Franchising Since: 1955

Headquarters: Canton, Mass.

Number of Units: 12,871 (approx)

About the Dunkin Donuts Franchise

Dunkin’ Donuts has become one of the most recognizable brands in the country. Dunkin’ Donuts originally started as a business that keeps it simple, serving coffee and doughnuts. While Dunkin’ Donuts still does that – and does it very well, many would argue — they’ve also been expanding their product line. Mainly, they’re attempting to entice their customers to come back for lunch.

RELATED: 6 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING A FRANCHISE

In the past five years, Dunkin’ Donuts has increased its number of U.S. locations by 8,000 to a total of just over 12,000. Dunkin’ Donuts stores can also be found in over 35 countries.

Requirements for Dunkin Donuts Franchisees

Dunkin’ Donuts requires that its franchisees have a net worth of at least a quarter of a million dollars, with $125,000 of liquid capital available. To start a franchise, a franchisee will have to make a minimum investment of just over $200,000. For that investment, a franchisee obviously benefits from Dunkin’ Donuts’ great brand reputation and recognition.

Financial Assistance

The franchisor facilitates through third-party lenders, financing for qualified franchisees. The amount of financing and period of repayment varies by program, circumstances, and creditworthiness of the applicant.

Term of Agreement and Renewal When Purchasing a Dunkin Donuts Franchise

The length of the franchise term is typically 20 years. Additionally, if they comply with all requirements, the franchisee may purchase an additional term.

Breakdown of Costs for a Dunkin Donuts Franchise

The following information is compiled from the Franchise Disclosure Document of Dunkin’ Donuts (2019). The FDD will provide you with in-depth information regarding the costs and expenses you can plan to incur when developing a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise.

The Building Costs and Site Development Costs vary due to location. Also, they can vary if it is within a convenience store, freestanding versus a shopping center, and/or if it has a Baskin Robbins attached.

Initial Franchise Fee (20-year term): $40,000 to $90,000

Building Costs: $90,000 to $540,000

Building costs include the cost to construct a building. The franchisor estimates that a freestanding building will cost $60 to $260 per square foot (estimating 1,000 to 2,500 square feet).

Site Development Costs: $0 to $200,000

Site development costs include the costs to develop the land and other site improvements. This includes exterior landscaping, electrical and water hookup, paving, sidewalks, lighting, etc. The low end of the range is the estimated cost for you to negotiate a build-to-suit lease. This is a lease in which the landlord incurs most development costs, and you make a lease deposit.

Real Estate Costs: Varies

Real estate costs vary considerably according to the type of restaurant. Additionally, they will depend on real estate values in your area, your real estate interest (leasehold or ownership), location, size of the site, code requirements and other factors. For example, they include labor costs, as well as whether you, your landlord, or the franchisor develop the restaurant.

Electronic Cash Register/Retail Technology System: $24,700 to $61,000

Opening Inventory: $8,000 to $20,000

Your initial inventory of merchandise and supplies you will need for the operation of the restaurant will include raw ingredients and products for resale. Also, it will include containers and other paper, plastic, or similar goods, maintenance and cleaning materials, office supplies, and miscellaneous materials and supplies.

Misc. Opening Costs: $9,500 to $70,000

These costs are related to pre-opening employee training payroll, utility deposits, petty cash, distribution center refundable fee, interior landscaping plants, sound systems, office supplies, licenses and permits, and banking pre-opening costs.

Licenses, Permits, Fees and Deposits: $3,500 to $5,500

Uniforms: $400 to $1,200 

Insurance: $4,500 to $16,000

You must provide commercial general liability coverage with minimum limits in the amount of $2,000,000 per occurrence. You will also need to provide employment practices liability coverage with minimum limits in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence. Additionally, you must provide all-risk property coverage, plate-glass coverage, and employers’ liability and workers’ compensation insurance, in accordance with the franchisor’s published standards.

Travel and Living Expenses While Training: $2,000 to $35,000

The above-estimated range of costs is for two people to attend the Dunkin’ Donuts initial training program for 6 to 8 weeks (depending on the production platform and the opportunity to support a new restaurant opening), including transportation, board, lodging, sanitation exam, and uniforms.

Marketing Startup Fee: $10,000  

Additional Funds for First 3 Months of Operation: $105,000

ESTIMATED TOTAL (doesn’t include real estate costs): $272,600 to $1,523,050

These figures are estimates in setting up a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise and operating it for three months. It is possible to exceed costs in any of the areas above.

If you want to see more about the Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise application, they have it conveniently listed along with other information to review before purchasing.

RELATED: HOW TO BUY A FRANCHISE

The post Dunkin’ Donuts Franchise Cost and Information appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Trade shows are a phenomenal opportunity for businesses. For example, they give companies a chance to educate attendees about their business and industry. However, we don’t all have millions of dollars in our budgets to organize a successful trade show. Here are eight tips that will help you stretch every dollar of your budget. Moreover, you won’t have to sacrifice quality.

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1. Concept

Areas that you should freely discuss with your team include design, collaboration, and how you’ll use technology. For example, designing a concept that will blow prospects’ minds, like Steve Jobs did, is one of the most cost-effective things you can do to have a successful trade show experience.

2. Booth Space

Clutter is never a good sign, either in real life or in business. Therefore, use floor space optimally. The goal here is to ration space for exhibitions, whether you have a trade show booth rental or your own booth.

3. Frame Your Audience

Every business has its ideal audience, its “perfect customer.” Therefore, go after an audience in your niche by developing specific interest points. Moreover, learn to ignore other audience types. Your business is not for them. As a matter of fact, doing this can actually make it easier on your budget, depending on your ideal customer.

4. Solicit Vendors

How does participating with you benefit vendors? Show them. For instance, locate vendors who are specific to your niche. Share with them the theme of your event, your floor plan layouts, and more. Vendors who are interested in what you have to offer will be more inclined to jump on board with you.

5. Marketing Budget

No business owner enjoys wasting much-needed resources on promotion and advertising if all it does is amount to a loss of potential revenue.

