money, which is why it’s highly recommended when wondering how to make money as a teenager online.

29. Create vlogs (A creative way for how to make money as a teenager online)

If you’re not camera-shy, vlogging is a great way to make money as a teenager! You can set up a vlog on any social media platforms like YouTube and get paid to make videos.

Are you great at applying makeup? You can create video tutorials and teach others how to get those beautiful looks you rock every day. You can also teach people to do things like play soccer or guitar.

There are a million opportunities for vlogging, so get started earning from your talents and market them on your social media account.

30. Sell clothes on Poshmark

Selling clothes on Poshmark is how to make money as a teenager without a job! Is your closet overflowing with clothes you never wear? Then sell them for quick cash.

You can even start selling clothes as a side hustle to earn money every month. Find items to sell online or thrift them from garage sales. You can also ask your friends and family if they have clothes they want to get rid of.

Other online marketplaces for selling clothes online include Facebook Marketplace and Depop.

31. Become a social media manager for businesses

If you love social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok and know how to use these platforms well, why not get paid for your skills?

Many small businesses need help creating content and managing their social media accounts. Thus, social media management is a great way to make money as a teenager doing something you enjoy! 

Reach out to local businesses to see if they need help with their social media accounts. Additionally, you can find freelancer opportunities from sites such as Fiverr.

Start a YouTube channel and earn an income by being creative and having fun.

This strategy is something that will take time and won’t make you rich overnight. However, if you stay consistent with it, you can start earning money over time.

It’s important to note that you must be 18 or older or have someone 18 or older who can manage your payments.

Make money with ad revenues

You can earn money from ads that appear throughout your videos.

Channel memberships

You can also earn money through channel memberships, where subscribers pay a monthly fee for exclusive content.

Some YouTube channel ideas for teens include reviewing movies and video games, creating a channel around your favorite hobbies, or simply sharing fun and interesting facts.

Looking for more excellent ideas for how to make money as a teenager without a job? You could get paid to be a content creator.

Many content creators of all ages are making money through brand sponsorships, which is when brands pay you to promote their products on your channel. 

There is also the affiliate marketing option, where you promote a product with a discount code and get a percentage of the purchase made.

Although content creation looks fun and easy, remember that it requires planning and preparation. However, it’s a great way to earn some extra cash when done well.

34. Graphic design services

Graphic design is work that expands from making websites to creating social media posts. It’s one of the best ideas for how to make money as a teenager online because it pays well. 

There are an array of online courses you can take in graphic design. However, you can gain practice by working with Canva.

Canva is a great design tool where you can access most tools for free. You design social media posts, logos, flyers, presentations, and so much more on their website.

Once you figure out which digital product you’re comfortable designing, you can create a portfolio for potential clients. 

To start, ask friends and family if they know anyone who needs your services. There are many opportunities available on sites like Upwork or Fiverr as well. 

Make sure to read the rules before creating your profile because some platforms are only open to freelancers who are 18 years old and over.

35. Dog walking

If you’re not ready to deal with people in your work, you can try dog walking. Many people are too busy to take their canine friends for morning or evening strolls. That’s where you come in.

You can easily do this job early mornings before school and evenings after school. 

Chatting up your neighbors with pets is a good way to get started. You can also create a profile in apps like TaskRabbit or Rover to find clients.

36. Play video games (A real way for how to make money as a teenager online!)

Isn’t it amazing that you could get paid doing something you like? Playing video games is an amazing idea for how to make money as a teenager without a job! 

Sites like Scrambly are looking for teenagers to test out video games in exchange for cash. You don’t have to commit a minimum amount of time. But of course, the more you do, the more you can earn.

Are you personable and good at playing video games? You can also make money by live streaming how you play on Twitch. The platform is open to anyone who are at least 13 year old.

Just like starting a blog or a YouTube channel, you’ll have to build your audience. When you do, you can earn money through donations, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and ads. 

37. Do data entry

With fast typing abilities and an internet service, you can get data entry jobs. Most of the jobs offer flexible hours. That’s why it’s one of the best ideas for how to make money as a teenager online.

You might need to have Microsoft Word and Excel, Quickbooks, or Google Docs to do the jobs. But the companies typically provide them if they’re not free to download. 

You can find data entry jobs from freelancer sites or crowdsourcing platform like Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Whenever you’re agreeing to online jobs, read the fine print and beware of scams. 

Additionally, there are companies like DataPlus+ looking to hire employees. 

38. Offer virtual assistance

Being a virtual assistant entails replying to emails, scheduling meetings, data entry, updating social media accounts, etc. Your clients could be busy business owners, freelancers, or even influencers. 

You take care of the administrative tasks so they can focus on what they do best. Virtual assistance is a great idea for how to make money as a teenager online. Plus, you’ll be learning and earning at the same time. 

Look up business owners or influencers around your area and offer your services. Meanwhile, you can find clients online on freelancers sites. 

39. Do more chores

If, for some reason, the above jobs don’t work out, you can always resort to doing more chores at home. Ask your parents about chores they were going to pay someone for and offer to do it yourself. 

It could be cleaning the inside and outside of the car, cleaning the gutters, or yardwork. You could also help out and do things around the house that your parents don’t have time for like organizing the garage or cleaning the refrigerator. 

Your parents will most likely be happy to pay you for doing some much-needed work!

Expert tip: Prioritize school, know your rights and avoid scams

Your willingness and want to earn income as a teenager is commendable. But be sure you prioritize school. Set ground rules for yourself so you have time to study, work, and play.

Also, before you join the workforce, learn about your rights. Check out the U.S. Department of Labor website

Furthermore, watch out for scams whenever you’re looking or taking jobs online. Read the rules before you join any type of platform to ensure you meet the requirements. 

How can a 16 year old make money fast?

As a 16 year old, you can make money fast by selling any items you don’t want or use anymore. Post your listing on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram. If you have a product that’s in demand, it can be snatched up within the day.

Knocking on your neighbors’ doors and offering babysitting, car washing, or any type of services can make you some fast money too.

You can also offer the same services on sites like Fiverr, TaskRabbit, or Rover.

How can I make $100 at 13?

At 13 years old, you may not be eligible to work at grocery stores and other establishments yet. But you can make a hundred dollars through other jobs such as babysitting, dog walking, and other applicable ways we mentioned in this list. Selling clothes and items you don’t need anymore is another way that you can make a fast $100. 

How can I make money at 16 with no money?

You can earn income at 16 without spending any money through odd jobs. Go around your neighborhood and offer to babysit, tutor kids, walk dogs, or do yard work. You can also put up flyers to advertise your services.  

On the other hand, you can apply for jobs at grocery stores, restaurants, gyms, or clothing shops. As long as you can get to work, you won’t need any money to get started. 

Ideally, find a work place that’s easy for you to bike, walk, or take public transportation if you don’t have a car.

How to prepare for a job as a teen

So you love the idea of earning your own money. In that case, you want to ensure you’re prepared before applying for different positions. Doing so will increase your chances of getting the job. Pay close attention to these preparation tips.

Improve your time management skills

Getting a part-time job means you will be balancing school and work. To do so successfully, you’ll need to know how to manage your time. You can improve upon this skill in several ways.

First, see how much available time you have. Consider things such as how long it takes you to do homework and study.

Next, you can get an agenda or a calendar and map out days and times you could realistically dedicate to a job.

Lastly, consider the hours you may be wasting time. You may need to cut back on your video game playing or spend fewer hours scrolling on social media.

Prepare a resume

A resume is your ticket to getting a job now and in the future. Yet, you may wonder how to make money as a teenager without a job experience to put on a resume.

Many free templates online that you can follow will show you how to include information such as your education and previous experience. You can also add the clubs or sports you’ve participated in, academic achievements, and references.

You want to include any experience that shows you have skills such as teamwork, attention to detail, ability to follow instructions, and hardworking.

A cover letter

Writing a cover letter can increase your chances of getting a job. It’s a one-page letter explaining why you are a great candidate for the job.

In your cover letter, you can share important moments, such as how your leadership skills helped you lead your softball team to victory. Or explain a volunteer project you worked on.

Remember gaining practice and experience with writing a cover letter and a resume will better prepare you for the job market in the future.

Interview practice

With a stand-out cover letter and resume, you’ll most likely get called in for an interview. However, you don’t want to meet with a future employer without some interview practice.

Try asking a close friend, parent, or family member to practice doing a mock interview with you. With a mock interview, you can practice answering typical questions you might be asked during the interview.

Open a bank account

When you get your first paycheck, it might be tempting to cash it and spend. However, a smarter notion would be to put it in your bank account.

Having a bank account helps you to have a secure place for your money. By saving money in a financial institution, you don’t have to worry about younger siblings stealing from your cashbox under your bed.

A bank account will also make it easier for an employer to pay you, as many businesses directly deposit paychecks into their employee’s bank accounts.

What to do with the money you make as a teenager

So, now you know how to make money as a teenager! However, it is essential not to spend it all in one place. Yes, spending some of it on fun things while you enjoy high school is okay.

But a small amount of savings can go a long way. Your future self will thank you if you try to save a piece of every paycheck.

Save up money to pay for college

Student loans are an option to pay for college. However, student loans can negatively affect your financial future. It can take decades to pay off those loans.

Instead, save your earnings to at least partially fund your college education. If you can avoid student loans altogether, that is amazing. Even if you can only reduce your total student loans, it is still worthwhile.

Buy a car in cash

A car payment can be a big commitment, especially in your teens. You aren’t sure where life will take you, but a car payment will only hold you back. Consider saving up to purchase a car entirely in cash.

Shop around for cars to ensure you get a solid dealYou don’t need the latest model, just four wheels and a reliable engine. Once you find the perfect car, research ways to reduce your other expenses, such as insurance and repairs.

Create an emergency fund

Part of learning how to make money as a teenager is understanding how to keep some of that money. An emergency fund can get you through difficult times and make some extra space in your bank account for unexpected things.

Unfortunately, we never know when these hard times will come. The reality is that they will come at some point. Build your emergency fund now, so you always have something to fall back on if times get hard.

Invest for the long term

If you start investing in your teens, your money has decades to grow. You can increase your investment portfolio to millionaire status sooner than you think. In fact, this is the best time in your life to begin investing!

If you need help figuring out where to start investing, many free online investing courses can help prepare you. You can even start investing with little money!

If you enjoyed this article on how to make money as a teenager, check out this related content:

Leverage these tips on how to make money as a teenager!

If you follow the above list, you’ll no longer wonder how to make money as a teenager. You’ll know precisely how.

Remember to start with one thing you most enjoy doing. As time goes on, you can take on more responsibilities and earn more money.

It’s a great idea to start earning money at a young age. When you take home your first paycheck, you’ll likely have a big smile. You’ll enjoy greater financial stability later in life by starting early to build a solid foundation for yourself!

The post How To Make Money As A Teenager: 39 Lucrative Ways appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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15 Ideas For What To Sell On Etsy https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/what-to-sell-on-etsy/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/what-to-sell-on-etsy/#respond Fri, 08 Sep 2023 19:18:34 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=57703 […]

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Are you a creative person who wants to start a side hustle or even a full-time business? Are you looking for ideas about what to sell on Etsy? Keep reading to discover popular products that sell and start making extra money!

What to sell on etsy

How to be successful selling on Etsy

When considering how to make money on Etsy, whether you’re selling online or in a brick-and-mortar storefront, a good rule of thumb is to give customers what they want. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Hence, reading this article is a good first step, to see what products are already popular.

You can make money on Etsy as one of the easy side hustles selling products you’ve designed and handcrafted or reselling vintage items and craft supplies. On the account that, those are the only items that you’re allowed to sell on the platform. 

Below are some tips to help you succeed in your venture!

Read the rules on what to sell on Etsy

Make sure you read and understand the rules and regulations of the Etsy platform. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your shop and products follow the rules.

For instance, you can’t resell handmade items. If you list an item as handmade, you should have a hand in designing or creating it.

Another example is that vintage items must be at least 20 years old. 

Choose the right products

One of the biggest hurdles of starting an Etsy business is deciding what products to sell. Start with market research – what are customers buying? Can you improve on it?

Keep in mind that providing excellent customer service counts as an improvement too. Also, remember that your first product may not be a hit. Unfortunately, you may have to undergo trial and error before landing on a product that appeals to your market. 

Make your product photos stand out

Etsy wants you to use your own photos when listing items. You can’t use commercial or stock images. This is to ensure that the condition and quality of the items are accurate.

That said, you also shouldn’t post your products with poor quality photos.

According to Etsy’s customer research, customers decide whether to buy an item based on the pictures.

So, learn to take great product photos and make your listings stand out. There are plenty of tutorials on how to take pictures of products on the internet if you need some tips and tricks. 

Provide excellent customer service

Who doesn’t appreciate great customer service? Because you may have the same products, but if you communicate promptly and take care of your customers, they’ll stick with you.

What to sell on Etsy: 15 Great Ideas

Etsy is a global marketplace where many shop owners have found success. The website had 92 million active buyers in 2022, according to Statista. There’s no doubt that it’s a good platform to sell your own products. 

So, here are popular items that are consistently a hit with buyers. 

1. Craft supplies and tools

The craft supplies and tools category on Etsy lists a wide variety of products. The most popular items are beads, ribbons, yarns, and the like. 

As a seller, you have a huge built-in market because your customers are other Etsy sellers. On top of that, the products appeal to everyone who likes to make crafts as a hobby. 

The best part is you don’t have to create money making crafts or products. So you can get started right away.

For more inspiration on what to sell on Etsy and how to set up a shop, check out Beadboat1 and PeggySueAlso. Both shops sell craft supplies with tons of sales and rave reviews. 

2. Craft kits

Additionally, craft kits for kids and hobbyists sell well on Etsy. It would involve more work though because you have to put the kit together. 

But you can start with small kits that are easy to make, pack, and ship. InkandTrinketKids has really cute examples of craft kits in their shop. 

3. Printables

You can also make money on Etsy selling printables, which are downloadable designs that customers can buy and print at home. The category includes gift tags, greeting cards, coloring pages, and artwork. 

Many printables are sold as is. But many others, like invitations and business cards, are editable to allow the customers to personalize them. 

And that’s the reason why selling printables is lucrative on Etsy. It’s more economical for customers to buy a design, personalize it, and print it on their own than buy a ready-made product. 

Plus, sellers don’t have to worry about product storage and shipping.

For some examples of how to make money selling printables, look into BoHoMePrintables.

4. Digital products

Digital products are often used interchangeably with printables. Sometimes an item can be classified as both.

But most of the time, digital products refer to ebooks, wallpapers, Lightroom presets, WordPress themes, logos, fonts, spreadsheets, or social media templates.

You can take this idea in many directions.

For instance, if you have any expertise or story to share, you can write an ebook.

In addition, if you have the skills, you can create business logos and marketing materials for small business owners. Check out shops like KatherineDream, BeckMcCormick, and ShopRShop for inspiration. 

5. Jewelry

Jewelry is a competitive category on Etsy, but it’s also one of the bestselling products. That’s because shoppers know they can find unique pieces on the platform, such as handmade jewelry. 

In fact, top seller CaitlynMinimalist sells jewelry. But don’t get intimidated. There’s room for you too. 

But to attract customers, your products must be high quality and on-trend.

You also need to keep working on building a strong brand.

For example, Caitlyn Minimalist’s shop name also describes her products, which are dainty personalized jewelry. 

In addition, jewelry is a great item to sell because it’s not bulky. You won’t need a ton of storage space, and it costs less to ship. 

6. Accessories

Accessories offer customers a fun way to try a new trend or express themselves. They’re also looking for one-of-a-kind items. That’s why accessories are one of Etsy’s bestsellers.

The category covers items like purses, belts, scarves, adorable baby bows, and many more. It offers a wide assortment of products to choose from. So, you’re sure to find one that customers would love.

Check out Ilovelotus, and CaSales for ideas on how to make money on Etsy selling accessories.

7. Vintage items

Etsy’s reputation as one of the best online places to find vintage items is an advantage for sellers. Aside from having a global market, the platform offers lower overhead costs compared to renting a booth in malls. 

Etsy defines vintage as items that are more than 20 years old. As you can imagine, shops on the platform sell everything from vintage clothing to jewelry to antique lamps.

There are so many ways to curate your Etsy antique shop. You may decide to sell items from a particular era.

You may want to only sell similar items, such as jewelry, posters, or fabric. Have a look at mucdesign for examples of how to set up your vintage shop.

8. Home decor

Are you all about loving your home? Home decor sells well on Etsy, whether it’s vintage or handmade. This is because the platform established itself as an online destination for customers looking for unique pieces for their homes. 

In addition, many Etsy sellers offer personalization services or take custom orders. You’ll find an assortment of listings, from vintage vases and custom blankets to initialed towels. 

To become a successful home decor shop owner, create products that offer something different or provide a solution to a common household problem. And you can always make your mark by providing excellent customer service.

Take a look at JillianReneDecor and AllEyesOnLumpy for ideas and see what you can do differently.

9. Journals, planners, and stationaries

Etsy Journals

Journals, planners, and stationeries are also some of the most popular products sold on Etsy. Planners are helpful for everyone – parents, professionals, and students – who could use an organizational system to get stuff done.

Meanwhile, journals and stationeries give people a way to express themselves.

With these products, it’s your choice if you want to sell printables or physical items. However you’d have to consider printing, storage, and shipping for physical products. 

For examples of what to sell on Etsy, review how PlannerKate1, GoodyPlanners, and HeilsaDiySupply set up their shops and what products they offer.

10. Personalized items

Etsy has become synonymous with personalized items for a good reason. You can get almost anything customized on Etsy. That’s what most people are looking for when they visit the platform.

Customers want pieces that mean something to them and their loved ones. Even if it’s as simple as engraving a name or adding a few heartwarming or funny lines. 

Have a look at VereGift, LightningDesignStore, and wunderwunsch for ideas and inspiration. As a seller, you’d also be happy to know that, according to Forbes, consumers are extremely interested in buying personalized products. So, you can charge more and still attract buyers.

11. Party supplies and decorations

The next best idea on our list of what to sell on Etsy is party supplies and decorations. Whether it’s a kid’s birthday, a wedding anniversary, or a corporate event, well-thought-out invitations, decors, and favors add to the success of the party.

Customers are also done with basic and overdone event themes and decorations. That’s why party supplies and decorations are bestsellers on the platform.

So, if you’re wondering how to make money selling party supplies, let your imagination run wild and create new party theme ideas. You can make handmade invitations, party favors, banners, centerpieces, balloons, gift tags, and so on.

You can also put together party decoration sets for customers who prefer to buy everything in a single purchase. Check out Jacqs Crafty Corner and TwistStationery to see what they’re doing right.

12. Wedding products

The wedding industry in the United States is worth $70.3 billion in revenue as of 2023, says Zippia.

All to say that wedding products are lucrative and popular on Etsy. Couples are looking for one-of-a-kind items to celebrate their big day.

In addition, many are going with DIY products to stay on track with their wedding budget breakdown.

Wedding shops offer a variety of accessories like creative invitations, place settings, personalized gifts, and more. VineWedding is a top seller in this category. Take a look at their listings and learn what items are popular. 

13. Pet items

For many people, pets are family who deserve the best. That’s why customized crates, quality pet beds, and personalized name tags and collars sell well on Etsy.

Pet care products such as bowls, leashes, and grooming kits are popular items as well. Maybe TheSingingKoala can help you generate new product ideas.

14. Clothing

Of course, this list won’t be complete without the clothing category. Custom-made, personalized, and vintage clothing are among the top sellers on Etsy. 

That’s because customers are always looking for items that fit their style. So, pick a niche and join the party. See PintSizedPremium and KennedyClaireCouture for ideas and inspiration.

It’s best to focus on one product at first, such as onesies, custom-made skirts, handmade tee shirts, or vintage shirts, then expand your offerings. You can help people be fashionable on a budget and find their style!

15. Organic and sustainable products

More and more people are taking steps to live sustainably.

In fact, according to Shopkick by Trax, half of consumers try to buy recyclable alternatives and consider the sustainability practices of brands they support.

The good thing is there’s more demand for zero-waste products. If you have an idea for a reusable item or organic product, join the Etsy sellers in responding to the demand.

Check out TheEverydayGreen, StacyKitchenDecor, and CambridgeandCarlino for product examples. 

Expert tip: Manage your Etsy business the right way

To become a successful Etsy seller, start with thoughtful and creative products. Offer something new or solve a common problem, and you could grow a full-time business. 

Aside from that, pay attention to your branding. Your shop name, the photos, and the words you use should be cohesive and in line with how you want your brand to be known.

Lastly, an extra step to add a personal touch like a simple thank you note goes a long way. 

What is the #1 thing to sell on Etsy?

The #1 things to sell on Etsy are personalized items for both humans and pets, gifts, crafts, etc.

Inexpensive thank you gift ideas or customized products for all types of events such as weddings, bridal showers, birth announcements, and more, are also in demand.     

What can I sell on Etsy if I’m a beginner just starting out?

What to sell on Etsy if you are a beginner just starting out depends on your creative and sourcing abilities. While no item or category would guarantee profit or success, it is a good idea to choose something you have an interest in selling.

If you’re a bargain hunter and good at finding vintage items, reselling is a great way to get started. Find the best items to resell for profit that are considered vintage. 

Otherwise, any handmade item you can come up with is worth a shot on Etsy. That’s the beauty of the platform. Just make sure to do your research to learn what customers are looking for. 

What is most commonly sold on Etsy?

When considering what is most commonly sold on Etsy, it’s important to know that Etsy only allows handmade products, vintage items, and craft supplies to be sold on the platform.

If you’re thinking about what to sell on Etsy, your products should fall into one of those three categories.   

What can I sell on Etsy for passive income?

What you can sell on Etsy for passive income is quite varied. When you’re looking for the best passive income ideas from Etsy, think about products that you can make once and sell forever.

There are so many great choices, including ebooks, stock photos, craft patterns, fonts, and printables. Printables can be anything like worksheets, templates, stickers, coloring pages, and many more. 

If you liked reading about what to sell on Etsy, check out these other business ideas!

Learn how to make money on Etsy if you’re looking for a side hustle!

The first step in learning to make money on Etsy is to research popular products. Next is to create high-quality, original, and visually appealing products.

Then, the other key to Etsy success is to build a connection with your customers. Show your face and share more about yourself. Your customers will appreciate it.

Good luck with your venture. Don’t forget to come back and learn about financial wellness and how to save money as well!

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How To Buy A Laundromat In 7 Steps https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-buy-a-laundromat/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-buy-a-laundromat/#respond Wed, 30 Aug 2023 21:03:14 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=57497 […]

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A laundromat is an interesting business idea that has been around for decades. Since laundry seems to be a ubiquitous chore in most households, it could be a worthwhile opportunity to build a business around it. If you want to give this tried and true business strategy a spin, keep reading to find out how to buy a laundromat. 

How to buy a laundromat

How to buy a laundromat

If you want to buy a laundromat, it can be difficult to know where to get started. After all, it’s not as straightforward as buying a house or building out an online business, which comes with extensive resources. 

To make it easier to understand, I’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to buying a laundromat below. 

1. Talk to other owners

The first step in buying a laundromat is to talk to other owners. You’ll want to make sure you understand what you are getting yourself into before moving forward with a purchase. 

Spend time asking questions. You can learn from listening to other laundromat owners.

If you hear something interesting, don’t be afraid to ask for more information. You might be surprised by how much owners are willing to share. 

You can find other laundromat owners near you with a quick Google search along with their business contact information. You can reach out to them via email or phone to ask if they wouldn’t mind chatting with you about their business experience.

2. Do your research

Next up, it’s time to do your research about owning a laundromat. This would include determining the average costs of laundromats in your area, how much you are able to spend, what you can expect to make, and the time commitment involved in the process. Loopnet.com and Buybizsell.com are great places to start with assessing purchase prices.

As you take a look at the situation in your area, you’ll need to decide if the costs associated with purchasing a laundromat are worth it. 

3. Find the right location

It’s also important to do some research into your own city when finding out how to buy a laundromat. In some neighborhoods, laundromats may not be needed, if the area is full of houses that all have their own washers and dryers.

But in others, a laundromat (or dry cleaning costs) is an essential part of life for many residents who don’t have a washer and dryer in their home. 

As a business owner, it’s important to find the right place to begin your business.

You can do this by checking out several potential neighborhoods and finding out what kind of property – apartments, homes, condos, etc.- are most common. Then, find out if there are other laundromats in the neighborhood already.

In addition, look at parking, and how easy it would be for people to access the laundromat. This is all part of choosing a good location.

How to buy a laundromat infographic

4. Work with a broker

Brokers often have their ears to the ground for potential laundromats for sale. If you are interested in making a purchase, you can likely find some leads through a broker.

Although the broker will take a commission on the sale price, they can also help you find a deal in the first place. 

Planet Laundry explains that when you’re looking for a broker, you should check local laundry distributors, and you can also pay attention to ads to see who is selling laundromats in your area.

If you aren’t having luck finding a deal through a broker, consider driving around town to local laundromats. The current owners might be interested in selling, it never hurts to ask. 

5. Run the numbers

As with all potential business ventures, it’s critical to run the numbers and answer the question, “How much does it cost to buy a laundromat?”. You’ll want to make sure that the business is profitable or at least has the potential to turn a profit. 

According to Laundry Solutions Company, some of the costs to consider are the utility bill and your lease. The average amount spent for a laundromat per month can be anywhere between $4,000 and $8,500 each month.

Another potential cost is maintaining the equipment. Older machines tend to come with higher maintenance costs.

As you consider the potential for profit, make sure to take all costs into account. 

6. Find the financing

As with more new businesses, you’ll likely need to make an upfront investment of capital. If you are like most entrepreneurs, you don’t necessarily have thousands of dollars sitting around to invest.

A few ways to finance the purchase include taking out a Small Business Administration loan or getting a business loan from your local financial institution.

Additionally, you could consider a personal loan.

However, the best way to buy a laundromat is with as little debt as possible. Which means you may need to create a savings plan and take some time to save before you make a purchase.

7. Manage the business

After you make the purchase, it’s time to manage the business. The basic management tasks involve keeping the machines operating, collecting the cash, bookkeeping, and making sure everything is clean for your customers. 

Some tweaks you might make to the business include offering a start-to-finish service, which includes washing and folding clothes. Other potential income streams through your laundromat include coin-operated vending machines and selling laundry supplies. 

As the manager and owner, you’ll also have many other tasks, such as marketing the business, hiring employees, and more, in addition to handling the day to day operations of the business.

Expert tip: Remember passive income takes time

Laundromats can generate passive income. But like all passive income streams, you’ll likely need to put in upfront work to make this asset produce a reliable amount of income.

If you want to buy a laundromat in pursuit of passive income, take the upfront work into account. Even if you buy an existing laundromat, it might take you some time to get up to speed on how everything works.

Is buying a laundromat a good idea?

Buying a laundromat can be a good idea, and the potential for profit makes buying a laundromat an intriguing possibility. Through the eyes of a business owner, buying a laundromat can make sense if you have the right location and opportunities.

According to the Coin Laundry Association, the average market value of a coin laundromat ranges from $50,000 to over $1 million. Based on the Coin Laundry Association’s estimates, these coin laundries can generate between $15,000 to $300,000 per year. 

Reasons to buy a laundromat

A laundromat offers plenty of benefits to the owner. If you are considering this opportunity, explore the possible benefits below:

Passive income potential

The allure of passive income is that you no longer have to trade your time for dollars. A laundromat opens the door to one of the best passive income ideas

Of course, the upfront effort of finding and opening a laundromat might not feel passive. But the upfront work can pay off in the form of relatively easy income later. 

New income stream

Multiple streams of income may help you build a more stable financial future. If one of your income streams is unexpectedly disrupted, you can lean on your other income streams to cover your costs. A laundromat can add another income stream to the mix. 

For example, let’s say you open a laundromat on top of your full-time job. If you lost your job unexpectedly, the funds from this laundromat could help you keep your family afloat. 

Minimal labor costs

The business model tends to rely more heavily on machinery and equipment than labor. With that, it might be possible to operate a laundromat with minimal labor costs. 

You might decide to tackle running the business on your own. Or you might hire an employee or two to help you run the operations.

In either case, reliance on machines can help you keep your labor costs down. 

Cash is king

Laundromats operate on a payment upfront model. Unlike some other business models, which rely more heavily on providing credit to customers, laundromat owners can expect immediate payment. 

As a business owner, the appeal of upfront payment is undeniably enticing. 

Full-time or part-time commitment: How to decide

While learning how to buy a laundromat, you’ll want to know how much time it takes. Depending on your situation, you could opt for a more hands-off approach by hiring a manager for the business.

In general, the manager would open and close the facility, keep things clean, and source maintenance when required. 

But you might choose to take a more active role, which generally involves a full-time commitment. As a full-time focus, you might be opening and closing the business on your own. Plus, you might handle customer issues more regularly. 

The decision of full-time or part-time work will depend a lot on your financial situation, whether you plan to hire employees, and how much time you have to commit to the business.

How much does it cost to buy a laundromat?

Knowing how much does it cost to buy a laundromat depends, but will generally be anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000.

There are many factors that determine price, and you’ll also need to decide if you’re opening a brand new laundromat or purchasing an existing one.

In addition, do you need to purchase equipment? What else do you need to buy? Answer these questions to help you find your answer.

Can I buy a laundromat with no money?

If you are asking yourself, ‘Can I buy a laundromat with no money?’ you aren’t alone, and it is possible. Since buying a laundromat may cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, most new business owners will need to find financing. 

In general, it’s difficult to purchase a laundromat, or get a loan to make the purchase, without a down payment. But if you have a solid business plan and ample experience, a lender might be willing to offer you a loan with no down payment involved.

So, is now a good time to invest in a laundromat? It’s very possible if you can secure the funds you need.

How is a laundromat valued?

A laundromat is valued through the process of valuation. Valuation is how you figure out what a business is worth.

Figuring out the value will involve many aspects of the business, including the net income, lease, competition, store, equipment, and more, according to Laundry Solutions Company. Furthermore, they state that valuing a laundromat involves using the net income and a multiplier that you choose.

In general, laundromats are valued based on a multiple of their Net Operating Income (NOI). You can determine the NOI of a laundromat by subtracting the costs from the gross income.

For example, if the business earns $200,000 per year and has $50,000 in expenses, the NOI would be $150,000. The size of the multiple is usually between 3.5-5x. So 3.5-5x the NOI will give you your answer for value.

Is buying a laundromat a good investment?

A laundromat can be a good investment because, according to Speed Queen Commercial, laundromats in the U.S. see a cash on cash ROI between 20% to 35%. That’s a fairly high return. 

When compared to investments such as stocks with an average return of 8%, a laundromat seems to be a good investment. But you’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not a laundromat makes a good investment for your portfolio. 

What do I need to know before buying a laundromat?

Before you jump into your laundromat purchase, here are some helpful things to know before buying. 

Financing costs can add up

If you choose to finance your laundromat purchase, be clear about the terms of the loan. You’ll want to determine exactly how much the financing is costing you. It’s important to factor these financing costs into the overall profitability of the laundromat. 

As you look for financing solutions, shopping around can help you save big on interest charges. 

Maintenance might be involved

Laundromats rely heavily on machinery, which can break. When a machine in your laundromat is out of service, it’s missing out on the potential to earn money for you. With that, getting it back in working order quickly is a top priority. 

As an owner, you can hire someone to help you repair machines. But if you are comfortable tackling these projects yourself, you might save significantly. 

May need to hire employees

Laundromats are relatively hands-off. After all, the machines handle the clothes for you. But many laundromats need employees on hand to help customers, keep things clean, and offer extra services. 

If you aren’t comfortable hiring employees, then opening a laundromat might not be the right solution. 

If you learned a lot from reading about how to buy a laundromat, you’ll love these other business-related articles!

Discovering how to buy a laundromat could bring you financial success!

Opening a laundromat can potentially add a passive income stream to your financial situation.

While a laundromat can be a good move for some investors, it’s not the perfect fit for everyone. Take the time to explore all of your options before moving forward with how to increase your income

The post How To Buy A Laundromat In 7 Steps appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Start A Side Hustle In 10 Steps https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/starting-a-side-hustle/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/starting-a-side-hustle/#respond Wed, 02 Aug 2023 20:27:38 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=56258 […]

The post How To Start A Side Hustle In 10 Steps appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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Are you considering starting a side hustle? Perhaps you imagine quitting your job one day to take your business full-time, or maybe you just need to make a little extra money in your spare time. When launching a successful side hustle, there are several foundational things you should have in place.

Starting a side hustle

But before we dive into how to start a side hustle, let’s talk about what a side hustle is and the benefits you can gain from having one!

What exactly is a side hustle and how can it benefit you?

A side hustle is an additional job or income stream generated alongside a primary job. Side hustles are beneficial because they allow people to make more money while utilizing and practicing other money making skills and also working according to their own schedules.

With a successful side hustle, there is no limit to how much you can make. And with some extra money in your pocket, you can save, utilize the best way to get out of debt or take that trip you wanted.

As exciting as starting a side hustle may seem, you must have a solid plan to fully reap the benefits. In addition, you have to start with the hustle idea that is best for you.

10 Actionable steps for starting a side hustle

Finding the perfect side hustle that helps you make a little extra cash is only half the battle. You must also find out what business will work well for you and your lifestyle.

And then, of course, there’s how to start a side hustle and the rules and laws to follow. Here are all the details for how to begin your side gig.

1. Determine how much time you have

A crucial part of getting started with a side hustle is to think about how much time you have to spare. Are you free most evenings, or are you already super busy and you struggle to find a few hours a week to yourself?

For instance, if I have a couple of hours a day that I could work on my side hustle, I can pick something that requires more time from me on a consistent basis. But if I don’t have much extra time, I might create something that is mostly passive income after it’s set up.

Look at your calendar

In order to find out how much time you have and consequently what side hustle to choose, use a planner or calendar. Add the tasks that you do each day and the specific times that you do them.

You likely already do something like this, so it should be easy to take a look at your schedule.

You may find surprising results. For example, perhaps you have several hours free in the afternoons on Monday and Wednesday. Or maybe your schedule is busier than you realized, and you can only devote time on Saturday mornings to your side hustle.

Find out (realistically) what times you have available and how much time you can spare. Remember that your side gig should not interfere with your regular job, time with family and friends, or other responsibilities. Then, create your side hustle time management plan.

After you know how many hours and what times you are available, then you’ll know what to choose, whether it needs to be mostly passive income or if you can spend a few hours a week working.

2. Pick something that interests you

Think about what interests you. Since your full-time job probably takes most of your energy, finding a side gig that you’ll be excited about long-term is essential. Choose something that is easy for you or that you enjoy.

For example, if you love freelance marketing, you might have a career as a social media marketer. Find something that focuses on what you’re good at.

Let your hobbies guide you

If you aren’t sure where to begin, look to your hobbies for ideas. Maybe you love to write, bake cakes, garden, or organize and clean. See if any of the things that you enjoy doing could be part of a niche business idea that makes you an income.

If it helps, write down as many hobbies or interests as you can think of. Then highlight the hobbies that make money or that have income potential, and go from there.

3. Decide the amount of money you want to earn

It’s easy to say that you want to make extra money each month, but how much is a little extra? Consider some examples of financial goals and the amount of money you need to achieve them.

For example, how much additional income will you need to pay off debt? Perhaps you want to buy a new car; what is the cost involved? Knowing how much money you want to bring in can help you determine which side hustle to start with.

Some side hustles like taking online surveys or dog walking will bring in a couple of hundred dollars a month.

However, suppose you’re looking to replace your current salary or surpass it. In that case, you’ll want to start with a side hustle you can eventually transition into full-time.

How to know what amount you need to make

First, ask yourself why you decided to launch a side hustle gig in the first place. Is it for a one-time payment for something? Is it an ongoing need to make more money?

If it’s a one-time payment, determine exactly how much you need.

On the other hand, if you need an ongoing income, decide precisely the amount you need to be getting paid monthly.

After that, choosing a side hustle will be easier because you’ll know what will make the amount of income you need and what won’t. You’ll also be able to determine if a side hustle will be short or long-term, which may affect what you choose.

4. Create a solid business plan for your side hustle

If you’re in the process of starting a side hustle and do not have a business plan, you need to create one now. A business plan is essentially your roadmap for your side hustle to achieve your goals for a small business. You can’t have success in life without a plan!

Your business plan doesn’t need to be 100 pages long. Instead, it needs to focus on key things to help you build a successful business and show how you’ll start a profitable side hustle.

Your initial business plan should be fluid and will possibly change—a lot! These changes are expected because as you put your ideas on paper and your business comes to life, you may realize other factors.

As a result, you’ll better determine what you want and don’t want in your business or come up with entirely new ideas.

Below are some topics we recommend including and some questions to get you thinking as you create your business plan.

Create an executive summary

Your executive summary outlines your business and the problem you are solving with the product or service you’re offering. The executive summary section, usually a one-pager, will be easier to complete once you’ve built out the main sections of your business plan highlighted below.

Identify your target audience and avatar

When starting a side hustle, you need to know who you’ll sell to. Here, you’ll define your target audience, which includes identifying key demographics such as location, age, and income of your ideal clientele. You’ll also want to consider why your target audience would be interested in your business.

You should also know your ideal client and how you will find these clients. Since social media is a big part of everyone’s lives, LinkedIn, Facebook groups, and Instagram can be helpful in how to get clients online.

Decide on what products and services you’ll offer

Every business offers a product, such as jewelry or a pre-owned designer handbag, or a service like editing or photography. When deciding which side hustle business you should offer, think back to your executive summary. Whatever you offer should align with the problem your business will be solving.

Once clear on this, it’s a good idea to sketch out thoughts on how you will price your products or services. You’ll also want to consider how you’ll be selling them.

Figure out your operating model

A clear operating model helps you understand and lay out how you intend to deliver value with your products and services. It will also help determine the type of experience you plan to provide your ideal customer.

Start by asking yourself, are my products packaged in a way that aligns with the experience I want my customers to have? Is my website in line with my brand?

Once your operating model is fine-tuned and running, and you are branding for success, it will allow you to scale your side hustle because you’ll have well-established processes in place on how to run your business.

Research your competition

Ahh, competition. Everyone hates it, but everyone needs it! No business plan is complete without some insight into your competition.

Where is your competition located? What are the strengths and weaknesses of their offering? And how can you differentiate yourself from your competition and improve your offer?

Finding the answers will give you more clarity and help your business succeed.

Calculate start-up costs and financing

We’ll cover this in more detail below, but in short, this is a critical part of your business plan and something you won’t want to overlook when thinking of how to start a side hustle.

Here, you’ll outline your initial start-up costs, registration fees, branding costs, website development costs, etc. Then, consider your potential sources of funding and whether or not you’ll need investors. It can help to consider your financial goals and how the business fits them.

Figure out your cash flow and budget

Also called your working capital, your cash flow is how much you need to keep your side hustle running day-to-day. These costs need to be laid out as part of your operating expenses. They will give you a baseline of how much you’ll need at a minimum each month to keep your business going.

And, of course, you’ll need a plan for staying on track with your cash flow. That’s where your business budget comes into play.

Having a solid business budget and using budgeting best practices is essential to the success of your business. It allows you to manage your business finances properly and stay on top of your expenses.

Outline your revenues and profit forecasting

You can’t turn a profit if you don’t have a solid revenue stream. Your business plan should outline the products and services you plan to sell. Outline exactly how you will communicate those products and services to your potential customers.

It also means fine-tuning your revenue stream as you learn what works best (or doesn’t). Once you have a solid revenue stream, it becomes easier to forecast your business earnings and profitability.

Also, take a look at potential profits. Becoming profitable and finding out how to increase your income is great, but ideally, you want to have a clear understanding of exactly how much profit you are generating on each product or service you offer.

You can then assess how to maximize your profitability by reducing costs or competitively increasing your prices (or doing a combination of both).

5. Determine what type of business entity to set up

Before you start providing services or earning money when starting a side hustle, you must ensure it is set up correctly, legally and tax-wise. To do this, you’ll refer to the structure of your business.

There are different types of business structures to choose from that are recognized by the IRS. They include Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or Corporation. Be sure to talk to your accountant about the tax implications of each of these entities.

The different business entities include:

Sole Proprietorship

In a sole-proprietorship business structure, you run the business alone and are personally responsible for all of the related liabilities.

Partnership

As the name implies, in a partnership, you run the business with a partner or multiple partners. So, the business is managed based on the agreement you set up. You and your business partner(s) are responsible for all the related liabilities.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A Limited Liability Company gives you limited liability (similar to a corporation), which means you have no personal liability for business debts and claims.

You’ll also have flexibility in your management structure and ownership, similar to a partnership. LLC owners are called members.

Corporation (S or C Corp)

In a corporation, your business is a separate legal entity, and only the entity itself is legally responsible for any liabilities. Owners are called shareholders.

C corporations and S corporations are the two main types of corporations. The main difference is the way each entity is taxed.

6. Leverage free resources when starting your side hustle

Below are two invaluable resources you will need as you begin your small business journey.

These resources go into much detail regarding the business structures mentioned above. They include the pros and cons and what you need to do to establish your business under these structures.

In addition to these, be on the lookout for ways to gather information and learn new skills for your business. You may be able to find free courses, Facebook groups, etc., where you can learn more about the skills you need for your side hustle without paying any money.

Starting a side hustle infographic

7. Decide what you will call your side hustle

The next step in operation is to decide on a business name (if you haven’t already).

FYI—Your business name is a big deal! It will reflect your brand identity and be the world’s first introduction to your new venture. But before you decide on a business name, here are a few things to consider:

  • Will your business name appeal to your demographic?
  • How unique is it?
  • Is the web domain available?
  • Is your business name under someone else’s trademark?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can register your business with your respective state.

8. Consider setting up business credit

Having a credit profile for your side hustle allows you to maintain a credit history for your business. Just remember how to use credit cards wisely! And this business credit profile is separate from your personal credit profile.

With separate credit profiles, none of your personal credit details will be tied to your business credit inquiries, approvals, or financing.

Different business credit also allows a clear separation of assets between the business owner’s personal assets and the assets that are tied to the business itself.

A separate business profile also means protecting yourself from business identity theft. If your business credit is intertwined with your personal credit, you might not be aware of any theft. You can also monitor your business similarly to how you would monitor your personal credit.

You want to ensure the credit bureaus and your business creditors and vendors can confirm your business information when you apply for financing or do business with them. Below are the steps you need to take to set up your business credit properly:

Incorporate your business

Set up a corporation or an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to ensure your company is considered a separate business entity. For businesses that are sole proprietorships and partnerships, the business is the same as the owner.

So to have separate business credit, your business needs to be a corporation or LLC.

Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number

An EIN, or an Employer Identification Number, is the number you’ll use for tax filings and business registration. You’ll also need to provide this number to vendors you work with.

Your EIN is like your social security number but for your business. It will tie into your business taxes, hiring employees, and other essential and required legalities.

Open a business checking and savings account

You’ll need to open a business checking account and possibly open a business savings account in your registered business name. These accounts are where you’ll make your day-to-day business transactions.

Establish your business credit profile

Getting a business credit card, which you use for business transactions, can help establish business credit. Another way is through buying products and services from vendors and repaying them within a specified period, also known as net payment terms.

These vendors then make reports to the credit bureaus with your on-time payments. The three major credit bureaus for business are Experian, Equifax, and Dun & Bradstreet.

Pay your bills on time

Not just on time but in full where possible to build your business credit score, i.e., your Paydex Score. Paying on time not only helps your finances but it helps you build a good reputation for your business.

9. Create a plan to obtain funding for your side hustle if you need to

When starting a side hustle, one of the biggest roadblocks is being able to fund it. Even if your business idea is excellent, you still need money. I touched on this above, but here I’ll outline the different types of funding you should consider:

Self-funding

Self-funding your business from savings should be your first resort, in my opinion. I think funding your business is beneficial, so you don’t start with debt.

If you have no savings (or not enough) to put toward your business immediately, use free and inexpensive resources to get set up. Start saving a little bit at a time for your business.

Use a free blog platform, create a social media following, and create a small sample set of products instead of a full-blown product line. Also, consider using free online scheduling and planning tools.

Self-funding means you may need to start small and follow a slower growth progression than if you had a ton of money, but it comes with less risk.

Family and friends

The general rule is to keep friends and family separate from your business, but it depends!

Your friends and family can be great resources when it comes to funding. Why? Because you know and trust them, you can work out low or zero-interest payments with them.

But be careful not to ruin relationships. Loaning money to family can be difficult in some cases. Draw up contracts and make sure you are all in agreement with the contract terms.

Angel investors

Angel investors are typically high-net-worth investors who invest in your business. An angel investor is most likely looking for equity ownership in your business.

Although angels can be great investors, they mostly invest in companies vs. side hustles.

Bank loans

There are pros and cons of personal loans, but it may be an option. A business loan is also something to consider. The good news about getting a loan from a bank is that you don’t have to give up a share of your business in exchange for a loan.

However, you’ll need good credit, AND you’ll be taking on debt that you’ll have to pay back with interest over a specified period.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding collects money from various people (usually online) to contribute to your product or service creation in exchange for a reward.

The reward might be the first available offering of your product or some extra equity (shares/ownership in your business). Examples of crowdfunding include kickstarter.com and fundable.com.

With crowdfunding, you don’t always have to give up equity. You also won’t have to go into debt to fund your business.

However, it’s important to know that you will be paying the crowdfunding platform fees when you raise money via crowdfunding.

These fees will be based on the total amount that you raise. In addition, there are also significant tax implications.

Plus, you’ll have to put in a lot of work (including marketing) to ensure a successful funding campaign.

10. Make a schedule that works

One of the most vital things that I personally do when starting a side hustle is to create a daily routine schedule. I advise making a schedule that helps you have enough time for a lucrative side hustle and your day job.

With freelance work or an online side hustle, it will probably be easy to work on it whenever you have free time. But something with set hours will require a bit more planning.

Figure out your hours

How many hours a week or day can you devote to your business? Look at your schedule and see if you can take anything off your plate to make more time for starting a side hustle.

If not, you may find that working on it a little each day, even if it’s just for an hour, is most effective.

