Three free online certifications that may help you earn extra cash
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – For many U.S. workers, battling inflation feels much like trying to use a treadmill to reach a destination. Statistics indicate that the year the pandemic began, 37.2 million Americans lived in poverty. Since 2020, these numbers continue to tell a story of a developed country home to millions of citizens who don’t earn what’s necessary to cover their basic needs. In response to the impacts of inflation, many working people are tightening their budgets and finding ways to earn more cash. In hopes of adding to their bank accounts, some take free online courses that end with the receipt of a certification that can be utilized in an entrepreneurial endeavor. For example, in Louisiana, some of the most lucrative paying careers of 2022 include web development, videography, and massage therapy. Individuals pursuing these fields may be able to improve their abilities by taking one of the following free online courses: #1 Certification: Inbound Marketing Certification Offered by: Hubspot Academy. How it can help: This course will hone marketing skills related to content strategy, social media promotion, and conversion optimization strategy. An entrepreneur looking for the best way to get the word out about their company may be able to tap into knowledge gained from this course. #2 Certification: Certification in Supervision Skills Offered by: Alison How it can help: Entrepreneurs who will be managing assistants or employees may benefit from this course as it focuses on how to become a better team leader and covers strategies to help resolve team conflict. #3 Certification: Advanced Google Analytics course Offered by: Google Analytics How it can help: Small business owners who want to leverage the internet as a place to advertise may benefit from this course’s analysis of website traffic and strategies designed to expand a business’s audience by using new marketing strategies. Click here for more information on free online courses. Here are the best ways to save money on internet and phone service Our wallets are strained right now as we deal with inflation soaring 9.1% in June, the steepest hike in more than four decades. So, people are looking for where they can cut costs, and phone and internet services are a couple of areas where they can save money. (WXYZ) — Our wallets are strained right now as we deal with inflation soaring 9.1% in June, the steepest hike in more than four decades. So, people are looking for where they can cut costs, and phone and internet services are a couple of areas where they can save money. David Chacon, a husband and father from Dearborn Heights, said he was able to get his bill down by threatening to cancel his service with a company. Chacon said he and his wife made between 10-20 calls to Comcast over the course of about 15 years. “So, when you would call and threaten to cut off your service, how much money would you end up saving?" I asked. ”I would say that there were times where we saved up to $100 a month," he said. Penny Wang, the deputy editor at Consumer Reports, said prices for internet services were only up about 2.6% over the past year, with residential phone service actually dropping .1%. Now may be a good time to see if you can find a cheaper deal. "It's about comparing prices for sure, though. In some areas, you may not have a lot of competition, but it's also about negotiating, haggling, if you will, particularly for internet services," Wang said. A Consumer Reports survey last year showed 70% of respondents got a break on internet service when they asked for it, resulting in everything from lower prices to faster speeds, and even some add-ons. Wang recommends you compare prices first, then threaten to disconnect if your provider won't match the better deal. ”The Disconnect Department often has more authority to give you a better deal, perhaps, than the first person you reach," Wang said. That's what Chacon has found, but you have to be prepared to leave if you make the threat. This past January, he did. “It was just the right move for us to make disconnecting the cable and just going with the streaming services," Chacon said. For lower-income families, you may benefit from a federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program. The big takeaway is to ask for a better deal, as you won't often get it if you don't ask for it. While that can be time-consuming, it could mean a monthly savings. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Make money online with payment links on this app In South Africa, jobs are hard to come by. The unemployment rate currently stands at 34.5%, most acutely affecting people younger than 35 years. But there is still hope for South Africa's youth. Young South Africans are taking the entrepreneurial route to answer their problems. Armed with smartphones, these tech-savvy entrepreneurs are finding ways to make money online using what they have at their disposal. One of the more popular avenues is social commerce, which involves using social networking websites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to sell. It is also one of the easiest ways to make money online. And with the local social commerce market expected to grow by 107.8% this year, it's no wonder more hustle-hungry entrepreneurs are taking their side hustles online. Here are some easy ways entrepreneurs and side hustlers are making money online and how they’re getting paid. Facebook Marketplace Facebook’s Marketplace started as a peer-to-peer selling platform, which enabled users to sell second-hand products to people nearby. Since then, Facebook Marketplace has expanded to offer merchant services. Now, small businesses can link their e-commerce stores and sell directly to customers through Facebook Marketplace. Still, Facebook Marketplace is a handy tool for those making their first foray into digital business. It's a low-barrier way to make money from home with zero investment, making it easier to connect with customers, market goods and convert sales. Facebook doesn’t facilitate the payment, but there are other options. Payment providers like iKhokha offer convenient solutions like payment links, which enable the exchange of funds without cash or a card machine. Instagram shopping Instagram shopping is an excellent place to start if you're looking to sell products online. Take a scroll through Insta and you'll quickly notice local entrepreneurs using the platform to flaunt their creativity. Clothing, beauty products, jewellery and handmade goods are some of the top sellers. Find a way to commodify your interests and skills, and you'll be able to start selling immediately. The only caveat? You will need to have an Instagram or Facebook Business page. Luckily, it’s easy enough to convert your personal account if you want to make the switch. Instagram does charge a nominal selling fee as insurance, but you won't have to deal with refunds or returns, making it easier to get started. Virtual service providers Young South Africans also use their skills and interests to make money online. The increased popularity of remote work has led to a rise in virtual services. Creators, educators and personal trainers are all making the most of this new way of working. By casting their nets further afield, these entrepreneurs can reach new clients in new cities and across international borders. These professionals have opened new revenue channels at minimal cost by using free video conferencing tools such as Zoom and remote payment links as a convenient alternative to EFT payments. Guesthouses and B&Bs In 2021, South African Airbnb hosts collectively earned over R2 billion. So, it’s no surprise that renting out additional rooms in your home for short stays can be a lucrative business. Small guesthouses, B&Bs and even homeowners have decided to cut out the middleman by marketing directly to local travellers to forego Airbnb’s 3% host fee and 14% guest fee. Once again, payment links make the process easier. Hosts can accept deposits and guests can make upfront payments remotely to secure their booking before their stay. Influencers While 'influencer' has become a buzzword, young South Africans still leverage their impressive social media followings to make money online. So much so that Influencer Marketing Hub estimates that some influencers can make up to R10 000 for a single Instagram post. Whether through completing promotional work with brands or selling your products and services, platforms like Instagram can be happy hunting grounds for those who have taken the time to build their audiences. Such is the demand for influencers that there are now entire agencies dedicated to facilitating influencer marketing. However, some choose to do it alone to maximise their money-making opportunities. Payment links are also proving to be valuable to these personal brand builders. With remote payments, these creators can continue to work and run their businesses from anywhere, giving them more flexibility. Various payment options are available if you are interested in making money online. iKhokha is one of South Africa's leading payment providers for small businesses and side hustlers. Find out more about their products at www.ikhokha.com
.
0 Comments