Therefore, find out if your audience’s chief influencers are on social media. And if they are, forget advertising in the newspaper, or on radio and in trade publications.

6. Partnerships

Find out how many beverage suppliers are in your area. Your research can be as simple as hitting up the search engines and learning about relevant businesses in your area. Also, be sure to contact design students. Give one or more of them the opportunity to expand their professional portfolio. That is, ask them to create marketing materials and other promotions to help you have a more successful trade show.

7. The Right Venue

Not every trade show under the sun needs to be held at a convention center. Plus, such shows might be severely out of reach for your budget. Moreover, they might not match with your company’s mission.

Instead, look to banquet halls, hotel ballrooms, or other rooms that are available for rent by the public. As a matter of fact, you’ll find a variety of venues that you can participate in. Consider the correct ones where your brand can have a successful trade show. What’s more, be sure to book your space months in advance, if possible.

8. Free Media Coverage

One of the authors of The Art of Barter used to host a radio station. In the book, the authors tell about how they got to stay at an expensive hotel—for free.

How they did it was they offered the hotel an advertising spot on the radio station in exchange for a room for the night. The hotel manager agreed to the deal. Therefore, both parties profited from the principle of bartering.

You can use the same principle with local publications, social media outlets, and other forms of media. For example, perhaps you could offer the trade show organizer a discount for your services or products in exchange for free access to the trade show.

Follow These Tips for a Successful Trade Show Experience

Organizing a successful trade show on a budget is about more than looking for areas where you can cut corners. Instead, it’s about making your attendees and visitors feel as comfortable and enthusiastic as possible. As a matter of fact, this should be your main goal.

Therefore, aim to entice people. Create a spectacle. Have the guts to be memorable and yours will definitely be a successful trade show experience.

The post 8 Tips to Organize a Successful Trade Show on a Budget appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Of course, there is a certain sense of freedom that comes when you escape from your old corporate cubicle. For a while, that sense of freedom can boost your creative mojo. However, familiar distractions can soon interfere with your intention to buckle down to uninterrupted hard work.

Therefore, whether you’re a freelance SEO marketer or an interior design blogger, setting up your home-based office for success is one of the most crucial pieces of putting together a dynamic workspace. With that in mind, the following methods of priming your home-based office will transform your productivity level in a few easy steps.

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Go Minimalist

Going minimalist takes a great deal of decluttering. In order to do that, you’ll need to assess what you need and what you don’t to an extreme. If you’re the distractible type, for example, ridding your workspace of temptation in its many forms is the first step to going minimalist.

Any tech you don’t need should be the first to go. For example, there’s probably no need for a 65-inch TV or an iPad if you don’t use either for work. Additionally, keep decorations to a minimum. For those who tend to let their minds wander, analyzing photos or intricate pieces of art will only result in wasting time. Therefore, pick a only couple of pictures or a couple of pieces of art on Etsy for aesthetic effect.

Declutter Your Desk

As we mentioned earlier, decluttering is part of the minimalist movement. What’s more, your desk is the easiest place to run wild. This is especially true given the amount of paperwork, bookkeeping, and note-taking you need to complete for an effective day’s work.

However, swimming in an abyss of pens and papers gives more room for distraction and less room for focus. Therefore, equip your office space with a multi-drawer storage stack to give a home to those loose materials. Also, invest in a wall calendar to keep track of important timelines. Use sticky notes for reminders. The more available space, the better. Do yourself a favor and clean that desk up!

Pick a Productive Space

Select a room in your house that has plenty of natural light, an operable window, and enough space to foster your big ideas. That’s because tiny, cramped, closet-sized offices can feel claustrophobic after a few hours. Therefore, be sure to pick a room that you can stand to be in for long eight-hour days.

Additionally, if you’re running a business out of your home and expect to have clients over from time to time, be sure the space is one you are proud to show.

Add a Splash of Greenery

Plants will brighten the space. What’s more, they will also improve the air quality in your office.

So consider buying a spider plant or a dracaena plant. Both are easy to care for and look gorgeous in any space. However, be wary of plants that may attract nasty insects. This can compromise the integrity and cleanliness of your office space. Though Housecall Pro’s pest control software makes finding a solution simple, you’re better off avoiding plants that attract pests in the first place.

Light up Your Space with Warmer Tones

Use warm colors rather than cooler ones. This could put your brain in the mood for learning and creating.

It’s interesting to note that studies over the years have shown that extended exposure to fluorescent lights has a number of negative effects on stress and anxiety levels. So instead of fluorescent lighting, use lights with yellow tones. This can make your space feel warmer and more conducive to work production. You are, after all, looking to make your home-based office feel productive. You might as well invest in things that make it sustainable, too.

Use a Virtual Assistant

A virtual assistant could be the hands-free help you need for small tasks that would otherwise distract you. The Sonos One and Google Home Hub are both excellent options for voice-recognition commanding. If you need a reminder or simply want to know what traffic is like to the local print shop, your virtual assistant can let you know in seconds. All you have to do is ask! What’s more, their compact and sleek style fit into a minimalist setup without any extra clunk or distraction.

Apply These Tips to Make Your Home-Based Office More Productive

Having a career based out of your home is becoming more common. Further, telecommuting seems to be the next big move in the job world.

However, instead of falling into the trap of being too comfortable to work effectively from home, change up the pace of your workspace. Boost your productivity in your home-based office with these metamorphic changes.

The post How to Prime Your Home-Based Office Space for Productivity appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Experts warn that because of its easy availability, online gambling can be even more addictive than gambling in brick-and-mortar casinos.

However, if you do decide to indulge in online gambling, perhaps to take a quick break from the never-ending stress of running your business, remember that playing games in online casinos should be fun. And they are even more fun if you can improve your chances of winning. 

There are ways to make sure you don’t lose your bankroll within a few minutes of starting to play. Moreover, many online games players have become wise to these tips.

So if you want to take a break from the pressure cooker of running your business by playing games in online casinos, do so with caution, applying the wisdom you’ll find in this post.