Stay organized

Stay organized when planning how to start a side hustle, including organized finances, scheduling, and time management. Get a planner or stick to a strict schedule to ensure you have enough time to devote to this new venture.

Remember to keep track of appointments and meetings and regularly check your emails.

Hire some help

At some point, consider bringing someone onto your team to help out. A virtual assistant can be helpful if you have the money for it.

While this won’t be needed for a while, it’s something to be aware of later when you can afford it and your time becomes more limited.

Expert tip: Be aware of your energy levels

As you can see, there is a lot to starting a side hustle, including setting up a business entity and finding funding. All of this is necessary work but it can leave you a bit drained if you aren’t careful. My idea is to remember to make time for self care and free time when possible, so you don’t get burned out from working too much.

11 examples of profitable side hustle ideas

Do you need help brainstorming ideas for starting a side hustle? Here are some great ideas to get you thinking! Also, check out the CGF book by Bola Sokunbi, The Side Hustle Guide!

The Side Hustle Guide Book
Get your copy of The Side Hustle Guide from Clever Girl Finance!

1. Dog walker or sitter

If you love dogs or even if you’re a first time dog owner, dog walking and pet sitting are the perfect side hustles. Many people need someone responsible to help care for their furry friends. Plus, you can make a lot of money!

Check out sites like Rover to help you get started!

2. Real estate agent

While this requires time, licensing, and learning, becoming a real estate agent can be incredibly lucrative, especially if you live in an expensive neighborhood. Real estate professionals also get to set their hours to an extent.

3. Etsy shop

If you’re creative, consider opening an Etsy store. People love to find unique products like jewelry and blankets on this online marketplace.

If you can create a popular product, making a full-time income may be possible. You also get to make money doing something you love!

4. Blogging

If writing is one of your passions, or you love sharing what you know, a blog could be for you. Blogging works well as a part-time job and could lead to plenty of income in the future.

In addition, blogging is a great platform to earn additional profits through affiliate marketing and selling digital products.

Some bloggers make enough money to live on or even more than that. Find out how to make money with a blog for beginners and try this side hustle out.

5. Freelance writer

Enjoy researching and writing articles? You can become a freelance writer.

Help bloggers and companies to explain their products and services or share information with their readers. Freelance writing is a good side hustle that is profitable and flexible!

6. Graphic design

Love art? Graphic design is a fun and creative idea. What makes it one of the great side hustles is its versatility.

For instance, you can do website design and sell your work on Etsy, or check out Upworkor Fiverr.

7. Social media manager

If you are really into social media, become a manager or marketer, or start a consultancy company. As a manager, you can help busy entrepreneurs and businesses find the right clients through Facebook ads, Instagram, Twitter, and other digital marketing.

8. Rent out your spare room using Airbnb

Do you have an extra room? Try using Airbnb. Or better yet, if you have a lot more space to rent or money to invest, you can make money from rental properties by buying a house to rent out.

There are a variety of YouTube channels to help you set up an attractive space for potential guests.

9. Freelance editor

A freelance editor can work with several clients at once and edit the work of writers. As a bonus, you can choose what hours you want to work on your side hustle since freelancers rarely have specific work schedules that must be followed.

10. Create a side hustle with Amazon

If you think about all the money you’ve spent on Amazon, it’s about time you start earning with them instead. Amazon offers a variety of ways to make a profit. Some of the side hustle ideas from Amazon include:

11. Start a food delivery business

Bringing food and groceries to people who don’t want to eat out is a simple and profitable side hustle business. You can work under numerous companies, such as DoorDashor Uber Eats, or even Lyft and other delivery services.

You can choose your schedule and work when you want. Plus, starting a food delivery service is a great way to get familiar with restaurants in your area.

Can I start a side hustle with no money?

Yes, it is possible to start a side hustle with no money! There are several ideas for side hustles, including dog walking and food delivery, that don’t require any upfront costs. In fact, you may already have everything you need to get started and all you need to do is learn how to start a business with no money.

Start by brainstorming side hustle ideas, leverage free resources (e.g  YouTube to learn skills, Canva to design graphics, Mailchimp  to build an email list etc) and start saving to put some cash aside. Having savings is necessary because eventually, you might need to put some cash into your side hustle.

How do you start a side hustle with no experience?

To start a side hustle with no experience, choose something that allows you to begin without specific knowledge about the work.

For example, cleaning houses or offices, pet or house sitting, or taking surveys are all good ideas if you don’t have experience with the gig economy. Even if you’re thinking, “I have no skills!” these are all things that don’t require special training, or they are easy to learn about quickly.

How do you start a side hustle from scratch?

You can start a side hustle from scratch by choosing something that doesn’t require a lot of equipment or money to get started. There are plenty of options in the gig economy, such as driving Uber, delivering groceries or food, or even things that take more time, like writing eBooks.

Find something that either takes time but not money or something you can start quickly without a lot of effort. Discover more ideas by reading our article on how how to start a business from scratch.

If you enjoyed reading about how to start your own side hustle, check out these articles next!

Starting a successful side hustle is possible!

Now you have all the specifics to set up your side hustle the right way, and you know what some of the best side hustles are. Remember to start with the logistical side first. Create a business plan. Make sure you have proper funding and set up your business entity.

Once you’ve established all that, you can choose a name for your side hustle and decide whether to offer a product or service.

As you can see, there are many unique side hustles to choose from.

However, if none of the above suggestions caught your attention, other resources, such as side hustle books or online courses, can give you more detailed guidance.

It’s time to follow your dreams and make them a massive success! It is possible to build an incredibly successful side hustle with patience and hard work. It may even become your full-time hustle one day if you decide!

The post How To Start A Side Hustle In 10 Steps appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Start A Cleaning Business In 15 Simple Steps https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-start-a-cleaning-business/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-start-a-cleaning-business/#respond Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:00:59 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=56011 […]

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If you want to start a cleaning business, by creating an executable strategy, it won’t be too long before you’re on your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Unlike a lot of other business ventures, it doesn’t require a lot of up-front costs or training, and you can count on a steady demand for cleaning services over time. To launch your business this year, leverage these key tips on how to start a cleaning business!

How to start a cleaning business

1. Conduct market research

No matter what business venture you pursue, market research is always a critical first step and this applies to starting a cleaning business. After all, you want to know what market you’re getting yourself into, right?

First, we recommend getting to know the market. Look at other cleaning businesses in your area—and even other cleaning businesses around the country.

Ask yourself questions like, “What types of cleaning services do they offer?” and “What are their rates?” Leverage what you find out to narrow down the services you’d like to offer and the rates you’d like to charge.

Then, get to know the job itself. Research the daily duties of what it takes to run a cleaning business to see if it’s for you.

Leverage platforms like YouTube to gain some insights on what a day as a professional cleaner looks like in real life.

Finally, get to know your own skills! Offer to clean a friend and/or family member’s house(s) to get honest feedback on your work and learn what you need to improve before working with clients.

2. Pick your niche

Cleaning may seem simple, but it can really get specific! If you didn’t already know, there are many different kinds of cleaning you can do for many different kinds of clients.

To narrow it down, first, decide if you want to specialize in commercial or residential cleaning.

Residential cleaning

Cleaning individuals’ homes (i.e., residential cleaning) is often the easier pick when you’re trying to figure out how to start a cleaning business. People’s houses are typically much smaller than big businesses. Plus, residential cleaning jobs usually require less equipment and simpler cleaning supplies.

As a residential cleaning business, working with just a few weekly clients on a fixed schedule with a time management plan is all you need. You’ll quickly start making a reliable income.

However, it’s worth noting that residential cleaning requires greater attention to detail; you’ll have to remember exactly how clients have arranged their homes so you can put everything back in the right place when you’re done cleaning.

Commercial cleaning

If you start a commercial cleaning business, then your clients will likely be schools, hospitals, businesses, and other commercial sites.

Note that these clients are harder to get for newer businesses, as they often contract with well-established janitorial companies. Plus, commercial cleaning usually requires heavy duty cleaning equipment and a large team to get the job done.

If you’re interested in commercial cleaning, you can get started by contacting smaller, local businesses first.

3. Choose your services

Once you’ve determined whether you want to focus on residential cleaning or commercial cleaning, it’s time to narrow down your specific cleaning niche.

For example, consider some popular cleaning services you can offer:

  • Pressure washing
  • Carpet cleaning
  • Window cleaning
  • Basic cleaning
  • Deep cleaning
  • Spring cleaning
  • Move-out cleaning
  • Laundry
  • And more

As you decide on your list of services, think about what kind of equipment you’ll need for each offering. It sounds obvious, but don’t forget to ask yourself (honestly) whether or not you have the skills to provide all these services well.

It’s easy to be ambitious as you decide how to start a cleaning company. But remember that you can always add more services as you grow your business.

In the beginning, it’s better to do things differently by starting small and providing services that you know you can do well.

4. Register your business

Maybe you chose to begin your cleaning business because it’s one of the easy side hustles. Even if you only make a few hundred dollars a month, you need to register your business—and report your income to the IRS.

To begin, decide what form your business will take. A sole proprietorship, or maybe an LLC (limited liability company), a partnership, etc. The U.S. Small Business Administration website offers insight on how to pick the business structure that’s right for you.

Depending on the kind of business you decide to register, you may also need to create an EIN (or an Employer ID Number) for tax purposes. You should apply for an EIN online with the IRS.

Next, you may also want to trademark your business name and/or claim your business’ domain name so you can create a client-facing website.

Dealing with business registration and all the legal stuff can be overwhelming. But taking the time to do the research and making sure all your ducks are in a row will help you avoid unwanted fees and/or penalties in the future.

Pro tip: Check out the SBA.gov tips on how to register a business with both federal and state agencies.

5. Don’t forget about insurance

Like business registration, make sure you prioritize insurance when you’re researching how to start a cleaning company.

While not all states require you to have insurance if you want to open a cleaning business, it’s definitely recommended! As a business owner, having insurance is key to protecting both you and your employees in the event one of you accidentally causes damage to an employee’s home.

For example, as a cleaner, you may be at risk of starting a fire, breaking something, causing a leak, etc.

With the right insurance, you can protect yourself from going into debt to pay for all these repairs yourself.

For your cleaning business, consider the following types of insurance:

  • General liability
  • Business owners’ policy
  • Workers’ compensation (if you hire employees)
  • Employment practices liability

6. Obtain a business license

In addition to registering your business, you may also need to get a business license to legally found your cleaning company.

Again, to figure out what licenses are needed to start a cleaning business, you’ll need to research the specific laws of the state you live in. Leverage the resource on SBA.gov to get started with setting up the business licenses you need.

In most cases, you’ll have to pay for your business license up-front—and then pay to renew it every year. While this may seem like a headache, this is one step you do not want to skip. Operating a business without a license can result in fines or other penalties down the line.

7. Finance your cleaning business

When wondering how to start a cleaning business, you should know that they do have lower up-front costs than other businesses, but you will still have some start-up expenses to get your new venture up and running.

For example, in addition to buying cleaning supplies and equipment, you’ll also have to consider the price of advertisements, business registration and license fees, insurance, etc.

To make things easier on your budget, remember that you can start small with just the bare minimum expenses and then scale up later as you get more clients.

If you lack the funds to get started, consider turning to friends and/or family to borrow the money (although loaning money to family can be challenging), taking out a business loan, or spending on credit.

Alternatively, if you’re not comfortable asking friends or family for help (and the idea of taking a loan or spending on credit makes you nervous), you can also save up to fund the start-up expenses yourself.

If that sounds overwhelming, don’t stress! This is definitely a doable goal. The key is to break up your spending goal into smaller, more manageable chunks.

For example, you can learn how to save $5000 in 3 months.

8. Create a budget

Give yourself a pat on the back for successfully managing your start-up finances … but don’t stop there! I recommend staying on top of your goals for a small business, especially business finances, every step of the way.

For example, as a business owner, I would need to monitor cash flow, taxes, expenses, invoices, etc.

Set up a business bank account

When you start your own business, it is key to separate your business finances from your personal finances.

The easiest way to do this is by getting a bank account.

However, you don’t have to spend money on a special “business” bank account; rather, simply having a separate personal checking account will work just fine. Use this separate account to accept payments from clients, pay taxes, and spend money on cleaning supplies and other business expenses.

Keep track of income and expenses

You might be well versed on how to budget and budget categories from a personal finance perspective. Now, leverage those same budgeting skills to manage your business budget.

You can use dedicated business management software (like HoneyBook or Quickbooks) or go simple (and free) by using Excel or Google spreadsheets (Check out the free Clever Girl Finance business spreadsheets in our worksheet library).

At the end of the day, any of these work just fine. What’s most important is that you track all your income and expenses and use this information to pay taxes throughout the year.

Manage invoices and receipts

With income and expenses comes managing invoices and receipts. While this may not be the sexiest part of being a business owner, it is of utmost importance—and unavoidable!

Again, you can leverage business management software to automate invoices for you. But if you’re on a budget, you can also DIY invoices for free. Try using a graphic design tool (like Canva) to help you, or just work in a free Microsoft Word invoice design template.

For tips on creating an invoice customized to your needs, head to Zapier for ideas on how to create a professional invoice.

Along with your invoices, remember to hold on to all business receipts. If you have paper receipts, consider scanning them and storing them digitally to keep everything organized.

Trust us—developing a system for storing invoices and receipts will make your life much easier come tax season!

9. Buy cleaning supplies

The specific cleaning supplies you’ll need will depend on the services you’ve chosen to offer when deciding how to start a cleaning business.

In general, here’s an overview of some of the cleaning supplies you can expect to put on your shopping list.

  • Vacuum
  • Face mask
  • Rubber globes
  • Trash bags
  • Cleaning rags
  • Mop and bucket
  • Sponges
  • Bleach
  • Cleaners for different surfaces e.g. glass, wood, granite, etc
  • Spray bottles

Remember that you don’t need to buy everything all at once. If your start-up funds are low, just start small. Prioritize which supplies you need the most, and then scale up your supply inventory as you grow and take on more clients.

Don’t forget that you can often get supplies at a cheaper rate by shopping from wholesale vendors. (Bear in mind, though, that these vendors will often want proof of your business registration before processing a sale.)

Some clients (especially residential clients) may request that you use their own cleaning supplies—which is an opportunity for you to charge them an extra fee.

10. Decide on your rates

Here is where your market research comes in handy. When it comes to how to start a business from scratch, you’ll need to set your own prices.

To get an idea of how to set the rates for your cleaning company, check out what other cleaning businesses in your area charge.

When it comes to nailing down a price, there are several different ways to set rates: by the hour; by the square foot; by the room; or by a flat rate.

For commercial cleaning services, it’s not uncommon for cleaning companies to charge by square foot. For residential cleaning, on the other hand, it’s common to charge by the hour or a flat rate.

To help you set flat rates, first, figure out how long it will take you to do the job. Then multiply that number by your typical hourly rate. After that, increase the price to offset fees for transportation, cleaning supplies, taxes, etc.

11. Advertise your cleaning business

No matter what business you decide to launch, you will have to advertise to get your name out into the world. And advertising your business is not just a start-up activity.

Instead, think of advertising as an ongoing practice—something you do whether you have clients or not.

Set a foundation for your advertising efforts by creating a website for your business, as well as a Facebook business page and a Google business profile. This will help you with how to get clients online for your new business.

Then, establish an online presence on social media. You don’t need to be present everywhere; instead, it’s best to only set up an account where you will be active. Facebook is a great option for a cleaning business because you can join local community groups to get your name out in places close to you.

You can also go old-school by advertising your cleaning business in local business directories and at places like the bulletin boards at your local grocery store or YMCA.

12. Find (and keep) clients

Once you’ve laid the groundwork, have discovered what licenses are needed to start a cleaning business, and know how to begin, it’s time to get out there and start making money!

In other words, you’ve got to hit the ground running to look for clients. Here are a few tips to get started:

Leverage your local network

When your business is just starting out, there’s no shame in turning to your friends and family for support. Ask them if they know anyone who needs cleaning services and if they would be willing to recommend you.

Here are a couple of networking tips: Always remember to carry your business card with you and share readily. (But don’t be too pushy—because an over-the-top salesperson is also a turn-off to potential clients.)

Finally, try reaching out to local businesses in your community and ask if you can put a flyer in their shop window. You never know who might see it!

How to find your first clients

Besides leveraging your local network, you can also find your first clients for your cleaning business online.

For example, Care.com, also TaskRabbit, and Handy are all reputable websites where you can find people looking for cleaning services.

Position yourself for referrals

As your business grows, you’ll likely find that most of your new clients are referrals—that is if you do a good job.

The key is to position yourself for these referrals.

When you work with your first clients, ask them if they would be comfortable sharing their contact info and serve as references. References are important for owners of cleaning companies. Prospective clients want to know that they can trust the person they’re letting into their home!

13. Create a cleaning schedule for your business

As your client roster grows, organization will be a key element in the success of your cleaning company.

After all, you don’t want to take on more than you can handle and end up letting down your newfound clients.

To stay organized, I personally would create a cleaning schedule and start implementing it from day one.

First, I’d create a routine for my cleaning process. For instance, how do I tackle cleaning a room? In what order will I sweep, vacuum, mop, wash windows, etc.?

Nailing down a cleaning routine and doing it repeatedly would help boost my efficiency—and make sure I never miss a thing.

Next, I’d create a schedule, or time management plan, for my roster of clients. You can leverage online appointment booking tools like Acuity Scheduling, Vagaro or Calendly that you can add to your website where clients can book you.

If you can, try to schedule clients who are located near each other on the same day. Note which clients are recurring—and how often.

My idea would be to set reminders in your calendar one day or a few hours in advance so you never forget about an appointment.

14. Grow your cleaning business

You may choose to start your cleaning business as a side hustle, wherein you take on both the cleaning and the administration tasks by yourself.

After going full-time, the next step, then, is to scale your business by hiring cleaners. This allows you to take on more jobs than you can handle yourself so you can increase your profit.

Find contractors to work with online—you can even put job postings in the same places you looked for work, such as Care.com and TaskRabbit. Then, train your new hires so they all understand your cleaning system and schedule and can provide the same service for every client every time.

15. Factor in transportation costs

When it comes to business expenses and how to start a cleaning company, there’s more to it than just cleaning supplies.

You also have to get to and from the places where you’ll clean—and this takes both time and money.

To keep your car expenses down, look for clients in a specific geographic radius so you can be more efficient with your time (and gas money).

And don’t forget to always have a backup plan for transportation! After all, you don’t want to risk not showing up for the job due to car trouble when learning how to start a cleaning business.

Expert tip: Choose your niche first, and then scale slowly

Starting a new business is exciting, and it’s natural that you’re going to want to throw all your energy into it in the beginning. But don’t let yourself get too carried away! Remember, if you want to build a truly successful, profitable business, then you’ve got to play the long game.

Rather than jumping into a giant service offering and attempting to hire a huge team of contractors from the get-go, start slowly.

Begin with a smaller service offering that you know you can really crush when it comes to quality. This will make it easier to build a loyal clientele who support your work. From there, you can expand beyond your niche to hire more contractors and offer different cleaning services to grow your business.

The worst thing you can do is become overwhelmed with the work and end up letting down your clients. Remember the golden rule of business: Underpromise and overdeliver!

How profitable is a cleaning business?

A cleaning business can be very profitable. Cleaning may not sound like a glamorous job but hard work can be very well rewarded!

ZipRecruiter explains that the average yearly salary for the owner of a cleaning business is $109,000 (or an average of $53/hour).

To build a profitable cleaning business, the key is to scale up your clients over time so you can hire employees and take on more jobs (for more profit) than you can handle just yourself.

Is a cleaning business worth starting?

One of the top reasons to learn how to start a cleaning business is that you can count on pretty reliable demand.

After all, people always need stuff to be cleaned. And if you do a good job, they’re almost guaranteed to be repeat customers. Because once things are cleaned, they inevitably get dirty again.

Plus, with seemingly the entire world worrying about AI and what it means for the knowledge workforce, a cleaning business has a stable market outlook. (AI isn’t going to be cleaning the gunk out of the sink anytime soon!)

Do I need a license to clean houses?

Whether or not you need a business license to start a cleaning business depends on where you live. This is why market research is one of the most important steps when figuring out how to start your business.

Before you do anything else, make sure you research the relevant business laws in your state. For extra guidance, consider hiring a legal advisor. If that’s out of your budget, companies like LegalZoom are great places to turn for affordable, reliable legal information.

If you enjoyed reading about starting a cleaning business, read these articles next!

Start a cleaning business and become your own boss today!

We think starting your own cleaning company is a great opportunity for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs. With low up-front costs and reliable demand, this business idea has real, long-term profit potential.

Of course, you don’t get something for nothing. Starting a cleaning business always takes a lot of work—especially if you’re doing all the cleaning yourself before you can grow and hire staff.

To start and grow your business, it’s key to develop a growth mindset. While starting a side business or full-time business can be considered one of the comfort zone challenges, you can do it! Also, check out Choosing to Prosper by Bola Sokunbi to find out more about achieving your money dreams!

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The 48 Best Business Ideas For Women https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-business-ideas-for-women/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-business-ideas-for-women/#respond Thu, 06 Jul 2023 17:51:03 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=54081 […]

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Let’s talk about the best business ideas for women! It’s so important for our world to have women in business. After all, we’re half the population—that’s billions of women with unique ideas, skillsets, and visions for the future!

Business ideas for women

Female business owners own 40% of businesses in the United States and generate 1.8 trillion dollars annually. They help keep the economy running while improving their own lives and innovating new ways to make the world better.

While any woman can start any type of business she has the knowledge and experience for, here are some of our favorite small business ideas for women who want to be their own boss!

The great news is that a lot of these business ideas are low-cost to start. Especially if you already have the necessary skills to get started!

Business ideas for women with kids

If you have children, then your life is probably quite busy already. But there are still plenty of great job ideas you can do even if you’re busy with your kids’ schedules and don’t have a lot of extra time.

1. Bookkeeping and accounting

If you liked math in school and have a knack for numbers, you might make a great bookkeeper. Bookkeeping is a great small business idea for women because you can easily find free bookkeeping courses to get trained in the right skills.

You can often find part-time online work doing bookkeeping for small businesses. It has the potential to be one of the most flexible business ideas for women at home, since you can do it as a side hustle or as a full-time job.

Comparatively, accounting requires more formal training and licensing. But you can always start with bookkeeping while you take your accounting classes.

2. Professional home organization

Remember when everyone was talking about Marie Kondo? Her Netflix series drew attention to the fact that many people aren’t happy with the amount of clutter in their homes.

However, sometimes it takes an emotionally unattached third party to manage the purging process. With a home organization business, you can charge an hourly fee to declutter a home and style rooms in a better way.

It’s a great business for women who are highly organized and have a passion for explaining their organizational processes easily to others.

And this job has flexible hours that you set yourself — a huge bonus!

3. Caring for children

Do you love kids? Get paid for it by starting your own business!

Almost 79% of childcare workers are womenA home daycare might be the best business to start for women who want to stay home with their kids while they work. After all, you can watch your own at the same time!

You’ll need to obtain the proper licensing for your state, set up a welcoming care space, and consider how you’ll handle the thousand things that kids can need.

4. Photography

The money in photography is mostly in events like weddings, and it can be a difficult industry to enter.

But it also makes a great side business idea for women, since you can schedule wedding or portrait sessions on weekends and still keep your weekdays free. Learn how to start a photography business and earn some extra money!

5. Social media management

Social media management is a good business idea for women who know how to navigate the world of the internet. If you like keeping up with online trends, can grow a following, and like managing social media accounts, then you can be a social media manager.

Marketing isn’t just for big corporations. In fact, many small business owners use the internet to advertise their services and connect with their customers.

Social media management may involve daily tasks of posting and interacting with clients on Facebook, Instagram, and even Twitter. It could also mean creating video content for YouTube channels.

You can start offering services for skills you already have, like growing a large social media following for example. Plus, you can pick up other skills as you get more experience.

It’s an especially great job for moms because you may be able to fit your social media tasks into your day whenever you have time (depending on your clients’ schedules), instead of working 9-5.

6. Personal styling

Have you always loved fashion? If you have a keen eye for putting great outfits together, becoming a personal stylist allows you to get paid for your passion.

As a stylist, you have the opportunity to work closely with clients, understanding their unique tastes, body types, and lifestyle preferences. You could offer services such as wardrobe assessments, personal shopping, and outfit coordination. And you can do it remotely or in person, making this another of the most flexible small business ideas for women!

To establish yourself as a personal stylist, you can start by building a portfolio showcasing your fashion sense and previous styling projects. Consider offering trial sessions or partnering with local boutiques to gain exposure. Don’t forget to leverage the power of social media to share style tips, outfit inspirations, and client success stories.

7. Sewing & alterations

This business for women allows you to use your sewing skills to offer a practical service that people always need.

As a professional seamstress, you can cater to a wide range of clients, including individuals who need hemming, resizing, or restyling of their clothing items. Maybe you’ll decide to specialize in wedding dress alterations or restoring vintage pieces. It’s completely up to you how many clients you take and how often you work!

To start your sewing and alterations business, consider setting up a dedicated sewing space equipped with all the necessary tools and machinery. You can market your services through word-of-mouth referrals, local advertising, or online platforms to reach a broader audience.

8. Candle-making

Candles have the power to instantly transform the ambiance of a room. The flickering flame and amazing scents help to instantly create a warm, cozy place to relax. As a candle-maker, you can help create that experience for your customers!

To get started, you’ll need to source high-quality materials such as natural waxes, fragrance oils, wicks, and containers. Experiment with different combinations of scents to create unique and captivating aromas your customers will want to reorder again and again.

Once you’ve got a handle on your business, you can expand your product line to include other scented items like wax melts, reed diffusers, room sprays, etc.

Kids love arts and crafts, so you can even involve them in age-appropriate ways! For instance, they can work on creating their own “signature scents” by experimenting with oil combinations. Check out these easy candle making ideas.

9. Transcription

Many people rely on written transcripts to follow along with audible content like podcasts, speeches, videos, TV shows, etc. It’s especially important as an accessibility accommodation for deaf people or those with hearing loss.

While automated transcription software does exist, there is still demand for human transcriptionists in industries where high accuracy matters. E.g., in legal, medical, academic, and business sectors, mistakes can be costly. You may choose to specialize in one of these fields so you can gain familiarity with industry-specific terminology, context, formatting guidelines, etc.

To get started, create a website and join professional networks in your target industry to spread the word about your service. Building a strong reputation for accuracy, confidentiality, and timely delivery will help you grow your client base over time. There are also several great transcription courses you can check out.

10. Pet care

If you’re a pet owner or an animal lover, there are plenty of ways to turn furry friends into furry clients. One of the easiest ways is to start a dog walking business by using an app or website like Rover.

As a professional pet sitter, you could visit people’s homes to feed or walk their animals while they’re away. Or, start your own “doggy daycare” where pups get dropped off at your home instead.

Pet grooming is another option in this industry: you can offer services like bathing, nail trimming, brushing, trimming, etc.

Before jumping into any animal-centered small business ideas for women, make sure you’ve evaluated potential risks. Can you handle a dog who gets aggressive? Do you have a certification for basic pet first aid in case of an emergency? Pursue the right training to make sure you and your clients are comfortable.

Best business to start for women who want to work remotely

If you would like to work remotely or work from home, then starting an online business is a smart idea. Here are some of the best jobs.

11. Online course creation

You can share your expertise on a certain subject by building your own courses. It’s a highly efficient way to teach others. It’s a lot of work upfront, but once you’ve written the materials or recorded the videos, the bulk of the job is done.

In addition, you don’t have to start from scratch. There are a variety of online course platforms where you can build and sell courses. That means a lot of the logistical work is already done!

12. Web design

Web design is one of the best home-based businesses because you can work from your computer. It’s common to see self-taught professionals in the tech industry, so you can easily find resources to teach yourself web design and start seeking clients.

There are several different tech skills under this umbrella, including visual design, UX (user experience) design, and sometimes basic coding like HTML. Your goal is to make websites attractive and also easy to navigate.

13. Graphic design

Use your art skills and graphic design software to make logos, infographics, advertisements, web banners, and more.

Web design and graphic design services are great small business ideas for women at home. They’re an excellent option for women who’ve already worked in a similar industry and are ready to strike out on their own with a graphic design business.

14. Virtual assistance

For many small business owners, virtual assistants are their lifeline—the ones behind the scenes who keep everything running.

Virtual assistants typically perform a variety of administrative tasks like answering emails, organizing calendars, doing research or data entry, etc. You can work this job on your own as a side hustle or scale up and hire other virtual assistants so you can take on more clients.

15. App development

Coding skills are easy to learn for free online and have a wide variety of useful applications (no pun intended). If you want to use them to work for yourself and build projects, you might enjoy focusing on app development programming languages.

You can build any kind of app you want. But if you want to add a female-centric twist, there are plenty of helpful apps built by women for women.

Think about the small problems you encounter each day as a woman and how an app could solve them. Then, you could build one related to personal safety, making new female friends, personalizing skincare based on data, etc.

16. Travel planning

If you love to plan things and have a lot of knowledge about great travel deals and flights, you might be interested in being a travel planner or travel agent.

Help clients book fantastic trips, flights, or transportation, and generally make sure that their vacation goes smoothly.

17. Running an online store

There are tons of online business ideas for women at home, but one that offers lots of flexibility and low startup costs is running an online store.

With your own online store, you can leverage the power of the internet. Get your products out into the world without renting a physical retail storefront.

You can run your business through an established e-commerce site like EtsyAmazon, or eBay. Or you can choose to build your own website on a platform like Shopify.

The biggest question is what to sell—and that part’s up to you. You can sell your own crafted items, flip garage sale finds, or design clothing—whatever there’s a demand for. To get started, you’ll need an internet connection and some creativity.

18. YouTube fitness video instruction

If you have a specific fitness skill, like aerobics or yoga, you can make YouTube workout videos. It’s one of the best ideas for women at home because you can work from anywhere.

You’ll need to start a YouTube channel, do research, market and monetize your channel, and be sure to create interesting videos with good lesson plans.

19. Teaching English online

Since English is a global language, there’s plenty of demand from adults who want to learn it and parents who want their children to grow up bilingual.

There are already plenty of companies like VIPKID where teachers can offer their services. Or you can take another route and start your own business as a private tutor if you have the marketing chops or connections.

20. Selling wall art

Have great ideas for decorative wall art? You can create your own designs and then sell them online.

People are always looking for unique ways to decorate their homes, so this can be one of the best small business ideas for women. You can make designs using a computer and then sell the image online, or if you prefer, you can draw or paint unique art.

If you choose to go the computer route, you can use a program like Canva to create beautiful artwork. And if you want to paint or draw your own artwork, you can sell it online or even at a market or a store.

21. Writing/blogging

Did you always get an A on your college essays? You might have a talent for the written word! Use it to start a freelance writing business or run and monetize your own blog on a topic you’re passionate about. This is my career, so I won’t be biased: it can be a hard business to start.

For example, for every great client, you might encounter 10 who want to pay a penny per word. You might get your start writing ultra-glamorous content about water filters and whether asphalt or concrete is better for driveways. It’s all part of the journey!

If you go the blogging route as a freelance writer, it takes time to get established in your niche. It takes a lot of work and learning SEO (search engine optimization) before your blog posts start appearing in search engine results.

Only then can you turn your blog into a successful business and a source of revenue. You can make money from affiliate marketing and also by selling products on your blog.

Or you might decide to become an author and instead create an ebook. You can self-publish or publish traditionally, but either way, it’s possible to make an income this way.

The Side Hustle Guide Book

Be sure to get your copy of the book, The Side Hustle Guide!

22. Freelance editing

Writing is only the first step of any content publishing process. The next is having an editor come in and polish it — that could be you!

As a freelance editor, you can specialize in a few different areas. If you have a great sense for stories, characters, and plots, you could specialize in developmental fiction editing. Or, if you’re a grammar whiz, you can focus more on general copy editing and proofreading.

Your clients could range from individual authors to publishing houses to blogs or businesses. Networking with writers and bloggers is a great way to find your first clients.

23. SEO auditing

Because the internet is huge, it can be hard for businesses to stand out. SEO (search engine optimization) is like a ticket to the front of the line. When a potential customer searches online for “XYZ near me,” for instance, every relevant business wants to be at the top of those search results.

As an SEO auditor, you’d know how to make this happen! Your main duties would be to assess and analyze a website’s SEO performance, identifying areas for improvement and providing actionable recommendations to enhance its organic search rankings.

If this sounds interesting, your first step is to familiarize yourself with popular SEO tools and software. These tools can help you analyze keyword rankings, backlinks, site speed, mobile responsiveness, and more.

24. Audiobook narrating

If you’ve ever been told you have a pleasant voice, people would probably love to listen to you reading books!

As an audiobook narrator, you’ll bring stories to life and give unique voices to the different characters. You’ll need a professional recording setup and ideally a soundproof space to create high-quality audio without distractions.

Create a website where you feature samples of your work so potential clients can decide if you sound like a good fit. Join networks of authors, publishers, and production companies to make connections and market yourself.

25. Illustration

If you have a passion for storytelling and your talents lie more on the visual arts side, think about becoming a freelance illustrator!

As an illustrator, you have the opportunity to bring ideas, characters, and concepts to life through visual storytelling. Find your niche, whether that’s creating illustrations for children’s books, webcomics, magazines, or even greeting cards. You can find gigs on sites like Fiverr and Upwork.

26. Video editing

These days, video content is bigger than ever. There are over 100 million YouTube channels alone! Videos are also created for websites and social platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

It’s an incredibly useful skill to be able to take raw footage and turn it into a compelling video with a cohesive narrative. As a video editor, you’ll bring together various elements such as audio, music, effects, and graphics to create a polished final product.

You’ll need a creative eye, technical skills, and professional editing software to start this kind of business for women. You can find video editing jobs on sites like Fiverr, Upwork and by sharing your work on social media.

Business ideas for women who work full-time or have a busy schedule

Maybe you’d like to start a side business, but you already work a full-time job or are just very busy. The best business to start for women without a lot of free time will be one that can work around your schedule.

27. Woodworking

Do you love to make things? If you’re an experienced woodworker, you can make and sell furniture, decorations, and more.

A woodworking business involves some expenses, such as tools and materials for your projects. Of course, if you are thinking of going into this industry, you likely already have a lot of these items.

28. Jewelry making

If you have an artistic eye and love to make things, then a jewelry business could be for you. You’ll need supplies and tools to begin, but once you’ve created a few designs, you can start selling them.

You can do this online or in person, depending on what works better for you. Set up a stall at a local artisan market or open an Etsy shop — or both!

29. Consulting or coaching

You can become a consultant in an industry that you have a lot of experience with. For example, marketing, business, etc. Clients can hire you to give your opinion and ideas about how they can improve.

Or you might choose to become a coach who helps others achieve their goals. Some common types of coaching jobs are a life coach and wellness coach.

30. Real estate agent or landlord

If you’re interested in real estate, become an agent. First, you need to obtain a real estate license and take an exam. Then you can sell people their dream homes and make a great income at the same time!

On the other hand, if you’d rather own property, you can purchase a rental house, condo, or apartment and become a landlord. Or you might rent out commercial real estate. However, this approach takes some money up front, because you’ll need to buy a space to rent out.

31. Personal training

Personal training can be a great option for anyone who loves fitness. A lot of people want to get in shape and like the motivation of having a personal trainer.

Coach your clients to become their healthiest selves by making workout plans and providing helpful advice and suggestions.

32. Tutoring in-person or online

Women with academic skills can use them to help kids succeed in their subject of choice. Tutoring is a super flexible business for women, since you can accept as many students as you want and limit your work to afternoons/evenings and weekends.

You can offer tutoring for elementary school students, high schoolers, college students, or even adults.

33. Teaching music

This can be one of the best small business ideas for women skilled in an instrument. Advertise locally and have students come to you for lessons in piano, violin, guitar, or whatever your specialty is.

You can also teach virtually. There are requirements to teach music in schools, but anyone can give private lessons.

34. College prep

Due to competitive college admissions systems, many high-school students need extra help to set themselves up for success.

With a college prep small business, you can offer SAT tutoring. Also help students write practice admissions essays, give advice on applying for scholarships, help them brush up on the subjects they’re likely to face their first semester, etc.

35. Pilates or yoga instructing

If you love doing Pilates or yoga yourself, consider sharing your skills! Instructors often partner with local gyms or studios to host their classes. Or, look into hosting your own classes in a public space like a park.

You can offer classes whenever you’re available. Many students like to attend in the early morning, evenings after work, or weekends. So you can probably fit at least one or two weekly classes into your busy life!

To build your reputation and experience in this arena, sign up for a training program to become a certified instructor.

Best business to start for women who want to be full-time entrepreneurs

If you want to devote the majority of your time to your business, there are a lot of options. Check out these ideas.

36. Skincare & beauty

Despite women comprising the bulk of consumers in the beauty industry, approximately 2/3 of beauty brand executives are male.

But since these products are primarily used by women, it makes sense for them to be created by women as well, right?

To help inspire your beauty-focused small business ideas for women, here are 50 female-owned beauty brands spanning lotions, cleansers, skincare for women of color, makeup, and more.

A small Etsy shop or a farmer’s market stall are great jumping-off points for these home business ideas for women. Hone your craft with artisan soaps, dry shampoo, body butters/scrubs, or other natural beauty products you can make at home.

Also, consider sensitive and minimalist skincare product ideas when creating your business model since there are fewer of those around.

37. Cleaning company

Cleaning is a great business to start that is practical and lucrative. You can begin by cleaning homes or office buildings and one day expand your business by hiring a team.

While this may take a lot of hours in the beginning, you’re also in control of how much work you accept. And as you get more clients and more people working for you, you can spend less time scrubbing counters yourself!

38. Running a bed and breakfast

A bed and breakfast business venture combines a real estate investment (your B&B building itself) with the hospitality industry (offering rooms, meals, and hotel-style amenities). Usually, you can charge a decent rate per night for this kind of boutique experience.

It’s much easier to find a building for a small B&B than it would be to open a full-fledged inn or motel. If you’d prefer to skip the “breakfast” part, you can also host short-term rentals through a platform like Airbnb.

A short-term rental business can help you cover the mortgage and taxes on a property and turn a profit, but it can also be risky during periods of travel uncertainty.

Build a solid business plan, and don’t over-leverage yourself. Your bills for the property will still be due even if no guests stay that month!

39. Interior designing

Help people create attractive and functional spaces in their homes while running your own creative business as an interior designer!

Interior design involves conceptualizing and planning the layout, color schemes, furniture, fixtures, and decorative elements of a space to create a harmonious and visually appealing atmosphere. It requires a combination of artistic vision, technical knowledge, and the ability to understand and fulfill the needs and preferences of clients.

Note that in some states, starting an interior design business requires that you have specific licensing.

40. Tour guiding

If you live near a tourist destination area and enjoy meeting new people, you can start your own tour guide company! Show guests famous sites and restaurants, and answer their questions.

While it may take time to get started, this can be an awesome way to earn money for the right person.

41. Event planning

Event planning is another industry that involves a ton of multitasking and coordinating details, and it’s one of the best business ideas for women at home.

For example, you can start a wedding planning business to help brides and grooms coordinate all the things that go into the day. These include flowers, catering, DJs, photographers, and anything else you can think of.

Or you can focus on other types of events. Become an event planner for corporate events, business grand openings, product launches, children’s parties, etc.

42. Baking

Baking is one of the best small business ideas for women who love being creative with making and decorating baked goods. And it can take several forms.

You could get a physical storefront and start an official bakery, offer made-to-order baked goods for pickup or delivery, or even sell them online if you’re confident they’ll ship intact. Make cakes for special occasions, take orders for cookies and cupcakes, bake fresh loaves of bread, etc.

This could also be the best business to start for women who have a sweet tooth. Because of course you’ll get to sample your creations to make sure they’re ready to sell!

43. Catering

You can also start a home-based catering business to prepare appetizers and meals for various types of events.

If you can occupy a niche market that’s rare in your area, you’ll be more likely to get attention as a new business. For example, newer markets you can explore are gluten-free or vegan catering.

44. Food truck

Take your recipes on the road by investing in a mobile kitchen—a food truck business! These can be costly to start up, so it might be wise to test your recipes and local demand on a smaller scale first.

Of course, they’re still much cheaper than a full-fledged restaurant and can give you more freedom with the business.

45. Makeup artist

If you’re great at makeup and know how to market your services, you might do well as a makeup artist. You can do makeup for theater, events, movies, and more.

For this sort of work, it’s important to keep developing your makeup skills through taking courses, watching videos, and lots of practice.

46. Personal chef

If you have the training and the time, you might consider becoming a personal chef. You can cook meals for families and plan out the weekly menus.

A chef job is a fun and creative way to start a business, and it may lead to a catering business or a restaurant, eventually.

47. Flower shop

Opening a flower shop is a great business idea if you love designing bouquets and have a lot of gardening and plant knowledge.

You can sell flowers, plants, corsages, and boutonnieres, or even handle the floral arrangements for weddings and events.

48. Dietitian or nutritionist

As a dietitian or nutritionist, you have the opportunity to educate and guide individuals in making informed choices about their diet and lifestyle.

These two business ideas for women are related, but being a dietitian vs being a nutritionist are also two distinct things. Dietitians are registered health professionals who have undergone specific formal training and become certified. It’s a long process that you’ll have to invest a lot of time in. Learn more about how to become a registered dietitian here.

On the other hand, nutritionists don’t have strict regulations. As long as they don’t misrepresent their medical training, they can offer services after completing more basic training and certifications. This page explains how your specific state regulates nutrition counseling.

If you pursue one of these paths, you can stand out by catering to specific types of clients. E.g., start a vegan nutritionist business, become a dietitian who supports people with specific health conditions, etc.

Expert tip

Regardless of which small business ideas for women appeal most to you, be focused and intentional in your approach. Conduct thorough market research and draw up a detailed business plan. Be clear with yourself about how much time you have to dedicate to your new side hustle. Evaluate potential start-up costs and figure out how to budget for them.

Most importantly, go into it with a strong mindset! You’ll probably encounter challenges along the way. But you can overcome them by staying resilient, adapting to change, and learning from mistakes.
Learn more about the logistics of starting a business from scratch in this article.

What business is best for women to start?

If there was one single answer to, “What business is best for women to start?”, then there would be millions of identical businesses!

The truth is, the best business for you to start is the one that aligns with your passions, skills, and experience. If you feel drawn to a specific industry, that’s your first clue!

What do female business owners struggle with?

This answer also varies. As women, we’re all unique people with our own strengths and weaknesses. Challenges can also arise based on what kind of business you own. That said, some common struggles for female business owners include:

While this can all seem daunting, you can help pave the way for future female entrepreneurs by pursuing your dreams anyway!

What business ideas make the money money?

This is a question you’ll get to answer during the market research part of your planning. What are the average business earnings in the industries you’re considering? What locations are most profitable? Is your business idea scalable?

Some of the most famously high-income industries include technology, real estate, and eCommerce. But as long as you have a solid business idea and plan, you can make lots of money in any sector!

What is the easiest business to get into?

Think about the skills, education, and experience you already have. If you have great people skills, start a business where you work directly with customers.

Always loved writing essays in college? Then freelance writing or editing could be a natural fit. Are you the designated photo-taker for friends and family? Then make it official with a photography business!

Ultimately, the easiest business is the one where you don’t need a ton of extra training and preparation to start it. For instance, building apps won’t be easy if you’ve never coded before.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t do it — you’ll just need a longer runway! Look at your one-year, five-year, and ten-year plans and decide where you want to be.

If you enjoyed this article on business ideas for women, here are a few more to check out!

Try out one of these best business ideas for women!

To start your woman-owned business off on the right foot, take our free business courses on creating a solid brand and marketing strategy. While you’re at it, don’t forget to prioritize your self-care as an entrepreneur!

There’s no better time than now to take action on the small business ideas for women we’ve listed above.

And remember, there are tons of lucrative businesses and side hustles out there, and you’ll find the perfect one that fits your lifestyle and your finances.

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14 Easy Side Hustles From Home To Try Today! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/easy-side-hustles/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/easy-side-hustles/#respond Wed, 21 Jun 2023 09:50:42 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=53823 […]

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Side hustles are a great way to increase your income without drastically changing existing life commitments. You can use the extra income from easy side hustles to help save for a big goal, pay off debt, increase your investments, or just help with monthly expenses.

Easy side hustles from home

It’s worth noting, that many popular side hustles are businesses and may require learning how to make money with a blog for beginners or another type of freelancing.

While these side hustle ideas offer real profit potential, they require an up-front investment of time and usually money, too. You typically can’t start making money as a blogger or freelancer overnight since it’ll take time to grow your readership or gain clients.

But don’t despair just yet! You can begin many side hustles today or this weekend to start making money immediately and with time, patience, and effort you can grow your side hustles to earn more!

Check out these 14 easy side hustles to make money you can start working on today:

14 Easy side hustles to make money fast

If you need extra cash now and don’t have time to invest in starting your own business, don’t worry—you can still be part of the gig economy.

It’s simple to get started with these side hustles.

In fact, many of these picks are side hustles from home to help you make a quick buck. For some of them, you don’t even have to leave the house!

1. Work as a virtual assistant

A virtual assistant (VA) is basically a personal assistant who takes care of virtual tasks.

For instance, you’ll likely schedule appointments, respond to customer emails, complete travel bookings, do data entry, etc.

To learn how to become a virtual assistant with no experience, you need a good computer with a stable internet connection. You also need to be pretty tech-savvy, organized, and good at multitasking.

This is one of the side hustles from home with the biggest profit potential. If you find enough clients, you can even turn it into a full-time business to earn a full-time income! Indeed says, the average wage for a virtual assistant is $27/hour.

If you don’t want to start a business and are just looking for an easy side hustle, you can pick up small VA gigs on websites like Task Rabbit and also Upwork.

2. Become a senior sitter or companion

Forbes reports on the growing phenomenon of aging in place. In other words, more senior citizens are choosing to live out their golden years at home instead of in a nursing home.

This means they need someone to be with them when their primary caregiver is away. It’s not only a great side hustle to make money, but it’s a great way to care for others and give back to the community!