Take Advantage of Incentives in Online Casinos

Most online casinos offer incentives both to new players and their existing customer base. This is one big advantage online platforms have over physical casinos. That’s because there is no way the latter are going to hand you some cash to play with as you walk in. On the other hand, online casinos offer free games. What’s more, they sometimes even offer a cash incentive. This is intended to encourage you to either join them or stay loyal to their site.

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There is such a huge variety of online casino games to choose from. Therefore, this very competitive market offers some great opportunities to enjoy some fun without spending a lot of your own dollars. Just be certain to check the rules attached to any bonuses. That’s because sometimes you will need to play a certain amount before you can withdraw your winnings. This is called a “playthrough” requirement. It is in place to keep players and operators safe from abuse.

Blackjack – Thanks to Taxrebate.org.uk on Flickr for the image

Bet a Bit at a Time

If you have a budget of $50, don’t bet $10 at a time. You are likely to run out of money if you do that. In order to be more likely to win some and have fun for longer, you would be better off with making wagers of $1 a time.

You could have a hand in blackjack, for example, that you are certain will win. However, you can never be sure what the dealer will have. Therefore, do not bet all your pot in one go. Any win is better than no win. And if your hand is as good as you think, you will be able to have more games with this strategy.

Learn the Rules

With such a large choice of games, you may be tempted to play something new. Before you do, however, learn the rules of whatever it is you have chosen to play for the first time.

Just as an example, craps is a really fun game. However, if you have never played it before you might not understand what is happening. This could mean you bet the wrong amounts at the wrong time. That could cost you money. If you want to play craps, learn the rules first. Also, take advantage of some of the free games that will allow you to practice.

Craps – With thanks to Mark Hesseltine on Flickr for the image

Choose Games with a Lower House Advantage

Knowing the house advantage on your choice of game will let you know what the odds are of winning. The lower the house advantage the greater your chances are. So pick games with a low house advantage. This can make your betting pot stretch further.

Generally, blackjack is one of the best, followed by craps. But of course this can change from casino to casino. The good thing is that with none of the overheads that physical casinos have to stand, online casinos usually offer you a better chance of being a winner.

The post How Smart Is It to Play Your Money in Online Casinos? appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Moreover, it is necessary to have clear vision to keep the orders coming in and the shipments going out on time. What’s more, since logistics is one of the fastest-growing markets in terms of demand, one can only be certain that competition is not going to diminish anytime soon.

Therefore, here are a few ways in which you can make your logistics business more productive and profitable.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR LOGISTICS PARTNER

1. Get a Great Fleet—Not Necessarily a New One

First, you need to decide which vehicles will help you rule the industry. Among transportation and logistics businesses, there are several niches. In other words, individual companies cater to various groups of customers according to their needs. For example, some customers will be shipping exhibition materials to international trade shows. Others could be moving product from warehouse to retail outlet.

Therefore, choosing the right vehicle will help you get the upper hand in your business. Take a look at these Renault trucks from France, for example. These are appropriate for bulky packages that need transportation over long distances.

2. Manage Your Back Office Responsibly

Your back office should be on point. That’s because this is the part of your organization where all the filing, packaging, and other crucial work gets done.

First off, you will need a good back office manager. This person must be able to work efficiently under stress. That’s because mistakes that logistics workers make in the back office can tarnish the company’s image. Therefore, mistakes must be avoided at all costs.

3. Provide Exemplary Customer Service

Word-of-mouth marketing will take your company far. However, the only way this can be true is if you maintain an excellent record of on-time deliveries.

Additionally, ensure that you have the capacity to respond to customer requests. Even better, try to add those extra touches to your service. Other strategies you can employ include expanding your contacts by approaching vendors. Also, work to have lower rates than your competitors by focusing on gradually increasing your profits.

Moreover, when you receive feedback, use it appropriately to better your services.

Maintain Your Schedule Diligently and Avoid Delays

Delays are not good for logistics businesses. Therefore, to avoid the risk of running into them, set delivery times that allow for the latest possible delays.

This strategy will ensure that even if things go wrong, customers might not even know the difference. This is especially true if their order arrives by the time they’re expecting it.

Keeping things on schedule might seem like back office work. However, there are other factors involved as well. Even if things don’t go as planned on your end, attempt to expedite the process for a smooth and timely delivery to your customer.

5. Have a Small, Skilled Team on the Job

Having a lot of workers reduces efficiency in logistics businesses. Therefore, you need to handpick your team well.

Moreover, the people you hire should be able to serve the company even when the situation is stressful. They should be people who will attempt to complete the process with diligence.

Additionally, automate your system wherever possible. Also, boost workers’ skills by requiring training. Insist on refresher courses for the people who are already on the job.

What’s more, it can be very effective to introduce a system of incentives. Researches conducted in 2016 showed that it is the effect of gifts that make kids productive in their work. The case is the same with studies conducted with employees. A personal touch and a token of gratitude can come back to you in a surprisingly beneficial way.

Moreover, reduce the time it takes to process shipments and send them to their destinations quickly. This is crucial. It not only makes your entire system of product handling more efficient but increases the number of packages that your unit can work on. This can only result in higher revenue.

Logistics Businesses Need to Be Well-Run

Maintaining records properly, recruiting a skilled group of people, and keeping the team well-informed are all key to achieving success. Be innovative with your work and give it your best effort. Slowly but surely, your company will emerge as one of the successful logistics businesses.

The post How to Improve Productivity in Logistics Businesses appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Certainly, there are many amazing types of businesses to start. What’s more, working for yourself has heaps of awesome advantages. One of these is flexibility and being your own boss. No longer will you have to report to someone who doesn’t have the same vision you have.

Starting a new business can be a bit scary for student entrepreneurs, though. That’s because in the real world, we’ve all heard about those businesses that were started with much enthusiasm but failed in their first year.

How Will You Earn Money While You Build Your Business Up?

Also, while your business is building up, you have to think about how you’ll be earning money for your living expenses. That’s because while you’re building up your client base, you might not be making much money.

Therefore, write up your business plans. Doing so will get you to think about your vision for the company you want to start. In other words, what do you want to achieve with your business?

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Your written business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. However, it will need to answer a few questions. For example:

• Who will your customers be?
• What problems do your potential customers have that your products or services will solve?
• How much money are you likely to make each month and in the next year, or in the next five years?

Market Research Is Imperative

Decide whether you’ll have a land-based business or an online business. Further, decide whether you intend to work from home or if you’ll rent office or warehouse space elsewhere. Compare costs for your possible options.

New business owners sometimes price their products lower than they should. This can lead to a host of problems. You can avoid this entire quandary by doing some market research before you begin. Doing this research will help you to work out your pricing. Additionally, it will help you to assess whether, in fact, your business idea will make money in the long term.

Moreover, look to the future and do a cost analysis that includes the possibility that eventually you’ll be spending some of your business earnings on salaries. This will force you to ask such questions as, “Are five people really necessary when two people can do the job?”

Know the Difference Between Variable and Fixed Costs

Eventually you’ll need to break down your costs into variable and fixed costs. For example, expenses such as rent, electricity, business insurance, and salaries are fixed costs. These are costs you have to pay every month. On the other hand, fuel and stationery are costs that you might have some flexibility with.

All of this analysis will give you a good idea of how much capital you’re going to need to launch your business. This can help you to understand whether you’ll need to apply for bank loans or other kinds of funding.

Keep Your Day Job for Now

One tip that can stand a student in good stead is to start up your business on the side while continuing in your current job. You’ll only need to do this while you get things up and running and establish some clients.

By holding onto your job awhile longer, you will spare yourself some serious stress. You’ll also give yourself the opportunity to start putting some of your business ideas into action. And even with all the teething problems that come with starting a new business, you’ll still be able to cover your monthly bills.

Save a Bit Before You Take the Leap

As a student, perhaps you have a side job such as being a waiter, working in a grocery store on the weekends, or looking after people’s pets when they’re away. Therefore, before you take the final leap into your new business, be sure to save some money. Your nest egg can help you to ride out those lean months that every new business experiences.

Starting a new business and being an entrepreneur is not for sissies. It’s a risk you’re taking, albeit an exciting one. It’s true that mixing student responsibilities with a new business is daunting. Moreover, completing all your assignments on time will be time-consuming. However, you needn’t despair.

Instead, take a look at RapidEssay. This is a writing service that will ensure you get all the help you need with composing and reviewing your assignments. This can free up your time so that you can concentrate on getting your business dream up and running.

Start Your Business Now While You’re Still a Student

So don’t succumb to the belief that because you’re a student you don’t have time to make your dreams come true. After all, you’re young enough and adventurous enough to turn your ideas into a full-time reality.

The post How to Start a Business While You’re Still a Student appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Nine years ago, who would have thought we would come to use Instagram the way we do today?

Back then, many thought of Instagram as just another social media platform. Back then, people just used it to connect with friends, share selfies, and enlighten followers about their personal day-to-day endeavors.

Today, however, many brands, both large and small, use the platform to promote their products and services.

RELATED ARTICLE: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING WILL HELP YOU TO HUMANIZE YOUR BRAND

Instagram has become a leading social media platform. That’s because it helps brands to form more personal connections with their customers. By educating themselves about consumer behaviors, businesses can use Instagram to connect with their target audience.

In short, smart business owners connect with both potential and existing customers on Instagram. Moreover, when they understand what tone to use, what kinds of visual representations to share, when to post on Instagram, and what hashtags best represent their brand, they achieve great results.

Here are some of the reasons why you, too, should use Instagram to promote your brand.

1. Connecting with Clients

Whether you are a new business looking to get recognition or an already existing brand looking to increase sales, Instagram should be one of your go-to avenues.

Statistics show that as of June 2018, the platform had more than one billion active users every month. Moreover, it has more than half a million active users on a daily basis. Of the total active users, an average of 70% are actively looking for a brand.

This gives your brand an opportunity to interact with potential and already existing clients through the Instagram news feed, ads, and stories. Moreover, since Instagram now receives ten times more engagement than Facebook, you can use Instagram to learn how your clients think and feel about your brand.

2. Generating Sales

What’s more, Instagram does more nowadays than just generate engagement and interaction with customers. It generates sales.

You’ll need accurate and captivating scripts as well as creatively displayed images when you use this platform. However, by using those scripts and images, you can run a promotional ad or lead generation campaign that targets a specific audience. This is sure to drive traffic to your website, leading to an increase in sales.

3. Tapping into New Markets

With hashtags, Instagram makes it easy for your business to reach new audiences and like-minded parties. A well-chosen hashtag will allow you to track people who are sharing content using that same hashtag. This gives you a ready-made audience of people who have similar interests. From there, you can create ads that are targeted to that specific audience.

In short, hashtags give you one of the best ways to find potential customers or clients not only in your own locale, but also worldwide. Therefore, they are a cost-effective avenue for growing your business.

4. Staying Informed About Consumer Trends

When you’re running a business and building a brand, one of the most important things to learn is that consumer behaviors change rapidly. Moreover, consumers are highly influenced by day-to-day trends.

With Instagram, however, you can easily track your customers’ trends. What’s more, you can get to know their preferences as well as what influences their purchasing decisions. Learn what sparks their interest and what they are most responsive to.

When you know the current trends, you can adjust your day-to-day marketing strategy. Additionally, you can change the content you share on the platform to reflect the trends of the day.

5. Keeping Track of Competitors

To stay on top of the marketing and advertising game, you need a daily update on your competitors.

That’s why it’s good to know that when brands are running campaigns on Instagram, they generally use hashtags. This provides them with a sense of trend ownership and identity. As a matter of fact, seven out of ten hashtags trending on Instagram are brand hashtags.

By watching a competitor’s hashtag, you can track what your competitor is doing. Moreover, you’ll even be able to see how well their strategy is working. This can be helpful during your own decision-making process.

You’ll also be able to track what a competitor’s audience is saying about the brand. Their sentiments can guide you to create a better selling and advertising angle with your targeted ads to the same audience. 