You can find senior sitter or companion gigs on Care.com, where you can, on average, earn between $16 and $22 an hour. Care.com says this rate will vary depending on where you live and on what extra services you provide.

3. Become a Lyft or Uber driver

Driving for Lyft or for Uber is one of the easiest side hustles—and one of the fastest ways to make money.

As a driver, you can work whenever you want, day or night. You can even make extra pay during peak hours, like rush hour.

And the pay is pretty good! According to ZipRecruiter, the national average for an Uber driver is $15/hour.

Remember, though, that you’ll need a car (with insurance) and a cell phone. You’ll also have to pay for gas.

Pro tip: Become a driver for both apps to maximize your number of possible clients.

4. Shop and deliver groceries

Maybe you’re interested in a delivery side hustle, but you don’t want to be face-to-face with strangers in your car. Instead, you can work with InstaCart or also Shipt to shop and deliver groceries.

It’s simple. You get an order. You go to the store and shop.

Then, you deliver the groceries to the customer’s door. Easy, right?

Indeed says InstaCart shoppers make between $8 and $24 an hour. Bear in mind that you’ll make more money if you shop AND deliver instead of just doing the shopping.

5. Become a user tester

Looking for easy side hustles from home? Consider becoming a user tester!

Companies want feedback on their products and services—and they’re willing to pay for it. When you become a user tester, you’ll usually test out websites and apps and then give your feedback.

The compensation for the tests varies.

In addition to UserTesting, another reputable company to work with is Analysia.

6. Deliver food from restaurants

Not into shopping? Here’s another delivery side hustle to check out.

This one requires no face-to-face contact, and you don’t have to go shopping. Instead, you deliver food from restaurants to people’s doors.

To deliver food, you can work with Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats, for example.

According to ZipRecruiter, the national average earnings for a GrubHub driver is $17/hour. Don’t forget, though, that these rates vary depending on which state you live in.

7. Start driving for Amazon Flex

Finally, here’s one more delivery side hustle—and it has nothing to do with food.

For an easy side hustle, you can drive for Amazon Flex. This means you’ll deliver Amazon packages to people’s homes. All you have to do is schedule hourly blocks when you want to work, pick up the packages, and then start making deliveries!

Amazon says most Amazon Flex drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour. (Again, rates will depend on where you live.)

8. Take online surveys

This next side hustle from home is pretty similar to user testing. Market research companies also want to know people’s opinions on different products and topics—and they’ll pay you to answer surveys.

Note that the pay per survey will vary depending on the length and intensity of each survey. Dscout says that most of their surveys (called “missions”) pay between $25 and $150—but they can pay less or more depending on the time spent completing the survey.

Another great thing about this side hustle is that you can do it from anywhere! For example, you can pull out your phone in the grocery line and take a quick survey to make a few bucks.

You can start answering surveys by making an account with User Interviews, Survey Junkie, or Dscout.

9. Tutor online

You don’t have to be an expert in a subject to tutor young students in high school or middle school. So if you can still rock simple math, you’re great at English or history, or you know a foreign language, then consider becoming an online tutor.

You can connect with students online via Tutor.com, also TutorMe, and Studypool.

And the pay isn’t so bad, either! Depending on the subject and difficulty level, Indeed says you can make between $11 and $35 per hour as an online tutor.

10. Teach English online

If you would rather teach than tutor, why not teach English online? This is a wildly popular side hustle to make money that you can do whenever you want from your home.

VIPKid is one of the most well-known websites for teaching English online.

Their website states they pay $7 to $9 per 25-minute class. If that doesn’t sound like too much, know that VIPKid will provide you with all the teaching materials, so you don’t have to do any prep. This gives you the potential to make between $14 and $18 per hour.

Note, however, that VIPKid requires you to have a bachelor’s degree—and they prefer candidates with some teaching experience.

11. Rent out a spare room with Airbnb

This isn’t a fit for everyone, but if you have a spare room, then consider this easy side hustle!

Truly, this is an opportunity to try one of the best passive income ideas. All you have to do is clean the room before and after the guest’s stay. (Or you can use the cleaning fee to pay someone to do this for you!)

How much you make renting out a spare room will vary greatly depending on where you live. Airbnb says 80% of private rooms are priced under $100 per night, with a typical cost of $67 per night. But if you live somewhere tourists want to go, you can potentially earn over $100 per night!

12. Babysit

Another great side hustle to make money is good, old-fashioned babysitting.

Babysitting services are always in demand—and people are willing to pay. Indeed says, the national average rate for a babysitter is $19/hour (though this can be a higher or lower amount depending on where you live).

To start babysitting, get the word out around town with people you know. You can also look for gigs right away on Care.com.

13. Launch your retail arbitrage business

What’s retail arbitrage? Basically, you buy things for cheap, fix them up, and then sell them at a higher price.

The most popular niches for retail arbitrage are clothing and furniture. Here’s what you have to do:

  • Go to thrift shops and/or flea markets
  • Find hidden gems
  • Make any necessary repairs (e.g., replace missing buttons on a shirt or re-upholster a stuffed chair)
  • Sell the goods online at a higher price

You can sell your upcycled goods on Amazon, eBay, and also Poshmark, etc.

Note that you will need some cash up-front in order to make the purchases and repairs, so this side hustle option isn’t for everyone.

Just remember: If you don’t have the cash for this side hustle, do not go into debt for it! There are plenty of other easy side hustles to make money that you can try this weekend instead.

14. Petsit or walk dogs

If looking after kids is not your style, what about pets? If you’re a pet lover, then this is an awesome side hustle to make money because you get paid for spending time with animals. Plus, you get to set your own schedule.

You can plan regular walks with clients weeks in advance or just pick up a random walk when you have some extra time.

For help finding clients, try signing up for an account with Rover or Wag. Glassdoor says the average dog-walker earns $18/hour, but you can make more money if you petsit and host dogs at your home while their owners are away.

Expert tip

There are a lot of amazing possibilities for side hustles out there, like blogging, freelancing, photography, and selling jewelry or other artisan goods.

Businesses can be very lucrative, but they also require a lot of up-front work and expenses. For most people, you won’t make money with them overnight.

So if you need money right now, try opting for a side hustle where you work with an established company instead of starting your own. For example, you can work with Uber, Grubhub, or VIPKid.

How can I make $1,000 a month with a side hustle?

To make $1,000 a month with a side hustle, start by breaking down your money goals to make them achievable.

For example, $1,000 a month is $250 a week. You can reach this goal by starting easy side hustles from home like driving for Uber, delivering packages for Amazon Flex, or working as a virtual assistant, for example.

Then, come up with a business budget to help you tackle your goal. First, list any expenses for your side hustle. (For example, if you drive for Uber, you’ll have to pay for gas.)

Then open a separate checking account. It doesn’t have to be a specific business account, but it’s a good idea to separate your business finances from your personal finances. (Get answers for what you need to open a business bank account!)

Last, track what you earn—and where it goes.

Do you want to put your money towards debt? A savings goal? Monthly expenses? Investing?

Having a business budget for your side hustle is important because it helps you keep track of your expenses and income. This way, you can efficiently manage your expenses and reduce them where possible to maximize your profits.

What is the best side hustle?

The best side hustle for you is the one that fits your daily routine schedule and is easy for you to manage.

The good news is that there are many companies that can help you do this by letting you pick your own working hours.

For instance, you can pick your own hours if you drive for Lyft, deliver for Grubhub or Amazon, shop for Instacart, teach English on VIPKid, walk dogs for Wag, etc.

Remember the golden rule of side hustles: The best side hustle is the one that doesn’t hustle you.

What side hustle makes $100 a day?

If you want to make $100 a day with a side hustle, then becoming a driver is a great option. Whether you drive for Lyft, Uber, Amazon Flex, DoorDash, etc., most delivery driver gigs average out to about $25 per hour, which means you can make $100 in just a few hours.

If you don’t have a car or can’t otherwise work as a driver, another side hustle that can make $100 a day is being a virtual assistant. Plus, you can do this side hustle from home, so you can make extra cash without even leaving the house!

If you enjoyed this article on east side hustles to work from home, check out these related articles:

Start your side hustle (and bring home cash) today!

These easy side hustles from home are simple to start—so you can start making money ASAP to help you save for short-term savings goals or pay off debt.

If you have more time to spend on a side hustle and do want to start your business, check out our founder Bola Sokunbi’s book titled, The Side Hustle Guide.

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What Can I Sell To Make Money From Home? 39 Ideas! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/what-can-i-sell-to-make-money-from-home/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/what-can-i-sell-to-make-money-from-home/#respond Sat, 24 Jun 2023 01:29:48 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=53811 […]

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If you’re wondering, “What can I sell to make money from home?” we’ve got you! No matter what items you have, we can help you sell them.

With these ideas, you can generate extra cash right from the comfort of your own home. Below are 39 ideas!

What can i sell to make money from home

What can I sell to make money from home easily? 39 great ideas

Making extra cash is great, but you want it to be easy. Here are some suggestions.

1. Sell old clothes

Decluttering is a great way to find old, barely worn clothes in good condition. Once you’ve found some quality clothes, you can sell them online.

Many websites like PoshmarkMercari, and Facebook Marketplace allow you to sell clothing, and you could make some money, especially for name-brand items.

Do you own items that are designer or special occasion wear, such as a wedding dress or a Chanel handbag? Depending on the condition, selling these items could help you earn a good amount of money.

2. Make jewelry

If you want to know, “What can I sell from home to make money?” and you’re creative, try making jewelry. Start with one or two items like necklaces and earrings, and slowly add more to the collection.

Once you’ve made a few pieces, you can sell them in person or open an online store.

3. Repurpose old phones

If you’re good with technology, try refurbishing or repurposing old phones. You can buy older models online and then fix them up for sale to make some extra cash. Verizon’s website has some great ideas for repurposing old phones.

4. Make decorative coffee mugs

Everyone loves a good coffee mug. So try making some with fun quotes or drawings using glue and/or paint. You can then sell your creations to friends, relatives, or online.

5. Make T-shirts

You can print T-shirts for money. Making some for businesses or companies that want to buy in bulk is great. You can also do individual patterns and designs.

Sites like Printful and Printify are great for printing your own shirts.

6. Sell furniture 

Furniture is a good place to start if you’re struggling with the question of “What can I sell to make money from home?”. For example, you may have furniture that gets little use in your garage or house. If so, clean it up and put that furniture up for sale!

7. Create planners or PDFs

If you like to design things, try creating printable planner pages or PDFs. You can make all kinds of organizing printables like grocery lists, to-do lists, and budgeting templates, for example.

8. Get paid to write

Writing articles or blog posts can be very profitable. Find a niche you know a lot about or want to know more about. Brush up on your communication skills and look for websites hiring freelance writers.

Good places to look for freelance writer or blogger work as a beginner include Upwork and Fiverr.

9. Do email marketing

Email marketing is a form of writing focusing on selling or getting people to engage with a website. It’s a great business to start, even with limited skills. As long as you’re a good writer, you can find decent-paying gigs.

Once you improve your skills, you can dive more into freelance marketing.

10. Sell paintings or drawings

Do you love to draw or paint? If so, put your masterpieces up for sale online.

Check the current market and see what art like yours will sell for. Then create, take some photos, and upload your art to your website or social media.

Once you understand the market, create an online shop and sell your artwork from there.

11. Create a recipe book

A fun answer to the question, “What can I sell from home to make money” is creating an original recipe book. Combine your best meal plans and sell them as an eBook.

People are always looking for new cooking ideas, so this is a great way to earn passive income.

12. Become a virtual assistant

Many busy executives and business owners need virtual assistants. You can do this online with computer experience, a solid internet connection, and people skills.

Check out the opportunities on job boards or market yourself on social media.

13. Do photography

Are you a great photographer? Try selling your own stock photography on your website or online store. Practice in your niche, and you can work up to charging higher prices.

14. Become a scheduler

As a scheduler, you can work with individuals and companies by managing their calendars and scheduling multiple appointments.

You’ll need organization skills, an understanding of customer service, and a good attitude.

15. Sell old books

If you have an extensive collection of books you no longer read and want to sell them, it’s easy to do this online. Keep an eye out for any series you can sell as a set. Selling textbooks can also bring you a good amount of money.

There are a lot of good places to sell old books online, including Amazon and Decluttr.

16. Sell dishes

Maybe you’re still thinking, what can I sell to make money from home? You may have some beautiful dishes made of china or other costly material.

If the dishes aren’t sentimental, they could be a great selling item. Be sure to package them properly for shipping.

17. Sell a collection of things you own

If you have a unique collection, it might be of value. For instance, it could be first-edition books, comics, or other rare items.

Before you start selling, remember to check the value of your items. Some popular items that are worth a good amount of cash include beanie babies, McDonald’s Happy Meal Toys, Pokemon cards, and many other nostalgic toys.

18. Rent out some space in your home

If you don’t mind sharing your home or have a guest house or another floor in your place, rent it out. For example, if you have a beautiful backyard space, you can rent it out for photoshoots.

You can also rent spare rooms. It’s a great house hack and a way to make a consistent monthly income.

19. Sell outdoor tools and appliances you don’t use

If you have way more yard tools and appliances than you need, fix them and sell them. Round up your big-ticket items and clear the clutter. Depending on the season, you can sell these items fairly quickly to make money from home.

20. Sell your shoes

Do you have any designer shoes in good condition? Consider selling those brand-name shoes. While you may not get what you paid for them, they could still be worth a significant amount.

21. Make or sell decorations

You may have wall decor, lighting, rugs, or other home decorations to sell. These are great items if you’re still asking what can I sell from home to make money.

To get started, take good photos and sell them online.

22. Sell your old computer or laptop

A lot of people will buy used computers and laptops. Thus you can make some cash from selling an old laptop you don’t use.

23. Sell anything antique or vintage

Antique or vintage items like clothing, furniture, or pieces specific to a particular era can be sold to make some quick cash. Find out what the antiques you own are worth to determine whether or not to sell.

24. Give advice by blogging or on YouTube

If there’s a subject you’re passionate about, take up blogging or start your own YouTube channel to tell others about it. Although this doesn’t instantly make money, running ads or affiliate links can work in the long run.

With YouTube videos, there are many topics to choose from, including video games, finance, fashion, and more.

Or, start writing a blog and make money from Google Adsense and affiliate marketing. There’s no limit to your earnings with these jobs.

25. Make coasters

Everyone needs coasters; if you’re creative, you can make some. Then, sell them for a profit. Homedit has some great DIY coaster ideas.

You can try different designs to see if a product sells and develop more ideas over time.

26. Sell online classes or tutorials

If you’re still struggling with the idea, “What can I sell to make money from home” think about what you’re good at.

Yoga? Welding? Budgeting? Make an online class or tutorial and sell it.

You can set up the course on your website or on platforms such as Udemy.

Classes can also be a great way to easily make money online because you can make your schedule and even work this around a full-time job.

27. Do social media marketing

Are you great with social media? If you’re a good writer with communications experience, you can become a social media marketer. There’s potential to make decent money, though it may take some time to get started.

Small business owners and brands can pay you to plan content for their social media accounts (or multiple accounts) and market their products. A job like this may involve market research and staying current on social media trends.

In addition, if you’ll need great organizational skills. Over time, social media management can be offered in addition to marketing.

28. Create websites

Another legitimate way to earn money is by setting up websites for others. You can charge by the project or hour and include various services. It’s a great way to make some cash.

Understanding user experience (how easy and user-friendly the website is to navigate)and web design is beneficial.

29. Sell your gym equipment

If you have some gym equipment gathering dust, you can sell it and make a decent profit.

Ensure it’s all up to safety standards, and clean it up to make it look as good as possible before selling.

30. Make homemade candy

Do you love to make sweets? Then you could start a business selling candy. Make large batches on the weekends, and sell them to friends or family.

31. Walk dogs or pet sit

If you love animals, one of the best gigs is to become a pet sitter or dog walker. Walk dogs during the day while their owners are at work or watch pets when people go on vacation.

Rover is an awesome place to find jobs, and you can also do this as a short-term or long-term side gig.

32. Do surveys and use shopping apps

Many apps like iBotta and Swagbucks will give you rewards like cash back and gift cards when you shop.

Survey sites are also an easy way to do some remote work part-time by giving your opinion. Online surveys can help companies with their marketing. Survey Junkie is a good place to start.

33. Sell domain names

Another good remote job is selling domain names. You can purchase domains you think will sell for more money and then resell them later (known as domain flipping). Or you can sell domain names you already own.

Be sure to get your copy of the book, The Side Hustle Guide!

Side Hustle Guide Book
Get your copies!

34. Sell baby and kid items on eBay

Baby mats, bottles, and monitors are popular items that are sold and resold on eBay. What treasures can you find in the closet of barely used and old toys your three-year never places with? The pile of clothes your children grew out of too fast can all find a new home once sold online.

35. Sell crafts and supplies on Etsy

Whether it’s crochet patterns, knitting needles, or just extra balls of yarn, selling crafting supplies is popular on Etsy. Chances are they’re a crafter looking to buy what you offer.

36. Create and sell digital products

Digital products are virtual products that can be downloaded and used by customers. Common digital products include digital media such as graphics, logos, and digital art. However, you can also create digital products such as worksheets and workbooks.

37. Sell household items at a garage sale

Although there are many online platforms, there’s nothing wrong with a good old fashion garage sale to sell your household items.

Electronics and antiques are great items to sell in person because buyers can have a first-hand look, and you don’t have to worry about shipping fragile items. 

38. Rent out a room on Airbnb

As previously suggested, you can rent a space in your home or apartment. However, if you hesitate about long-term rentals, Airbnb is a great option.

With Airbnb, you can customize when you want to open your place to guests so you can regulate who comes and who goes. 

39. Resale kitchen gadgets

Selling your old but functional kitchen appliances, such as a coffee maker or electric grill, can be a great way to earn extra money.

Especially for stay-at-home moms, who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you know which appliances are in need of an upgrade and can be resold.

Expert tip

When deciding what to sell from home, start with the most accessible items. For instance, it’s better to start selling the designer clothes you rarely wear than start a blog.

If you want to turn selling items from home into a business, invest your extra money to help you turn your side hustle into a full-time business.

What to do with the money you earn

If you’ve answered the question of what can I sell to make money from home, you’ll have some extra cash soon. In addition, if you make even a few hundred dollars extra each month, it adds up quickly over a year!

So what should you do with the money? Here are some suggestions.

Create a special savings account

It would be easy to put this extra cash towards things that aren’t necessary. But that would fill up your home with more things you’ll later want to eliminate.

Did you know that 64% of Americans admit to impulse spending? So instead of overspending your extra, add your money to a special savings account with a specific purpose.

There are many ways to use this account. Towards a vacation, a down payment, or a project like a home remodel.

Having a target amount you want to save is a good idea. Then, keep building up the account until it reaches the number you’ve decided on. Remember, the more items you sell and the more money you collect by running a business, the faster you’ll reach your goal.

Use the extra savings to invest 

Maybe you don’t have a project or specific goal in mind for your extra funds, but you can still instead invest the money. You can use a retirement savings account or a traditional brokerage.

You can invest in real estate or even in your personal development by setting goals and learning new things. Be sure to also do your research on any investment you make.

Build a rainy day fund

Everyone needs a rainy day fund. You might think of this as an emergency fund. But it’s usually used for less significant expenses that come up.

Your rainy-day fund can be less substantial if you already have some emergency savings.

Rainy day funds are always a good idea. It’s a way to handle unexpected things without diving into your emergency fund savings. So think of it as insurance that helps you not to need your emergency fund as much.

What can I sell to get $1,000 dollars?

To make $1,000 from selling items at home, you need to focus on big-ticket items with a high value. Such things can include:

  • Designer outfits
  • An old phone in excellent condition
  • Barely used furniture
  • Rare collector items
  • Appliances
  • Laptops or tablets that are only a year or two old

What is the easiest thing to make and sell?

Items like coasters and decorative mugs are some of the simplest items to make and sell. The process can be done on the computer, and you don’t need special skills. A site like printful.com can help you get set up.

Another idea is a recipe book; you probably already have many go-to recipes and you can self-publish a book for sale through a platform like Lulu Publishing.

Lastly, homemade candy is simple and requires only a few ingredients. There are tons of great easy-to-make recipes to explore.

Where can I sell items from home?

Two popular online marketplaces for selling items from home are Etsy and eBay. However, other platforms include Craigslist, Facebook MarketplaceShopify, VarageSale, and Swappa.

Did you enjoy this article on selling items from home? For more inspiration, check out the following articles.

Leverage these ideas of what to sell to make money from home!

Selling services to generate income and selling items we don’t need is valuable. You’ll make extra cash and free your home from clutter.

The key to making this money, however, is getting started. Now that you have some ideas get to work on your favorite ones! And for even more ideas, find out how to make $300 fast or $1000 a month!

The post What Can I Sell To Make Money From Home? 39 Ideas! appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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40 Top Hobbies That Make Money https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/hobbies-that-make-money/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/hobbies-that-make-money/#respond Mon, 19 Jun 2023 11:05:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=10995 […]

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What kind of hobbies do you have? We use them to pass the time, develop skills, and make friends. But did you know the potential to make extra cash with them is enormous? Hobbies that make money are a great way to help set yourself up financially!

Hobbies that make money

Maybe you think that you don’t have skills or hobbies that would make an income. But almost anything can bring in cash if you get creative and don’t give up. Whatever you enjoy – from organizing closets to driving your car – can be an opportunity.

Top hobbies that make money: 40 Great ideas

Not sure where to start? Below are 40 top hobbies that make money. This huge list full of great ideas will help you find something that will be a good match for you!

1. Writing

Many say that good writers are always needed, and that’s true. From writing website pages to articles, there are so many ways to specialize. Start with what you’re an expert at or something that you’re interested in learning. It could be fashion, social media, or business.

Make your own website to start reaching out as a freelance writer. It could take a little time to work up to the rates you want to charge, but the beauty of a side hustle is that you have the time to get your business running with low risk. According to Zip Recruiter, the average writer’s salary is currently $62,553.00.

2. Gardening or landscaping

Do you love to be outdoors? If you have a green thumb, consider gardening or landscaping as a seasonal side gig.

Many people don’t have the time to work on their yards, but they’re happy to pay top dollar for great service. If you think this could be for you, you can start by asking around in your local neighborhood and town to see if anyone needs help.

3. Drawing

If you’re artistically inclined, you might try making some extra money from drawing. You can easily sell drawings online if you turn them into prints.

Many people are looking for original artwork to set up in their homes. You can be your own boss or create made-to-order masterpieces.

4. Calligraphy

Calligraphy is a bit of a lost art. Many people love the look but don’t know how to do it themselves. You can sell your calligraphy services with a little marketing.

Think wedding invitations, handmade flyers, and more. You can keep it local by talking with business owners in your area or get hired online.

5. Blog or website creation

A lot of bloggers and businesses need websites that are beautiful and functional. They may have business skills but no design or technical skills.

If you’re good at blogging or website creation, you can sell your services to customers. It is also a skill you can teach yourself and get hired when you feel that you’ve mastered the trade.

6. Social media management

A lot of business owners hire freelancers for their marketing and daily tasks on Facebook, LinkedIn, and more. It helps if you have a large social media following when you get started with this. But you can pick up many of the skills you need along the way.

7. Personal shopping

Want to make cash shopping with someone else’s money? It can take many forms, from grocery shopping to clothes and any other items you can think of. You may also give shoppers guidance about what to purchase.

8. Driving

If you have some extra time and live in a city with a large population, you might have an opportunity to be a driver for others. You might choose to work with Uber or Lyft.

Perhaps you’ll also consider doing food deliveries. It’s easy, and you can quickly make a few bucks if you enjoy being in the car.

9. Making cards

Handmade cards are still appreciated by many, and if you’re crafty, you might enjoy this a lot. You’ll need to purchase supplies and then decide how you’ll sell your cards. Either through a website or in person, or both.

10. Baking

Do you love to create cakes, cookies, and desserts? It might be a perfect opportunity to make more cash. You can box up your creations and sell them in amounts of a dozen, half a dozen, and more. Maybe even try your hand at cake decorating or begin catering for businesses and individuals.

11. Cooking or personal chef

Many people love a homemade meal, but they’re just too busy. If you’re a great cook or have chef experience, you might be able to make some money.

Some families like to have a personal chef prepare their meals, considering dietary restrictions and food preferences. Or you might also use your cooking skills to teach others.

12. Dog walking

Do you love animals? Become a dog walker quickly by using an app or website. You can usually set your own hours, plus you get to be outdoors. You may be able to make even more through pet sitting, which you can offer if you have the time.

13. House sitting

Many homeowners feel better being away from home if they know that someone trustworthy is watching out for things while they’re gone. House-sitting can take anywhere from a few days to several months at a time.

If you like to travel, you may be able to pick up some house-sitting positions in other cities or countries, as well. Not only do you have a place to stay, but you’ll make some extra cash, or at least have somewhere to live without paying rent, which means you save that money.

14. Blogging

Blogging is writing, but you’ll make money with a blog differently than a freelance writer. The majority of income is from ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and courses or merchandise available on the blog.

You do start by writing articles, but it’s much more. If you build up a large audience, it can be one of the best hobbies that make money.

15. Make YouTube videos

Are you an expert at something? Or are you at least somewhat entertaining or funny? You can start a YouTube channel making videos and even vlogging about your life. Once you begin gathering views and subscribers, you can monetize. Building up the channel takes time, but it can also be a tremendous semi-passive income source eventually.

16. Interior decorating

Everyone wants a cozy and stylish home. Some people have a knack for adding the right touches to a room to bring it all together.

If you have any interior design experience, or you get a lot of compliments about your own home, you might have an interior decorating business on your hands. You can even do this remotely by offering advice over the phone or using video conferencing to help clients pick out decor to order.

17. Painting houses

Are you good at painting and have some availability during the week or on weekends? House painting might be the gig for you.

Specialize in interior or exterior, or both! You can set your hourly rate and work as a freelancer. Try painting around your own home and taking some good photos to create a portfolio.

18. Live frugally

There is a way to make money besides earning more. You can spend less living a frugal lifestyle. It’s possible that by taking some time to evaluate your budget and purchases, you could save several hundred dollars a month – sometimes the equivalent of a side hustle!

Try to cut back on things you don’t need, such as subscriptions, streaming services, and eating out. From there, spend less in crucial areas by using coupons or energy-saving techniques. There are many blogs devoted to living frugally that can help you get started.

19. Knitting

Do you love to knit scarves, hats, and other items? You can sell them online for great prices. Many people love to buy something made by hand and will pay top dollar for it. Plus, you can decide how often you want to create things to sell. Knitting is also one of those great stress-relieving hobbies!

20. Sewing

Know how to sew? Most people don’t, so you can definitely monetize this skill. You can sew clothing, pillowcases, blankets, and more. You could start with selling to friends or family and build up a clientele from there.

21. Alterations

Many people buy clothes that don’t quite fit or that need tailoring. You can do this from the comfort of your own home and set your prices and hours. Become the go-to alterations business in your area, or even find clients online that will send you their clothing and measurements.

22. Do makeup

Do you have a gift for creativity and love doing your own or others’ makeup? You might have a budding career as a makeup artist.

Take lots of portfolio pictures with different looks, and get the word out about your services. Weddings, birthdays, and other events are great places to make money from this hobby.

23. Photography

If you love to capture a moment, photography could be for you. Photographers often hire themselves out for special occasions and family portraits, engagements, and more. Find your niche, build a website, and begin making extra cash!

24. Creating courses online

If you have exceptional computer skills and are an expert at something, you can make an online course. Pick a subject you have a lot of knowledge of. From there, you can write articles, make videos, and deliver content in whatever form you choose. You can then sell your expertise on sites like Teachable.

25. Investing

It’s a long-term strategy, but it can be one of the best examples of hobbies making money! Start by checking out some options like index funds. You will probably end up combining several techniques to create your perfect investing portfolio.

26. House flipping

This one may require some money upfront because you’ll need to purchase a property and then renovate it, but there are other ways to obtain money for a house flip.

You can make a profit by fixing it up and selling it. It works exceptionally well if the house location is in a desirable area.

27. Woodworking

If you enjoy creating things and you have some carpentry skills, you can make a profit. You might try selling made-to-order products or perhaps setting up an online store and taking orders.

28. Car detailing

Do you love cars? Car detailing could be perfect for you. You’ll need to purchase some equipment to get started, and you may require licensing, as well. From there, you can begin your marketing strategy.

29. Computer and electronic maintenance

When tech and electronics stop working, it sometimes takes special skills to fix them. If you’re good with computers, you might consider hiring out your services. It can range from maintenance for phones to laptops and more. Find what you’re good at and go from there.

30. Fixing watches

If you can repair watches, especially high-end ones, you can make some money. Since watches are classic timepieces that people tend to keep for years, many would rather fix them than buy a new one. You can get the word out about this and find some clients in no time. A license may be needed.

31. Flipping furniture

Do you love a good bargain? Begin by hunting at garage sales and thrift stores for pieces with good bones that need a bit of work. You’ll want to buy as cheaply as possible.

Once you buy a few items, fix them up with paint, reupholstering, and thorough cleaning. Then sell them for a higher price online or through the newspaper.

32. Book reviews

If you’re a fast reader who values a well-written sentence, this could be the perfect gig. There are many sites online that hire book reviewers, like Online Book Club or Reedsy.

You read the books and then give a fair report. Companies have different requirements about what they look for in a review. Not only do you make some extra cash, but you get to spend your time reading!

33. WordPress maintenance

WordPress may be a platform where anyone can build a website, but the skills needed to maintain the site are different. Many companies and individuals prefer to hire out this skill.

That’s where you come in. If you have a lot of WordPress knowledge and know-how to handle maintenance, you can work as a freelancer for others.

34. Event and wedding planning

Are you great at creating lists and schedules and ordering supplies? You might have the skills to be an event or wedding planner. A lot of people want to hire an expert to help them prepare for events.

It may include creating timelines, calling and negotiating with vendors, and being at the venue to help on the event’s day. It’s a good side gig because many events are on the weekends.

You can make some good money if you do well with this, too, especially if you know how to network and earn some fantastic reviews.

35. Professional organizing

Do you absolutely love to have everything in its place? Are you great at making systems that work? Professional organizing could be for you.

Many people are overwhelmed by organizational tasks, especially in their homes. Places like garages and closets are begging for a professional organizer to come in and help out. Especially when it comes to organizing on a budget.

36. Teaching a skill

Everyone has a talent. From singing to yoga to soccer, the chances are good that someone else will want to learn the skill you’re an expert at. You can give lessons in person or online, depending on the subject.

Not only is it great to make money, but you’ll be teaching others something valuable and fun.

37. Home maintenance

If you’re great at fixing things, you might try working in home maintenance. Small repairs are an excellent place to start. Depending on what sort of work you do, you may need licensing at some point.

38. Editing

Editing is relatively easy to get started with if you freelance. You can create a website and start gathering odd jobs here and there to build your portfolio.

There’s a wide range of editing tasks, from simple grammatical corrections to restructuring the writing. Find out what you like best.

39. Sell printables

Then you can make your shop and sell digital versions to the masses. The best part is, once you finish making these, it can be mostly passive income.

40. Room or house rental

Do you have a lot of extra space, or maybe a whole house you don’t live in? If that’s the case, consider renting out your home or a room in your home for extra money.

This is a great way to house hack! Sites like Airbnb are great for shorter-term rentals, but you may also choose to allow a renter long-term – whatever works best for your budget and lifestyle.

Expert tip

When it comes to picking a hobby that makes money be sure it’s something you love doing. Why? Because at the end of the day, that is what hobbies really are – activities you enjoy! The ability to monetize your hobby is an added plus!

How do I get started with hobbies that make money?

When you’re turning a hobby into a side income, expect there to be a learning curve. Even if you are good at something, the business aspect may take some time to understand. Pick something you enjoy, but make sure that you still have other pastimes.

It’s important because once a hobby becomes something you make money from, it may start to feel a bit more like work. Any of the hobbies that make money mentioned in this article can be great places to begin.

What is the best hobby to make money?

The best hobbies to make money with are ones tied to high-demand needs or solutions to problems that people have. For example, hobbies like blogging on interesting topics, crafting, driving, shopping, repairs, and event planning can be very lucrative.

Don’t get why you started though. It’s likely that your hobby is something you enjoy doing, so plan to keep it that way.

Can a hobby be a side hustle?

Yes! If you are interested, you can absolutely turn your hobby into a steady side hustle business. To do this be sure to create a plan for your business including the products you plan to sell, who you plan to sell them to, how you will market your business as well as a plan for your business finances!

How do I get paid for my hobby business?

When you’re setting up payments for your hobby business, you can use paying platforms like PayPal or Venmo to get started. Make sure you keep detailed expense and income reports.

How do I set fair prices for my hobby?

As for setting your prices for your hobby – research, research, research; find out what the going rate is in your area for the type of work you’ll be doing.

However, remember that you may not make what they do right away if someone is an expert in the industry. Price your services reasonably when you begin, and increase over time.

If you enjoyed reading the article on hobbies that make money, here are some others you’ll like too:

Leverage these hobbies that make money today!

There are even more examples out there of hobbies making money. Be sure to check out these awesome indoor hobbies – maybe you can get some additional inspiration! Almost anything that you enjoy can turn into an income-generating gig with some work and determination.

The one for you is the one you have the skills and resources to get started with. Make sure to gain knowledge in your area of expertise by researching and learning more the type of hobby you are interested in. Then, continue to grow your small business!

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50 Money-Making Crafts You Can Easily Do At Home https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/money-making-crafts/ https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/money-making-crafts/#comments Mon, 05 Jun 2023 05:04:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=10794 […]

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Do you enjoy making crafts? Did you know that there are crafts that you can make and sell? Yup, you can do something you love and make an income from it! Money-making crafts are all the rage and it’s easier than ever to start your own home business. All you need is your supplies, an internet connection, and some know-how to get started!

Money-making crafts

If you’re looking for a way to bring in some extra money and you enjoy being creative then selling crafts may be the answer for you.

Making money selling crafts

Selling crafts is a great money-making skill to have. Personally, I think it can be a great side hustle to bring in extra money because the start-up costs are low, and there are so many different crafts you can sell. It’s a perfect way to bulk up your savings accounts or even save for a vacation.

It makes a great business for stay-at-home moms. Some stay-at-home moms actually have a full-time business selling money-making crafts!

It’s a great way for your kids to make money, too, because it’s something they can do with you from home. Whether it’s your side hustle or full-time job, you need to ensure you have a business plan in place, so you cover your costs and turn a profit.

Pricing your crafts to sell

When calculating your costs and deciding what to price your items at, you want to use a pricing formula to ensure you make money! The following formula is known as the craft pricing formula and can be useful as a general pricing guide:

Cost of supplies + labor (the time it takes you to make the item) + 10-15% overhead = Your total costs

Total costs x 2 = Wholesale price

Wholesale price x 2 = Retail price (what you should price your item for)

For example, if your supplies cost $20 and you want to make $20 an hour for labor, you add those two together and add 15% overhead (which is $6).

The total cost is $46. So, $46 multiplied by two equals $92, which is your wholesale price. Then multiply your wholesale price of $92 by two, which totals $184, and this would be your retail price for your item.

Pricing your items may include other factors, but as mentioned above, this formula is a good guideline.

Top 50 crafts that make money

There are a ton of DIY crafts to sell and you can either have a few select items or multiple types of crafts you can make. Let’s get into some ideas!

1. Worksheets and printables

One of the most money-making crafts to sell is printables because they are inexpensive to make. There are so many worksheets and printable ideas to choose from. Some popular printables are checklists, calendars, coloring pages, quotes, etc.

Printables are one of the cheapest craft ideas to sell because you create the item, and the person downloads it and prints it!

2. On-demand shirts

Who doesn’t love a good T-shirt?! You can create your own design and sell your own shirts via Printful. They let you use a free mock-up generator to see what your products will look like before you sell them.

This platform integrates with top eCommerce platforms and websites so you can sell your on-demand shirts however you choose.

3. Planners and organizers

Planners are one of the top money-making crafts you can sell. In fact, statistics show millions of dollars is spent on planners and organizers! You can create and self-publish your planner on a publishing site like Lulu.

You can sell your planner on the Lulu bookstore and also on your own website. Planners are one of my favorite ideas, as it’s one of those treat-yourself items that everybody loves.

4. Body scrubs

Everyone wants beautiful glowing skin, which is why body scrubs are the best crafts to make and sell. Body scrubs are easy to make, and you can buy your supplies in bulk to cut costs. Check out these 7 DIY body scrubs you can make.

5. Body butter

Body butter is another one of the easier DIY crafts to make and sell. They are wildly popular, and you can find tons of different types to make. Remember when making beauty items, list the ingredients for your customers, so they know what’s in them.

6. Bath bombs

Bath bombs are a blast to make because you can make them in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors! You can order most of the ingredients you need from Amazon. Bath bombs are the best money-making crafts to sell because they are inexpensive to make and very profitable.

7. Custom mugs

One of the most popular gift ideas is a custom coffee mug. If you enjoy being creative, you can make custom Sharpie mugs to sell or use Printful to create other mug designs. You don’t have to be an artist to make great mugs. Some of the highest-selling mugs have funny quotes or inspirational sayings on them.

8. Handmade soap

There’s something lovely about a beautiful bar of soap, which is probably why it’s one of the most adored craft ideas to sell. You don’t have to make it too complicated; there are many melt-and-pour soap recipes that take less time to make but still bring in good money.

9. Jewelry

Jewelry is one of the top crafts that make money because there are so many styles and types to create, you will never run out of ideas. Some people even make quilled paper jewelry to sell! You can make resin, beaded, or leather jewelry. The possibilities are endless!

10. Decorative wreaths

Decorative wreaths are, in my opinion, one of the most fun crafts to make and sell. There are many different types of wreaths you can make, and they are the perfect gift idea. You can make burlap wreaths, floral wreaths, and ribbon wreaths.

I often buy wreaths for different holidays and seasons, and I’m sure I’m not the only one, so there is a lot of income potential with these DIY crafts.

11. Custom garden planters

Gardening is a beloved hobby, which means custom garden planters are great crafts to make and sell. You can get pots and supplies cheap at stores like Dollar General. You can even “branch” out and sell them with planted succulents or flowers.

12. Garden markers

Another fun item to make and sell is garden markers. You can make them out of lids, fused beads, rocks, and even clothespins! You’d be surprised at how popular garden markers are on Etsy.

13. Pet rocks and worry pets

Who remembers the pet rock phase? Well, apparently, these beloved low-maintenance “pets” are still around! Not only that, there is a new version called worry pets for kids with anxiety. These are fun crafts to make and sell that will bring a smile to your face.

14. Scented candles

If you’re a candle lover, then making scented candles to sell may be perfect for you. There are many types of candles you can create with different waxes, scents, and even flowers. Candles are always in demand, which makes them a fabulous DIY craft to make and sell.

15. Lip balms

Whether it’s a sizzling Summer or frigid Winter, lip balm is the go-to for soft, hydrated lips. You can make pretty tinted lip balm and also put it in cute containers, and even make stickers or labels for them. You can get an entire lip balm kit for under $45!

16. Keychains

Keychains are another one of our favorite craft ideas to make and sell. You can even make keychains from wine corks! They are inexpensive to make, and the possibilities are endless.

17. Sell your photography

Not only is photography an amazing hobby you can actually make money from it. There are a variety of ways you can do this. One is to sell your images through sites such as Shutterstock, Foap, and Etsy. Another fun way is to print your image, frame it, and sell it.

18. Turn your paintings into money-making crafts

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the same goes for art. If you enjoy painting, this is definitely one of the money-making crafts you should try to sell. No matter what you paint, there’s probably a market for it.

19. Decorative coasters

There are many types of decorative coasters you can make. Some use tiles, resin, even twine to make unique styles of coasters. The sky’s the limit with this awesome craft.

20. Mason jar soap dispensers

Create customized mason jar dispensers to sell for profit. You can buy jars in bulk on Amazon or check sites like Craigslist to get them cheap or even free! You can paint them or use vinyl to decorate them.

21. Bookmarkers

Bookmarkers are one of the easiest DIY crafts to make and sell. You can make them out of ribbon, paper, and paper clips. The great thing about them is they are light, which means lower costs in shipping.

22. Greeting cards

Greeting cards and note cards are always in demand because there is always an occasion for a card. Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and even just because are why people are always grabbing up a great greeting card. You can make simply designed cards to elaborate cards like this fabulous Tropical Friendship Card.

23. Candy Bouquets

Who needs flowers when you have candy?! Candy bouquets are one of the best craft ideas to sell because they are cheap to make, and almost everyone loves candy. Check out this adorable lollipop bouquet to make!

24. Bird feeders

You won’t believe all the different types of bird feeders you can make and sell. There are birdseed wreaths, wine bottle feeders, and of course, the classic wooden house bird feeder. Bird lovers adore setting up cute homes for their feathered friends, which is why this craft is a money maker.

25. Quilts and baby blankets

If you enjoy sewing, crocheting, or knitting, then making quilts and baby blankets will be one of your favorite crafts to make and sell. You can even make quilts out of old t-shirts!

26. Wind chimes

Create something for relaxation and decor with DIY wind chimes. You can make wind chimes with beads, seashells, bottle caps, and keys! This is one of the ultimate repurpose craft ideas to make and sell.

27. Hair accessories

Can you believe Scrunchies are making a comeback? There will always be a demand for fun and beautiful hair accessories because there are many trends and styles to choose from.

Basically, any type of hair accessory you can think of can be made and sold. Think headbands, scrunchies, blinged-out hair clips, and hair ties.

28. Wall decor and signs

You can make a ton of things with wood pallets, but one of the most loved items is farmhouse signs. You can put cute messages on them and give them a distressed look too. Sometimes you can find these pallets for free at local businesses or on Craigslist.

29. Pet accessories

Pets deserve to be spoiled, and pet accessories are some of the best crafts that make money. There has been a boom in the online pet market, which means it’s even more profitable than before. You can make customized pet dishes, leashes, collars, toys, and treats. This is the perfect side business for a pet lover.

30. Purses and tote bags

You can upcycle purses or make custom tote bags out of items such as tank tops. Shop the Goodwill for old purses to upcycle and sell. If you can sew then, you can make your own line of purses!

31. Snow globes

There’s something magical about snow globes, which is probably why they are one of the most adored crafts to make and sell. You can make customized snow globes with mason jars for any occasion.

32. Picture frames

Upcycling picture frames is one of the least expensive crafts to make and sell. You can buy old frames from Goodwill and Thrift stores super cheap, customize them by painting them and decking them out with things like seashells, gemstones, etc.

33. Gift baskets

Gift baskets are some of the most lucrative money-making crafts to sell. Like greeting cards, there is always a holiday, birthday, wedding, or some occasion that calls for a gorgeous gift basket. I know there have been plenty of times when I’ve needed to buy a gift last minute, and a gift basket was the perfect thing!

Basically, any theme you can think of is an idea for a gift basket. Check out how to start your gift basket-making business and start making money.

34. Jewelry boxes

You can pick up old jewelry boxes at yard sales or thrift shops to upcycle and sell. Like other items, you can paint them or customize them to make them unique. If you’re really ambitious, you can learn to make your own out of wood and other materials. Upcycling and making jewelry boxes can be one of the best-selling money-making crafts.

35. Pine Cone fire starters

Pinecone fire starters prove you can sell just about anything. In fact, the core of your item is free! You just go collect pinecones, then doctor them up with wax flakes and fragrance, and you have one of the cheapest DIY crafts to sell.

36. Decorative vases

If you’re looking for one of the simplest craft ideas to sell its decorative vases. You can buy cheap vases and paint them or customize them. Stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General tend to have inexpensive vases for sale.

37. Beachy glass terrarium

You can create a beachy glass terrarium and sell it to the beachcombers at heart. You can pick up your sand and seashells on your next beach vacation or purchase your supplies on Amazon. Of course, it’s the perfect excuse for a budget-friendly vacation.

38. Upcycle shoes

One of our favorite craft ideas to sell are upcycled shoes. Customized shoes are all the rage. For instance, some hand-painted and customized shoes sell for over $100 a pair!

39. Knit scarves and hats

If you know how to knit or crochet, then scarves and hats are the perfect crafts to make and sell. You can get free patterns to help inspire you to make various styles of hats and scarves.

40. Plush toys

Plush toys aren’t just loved by kids; even adults find these adorable toys fun. You can get patterns on sites like Etsy to get started. This is one of the DIY crafts to sell that will have you feeling like a kid again.

41. Rope bowls

Rope bowls are a versatile craft you can make and sell. There are even bowls you can make that don’t require sewing. These bowls can be used for pen holders, fruit, or even hanging planters.

42. Upcycle liquor bottles

You’d be surprised that liquor bottles are one of the greatest money-making crafts to sell. You can make soap dispensers, lamps, and decorated bottles to sell on Etsy.

43. Decorative pillows

There are so many types of decorative pillows you can make and sell. You can even make no-sew pillows to keep it simple. If you just want to design it, you can use Printful to create your idea and sell the pillow through a platform such as Etsy or Shopify.

44. Welcome mats

If you own a Cricut machine, you can create customized welcome mats. You can purchase blank doormats at Target or Amazon. Doormats are a great item to sell because some people purchase doormats for every season or room in their house.

45. Face masks

Right now, face masks are a huge seller. Many people prefer to have masks they can reuse, so they buy cloth masks instead of disposable ones. Of course, there will always be a need for face masks to prevent breathing in dust, germs, etc.

46. Etched glass water bottles

Encourage others to go green and make beautifully etched glass water bottles to sell. You can make so many different designs, which is why this is one of the perfect craft ideas to sell.

47. Repurpose clocks

Upcycling clocks is another great option for crafts that make money. You can find old clocks to repurpose or buy cheap wall clocks at the Dollar Store to customize and sell.

48. Clay jewelry dishes

Jewelry and trinket dishes are super cool to make. You can order the Polyform Sculpey Clay off Amazon in a variety of colors. Create a variety of shapes and sizes for a fun selection for your customers.

49. Paper flowers

Paper flowers are one of the best crafts that make money because you can make them for various things. Decorations, bouquets, and canvas are just a few ideas to get started with.