Use Instagram to Reach Your Target Audience

If you’re looking for an effective way to reach your target audience, you won’t go wrong if you use Instagram.

The post 5 Reasons You Should Use Instagram to Promote Your Brand appeared first on Business Opportunities.

There comes a time in every business owner’s life when it’s time to think outside the box. A personalized t-shirt can be one way of coming up with something new. Here are several reasons why you want to have a personalized t-shirt for your business.

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1. You Can Share Ideas

The sharing of ideas is the currency of the 21st century, period. We, as people, love to exchange ideas with each other, whether they’re our own or somebody else’s.

What’s more, any product that can be personalized can be fitted with an idea. This makes for a marvelous time for the creative use of your ideas. To that end, use a personalized t-shirt to promote that idea.

You can choose from a wide range of stencils, printing techniques, and printers, including high-quality DTG printers, printing areas, and colors. Thus, each printed t-shirt can be totally unique

2. Display Your Core Message and Mission

If you’re in the business of social justice and conscious change in your community, then you definitely have a mission behind the founding of your company. Businesses that make a practice of participating in awareness raising in their community will love personalized t-shirts.

For example, does your company participate in marathons, telethons or sponsorships? If so, a personalized t-shirt is a must for your company.

You can design custom t-shirts however you want. Then you can use them to declare your support for an important cause.

3. A Personalized T-Shirt Won’t Cost Much

Can you think of a relatively low-cost way of informing people about your business? Marketing campaigns, when executed improperly, can end up costing you a lot of money. However, a personalized t-shirt will be less expensive than other options of localized marketing and advertising.

4. Use Them to Promote Your Brand

Customizing your t-shirts is a great way to promote your business. Moreover, doing so will build the awareness of your brand in people’s minds.

To build awareness around your brand means displaying the meaning behind your logo, your slogan, and so on. Your brand gives you an opportunity to show and tell people what your business is all about.

Here are a few reasons why boosting your brand will increase your bottom line:

• Lowers the cost of acquiring customers
• Increases current customers’ loyalty
• Re-captures leads you might have thought were lost

5. Market Your Personalized T-Shirt Online

Celebrities, even YouTubers, are coming out with clothing lines of their own these days. Even a lot of brands that don’t have anything remotely relatable to fashion come out with their own clothing lines.

One big reason is that clothing lines are an effective marketing tool. With a personalized t-shirt, you can market your brand to more people.

6. Customize a Personalized T-Shirt for Valued Customers

Here’s an idea: Customize a personalized t-shirt for your valued customers. This will make them feel special, which in turn will inspire them to continue doing business with you.

You could also hold monthly competitions for your customers to send in designs for t-shirts. Whoever sends in the best design, as chosen by your staff, wins a prize.

7. Boost Team Morale

You know that when a team works together to get things done, a business runs smoothly. This is why team-building exercises are such a big hit. Bonding experiences, which give us a chance to know each other on a deeper level, strengthen relationships.

There is no denying that the “awesome factor” helps bring people together. The importance of morale in the workplace cannot be understated.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the benefits that come from designing and ordering a personalized t-shirt. As always, you will never know what happens until you take action. Never forget to look for interesting ways to engage with your customer base. And remember that stylish fashion will always be one way to do so.

The post 7 Reasons Why a Personalized T-Shirt Is Good for Your Business appeared first on Business Opportunities.

In 2019, we’ve moved into a digital world. If you have not already begun to integrate digital marketing into your business, you run the risk of falling behind. Moreover, implementing video content in your marketing will help you stay ahead of the competition and reach new customers in ways that other marketing just can’t.

There are many reasons why businesses shy away from video. Some companies may feel they don’t have the proper budget, time, or equipment. Others just don’t know what content they’d like to produce. In 2019, these reasons no longer have to be a hindrance. Creating high-quality video marketing content is easier and cheaper than ever. It’s no longer reserved for large corporations. Here are a few good reasons why you need to invest in video content.

RELATED ARTICLE: THESE 5 SEO MYTHS CAN BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR DIGITAL MARKETING

You Need to Use Video. Here’s Why

1. Video Content Builds Trust

According to recent studies, 79% of consumers would rather watch a video than read content. A full 84% of consumers are likely to make a purchase after watching a video. In short, video reaches customers more effectively and tells your story in an interactive way.

2. It Helps Customers Understand Your Offering

Using video to explain a product, service, or concept adds a level of personalization that you normally do not achieve with more traditional marketing efforts.

3. You Will Reach a Broader Audience

Video content is more universal. Moreover, it does not have to be specifically tailored to reach individual groups. Video content is sticky and tends to withstand the test of time more than traditional marketing efforts do.

4. Your Site Will Rank Higher

Video marketing helps your content rank higher, and for more unique keywords than non-video content. By making your videos shareable, the likelihood that the video will go viral increases. Just including one whiteboard animation on your site, for example, will improve traffic and boost your rankings. To put it bluntly, Google ranks video content higher.

5. It Will Increase Conversions and Sales

Knowing that customers are nearly twice as likely to purchase from you after watching a video should be enough reason to convince you of the benefits of video. Users are also far more likely to share a video they enjoyed. What’s more, they are more likely to remember that video.

6. Video Content Improves Staying Power

It has been reported that more than 80% of people remember what they see online. Video is a powerful method to cut through the noise and make your content stand out.

7. Video Content Appeals to Users’ Emotions

Video is an excellent way to appeal to someone’s emotions. A happy video may put them in a good mood, whereas a more melancholy one may evoke strong feelings of sadness or nostalgia.

8. It Helps You to Connect with Mobile Users

Desktop users have a short attention span, typically only sticking with content for two minutes or less. The attention span of mobile users is more than double that, with many devoting up to five minutes to watching a single video, depending on the device they are using.

Take Advantage of the Many Benefits of Using Video Content

These reasons illustrate the many benefits of investing in video content. If your business hasn’t started implementing video into your marketing strategy, what are you waiting for? Start engaging more users now.