50. Create stickers

Stickers are fabulous and used for so many reasons! You can create custom stickers using Printify. If you own a Cricut machine, you can cut and print your own to sell. This auto employee sold $100,000 selling stickers on Instagram, which proves that stickers are one of the top money-making crafts you can sell.

Expert tip

When it comes to crafts that make money, it’s all about trying out a few to see what will work for you. Once you figure out the craft you enjoy making, focus on creating the best possible products you can.

You’ll also need to learn about marketing and promoting your amazing products as well as money management for business.

Where is the best place to sell your money-making crafts?

There are a variety of platforms to choose from to sell your crafts on. However, when you sell online and locally, you will maximize your profits and bring in more income! Check out these top places to start selling your money-making crafts.

Etsy

Etsy is one of the leading platforms to sell crafts on because it’s a user-friendly site to use, and the fees are relatively low. You can integrate sites such as Printful to sell your customized items as well. Learn more about selling on Etsy.   

Shopify

Depending on how much you want to spend on a site, Shopify can be a great option to sell your items. Some people may start with a lower-cost platform and then decide to start a Shopify store. A basic store starts at around $39 a month.

Facebook

Facebook is a great place to start selling your crafts because you already have people you know viewing your profile. You can post pictures of your items to your profile for friends and family to buy, but you can also sell on Facebook Marketplace.

Another great option is the Commerce Manager platform, where you can catalog your inventory and sales on Facebook and Instagram.

Handmade at Amazon

You can find pretty much anything on Amazon, and now they offer a platform specifically for handmade items. This can be a great way to sell your crafts but be advised there is a monthly fee and selling fees.

Sell money-making crafts on your own website

You can always opt to create your own website to sell your items on. Sites like Squarespace make it easier to make a custom website without spending a ton of money. However, you will need to learn how to drive customers to your site if you go this route, so keep that in mind.

Craft shows, farmers’ markets, and boutiques

You need to sell online and locally because this will increase your sales and maximize your profits. Check out events such as craft shows and farmer’s markets where you can set up a booth and sell your items. I love a good farmer’s market, and I always walk away with a new keepsake, so it’s a great place to start selling crafts!

Sometimes local boutiques will allow you to set up a section in their shop to sell your products. They may charge a fee or take a commission in exchange for space.

How can you promote your craft business?

Now that you know what to make and where to sell, you need to promote your new craft business.

Leverage social media

It’s easier than ever to advertise for free, thanks to social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can also share pictures of you making crafts to create engagement with potential customers too.

Tell your friends and family

Don’t be shy about telling your friends and family about your new business adventure. They will more than likely be super supportive and probably buy an item to help you get started!

Create a Google business profile

Also, you can create a free business profile page on Google. They also have a way to sell products online or locally for you. This is a huge opportunity to get your business noticed and increase sales.

What craft makes the most money?

Jewelry is one of the top money-making crafts. Simply because there’s a huge market for it! Pretty much everyone wears one form of jewelry or the other. To maximize your earnings potential, focus on making unique and quality designs as well as branding and marketing your jewelry products.

What crafts sell easily?

The crafts that sell most easily are associated with things people use most often that are not incredibly expensive. Examples of easy-to-sell crafts include candles, soaps, jewelry, fragrances, makeup, and skin care.

If you enjoyed this article on money-making crafts, check out these other great articles too!

Start a money-making crafts business today!

Creating crafts to sell is not only a great source of income, but it’s a great creative outlet. It’s wonderful being able to do something you love and make money at it. Of course, you want to set yourself up for success with your new business, and the best way to do that is to create a business plan.

Enroll in our completely free new business owner course bundle to learn how to earn more and be a successful business owner!

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23 Best Side Hustles For Couples https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/side-hustles-for-couples/ Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:24:07 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=46717 […]

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Best side hustles for couples

Do you and your partner or spouse have some big dreams that you want to save for, or do you want to earn more income each month? We made a list of the best side hustles for couples to help you out. Because it's never a bad idea to find ways to make more money!

To get started with a side hustle, choose ones that align with your interests. It’s also best to go with one where you can use skills you already have.

Let’s get into some great ideas below!

Benefits of side hustles for couples

Couples can undoubtedly benefit from making additional income. It’s a great way to spend more time together. Plus, you’ll have extra money for savings, vacations, and other household expenses.

Starting a side hustle with your partner also allows you to have mutual experiences. You get to collaborate with your significant other and enjoy working together, especially if you have similar interests. All of which help expand your trust and appreciation for each other.

How to succeed when working in a side hustle for couples

Working together can bring some discomfort in a relationship, no matter how secure you are with each other. So, here are some ideas to help you succeed in both partnerships.

Put your relationship first

When disagreements happen, remember why you started in the first place. Whether you’re in it to make more money or spend time together, be a couple first. Value your relationship before work and have each other’s back. Also try out these fun at home date night ideas to keep your relationship strong.

Use your understanding of the other person to help you succeed

The benefit of working together is you already know each other well enough. You know when your partner needs rest or support.

In addition, you’re familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, so you can divide responsibilities accordingly.

Define your roles

It’s best to set clear boundaries as well when you’re working with your partner. Define each other’s responsibilities. This also helps you be organized and effective because you don’t have to run every detail by each other.

Develop a good work-life balance

It can be tricky, but you have to set hours to work on the business. Always find a way to reconnect with your partner outside of the side hustle. For instance, go on a date night or do something you enjoy as a couple.

Unique side hustles for couples

Thanks to apps and social media, it’s gotten easier to look for profitable opportunities. Discover the best side hustles for couples below.

1. Event planning and coordination service

Event planning may be right for you and your significant other if you enjoy throwing parties. It’s a great side hustle for those who have a keen eye for details and top-notch organizational skills.

Create a portfolio to get started. It could be pictures of events you’ve planned for family members and friends. In addition, start networking with caterers, photographers, DJs, bands, and other event professionals.

2. Manage other people's rental properties

Many people like passive income from rental properties but don’t want to deal with the daily management of tenant issues. That’s why property managers are in demand.

It involves finding and handling tenants for a rental property. You’ll do background checks on potential tenants. You’ll also collect rent and take care of issues such as clogged toilets, broken heaters, etc.

3. Become travel tour guides

Are you and your partner the kind of people who love to show off your city to visitors? Do you also enjoy meeting new people? Then you and your partner can be travel tour guides.

You could provide walking tours. Let your personality shine in crafting memorable experiences for guests. You can also join platforms like ToursByLocals to make it easier to attract clients.

4. Be an entertainment duo

For you talented couples out there, you have the option of becoming an entertainment duo as a side hustle.

There is money to be earned from providing live entertainment for parties and events. You won’t need a lot of capital to get started, and you can easily manage it from home.

Offer your services for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. You could also perform at social events like graduations, trade shows, conventions, and all other types of parties.

5. Become wellness coaches

There’s so much fitness and wellness content everywhere you look, especially on social media. But sometimes, people like an in-person and personal approach.

Whether you teach dancing, yoga, meditation, or offer personal training sessions at a gym, you’ll find clients who’ll want to partake. Find a fitness activity that you enjoy as a couple and maybe do group sessions with other couples.

6. Sell at farmer’s markets

If you or your partner is a baker, jam maker, or gardener, a farmer’s market is a great place to sell your products. You can also sell arts and crafts like charcuterie boards and artwork at these markets.

The cost to rent a space is low, so it doesn’t add much to your expenses. The best part is farmer’s markets introduce you to customers who appreciate and seek out local and artisan products.

7. Food/coffee truck business

Are you a great cook who dreams of opening a restaurant or cafe someday? Why not start with a food truck?

You’d have to research quite a bit to start a food truck. You’ll want to know what customers are looking for.

Next, look into what’s already out there to learn about your competition. Even though starting a food truck is less expensive than owning a restaurant, you still need substantial capital.

Since you’re serving food and beverage, you must get the necessary permits and adhere to regulations. But take heart, food trucks can be lucrative, and with the right preparation, you can grow yours into a successful business.

8. Rental side hustle

Nowadays, you can rent out almost anything with apps. You can rent out RVs or campers with RVshare.

Turo is an app you can use to rent out cars and trucks. You can also check out Fat Llama for other items that people look for.

These side hustles are easier with two people since you can alternate picking up or dropping off items when needed.

Also, cleaning cars and campers after each use is faster, which could make you more money during the busy season.

9. Photography business

There are many ways for couples to make extra income through photography. For instance, one can manage the booking and communicate with clients, while the other does the photoshoots, plus the editing and printing.

If one partner has an eye for makeup, costume, and wardrobe, you can also offer that along with the photo sessions. Furthermore, working as a team is better than doing it alone if you want to cover weddings or events.

10. Upcycle furniture

Ikea is nice and all, but customers also look for quality furniture without the hefty price tag. Furniture flipping is a great side hustle for couples who know their way around crafting and woodworking.

You can easily sell your refinished pieces of furniture on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. And if you offer delivery, customers will buy your items faster.

You can find items to upcycle at yard sales, flea markets, or estate sales. Typically, you may have to clean, repair, and repaint them to be ready to sell.  When flipping pieces of furniture, choose items that are made of solid wood.

11. Flip houses

Flipping houses is a side hustle that would need a lot of investment – not just with sweat equity but also financially. So, you may want to think hard before picking this one. Flipping houses entails looking for a house and estimating the cost of renovation.

Before buying the house, make sure you can sell it for profit. Then, you need to complete the renovation and stage the house to sell. It’s one of the side hustles for couples that can really pay off if you have experience in construction and design.

If you like the idea but want to take your time, you could also do a live-in flip. It means living in the home while you do the work, then selling it for profit once you’re done.

12. Airbnb hosting

There are two ways to get into Airbnb hosting with your significant other. The most popular method is to rent out a part of your home, like a basement, loft, or extra room. You can easily make extra monthly income this way by booking through Airbnb.

The other option is to buy another property to use as a rental, which would take more investment. But you won’t have to share your home, and you could make more money renting out an entire apartment or house.

13. Lawn care service

Starting a landscaping business with your partner is another way to have steady additional income. You can offer lawn care and gardening services such as mowing lawns, trimming plants, weeding, mulching, and planting.

Lawn maintenance is an excellent option as a side hustle for couples who enjoy working outside.

14. Pet sitting

You might also want to try dog walking and pet sitting, especially if you’re fond of furry creatures. It’s a side hustle that doesn’t need much capital to start.

You can use apps like Rover and Wag to find pet owners or advertise your services by posting flyers around your neighborhood. And with the two of you, you can care for more pets and double your profits.

15. Pet grooming

Do you love furry babies but want to do something else other than pet sit? Then, what about pet grooming? You would need a bit of capital to get started. If you have some space in your home, that will save you some rent.

You could also look into a pet grooming truck. Your customers could be busy pet owners who’d rather have you go to them and care for their pets on their premises.

16. Cleaning service

Some people find cleaning and organizing relaxing. Starting a cleaning service may be one of the most fun side hustles for couples who enjoy tidying up.

You need a reliable car to get to jobs. But aside from cleaning products and maybe a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner, you won’t need to shell out much money to get started.

Advertise your services through Facebook groups in your community. Or you can offer your services to restaurants, storefronts, and offices.

17. Reselling

Reselling is another fun side hustle for couples. It is perfect for partners who have the time and love for rummaging through garage sales and thrift stores.

Pick items that are either unique or popular. Then, take pictures and post them on Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay for profit.

18. Provide childcare services

There’s a huge need for childcare services right now. One of the best side jobs for couples who enjoy spending time with kids is babysitting.

You could offer to look after kids in the evenings or weekends to allow parents to catch up with chores or errands.

Use local parent groups or schools to advertise your services. You can also create a profile on sites like Care.com and Sittercity to get clients. And with two of you, you can take in more kids and make more money.

19. Blogging

Do you or your partner know more about a particular topic than the regular person? Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge with the world?

Blogging is among the best side hustles for couples with writing skills and digital marketing chops. Even though 77% of people who use the internet read blogs, there are over 600 million blogs on the internet as well.

So, the competition is stiff. You’ll need to establish yourself as a trusted source to get enough followers before you become a profitable blogger.

20. Start an online shop

Starting an online shop is another great side hustle idea for couples. You can sell pretty much anything from t-shirts and collectibles to classes and workshops.

Etsy is a good place for crafty couples who make unique goods like gift items, decorations, and furniture. Shopify is another platform that lets you sell vintage items, digital products, and everything else.

21. Sell items on Amazon

You can sell on Amazon with little capital. A popular way to do this is to buy sale or clearance items online or at retail stores and resell them at a higher price.

Another option is to create products and sell them under your own label. Both can be profitable. In fact, third-party seller items account for more than 50% of all units sold on Amazon.

Since there’s still a lot of work involved with selling, it can be easier with two people to manage. That’s why this is one of the greatest side hustles for couples.

22. Create online courses

With the gig economy and freelancing blowing up, people want to learn new skills. That’s also why there’s an online course for just about anything.

Do you or your partner have any skills? Can you break it down and explain it so that people can understand and learn from you?

Great! You can create online courses and share your knowledge.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a website. You can use platforms like Kajabi and Teachable to develop your curriculum.

23. Become YouTube channel hosts

Do you have knowledge and skills to share, but you’re better at speaking than writing? Or maybe you’re just naturally entertaining?

Then, becoming YouTube channel hosts could be the perfect side hustle for you and your partner.

Just like blogging, growing a YouTube channel following takes time and effort. It requires a monetization strategy and consistency. But if you do it right, the income potential is unlimited.

Starting a YouTube channel could be a great side hustle for a couple because it makes the work behind the scenes less lonely.

Plus, your audience might like the interaction with two people in the videos instead of just one.

Earn additional income with our list of side hustles for couples!

A side job or business is a great way to pursue your passions and interests while earning money.

If we got you intrigued and excited about starting one, remember to also make a savings plan and learn to invest so your money can work for you!

The post 23 Best Side Hustles For Couples appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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15 Best Places To Sell Textbooks Online For Extra Cash https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/best-places-to-sell-textbooks/ Sat, 18 Feb 2023 18:03:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=8840 […]

The post 15 Best Places To Sell Textbooks Online For Extra Cash appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How to sell your used textbooks

At the end of each semester, have you found yourself staring at your desk wondering where on earth is the best place to sell textbooks online? I mean, you probably don’t want to see them again.

And throwing them out is obviously wasteful. Well, what if I told you that there are some great options out there that will put some extra cash in your pocket?

If you’re keen to know the best way to sell textbooks, then sit tight, and let’s dig in!

Why find the best place to sell textbooks online?

Before we start, you may be wondering why you should even sell these books in the first place. If you have some books that you treasure and that will be valuable to your education in the future, then sure, you may want to hold on to them.

However, there are certainly other textbooks that have nothing to do with your major or that you know you will never open again. If you have these, then selling them will bring many benefits. Here are a few great reasons why you should try this:

To declutter

Books take up space, and they gather dust easily. If you’re looking to have a more spacious living area, then sell the textbooks you don't need to declutter your home.

Additionally, if you’ve ever had to move, you likely know that books are no fun to deal with. Unless you’re a weightlifter, you’ve probably found books to be quite a workout come moving time. So why not sell them?

To boost your savings account

It never hurts to have more cash in your budget. Ever. Selling your textbooks can be a great way to accomplish this.

Not only will you be able to get the books into the hands of someone else who needs it, but you’ll also be able to give a little boost to your savings account.

For extra funds to pay off debt

Paying down debt, if you have any, should always be a top priority when it comes to your financial wellness. Doing so with a side hustle income will get you ahead of the game in no time.

Any incremental dollars you use to pay off your debt now will save you a ton of money in future interest expenses. While money from selling your textbooks might not seem like a lot up front, it can certainly help with covering one or two monthly loan payments.

To buy new textbooks

If you still have a few more semesters before graduation, you may want to sell used textbooks to buy new ones. Not only is this a smart financial decision, but it also saves you from using any additional hard-earned dollars that could be spent on other meaningful pursuits.

3 Ways to sell back textbooks

There are a few ways you can sell your books for some extra cash. Here are the 3 easiest ways to sell your books:

1. Sell them back to the college bookstore

One of the easiest and quickest ways is to sell your textbooks back to the college bookstore. (If that is where you purchased them from.) It can be a fast way to get cash for your books, however, you probably will not get paid top dollar this way.

2. Sell them in person

You could also sell the books to other students, thrift shops, or on sites such as Craigslist and OfferUp. One perk to selling in person is you don't pay shipping and fees.

3. Sell them at the best place to sell textbooks online

You will probably make the most by selling textbooks online. There are many sites where you can list them for sale yourself, or sell them to the online platform for cash.

That being said, let's dive into our list of the best places to sell textbooks online and in person below.

15 of the best places to sell textbooks online

If you’re ready to get the most for your textbooks, you’ll definitely want to check out the list below for the best place to sell back textbooks online and locally.

1. Half Price Books

Over the years, rumors of the death of the traditional bookstore spread like wildfire. Big names like Borders closed, and Kindle threatened to dominate the book space. But it's not over till it's over for bookstores, and many are still thriving.

Half Price Books is one such brand that’s been going strong since 1972. With over 120 stores across the country, the company stands as the largest family bookstore in the country. They sell textbooks, music, movies, games, and collectibles.

The process of selling your books to them is pretty easy. All you have to do is take your old books to your local Half Price Books store, and they’ll give you cash in return.

When buying used books, the primary factors they consider are condition and supply and demand. An offer will only be made once they see the book in person and accept it in their inventory.

2. BooksRun

If you’re looking for the best place to sell textbooks online, look no further than Books Run. They let you sell, buy, or even rent new and used books. To get started with selling your old books, all you have to do is enter the ISBN number of the book you wish to sell and hit search.

You’ll be able to use a QR code for shipping, send your books, and get paid.

3. Book Finder

If you’re shopping for the best rates, Book Finder can help you do just that. Once you enter your book's ISBN, the site will aggregate offers you can receive from various bookstores letting you see the best price you can get.

What’s really cool is that the price they quote you is the price you will really get in your pocket because there are no hidden fees. Shipping costs are included too. Book Finder is the best place to sell textbooks online for the most cash!

4. Amazon

Textbooks are among the millions of items sold on Amazon. You can make a sale on Amazon as an independent seller which would require you to create your own listing. Then you'll pay for and manage shipping to the buyer, or Amazon can handle this at one of their fulfillment centers.

Amazon also charges fees, which will be worth keeping in mind when calculating your margins.

5. Barnes & Noble

Believe it or not, Barnes and Noble will buy back your used textbooks. Their process is just as simple as many of the other options included here, and they pay a fair market rate.

Their only condition? You must have at least $10 worth of books to sell.

6. GoTextbooks

By entering your book’s ISBN on GoTextbooks, the popular textbook sales site, you get instant access to quotes for your used textbooks. When you are ready to sell, all you need to do is ship your books for free.

You can print your free shipping label from the site and then drop off the package at your local UPS store. GoTextbooks promises to pay you as quickly as humanly possible.

However, with shipping and processing windows, your payment may come in 2 to 14 days. It's a great place to sell used textbooks.

7. Book Scouter

If you want to make as much cash as possible, Book Scouter offers options. Multiple vendors can bid for your textbook and then you choose who you would like to sell it to. It's easy and convenient.

8. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook offers numerous ways to get your textbook out there, with the best being Facebook Marketplace. When you list your textbooks on Facebook Marketplace, they are visible to anyone on Marketplace and in search, and on and off Facebook.

Once you’re on Facebook.com, click on Marketplace. Click “Sell something,” then click “Item for Sale” and enter all your details. You can upload photos with your post, ensuring that buyers get to really see the quality of your books.

Once a buyer sees and wants your book, they will be able to send you a message, and once you reach an agreement on the price, you can meet the buyer in person to make the exchange. The most important thing to remember when selling on Facebook is safety first when meeting buyers. You can also ship items to buyers.

9. eBay

One relatively old-school (in digital years) but effective way of selling items such as books online is doing so through eBay, the online auction site. To get started, you will need to set up an eBay account.

There will be fees associated with each sale.

Like other sites, you will be asked to enter the ISBN of the book, note its condition, state your price, etc.

You can add details such as whether the book has a straight jacket or add more information about special features such as a bonus CD or workbook that the book comes along with.

The more detail you can provide, the more likely you’ll be to make a sale because people like knowing they are buying from a real person. If you want a tried and true method, eBay is one of the best place to sell textbooks online!

10. Second-hand bookstores near you

Second-hand or indie bookstores can be a great place to get cash back for your used textbooks. Sometimes they will give you store credit instead.

Be efficient by calling them ahead of time to confirm if they take used textbooks.

11. Valore Books

Another great textbook comparison option is ValoreBooks. The site lets you enter your ISBN, and then it automatically pulls prices from buyers from all over, making sure you get top dollar for your textbooks.

12. eCampus

Ecampus prides itself on being an easy and reliable platform for selling your textbooks. Once a sale has been made, you can receive payment by Paypal, check, direct deposit, or store credit.

There are no listing fees and no hidden fees associated with your sale. However, the site may charge a commission for each sale that is completed.

If you need to find the best place to sell textbooks online, this is a great option.

13. TextbookRush

TextbookRush is an easy way to sell textbooks you don't need anymore. They offer free shipping and a quick payment system. Simply look up your books by their ISBN and get an estimate of how much money you'll make.

In addition, you can also purchase and rent textbooks you might need for other classes.

14. Powell's Books

This is actually an independent bookstore in Oregon, but you can sell books online, as well, if you don't live nearby. To see if Powell's Books will accept your textbook, you'll enter the ISBN and they'll tell you the price they're willing to pay.

15. Biblio

Biblio has a unique feature that allows you to sell your textbooks by first comparing prices at various locations. Enter the ISBN and see how much money you can make from your used books!

You'll also have the chance to purchase textbooks if you need them.

Key tips on how to get the best price for your books

Making sure your textbooks are in good condition matters. Follow these easy steps to make the most money when you sell your books:

Clean your books

Books that have been sitting for a while can always do with a quick clean-up. If your books have been sitting on a shelf gathering dust (literally), you can start by simply blowing the dust off the edges. If the dust is stubborn, use a soft toothbrush or an old towel to do the heavy lifting for you.

The interiors may need a facelift too. Often with textbooks, you may find yourself writing in them with a pencil from time to time which undoubtedly leaves sketch marks. Smudges and pencil marks can easily be removed with an eraser to give the pages a fresh, clean look.

As you go through the semester, be mindful not to eat or drink around the book to minimize the risk of spillage and book stains. Thinking ahead by keeping your books clean and in good condition can be the best way to sell textbooks later.

Protect your books

If a book is not well protected, especially a softcover one, its pages can easily rip at the edges. Each time you buy new books, be sure to protect them from wear and tear.

The best way to protect against that is to ensure that your books are properly secured against a hard surface either in your bag or when you bring them home.

Be clear about the condition of the books in your listing

Nowadays, transparency is everything. If you’re looking to make a great sale, the more honest and upfront you can be about the book's condition, the better. People love detail so that they know exactly what they’re getting.

Does the book have a coffee stain in the middle? Be sure to include that. You want to ensure that the buyer is happy with their purchase, and if you’re planning on selling other books in the future, their positive review from this sale will make a world of difference.

Sell your books faster by taking great photos

Photos, especially good ones, bring a book to life for a potential customer. If you have a book that you’re selling online, it is absolutely essential to make sure that you have clear and well-staged photos.

No need for fancy equipment – your phone will do. But the key is to capture the book from many angles and to demonstrate that it truly matches the details in the description you included.

Know what your books are worth

Possibly the best way to sell textbooks is to understand how much your books are worth. First, you can do basic research by looking up the textbook online and seeing what the price is for a used copy in a similar condition.

You can also use a comparison website that lets you see what people are willing to pay for a textbook like yours. That way you know you're getting the best price.

Alternatives to selling your textbooks

Don't want to sell back textbooks? Or perhaps you can't get a good enough deal on your old editions to make selling worth your time? Here are a couple of good alternatives that you can try.

Donate your textbooks to your local library or schools

Libraries typically welcome donations of like-new and gently used books that they use to restock their shelves or sell at fundraising events.

Not all books are accepted, but if the library feels that your books would be valuable to their collection, they will likely accept the donation.

You can also find out if any local schools would benefit from your textbook by contacting the school and asking them.

Donate your textbooks to Goodwill

Another great place to donate your used books is to your local Goodwill. Goodwill accepts donations of almost every item, including textbooks which they will then resell to the public.

The coolest thing about donating to Goodwill? It's that you’re actually helping others. The money from the sale of items goes towards helping people find jobs.

Find the best place to sell textbooks online for extra cash!

Now you know how to sell your textbooks to get the most money out of them. Remember to check the best place to sell textbooks online and locally to get the best bang for your buck.

Who knows, maybe you will like flipping books and want to learn how to sell more items for profit!

The post 15 Best Places To Sell Textbooks Online For Extra Cash appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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9 Businesses That Run Themselves https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/businesses-that-run-themselves/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 17:02:09 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=44485 […]

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Have you considered starting your own business, but are worried about the amount of work it would take to run it? If so, you’re in luck! With some work in the beginning, there are businesses that run themselves over time.

The types of businesses that run themselves range from physical property rentals to digital product sales. This means there’s probably a business that will work for you!

Businesses that run themselves

Let’s dive in and see why you might want to start a business that doesn't require all the time and effort of a regular business and what it’ll take to get it going.

Then we’ll go into some ideas of self-running businesses you can use to start your own small business!

Why choose a business that runs itself?

The main benefit of a business that runs itself is passive income.

The definition of passive income is money you make while not actively trying to make it. For example, if you stick $500 in a savings account and it earns $10 in interest over the year, you’ve made $10 in passive income.

Having a passive income stream is a great way to make a little extra money—or a lot!

Additionally, passive income can help you build wealth. This could help you pay off debt, save more money, or also pay for the things you want, like a luxury vacation.

By setting up a well-maintained income stream, you also build generational wealth for your children and other descendants. Ultimately, this could help them maintain a certain lifestyle while pursuing their passions or starting out on their own.

However, passive income streams often require some form of initial effort. Many types of passive income also need ongoing maintenance, including many businesses that run themselves.

Laying the groundwork for businesses that run themselves

Before you can have this sort of business, you have to lay the foundation. Pretty much every self-sustaining business doesn’t start out that way.

If you’re serious about starting and operating a business, consider how much time, money, and effort you’re willing to put into it. There are two main ways a self-sustaining business still needs your help:

  • Getting started: Startup costs and sweat equity
  • Ongoing maintenance

Startup costs and sweat equity

One of the main reasons people don’t start their own business is the time and money it takes. While some businesses are less expensive and labor-intensive to start, others take a lot of work to even get off the ground.

For a business to run itself, you have to put in the work to lay a solid foundation. So this could mean a significant initial investment.

Some self-running businesses take a lot of money to get going. Others will need you to spend a lot of sweat equity physically running the business. The most lucrative ones often require both.

Luckily, once you put in the initial effort, many self-sustaining businesses won’t take up a lot of your time.

Ongoing maintenance

So, you’ve got your business up and running. Now it’s time to sit back, forget it, and rake in the cash, right?

Well, not exactly.

Even a truly self-running business will need maintenance or management from time to time, including:

  • Cleaning or maintaining physical locations
  • Bookkeeping and record keeping
  • Setting and tracking small business goals
  • Creating new products or offerings
  • Managing customers
  • Administrative needs
  • Marketing and advertising

The good news is you don’t necessarily have to do all of these tasks by yourself. Many business owners outsource these tasks and simply pay someone else to take care of them.

9 Types of businesses that run themselves

By now, you know how much work it might take to get your business off the ground — and keep it running (mostly) on its own.

But first, let’s look at the different types of businesses that run themselves.

Generally, self-sustaining businesses fall into one or more of four categories:

  • Online products
  • Physical services
  • Rental-based businesses
  • Affiliate marketing and advertising

There are pros and cons for each category, and also the initial cost and effort of each can vary between them. For example, owning a physical business location will likely have a higher upfront cost than starting an online business.

Now, let’s get into some examples of businesses that run themselves so you can start brainstorming your next business venture!

1. Vending machines and ATMs

Did you know many vending machines and ATMs are independently owned and operated?

Businesses like grocery stores, hotels, and also restaurants charge vending machines and ATM owners a fee to place their machines on the business’s property. The machine’s owner then collects the money from selling products (vending machines) or fees paid by users (ATMs).

To set up this type of business, you’ll need to find and buy your machines. Depending on which business you start and also how many locations you want to have, this could cost several thousand dollars.

Then, you’ll want to find businesses or other community locations where you can place your machines.

Once your machines are in place, you’ll need to keep them stocked and ready for customers. So as customers use your machines, you’ll make money off of each sale or transaction.

If you’re in a high-traffic area, you could see high profits very quickly.

Pros of a vending machine or ATM business:

  • Potentially low startup cost by buying used equipment
  • Low risk by starting small
  • Easy to grow with more machines
  • Ability to customize product options to fit your market

Cons of a vending machine or ATM business:

  • Checking on machines takes time
  • Restocking costs, such as the cost of vending machine products
  • Potential technical issues
  • Security issues of theft or vandalism

2. Party rentals

Have you ever thrown a large event or party? Maybe you rented linens for your wedding or a friend hired a bounce house for their child’s birthday party.

Behind these party rentals was a rental company. And by outsourcing some of the physical work, you can make a party rental business into a business that runs itself.

You’ll want to make sure you choose a rental business that will be profitable. So that means looking for rentals that are in demand (and will likely be in demand in the future). A few good options include:

  • Audio and visual equipment
  • Staging and dance floors
  • Linens and drapery
  • Tables, chairs, and other furniture
  • Entertainment equipment, like bounce houses or photo booths
  • Tableware and décor

Your budget may determine what type of party rental equipment you should invest in for your business. If you have some cash to spare, for example, you could invest in expensive audio and visual equipment.

On the other hand, it could be less expensive to start by renting tableware, which can often be bought in bulk for a discount.

Pros of a party rental business:

  • Increased profits over selling equipment — you only buy your equipment once
  • Potential for repeat customers
  • Opportunities for expanded services, such as setup and takedown services

Cons of a party rental business:

  • Cost of damage and theft
  • Physical products require hands-on management, including customer pickup or drop off and inspecting items upon return

3. Print-on-demand shop

Do you have an eye for design? A print-on-demand business may be a good fit for you!

Print-on-demand businesses work by printing your designs on t-shirts, mugs, and other goods in single orders. Unlike going to a print shop directly, where you often have to order in bulk, print on demand lets you print items only when customers order them.

One of the best parts of print-on-demand is that it’s pretty hands-off for you. You upload your design, choose the products you want it printed on, and wait for customers to order. The printing company handles all of the printing, fulfillment, and shipping.

For example, you have a print-on-demand t-shirt company. You choose a print-on-demand printing company and upload your designs into their system and link it to your website.

A customer buys a t-shirt from your site and the printing company receives and processes the order. Your customer gets a great shirt and you get the profits from the sale (usually after the cost of the shirt and the printing company’s fees).

You don’t even have to be a great graphic designer to make a print-on-demand business work. There are several print-on-demand companies that offer free-to-use (and sell!) graphics you can add to the items in your store.

Pros of a print-on-demand business:

  • Low startup costs — besides a website or listing fees, you’ll only pay when a customer makes a purchase
  • Easy setup — choose a few designs and go
  • Low time commitment

Cons of a print-on-demand business:

  • Lower profit margins after the cost of items and printing company fees
  • You have lower quality control, and most print-on-demand printers don’t accept returns
  • Potential for printer delays or low product availability

4. Laundromat

Laundromats are one of the most popular businesses that run themselves. For one, laundromats tend to have a high rate of success. As a new business owner, this is one of the most important aspects of choosing a business.

While the startup costs tend to be higher than other businesses, many laundromat owners start by buying an existing location. This lets them put their feet into the water with a business that’s already up and running — and hopefully making a profit.

Opening a laundromat could be a good fit for you if you have the capital to invest in a physical location and the equipment necessary to run it. You may also be able to get a business loan for a laundromat, thanks to the generally sustainable business model.

Pros of owning a laundromat:

  • High business success rate
  • High return on investment (ROI)
  • An essential service business, meaning consistent revenue
  • Straightforward business model — only equipment required is washers, dryers, and utility hookups

Cons of owning a laundromat:

  • High startup costs
  • Potential equipment failures and expensive repairs
  • Competitive industry
  • Vandalism or unruly customers

Businesses that run themselves infographic

5. Storage facilities

Owning a storage facility is a potentially low-maintenance, high-profit business. Generally, you can choose to purchase an existing storage facility or buy land to build your own.

Those buying an existing storage facility should ask to see the profitability of the business. For example, you could ask the current owner how many of the units are currently rented and what the going monthly rental rate is.

Buying land to build your own storage facility may be less expensive than you think. Many self-storage units are bare-bones buildings that don’t include lights or electricity within each unit.

So this means you’ll only need to pay for the main structure to get started. However, it’s important to pick a location that has the potential to be competitive, including the size of the town or city and how far your storage units are from residential areas.

As a self-storage owner, you may want to require your tenants to purchase insurance for their belongings. Some storage unit owners expand their business by becoming licensed to sell storage unit insurance, which offers an additional revenue stream.

Pros of a storage unit business:

  • Hands-off business model
  • Storage units are consistently in demand
  • High profit margins if units are rented out
  • Low upkeep needs and costs

Cons of a storage unit business:

  • Higher initial startup costs
  • Potential tenant issues, such as nonpayment or vandalism
  • Expensive in competitive markets
  • May not be able to rent out most units

6. Digital product sales

With so much time spent online, it’s probably no surprise there’s a whole industry of digital goods!

Digital products are any type of product created and sold in a digital format. There’s no physical product to store, ship, or manage. Common digital products include:

  • eBooks
  • Online templates, such as social media templates or website templates
  • Digital music downloads
  • Online courses
  • Printable artwork

Digital products can often require a fair bit of time to start selling, but the incredibly low cost of entry makes it a great business that runs itself. Once you create your digital product, you can sell it over and over again without additional work.

For example, you create a digital drawing that customers can buy and print out as artwork for their homes. Unlike a physical art print, you don’t have to start totally from scratch each time you want to sell your artwork. Instead, unlimited customers can buy your artwork over and over again.

Many digital sellers use platforms like Etsy to list their products, but you can also create your own website to sell your goods.

Pros of digital product sales:

  • No inventory issues
  • Low startup costs
  • No shipping or warehousing costs
  • Unlimited sales potential for each product

Cons of digital product sales:

  • Lower profit margins
  • Competitive selling market
  • Potential for copyright issues — if you accidentally use someone else’s work or someone steals your work

7. Blogging businesses that run themselves

Blogging is probably one of the first ways people started making money on the internet. From lifestyle bloggers to business advice columns, bloggers found they could use the traffic on their websites to make money.

Luckily for you, blogging is still a profitable way to start a business.

You can use ads to generate revenue on your site. However, most people won’t make a fortune running ads on their site, as it usually requires a large amount of traffic.

On the other hand, affiliate marketing is a proven way to make money blogging. It works by using a tracked link on your website to another site.

If a reader follows the link and makes a purchase on the second site, your account gets credit, often as a percentage of the sale price.

For example, you write a blog listing the best car seats for new parents. In the blog, you link to an Amazon page selling one of the recommended seats.

So a reader clicks your link and makes a purchase on Amazon. Amazon then pays you for bringing business to their site.

While startup costs are low for blogging, you will have to commit time to write and edit blog posts. This can be done by writing them yourself or outsourcing your posts to freelance writers.

It’s also a best practice to be transparent with your readers. You want to tell them that you may receive a kickback if they purchase something you recommend on your site.

Pros of a blogging business:

  • Low startup costs
  • High profit potential
  • Almost no ongoing maintenance costs
  • Builds a community of repeat readers (and potentially sales)

Cons of a blogging business:

  • High amount of ongoing work e.g. writing new posts, researching products and services to recommend, marketing your blog to new readers
  • Competitive market
  • You need a large following and lots of traffic to make significant money

8. Billboards and outdoor advertising

Think about the last time you traveled down a highway. You likely saw one billboard after another. Businesses pay big money to get their message and brand in front of people on billboards.

And you can be the owner of that prime advertising real estate.

To start a billboard business, you’ll need to either buy an existing billboard or put up your own. If putting up your own billboard, you have to own the land yourself or find a landowner willing to rent you the space for the billboard.

When the billboard structure is up, you then look for clients. Billboards usually work by renting their advertising space to businesses.

The business pays you a monthly or yearly fee to put its message up on the billboard. Even in rural areas with less traffic, having a few billboards to rent out can make you some serious cash.

However, there are certain legal regulations you have to follow before putting up a billboard. For example, in Iowa, you can’t put up a billboard along any scenic byways. Always check state and federal laws before trying to build a billboard, even if it’s on your own property.

Pros of renting out billboards:

  • Mostly hands-off business
  • Easy to start small and increase business with more billboards
  • High profit potential

Cons of renting out billboards:

  • Lots of competition
  • Potentially high startup costs
  • Government regulations and local restrictions
  • Ongoing maintenance of physical property

9. Property rentals

We’ve already talked about how you can rent out party equipment like furniture and décor as a hands-off business. But there are plenty of other types of property you can rent out as well.

We’ll go over two main categories:

  • Real estate
  • Physical goods

Real estate rentals aren’t limited to long-term rentals, like apartment complexes. Many people are finding success and profits in short-term vacation rentals.

For example, large groups often prefer to use an Airbnb or VRBO rental on vacation rather than staying in separate hotel rooms. If you have some extra space in your home or an existing vacation property, you can rent it out to vacation-goers.

Be aware, however, that many local and state governments are putting restrictions on short-term rentals. This is especially true in resort areas or places with high costs of living. As more vacation rentals pop up, there is less housing available for local workers.

For instance, in Denver, property owners must follow strict rules when renting their space to short-term visitors. This includes obtaining a license and only allowing primary residences to be rented.

If real estate is too big of an investment, you can also rent out physical goods like power equipment, clothing, or camping equipment.

Pros of a rental business:

  • Easy to start with what you have, such as starting a clothing rental business or renting out your spare room
  • High profit potential
  • Potential for repeat customers

Cons of a rental business:

  • Real estate rental has high initial costs
  • Maintaining, inspecting, and repairing equipment or real estate takes time
  • More hands-on than other types of businesses

Start earning passive income with businesses that run themselves!

Starting a business is a rewarding venture that can make money. It’s even better if you can start one that mostly takes care of itself! However, you want to be sure you’re making the right choice when choosing which type of business to start.

While it’s okay to make mistakes when starting a business, you want to limit the cost of those mistakes. Be sure you do your due diligence before jumping into starting a business that runs itself. A little research beforehand could save you a lot of time and money down the road!

The post 9 Businesses That Run Themselves appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How Much Does A YouTuber Make? https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-much-do-youtubers-make/ Wed, 16 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=9021 […]

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How much do youtubers make

If you are interested in building a side hustle, a YouTube channel might be a fun idea. Of course, making videos might seem like interesting work, but if you want to use this as a side hustle it also needs to bring in a worthwhile income. So how much do YouTubers make?

First, know that it is completely possible to earn an income with YouTube. In fact, many are earning a large income through the platform.

Let’s take a closer look at how you can earn money with YouTube and how much you can make as a video creator and publisher through the platform.

How much does a YouTuber make: 6 Ways to earn money

Let's talk about the ways you can monetize your channel. You’ll have several different ways to monetize your following. We break down the different methods below in order to answer the question, "how much do YouTubers make?"

Whether your channel is about gaming or food or you are a luxury fashion influencer, these are all applicable ways to make money!

1. Advertising revenue

Ad revenue is one way to earn an income.

As with other sites across the internet, YouTubers can receive ad revenue. Although the numbers will vary slightly based on your channel, you can earn money with thousands of views.

So how much does YouTube pay with ad revenue? Most YouTubers earn around $18 for every 1,000 ad views. That works out to around $3 to $5 per 1,000 video views.

Of course, this varies based on your channel, but that gives you a rough estimate of what it takes to earn a living on YouTube.

YouTube and Google Adsense change their payment terms on a regular basis. Make sure that you understand their policies about payment before getting started with a Google Adsense account.

One important note is that you won’t be able to cash out your earnings until you reach a balance of $100.

Note: In order to start earning money from ads on YouTube, you must be at least 18 years old (or have a legal guardian at least 18 years old). In addition, your channel must have 4,000 hours of overall watch time within the past 12 months and have at least 1,000 subscribers.

2. YouTube video sponsorship

If you have a large following, then brands might be willing to partner with you for sponsorship opportunities. As you build a base of subscribers, you might find more lucrative brand sponsorships.

They might vary based on your audience and the brand. For example, you could get paid in cash for the promotion of products. Or you might receive free products instead.

Sponsorships will only be lucrative when you have a large audience. The number of sponsorships you are able to land will depend on the nature of your channel and the quality of your audience.

3. Merchandise sold via YouTube

If you’ve built a brand around your YouTube channel, then your followers might be interested in you creating your own merchandise. You can bring in revenue from your YouTube channel by selling products that will appeal to your audience.

A few merchandise ideas include traditional t-shirts, hats, and bags. But you can also branch out into other branded products that would appeal to your followers.

For example, if you have a cooking channel on YouTube, then you may want to sell branded kitchen equipment.

With a strong following, you can sell merchandise. If you don’t have a devoted audience, then building out merchandise ideas could backfire.

After spending your time and money to create merchandise for followers, it can be a letdown if no one wants to buy your product. Consider your audience and the strength of your following before you pursue merchandise.

You can sell your merchandise on YouTube using the Merch Shelf if you qualify. The Merch Shelf allows eligible creators to showcase their official branded merchandise on YouTube. It can be an excellent way to make money, and it's worth looking into.

How to make money on YouTube

Affiliate links are a big part of answering, "how much do YouTubers make?" Affiliate marketing is a fairly common way for YouTubers to earn an income. It can allow you to earn a commission if one of your followers buys the product.

Let’s say that you advertised an Amazon product and included an affiliate link.

When your follower clicks through the link to purchase the product, you will receive a small percentage of the sale. Over time, these small commissions can build into a large income.

Of course, you will need a large following in order to make a substantial amount of money through affiliate marketing. But if you have subscribers that trust your opinion, then making some money through affiliate marketing should be possible.

If you feel that a product can serve your audience, then you should include an affiliate link in your video. That said, you should only include affiliate links that you think will help your audience. Otherwise, it could be a turn-off that most of your recommendations aren’t useful.

5. Memberships

Once you build up a loyal following of people who enjoy your videos, you might consider offering premium channel memberships to make more money from YouTube.

It allows your viewers to have a better experience by watching your videos without ads as YouTube Premium subscribers.

And channel memberships provide your viewers with extra perks like extra content and badges. Which helps you stay engaged with your fans and make a profit.

6. YouTube partner program

The YouTube partner program is an excellent option to keep in mind. It can help you make more money from ads because of revenue sharing.

YouTube's webpage states that you do need an AdSense account, as well as over 1000 subscribers and you have to follow YouTube's monetization policies. If you want to make money from YouTube, you should add this as soon as possible.

So how much does YouTube pay? You can earn a lot of money on YouTube. In fact, some YouTubers earn millions of dollars each year.

A few examples of successful YouTubers include:

Michelle Phan

Michelle Phan is a YouTube cosmetics and makeup guru who began her YouTube career in 2006. She has since amassed a net worth of over $50 million.

Huda Kattan

Huda Kattan is a trained makeup artist who showcases her makeup tutorial skills on YouTube. Based on her YouTube success, she launched the extremely popular cosmetics line, Huda Beauty. As a result of her hard work, she has built a net worth of over $560 million.

Lilly Singh

Lilly Singh is a comedian who launched her social media channel back in 2011 as an outlet to deal with depression. Her channel has made at least $10 million.

PewDiePie

PewDiePie earned $13 million dollars in 2020 through his platform which focuses on video games.

Ryan Kaji

Ryan Kaji started YouTube at just 3 years old (with the help of his parents) and is at the top of the earning charts for YouTube.

His channel, "Ryan's world" is popular with kids. In 2019, he earned $26 million!

Mr. Beast

Jimmy Donaldson (aka Mr. Beast) is a wildly successful YouTuber. He makes about 3 million dollars in a month from YouTube. His channel features costly stunts and a wide variety of other things, too.

These are examples of highly successful YouTubers, though it might not give an accurate estimate for the question, "how much do YouTubers make?" (at least for the average creator).

So let's look at some numbers to help you know what to expect at first.

How much do YouTubers make: Questions about average YouTube income

Need more information? Here are some common questions you might have about average earnings on YouTube.

How much do YouTubers make (as an average amount)?

What you truly want to know is how much money do YouTubers make on average, right? According to ZipRecruiter, the average YouTuber makes about $60,000 a year.

There are lots of extremes with this and some people make more or much less. As you know, there are various monetization strategies, and different amounts of views and subscribers, which can influence your finances.

How much do you make from 100,000 views?

It can vary wildly. But generally up to $800 for 100,000 views.

How much does YouTube pay for 1000 subscribers?

The amount of subscribers does not necessarily indicate how much money you make. Rather, you'll make money based on views and the way you set up your channel to make an income.

How does YouTube pay you?

Now for the exciting part: how does YouTube actually pay creators? You can link your AdSense account to send your earnings using the method you prefer, be it a check or wire transfer.

How to get started earning money on YouTube

Ready to go for it and create your own channel? Here's what to remember in order to be successful.

Be original

If you want to earn an income from YouTube, you need to be unique. Before you start posting videos, or even focus too much on answering how much money do YouTubers make, think about what you want to build with your channel.

Know what kind of content you want to make

What kind of followers do you want to gain? What kind of message do you want to put into the world?

Do you want to create vlogs about your daily life? Or will you be creating sit down videos on specific topics? Whatever message you choose to create, make sure that it helps you stand out from the crowd.

For example, the Clever Girl Finance YouTube channel offers unique content geared towards women that want to improve their finances. Check it out to start thinking of your own new ideas.

Set a goal

Once you start posting videos, aim for some basic metrics. The first major milestone is to hit 1,000 subscribers. After that, you can aim for 4,000 watch hours in the past year.

That will help you get started with some ad revenue. From there, you can branch into other monetization strategies based on your following.

Be realistic about YouTube earnings when you start out

With earning potential in the millions, it is easy to be starstruck by the possibilities for your YouTube channel.

However, although possible, it can be extremely difficult to break into the high earnings on YouTube for a variety of reasons.

First of all, it can be difficult to build a following. The digital landscape on YouTube is extremely competitive. With 300 hours of video uploaded every single minute, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd.

Since it is so challenging to build a following, many YouTubers don’t earn anything to write home about. In fact, 84% of channels don't have even 1000 subscribers.

Be patient and consistent

Although it might seem effortless to post a few videos and wait for the hits, it will require more effort than that. The key is to ensure you dedicate time to learn what it takes to build a following and create impactful video content consistently.

There is good news, though. While YouTube can be competitive, it's also constantly changing and people are always looking for new content.

So whether you make videos doing stunts like Dude Perfect, or host a talk show like Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal (Good Mythical Morning), you can earn an income over time.

Pro tips to earn money with YouTube

How much do YouTubers make? Now you know the averages and what's possible. But here are some other tips to remember when you're starting a channel.

YouTube niches that make money

What type of niche you pick when creating your YouTube channel is important. While it's true that there are viewers for many topics, some are more popular than others and have the potential to help you earn more.

Some of the best niches to make money on YouTube, in order of profitability and judged by cost per thousand impressions (CPM), are money-making online, marketing for social media, and investing and finance.

Obviously, there's a variety of topics you could cover on your channel, but these are very well-known. And an advertiser pays to get their ads in front of many viewers, and that popularity can come from many niches.

So, if there's a niche that you know a lot about, go for it. You could opt for anything you find interesting, from playing Minecraft to creating watercolor paintings.

Learn from YouTube stars and creators

While everyone has their own unique perspective to bring to YouTube, you can learn a lot from others. Think about why you enjoy the YouTube channels you do.

What about those particular YouTube creators makes you keep watching their videos? Is it the style of the video? The content they create?

Find ways to add this inspiration to your own work in a way that is personalized.

YouTube stars have become famous for a reason, after all. YouTube personalities like Markiplier (Mark Fischbach), Jeffree Star, and others have a specific niche and are very popular. Try to find out what the stars in the niche you want to be part of are doing differently.

Do they host chats with their fans and subscribers a lot? Do they use super chat and super stickers during live chats? Maybe they have a great team that helps them create their videos.

Find out what works by looking to those who are successful. Not only will this help you find more information for the question, "how much does a YouTuber make?" but you'll also learn about creating content your viewers will love.

You can earn money on YouTube!

How much do YouTubers make? The sky is the limit!

But should you become a content creator? If you are interested in building a unique channel and enjoying the process, then yes. Why not give it a try?

With a great idea and some luck, you could be the next YouTube superstar.

On the flip side, YouTube is not the most reliable place to earn an income. If your goal is to increase your income through a side hustle, then you might want to consider other options.

As you consider YouTube as a way to earn, check out our side hustle course to learn more about making money. Also, be sure to check out our favorite female YouTubers who talk about personal finance!

The post How Much Does A YouTuber Make? appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Set Goals For A Small Business In Order To Grow https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/goals-for-a-small-business/ Thu, 27 Oct 2022 23:14:48 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=37234 […]

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Goals for a small business

No matter what sort of small business you have or how long you’ve been at it, it’s always important to set new goals for yourself! Having the right goals for a small business is essential to its future success and growth. They save you from just stumbling around aimlessly in the dark, and give you a map of where to go.

Goals for small businesses are very personal, because each business (and business owner!) is different. It’s also important to know how to identify the right goals based on what you want the future to look like.

Let’s start by understanding what makes the goals of a small business so important, examples of some great goals to consider, and steps for setting your own goals for a small business.

The importance of goals for a small business

Owning a small business can feel stressful and chaotic at times. You may feel like the typical goals of a small business owner are just keeping your head above water and making it to tomorrow.

But having specific, concrete goals for a small business can actually bring order to the chaos in a couple of ways.

Helps you decide on priorities

You probably have a million things on your to-do list, which can make you feel scattered and overwhelmed. When you sit down to set goals for a small business, you’ll naturally start to sort them into high-priority goals vs ones that aren’t as pressing.

Keeps you focused

Small business goals give you a north star to walk towards. Instead of making short-term decisions that don’t really fit into a larger plan, you’ll be able to evaluate your options in the context of your goals. “How does this move me closer to X outcome?”

Provides a benchmark for progress

The idea of “success” can feel a little nebulous when you don’t give yourself ways to define it. So setting goals gives you real points of reference you can use to measure your progress in different areas of your business.

Each time you complete a goal, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of succeeding at what you set out to accomplish.

8 Examples of small business goals

So, what might goals for a small business look like? They could be just about anything, from financial to operational to strategic goals.

These example goals for small businesses are meant to help get your gears turning—you’ll probably be brainstorming plenty of your own outside the list!

1. Offer a new product or service

Expanding your line of products or services can be one of the most powerful growth-oriented goals.

For example, maybe you own a brick-and-mortar bakery and you want to add an espresso bar to bring in coffee aficionados.

Or you have a web development business and want to add web design/UX services so you can offer comprehensive packages to clients.

When pursuing this goal, be intentional. Do your market research to figure out what type of new offering will appeal to new customers and keep existing ones coming back.

2. Hire new staff

Is your business a sole-proprietor party of one right now? Hiring your first employee is a fantastic milestone goal!

If you already have staff, think about what kind of role you could hire for that would be the most helpful.

A dedicated marketing/SEO specialist to help bring in more customers? A personal assistant to handle communication and logistics?

As a small business, you probably have a limited budget for staff, so make sure you’re funneling it to the right areas.

3. Try new marketing strategies

Whether you’re handling marketing yourself or you have people to help, don’t be afraid to mix things up!

When you’re trying to increase your sales and grow your customer base, you have to provide people with the right opportunities to find you and compelling reasons to choose you.

Creating a solid marketing strategy for your business is easy to learn, so make this a goal!

4. Trim down expenses

A small business with a lot of unnecessary expenses is like a boat with holes in it. So one of the best goals for a small business is to find those holes and patch them up!

Review your expenses and take a look at which ones are necessary vs potentially wasteful. Shop around to see if you can find cheaper alternatives (e.g. supplies, ingredients, services) without sacrificing quality.

5. Improve your branding

Branding is about so much more than a logo (although a good logo does matter!). It’s your story—the why behind your business.

Your branding is the reason customers should buy from you instead of someone else. It’s also the absolute foundation for your marketing efforts and future business growth.

6. Build a website/social presence

These days, people like to feel a personal connection to the businesses they patronize. So a website and active social media is the perfect place to connect with the public and show off that brand we just talked about.

This is where you get to share your story, give people insights into your mission and values, and teach them about what you offer.

Make it a goal to build (or revamp) a website, join a new social media platform, schedule weekly posts, or something related.

7. Open a new location

If your small business is the brick-and-mortar variety, this goal is pretty straightforward: open a new storefront, restaurant, etc. Even if you offer a service instead, this goal could simply mean expanding to new markets.

The end goal is simply becoming accessible to more customers than you were before.

8. Revamp your business plan annually

This is one of those small business goals you can check off your list every year! As your business changes and evolves, it’s wise to revisit your plans on a regular basis.

A business plan is a specific type of document that details everything about your company. Use it to describe your products and services, analyze your target market, plan out your finances, outline your marketing plan, and more.

How to set goals for a small business

You might already have some initial ideas buzzing around in your head. So how do you turn them from raw ideas into plannable, measurable, achievable goals for a small business?

Let’s look at some tips for setting goals the right way!

1. Think about your short-term and long-term vision

It’s like giving yourself a job interview: where should your business be in one year? How about five years? You’ll ideally want to have a variety of goals to achieve within different periods of time.

Some may be achievable within months (e.g. increasing your monthly income by 5%). Others may have a much longer time horizon (e.g. doubling your sales in two years).

Maybe in 5 to 10 years, you want to be one of the top businesses in your industry locally.

2. Sit down to review your financials

How are your financials set up to support the goals of a small business? This is an essential part of the process because chasing your dreams can get expensive!

If you have a goal of hiring a new team member, you’ll need the financial bandwidth to pay someone’s salary.

Also if you want to attract new customers, you’ll probably have to increase your marketing budget and may not see immediate returns to cover it.

Brush up on these tips for managing your business finances, then sit down to look at your savings, profits, expenses, etc.

3. Talk to others in your industry

Particularly if your business is on the newer side, it’s important to leverage the knowledge and experience of those who have walked this path before.

You might not want to talk to your direct competition, of course—they don’t have much incentive to help you.

Look for online groups and forums, business owners who are in your field but outside your local market, etc.

Ask questions like what they wish they’d done sooner and what decisions have been most transformative for their business.

Chat about what goals they’ve set, whether they feel any were mistakes, steps they took to reach them, etc.

In addition, take notes and apply their insights to your journey!

4. Make your goals specific and measurable

Your goals should provide you with clarity, not confuse you more. As soon as you come up with some high-level small business goals, start breaking them down into smaller chunks with concrete steps.

You want to monitor your progress towards each goal so you can tell when you’re on the right track or getting off course. Plus, it always feels good to check items off your to-do list!

5. Determine your top priorities

What are the very most important goals of a small business that needs to grow in your industry? You can’t do everything at once, so it’s crucial to know what you want to accomplish first.

This means doing a ton of research.

Which business activities will make the biggest impact? What will the likely costs be, and are they within your financial ability right now? Will you need to hire outside help, whether that’s freelancers, consultants, or employees?

6. Give yourself deadlines

Goals without deadlines tend to lack a sense of urgency. Once you have your goals roadmap laid out, come up with a realistic timeframe for each step.

Do your best to stick to them—but also don’t beat yourself up if life gets in the way and you have to stretch a deadline now and then.

Time to set your own small business goals!

Goals for small businesses certainly aren’t one-size-fits-all. It’s up to you to envision the future you want to build and evaluate your current business realities.

Start by setting a few small, easily achievable goals, and ramp up to bigger and better things as you build confidence!

Still getting started with your business? Find out how to start a business from scratch, and even how to start one without much money.

The post How To Set Goals For A Small Business In Order To Grow appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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14 Best Recession-Proof Businesses Ideas You Can Try! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/recession-proof-businesses/ Tue, 04 Oct 2022 11:22:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=9244 […]

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recession-proof businesses

The fear of facing a recession is always overwhelming. Unfortunately, recessions are something we can't control on a personal level, and as a result, you’re probably a bit worried. However, you can prepare for a recession financially by switching your career path into a recession-proof job or business.

Recession-proof businesses can thrive despite an economic downturn. Which in turn means more financial stability for you!

If you worry about financial security or want to start a business, then consider looking at recession proof industries.

But before we dive into what industries are recession proof, let's discuss what a recession means.

What does a recession mean?

A recession happens when there is a temporary widespread drop in spending. This is because consumers become concerned about the economy or have lost their jobs and means of income.

It is officially defined by economists as a fall in the gross domestic product (GDP) for two consecutive quarters. GDP is how overall economic activity is measured for a country. When a recession is officially declared, it’s usually already been going on for a few months.

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in production, employment, real income, and other indicators.”

That means recessions can impact a wide variety of industries across the board. Which is why it's important to consider businesses and industries that are recession proof.

What are recession-proof businesses?

Recession-proof businesses are usually in industries that are not severely impacted by a decline in the economy. These industries are usually ones that everyone needs, even when finances are tight.

Businesses in industries that provide staples are the type of businesses that tend to do best when the economy heads south. For example, businesses in homes and vehicle repairs, public services like plumbing and electricity, grocery, etc, all tend to do well.

So, if you’re looking for recession-proof business ideas to switch into, then keep reading to find out which ones have the best chance of riding out an economic storm.

Industries that are recession-proof

Below are some specific industries that are resistant to recessions and are likely to support you even through difficult circumstances.

  • Baby products and child care
  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Technology
  • Food and drinks, groceries
  • Repairs
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Pets
  • Cleaning
  • Digital Marketing
  • Beauty industry
  • Funeral services
  • Real estate investing

14 Recession-proof businesses to consider

Based on the list of the above recession proof industries, let's go over some actual business ideas. It may surprise you what makes the list of recession proof business ideas.

However, these are products and services that are in demand even during a recession. Here are 14 good businesses to start in a bad economy:

1. Baby products

Baby products are one of the industries that are recession proof. After all, if you have a baby when the recession hits, that’s not going to prevent you from needing diapers and bottles.

Many parents will cut down on their own expenses before they cut back on buying things for their children. While they aren’t totally recession-proof, children's products tend to be recession-resistant.

Parents might not be able to spend hundreds of dollars on toys at Christmas during a tough year, but they will still buy presents. Babies grow fast and constantly need new clothes. And kids will always want a new pair of shoes to wear to school come September.

If you are looking at starting a business that can withstand a recession, then consider something that caters to kids and especially babies.

2. Food and beverage

Food and beverage are also recession proof industries. Because even during a recession, people need to eat. While people may cut back on splurges like eating out at restaurants, they will still splurge on core food staples.

Sales at grocery stores, candy sales, and alcohol sales all tend to increase during a recession.

Why do these recession proof businesses thrive despite money being tight? Because items like chocolate are what a buyer will consider "affordable luxuries" during tough times! So, people will still treat themselves to these items before splurging on a bigger purchase.

For instance, did you know that Snickers Bars were invented during the Great Depression? It shows you how much we crave sugar when our stress levels rise!

Grocery stores are a good sector to be in, as people tend to eat in more. That means they will spend more time on home-cooked meals. And of course, people will always need toothpaste, laundry soap, and other staples no matter the economic situation.

3. Retail consignment

When things get tough, one of the first things people cut down on are new clothes. But that doesn’t mean people want to give up their love of shopping.

Secondhand stores saw a 31% increase in sales during the last recession even as other retailers’ sales dropped. In fact, the thrift store craze stayed after the recession was long gone. Plus, it’s just as popular to buy used clothes as it is to buy new ones.

People also try to save on electronics, jewelry, musical instruments, and more by purchasing them preowned. Retail franchises and other second-hand shops such as pawn shops are good businesses to start in a bad economy.

4. Courier and delivery services

People will always need mail. This is why courier and delivery services are among the top recession-proof businesses. Courier and delivery services tend to be less vulnerable than other sectors to a recession.

Even though sales might decline, there is a need to send packages. And with more and more people turning to buying and selling secondhand online, the need for delivery is likely to rise.

Some businesses might even outsource their courier services needs. So, whether it's raining, the sun is shining, or there is a recession, there is always a need for delivery services.

5. Childcare/daycare

Remember what I said earlier about baby items being recession-resistant? This is also true for childcare. While it can be difficult for parents to pay for things like daycare costs when budgets get tight, it’s still a necessity for many families, especially when both parents work.

Even if a parent loses a job or has to cut back on hours, they may opt to keep their kids in childcare. There are a lot of benefits for younger children to be in a safe and secure environment, especially when there is a lot of change going on that they might not understand. So childcare services are one of the industries that are recession resistant.

12 Recession proof businesses

6. Health and senior services

Healthcare and other services for seniors are generally recession resistant. Home care is growing by billions of dollars, and health is a practical and necessary industry even in a recession. If you're looking for good businesses to start in a bad economy, the healthcare industry makes the list.

Demand is likely to continue as more and more people in the Boomer generation reach retirement. Seniors will still need help with basic needs as they get older and that’s unlikely to change when a recession hits.

Even if seniors aren’t living in a care home, they may need to hire a caregiver to help around the house or run errands for them. So basically any industries working with seniors can be great recession proof business ideas!

7. Technology and IT

If anything, quarantines and social distancing have shown that there will be even more demand for technology in the coming years.

Telecommuting and working from home are only likely to get more popular, especially with so many businesses realizing it’s possible and saving on overhead costs like rent.

The popularity of working from home is also likely to increase demand for businesses that cater to IT, as companies everywhere need to spruce up their telecommunications.

Even doctors are turning to technology as they urge patients to call in instead of going to the hospital.

Technology support for at-home services and companies is also becoming recession-proof businesses.

8. Repair services

Even in the best of times, things break down. No matter what, something will always need repair!

During a recession, people may even turn to repairing things instead of buying new things, or at least holding off as much as possible. This is why repair services make the list for good businesses to start in a bad economy.

Companies that focus on repair services for necessary items like auto mechanics, roofers, plumbers, and other home repair businesses are likely to see just as much work during a recession as when times are good.

Automotive services that fine-tune their services to their customer's needs do especially well during a recession compared to companies that are more specialized.

9. Cleaning services

No, I don’t mean home cleaning services are going to rise during a recession. But other areas that are legally required to have cleaning services tend to be recession-proof. Any workplace has to have a cleaner- a bank, office spaces, classrooms, hotels, and lobbies.

Usually, these services are outsourced to a cleaning company. Even if a company has to cut back on its employees, it will still need a cleaner.

Corporate cleaning companies are considered recession-proof businesses because they provide a steady source of income, even when the economy crashes.

10. Accounting services

Accounting services are another sector that will be in demand even when times get tough. In fact, they might be in even more demand during a recession as businesses use their services to find ways to cut down on costs.

Even during a recession, businesses will still need to pay their bills and keep track of payments and revenue. They aren’t likely to get rid of the person who knows the numbers.

If you’re good with math, then turning to financial planning or accounting or opening up a similar company could be one of the best recession proof businesses to start!

11. Freelance services

When a recession hits employers turn to freelancers as an alternative to hiring full-time employees. So, freelancing is one of the best recession proof industries to consider.

The great thing is you can diversify your services so you can create multiple streams of income. For instance, you could become a virtual assistant and be a freelance writer as well.

That way, you aren't relying on one type of job for all of your income! And you can even start freelancing with no experience.

12. Pet care business

The American Pet Products Association recently made $100 billion in yearly sales! So, pet care and supplies like pet food are shown to be recession proof businesses now.

Another reassuring and heart-warming fact is that 52% of pet owners said more of their money goes towards their pets than themselves!

Vet visits, grooming sessions, and essential pet products can flourish despite facing economic uncertainty. So, consider these areas for recession proof business ideas!

13. Real estate

If you're an investor thinking about recessions, consider real estate investing or property. For example, owning a property that you rent out is still likely to do well in a recession, because people still need places to live, though it isn't a guarantee.

You may also consider REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) that pay dividends. It could make you an income even during uncertain times.

14. Self care and beauty

Surprisingly, self care and beauty make the list for a recession-resistant business. While they aren't necessities, beauty salons are popular even during recessions.

While people are unlikely to spend a large amount of money on beauty items, they will probably spend on affordable things like a manicure or haircuts.

Consider one of these recession-proof businesses for a financially secure future!

These industries that are recession proof offer opportunities during times of economic recession. Although things might be tougher, it's definitely possible to move into a recession-proof career or build a successful recession-proof business during trying times.

Learning how to build a successful business could be how you thrive during a recession. And of course, knowing how to budget and save up cash is also very helpful for tough times. You can learn more about earning money and managing it well from the Clever Girls Know podcast.

The post 14 Best Recession-Proof Businesses Ideas You Can Try! appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Get Paid To Read Books And More! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/get-paid-to-read/ Sun, 21 Aug 2022 11:53:43 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=33181 […]

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Get paid to read books

Have you ever thought about if you can get paid to read? If you said yes, then keep reading! We’ll discuss how you can earn money by reading books. And if you have a good speaking voice, you can also get paid to read books aloud!

This digital world we are all part of can be amazing. There are so many opportunities to earn money, you just have to know what you’re looking for and where to look. Which we’ll cover in this article, let’s go!

How can you get paid to read books?

In case you are still wondering, yes you can earn money by reading books. Here are several ways to do just this.

Read books for money by writing a review

Why would someone pay for a book review? Because book reviews are a great way for authors to market books. So, publishers and websites will pay to have them instead of waiting for reviews to come in.

Check out the section below for websites that pay you to read books for reviews to get a sense of the pay and how to apply.

Earn money by reading books aloud

So, you can earn money by reading books aloud. Audiobooks are not new, but they’re becoming popular.

It’s because it’s now easier to access them through apps. Unlike before, when people had to buy stacks of CDs to listen to a book.

Look through our list of places where you can get paid to read books aloud. Arm yourself with a good microphone, headphones, and an audio recording program such as Audacity. And you're good to go!

Proofread books for extra cash

Meanwhile, self-publishing is on the rise because the internet has made it cheap and easy to create books. Furthermore, Amazon has made it affordable and easy to distribute books. These have in turn created many opportunities for freelancers to earn money by reading books, which includes proofreading.

Proofreading books for authors can be a great way to make money. Proofreading focuses on correcting inconsistencies and errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation especially when read aloud. So, if you notice details and enjoy reading, you can make extra cash as a proofreader.

Get paid to read and edit books

Editing is more involved than proofreading. Editors are responsible for checking books for content plus grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They ensure that the final draft is readable, has a solid story, and flows smoothly.

Editing books may not be something you can just pick up and start doing. But if you are looking for a career change or a way to earn money by reading books, editing pays well.

Websites that pay you to read books for reviews

Publishers and book distributors are always looking for book reviewers. And you can apply whether you’re a beginner or have experience writing.

You’ll find that many cater to all genres as well. Websites want reviewers for nonfiction, fiction, classics, indie books, and everything in between.

Although the pay for writing book reviews may not let you quit your full-time job, it’s still a great way to make extra money. So, here’s our list of websites that pay you to read books for reviews.

1. Kirkus Media

Virginia Kirkus started Kirkus Media in 1933 to provide unbiased pre-publication reviews for book buyers. To this day, that is the purpose of Kirkus Reviews magazine.

Next time you pick up a book, pay attention to the cover, it might include a blurb from Kirkus. Other websites like Amazon also use the magazine for reviews as well.

Kirkus accept English and Spanish language book reviewers. And they accept reviews for all types of genres.

To apply, you need to send them your resume and some writing samples. Once accepted, they assign you a book to read. Then, you have two weeks to submit a 350-word review.

2. Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy helps authors craft and publish indie books, so it's great for readers that think outside the box. Submit an application form if this is something that interests you.

With Reedsy, you can also build a reputation as an excellent reviewer, which opens up more opportunities for you to read books for money! Because you are free to connect with authors who want to work with you specifically.

3. Online Book Club

The Online Book Club is a free online community that includes features and tools for book lovers. Their Bookshelves app lets readers store, track, and share lists of books.

In addition, members can go to the reading forums to discuss any book with other people who read the same book.

Most payouts on the Online Book Club range from $5 - $60 per book review.

As a website that caters to readers, they’re transparent with the pay and the process. They don’t expect you to only submit positive reviews. But they want you to give an honest, quick insight.

4. Upwork

Upwork is a freelancing platform where you can look for jobs for you to read books for money. You can search the website for listings on completing book reviews, editing, and proofreading.

The website is a one-stop freelance shop where you can get paid to read emails or read books aloud. Note that the pay varies depending on the job, your experience, and your client.

5. Instaread

Instaread is a subscription-based service that offers a thorough overview of books in 15-minute audio or texts to readers. They provide key insights and takeaways from bestselling and classic books to make reading fast and easy.

In this regard, Instaread pays for book summaries instead of book reviews. You’ll need to write around 1,000 to 1,500 words. But they do pay $100 per summary.

Take a look at this style guide for what they’re looking for, and check back on their website for open calls.

6. Booklist Online

The American Library Association has published Booklist as a book-review magazine for more than 100 years. It offers reviews to help libraries decide what to buy and help library users know what's worth it to read, view, or listen to.

Booklist Online is the web version of the Booklist print magazine. Its audience includes librarians, booksellers, and educators. So, if you love to read, this is a great way to earn money by reading books, and you’re helping out students and educators too!

They need reviews of around 150 to 175 words, for which they pay $15 per review. Make sure to check out their website for samples of reviews and to familiarize yourself with their requirements.

7. US Review of Books

The U.S. Review of Books aims to provide reviews to give every book and author equal and fair consideration. They also promote the books to their subscribers and on social media for added visibility.

They’re looking for 250 to 300 word reviews that are straightforward and based on facts.

Go over their requirements and examples of reviews they accept to see if it’s a fit for you.

8.  getAbstract

getAbstract provides access to summarized expert knowledge to its subscribers. And to do that, they need people to provide professional summaries of non-fiction books. So, getAbstract may be a great match for you if you love reading non-fiction books.

If you like this idea, fill out their application form and give it a go. What a way to get paid to read articles and books you’re going to read anyway, right?

Where to get paid to read books aloud

Since audiobooks have become easier to access through apps, this market is booming. Publishers, authors, and book distributors alike are paying to have books narrated.

If you’re more of a speaker than someone who likes to write, you’ll like these websites that pay you to read books aloud.

1. Audiobook Creative Exchange of Amazon

The Audiobook Creative Exchange of Amazon (ACX) is a platform that offers many opportunities for you to earn money by reading books. ACX produces audiobooks for Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.

Check out the step-by-step guideline on how to start your audiobook career. Create a profile and select a book to narrate for your audition.

If you pass the audition, the author will contact you with an offer, delivery dates, and payment terms. You have two choices for payment: collect an hourly rate or a 50% royalty share. You can also pick both options if you’re unsure.

2. Findaway Voices

Similar to ACX, Findaway Voices is an audiobook creation platform. The only difference is they cater mainly to authors. Authors use the Marketplace to find professional voice actors and narrators for audiobooks.

To become a narrator for Findaway Voices, simply create a profile page in the Marketplace. Make sure to include an audio intro, samples, filter tags, a background image, and a personalized URL.

All of which will give you a competitive edge and help to present you as a professional.

3. Voices

Voices is another freelancing platform that connects brands with professionals who can bring projects to life. Browse through the Marketplace, and you’ll find jobs for voice-over, music, audio production, and translation.

You can start working on Voices by creating a profile and uploading samples of your work. The platform has three tiers of membership.

The free tier lets clients find you through your profile. But you need a Premium or Platinum membership to be able to audition for available jobs.

Other options where you can get paid to read

If completing book reviews or becoming a voice artist isn’t your cup of tea, read on. We have more side hustle ideas on how to get paid to read.

Get paid to read emails as a virtual assistant

As a virtual assistant, you can get paid to read emails.  Entrepreneurship has been a growing trend for the past decade in the United States alone. In fact, there were almost 5.4 million new business registrations recently.

Behind every business is an entrepreneur who needs help managing phone calls, scheduling meetings, and answering emails. So, it’s the virtual assistant’s job to take care of these tasks and keep things running smoothly.

Visit sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and People Per Hour to browse the jobs. Check out what qualifications your prospective clients are looking for and how much each job pays.

Work in editing and get paid to read news

The 24-hour news cycle is probably not a good thing for us doom scrollers. But it offers a way to get paid to read news. Make money proofreading and editing news articles for bloggers and journalists.

If you have any experience, you can start advertising your services. You can also ask your friends and family if they know anyone who can give you your first job. Otherwise, freelancing platforms like Upwork and People Per Hour are good places to start.

Get paid to read articles for people

If you're not keen on reading the news, you can get paid to read articles as a proofreader or editor. You can proofread for any business that publishes blog posts or newsletters.

For instance, you can work as a freelancer and offer your services to marketing agencies, businesses, and bloggers.

In these positions, it helps to be proficient in more than one type of copy or topic. You may need to pick up new skills before you start looking for jobs as well.

Becoming a proofreader or editor isn't easy. But with a little preparation time and planning, you can set yourself up for a great way to make extra money.

You can make extra cash by reading!

The online world is full of possibilities to pursue your passion and make money. Isn't it awesome to be able to use the skills you already have while doing what you love?

We’ve shown you that you can earn money by reading books. In addition, you can also get paid to read emails and get paid to read books aloud.

And if you're going to be reading anyway, expand your financial knowledge by checking out the 14 best books about money mindset.

In addition, when you start earning cash from this side hustle, create awesome financial goals using our free course, and make a money plan that works.

The post How To Get Paid To Read Books And More! appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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29 Boss Lady Quotes To Inspire Your Success! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/boss-lady-quotes/ Thu, 23 Jun 2022 10:42:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=29083 […]

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Boss lady quotes

Feeling motivated can really influence your success. Whether you’re starting up your own business, climbing the corporate ladder, or trying to earn as much money as possible, it’s important to hear from others who’ve been there. When you read boss lady quotes from those who have achieved great things, it affects you in a positive way. Then you can go out and inspire other women to be successful, too.

So here are 29 awesome boss lady quotes to help you on your journey!

Boss lady quotes about making money

Focusing all your efforts on making a high income? While the amount of money you want to make can vary, the fact remains that it’s important for women to accomplish their money goals. It can feel daunting at times, but these quotes about being a boss lady will help you stay motivated.

1. “Money may not buy happiness, but I’d rather cry in a Jaguar than on a bus.” - Francoise Sagan

This quote by French novelist Francoise Sagan, while funny, reminds us that sometimes having money can improve our lives.

Although it isn’t the answer to everything, it can definitely make life better and more comfortable. So it’s good to strive for what you want, and it’s okay if you want to make a high income!

2. “Being rich is having money. Being wealthy is having time.” - Margaret Bonnano

A very smart quote from author Margaret Bonanno reminds us that being wealthy is completely different than being rich. You can have a lot of money but what you really need is the time to enjoy it. It’s a good reminder that when you make your money you want to be wise with your lifestyle as a boss lady.

3. “Did we ever plan on being billionaires? No, but we wanted to be millionaires.” - Diane Hendricks

This is a great thought from business leader Diane Hendricks about shooting for the stars. When you are trying to succeed, aim high, and you may find that you do even better than you imagined. Your dreams can grow with you, and as you achieve more, you can add to what you want to accomplish.

4. “To increase my wealth, I had to decrease my wants.” - Michelle Singletary

An interesting take on money; this quote by finance expert Michelle Singletary shows that there are multiple ways to be wealthy. You can make more money, but you can also change your lifestyle to fit with your future goals. It pays to be wise about your income and how you spend it.

5. “The success of every woman should be an inspiration to the rest.” - Serena Williams

An excellent thought from tennis superstar Serena Williams about how we should be inspired by other women’s success. When one does well, it helps all of us. And, this quote can aid you in earning as much as you can, while encouraging other women to do the same.

How to run a business leveraging boss lady quotes

Being a business owner can be exciting but also present multiple challenges. But it helps to hear from people who understand what you’re going through. Use these female boss quotes to help you feel inspired as you work as an entrepreneur.

6. “Follow your passion - and if you don’t know what it is, realize that one reason for your existence on earth is to find it.” - Oprah Winfrey

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey shows that we don’t have to have everything figured out with one of the best quotes about being a boss lady.

But we should find things that we enjoy and are good at, and try to make a living doing something that exercises our talents. And if you’re going to go to work every day, it may as well be to do something you enjoy.

7. “I wake up every morning and think to myself, ‘How far can I push the company forward in the next 24 hours?’” - Leah Busque Solivan

An inspiring quote from business leader Leah Busque Solivan about having a never-quit attitude when it comes to your business.

Don’t give up and always think about what else you can do to make a better product, more money, or follow a new idea. It benefits many people when your business is successful, not just you, so always strive for more.

8. "Whatever it is that you think you want to do, and whatever it is that you think stands between you and that, stop making excuses. You can do anything."  - Katia Beauchamp

If you’re feeling unmotivated, this quote from Birchbox founder Katia Beauchamp will help you to get inspired again. Whatever you want to do with your business, know that you absolutely can do it and can make a difference. Don’t let things stand in your way that shouldn’t.

9. “Building a brand means knowing your story and building and sharing that story.” - Tamara McCleary

CEO Tamara McCleary’s inspiring quote makes us think about how building a brand or a company needs to come from the heart. It’s personal and it matters, and building your business should be something you take seriously.

10. “Find the smartest people you can and surround yourself with them.” - Marissa Meyer

This is a fantastic way to think about business with one of the most inspiring boss women quotes.

Author Marissa Meyer’s quote makes us think about how as business owners it’s important to hire people who know a lot about specific subjects and who you can learn from. You never know what someone may teach you.

11. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” - Estee Lauder

Rather than thinking about how great it would be to make a lot of money or run a company, go out and do it.

Beauty Mogul Estee Lauder shows the value of hard work with this quote. Running a successful business is something that requires effort, but it’s worth it.

Boss lady quotes to stay motivated

If you’re working hard at achieving your goals but lack motivation, check out these female boss quotes from inspiring women pursuing their dreams. Keep your motivation up and you can do anything!

12. “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” - Simone Biles

A challenge and an invitation to keep going even when you aren’t sure if things will work out the way you want. Renowned gymnast Simone Biles reminds us all to push forward and do our best. Definitely one of the greatest quotes about being a boss lady!

13. “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” - Michelle Obama

Don’t ever put limitations on yourself. Rather, look towards what you want to achieve, and then think of ways to do even more than you thought possible. An inspiring thought from the former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama shows us that anything is achievable.

14. “It’s possible to climb to the top without stomping on other people.” - Taylor Swift

A reminder from singer Taylor Swift to be kind and always treat people with fairness. Regardless of what you want to achieve, you’ll accomplish your goals in a much better way when you consider others’ feelings, too.

15. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Especially not yourself.” - Mindy Kaling

Sometimes our greatest critic isn’t someone else, but ourselves. Actress Mindy Kaling gives the wise advice that sometimes you need to be your own cheerleader and believe that you can win.

Confidence-boosting boss lady quotes

Need an extra dose of confidence? These quotes about being a boss lady from amazing women will inspire you to go for what you want.

16. “It’s really important for us to be unapologetic. To be bold. To be brave. And to take huge risks.” - Awkwafina

Actress, Awkwafina tells it like it is with this quote, explaining that we need to be strong and believe in ourselves. When something is important to you, take steps to achieve it.

17. “Everything is figureoutable.” - Marie Forleo

No matter how difficult something seems, or if you’ve hit some roadblocks on the way to your dreams, you can still be successful. Entrepreneur Marie Forleo shows us how things tend to work out when you keep trying.

18. “You never know if you can actually do something against all odds until you actually do it.” - Abby Wambach

There are moments where you have to just go for it. Soccer legend Abby Wambach reminds us with this quote that you must believe that you are capable and do what you need to do, even if you think you can’t. You may be surprised by the positive results!

Being a leader with these boss lady quotes

You might experience times when you need to lead a team, hire some employees, or be a good example. Use these boss women quotes as the inspiration you need to be a great leader.

19. “Surround yourself with people and things that inspire you. Learn everything you can.” - Jameela Jamil

The best way to learn is to be around people that help you grow. actress, presenter, and activist Jameela Jamil shows us that it’s essential to bring people into your circle that help you be your best self.

20. “We need to accept that we don’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes. Understand that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.” - Arianna Huffington

Thank you, Arianna Huffington, for reminding us that being a leader doesn’t mean we don’t make mistakes. It just means that we’re all human, and we keep trying.

21. “Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you’ll be criticized anyway.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt understands that criticism is just a part of life. True leaders will do what they believe is the right thing, no matter what others say. Truly one of the most encouraging and honest of the boss women quotes.

22. “Leadership is a series of behaviors rather than a role for heroes.” - Margaret Wheatley

Being a good leader is about doing the right things and caring about others, over and over again. Author, Margaret Wheatley makes a great point here by showing us that leadership is what we do on a daily basis.

23. “Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different.” - Indra Nooyi

A great perspective to have is a positive one. Business leader Indra Nooyi shows that thinking in this way can be helpful to others and to ourselves. Especially when in a leadership role.

Boss lady quotes about never giving up

Your dreams matter, and it’s important to not allow them to fall by the wayside. Instead, work to achieve them by never giving up. Read these inspiring thoughts to encourage you on your journey.

24. “Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

Just when you feel that things are hopeless or that they’ll never work out, things may turn around for the better, as author Harriet Beecher Stowe reminds us. So don’t give up, because you’ll eventually have success.

25. “Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” - Ella Fitzgerald

Following your passion can lead to many great things. Ella Fitzgerald offers this excellent thought that you shouldn’t give up if you truly love something.

Boss lady quotes about defying expectations

Sometimes women need to work hard to defy expectations. But there are plenty of great women who have already succeeded, and we will continue to do so using inspiration like this.

26. “Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, ‘She doesn’t have what it takes.’ They will say, ‘Women don’t have what it takes.’” - Clare Boothe Luce

A reminder from women's leader Clare Boothe Luce that we are all in this together. Women should encourage each other and be in support of one another as we pursue our ambitions.

27. “I don’t go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head.” - Princess Diana

Princess Diana offers this inspiring quote that reminds us that it’s okay to let your heart lead sometimes. Use it to help you make good decisions that benefit others.

28. “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made…It shouldn’t be that women are the exception. “ - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Women should absolutely have a say in the world, in politics, in business, and more. Ruth Bader Ginsburg understood this and as women, we should work towards accomplishing more than was possible for the previous generations.

29. “We need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.” - Beyoncé

Confidence and success often come down to what you think about yourself. Beyoncé got it right when she said this quote, showing us that we are in control of our own lives and must use them to improve the world.

These boss lady quotes will give you the inspiration you need

If you need to feel inspired again to go for your dreams, make more money, or just be your best self, these boss lady quotes will help. No matter what, remember that you are a boss lady and are capable of so much!

Clever Girl Finance is always here to encourage you with female boss quotes, plus great financial articles and tons of career inspiration, as well!

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How To Make Money With A Blog For Beginners https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-make-money-with-a-blog-for-beginners/ Wed, 15 Jun 2022 10:16:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=9584 […]

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How to Make Money With a Blog for Beginners

If you're wondering how to make money with a blog for beginners, you've come to the right place. Many bloggers are making thousands of dollars per month using simple monetization strategies. In this article, I'll share ideas to earn money blogging.

There are a ton of ways to do it and they can really help you build passive income.

Before diving in, I want to stress that blogging is a long game. There is no overnight success and it is a lot of hard work. However, it is possible to build a profitable blog and even a six-figure or seven-figure blog!

If you want to know how to start a blog and make money, read on to see exactly how successful bloggers do it!

How much income can you make: how to make money with a blog for beginners

Blogging for beginners is a fun way to earn cash, and starting your own blog might be your dream. But how much do people make with a blog? Is it even possible to make a full-time income this way?

It is totally possible and many people make great money from blogging. There's a massive difference in income, so you could make no money, or you could make upwards of $100,000 a month.

It depends on a variety of factors like the time and effort you put in and monetization strategies, as well as other things.

What niche when wondering how to make money with a blog for beginners?

What is the best blog niche for making an income? Blogging for beginners isn't always about picking a hobby and going with that. You also need to write about what people are interested in reading.

Now, it's possible to make money with any niche. But fitness, finance, fashion, and technology all tend to be profitable.

When will you earn an income after you learn how to make money with a blog for beginners?

That depends on you, and the amount of traffic you can get for your blog.

Since you need readers in order to make a profit, it's all about how fast you can build an audience. You can get people to read your blog posts through guest posting, keyword research, and social media marketing.

Then you'll have people buy your products, read your posts, and purchase things like coaching or webinars.

How to make money with a blog for beginners: a guide

There are many ways to earn money blogging for beginners. A lot of bloggers today have built large audiences but have no monetization strategy. As a result, they leave money on the table.

We don't want that to be you. However, before we walk through how to make money with a blog for beginners, you actually need to have a blog.

If you're completely new to blogging, not to worry. There is a lot to learn about things like web hosting, plugins, search engines, and keywords, but we've got resources for how to start a blog and make money.

We've put together the ultimate guide on how to become a blogger. Our guide will show you everything you need to know to get your blog up and running. It includes advice about domains, WordPress blog thoughts, and how to promote your blog on Twitter and other social media.

We've also put together a list of the best books about blogging to give you additional insights.

If you already have a blog and you've built a dedicated audience, then you are in a good position to make money from your blog. And keep in mind you can do this regardless of whether you are a food, fitness, fashion, travel, or lifestyle blogger. Any blog can make money!

Below we discuss how you can start to earn money blogging. Let's dive in!

Affiliate income

Affiliate income is one of the most popular paths when it comes to how to make money with a blog for beginners. Basically, companies approach bloggers who have active and engaged audiences and pay them money for displaying their products.

You can also approach companies via affiliate networks and sign up for their affiliate program. A method like this can work really well both for the company and for the blogger.

In order to get your creative juices flowing, below are some examples of blog posts that work for this income stream:

  • Product comparison articles
  • Product reviews
  • Tutorials on how to use software or a product
  • Round-up articles on the best products to use to solve a specific problem

To get started, you first need to have some traffic coming to your website. But keep in mind that you don't need millions of people reading your blog.

In fact, you can get started with a small audience and begin affiliate marketing. What's most important is that you have an engaged audience. You can start off by advertising your blog on Pinterest and Facebook groups, and also Instagram, and then start to monetize after that.

How to start making affiliate income

Once you set up your blog and have some traffic, you can start trying to make an affiliate income. You should start by applying to a network and then you can work with them to add affiliate links to your site.

Some affiliate networks you can apply to include:

Affiliate links will be provided to you by the companies you work with either directly or via the affiliate network. These links will have specific tracking codes that track conversions from your link.

If a reader clicks your link and buys something that you recommended, you can earn a commission. Easy money!

Advertising (Google AdSense)

The quickest way to start making money blogging is through Google AdSense. With this form of monetization, Google pays you for displaying ads on your blog for visitors to see.

However, it can pay very little, especially if you have a smaller audience. But if you want to know how to make money with a blog for beginners, it's a pretty easy way to do so.

Despite this, Google Ads are still a great way to make passive income. You likely won't replace your salary with it, but the extra dollars can be worth it! Other advertising networks include Raptive and Mediavine but they have a monthly traffic minimum before you can sign up.

Some bloggers may choose not to show Google Ads on their blogs. Because ads can lower the experience your target audience has and make your blog look busy. If you don't like the idea of display ads, there are other ways to monetize your blog.

How to set up Google AdSense

You'll need to create an account and then you can set up Google AdSense. They'll place ads on your blog and you can start earning. Very simple, but effective.

Coaching

Do you love working with people? Are you good at teaching? If you answered yes to these questions, you may consider offering coaching services.

Coaching is a great way to monetize your new blog.

People are constantly searching for coaches for various reasons. Some are looking for help with a big life transition while others may be looking to boost their performance in a certain area. Whatever the case, you could be the solution they've been waiting for.

How to set up your coaching service

In order to get started, you can offer one on one coaching to clients. Let them know through email marketing or your blog that you'll be offering coaching services. The challenge with that, however, is that you only have a limited amount of time each day.

To overcome this challenge, you can branch out your one-to-one coaching services to provide group coaching or pre-recorded coaching with limited in-person support. It will help you scale your business without burning out!

Consulting

When wondering how to make money with a blog for beginners, try offering consulting services, which is different from coaching.

As a blogger, you likely have specialized skills that you can sell to a company. For example, you might be a pro at SEO or you might be an excellent copywriter. Use these skills for your consulting services.

How to advertise as a consultant

Whatever additional skills you have, share them on your blog and social media channels. Use sites such as LinkedIn to find additional prospects and link back to your blog. And let your readers know about your consulting business.

While consulting is a great way to make additional money, it is important to note that it is harder to scale than other channels such as affiliate programs.

eBooks

A truly great way to make money blogging is by writing Books, especially eBooks.

eBooks, as a digital product, are an excellent source of income because you put in the work once and you're done. If you constantly make high-quality content and want some passive income, this is for you.

Additionally, the upside is limitless. Once you upload a book online, it can be purchased by hundreds if not thousands of people over and over again, making eBooks a great source of passive income.

To get started, take a look at your most popular blog content. Note which articles performed well, and look at the ones with the most shares. That will give you a good idea of what to write about in your eBook.

Additionally, you'll be glad to know that you can repurpose your existing blog content into your book. It will make book writing so much easier!

How to sell your eBook

eBooks can be sold on third-party sites such as Amazon, however, one of the best ways to sell eBooks is via your own website. When you sell on your own site, you get to keep most of the proceeds. On third-party sites, you will have to pay a lot of fees that will eat into your profit margins.

Be sure to let your email list know about your book and where to purchase it.

Freelance writing

A great way to make money blogging is by offering freelance writing services on your website. Which could range from writing blog posts for other sites, helping brands with their content strategy, or helping businesses with their copy needs.

Freelance writing is really great for beginning bloggers who might not yet have an audience to sell their own products to. It is also great if you're looking to boost your income while building new partnerships and networks.

How to start freelance writing

You can check out job opportunities for writers online on sites like ProBlogger, or reach out to other bloggers. Ask around and see who needs help with writing. With enough networking and some time, you should be able to get a few writing jobs, and then move on to bigger jobs after you get some experience.

Online courses

e-Learning has taken on a whole new meaning of late. A few years ago, taking classes online was unheard of, but now, it is very popular. People take classes online for everything you can imagine - from cooking to lessons on how to decorate their homes.

Regardless of the niche, you can find a ton of opportunities to create and sell your very own online course!

At this point, your blog audience knows you and trusts you and they likely want to hear more from you. A course can be a great way to build that communication line. And it can help you with how to make money with a blog for beginners.

How to run an online course

To get started, you'll want to determine how much time you'll dedicate to the project. Some courses are as short as an hour, while others can be over 20 hours. If this is your first course, you'll want to stick to something simple.

Next, you'll want to know what your audience needs. Are there specific skills they are interested in learning right now?

Before jumping in headfirst and creating a course, you'll want to survey your audience to know if this is a topic they are interested in.

For example, at Clever Girl Finance, we spent time listening to our audience and found out that people wanted foundational courses in personal finance. As a result, we now offer a ton of free courses!

Once you've determined what your audience needs, you can start thinking about the content of the course. Courses that show how to do a particular skill tend to do extremely well.

Additionally, courses that contain evergreen content will serve you well in the long run. Although it's not a deal-breaker, selling a course that is only relevant for a specific timeframe will limit your income potential.

Lastly, you'll want to choose a platform to house your course. Udemy, Skillshare, and Teachable are top go-to options.

After doing all this, you need to actually create the course. Making your curriculum can involve recording videos, writing up outlines or informational pages, and additional research for what your clients want to know. Then you need to organize all of that content into an easy-to-understand format and start marketing.