The post Your Business Should Invest in Video Content: Here’s Why appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Maximizing the potential of your website is going to take some planning. Fortunately, if you focus on making it SEO-friendly, you will be a step ahead others.

Implement good SEO practices and use that to bolster other elements present on your website. Your site will then make an everlasting impression on visitors. Plus, it will keep them coming back for more.

If you want to enhance website performance, get more conversions, and boost engagement, include the following elements on your SEO-friendly website. Before long, you’ll be happy to notice that your site ranks higher, too.

1. About Us and Contact Us Pages

Well-made websites that rank high always have two things: an “about us” page and a “contact us” pages.

The moment you have visitors coming to your website, you need a way for them to pick your face out of the crowd. That is, you want them to be able to connect with you beyond the website.

When you have an about us page, you can tell visitors a little about you. What’s more, you can describe your mission and let your audience know what your the website is going to do for them. Also, it gives you another chance to use keywords and phrases that capture the attention of both humans and algorithms.

Similarly, a contact us page improves the user’s experience, which is another thing that algorithms favor.

2. Subscription Calls-to-Action

While the button itself is not going to get you any brownie points in SEO, a well-placed, well-promoted call-to-action, or CTA, will help to increase traffic and improve your reputation. Use CTAs in emails, newsletters, landing pages, and throughout your website. Used well, CTAs will help you to build domain authority and cultivate a subscribers’ list.

RELATED ARTICLE: TOP REASONS SEO IS THE BEST MARKETING STRATEGY FOR LAW FIRMS

3. Mobile Experience

In 2018, the number of global mobile phone users was a whopping 4.68 billion. Moreover, according to Smart Insights, more Google searches took place on mobile devices in 2018 than on any other device. These searches took place in 10 countries, including the United States and Japan.

To top it off, in 2017, 50.3% of all web traffic was generated by mobile accounts. This means that if you don’t yet have a mobile version of your website, you’re stuck in the Stone Age. Therefore, instead of weakening your ranking and compatibility, prioritize making that mobile site look stellar.

4. Appropriate Tags and Headings

Search engine optimization is more than keyword stuffing, as most specialists will tell you. SEO is also formatting your content correctly. Fill out the alt-text fields for images. Also, add tags to blogs and meta tags to descriptions. Moreover, use your H1 and H2 headers effectively.

All of this helps algorithms comprehend the content on your website. In short, this means faster indexing and higher ranks for you.

Another reason alt-text and tags are important is for users with handicaps or those with poor Internet connections. In the event that they can’t see images or other multimedia for some reason, alt-text can help deliver your message.

5. Testimonials

Even if you only have a single testimonial, use it proudly.

With an SEO-friendly site, you’ll be more likely to get the attention you need. However, having something to back up that attention is going to make SEO work better for you. What’s more, it will also increase the return on your investment, or your ROI.

In short, reviews and referrals drive traffic. They provide proof that you’re a legitimate entity.

Additionally, be sure to use Google My Business if you have a physical location so people can leave reviews there, too. You’ll gain more local visibility when you do.

Make Your Site More SEO-Friendly and Watch Its Performance Improve

SEO and web design are interlaced. What this means is that the content and elements on your site need to be blended with SEO. All of this will make your website more visible and more enjoyable.

Remember these five things that every SEO-friendly site should have, and your site’s performance will improve in no time.  

The post Is Your Site SEO-Friendly? Make Sure It Has These 5 Things appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Sometimes in life, things just don’t work out the way we plan. Perhaps you had to close the doors on your business. Maybe health problems led you into more debt than you can possibly repay. If you’re a resident of the UK, you might be looking for an insolvency practitioner, and you might be having to consider the option of an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, or IVA.

If you find yourself in similar trouble in the US, search for consumer credit counseling services. These agencies can help you to obtain some relief from overwhelming debt.

In this article we take a close look at what you should look for in an insolvency practitioner. Additionally, we take a look at some of the commonly asked questions you’ll most likely have along the way.

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Do You Feel Comfortable with Your Insolvency Practitioner?

First and foremost, you should feel completely comfortable with your chosen insolvency advisor. What’s more, you should also feel good about the firm they work for. After all, you’ll be discussing some personal information with them. Therefore, it’s imperative that you feel at ease. You need to be confident that you’ll have a good working relationship going forward.

Remember, an IVA will typically last for a period of five years. Therefore, it’s important that you’re both fully committed to getting the best results. As a matter of fact, both you and your insolvency practitioner need to be confident that you can work together during the entire time.

Furthermore, once approved, you won’t be able to change your advisor throughout the duration of your IVA. Therefore, ask as many questions as you feel necessary before signing on the dotted line and committing yourself.

Do They Charge Upfront Fees?

Never be tempted to work with any firm that asks for upfront fees. Most practitioners will allow you to spread their charges over the duration of your IVA. Such an arrangement should ultimately make the arrangement much more affordable for you. What’s more, if you pay fees upfront and 75% of your creditors refuse to accept your IVA proposal, you could lose your deposit.

What Are Your Options?

Make sure that your insolvency advisor is absolutely clear with you about what you should expect from your IVA (both good and bad!). He or she should also talk you through any other options which might be available. Keep in mind that your choices may change, depending on your personal circumstances. If they only recommend an IVA without discussing other avenues, you might want to look elsewhere. After all, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement isn’t a suitable option for everyone.

Don’t Agree to Something That Won’t Work for You

Once you’ve discussed your financial position with your insolvency advisor, he or she will start to work on your proposal for submission to your creditors. However, your advisor will pass it on to you for approval first.

It’s important to remember never to be tempted to agree to something which you don’t feel is realistic. That’s because, once approved, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement is a legally binding agreement. This means you’ll have to maintain the 60 monthly payments going forward.

If you don’t think this is going to be achievable (for whatever reason) then honesty’s the best policy. Never sign up for something which you don’t think will work. If your IVA fails there can be serious implications. This can include the prospect of your creditors applying to make you bankrupt.