Host paid webinars

If you're looking to establish your authority and want to know how to make money with a blog for beginners, you might want to consider hosting a webinar. Webinars are an excellent way for new bloggers to connect with their audiences all over the world.

During the webinar, your audience will be able to interact with you through live chat. You can host either a free or a paid webinar. Free webinars are perfect for building trust, raising awareness, and selling products.

Paid webinars, on the other hand, are perfect for teaching new skills. Your participants know you're an expert and they are coming to you to acquire knowledge. In general, paid webinars provide in-depth information and require more time for Q&A.

How to host a paid webinar

To get started with hosting a paid webinar, you'll want to do the following:

Firstly, pick a topic. Find a topic that is in demand and that is easy to go over in an hour. You can see what is trending on your blog and other online forums to get some ideas.

Next, you want to determine an outline for what you want to share in the webinar. Typically, you will have a 5-minute intro, 45 mins for the meaty part of the webinar, and then 15 to 30 mins for Q&A.

Thirdly, you'll want to create your script and presentation slides.

Lastly, you'll need to set up your payment methods for the webinar. Most webinar services will help you set up a payment page easily. If your webinar service provider does not offer a payment method, you can use a plug-in that will allow you to collect payment information or a simple Paypal link.

You can learn how to make money with a blog for beginners!

As you can see when it comes to how to make money with a blog for beginners, there are a variety of options. And each of these options can be applied to different types of blogs! To get started, just pick one option and once it's all set up you can add on others.

Whatever monetization strategies you put in place, always remember that your reader comes first. Be sure to serve the best content and partner with trustworthy brands. It will only be a matter of time before you start to earn money blogging!

Now you know how to start a blog and make money, but when you need advice on what to do with all that extra cash, check out our awesome free course about budgeting or our investing course bundle!

The post How To Make Money With A Blog For Beginners appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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18 Household Items To Sell For Quick Cash https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/household-items-to-sell-for-quick-cash/ Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:45:48 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=21570 […]

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An extra bill comes up that you weren't expecting, or maybe you want to buy that pair of shoes that's just not in the budget, and you need money. But perhaps you can't work more hours at your current job, or maybe you feel that side hustles are time-consuming. So what else can help you fund expenses? Find household items to sell for quick cash!

Household items to sell for quick cash

Today we'll talk about what to sell for quick cash, where to sell your items, and how to use your new cash fund wisely!

Top 18 household items to sell for quick cash

If you're wondering what to sell for quick cash, look no further than your own living room. Selling things around your house is pretty underrated. You can make extra money this way, and it's easy!

So here are 18 household items to sell for quick cash.

1. Furniture

Furniture can sell for a good amount of money. Think tables, chairs, couches, desks, and dressers. These are usually easy to fix up and sell without too much effort, and people are always looking for a deal on basics like these.

Check out our post, "How Does Flipping Furniture Work? How To Start" for more information.

2. Things from your closet

Your closet is a prime place to find things that you’ve forgotten about or no longer use. So grab a box or two and look through your stuff to see what you can get rid of.

Clothes

Do you have a lot of clothes you rarely wear or could part with? Sell some of them! If you have name-brand or designer items, they may make you a lot more, so check your closet.

Look for high-quality fabrics in good condition. And anything you own that is unique or vintage is also something to consider.

Shoes

Shoes…we love them, but they can clutter your closet and cost a lot! Search your home for shoes, especially expensive brands, that you can sell. Check out these sneaker brands that resell the best.

Handbags

Got a few too many handbags and purses? Part with a couple of nice ones and rake in cash! Top-tier brands like Hermes, Dior, and Bottega Veneta resell well. Remember to clean them out and remove all items before sending them to the buyer.

Get all the information you need about selling your handbags with our post "How To Sell Designer Handbags For Cash!"

3. Jewelry and accessories

Jewelry can be some of the most lucrative household items to sell for quick cash. However, some jewelry can be worth a little or a lot, depending on what it is.

For example, a pair of diamond earrings will be worth more than a necklace you bought for a few bucks. So if you have any high-quality jewelry items, consider selling them. You could also get them appraised for their value so you can ask for more money.

For accessories - belts, hats, scarves, gloves, and sunglasses may not seem like they'd be worth much. But they could be when you sell a bunch of things at once. These items are fun but easily replaceable and not too hard to sell for quick cash.

4. Books

If you've got shelves full of books in your house, it's time to clean things up! So if you aren't too attached to your books and need to know what to sell for quick cash, this could be a great starting place.

Textbooks are usually a popular choice for second-hand purchases. Check out our post to learn how to sell your textbooks for cash!

5. Lawnmower

If you no longer need a lawnmower or you have two, sell one! How much you charge will depend a lot on the type of lawnmower you have and its condition.

For instance, brands such as John Deere and Troybuilt will bring in more money than lower-end brands. Check out eBay to get ideas about pricing.

6. Yard supplies

Yard supplies are other household items to sell for quick cash. Lawn and garden supplies include shovels, rakes, watering cans, buckets, and other supplies you don't need.

Most people have a lot of unused supplies sitting in the garage, so turn that clutter into cash! But be sure that the supplies are still functional and in good condition.

7. Tools

Tools are other household items to sell for quick cash. You can sell tools that you no longer use or need. Power tools like cordless drills and circular saws sell well.

Some people are even interested in buying hand tools such as hammers, socket sets, or handsaws. So if you can't remember ever using the item or you have a duplicate, try to get some money for it.

8. Exercise equipment

Exercise equipment brand new is expensive, so buying used is a good idea for many people.

If you got a more recent version of your gym equipment or don't use it much anymore, make some money from it. Treadmills, ellipticals, and weights are a few items you can start with.

9. China figurines or dishes

Have some china figurines or beautiful dishes that don't get much use? Sell them for money. Many people are interested in buying items like this, especially if you have something unique that they might display or use for dinner parties.

Household items to sell for quick cash infographic

10. Toys

Children grow up fast, and usually, that means you are getting new toys quite often. So once your kids outgrow their toys, selling them is a great idea!

Not only is there a good chance you'll make money, but someone else can make use of the toys instead of them collecting dust in an attic or garage. You can sell anything from legos to board games.

Who knows, maybe you will run across some collectible toys and make big money!

11. Artwork

Have some lovely artwork that just doesn't suit your style anymore? Selling artwork can be pretty lucrative, depending on what you have to sell.

So if you possess some art created by a famous artist, check here for how to sell it properly. It's one of the best household items to sell for quick cash.

12. Decor items

Things like rugs, wall art, coasters, shelves, or other decorating items, are great things to sell. If you find that you simply have too much stuff in your house or want to change the style, you can switch things up while also making extra cash.

Also, consider selling holiday decorations you no longer need.

13. Electronics

You’ve probably got a lot of old electronics that you don’t have a use for. And who knows how much they could be worth? Check out these everyday items to sell.

Laptops

A used laptop might make you a little bit of cash or a lot, depending on numerous factors like the processor and the storage. So if your computer isn't very old or has many desirable features, you might be in luck.

You can also sell broken laptops for parts on sites like eBay! So don't just toss them out, you may still get a little pocket money for them.

Video games and equipment

Video games and equipment are pretty popular things to sell. Plenty of people want these items for a lower price since they're typically expensive.

Even vintage gaming systems such as Super Nintendo's and games are still desired. So check out Swappa to sell video games and equipment easily online.

TVs

You might have more than one TV, and if that’s the case, try selling one. Or two! Selling a used TV might be pretty lucrative depending on how large it is, the brand name, and how good its condition is.

Speakers

Speakers are nice, but maybe they don’t fit your lifestyle anymore. Do you have some speakers lying around that you rarely use or are willing to part with? This site can help you get an accurate price to see if it’s worth selling.

Tablets

Tablets are useful, but you might have switched over to a laptop or find that you have too many electronics already. In that case, you can sell your tablet. This site, Greenbuyback, can help you quickly sell your tablet for extra cash, and you could make several hundred dollars!

Phones

What do you do with your old one when you get a new phone? Put it in a drawer and forget about it? Turns out, it can be worth money, possibly a few hundred dollars. So sell it instead to help with your money goals.

14. Kitchen appliances

You can make a good amount of money if you have a typically expensive appliance in good condition. Maybe it's just taking up space in your garage or cupboard, but someone else would get a ton of use out of it.

Check your kitchen and see what items you might have to sell, such as an air fryer, espresso machine, or even a freezer (some people have more than one).

15. Anything vintage or antique items

Vintage items or things that are considered antiques are other great household items to sell for quick cash. Etsy is a good platform for this. People who frequent this site are generally looking for unique or interesting items.

Here's an article that covers the popular vintage and antique items for sellers, including art, cookbooks, and toys.

16. Crafts or handmade items

You can make things from home and then sell them if you want, especially if you already have the necessary supplies on hand. So think crocheted blankets, embroidered clothing or pillowcases, and candles. The only limit is your own creativity.

So check out our post on "50 Money-Making Crafts You Can Easily Do At Home" for ideas!

17. Kid's items

Kid's clothing, shoes, and books are things you can potentially sell. Try to be sure that the items are still usable and in reasonably good condition.

So not only can you make money on kids' items you no longer need, but it helps out other parents, so they don't have to pay full price too!

18. Baby items

If you have used baby gear and items your child has outgrown, you could make some serious money. Here's a site that shows you the best places to sell baby items.

Strollers

Strollers are something your child will outgrow quickly but there's always someone who needs one. If you have an old stroller that you can sell, you could make some money.

Cribs

Cribs are another item you'll only need for a few years and can then give away or sell. For safety standards and price details, check out Natural Baby Life's article.

High Chairs

A high chair in good condition that is still safe to use is a great resale item. Or if you happen to have a vintage high chair, sometimes you can find buyers for those on sites like eBay.

Food Processors

A food processor is a great item to have on hand with a new baby. And you can resell them if you no longer have a need for it. The price will depend a lot on the model you have and the condition.

Where to sell your household item for cash

Now that you know what to sell for quick cash, you're probably wondering where you should sell all these things. Different apps and websites will work best for certain things. Check out these suggestions to get started.

Amazon

Amazon is a good place to sell your household items. You can sell things like electronics, home and garden supplies, major appliances, and more.

It's a well-known site that has a sound system in place. Like other platforms, they charge a percentage for every item you sell depending on the type of plan you sign up for. However, they do have a "seller university" that provides tips for selling on the platform!

eBay

eBay is a go-to site just as much as Amazon. You can sell tons of items from this site, including tech gear, video games, clothes, shoes, etc.

eBay is a company that's been around for 26 years, so the path for selling items is pretty well set up. However, eBay also takes a percentage of sales, so keep that in mind.

The great thing about eBay is that you can find buyers all over the world like you would on Amazon. Rather than just selling things locally.

Poshmark

Poshmark is another good option for selling some items. They are more particular about what they accept, though.

It's best to stick with clothes, shoes, accessories, decor items, electronics, and pet products. Poshmark also has fees, but it's relatively straightforward. For items that are priced at $15 and under, they take a flat fee of $2.95. Anything over $15, they take a 20% commission.

OfferUp

OfferUp is a really good idea if you want to sell your items without much fuss and without shipping anything. You get to sell your items locally, instead of having to worry about packaging them up and shipping them off.

You can sell pretty much anything, so it's a great place to make money selling everything from cars to clothing.

Their app makes it simple to get started. The great thing is if someone buys your item locally in cash, you don't have to give any of the profits to OfferUp.

Decluttr

Decluttr is excellent for selling media like books, electronics, DVDs, and phones. There isn't a fee because you're selling directly to Decluttr instead of a buyer. So if you have a lot of things like this to get rid of, it could be the perfect thing to help.

Garage sale

If you're gathering things to sell and find that you have a ton of items, you might want to consider a garage sale to get rid of them all at once. You can do this yourself or even ask a few friends to contribute their items, too, so you have plenty for people to buy.

To do this, gather up all the items you have to sell, including books, clothes, shoes, video games, appliances, etc. Then get the word out, price your items, and set up!

How to get your household items ready to sell

Before you try to sell anything, make sure you're presenting it in the best possible way. It's vital that the item is clean, looks nice, and is in good condition. Here's what to do to get things ready to sell.

Clean them up

Clothes should be washed, appliances wiped down, and any items looked over for scuffs or dirt. Make sure the item is scrubbed clean, so it looks nice, and you may make more money.

Plus, if you plan on selling multiple items, buyers will appreciate that they arrive in good condition, and you can get better reviews.

Paint furniture

If you want to sell furniture made of wood or other paintable materials, but it's looking a bit dated, try giving it a fresh coat of paint. This can make it look brand new and fetch a higher price.

If you're concerned about the look of the item, choose a color similar to the original to make mistakes less noticeable.

Check for holes or missing buttons on clothes

Don't just sell clothes without checking the material first. Make sure to sew on any missing buttons and inspect the item for holes before selling. However, anything that isn't in good condition shouldn't be sold.

Take good pictures

When posting pictures of the item you're selling on an app or website, you need to take good photos. Use bright lighting without shadows, and be sure to take several pictures so potential buyers can see what the item looks like.

Take the time to select the best photos so you're buyer has a good idea of what they are purchasing.

Create an accurate description

You need to let people know the details about what you're selling. Be clear in your explanation of the item, use brand names, and fill out any information the listing asks for.

You want to list the flaws as well if there are any. This will give you a great reputation as a seller and people may be repeat buyers because of it!

For a list of top-selling words, check out this article from Indeed.

What to do with extra cash from the sale of household items

Your sale of household items was successful, and now you have extra cash! What should you do to make the most of this money? Here are a few suggestions.

Pay off debt

If you have debt to pay off, use the extra cash you've made to get rid of some of it. It can be fun to watch your debt balance go down over time, and you'll probably pay it off a lot quicker if you keep selling household items.

Plus, if you're feeling overwhelmed by debt, paying off even a few hundred dollars can encourage you to keep at it. Pick a place to start, like with credit card debt or student loans, and go for it.

The debt snowball or avalanche method can help you pay off your debts faster! Bringing your balance down will give you some peace with your finances and help you prepare for the future.

Save an emergency fund

Do you have enough savings? Enough to help you with a car emergency or a sudden job loss? If not, now is an excellent time to save an emergency fund.

Start saving up a few months' worth of expenses just by getting rid of things around your house! You can keep this cash in a high-interest savings account, so it's there if you need it.

Sinking fund

Sinking funds are helpful for specific goals. There are many things that sinking funds can help you save for, like a house down payment, a remodel, a vacation, and more. Find a goal that's important to you and create a sinking fund with the money you make.

Decide where to keep your sinking fund money, depending on your goals. Consider a low-risk investment vehicle if you don't need the money for several years. But if you'll need it sooner, say, in the next year or two, a high-yield savings account may be best.

Invest

Start investing the money you make from selling household items. This can be a great way to begin if you're living paycheck to paycheck and don't have much extra to do this. And the good thing about your investment is the growth over time.

Save up an amount of money, such as $500 or $1000, and then begin to invest after doing thorough research. Investing will help you get ready for retirement, and it's a great financial choice.

You can make quick cash selling household items!

You can absolutely use the sale of household items to pay off debt, fund a vacation, or chase down a savings goal. There are plenty of options for getting started, depending on what things you have to sell.

If you're wondering what to sell for quick cash, try this out! It's a fun way to do some spring cleaning and get some extra money. You might soon find yourself looking for household items to sell for quick cash, and you could wind up with more savings than you expected.

The post 18 Household Items To Sell For Quick Cash appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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The Effects Of Inflation On Business And Why It Matters To You https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/effects-of-inflation-on-business/ Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:24:05 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=18083 […]

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Effects of inflation on business

If you’ve been reading news headlines about increasing rates of inflation, it’s natural to wonder what exactly that means for you. Amidst concerns over rising costs, it’s important to explore the impact of inflation on business. When you go to the grocery store or hire a service, how do the effects of inflation on business change your costs?

Or, if you’re a business owner yourself, how could inflation affect your business plan? Let’s briefly look at what exactly inflation is, then dig into the effects of inflation on business.

What Is Inflation?

In short, a period in which a currency’s purchasing power decreases and prices increase. Usually, inflation happens gradually—around 1-2% per year. However, there are also periods of high inflation, like the 7.5% increase we saw in January 2022. 

While inflation isn’t the only thing that causes prices to increase, it’s certainly a notable factor. You’ve probably winced at a higher bill when you buy groceries or fill up your car. If you rent a house or apartment, inflation might spur your landlord to raise the monthly price.

To understand inflation, we have to understand its effects. Let’s turn to the impact of inflation on business.

6 Effects of inflation on business

Since business affects our daily lives in so many ways, the impact of inflation on business is also personally relevant to you. Here are some of the ways inflation can unfold!

1. Prices increase as purchasing power decreases

This is the most obvious impact of inflation on business (since it’s essentially the definition of inflation!). When the dollar is worth less, things get more expensive to compensate.

Prices rise for businesses who have to pay more for inventory costs, rent, labor, etc. In turn, those extra costs get passed on to the consumer. Think about the dollar store becoming the $1.25 store—the dollar isn’t worth as much anymore, so they can no longer accept a dollar for the same products.

2. Fewer people can afford certain goods and services

If things are getting more expensive and wages aren’t rising to match, many people’s budgets have to get tighter. That’s especially the case for non-essential goods.

If your costs for non-negotiable expenses like housing, food, gas, and healthcare increase, that extra money might be coming out of your fun budget. People might eat out at restaurants less, travel less, avoid buying new clothes and electronics, and so on.

Unfortunately, more people start living paycheck to paycheck as more of their money is consumed by their expenses. Check out these tips for breaking that cycle.

On the business side, this means lower sales and profits for the companies facing declining demand. Sectors that struggle during inflation include consumer discretionary areas (automotive, apparel, home improvement, etc).

Financial companies like banks; industrial and transport sectors like airlines and construction; and the materials industry including mining, chemicals, wood and metal, and more.

3. Supply chains could face disruptions

Because of all the upheaval with pricing during inflation, it is intimately connected to the supply chain. Disrupted supply chains can actually contribute to causing inflation in the first place, since scarcity drives up prices.

High inflation can turn this into a vicious cycle. With skyrocketing prices, suppliers may go out of business or face difficulties acquiring the same goods as they did before. Items become harder to find, and the ones you can find cost more. Lack of supply is one of the biggest effects of inflation on business.

4. Saving starts looking less attractive

If the value of your dollars is steadily decreasing, you may come to the conclusion that it’s better to spend it ASAP. After all, why would you hang onto cash as it’s getting less and less valuable?

This is certainly a valid thought! Many people choose to spend their money on assets or invest it in the market when inflation is high. If you have extra cash, you might decide to invest in real estate, buy a new car, or stock up on shelf-stable pantry goods.

However, the impulse to spend is a double-edged sword, because increased spending can make inflation worse. Higher demand + lower supply = prices rising even more.

Investing in stocks is also an option we’ll talk more about later!

5. Interest rates on loans may rise

During periods of high inflation, the Federal Reserve may raise interest rates. They do this to counterbalance the population’s increased spending rates by making loans more expensive and harder to get.

For the everyday person, this tends to look like higher rates on mortgages and car loans. On the business side, it looks like higher interest on business loans, real estate purchases, vehicles, equipment, etc. This can make it more difficult to start or grow a business.

6. Small businesses tend to suffer more

Unfortunately, small businesses are often disproportionately hit by the effects of inflation on business. Big companies tend to have more supplier relationships and more space for inventory. They can also generally afford to keep prices a little lower.

When consumers are trying to save money, they’ll often shop around for the lowest price, which leads them to the big corporations instead of small local businesses. In order to compete, small businesses need a strong value proposition to set themselves apart. Check out this guide to successfully running a side business to help you make a solid plan.

How do you prepare for the effects of inflation on business?

Now that you know the impact of inflation on businesses, does rising inflation have you worried? The best antidote to worry is preparation. Let’s review some tips on planning for and responding to inflation. 

1. Evaluate your needs vs your wants

When times get tough, the tough get thrifty. Revisit your budget, or create one from scratch if you don’t have one. Take a thorough look at your spending and categorize expenses into needs and wants.

Look for opportunities to pare down a tight budget and stretch your dollar further. This will help you avoid getting into the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle during inflationary periods.

2. Beat inflation by investing

So, how do you get ahead of the effects of inflation on business? For anyone who’s been holding a large amount of cash in savings, investing can be a smart option to beat inflation. The goal is to get a return that’s higher than the inflation rate. For example, if you get a 10% investment return and inflation is 7%, you’re still coming out 3% ahead.

That said, the stock market obviously isn’t risk-free. If the market goes down, you could just as easily lose value in the short term.

Follow these tips for investing during high inflation. The “cliffs notes” are:

  • Diversify your investments.
  • Explore Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities. (TIPS)
  • Invest in companies that sell essential consumer goods.
  • Invest in companies that can easily raise prices and don’t require a lot of capital.

Although the value of cash does depreciate with inflation, it’s still important to have an emergency fund. Emergencies don’t wait until inflation is over!

3. Explore buying assets that hold their value

I’ve already mentioned how some people like to shield their money by putting it into assets that aren’t expected to depreciate.

In addition to certain stocks and bonds, asset classes that have historically provided a good hedge against inflation include:

  • Real estate
  • Precious metals like gold
  • Commodities (if the supply chains are solid)

These can all be great options—but as the Wall Street Journal explains, there’s no perfect way to shield your money from inflation. Every option has pros and cons; risks and rewards. Diversifying and being patient is your best bet.

4. Try to work in an “inflation-proof” field

Whether you’re a business owner, work a 9-5, freelance, or earn money with the gig economy, is your income source stable? Since inflation can disrupt so many industries, this is important to consider. Protecting your source of income is just as important as protecting your savings, if not more.

Check out these recession-proof jobs. These are jobs that will always need doing, regardless of the current state of the economy. If you’re looking to make a career change, some great industries to consider include healthcare, tech, accounting, public safety, government, transportation, legal services, and more.

But if you love your current job, don’t be afraid to ask for a raise. Just remember, if your raise doesn’t at least match the rate of inflation, it’s almost like getting a pay cut.

Leverage these tips to create your inflation plan

After everything is said and done, the most important tip of all is don’t panic! Everyone prefers to live in times when the economy is stable, but that isn’t something we can control.

Channel your best low-consumption, sustainable-living self, pick investments that work for you, and make plans to protect your income. Then, you’ll be ready to weather all the effects of inflation on business!

The post The Effects Of Inflation On Business And Why It Matters To You appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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A Guide For How To Start A Business With No Money https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-start-a-business-with-no-money/ Sat, 29 Jan 2022 10:45:54 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=17052 […]

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How to start a business with no money

Are you wondering "Can I start a business with no money?" If you are working with a tight budget, you might not think that it is possible to start your own business. But I’m here to tell you that is absolutely possible to start a business without money! That said, today, we’ll explore exactly how to start a business with no money.

Although it will take time and determination, you can learn how to be an entrepreneur with no money.

How to start a business with no money

A successful business can change your entire financial picture. As a business owner, you have more power to control your own destiny. The freedom to pursue more income and set your own schedule can make building a business an attractive proposition.

Of course, building a business is easier said than done. But it is very possible to start a business without startup capital to back you up.

Here’s how to start a business without money!

1. Brainstorm business ideas

The first step in starting a business without money is to come up with an idea that excites you. Get creative as you explore your business ideas.

My recommendation for brainstorming is to pull out a piece of paper and set aside some time to write down all of your business ideas.

Don’t be afraid to write down all of your ideas. It doesn’t matter if the idea seems a bit far-fetched. At this stage, the most important part is to just start writing all of your ideas down.

Once you have some ideas, sort through the options. Look for an idea that excites you. But also consider the practical aspects involved. Brainstorming a variety of business ideas is one of the steps on how to be an entrepreneur with no money.

2. Create a business plan

So, what's the next step in how to start a business without money? Well, after you have a business idea, it’s time to create a business plan.

Don’t let the formal name for this step stop you from moving forward. Instead, take the time to generally outline what you want to achieve with your business.

As a starting point, include ideas about your intended products, how you plan to connect with customers, and the financial goals you have for your business.

3. Use free resources

With a business plan to guide you, it is time to start exploring all of the free resources you have available. And the good news is that there is no shortage of useful free tools that will come in handy as you build your business.

Consider using YouTube to learn any skills you might need to run your business for free. Take advantage of Canva to design free graphics for your business. Try Mailchimp if you want to build an email list for free. And explore free options for website design such as Wix or Weebly.

In addition to these free tools, consider specific items you have available to run your business. You might be able to access other software for free at your local library or take part in a business building program offered by your local government.

So, take the time to explore these helpful opportunities. Utilizing free resources is how to start a business with no money!

4. Build up funds

Starting a business without money is possible and you might find initial success leveraging free resources. However, you may have found that your dream business is going to take some funds to get to the next level. So, if you’ve realized that you’ll need at least some capital to get started, don’t let that hold you back.

Instead, try starting a side hustle with lower startup costs to get some funds in. For instance, you could sell things you own but no longer need in your kitchen or wardrobe.

Once you have your side hustle up and running, you can save the money required to move forward with your original business idea.

Unfortunately, this might require working on something less exciting. But as long as you keep the end goal in mind, this is a viable option for all entrepreneurs.

Businesses you can start with no money

Need some cash to start the business of your dreams? Here are some businesses you can start with absolutely no money:

Each of these ideas requires no money to get started. Plus, we have 18 more lucrative side hustles for women outlined here. You could use these business ideas as a stepping stone to the business of your dreams.

Working a side hustle until you get enough funds for your dream biz is one of the ways how to start a business with no money!

5. Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself

As you build your business, it is worth pointing out that some things are worth paying for. Don’t skimp on your education as you learn more about your business.

You might need to purchase business books, online courses, or training to master a skill that your business needs. Although it can feel daunting to hand over the funds, the investment in your future can pay off in the long run.

Additionally, don’t be afraid to spend where it counts in your business. For example, if you are selling a physical product, it might be worth it to invest heavily in creating the best version of your product.

You want to provide a valuable item that customers rave about -- not something that breaks after one use. Keep your business’ reputation in mind before skipping certain costs.

Of course, you should take action to save where you can. But if the business needs an investment in a particular area, make that a priority. 

6. Keep moving forward

Building a business that you love can be very rewarding. Although there will likely be some pitfalls along the way, the end results can be worth the challenges. As you move forward, continually invest your time and energy into building a business that you love.

It will likely take time to achieve your desired results. But if you make the time, it can pay off in the end.

Personally, I started my own freelancing business without funds available to spend on it. Several years later, I have a thriving business as a freelance writer.

The process took time, energy, and determination to stick with it. But if I can make my business dreams come true without any startup capital, you can too.

You can start a business without money!

If you are still asking yourself, “Can I start a business with no money”, the answer is yes. It is entirely possible to start a business with no money. It may take time. But the results may be well worth the sacrifices you make along the way. As you work on your business, get inspired by our favorite boss lady quotes!

Want more help starting your own business? Check out our post "How to start a business from scratch!"

The post A Guide For How To Start A Business With No Money appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Start Freelancing With No Experience https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-start-freelancing-with-no-experience/ Wed, 29 Dec 2021 13:35:38 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=16557 […]

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How to start freelancing with no experience

You want to learn how to start freelancing with no experience. So much so that you constantly daydream about it — the extra time you’d have to spend with family and friends. The joy you'd feel with being your own boss. The extra money you’d have to accomplish your financial goals.

Well, you’re in luck because I was once in your shoes, working a job that paid $32,000 a year with no way to work my way to the top. Desperate to break free, I learned how to become a freelancer with no experience. So, today I’m going to show you exactly how I did it. Plus, I’ll cover 28 freelancing ideas to help you get started.

How to become a freelancer with no experience

I’m living proof that you can learn how to start freelancing with no experience. When I started freelance writing, in just six months I was earning enough money to replace my 9 to 5 income and then some.

These are the exact steps I used to make it happen:

1. Pick which type of freelancing you want to do

There are a million different ways to “freelance”. The first step is to identify your passions so you can figure out what type of freelancing you want to do.

If you’re more of a creative type, you may choose freelance copywriting or video editing. If you’re technical, you may go with freelance web developing or coding. We have over 28 freelancing ideas at the end of this article, so use those if you need some inspiration.

If you feel paralyzed by all your options, check out our tips for overcoming indecisiveness. The key is to choose whichever idea resonates with you the most, then take action on it immediately. You can always change it up later.

2. Get into the right mindset as you learn how to start freelancing with no experience

Anytime you embark on a new journey, imposter syndrome can rear its ugly head and tell you you’re not worthy, smart, or talented enough to make it happen.

But guess what? Your inner critic is a liar. And silencing it can help you develop an abundant and rich mindset that empowers you to make real changes in your life.

So, if you’re just now learning how to start freelancing with no experience, give this mindset work a try and see if it helps you get in the right headspace:

Practicing these three habits every day can help you stay focused and grounded as you build your profitable freelancing business.

3. Create a website

A lot of freelancers get hung up on creating the perfect website when they’re just getting started. But remember this: your website doesn’t need to be perfect. It’s merely a place for potential clients to view your portfolio and learn more about who you are.

So, set up a basic site and get it live as quickly as possible. You can always go back and tweak it as you gain experience. Here’s what I recommend doing:

  1. Set up a basic website with Squarespace. (It's the easiest platform for those without website design experience.)
  2. Create web pages for your portfolio, rates, and about me.
  3. Add a contact page where they can schedule a discovery call with you.
  4. Add a Calendly link to your website so they can schedule a call directly with you without having to email you or submit a form first. (Optional)

4. Build your initial portfolio

The next step is to create a portfolio of three to five pieces you can show off to potential clients. Now you may be thinking, “But I'm trying to learn how to start freelancing with no experience! How do I build a portfolio when no one wants to hire a newbie?!”

Let me let you in on a little secret… Are you ready? Here it is: You don’t have to have real clients to create your portfolio. You can do all the work as if someone hired you to do it.

So, if you’re a logo designer, this may mean creating some logo packages for hypothetical, ideal clients in your niche. If you’re a website designer, it means creating a few websites that showcase your best skills. As long as potential clients like your finished product, it doesn’t matter if they were for made-up companies.

Important: This tip may not work for any freelancing that relies heavily on experience (such as financial coaching, fitness training, or pet-sitting, for example). So, if this is you, you may want to forego building a hypothetical portfolio and jump straight to this next step:

5. Find your first few clients

Finding clients as a freelancing newbie may seem daunting, but trust me. There are surefire ways to get those first few customers. Here are three places to look:

Look on job boards

Upwork and Fiverr are great places to get some fast wins when you’re first learning how to become a freelancer with no experience. But you’ll typically want to move off these sites once you’ve gained some experience.

Not only do they take a large cut of your earnings, but a lot of the companies that use them are looking for the cheapest work possible.

Tap into your network

Reach out to friends and family and see if any of them are interested in free or discounted work. (You could even ask them for a testimonial in exchange!)

This is exactly what our CEO, Bola, did when she started her photography side hustle years before launching Clever Girl Finance. She started by taking photos at her best friend’s wedding. Then, she asked others in her social circle to be her “test subjects” as she developed her skills. They didn’t say no to free photography!

In short, if you're wanting to learn how to start freelancing with no experience, reach out to people you already know! It just might surprise you.

Cold email companies you admire

This last one may seem super scary, but trust me! Cold emailing is the best way to get new clients. A lot of companies are completely overwhelmed with work and are juggling multiple projects at once. Therefore, one good cold email could land you a stellar freelancing opportunity.

But here’s a catch though — you need to have a portfolio before you start cold emailing. This is because companies need to know you can produce the quality of work they’re looking for. So, if you don’t have a portfolio yet, build that first before you start reaching out.

Once you have your portfolio in hand, use these cold email tips to grow your client roster:

  • Create a cold email template that’s personalized, establishes your credibility, and focuses on the recipient’s needs above all else.
  • Add an email signature that provokes trust. (Hubspot has a free signature generator.)
  • Follow-up after five business days if you don’t get a response. (However, stop emailing them after your second follow-up. You don’t want to annoy them or get marked as spam.)
  • Understand that it’s a numbers game. (For example, you may only get one response for every 20 emails you send. That’s okay! Keep at it, and the results will follow.)

6. Raise your rates and keep going!

Once you have three to five portfolio pieces under your belt, it’s time to raise your rates and keep going!

How do you price freelance work, you ask? One common method is to identify how much money you want to make each month, then work backward to create your hourly or per-project rate.

For example, suppose you want to start freelance writing as a side hustle. Your goal is to make an extra $1,000 a month.

If you’re charging per project and have time to write five articles a month, then your rate would be $200 per article (1000 / 5 = 200). If you’re charging per hour and estimate it’d take you about 12.5 hours per month to write five articles, then your hourly rate would be $80 (1000 / 12.5 = 80).

7. Buy a course that teaches you how to start freelancing with no experience

Want to supercharge your success? Find an online course that teaches you how to become a freelancer with no experience.

This is exactly what I did when I started freelance copywriting. I had absolutely no experience, but I found a copywriting course that was created by a seasoned pro who had already made all the mistakes and learned to do it the right way. Within six months of buying her course, I had replaced my full-time income with freelancing and had quit my 9 to 5.

Could I have built a profitable freelancing career without the course? Yes. But would it have taken me a much longer time to do it? Absolutely. So, if it fits your budget and learning style, consider investing in a freelancing course that can help you jumpstart your success.

28 Freelancing ideas to try if you want to learn how to start freelancing with no experience

There are lots of ways to earn money as a freelancer — even if you have no experience. Below is a list of 28 freelancing ideas, broken down by category, so you can find a job that suits your skills best. Read through the list below and choose the freelancing idea that jumps out at you the most.

Creative freelancing ideas

Firstly, if you have a knack for writing, editing, illustrating, or any other creative endeavor, give one of these creative freelancing ideas a try:

  • Freelance writer
  • Copy editor
  • Freelance marketer
  • Social media manager
  • Photographer
  • Video editor
  • Graphic designer
  • Logo designer
  • Illustrator
  • Animator
  • Voice artist
  • Website designer
  • App designer
  • Web developer or coder
  • Ux/UI designer
  • SEO expert

Administrative freelancing ideas

On the other hand, if you’re more of a data-driven type, you may like one of these administrative freelancing ideas a bit more:

  • Virtual assistant
  • Data entry specialist
  • Bookkeeper
  • Transcriptionist
  • Translator
  • Tax consultant
  • Fundraising consultant
  • Management consultant

People-based freelancing ideas

Lastly, if helping people is more your thing, here are some freelancing ideas that will get you connected with others:

  • Coaching (financial, wellness, general life, or business coach)
  • Tutor
  • Nutritionist or fitness trainer
  • Pet sitter or house sitter

Which of these freelancing ideas will you try first?

In short, it’s totally possible to learn how to start freelancing with no experience. The key is to choose a freelancing idea you’re passionate about, build your initial portfolio, and go after clients who will pay what you’re worth.

One of my favorite self-love affirmations is: My fears do not hold me back from going after the things I love. I possess the power I need to create my future. Above all, remember this as you learn how to become a freelancer with no experience: You have what it takes to build your dream life.

Also, if you want help staying organized as you embark on this new journey, check out our Clever Girl Finance 6 Month Business Planner. It’s designed to help you create the life of your dreams with intentional planning. Plus, it’s undated so you can use it at any time.

For more fantastic tips on earning more money, building your business, and becoming wealthy tune in to the Clever Girls Know podcast and YouTube channel!

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12 Of The Best Side Hustle Books To Check Out! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/side-hustle-books/ Fri, 17 Dec 2021 15:30:50 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=16300 […]

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This post on the best side hustle books contains affiliate links that help us grow Clever Girl Finance! Please see our disclosures for more information.

Side hustle books

Are you looking to get started on a side hustle, but you’re a little lost on the what and how of it all? Well, you should definitely check out our list of the best side hustle books for ideas and how-to guides!

Sometimes the term side hustle gets a bad rap, but it shouldn't because there are many benefits to having a side hustle and many reasons why someone would need one. Firstly, having multiple sources of income is empowering and should be on top of everyone’s goal.

Secondly, having a side hustle is a great way to explore your passion and learn or practice new skills. Lastly, making extra money on the side allows you to reach your financial goals faster, whether that is to pay off debt, save for your emergency fund, or max out your investment accounts.

Yes, we are here for all that! But before we dive into our favorite side hustle books let's discuss the benefits of reading them first!

Benefits of reading side hustle books

The main benefit of reading side hustle books is getting the information you need from people who’ve been where you are – the starting line. They understand your struggles, and they’ve also done what you’re trying to accomplish.

When you read a book, you learn and benefit from other people’s experiences. Reading side hustle books also provides you with practical ways of making money that you can put into practice.

Using knowledge from all types of sources like blogs and books makes you better prepared to tackle challenges along the way. Also, there are other benefits of reading such as:

  • Keeps your brain active.
  • Expands your vocabulary.
  • Relieves stress.
  • Improves your focus and concentration.

So you see there are many benefits to reading side hustle books!

Top 12 side hustle books to read

For me, reading books is like talking to a friend who gets what I’m going through. Plus, if you’ve been thinking of starting a side hustle, you want to learn from people who’ve been successful at it. So, go pick up a copy of these books or borrow them from your local library and start taking notes.

Here are our top 12 picks!

1. The Side Hustle Guide: Build A Successful Side Hustle & Increase Your Income

Side Hustle Guide Book

“The Side Hustle Guide” is written by Clever Girl Finance founder Bola Sokunbi, herself! It has all the information you need to start and build a profitable side hustle from the ground up, even if you don’t have any previous experience.

In this book, Bola also shares practical guides on how to create a business plan and establish a strong foundation for your brand. Truly one of the best side hustle books out there; pick up your copy to get inspired about starting a side hustle. You’ll also learn how to grow your new business and ultimately work towards building wealth!

2. Women With Money: The Judgement-Free Guide To Creating The Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (And Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve

Women with money book

Women with Money” spurred from Jean Chatzky’s conversations with women on her podcast, HerMoney Happy Hour. The book explores women’s relationship with money while showing readers a pathway to a joyful, purpose-filled life.

Inside you’ll learn tactical solutions to get paid what you deserve because knowing how to negotiate your pay is critical. This is true whether you want to make money through entrepreneurship or being an employee.

So give this one a read for insights on taking control of your money and using it to create the life you want.

3. She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and Become a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur

She means business Carrie Green

If you're creative, ambitious and you’ve been dreaming about becoming an entrepreneur, “She Means Business” by Carrie Green should be on your list of side hustle books to read. It presents practical and actionable tools to turn your passion and ideas into a profitable business with raving customers.

Carrie also offers valuable guidance to help you navigate overwhelm and self-doubt. If you're setting out to become a side hustler, fear and doubt can get in the way of success. That's why getting the right mindset is important.

4. The Ultimate Side Hustle Book: 450 Moneymaking Ideas for the Gig Economy

The ultimate side hustle book

If you’re looking to make some extra money while working your regular job, get a copy of “The Ultimate Side Hustle Book” by Elana Varon. Inside, you’ll discover ways on how to turn your time, space, skills, and stuff into extra cash. 

With 450 fun and resourceful side hustle jobs, you’re sure to find one that fits you and your lifestyle. In addition, it gives you information on the pay rates, what experience is required for each job and how you can find clients.

5. Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days

From idea to income book

Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days” is one of the best side-hustle books to guide you if you’re at the beginning of your hustle journey. It gives a step-by-step plan where you learn how to come up with ideas from your experiences and interests. You'll also learn how to build a solid brand around your product or service to grow your business.

Chris Guillebeau compiles the side hustle stories of hundreds of entrepreneurs who successfully built businesses around their day jobs in this book. So, give it a read if you’re looking to create additional streams of income without quitting your job.

6. 100 Side Hustles: Unexpected Ideas for Making Extra Money Without Quitting Your Day Job

100 Side hustles book

The “100 Side Hustles” came from author Chris Guillebeau’s conversations with guests on the Side Hustle School podcast. It is full of insights, photography, and stories of people successfully making money from following their passions and interests.

The book features case studies following individuals and entire families who’ve found ways to create new sources of income. It also covers important aspects of starting a side hustle such as finding customers to developing products.

Give this side hustle book a read and get inspiration for your next big idea.

7. So You Want to Start a Side Hustle: Build a Business that Empowers You to Live Your Life, Your Way

So you want to start a side hustle

The authors of “So You Want to Start a Side Hustle,” Carrie Bohlig and Craig Clickner, started just like you. They were looking for ways to make their lives better and to have more freedom with their time.

Since then, they’ve built thriving businesses and helped people by sharing the lessons they’ve learned on their journey to success. In this book, you’ll discover how to get your idea from the thinking and planning stages to the profitable venture you want it to be.

This is one of the best side hustle books for people who want to forge their own way and use their side hustle to create their own version of successful living. 

8. The Big Life: Embrace the Mess, Work Your Side Hustle, Find a Monumental Relationship, and Become the Badass Babe You Were Meant to Be

The big life book

The Big Life” is all about the life you’ve been dreaming of – passion, career, respect, money, and meaningful relationships. And author Ann Shoket wants you to have it all. Her goal with this book is to help you recognize your potential, motivate you to reach your dreams, and create your own version of The Big Life.

This is one of the must-read side hustle books for millennials trying to build a career from their passions. It features actionable guidelines and personal advice from Ann and high-profile millennials on embracing life’s messes, finding a supportive community, and other aspects of womanhood.

9. Don't Keep Your Day Job: How to Turn Your Passion into Your Career

Don't keep your day job book

Don't Keep Your Day Job” is an inspiring book about turning your passion into profit. The author Cathy Heller is also the host of the popular podcast, Don't Keep Your Day Job. She shares wisdom, anecdotes, and practical suggestions from her successful guests like Jenna Fischer, Gretchen Rubin, and Jen Sincero.

In reading this book, Cathy wants you to examine your life to find your purpose. Inside, you’ll also learn how to build your side hustle, how to find your tribe, and build a life you love.

10. Business Boutique: A Woman's Guide for Making Money Doing What She Loves

Business boutique Christy Wright

Business Boutique” will help you build a side hustle around your passions and interests. This book is a great read for beginners looking to take their ideas and turn them into action.

Christy Wright included guidelines on planning, starting, and growing a money-making venture. You’ll also find simple explanations for the practical and tedious aspects of business like taxes, budgeting, and pricing.

11. Buy Buttons: The Fast-Track Strategy to Make Extra Money and Start a Business in Your Spare Time

Buy buttons book

Author Nick Loper is also the creator of SideHustleNation.com. In "Buy buttons," he shares strategies he’s learned from being an entrepreneur to help you increase your earning potential on your own time and your own terms. Wouldn’t you want to make more money and be your own boss?

This book provides tried and tested income-generating ideas and more than 300 platforms where you can find customers ready to buy your products. Buy Buttons is one of the best side hustle books if you are ready to create new income streams, but you’re hesitant because you don’t have much time or money to get started.

12. What If It Does Work Out? How a Side Hustle Can Change Your Life

What if it does work out book

This book is an excellent read for anyone thinking of joining the 40% of Americans who already have a side hustle. Susie Moore wants you to ask, “What if it does work out?” and get motivated to pursue the life of your dreams.

She offers guidance to overcome your fear and doubts. She shares actionable steps and tips you can use to finally start making money from something you love to do.

Use these side hustle books to help you start your own business!

If you’re reading this, you probably have a vision for the life you want to live. You’re probably dreaming of having more free time or having more money for things that matter to you.

So, why not start with reading a book or two from this list to learn about side hustles. Maybe you’ll pick up some ideas and inspiration to give your future self the life you’re dreaming of now.

Do you want to learn how to start your own side hustle for free? Then enroll in our completely free "Build your business" bundle! You will learn how to create a solid business plan, simplify your business finances, plus work on branding and marketing to grow your business.

Also, make sure you subscribe to the Clever Girls Know podcast and YouTube channel for more tips on earning more money and building wealth!

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31 Hacks For Money Making! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/hacks-for-money/ Sat, 23 Oct 2021 00:45:31 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=14889 […]

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This article on hacks for money making contains some affiliate links that help us grow Clever Girl Finance! Please see our disclosures for more information.

Hacks to make money

Who doesn't love making money? Some extra cash now and then can help you out, but what's even better is when you can make that cash without a lot of effort. A money hack is just that - a way to add more money to your wallet that doesn't involve a big-time commitment.

Money hacks are great to try if you are busy with a full-time job or crazy schedule but would still like to make some extra money. You should be able to add at least a few into your life easily.

You can take the approach of adding many money hacks to your life to make more each month. Or you might try just one or two that take more time to set up but also pay off.

There are many hacks to make money from; ranging from simple things like adding an app to your phone or a browser extension to starting up a side hustle that earns passive income. You can pick out some money hacks that you will enjoy and that fit with your life. Soon, you'll find yourself earning without even trying.

Simple hacks for money making

Simple hacks to make money work best for those that want to make a fast change and earn a few extra bucks quickly or effortlessly. These hacks include investing apps, survey ideas, and more. Check out these super easy and time-saving hacks for money!

1. Sign up for emails

This might seem like it will just clutter up your inbox but think again. It's one of the best hacks for money. So, if there is an online store you shop at a lot, sign up for their email list. You might get coupons or free offers for things you were already going to buy.

However, you want to be mindful of this becoming a slippery slope. Be sure to build your spending into your budget and it's perfectly fine to delete or pause those emails once your purchases have been made.

2. Ibotta

Ibotta is a way to earn some easy cash back while shopping for things like groceries. Many major retailers can be found on this app such as Target and Walmart.

You can add receipts or link an account, and start earning money back. You'll be earning cashback just from your regular shopping for groceries or home essentials.

3. Surveys

Some apps allow you to make money by taking surveys. The apps may have specific requirements, so you may not always qualify for the survey, but you can likely make a few extra bucks. Try out something like Survey Junkie and take surveys in your spare time.

4. Rakuten

Using Rakuten is one of the simplest hacks to make money because you can add it as a browser extension and use it for cashback whenever you purchase something that qualifies online. The amount you make depends on the retailer but it's a great way to save money while you're shopping!

5. Old fashioned rewards cards for grocery stores

It's not fancy, but it's easy, and it's an old trick for finding deals. If there's a grocery store you shop at frequently, get their rewards card. It doesn't cost anything; you just scan it when you shop there and save money with most purchases. So sign up for those rewards cards to get great discounts!