Trust Your Instincts

Always go with your gut feeling when it comes to choosing the right firm and the right insolvency advisor to work with. If there’s anything you’re not quite sure about, don’t be afraid to ask. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

The post Overwhelmed with Debt? What to Look for in an Insolvency Practitioner appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Stock market investing can be a prudent financial decision. However, you must educate yourself first. Also, you’ll need to manage your funds wisely.

Moreover, like an old English proverb says, “A fool and his money are soon parted.”

Unfortunately, too many people are tempted to throw caution to the winds. They think they can get rich overnight in the stock market, but this is seldom the case.

RELATED ARTICLE: 4 REASONS WHY BITCOIN INVESTING IS A LONG-TERM GAME

Experts generally recommend that you consult either a broker or an investment adviser. However, it is possible to work out an effective investment strategy on your own. Do this by conducting the appropriate research.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Take Some Advice from the SEC

For instance, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has detailed some important steps. Follow their advice, as it can help you to define and meet your financial goals. Here’s the gist of their Roadmap to Saving and Investing:

Define Your Goals

Determine an acceptable time frame for meeting specific goals. Do this by calculating what you’ll need to save each year.

Evaluate Your Finances

Create a personal net worth statement. That is, look at what you own alongside what you owe. Next, determine whether you have a positive or negative net worth. In other words, subtract your liabilities from your assets.

Start Tracking Your Income and Expenses

Tracking your income and expenses will tell you how much of your income you have available to invest.

Take Advantage of Compound Interest

Leveraging even small amounts of money in savings can lead to big returns because of compound interest. In short, avoiding impulse purchases could be your key to financial success.

Eliminate High-Interest Debt

Experts encourage consumers to pay off credit cards before doing any stock market investing.

Put Money in Savings

Even though your money will earn a low interest rate, it’s typically safer to put it in savings accounts, checking accounts, and certificates of deposit. That way, your money will be insured.

Assess the Risks

You always assume some degree of risk with stock market investing. It’s true that returns on successful investments can be greater than many other options. However, in some cases, it’s possible to lose the entire amount that you’ve invested.

Understand Your Risk Tolerance

If you want your money to grow faster, you might have to  consider riskier investment products.

Know Your Investment Options

There is a variety of products for consumers to consider for stock market investing. For example, you could invest in stocks or mutual funds. There are also corporate and municipal bonds, annuities, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), money market funds, and U.S. Treasury securities.

Know the Types of Stocks and Their Costs

According to Nasdaq, there are two different types of stocks when it comes to stock market investing. That is, there are full-service stocks and discount stocks.

Investors with a higher net worth typically partner with full-service brokers. These brokers provide them with stock recommendations, guidance, and so on.

However, if you want to stay in charge of all of your investment decisions, then seek out a discount broker. That’s because discount brokers charge significantly lower fees than full-service brokers do.

What Fees Can You Expect?

There are two main fees that investors incur in with stock market investing. The first comes in the form of commissions every time you purchase and trade stocks. These fees can range from $10 to $30 per transaction through discount brokers.

Additionally, there are mutual fund fees. These are the fees that you’ll incur when you invest in mutual funds.

Remember, the best way to manage risk is by investing in a range of assets. This is also known as diversification. For example, a well-diversified portfolio will often incorporate mutual funds that include a large number of stocks and other investments.

Should You Invest in Products or in Stocks?

A concept that some people struggle with is whether they will earn more from investing in a stock or in a product.

To answer this question, a group of consumers conducted in-depth research on 35 different companies. They sought to determine how much they would have made if they had invested in a company’s stock instead of buying that company’s product or service.

Apart from a few exceptions, these investors concluded that an investor would make a profit if they invested in a company instead of purchasing that company’s product. The key takeaway was that the changes in a company’s stock value can dramatically alter an initial investment.

Educate Yourself Before You Begin Stock Market Investing

Finally, it pays to do your homework and educate yourself before you begin investing in the stock market. Follow the suggestions here and you’ll be sure to have greater success with your own stock market investing.

The post Stock Market Investing: The Best Ways to Educate Yourself appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Planning to tap into the e-commerce sector? For anyone starting out, Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is one of the best places to kick off your career on the Internet. It is by far the easiest way to start an e-commerce business.

The program is similar to any other e-commerce business out there. However, you’ll effectively avoid the logistics and packaging that you would have with another system. What’s more, you’ll have no need for storing goods at a personal warehouse when you work under the Amazon FBA system. 

RELATED ARTICLE: AVOID THE AMAZON STUMBLES BY SEEKING TO BE WELL-INFORMED

However, it can be tough starting out for anyone who has no previous business experience. And even if you do have years of experience running a brick-and-mortar business, starting out with e-commerce is a whole new experience. In short, for anyone, e-commerce can often be tricky.  Here is a short guide to get you started with Amazon FBA, complete with FBA freight forwarder information.

FBA by Amazon: What Is It?

Amazon FBA is basically a fulfillment program by the e-commerce giant. With this program, you are the seller and Amazon is the shipper. Under FBA, you’ll send your products to a fulfillment center. This is a warehouse owned and maintained by Amazon. From there, Amazon will ship the product to your customer when you sell it.

Why Use Amazon FBA?

There are many advantages of using the Amazon FBA services. For example, you only have to pay for the storage space and the shipping costs when you sign with the FBA program. The best thing is that your product is sent free to customers who are on Amazon Prime. 

There are absolutely no other extra charges. This arrangement makes FBA quite a friendly platform for beginners. 

Starting out with Amazon FBA

Before you start with Amazon FBA, you need to decide which product to sell on Amazon. For this post, we recommend importing products from China directly into FBA centers. 

Sites like Alibaba and AliExpress can help you to come up with ideas for a product. Notably, the trends of the product matter a lot. Therefore, only choose items that you believe will do well based on their current trends.

Once you have selected a product, get in touch with the supplier and arrange for a bulk order. That’s because you’ll need a prep service for Chinese imports. 

You will also need reliable software to run your online company. There are several to choose from, but Helium 10 gets just about the best reviews around. Read a comprehensive Helium 10 review here—and even pick up a coupon here for 50% off.