6. Inbox dollars

This is a trusted company that gives you cash back for doing things like surveys or watching videos. It's a simple way to earn a bit of extra income.

Inbox Dollars has multiple ways to make money, including playing games and coupons. This is one of the simplest hacks to get money from!

7. Swagbucks

After signing up you can turn this into one of the best hacks for money. There's a mix of surveys, videos, games, and shopping that can help you get cash. Swagbucks is easy and highly rated by trusted companies. Plus sometimes you can get a sign-up bonus too!

8. T-Mobile Tuesdays

So if you are a T-Mobile customer, this app is fantastic. Every Tuesday, T-Mobile Tuesdays will send out rewards. Things like cheap travel deals, free food, and more. All that's required is being a T-Mobile customer.

9. Solitaire Cube

Solitaire Cube is a game that you can make money playing. It may not be the easiest way to gain more cash, but it can be fun to try if you are typically good at this sort of game. So brush up on your skills and make some cash!

10. Betterment

This is a super popular investing app. It's an awesome way to get your money working for you without having to know everything about investing.

You can begin with even a minimal amount of money, and Betterment uses robo advising and helps you make good choices for your portfolio.

11. Opinion outpost

This is a good survey site that allows you to earn points when you give your opinions. Get paid in Visa cards, Paypal, and more. You can use Opinion Outpost on the go on your phone or on a computer, too.

12. Coinbase

Coinbase lets you buy and sell cryptocurrency. While there is still debate about the merits of crypto, it's gaining popularity.

However, it's good to understand the basics of cryptocurrency before diving in. This platform lets you buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency with ease. You may be able to earn a bit in the process.

13. Titan

Titan helps you invest your money. It's a relatively new company with a unique approach. This investing firm will help manage your money while also giving you easy access through their app. So if you're still learning about investing your money, this may not be a bad place to start.

14. TD Ameritrade

TD Ameritrade is a broker that can help you with investing. As soon as you have a good amount of cash, you should invest it to gain a profit. This company is nearly fifty years old and is reportedly suitable for those just getting started with investing. 

Hacks to make money with some effort

While these hacks may take a bit of time or money to set up, they require minimal effort to maintain once you do. Because of that, we still consider them awesome hacks to make money.

They are best for those that don't mind taking the time to create something, knowing it will pay off later.

15. Create a course

If you can teach others and have a desirable skill, you can create an online course. This can be anything from writing to yoga to starting a business.

Advertise or put your class up for sale on your website or use a site like Teachable. It can take a while to make videos and instructional PDFs, but you could make a lot of passive income in the future if you market it well.

16. Create an ebook

Are you a great writer? Try creating an ebook. Yes, you'll need to write the book and possibly handle editing too if you want to save money. But after publishing all you need to do is market it and make extra cash. You can self-publish on sites such as Amazon Kindle and Ingramspark!

17. Start a blog

Setting up a blog is easy, but then you need to create blog content and market it. However, there are many ways to monetize a blog. For instance, affiliate marketing, ads, sponsored blog posts, and more.

Depending on the time and effort you put in will determine how much money you will bring in. But it's a great way to earn income while doing something you are passionate about!

18. Sell old furniture or items around the house using apps

Many apps allow you to sell unwanted furniture and items from the comfort of your home. For example, you can sell locally on sites like Facebook Marketplace. You can also sell nationally on sites such as eBay and Poshmark.

Not only will you clear up your space, but you'll make some money in the process. All you usually have to do is create your account and add a description and photos of the item.

After that, it's easy to make cash. However, most sites do take a percentage of the sale and you need to check on shipping fees as well.

19. Sell crafts or art on Etsy

If you are creative or love to make art, you may be able to make some money from this hobby. Etsy is an excellent platform for selling everything from jewelry to calligraphy. You may even be able to create digital designs of artwork and sell them multiple times. So why not give it a try?

20. Rent out part of your home

This may work well for those with a large home or if you don't mind having a roommate. If you have an extra room or a part of your home that you don't use and can rent out, you can easily make money from rent each month. It's one of the tried and true hacks to get money.

21. Create digital printables and sell them

If you have a flair for graphics and are good with technology, it can pay off big time. You can create and sell digital printables on a website or from your own shop online. Once you make the printables, selling them is easy and could be considered passive income.

22. Walk dogs

If you like animals, try walking dogs a few days a week for extra money. This doesn't require tons of planning or time and usually pays reasonably well. Try out an app like Rover that will help you get started. You can easily connect with people looking for dog walkers.

23. Become a house sitter

House sit for friends and neighbors while they're away. You can make good money, usually without doing much more than watering plants and checking that all is okay at the house.

You might start by just asking around to see if anyone you know needs a house sitter. But you can also check out websites like TrustedHouseSitters to find job opportunities.

Money hack to save more

Sometimes saving money is the same as making money. That's why one of the best hacks for cash is just not spending it. Being frugal is a good strategy, but these ideas can help you be more effective with that. You can save easily using these techniques.

24. Use coupons

This is an old favorite of the hacks to make money. Use apps or even the newspaper to find coupons and deals. If you can find a coupon for most of the things you buy in a week or month, your savings may be significant. Cutting a grocery bill in half is definitely worth it.

25. Create a budget

If you don't budget your money, a lot of it may be getting spent without you even knowing it. Take the time to create a budget each time you get paid.

That way, any money you spend is on purpose. You can also help yourself save more by adding money to savings and investments as soon as you get paid. Then you won't have easy access to that money for spending.

26. Check out the library

You can check out books, movies, and more at your local library. You can even check out and read books through your phone. This saves you from needing to purchase as many things for entertainment. Instead, you can borrow what you want for free.

27. Start a change jar

It might seem simple, but a change jar can really add up over time. Find a large container and place it somewhere you'll see it every day, like a counter or bookshelf.

As often as possible, add your extra change and even dollar bills to the jar. Once it's full, exchange it for dollars. The amount you save over time may surprise you!

28. Upcycle clothes

Save money by upcycling the clothing you already have instead of buying new things. Since many people tend to overspend on clothing, challenge yourself to not buy anything new for a while.

Try mixing and matching outfits to keep your look fresh and prevent impulse buys on more clothing. Put your savings to work with investing if possible.

29. YNAB App

YNAB stands for You Need A Budget. It is a program that helps you get organized and plan out a budget that works for you. If being better with money is a goal and you want to save more, but you aren't sure how this could be just the thing you need. This software claims that it can help you save more cash. They also offer a free trial.

30. Credit Karma money management tool

Credit Karma helps you to keep track of your money easily using an app. You can track everything you spend.

Link your accounts to see all your finances in one place. It's free, and effective money organization is one of the best hacks to get money.

31. ShopSavvy App

So if you love getting the best deals, Shop Savvy is a great app for you. If there's something you want to buy, scan the barcode and find out who has the best price. You may wind up saving a ton of money when buying things that you need.

Start using these hacks to make money (or save more)!

These are the best hacks to get money because some take very little effort to do! An excellent place to start is trying out a couple from the first category - simple hacks to make money. Add some of these ideas into your life and see how much you can save and earn without a ton of effort.

Then you can move on to the other money hacks to start earning even more! If you aren't already, it's also a good idea to begin investing your money, possibly with one of the methods mentioned here. Investing is kind of the ultimate money hack.

You make more money over time, without a lot of effort. Learn more about investing with our completely free "How investing works" course! For more great money-making tips tune in to the Clever Girls Know podcast and YouTube channel!

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How Does Flipping Furniture Work? How To Start! https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/flipping-furniture/ Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:41:51 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=14257 […]

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Flipping furniture

A side hustle can take your finances to the next level. But you might not want to spend extra time working outside of your home or tied to a computer. If that sounds like you, then flipping furniture could be the side hustle you are looking for.

Flipping furniture can be a profitable side hustle. Although it can become labor-intensive, it is possible to do it from your home without spending any more time in front of a computer screen.

Are you ready to learn more about how to flip furniture for profit? Let's dive in!

How to flip furniture

So you want to know how to flip furniture for profit? The good news is that it is absolutely possible. There is quite a bit of hard work involved, but it can pay off.

Here are some tips to help you take flipping furniture from an idea to a profitable side hustle.

Know what to look for before you start flipping furniture

Before buying your first potential flip, it's a good idea to know what you should look for. You want to find quality items that just need a bit of TLC. You don't want to buy a cheap piece of furniture that started its life as a cheap piece of furniture that is likely to fall apart at some point.

For example, the flimsy bookshelves that many of us have put together ourselves in one apartment or another are not a good choice for a flip. Anything that seems like it might fall to pieces in transit isn't going to be easy to flip. You might be able to buy it for cheap, but selling it for a profit might be difficult.

Another thing to consider is the material of the furniture. Particleboard is something to avoid due to its inferior quality. As you look for specific pieces, it is smart to start with dressers or other types of furniture with simple designs and clean lines. The simpler the piece, the better you can make it look with minimal experience.

Find a solid piece of furniture

Once you have an idea of what type of piece you want to flip, it is time to start looking for the item. Before you start searching, consider what will fit in your vehicle. You don't want to buy a piece only to find you have no way to get it home.

A few places to start looking for the right piece include Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. You can also look for in-person finds at yard sales and thrift stores. You never know what you might find.

It is a good idea to approach this part of the flipping furniture process with a budget in mind. Don't spend more than you intend to on your first piece.

Reimagine the piece

Now it is time to take the piece from mediocre to fabulous. At this point, you might want to peruse Pinterest for some fresh ideas for your specific piece. The inspiration you are hoping for is out there!

But in most cases, you'll need to start with a fresh coat of paint. Chalk paint is a good option to help you achieve a clean look. Don't be afraid to use several coats of paints to create a sharp new look.

Some furniture flippers use a sander to create a distressed look. Since the shabby chic look is very popular, this could help to boost the value of your flip. Finally, updated hardware can elevate the new look. This is the time to get creative. But take care to ensure that your new piece will appeal to a buyer in your area.

List the piece for sale

After you've done the work of transforming the piece, it is time to sell it! It is important to take this step seriously. You'll need to take good pictures. Make sure the piece is well lit.

Consider staging the piece with cute touches like plants and picture frames so that the potential buyer can visualize what it would look like in their home. Take some time to add details to the description. Make sure buyers know that the piece is well made and ready for a new home. 

When you pick the price point, it is a good idea to set it a little bit higher than you expect to get. Buyers in these online forums tend to want to negotiate for a better deal. With this, you can stay competitive without giving up the profit you expect.

Flipping furniture: Tips for success

The process of flipping furniture can be fun. But you'll need to treat this side hustle like the business as it is for financial success. Here are some points to keep in mind throughout the process.

Start with simple furniture

Simple furniture is a great place to get started. Clean lines are easier to paint, which is key for a beginner. As you build your skills, you can absolutely build into more ornate flips. But keeping things more manageable in the beginning is a good place to start.

Negotiate on both ends

When you are looking for a piece to flip, don't be afraid to negotiate. It never hurts to try to get the piece for a good price. It may help to go into these negotiations with a budget in mind and know when you might have to walk away from a potential item.

Negotiation doesn't end when you land the piece. You should also consider listing the flipped piece high so that you have room to negotiate with buyers.

Be patient

Flipping furniture is physical and time-consuming. If you are just starting out, it may take some time to build the skill set you need. As you learn the ropes, be patient with yourself. Do the best that you can. But remember that learning how to complete a flip is a process.

Pick a place to work

Before you bring your first piece home, choose a designated work area. Don't let the piece of furniture take over your house. 

Find a spot that will allow for painting and sanding safely. Adequate ventilation is important. Additionally, you'll want to find a spot that isn't completely in the way.

Consider your mode of transportation when flipping furniture

Of course, having a truck is helpful when flipping furniture. But if you don't have access to a truck, that doesn't mean you can't pursue this side hustle. 

Without a truck, you'll need to get creative to make the flip work. Consider building delivery fees into the cost. For example, you could pay more for the furniture to get it delivered or offer a discount for buyer pick up.

Track your furniture flipping expenses

Tracking expenses and being mindful of your costs is how to flip furniture successfully. At the end of the day, you'll want your flips to be profitable. The first step is to track your costs. If you don't know what you are spending, it can be challenging to ensure you are making money. 

When looking for a piece, aim for items that need simple upgrades. Items that need more extensive fixes usually mean more costs as well.

Finally, it is critical to consider what you can sell the piece for before buying it. If you have an idea of what upgraded dressers are selling for in your area, then you can create a reasonable cap for buying to ensure that you don't overpay for any particular piece.

Flipping furniture can be a fun and lucrative side hustle!

Flipping furniture can be a successful side hustle. The work may be physical, but it can become a labor of love to restore pieces to see their full potential. Not sure that flipping furniture is the right side hustle for you?

Take a look at the Clever Girl Finance book, "The Side Hustle Guide: Build A Successful Side Hustle And Increase Your Income." You'll find practical advice for how to take your side hustle dreams to the next level!

Get started on your new side hustle with our completely free "Build your business" bundle! Be sure to tune in to the Clever Girls Know podcast and YouTube channel for the best business and financial tips to help you succeed!

The post How Does Flipping Furniture Work? How To Start! appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Get Clients Online For Your Side Hustle https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-get-clients-online/ Sun, 19 Sep 2021 12:57:51 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=14085 […]

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How to get clients online

A side hustle can completely transform your financial future. If you’ve decided on an online side hustle, the next step is learning how to get clients online.

The good news is that there are many ways to find clients online. Whether you are a Virtual Assistant, Life Coach, or Financial Coach these tips will help you build your business. Let’s explore how you can get clients online.

How to get clients online to scale your side hustle

It is undeniable that landing your first client online is a great feeling! After all, it is the start of a whole new world of possibilities. But you may be wondering how to find customers online.

If you have a service or product that customers are looking for, then you might be surprised that there are plenty of customers out there waiting for you to find them. As a freelance writer, I’ve used most of these tips to land clients of my own. Keep in mind these tips are applicable to whatever your industry or niche might be.

Here are my top tips on how to find clients online for your side hustle. 

Leverage freelance job boards

An obvious place to start looking for your first online client is a freelance job board. You can find hundreds of jobs available through sites like Fivver and Upwork.

But you can also scour individualized job boards for specific skills. For example, ProBlogger is a great place to look for freelance writing clients. Or Dribbble if you are a graphic designer.

The key to applying to jobs posted on these boards is to apply with confidence. You want to highlight why you are a great fit for the position. Make sure to be very specific in your applications. If you have any relevant experience that could set you apart, mention that clearly!

It is important to realize that these postings often attract dozens of applicants. With that, you need to take the time to craft an application that stands out from the crowd. 

Personally, I’ve found that reading into all of the details of the posting is worthwhile. You may notice a detail hidden deep in the job post that is critical to helping you land the gig.

Cold pitch potential clients online

For some, cold pitching potential clients online can be an intimidating experience. Essentially, a cold pitch involves doing research on a potential client and sending an email to offer your services. 

Although it can seem scary at first, it is absolutely worth it. You might find the perfect client through this process. But remember, the worst that could happen is that someone says ‘no.’

I recommend making a tracking spreadsheet of your cold pitches. With a handy spreadsheet, you can know when it is appropriate to follow up. Cold pitching is a great approach for how to find customers online that you may not have found before!

Join Facebook groups

Social media can be a powerful tool in many ways. With that, it is not surprising that it is one of the best options for how to get clients online.

If your clients are hanging out on Facebook, then seek out the groups they frequent. For example, if your clients are parents, then join parenting groups. If your clients are editors, then join editing groups.

Once you join the group, be helpful and courteous to potential clients. If you find a good fit, then take a minute to pitch your services.

Follow ideal clients on Twitter

Twitter can be a hive of activity for certain industries. Seek out your ideal clients on Twitter. Try to build a rapport with these potential clients. One way to do this include retweeting their posts.

If they are active on the platform, they might put out a call for pitches one day. That’s a great opportunity to land a client that is actively seeking out your service.

Engage with ideal clients on Instagram

Another way how to get clients online is through Instagram. Follow potential clients and build the connection where you can.

At some point, you may decide to pitch the client through the platform. Or you may have an opportunity to reply to a call for pitches that you can deliver on.

Update your LinkedIn profile

LinkedIn is an underutilized resource that could help you find clients online. Some professionals consistently use LinkedIn as a place to advertise job postings and network with potential service provides. Take some time to update your LinkedIn profile.

Make sure that the page is optimized so that clients know what you can offer as soon as they arrive at your profile. Additionally, make digital connections with potential clients. You never know who might be in a position to offer you a gig.

Ask for referrals from existing clients

Existing clients likely know others in their situation that need someone like you to help with their business. At first, it can seem a little bit awkward to ask current clients for referrals. But it doesn’t have to be.

Simply reach out to let them know that you have some availability. Existing clients should be happy to refer you to other potential customers if you do great work. Utilizing referrals is a great way for how to find customers online fast.

Network in person

In-person networking is also an effective way to make initial contact with potential clients. If possible, go to conferences to connect with potential clients in your industry.

Although this strategy is not always possible, it could help get your foot in the door. After you make an in-person connection, take the time to follow up online with an email that reiterates what you could do for the person. If it is a good fit, the conversation will progress from there.

Build your portfolio through guest posts

Last but not least, I have to acknowledge that it can be difficult to learn how to get clients online if you don’t have an existing portfolio. Whatever service you are selling, clients will most likely want to see some samples of your previous work.

That’s a great way to prove yourself if you already have a portfolio. But if you don’t have a portfolio yet, it can be more challenging to find a client that is willing to give you a shot.

If you are in this situation, then I recommend building your portfolio with some free guest posts about your expertise or niche. A robust portfolio will help you stand out. But don’t do too much for free. After a handful of guest posts, you should be ready to start pitching paid clients.

Include pitching clients online in your schedule

My top tip for successfully finding customers online is to set aside time specifically for pitching clients. It is entirely possible to learn how to find clients online. But it will take some dedication to make the endeavor a success. With a regular time commitment, you can make progress toward your goal of landing more clients.

Don’t be too hard on yourself if it takes a bit of time as you work towards this goal. It might not happen instantaneously. But the hard work of finding clients is just the beginning!

You can find clients online and build a thriving side hustle!

As you build a side hustle, finding clients online is critical. Luckily, there are several ways to accomplish your goal. Try out these different strategies that make sense for your industry and align with your ideals.

So do you want to learn more about building a successful side hustle? Check out our list of best side hustle books, including the Clever Girl Finance book - The Side Hustle Guide: Build A Successful Side Hustle And Increase Your Income. And be sure to enroll in our completely free "Build a business" course bundle!

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24 Unique Side Hustles That Make Real Money https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/unique-side-hustles/ Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:56:46 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=13972 […]

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Unique side hustles

Sometimes after spending all day at the office, your job can leave you unsatisfied. You even start feeling like you are stuck in the rat race. That said, whether it is the money, or the desire to explore a career that appeals to you a bit more, there are plenty of unique side hustles that can fill this void. For many people, a side hustle can even turn into a full-time commitment.

Let’s take a look at some of the most unique and unusual side hustles out there—where you can earn real money starting today as a result.

Why does having unique side hustles matter?

Unique side hustles are a great way to increase your income and accelerate your timeline to achieving your goals. The good news is that starting a unique side hustle is something you can do in addition to your full-time job. It's also an excellent way to transition into doing something you love while making money at it.

If you have concerns about job security or are between jobs, having a side gig is also a good idea for extra cash. While you look for a new job, you can use your side hustle to generate income to pay your bills.

Top 24 lucrative and unique side hustles

That said, if you’re looking for a unique side hustle, look no further than the following list we have come up with to help you. And you won't need to quit your day job! (Be sure to check out our list of the best side hustle books!)

1. Start a blog

If you have an interest or experience in a topic, try starting a blog in your spare time. Although it can take a bit of time to grow your audience, blogs can be a great source of additional income.

Above all, the thing that makes this one of the most unique side hustles is that there are so many different ways to monetize your blog. For instance, you can make money with ads, products, affiliate offers, sponsorships, and more. The income potential is limitless!

2. Run a YouTube channel or podcast

So if writing isn’t your thing, how about creating videos on YouTube or recording yourself talking? Podcasts and Vlogs are becoming more and more popular, and there is still plenty of room to find your niche and make great extra income. The key is finding a profitable niche, consistency, and building your audience.

3. Freelance your skills as a side hustle

Freelancing is a popular choice for a side hustle because you can find something that suits your specific skills and strengths.

Whether you are great at writing, enjoy photography or being a virtual assistant, or know how to do some impressive graphic design work, you can find freelance work quite easily on sites like Upwork. As a result, you may even be able to secure a recurring client.

4. Create a course

Are you great at teaching people? Develop a course that you can sell online or a program that you can teach in person. That is to say, having a skill that many other people don't is nothing to take for granted. Share this knowledge, and you could end up making quite a bit of extra money.

5. Start an online store

Online marketplaces and boutique shops like Etsy and eBay, for example, are a preferred way for many people to shop. Whether you sell handmade wood products, crafts, jewelry or simply want to clear out some of your old clothing or children's toys, an online store is a perfect place to make a few extra dollars.

6. Pet sit and walk dogs

When you start researching side hustles, you will quickly learn how much money there is to be made in the pet industry. People love their pets, and they are willing to pay big money so that they have a quality life. Starting a pet walking or pet sitting business with a company like Rover can quickly turn into full-time employment. Plus you can use your dog walking time as exercise as well!

7. Run Facebook ads

Learning the world of social media marketing is a skill you will be glad you took the time to investigate. Facebook ads can run to sell various products or services, and therefore, small business owners need people like you to take the task off their plate.

8. Become an Airbnb host and live rent free

Do you own real estate or live in a place that other people would want to visit or enjoy? Look into renting out a spare room in your home for travelers. This unique side hustle allows for flexibility in when you do and don't want visitors. In addition, you can also purchase and manage rental properties to rent out as an Airbnb host as well.

9. Write a book

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a published author? Writing a book has never been easier and more accessible. With services offered by Amazon, you can self-publish your book in a matter of hours and start earning passive income.

However, the real side hustle here is getting your book out there and letting people know how it can help them. Doing this will help you increase your earning potential.

10. Deliver food

Busy people and those choosing to hang out at home more frequently love having a hot meal or groceries delivered.

However, there is a shortage of delivery food drivers, and picking up this side hustle can result in hundreds of extra dollars a week. Start driving with DoorDash or Instacart to take advantage of the demand.

11. Teach English online

People in other countries want to learn English, and the best place to learn it is from an English-speaking person.

Join a company like VIPKid, for example, to start earning $14 to $22 an hour from the comfort of your couch by teaching kids English. If you’re going to work a side hustle early in the morning, this is an excellent option to consider.

12. Drive for Uber or Lyft

If your car meets the requirements of Uber or Lyft, this is the ultimate unique side hustle idea to increase your earnings. In addition to the cost of the ride, you will also get tips which is great for making money fast. As long as you are old enough and have a valid driver’s license, this is a great option to consider.

13. Try manual labor services

Construction is booming right now as many people want to renovate their homes, yet there are never enough laborers to get projects done. As a result, rates for manual labor side hustles may be quite a bit more than you think.

If you are good with your hands and enjoy fixing things, take a look at this opportunity. You can get started quickly with an online app like TaskRabbit.

14. Take surveys

The rates for taking surveys can be a little low. However, you can make some decent pocket cash sharing your opinion once you get used to the way they work. Check out options like Swagbucks and SurveyJunkie to get started.

15. Use cashback apps

Let your money work for you! If you're already spending money online or in-store, you certainly will want to take advantage of the benefits available to you. Cashback apps like RakutenIbotta, and more give you money back on your purchases. They may award you bonuses for signing your friends up too!

16. Become a taste tester

Do you consider yourself a foodie? Companies are always looking for people to try out their products before sending them to grocery store shelves or restaurant tables. Get yourself involved in this industry, and it can be one of the most profitable (and delicious) unique side hustles.

17. Participate in panel studies

If you have the time and knowledge, panel studies through companies like Respondent.io and Google can be a tremendous unique side hustle. Try to find topics you are interested in so you feel more engaged in this process. Help companies improve their product and service offerings while getting paid. It's a win-win!

18. Become a mystery shopper

Although mystery shopping can be a bit hard to get involved in initially, you will never want to pass it up once you get a great gig! When you become a mystery shopper, you'll shop in stores and restaurants, and then report on your experience so companies can improve. Learn more with companies like BestMark and IntelliShop.

19. Donate plasma

Although this ranks as one of the most unusual side hustles to make money, people do donate plasma for cash. The rate for donating plasma is relatively high as the need is apparent all over the world.

Compare rates of different plasma centers to ensure you are getting fair compensation. Also, take pride in knowing that you are helping someone in need! What more could you ask for?

20. Be someone’s friend

Yes, this is by far one of the most unusual side hustles out there. Believe it or not, paid friendship services allow you to make a little extra money for being someone’s friend.

The great thing about this side hustle is that, as a result, you'll gain more social connections and true friendships. So, if you're comfortable with it, try it out!

21. Advertise on your car

If you drive your car around a lot, you may be missing out on the lucrative side hustle opportunity to capitalize on your travel with companies like Wrapify and StickerRide. Your car is a moving billboard that companies will pay to advertise on. However, you should take into consideration what the cosmetic repercussions of this will be.

22. Play video games and watch movies

Playing video games for money is a real possibility on platforms like Twitch. And yes, your mother may be surprised!

In addition, you can become a tester to try out new movies and games and report back on what works and what doesn’t. So if you are an avid gamer, this is one of the most unusual side hustles to take advantage of!

23. Pick up trash

There is quite a bit of money to be made with proper recycling. For instance, if you start a recycling business in your neighborhood, you can make lots of money turning in the trash you pick up locally. Just make sure you take the proper sanitation precautions.

24. Become a personal chef and use your cooking skills

Do you have a passion for cooking? Guess what, most people don’t! Therefore, there is a massive market for efficient personal chefs—making quality food and being fun to be around.

If you can do all of these things, you have a unique side hustle opportunity coming your way! Sites like Care.com can match you with potential families based on your schedule.

Make more money with one of these unique side hustles!

In short, sometimes, the most important part of starting a unique side hustle is finding something that is fun and appealing to you, so it doesn't feel like too much work. The more you want to work your side hustle, the more money you will make.

In addition, many people have turned their side hustle into a full-time job simply because they have worked hard and enjoyed it. So, go out and earn some cash with these unique side hustles!

If you need some help getting started enroll in our completely free business owner course! Also, be sure to tune into the Clever Girls Know podcast and YouTube channel for top tips on side hustling, earning more money, and building wealth!

The post 24 Unique Side Hustles That Make Real Money appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How Do Influencers Make Money? https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-do-influencers-make-money/ Wed, 11 Aug 2021 20:24:25 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=13143 […]

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How do influencers make money

In a world dominated by social media, influencers have become celebrities in their own right. It’s not uncommon to see Instagram influencers with hundreds of thousands — or even upwards of one million — followers. But how do influencers make money with their large followings?

Also, how can you be sure you're following ethical influencers rather than those who are just in it for the money? In this article, we cover what influencers are, how they make money, and how to find influencers that align with your values. First, let's get into what an influencer is and what they do.

What is an influencer?

Broadly speaking, an influencer is someone who makes money by influencing the buying habits of other people. You probably know influencers as people with large followings on social media who make money by promoting certain products through sponsored posts, affiliate links, and more.

Being an influencer has become a career over the past decade, thanks to social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. And influencers with large followings can make far more than the average 9-5 job would pay.

How much money do influencers make?

Influencer incomes can span a huge spectrum. Someone who is just getting started might earn $100 here and there. While some of the influencers with the largest followings can earn millions of dollars.

According to data from Vox, a micro-influencer, or someone with between 10,000 and 50,000 followers, can expect to make anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000 per year.

On the other hand, influencers with millions of followers can earn tens of thousands of dollars per post. Some of the top influencers earn hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per year.

For instance, Kylie Jenner famously pulls in $1 million per post. So it's not uncommon to see some influencers can make a six-figure salary or more if they do it right!

How do influencers make money: Top 9 ways

So how do influencers make money? There are actually many different ways. These different ways allow influencers to have multiple streams of revenue and choose the ones that make the most sense for their businesses.

Whether they are luxury influencers, beauty influencers, minimalist influencers, or otherwise, there is a way for every influencer to make money online!

Here are 9 ways how influencers make money!

1. Sponsored content (A top way influencers make money)

Sponsored content is one of the most common ways influencers make money. A sponsored post is when a company pays an influencer to feature their product or service on the influencer’s social media pages.

They might share the product on an Instagram post or story, a TikTok or YouTube video, a Facebook post, their blog, or all of the above. In general, the more followers someone has, the more they can earn per sponsored post.

2. As brand ambassadors

Being a brand ambassador is another way how influencers make money. And this is based on from their relationship with a brand. A brand ambassadorship is similar to sponsored posts but with a few differences.

First, sponsored posts can be one-offs, while brand ambassadorships are usually longer-term relationships. For example, an influencer might sign a 6-12 month ambassador deal with a brand.

Another difference is that when an influencer is a brand ambassador, they don’t just share about the brand on their social media channels. They also often appear on the brand’s social media channels or website as a model or spokesperson for the product.

Affiliate marketing is when influencers share a link to a product and then receive a percentage of the sale if a follower buys an item from that link. It has become one of the top ways how influencers make money.

For example, a fashion influencer is likely to share links to the clothing they’re wearing in their daily social media posts. Their followers purchase the items, creating a stream of revenue for them.

Depending on the item, the affiliate commission might be just a few percent. But for influencers with many followers who buy what they recommend, the income can really add up.

4. Website advertising

For years it’s been common practice for bloggers to have advertising on their websites to monetize their traffic. So, how do influencers make money with advertising?

Depending on the type of ad, bloggers might make money only when a visitor clicks on the ad or any time it appears on the screen. For bloggers with high traffic to their websites, sidebar and in-content advertising can be extremely lucrative.

5. eCourses and digital products

Many influencers have moved into the education space and sell digital products to teach their followers on a particular topic. But how do influencers make money from these products? One example would be a travel blogger who might create an entire course about how to travel on a budget.

Another example is a fashion influencer who might create an eBook about creating a capsule wardrobe. Some people make thousands of dollars a month selling online courses!

6. Tipping, donations and subscriptions

Another way influencers make money is through tipping or donations. For example, some influencers have websites with a page where followers can contribute money to the influencer. Some also have a link where followers can buy them a cup of coffee.

Another version of tipping is the use of sites like Patreon. It works as a membership model where followers can sign up to contribute a certain amount of money each month to an influencer. In some cases, the influencer might have content exclusively for their Patreon supporters.

7. Reselling clothing

It’s become increasingly common for fashion influencers to make money by reselling the clothing they’ve featured. These influencers often buy far more clothing than they really need, mostly so they can share a variety of looks with their followers.

Then, many turn around and sell their gently used items on a separate Instagram page or on Poshmark. This is a great way to get the most bang for your buck if you are considering becoming a fashion influencer!

8. Sales from live events

Another way that influencers have made money is through live events whether in-person or virtual. For example, a travel influencer might make money by planning a trip for a small handful of followers.

On the other hand, a fashion influencer might make money by hosting a  live closet sale where followers can purchase used clothing they’ve featured on their social media channels.

9. Product lines designed specifically for the influencers to make money

Creating product lines is another way how influencers make money. Some influencers create their own product lines from scratch. For example, fashion blogger Danielle Bernstein of the website We Wore What has launched her blog into her own fashion line.

Other influencers use their following to create collaborations with other companies, offering makeup lines, clothing lines, and more.

How to ensure you’re following ethical influencers

Being an influencer has become an increasingly popular career over the past several years. Partially because people have realized just how lucrative it can be.

Unfortunately, some influencers may choose to run their businesses in an unethical way. Here are a few ways you can make sure you’re following ethical influencers.

Does the influencer disclose when they’ve been paid for a post or have been gifted an item?

It's really important that an influencer discloses when they’ve been paid to promote a product. This also applies to items they receive for free in exchange for sharing them online.

In fact, proper disclosures aren’t just an ethical issue for influencers; the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that influencers disclose when they have a financial relationship with a brand. Whether it is posting in exchange for money or for free or discounted products.

When the influencers you follow post about products on their social media platforms, make sure they’re disclosing any relationships. According to the FTC, vague disclosures like #sp, #collab, or #ambassador simply aren’t enough. The disclosure should make it clear that a post was sponsored or paid.

Does the influencer share products they actually use?

Another way to ensure you’re following ethical influencers is to pay attention to whether they’re promoting products they really use. Of course, you can’t know for certain what products someone uses in their daily life unless you know them in real life. But there are ways to figure out whether a recommendation is legit.

For example, if an influencer consistently recommends the same shampoo, it’s likely they really use it and support the brand. But if it seems like they’re promoting a different shampoo every couple of weeks, it’s a sign they’re simply promoting any company willing to pay them.

Is the influencer honest about what they don’t like about products?

No company or product is perfect. And if someone’s job is to help their followers make purchasing decisions, they should be sharing both the good and the bad about products they use.

When an influencer you follow posts about a product, do they share both the pros and the cons? Do they point out if there’s something they dislike about the product? If they never share things they don’t like, then it begins to feel like their recommendations aren’t really authentic.

Do they share products that fit their brand or audience?

It’s also worth paying attention to whether an influencer promotes products that actually fit their brand or audience. That’s not to say that influencers can’t promote anything outside of their usual topic. In fact, plenty of influencers share products they use in all parts of their lives.

Sometimes they may promote a product because they’re being paid for it, whether it fits their audience or not. An example might be an influencer who shares about frugal living and budget hacks but then shares a sponsored post of a pricey product that their audience is unlikely to buy.

Similarly, it could be an influencer who talks about clean eating and healthy living but then shares a sponsored post for a junk food brand. Again sharing products is how influencers make money, so be sure that what they are promoting is something that aligns with their brand. If not, you may want to reconsider following them.

Do they promote ethical companies?

Another way to tell whether an influencer fits with your values is to check out the companies they promote. Of course, everyone has different values and priorities. Something that’s important to you won’t necessarily be important to someone else, and vice versa.

But if an influencer regularly shares about companies that are known for ethical problems then it’s worth rethinking following that person. For instance, if they have a reputation of treating their employees poorly, taking advantage of customers, etc. Find someone that promotes companies that you value.

Influencers can make big money!

So how do influencers make money? Well as you can see they create multiple streams of income! The influencer career has become increasingly popular over the past few years, and it’s easy to see why.

Influencers can make a lot of money through strategies such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even coming out with their own product lines.

Have you thought of starting a side-hustle as an influencer? Learn how to build your business with our completely free course! Also, be sure to follow Clever Girl Finance on Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube, for top financial tips and inspiration to achieve your money goals!

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How To Become A Freelance Writer & Get Paid To Write https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-become-a-freelance-writer/ Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:13:00 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=8859 […]

The post How To Become A Freelance Writer & Get Paid To Write appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How to become a freelance writer

Freelance writing is not always easy. But it can bring more freedom and balance to your life. Plus, with seemingly unlimited earnings, it has the potential to change your financial situation for the better. If you are curious about how to become a freelance writer, read on. We have all the tips you need to start and get paid to write!

The earning potential of a freelance writer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a writer is $62,120. From personal experience, I know that the number can be much higher. I earn more than that each year. But I also know many other writers in the field that are earning thousands more than I am.

The earning potential is truly what you are willing to put in. If you are willing to work tirelessly to build your writing career to reach its full potential, then you stand to earn more than the median. Plus, there are perks like flexible hours and the ability to work from anywhere that make this career path very enticing.

It's one of the best stay-at-home jobs you can pursue and the best thing is you can learn how to start freelance writing with no experience!

Should you become a freelance writer?

First, you need to find your reason for becoming a freelance writer. Without a solid reason to pull you through the long hours, it can be difficult to make your dream a reality. The benefits of becoming a freelance writer can be absolutely amazing.

You have the opportunity to build your freelancing business from the ground up. You have the option to choose how much you are willing to work, when you are able to work, where you will work and how much you will charge for your services. However, you need to determine why these benefits matter to you.

Would you use the newfound flexibility to spend more time with your kids? To pursue a new passion in your free time? Or to make your own schedule while you travel the world? You’ll need to understand how these benefits will play out in your life.

Find something to hold on to. As you start to build your business, you’ll likely need to put in long hours on top of your regular job. As you get closer to the tipping point of being able to afford to quit your regular job, the longer those hours might get to you. You’ll need to draw on the reason why you are doing this to find the self-discipline to carry on.

How I became a freelance writer

When I found out about freelance writing, I knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I craved the freedom that writing could give me. Honestly, I wasn’t completely sure that I could make this dream a reality. After all, making a living from the comfort of my home with my old laptop seemed too good to be true.

But I decided to give it a try. I started out with job boards to get a few small gigs. However, I was discovering that many refuse to pay writers more than a penny per word. Needless to say, I was discouraged. That’s when I decided to take a freelance writing course.

By investing in myself, I built my freelance writing career from a few hundred dollars a month to over $6,000 each month. With this new career, I’ve been able to put more money toward financial goals like retirement and our first home down payment. Plus, I have more control over my income and time. This career transformation is possible for anyone.

Believe me, if I can do it, so can you. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, so it is possible if you can put in the work. If you are worried that you aren’t a good writer, don’t be! You’ll become a better writer with each article. The key is to open your laptop and get started. So, let's get into how to start freelance writing with no experience.

How to get paid to write: 8 Tips to becoming a freelance writer

Before we get started, let me remind you that this is not a get-rich-quick scheme that requires no effort on your part. In fact, it is a career that will require a lot of time and effort, especially in the beginning. It can be difficult to get your freelancing career off the ground with the many obstacles life throws your way.

However, you can get paid to write with dedication and hard work. So, check out these steps on how to start freelance writing with no experience!

How to become a freelance writer

1. Decide what you want to write about

First, you will need to decide what you want to write about. Luckily, there is no shortage of options. You can get paid to write about a variety of subjects, so choose something that interests you. Otherwise, it can be difficult to stick to the plan.

Ask yourself some questions. What lights you up? What could you talk about, or write about, for hours? Is there a subject that you are already an expert on? Do you have an educational background that would allow you to break into a particular area of writing as an authority?

Think about what you can see yourself writing about for years to come. Of course, it is okay to evolve your writing niche over time, but you need a place to start. A few ideas for niches include parenting, personal finance, travel, and scientific exploration.

These are just the tip of the iceberg! You can find the opportunity to write about almost anything, so make sure to find something that excites you.

2. Set a schedule

Making a living through writing is a serious undertaking. With that, you need to decide on a schedule and stick to it. While you are still working a regular job, this might include working early mornings, late nights, or weekends to get the ball rolling.

Although it is not very fun to wake up before work to work on your writing, the long-term benefits are well worth the effort. Make the decision to set a schedule that will allow you to meet your goals. Obviously, the more time you can commit to writing, the more quickly you will be able to grow your business.

3. Practice your freelance writing

Practice makes perfect. Although you don’t need to be perfect to excel as a writer, more practice certainly helps. Make the time to write every single day. You don’t have to write a full post every day. Even just a pitch email or fun restaurant review can help to improve your skills.

You can even practice improving how much time it takes you to write an article or post. Because honestly, the faster you can write high-quality pieces, the more money you can make! Practicing your craft is how to become a freelance writer faster.

3. Build your writing portfolio

If you are starting from scratch, the idea of creating a portfolio might sound daunting. It doesn’t have to be! You can start to build your portfolio piece by piece. If you are having trouble getting published, then consider starting a blog to showcase your writing abilities. Not only will this give you the opportunity to build your portfolio but also hone your writing skills. 

Once you have a few pieces live, start to reach out for guest post opportunities. Typically, bloggers in your niche will be happy to post a quality story. You’ll earn a byline, and they’ll receive content, so it is a fair trade. Choosing to offer your writing services for free at the very beginning can pay off in the long term.

Future clients need to see that you are capable of writing stand-out pieces. However, you should not continue to offer your writing service for free for long. Once you gain some experience and have a portfolio to share with future clients, then start charging for your talent. Building your portfolio is how to start freelance writing with no experience!

5. Start pitching to freelance writing jobs

Once you have a portfolio, it is time to start pitching potential clients. Do some research in your chosen space to find the outlets that might accept your work. When you have a lead on a website or magazine that you want to write for, then reach out!

Let the editor know what you like about their site, what you can offer, and share your new portfolio of work. Include a story idea that you know would fit in well with their content. Don’t be afraid to pitch editors; the worst thing they can say is no.

Remember, not every pitch is going to work out, and that’s okay. All you can do is keep trying, and over time you’ll build a worthwhile business.

If you are having trouble finding emails to pitch, then consider using Hunter.io. It is a free tool that can help you find emails for editors and other people within the company that could point you in the right direction. Pitching for jobs is how to become a freelance writer that makes a lucrative income!

6. Invest in tools to improve your skills

Freelance writing is a low expense business. If you already have a computer, then you will need very little else to get started. However, I highly recommend making the leap and investing in the tools and courses that will help you succeed.

I can honestly say that taking a course is the reason I was able to make this career a full-time reality. Without the step by step guidance, I was struggling to get my career off the ground. Find a course that you can identify with and take action on. Making this kind of investment can put you on the fast track to success.

Another way to invest in yourself and your business that will give you exposure is a writer's website. This is where you can showcase your portfolio, and clients start finding YOU!

7. Expand your writing services

A great way to increase your income potential is to expand your writing services. For instance, you may start as a blogger, but you could learn more about Search Engine Optimization, and begin to charge more for your posts.

You can also branch out to magazine writing, copywriting, ghostwriting, and more. As you establish your writing portfolio, it will open up opportunities to earn more with different services. Expanding your skills and services is how to become a freelance writer that's in demand!

8. Just keep going

At some point, I can promise that you will want to give up. With school, work, and family obligations, it can be a challenge to find the time to work on this dream. It will require a lot of time and effort to make a full-time income as a freelance writer.

Just because it will require hard work does not mean it is not a worthwhile goal. In fact, most good things require hard work and dedication, so freelance writing is not any different.

When you feel like giving up, dig deep and keep going. Remember why you started and keep moving forward. Even if you can only set aside a few minutes a day to pursue this goal, make it a priority to make your dreams come true.

Best freelance writing sites

In addition to cold pitches, you can apply to freelance writing jobs around the internet. A word of warning, these job boards are highly competitive. Every writer in the world seems to be out there competing for a handful of advertised jobs with adequate pay.

Be aware that the competition is fierce, so you’ll need to put your best foot forward. However, by perfecting your pitch you can stand out above the competition! With that said, these job boards can be a great place to get your career started:

Upwork

Upwork is a platform that will allow you to get paid to write relatively easily. The site is a marketplace for people in need of your skills that are willing to pay if you are able to submit solid work on time. However, Upwork does take a percentage of your earnings which can get old very quickly.

Fivver

Fivver allows you to post your services starting at $5. You’ll choose the terms of the gig and negotiate with the interested parties through the platform. As you grow your portfolio, you can increase your prices.

Listverse

As the name suggests, Listverse pays for listicles about a wide variety of topics. Generally, you’ll have to include at least 10 items on your list. If your list is approved, then you will receive $100 through PayPal.

Problogger

Problogger is a job board that has a wide variety of writing opportunities. I’ve seen everything from romance writing to writing about learning a foreign language. The range of postings on this site makes it one of the best freelance writing sites for new writers. Not only will you be able to apply to jobs but also see what types of jobs are available.

Be a freelance blogger

Be a freelance blogger offers a free list of 75 places that you can search for blogging jobs that pay $50-$2,000 a post! This is a great place to search for gigs so you can start earning as a freelance writer!

Write Jobs Plus

Although it costs $3-$5 a month depending on what membership you pay, Write Jobs Plus is one of the best freelance writing sites to find jobs! They send you jobs straight to your inbox, so you don't have to scour all over the place searching for gigs. It can be worth its weight in gold if you land a few decent-paying jobs.

Become a freelance writer and get paid to write!

Now you know how to become a freelance writer! Freelance writing can be a life-changing career. Not only will you have the potential to earn a high income, but you also regain control over your life. You will be able to set your schedule and income goals to build the life of your dreams.

So get started with these tips and the list of the best freelance writing sites to launch your new career! Learn more on how to build your new business with our completely free course! 

The post How To Become A Freelance Writer & Get Paid To Write appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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Blogging vs Vlogging: What Makes The Most Money? https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/blogging-vs-vlogging/ Fri, 30 Jul 2021 13:23:24 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=12909 […]

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Blogging vs vlogging

Blogging vs Vlogging which one is for you and which is more lucrative? The good news is there is a huge earning potential for both, but there are many things to consider when choosing which one to pursue. For instance, the costs to get started, how much time you have to commit, your personality type, and more.

Learning the difference between blogging vs vlogging can help you decide which one is better for you. But before we compare the differences between a blog vs vlog, let’s get into their definition first.

Definitions of Blog vs Vlog

To know whether you want to blog or vlog, you need to know their definitions first. A blog features written articles on various topics such as finance, health, fitness, and more. They can be used for marketing products and services.

A vlog is basically a blog that is made up of videos instead of written content. So, instead of reading an article on how to budget, a vlogger would create a video and talk about it. It could be videos on a day in their life, behind-the-scenes, or just topical content. The popularity of vlogging stemmed from YouTube and has branched out to social media sites such as Instagram too.

The difference between blog and vlog

So, now that you know their definitions, let’s dig into the difference between blog and vlog.

1. Time commitment

A big thing to consider when comparing blogging vs vlogging is the time commitment for each one. Vlogging will take up more of your time personally because you are the star! You are the face of the video content you are creating; therefore, you will need to consider that when deciding which is best for you.

Another thing to remember is that editing your videos will take up a bit of your schedule too. So you will not only be responsible for recording your videos but editing them as well.

Of course, blogging is time-consuming too, but since the content is written and not recorded, you can outsource your articles to other writers. For instance, you can pay freelancers to write a blog post to be featured on your website. This can help you bulk up your blog quickly without it taking up a ton of your time.

2. Editing content

Again, when it comes to editing, there’s a major difference between blogging vs vlogging. A blog post requires proofreading, formatting, etc. But a vlog requires more time trying to edit the videos.

You may also need to invest in video editing software to help you create the best videos for your vlog. Video editing is very time-consuming so keep this in mind when choosing which one to pursue.

3. Hosting accounts

Something to consider when comparing a blog vs vlog is how you are going to publish your content. Having a blog means you will need to purchase a domain, aka a website, to feature your content.

You can feature your content on blogging sites such as Medium, but it’s much more profitable if you have your own site. However, there are many platforms available for vlogging that you can utilize and make a good income.

YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook are among the most popular sites for vlogs. This is an excellent way to get started without having to pay for a hosting account.

4. Blogging vs vlogging content creation

So another big difference between a blog and vlog is how you create content. For instance, blogging is all written content that can feature images or graphs. A vlog is made entirely of videos.

Again with vlogging, you are the face of all the content creation. You will need to consistently make engaging videos to attract traffic to your vlog. With a blog, you can feature guest writers to assist with the workload.

5. Equipment needs for a blog vs vlog

The hosting cost for a blog may be more costly, but you don’t need fancy equipment to start blogging. Basically, all you need is a decent computer and an internet connection.

Some vloggers invest in a camera, microphone, and editing software. But sometimes, people will start simply by recording themselves on their phones, computers, etc. If you do decide to invest in vlogging equipment, be a savvy shopper and check around for pre-owned equipment to save money!

6. Monetization differences

There are some similarities between a blog vs vlog when it comes to how you earn from them. For example, both make money from advertising. Of course, some companies such as AdThrive require a minimum of followers or traffic before you can qualify.

Affiliate links are a popular way to make income with a blog. An affiliate link is when you work with a brand or company and make a commission if someone purchases through the link.  With blogs, it’s easier to make money through affiliate marketing because someone is more likely to click on your link in your post than they are in the video description of your vlog.

Another opportunity to monetize your blog or vlog is through sponsorships. Companies will pay you to mention their products or services on your posts. Sometimes you will need to have many subscribers or followers before brands offer this.

7. The demand for blogging vs vlogging

Since we are visual creatures, vlogs have exploded in popularity. Everyone seems to love watching their favorite lifestyle influencers reviewing products or showing us how to accent our features with make-up. In fact, over 5 billion videos are watched on YouTube every day!

However, for us writers' blogging still holds true to our hearts. The good news is that blogging has grown 12% since 2015. There is still a huge earning potential from blogging if you do it right!

How much can you make blogging vs vlogging?

It’s true that some people can earn six figures for blogging and vlogging. However, it takes time, hard work, and dedication. The average YouTuber makes about $52,800 a year, which is a pretty decent gig.

The average blogger salary reported on ZipRecruiter is around $38,400. Keep in mind that this can be those blogging for other companies and not necessarily for bloggers running their own sites.

Some bloggers make between $1,000-$10,000 a month! So the income difference between blog and vlog depends on how you monetize them. But the income potential for both is fantastic!

Blogging vs Vlogging: Which should you choose?

Now you know the difference between blog and vlog, so you can start deciding which avenue is best for you. Of course, it depends on your business goals, how fast you want to grow it, and how much start-up costs you have.

Since vlogging is the fastest growing medium, it may be easier to grow. However, when you own your own /website, it increases in value, which makes it an asset. Also, keep in mind that you will need to pay for a hosting account to start your blog or purchase equipment if you vlog.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding blog vs vlog for your new career path:

  1. Do I feel comfortable being the star of my vlog?
  2. How much time do I have to dedicate to my blog or vlog?
  3. Which do I feel more passionate about doing?
  4. What are my business goals?
  5. Do I want to outsource my content?

Knowing the difference between a blog vs vlog, how much time you have to dedicate to your business, what your passion is, and if you want to outsource your content will help you decide which path is right for you!

You can create a successful blog or vlog

Whether you are a writer at heart or shine like a star on camera with the right business plan, you can create a successful blog or vlog! Remember to weigh the pros and cons of each avenue before deciding. How much you can earn depends on your business model and how you monetize it.

The great thing is when it comes to blog vs vlog you can start either one as a side hustle and grow it into a lucrative career. Are you ready to get started? Learn how to create the perfect business plan with our completely free course so you can succeed with your new career!

The post Blogging vs Vlogging: What Makes The Most Money? appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How I Left My Job And Started A Stationery Business https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-i-started-a-stationery-business/ Fri, 25 Jun 2021 15:45:35 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=12182 […]

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Stationery business

I was awake in bed...again, running through my morning to-do list and stressing about work deadlines. My restlessness caused my husband to turn over and mumble, "You're not the same person you used to be." I wanted to scream at him for not comforting me, but at that pivotal moment, I realized he was right. It was time for a change, and this is how I got inspired to start a wedding stationery business and finally do something that I love.

How I accidentally launched my wedding invitation business

Being a newlywed, the chaos of wedding planning was still fresh on my mind. I DIY'd many of the decorative elements of our wedding to save money.

I had done graphic design in the past as a hobby, so one of the DIY projects I enjoyed the most was designing my own invitations and stationery.

Little did I know, I had done early market viability testing for my wedding stationery business! Our guests were so impressed that I had made these invitations with my own hands that I got requests from friends to create more for their weddings.

Just like that, I got my first few "clients," and my first bonafide business was born.

How I transitioned into my stationery business

My custom wedding invitation business started off as a side-hustle. I spent my days working at my corporate job. I answered business emails in the evenings and spent nights sourcing suppliers, learning how to use printing equipment, and refining my design skills.

After a year of moonlighting as a graphic designer, it became hard to juggle my wedding projects' demands and my job. Here are the key steps I took to transition into full-time entrepreneurship:

1. Going from a full-time to a part-time employee at my day job

To focus on my wedding stationery business, I negotiated with my work to reduce my working hours from 5 days to 3 days a week. I was honest about my personal situation with my boss and had already demonstrated solid performance in the workplace.

In addition, I had to take a pay cut, but it was worth it. I ended up gaining 2 full days a week to focus on my business guilt-free.

2. Figuring out my business budget

My accounting background came in handy at this stage. I knew it was crucial to have a financial projection and a business budget to build a successful business.

So I created a spreadsheet to estimate my income and expenses for the next 2 years. This acted as a blueprint as I worked on growing my wedding invitation business.

3. Saving up money to invest in my business

I cut back on personal spending like shopping, entertainment, and eating out and instead started saving more of my money for my wedding stationery business.

Gradually, I adjusted my mindset to think of it as redirecting spending towards my business like an “investment” instead of splurging on luxuries that provided no future return.

I set a goal to save 6 months' worth of estimated business operating expenses to have a buffer. Also, thankfully my husband continued to work at his corporate job.

4. Spending money to make MORE money

Early on, I met clients at coffee shops with a binder full of paper swatches and samples. Going forward, I wanted to look more professional.

Sometimes it's true you have to spend money to make money. So, I decided to rent a small, 200 sq ft. office space to display my work and meet clients in a private yet comfortable setting.

Signing a lease felt terrifying, but once I displayed a real business address on my website, I gained instant credibility over my online-only competition.

In the wedding industry, clients value face-to-face interaction, so this decision took my business to the next level.

5. Quitting my six-figure job!

Six months after going part-time at my day job, I mustered the guts to finally quit and exit the rat race. I had booked up a solid roster of clients for the upcoming busy wedding season, so I knew there was enough income to carry me through the end of the year.

Ultimately, the only way I could provide my best work was to focus 100% of my efforts on serving my clients.

What it's like running a stationery business

It was tough explaining my life choices to people after discovering I quit a six-figure job to venture out on my own.

In fact, I didn't even tell my family for a whole year because I was terrified of dealing with their skepticism and warnings about how I’d take a career hit if things didn’t work out.

Instead, I became friends with fellow wedding vendors that I met through my clients and at trade shows. This networking technique brought collaboration opportunities for creatively styled photoshoots.

My best work got published in high-profile wedding blogs and magazines that boosted my credentials and generated more business.

Two years to six figures in business revenue

After my second year of running my invitation business full time, I finally cracked the six-figure revenue mark. On the surface, that milestone felt like a fairytale, but it didn’t come without sacrifice and late nights!

Once my business became profitable, I started to take a structured approach to pay myself first. I use a modified method from the book "Profit First" by Mike Michalowicz to manage my cash flow.

It involves allocating a percentage of all my cash receipts into different "buckets" like paying myself, operating expenses, taxes, paying freelancers, or reinvesting into the business.

How to start a stationery business

So, that's how I quit my six-figure job and started a stationery business. If you think this is a business you would like to adventure into, here's how to start a stationery business.

1. Build a business plan

When starting a business from scratch, one of the first things to do is build a business plan. Your plan should include your start-up costs, operations strategy, marketing plan, and competitor analysis.

This will also include choosing and registering your business name, identifying your target audience, ongoing costs, and pricing your products.

2. Define your brand

The next step in how to start a stationery business is defining your brand. When you brand your business, it defines what makes you different from your competition. For instance, Chanel is a brand that is known for its luxury items and classic designs. Your brand influences how your clients view your business.

3. Legalize your stationery business

It's essential that you ensure you legalize your invitation business. Establishing your business as a legal entity protects your personal assets. Basically, if for any reason someone were to file a lawsuit, it would be against the business and not you personally.

The different types of business structures are Limited Liability Company, Sole Proprietorship, a Partnership, or a Corporation. The most common structures small businesses start with are either a Sole Proprietorship or an L.L.C. Research the different business structures to figure out what's best for your business plan and goals.

4. Invest in equipment and software

Whether you decide to specifically have a wedding invitation business or venture out to other types of designs, you will need to invest in the right equipment and design software. Some items you will need to get started are:

  1. A high-quality printer
  2. Design software such as Adobe Creative Cloud
  3. A creasing machine
  4. A quality paper cutter

If you don't want to print the stationery yourself, you can find a local print shop or use sites such as printed.com. This may save you money on ink, paper, and wear and tear on your printer too.

Part of learning how to start a stationery business is figuring out the most cost-efficient way to operate it. So try to research the best option for you and your business.

5. Sell online and in-person

To really build up your business, it's best to sell online and in person. For instance, you could set up a website to reach a bigger clientele online and also set up at arts and crafts festivals and markets. This is a great way to start your business without leasing a space right away.

Also, network with friends, family, and co-workers to get the word out about your new business adventure! They will likely spread the word for you or maybe even purchase some of your products to help you launch your new stationery business!

Start your own stationery business

Aspiring entrepreneurs are often glamorized by social media posts as someone with their laptop on a beach or jet-setting to exotic locations. Contrary to popular belief, most success stories don’t happen overnight. However, with determination and hard work, you can start your own stationery business.

In reality, entrepreneurship is a journey that often feels lonely. Being around like-minded people is vital. Find fellow business owners in your network or mastermind groups who can relate to your struggles and way of life. They can motivate you and keep you accountable to your goals.

Entrepreneurship is the path less traveled. Get used to the feeling of constantly swimming upstream, and be motivated by the possibility that once you finally achieve success, it'll all be worth it! You'll prove to the skeptics that it’s absolutely possible to make a living doing what you love! Get started with our free business course!

The post How I Left My Job And Started A Stationery Business appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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Branding For Success: How To Build A Brand https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/branding-for-success/ Fri, 21 May 2021 02:11:50 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=11634 […]

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Branding for success

Whether you’re a blogger, infopreneur, online coach, social media influencer, or even own a small shop on Etsy, branding for success is an essential part of your business. There's a lot to do when branding your business, and the kicker is, only half of it has anything to do with visuals. That’s right; your brand is more than a logo or a visual style that you become known for.

Every modern, successful online brand is made up of many essential parts for attracting others and potentially earning some sort of income while doing so. Building a brand takes dedication and hard work, but you can create a successful brand with the right know-how and plan.

What is a brand?

A brand is a design, symbol, or name that identifies your good or service from others. It helps people identify a product or company. It influences people's opinions of companies. For instance, Nike has branded itself as the go-to athletic attire. So, when you think about buying a new pair of shoes for working out, you probably consider Nike as a top option because its brand is known to be a high-quality product. Basically, your brand makes you stand out from the crowd!

5 Steps to start branding for success

Learning how to build a brand can be overwhelming. Use these 5 key steps to start branding for success!

1. Provide solutions to real problems

Every successful business solves a problem, and every successful brand does so as well. Think of your favorite fashion blogger or finance expert; they’re either inspiring you on topics that interest you or giving you the lowdown where you may need some guidance. To do this with your brand, make sure you’re addressing a problem that others are interested in or require help solving.

If people are already attracted to the content, you’re putting out there, figure out what real issues you can expand on and help readers with. Then, make sure to highlight that problem along with your solution in your blog posts, emails, webinars, content upgrades, and more.

2. Identify your target audience

Part of branding for success is identifying your target audience. Now that you know what problem you’re going to focus on solving, you need to know and understand exactly who you are solving it for. Start by asking yourself these questions:

  1. Who needs this problem to be solved the most?
  2. What kind of pain/stress do people with this particular problem have?
  3. What life circumstances might the readers have in common?
  4. Knowing all this, what would be the best way to solve their problem?

Figuring out your ideal niche audience also sets the tone for your visual identity. For example, if you realize your ideal audience is for a professional woman over 40, powder pink with flowers may not be the best way to go. Knowing your target audience is a HUGE part of what’s needed before you can even start to brand visually. Once you have an ideal audience figured out, it’s time to move onto the next step.

3. Branding for success with visual graphics

Now that you know the problem you'll be solving and who you will solve it for, you’re ready to create a visual brand that speaks to them. In case you haven’t caught the running theme yet, creating a successful brand has as much to do with who you’re trying to reach as it has to do with you, creatively and thoughtfully.

When it comes to creating visuals, I recommend creating a simple concept for inspiration. Start off by choosing 1-3 words that you would want your brand to be known for. Then, use those words as a jumping-off point for determining your brand colors and any visual elements you may want to be associated with your brand.

For example, if “empowering” is one of your words, a bold red or even deep purple may be a good way to go. Just try to stick to one main color and don’t go overboard. It’s also important to keep it simple and understated.

If you’re DIYing your logo, start by writing your brand name in a font that you like that is also easy to read. And don’t forget to keep your concept and ideal niche in mind! Again, women in their forties may not resonate with the same logos as 20-year-olds. Choosing the right visual graphics is key to successful branding.

4. Research competition brands

Believe it or not, part of branding for success means researching your competition. Checking out your competition can help you identify opportunities and enable you to create a brand that stands out! Doing a competitive analysis helps you understand your competitors' strengths and weaknesses in comparison to your own.

It can also assist you on how to price your products and services. For example, let's say you started a brand as a virtual assistant. You can research other companies that offer similar services so you can price accordingly. Getting informed about your competition is a big part of successful branding.

5. Create a professional website

I recommend a website for everyone because social media channels alone aren’t enough. Your social platforms should all point back to your website because that’s where they can learn more about you and even purchase what you and your brand have to offer. Your site is one of the only things in your business that you have complete control over, so be sure to take advantage of that opportunity! To do this, make sure you have a few key things in place:

  1. A homepage with at least one big takeaway action for viewers to do.
  2. An "about" page that is more about consumers and the brand than it is about you.
  3. Resources, blog posts, or products that showcase how you can best help them.
  4. A place for them to sign up and join your email list.

The bottom line is that you need a website to act as a home base for everything in your brand, not just for you but for others as well. A professional website is essential to successful branding.

Branding for success is easier with these steps

In the end, your brand is only partly made up of what people see; the rest all comes down to how you make people feel. Successful branding will help you build a thriving business and ensure you have happy repeat clients and customers. Learn more about building a successful brand and business with our new business owner course bundle - it's completely free!

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Starting a Side Business: How I Made $70K in One Year https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/the-side-business-that-earned-me-70k-one-year/ Sat, 24 Apr 2021 12:30:00 +0000 https://clevergirlcgf.wpengine.com/?p=5549 […]

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 This post contains some affiliate links. Please see our disclosures for more information.

Starting a side business

If you've followed Clever Girl Finance for a while, you know that I'm a huge fan of increasing your income through a small business (if you are new to this platform - welcome!), and one of the ways I've ramped up saving money is through my side hustles. Starting a side business is a great way to save money, pay off debt, and increase your income streams.

Amongst the side hustles I've had include selling Avon cosmetics to my mom's friends, starting an online retail store for bridal accessories, and becoming a part-time photographer.

My wedding photography business, called Onada Photography, was my longest-running side hustle which I did for 7 years. It also earned me the most amount of money of all my side hustles. Up to the tune of almost $70,000 in one particular year.

In this post, I'm breaking down just what I did to create a successful side hustle while still working at my full-time job, and I'm also sharing some tips that you can hopefully apply to your own side business (or even your full-time business) regardless of what industry you are in.

My steps on starting a side business

Whether you want to start a side business for extra money or eventually turn it into a career, there are key steps that will help you create a successful business. Here are the steps I took to start my side business.

1. I chose my side business

Starting a wedding photography business was mostly by accident. Photography has always been a big part of my life, going back to my childhood, which is why I love it so much.

My dad was always taking photos and I have tons and tons of photographs that document my childhood. Despite this, I never imagined myself as a wedding photographer, however, that's what happened.

I was visiting Jamaica for a friend's wedding and I had just purchased a new camera. It was a low-cost entry-level DSLR from Nikon and I took it along with me.

For whatever reason, my friend's wedding photographer was running late on the day of her wedding. She had seen my camera earlier on so she asked me to take a few photos before her photographer arrived.

I loved the photos and more importantly, so did she. This got me thinking that perhaps there was an opportunity to make some money with my photography!

Wedding in an apple orchard
One of the thousands of images I took over the course of my photography business.

Business tip for deciding on a side hustle

People ask me what type of side business they should start. Sometimes the answer is not always obvious, so look around you and see if there is something you do really well that people always compliment you on and that you know you could charge for.

Or perhaps you have a hobby that you could monetize. However, weddings are expensive, so finding a side business in the wedding industry can be quite lucrative. Don't be afraid to test things out.

2. I focused on growing my photography business

An important part of starting a side business is learning how to grow it. I advertised the first few weddings I did (on Craigslist back then) and shot them for free. Why free? Well, I did it because, honestly, I felt that if people were not paying me, they would understand that they got what they got (lol), I had so much to learn, and I really needed to build a portfolio of images to showcase on my photography website. I have since taken my photography website down, but you can see my photography business profile on Weddingwire.

It worked, people love free, especially people on a wedding budget, and because I didn't set any expectations and I put in my best effort, my clients loved their photographs.

I tried to reach out to more established photographers in my area to ask if I could be an assistant or second photographer for them to gain experience and to help build my portfolio, but I either got no responses or flat out no's and so I took it upon myself to find my own way. I bought books, watched videos, practiced on my family and friends, paid for workshops, and essentially became a self-taught photographer.

Once I built a solid portfolio, I was able to confidently charge for my work. I also set expectations on the type of images I would be delivering.

Onada photography on WeddingWire.com
My photography business profile on WeddingWire.com

Business tip for growing your business

When starting a side business, getting help and advice from more experienced people than you is the best way to learn; however, if you don't have that, you can still build a successful business. While I never got the opportunity to second shoot for anyone in the early stage of my business, I still managed to figure things out on my own, even with a ton of trial and error. Once I made a few friends in the industry, I was able to network and gain more experience from second-shooting.

Don't take a "No" as a defeat or as a reason to shut down your business (or perhaps not even start it); instead, try to figure things out on your own before you decide to quit.

It might be a slower learning process to do things on your own, but you can totally learn about your industry and grow your business on your own. You just have to make the time and put in the effort to do the research and more (networking is key) because it helps send referrals your way).

And in today's world, there are a ton of courses you can take in any industry to help you grow. YouTube is another incredible resource where you can learn how to do practically anything.

3. I invested back into my business

Once I started making money with my side business, I knew I needed to invest in better equipment to create a better portfolio to attract brides willing to pay more so I could ultimately charge more.

My goal was to build a business with zero debt, and so I started budgeting for my business. I also started a business savings account, and once I paid my business taxes, whatever was leftover was what I used to invest back into the business.

Over time I purchased new professional camera bodies, a variety of lenses, editing software, and also lighting and transportation equipment.

Beautiful indian bride
Another pretty bride I photographed.

If you are a photographer and are interested, my core arsenal consisted of Two Nikon Professional DSLR camera bodies, the 70-200mm, the 50mm 1.4, the 24-70mm, and the 60mm macro Nikon Lens. I also frequently rented the Nikon 85mm and 105mm lenses. My favorite photography book is called Understanding Exposure - I highly recommend it; it's an excellent book.

Business tip for investing back into your business

As I mentioned above, I'm a huge fan of starting a side business with no debt. Take things slowly and spend money as you make it with your side business. This way, you are not operating on a negative balance.

Also, start budgeting for your business, and be sure to keep your business finances completely separate from your personal finances. This is vital to a successful side hustle.

4. I put in the work

There's no substitute for hard work, and I worked hard at this business. After working at my day job (on average 60 hours a week), in the evenings (and sometimes early in the morning before I went to work), I was on my computer sorting and editing photos. On the weekends, I was busy photographing weddings and other events. I remember incredibly crazy summers doing back-to-back weddings -  Friday night,  Saturday, and then on Sunday.

I was exhausted but I was happy to be making all that extra money on the side. Most of which I put towards my long-term savings.

Some of the awards I won
Some of the awards I won.

I charged between $3,000 to $5,000 a wedding and $300 to $450 for my lifestyle photography sessions (e.g., baby sessions, engagement sessions, family sessions, etc.). The year I made almost $70,000 (~$68k), I photographed 19 weddings and several lifestyle sessions.

Business tip when it comes to working hard

If you want to build a successful side hustle or business, you will have to put in the work, and it will be hard. I won't try to downplay the effort. You are going to be tired, and you will get discouraged, frustrated, and stressed out.

But the rewards? They will trump all of that! It takes a lot of patience, an open mind, and a strong willingness to learn to build a successful business. If you stick with it, though, you'll be successful.

Increase your income by starting a side business

That, in a nutshell, is how I built and grew my photography business. I, however, said goodbye to it a few years ago. I was exhausted as a new mom and had pregnancy-related back issues. Both things combined are not conducive to standing for hours on end with heavy equipment.

I sold most of my equipment for a nice sum that I reinvested elsewhere. I still keep a camera and a couple of lenses to take photographs of my family from time to time.

However, I highly recommend starting a side business. It's a great way to increase your income, and it's something you may even turn into a career. Keep in mind that it does take time to build your business, and you should also create a business plan before you get started. Learn how to launch a successful side business with our completely FREE business owners course bundle!

The post Starting a Side Business: How I Made $70K in One Year appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Start A Business From Scratch https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/how-to-start-a-business-from-scratch/ Wed, 24 Mar 2021 12:20:42 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=11147 […]

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how to start business from scratch

As a business owner, you can reclaim more power and autonomy in many areas of your life. Not only can you take control of your income, but you also have more control over your time. The benefits of business ownership may entice you to learn how to start a business from scratch.

Although starting a business is no walk in the park, the hard work can definitely pay off in the end. With that in mind, let’s explore how to start a business from scratch today so you can become your own boss!

Key tips for how to start a business from scratch

When you dive into starting a business, there are many steps to walk through. If you take things one step at a time, you can build a strong business that stands the test of time. Here’s how to start a business from scratch. Keep in mind these tips are also relevant even if you are starting out with a side hustle!

Consider why you want to start a business

Step one is to consider what you want to achieve through your business. The first thought that comes to mind might include the financial benefits for yourself. But try to think beyond that. What else do you hope you achieve? You may want to build more flexibility into your life or solve a problem that faces many in our world.

Dig deep when determining why you truly want to start a business. When the going gets tough, you can look back on your reason and hopefully find the motivation to move forward.

Confirm that you have time to commit

Starting a business from scratch is definitely not an easy task. Although it can be rewarding, you should fully expect to commit a lot of time and energy to get your business idea off the ground.

With that, take a closer look at your schedule. Do you have time to commit to building a business right now? If not, what changes can you make to your schedule to provide the necessary room?

Keep in mind that even if you have other life obligations or are a mompreneur, with good planning you can build a successful business.

Brainstorm an idea that excites you

The right business idea makes all the difference. If you aren’t even excited about your business, you’ll likely have a hard time convincing potential customers to give you a try. Take some time to brainstorm potential business ideas.  Seek out an idea that excites you.

Research your target customers

A business cannot function without customers. So it is a good idea to start your business with your target customers in mind. Do some research to better understand what your customers are looking for in a product or service.

Not sure how to find out what your target customers want? Just listen to their opinions. If possible, build a prototype of a product and ask for live feedback. If a prototype isn’t possible, then use the resources at your disposal.

Dive into niche forums and ask questions to potential customers. When you have some feedback, take the time to implement the information you’ve learned into your business.

Build a business plan

A business plan essentially acts as a blueprint for your business. With a solid business plan in place, you can confidently move forward in starting a business. A business plan should include:

A high-level summary

What are the key features of your business?

Competitor analysis

How does it stand apart from the competition?

Market plan

What’s the strategy to sell your product or service in a competitive market?

Operations strategy

Outline the day-to-day activities of the company and long-term plans.

Of course, you can make changes to your business plan on the fly. When you dive into your business launch, you might have to pivot based on changes in the market. However, a business plan is a good place to get started. Here are some great example business plans to help get you inspired.

Register your business

Registering your business is an important step to solidify the legitimacy of your business. At this point, you’ll have to choose between several different business structures. Your choices include:

Sole proprietorship

Low costs and minimal paperwork make this an attractive opportunity for new business owners.

Partnership

Have just one partner? A partnership could be the appropriate structure.

Limited liability corporation (LLC)

LLCs are very popular business structures that provide some legal protections for your personal assets.

The right choice of business structure will depend on your unique financial situation. If you aren’t sure, then consider consulting with a financial advisor to determine which structure will work best for your finances.

Open a business bank account

When it comes to starting a business from scratch, your business finances are incredibly important. A business bank account is a chore that many avoid — myself included. But it is a very necessary part of building your own business.

You don’t want your business funds to mix with your personal bank accounts. Otherwise, it can be very tricky to keep track of.  Having business accounts like business checking and business savings accounts is essential to managing your business finances.

If you have an income plan, you might also consider getting pre-approved for a business credit card to build business credit and for your various transactions. If you need them, we have key tips on how to start a business with no money.

Set up a business website

A business website can serve as a central spot for your online presence. Although you don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a website, you should make sure that it’s easy for customers to find the information that they are looking for. A simple website with a clean design can be fairly easy to create and a useful place to direct potential customers.

Claim your social media accounts

Social media is a growing part of running a successful business. So once you have a business name, do claim your social media handles. Even if you aren’t planning on being active on the platform right away, claiming your handle means you can get started when you are ready.

If the exact handle you were hoping for isn’t available, get creative to find one that will work with your business. As time passes, you could hire a freelance marketer to help you.

Create content to market your business

Whether you sell a product or service, creating marketing content is key to making sales. Luckily, there are many different ways to create content. You can choose to write articles on a blog, post on social media, and get the word out about your business in other ways.

You may have to try several strategies before you find a combination that works well for your business.

Build a team

You don’t necessarily need a team to start a business from scratch. But at some point, you might need extra hands to reach your business goals. Don’t be afraid to build a team of competent people along the way.

Before hiring people to help out, consider what you need the most help with. Are there tasks that you absolutely dread? Are there some tasks that only you can tackle? Think through the tasks you need to hire out before putting out a job posting.

Buy necessary insurance

Depending on your business, you might need insurance right away. But this will vary dramatically based on the type of business you have. With that, take some time to research the insurance needs in your industry.

The bottom line: You can start a business from scratch

Now that you know the basics of how to start a business from scratch, you’ll likely realize there is a lot of hard work along the way. But it can be absolutely worth it when you reach your business goals.

Ready to start your business? Take advantage of our free business course bundle that will walk you through the process!

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7 Types Of Blogs That Make Money https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/types-of-blogs-that-make-money/ Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:03:32 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=11240 […]

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Types of blogs that make money

When trying to learn about the types of blogs that make money, it’s important to keep in mind things like your own interest and specialty. Having a blog can help you earn money on the side, while also writing about things and products you care about.

And you can hone your research and writing skills. Best of all, it’s easy to do, as it only requires a hosting site, a computer, and access to the internet.

How do blogs make money?

Do you have a favorite blogger and wonder how exactly they make money with their blog? Well, blogging can be just as much work as a job. In fact, for many, blogging can become a business.

There are few ways to make money from blogging, including hosting advertising from platforms like Google Adsense, Adthrive, or Mediavine. When a reader clicks on an ad, you make a little bit of money.

You can also get paid to promote products, which is known as affiliate marketing. In addition, you can use your blog to promote your own business or products, such as online courses, ebooks, or coaching services. Most bloggers use a combination of all three to diversify their revenue streams.

Different types of blogs that make money

You can use these suggestions below as a guideline as you do your own research on starting a blog to make money, but remember to find a niche in a topic you’re passionate about. Blogging takes time and you’ll need to write a lot to make money, so make sure you’re writing about something you really can’t stop talking (or writing) about.  Here are some types of blogs that make money:

1. Frugal living blogs

Do you have a knack for personal finance? Do you love balancing your accounts at the end of the month? Then think about a blog about frugal living. These types of blogs help readers manage their finances better. They often include tips about things like saving money, setting up a budget, and becoming debt-free. You can even specialize in this area, for example, blogging about frugal living as a single mom, or targeting a specific age group.

Millennial Revolution, for example, is a blog started by a couple who write about how to save money and live outside of a 9-to-5 job.

2. Parenting blogs

Raising kids is difficult. Parenting blogs give advice to other parents or those expecting. If you have kids and want to share stories about raising your kids, then consider starting a parenting blog. It’s also something that a lot of people can relate to. Are you really good at coming up with activities to do with your kids? Blog about it!

A good example of a parenting blog is Mommy On Purpose, a blog started by Carly who writes about everything from how to potty train, to saving money on baby clothes, to cleaning tips.

3. Lifestyle  blogs

Lifestyle blogs can be about pretty much anything that has to do with your life. It’s the one niche on this list that isn’t just about one thing but can be about many things. Are you a digital nomad? Or maybe you are really good at writing about relationship advice and decorating. Or maybe you’re all three!  A lifestyle blog does just that and is essentially you writing about your life.

Advice From A Twenty-Something is an example of a lifestyle blog. It covers fashion, beauty, and living for people in their 20s and makes money from affiliate links.

4. Health and fitness blogs

Everyone wants to be healthy but finding recipes and exercise routines can be daunting. That’s where health and fitness blogs come in. These blogs usually include things like tips for making healthy snacks, how to create workout plans, and more.

For example, Nerd Fitness offers workout routines, tips on creating a workout at home, and information on popular fitness diets like the keto and paleo diet. Many online personal trainers use blogs to make money through coaching and a subscription service.

Marketing blogs

Creating content about marketing is another way to make money from blogs. It’s a bit more niche and usually is for other marketers or for a specific type of content. Many companies will use marketing blogs as a way to get readers to sign up for other services or products.

Another similar niche to marketing is writing about freelancing or best SEO practices. Or even writing about blogging itself! An example of a marketing blog is Copy Blogger, which writes about all things writing-related, from how to write like Hemmingway, to using bullet points in an article.

Food blogs

If you love food and coming up with different ways to make dishes, you’ll love writing about food. Food blogs usually include recipes and tips. They also have lots of photos and may include videos. If you’re the type of Instagrammer who always posts photos of your food and trying to find the perfect angle to highlight the dressing in your salad, then food blogs could be for you.

One of my favorite food blogs is The Clever Carrot. It’s a blog all about bread, specifically sourdough bread. I actually learned how to bake sourdough bread from reading this blog during quarantine. Food blogs are usually top on the list when it comes to types of blogs that make money.

Travel blogs

Travel blogs are another way to make money from blogging. Travel blogs make travel easy and approachable. They can be destination-specific but also include things about how to plan and saving money to travel.

An example is Messy Nessy, the curiosity cabinet of travel blogs. While it started out as a Paris-focused travel blog, it now covers art, weekend city guides, random historical information, and fashion tips. It makes its money through subscriptions, and it’s two guidebooks on Paris and New York.

Create an income with one of these types of blogs that make money!

There are lots of benefits to blogging and different types of blogs that make money, but first, you need to find your niche. Figure out what you are passionate about. Use these blog ideas as a springboard to come up with your own ideas for your blog. Once you have your niche you can work on turning your passion into a revenue stream!

The post 7 Types Of Blogs That Make Money appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How I Quit My Job To Run My Business Full-Time https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/i-quit-my-job-to-run-my-business/ Sun, 28 Feb 2021 13:21:31 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=10907 […]

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Quitting my job Bola Sokunbi

A few years ago, I quit my job, where I was earning a six-figure salary to pursue my dreams of being a full-time entrepreneur. In this article, I'm sharing exactly what steps I took to prepare myself financially to take the leap from being a full-time employee to being a full-time small business owner.

There are many different ways to make the transition from employee to small business owner. One of the most obvious is to quit your job whether you have a plan or not.

But I chose a slower and more thought-out approach because I wanted to maximize my chances of success. Not only that, I wanted to minimize the amount of stress I could potentially face—specifically financial stress.

If like me, becoming a full-time small business owner is one of your goals, then you can definitely do it and do it successfully too. As long as you are willing to plan accordingly, put in some effort, and be patient with yourself so you can transition in a way that makes the most sense for you to succeed.

First up, let's discuss why I took the leap into entrepreneurship full time.

Why I quit my job to run my business

I've always dabbled in business in one way or another. From selling Avon to my mom's friends (way back in the day) to owning my own retail business to having a wedding photography business, I've tried out and been successful at a number of side hustles. I've also had several failures and learned a lot about what it takes to run a small business.

All of these lessons lead me to the point where I felt like I was ready to pursue my passion of running my own businesses as a full-time gig. I quit my job where I was earning six figures (and had some pretty awesome benefits) because I wanted to do something that really mattered to me and wanted to live life on my own terms.

I also knew that being a small business owner would remove the income-earning cap I had as a full-time employee. That means there's no limit to how much I can potentially earn as a business owner.

However, quitting my full-time job required some serious preparation on my end—both mentally and financially.

7 Things I did before quitting my job

Below are 7 things I did during my evenings and weekends to make sure I prepared myself as best I could and set a solid foundation to succeed as a small business owner.

1. I created my business plan

One of the first things I did when I came up with the idea for Clever Girl Finance was to put it all down on paper. I laid out all my thoughts and ideas for my business. The things that would be easy to accomplish to the things that were out of scope (and budget) that I planned on pursuing later were all included.

I also laid out my WHY for starting my business, who it would be servicing/helping, how much I would need to get it started and keep it running. I spelled out my short- and long-term business goals and a bunch of other important details about my business.

Creating that first pass of my business plan helped me think through what it was I was trying to accomplish before quitting my job. It's something I frequently revisit and update.

Business plan tips

Before you spend any of your hard-earned money, you definitely want to layout your idea in the form of a business plan. It doesn't have to be 100 pages long or in a fancy presentation format. But your business plan needs to answer a few basic questions, including:

  • What is your business about?
  • Who is your target / demographic, what problem will it solve for them and why should they buy from you?
  • What products and services will you offer?
  • How will you market to them?
  • How will you fund your business (start-up costs and continuous operating costs)?
  • Where do you see your business in 12 months, 24 months, 5 years, etc?
  • Who /what do you need to support you (people, tools)?

Also, keep in mind that your business plan should never be static. As you grow as a small business owner, your business may evolve or you may change direction completely. So your business plan is something that should be revisited often.

2. I set up my business entity, trademark, and bank accounts

Once I had my business plan laid out and was comfortable with what I wanted to begin working on over the short term (my brand, website, content creation, social proof, getting feedback, etc.).

I set up my business entity and business bank accounts (business checking and savings). I also began talks with my lawyer about establishing my trademark.

Tips for setting up your business structure

It's really important to separate business finance from your personal finance for a variety of reasons. First of all, you want to make sure you are not violating any rules and regulations of owning a small business by ensuring your business is set up with the right legal entity (e.g. sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation).

You also want to ensure that you can accurately track your business financials (your transactions, profitability or losses, taxes). And most importantly, you want to avoid any issues with the IRS.

3. I bulked up my emergency fund

Knowing that my intention was to become a full-time business owner, I made it a goal to bulk my emergency savings up to cover more than the standard 3 to 6 months of basic living expenses. My goal was 12-18 months, which I figured was a good amount to keep me going in the event I didn't earn enough of an income as quickly as I hoped.

My spouse works, so his income could be my fallback in the event that things did not go accordingly to plan. However, I wanted my transition of quitting my job to cause little or no financial burden on him. And I wanted to continue to be able to contribute toward our household expenses seamlessly.

Tips for building your emergency savings

Make it a goal to fully fund your emergency account for unplanned expenses and your sinking fund if you have planned expenses coming up. Calculate what your monthly basic living expenses are and then plan to put aside at least 6 months in savings before you quit your job. One year would be even better!

4. I created my business budget

Creating a business budget helped me lay out what my startup costs would be as well as my estimated monthly expenses that I'd need to pay to keep my business up and running.

It also helped me determine how much, at a minimum, I need to be making each month in income to not only cover my expenses but also to break even and start earning a profit so I can pay myself a salary.

Tips for creating a business budget

Creating a business budget is critical to the financial success of your business. It helps you track your income and expenses and helps you determine your business profits or losses.

Your business budget can also help you gain valuable insights on what's working best or what isn't in your business in terms of the products and services you offer and how much income they are generating for you.

I use Quickbooks to track my day-to-day transactions and to create reports for my accountant. I also use a platform called Guso to run payroll.

5. I waited until I was generating some income in my business

Before quitting my job, I made sure my business was generating a consistent amount of income that I knew I could scale if I went full time.

This meant that before quitting, I spent a lot of time testing out business models, and different products and services to see what worked. I continue to do as I grow my business.

Tips for managing your business income

Waiting until your business starts making some money is not a bad idea. It gives you an opportunity to "prove your concept" and also helps you determine what works well or not.

The income your business generates does not need to replace your work salary entirely, but it should be enough to cover your business expenses.

6. I started saving money for my business

Once my business started making money, the next thing on my agenda was to put some money in my business savings account and business emergency account. My goal was to get my business to the point where it was 100% self-sustaining before I quit my job. That means the business can fund itself, and I no longer fund the business out of my personal money.

The savings accounts I set up are specifically for future projects (goal savings), to keep the business running in the event of a slow season (emergency), and to pay my quarterly taxes.

The goal for my business emergency savings was to have 6 months of operating expenses put aside. This includes any contractor fees I needed to pay (i.e. a virtual assistant).

Tips for saving money for your business

Think of your business savings accounts (goal savings, emergency, taxes, etc.) similarly to how you would look at your personal savings. As a small business owner, you probably have short- and long-term goals for your business. You'll need money to support them.

In addition, unplanned circumstances come up in business as well where you'll need to cover the cost of something you didn't plan for. So it's definitely smart to start saving for your business as soon as you are able to.

7. I prepared mentally for the lifestyle & emotions that come with entrepreneurship

This is a big one. From being a small business owner and full-time employee together, I knew that a lot of work, time and energy was required to make my business successful.

While working full time, there were never enough hours to get things done in my business. Before quitting my job, I spent late nights and long weekends working on my business.

As such, I had to decide that this was something I wanted to do long-term. From scaling things down financially to support my transition to being everything and everyone in business, I realized that patience and rest (so I don't burn out) would be my greatest allies.

Also, a ton of emotions come with being a full-time entrepreneur. There will be exciting highs of being your own boss. There will be low times of feeling like you made a big mistake or will never succeed.

But it's important that you come up with ways to deal with the varying emotions you will experience. You also want to keep making progress toward your business goals.

Tips for getting support as you build your business

Find people on the same journey as you or who are further along than you are and stay in touch. Share how you are feeling, talk business and get motivated and inspired by each other.

Quitting my job led to success

Was it easy quitting my job and building a successful business? No, but taking the key steps of creating a business plan, budget, and building my business before I quit my job is how I have become a successful business owner. It takes hard work and tenacity, but you can succeed if you try.

Also, remember, patience and rest are critical on your journey. Need some help to jumpstart your plans? Check out our FREE business courses!

The post How I Quit My Job To Run My Business Full-Time appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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How To Get Started With Lifestyle Blogging https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/lifestyle-blogging/ Thu, 18 Feb 2021 16:09:15 +0000 https://www.clevergirlfinance.com/?p=10798 […]

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Lifestyle blogging

Lifestyle blogging can be a fun way to express yourself and create an income stream. But is starting a lifestyle blog right for you? Today we’ll explore how to start a lifestyle blog, and you can determine if lifestyle blogging is the right fit for you.

What is lifestyle blogging all about?

When you click through popular lifestyle blogs, you’ll notice one thing in common. Most successful lifestyle blogs focus on the reader experience. Although you might see a lot of information about the interests and passions of the blogger, the content will likely be designed to help you solve similar problems in your own life.

In some cases, lifestyle blogging can intertwine with social media influencing. You might find a lifestyle blogger through a social media platform and then enjoy their site.

Lifestyle blogging niches

There is no shortage of lifestyle blogs. The number of lifestyle blogs circulating the internet is fairly high. But lifestyle blogs can cover a wide range of topics and niches including:

Health and wellness

Health and wellness is a popular topic for lifestyle blogging. You might find workout routines or healthy eating advice in a health and wellness blog. Two great examples are Well + Good and Love Sweat Fitness.

Personal finance

Personal finance is another lifestyle blogging niche. You will learn the ins and outs of finance on these blogs. Clever Girl Finance is a perfect example!

Business and entrepreneurship

Inspiring entrepreneurship stories and practical business-building advice can be found on these lifestyle blogs. A few good examples include Classy Career Girl and The Work at Home Woman.

Travel

Adventurers with a case of wanderlust will find themselves attracted to travel blogs, which are a type of lifestyle blog. Hey Nadine and Travel Noire are great examples of travel blogs done right.

Parenting

Parenting is a broad topic. But you’ll find a variety of takes in the parenting blogging world. Savvy Sassy Moms is a good resource in this niche.

Cooking

Want to share cooking inspiration? Readers can find amazing recipes on cooking blogs. Budget Bytes is my go-to blog when I’m looking for a new recipe.

Fashion

Great at giving fashion advice? Fashion blogging could be a good option for you. Sincerely Jules and 9 to 5 Chic are well-done examples.

Home improvement

Are you the queen of DIY projects? A home improvement blog could be the right place to share your skills. Young House Love and Home Tips could provide the right inspiration.

Here’s a more expansive sampling of some of the best types of lifestyle blogs in our opinion!

How to start a lifestyle blog

Are you ready to start lifestyle blogging? Let’s walk through the steps you will need to take in order to get started.

Choose your niche

First things first, you have to start by choosing your niche (see ideas above!). It can be tempting to dive right in with a smattering of ideas. But it is a good idea to narrow down the focus of your blog before jumping in headfirst.

A narrow niche allows you to focus on a specific reading experience. When a reader finds what they are looking for on your blog, they’ll want to keep reading with you. But if you have too many topics on your blog, they could find themselves lost among the content.

With that, consider narrowing down your blog to a specific niche. You can still be successful with a wide focus. But you might find the process more manageable with a defined niche to help your reader.

Pick the right platform

When you are setting up your blog, you’ll need to choose a platform to work on. Although there are many options, WordPress is a great choice.

With a wide range of free themes, tools, customizable options without coding experience, and free plugins, WordPress is a winner. WordPress is the most commonly used platform and there are a plethora of resources to help you learn the basics.

Beyond that, you should use WordPress because it allows you to build a useful skillset. Many bloggers use WordPress. Even if you decide to try freelance writing or become a virtual assistant, knowing how to navigate through a WordPress site is a critical skill to have.

Pick the right hosting

Once you’ve selected your platform and secured your domain name, it is time to pick the right hosting. For example, GoDaddy is an affordable choice with a solid reputation.

How to make money with a lifestyle blog

Although you can absolutely start a blog without the intention to make a dime, some of us would like to see a monetary reward for our labors. After all, building a thriving blog with a dedicated audience is hard work. With that, it is perfectly reasonable that you would want to see some return on your investment of time.

Here are the most popular ways to earn an income through your lifestyle blog:

Ads

Although ad revenue might be limited, you can build some income as your readership grows. Some ways to incorporate ads into your site are via Google Adsense. There are also ad networks like Mediavine and Adthrive that you can join but they have monthly visit requirements.

Sponsored posts

Some companies will pay you to write an article about their service or product for your audience. But in order to charge top dollar, you need to be able to show stats around your readership metrics and community size.

Affiliates

You can pitch useful items to your audience and earn a percentage of sales made. There are platforms like Impact Radius where you can search for relevant affiliate programs to join.

Online store

You can sell anything through an online store attached to your blog. Find items that match your blog’s theme. For example, you could sell printables or physical items. Check out the Clever Girl Finance shop for inspiration!.

Books

You can publish and sell books to meet the needs of your audience. This can be a great way to expand your income streams.

Freelance writing

You can use the skillset you build as a blogger to get paid as a writer for other brands and platforms.

Online courses

Selling courses online is another way to earn an income. It's all about laying a course in an area you are skilled in. You'll need to create a course curriculum, videos, worksheets, and more. However if executed the right way, this can be great for passive income!

As you dive into the world of blogging, you’ll find several other ways to earn an income. Check out our full article about how to make money with a blog for more ideas.

There are also some really great books about blogging that you can read and excellent blogging courses you can take!

Should you become a lifestyle blogger?

Lifestyle blogging can be a fun way to pursue your passions. If you are interested in simply connecting with readers and writing about what interests you, then a blog is a great fit.

If you are determined to make an income with your blog, it will likely take some time. But with hard work and dedication, you can absolutely earn an income through blogging. A blog based on your interests can be an entertaining way to build an income stream. But if you are looking for an immediate source of income, you might be better off pursuing a different side hustle opportunity.

Lifestyle blogging can be great!

If you are ready to get started, then take the first step today! Start braining storming your idea, set up your website, and create your first piece of content. Your lifestyle blog could be a creative outlet, a way to increase your income, and even a way to build a thriving community! Plus, there are so many different types of blog ideas you can get started with!

The post How To Get Started With Lifestyle Blogging appeared first on Clever Girl Finance.

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