Finding an Amazon Freight Forwarder Company

Bringing a product from China to the US is going to be the most challenging aspect of your e-commerce business. Once you have signed up with Amazon FBA, you’ll be given an address to the fulfillment center. You’ll need to send your products to the fulfillment center pre-packaged and ready to be shipped.

For this purpose, many third-party shipping or freight companies are available. These companies specialize in Amazon FBA. Just get your supplier to work with the Amazon FBA freight forwarder and you’ll be making money before you know it.

The ideal Amazon freight forwarder should have the right tools and trained staff. Only in this way will they be able to package your goods according to Amazon’s shipping standards. Most freight forwarders are aware of these standards. However, it is still a good idea to double check with the forwarder and see if they have any experience with Amazon FBA. 

The post How to Sell on Amazon FBA as a Beginner appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Graduating from college is something every student eagerly anticipates. The idea of finally starting your own business or otherwise earning money is exciting. But this happiness begins to fade when you realize the amount of student loan debt you have acquired over the years. These challenges call for financial preparation services.

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In other words, you need a professional who can analyze your financial situation. What’s more, you need someone who can advise you about your financial challenges. Therefore, find a financial adviser to help you manage your budget and make a plan for how you will pay on time.

1. Financial Analysis

Planning how you will budget your money can be stressful. This is especially true if you have just graduated. This is where financial preparation services come in. 

You need to have a clear understanding of how much you make each month. Then plan your budget based on that. Additionally, become acquainted with exactly how how much you need to spend on household expenses. This will show you how much you have left after you pay your bills.

When you know these details, you will be able to come up with a strategy for paying your student loans.

2. Document Preparation

Paperwork can be confusing. When you feel overwhelmed with paperwork, you could end up with an ineffective strategy for paying for your student loans.

However, you don’t have to let all the paperwork stress you out. Instead, consult with financial preparation services. Let them take over all the documentation. In other words, you don’t have to bury yourself in a mountain of confusing paperwork while trying to process the details.

Let financial preparation services take care of your document preparation. Then they will file with the specific federal programs. This will ensure that your student loans don’t accumulate more interest than necessary.

What’s more, financial preparation services will take care of your submission and ensure that you meet the submission timelines. Additionally, they will keep you updated about any changes from the Department of Education.

3. Yearly Recertification

The Financial Preparation Services will walk with you throughout the years. Moreover, they will advise you about annual recertifications until you have cleared your student loans.

They will also keep you on track so that you never miss a payment with your student loans. This will increase your chances of loan forgiveness. Additionally, the service ensures that you have all the necessary student loan information as well as information about all government changes regarding student loans.

Moreover, the services give you a clear understanding of all existing programs that you can apply for. In particular, they will advise you about those programs in which you have a chance of qualifying for student loan forgiveness.

Let Financial Preparation Services Help You Sort Things Out

Paying off your student loan can be stressful. This is especially the case if you have no idea how the process works.

Therefore, hire financial preparation services. Get help in managing your budget so you can pay your student loans. Seek out professional help with financial analysis, document preparation, and recertification. 

What’s more, these services will help you stay up-to-date with any changes that may occur with government regulations regarding student loans. To get this help, use the financial preparation services phone number at (877)707-0795. Call now to get financial advice.

The post Financial Preparation Services Will Help You Achieve Financial Success appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Financial markets are dynamic, complex and exciting. What’s more, it didn’t take Hollywood long to seize the opportunity to visually document this bold industry.

There are plenty of movies based on the financial markets—and for a good reason. When you add a great script with a Hollywood twist, you end up with blockbusters like The Big Short and the sensational The Wolf of Wall Street.

The entertainment value of these films is undeniable. However, they don’t provide an accurate representation of the real financial world. On the other hand, here is a list that combines the best of both worlds: phenomenal entertainment and factual accuracy.

RELATED ARTICLE: AN INTRODUCTION TO TRADING PENNY STOCKS FOR FUN AND PROFIT

1. Inside Job

This movie, directed by Charles Ferguson and starring Matt Damon, received the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Synopsis: Inside Job provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2008 global financial crisis, estimated at over $20 trillion. That economic disaster left millions without jobs and homes in the worst recession since the Great Depression. As a result, global markets nearly collapsed. Based on research and extensive interviews with key financial insiders, politicians, journalists, and academics, this film traces the rise of a rogue industry which corrupted politics, regulation, and academia.

Why we recommend it: The accuracy of the action and the insights about the financial crisis of 2008 make this film a “must see.” Moreover, some market pundits noted that it provides the type of information that will educate the masses to learn from past mistakes. What’s more, it might even prevent those mistakes in the future. Additionally, the overview is global, with information from people in different locations. For example, you’ll hear from people in the United States, Iceland, England, France, Singapore, and China.

2. The Ascent of Money

Directed by Adrian Pennick, this movie received the 2009 International Emmy Award.

Synopsis: This documentary is adapted from a 2008 book by Harvard professor Niall Ferguson. The author features in the production, which airs on TV in the UK and the US. The story line follows the interconnected history of money, credit, and banking.

Why we recommend it: History and context often offer a documented perspective and a better understanding of the financial world.

3. Life and Debt

This movie was awarded a special mention at the Los Angeles IFP/West Film Festival in 2001. Afterward, the film received an audience award in Prague at the One World Film Festival in 2002.

Synopsis: This documentary is an unapologetic depiction of the “new world order.” To that end, it highlights the point of view of Jamaican workers, farmers, and government and policy officials who see the reality of globalization from the ground up.

Why we recommend it: The movie outlines the economic situation of the small country of Jamaica. Also, it explains how indebtedness makes an existing lousy situation even worse. What’s more, it’s food for thought concerning the debate on bailing out entire countries through debt lending.

4. Margin Call

This movie has an all-star cast, including Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey, and Demi Moore. It received the 2012 AACTA International Award.

Synopsis: The story revolves around a day at a large investment bank at the beginning of the financial crisis. A junior analyst discovers that the bank’s holdings in mortgage-backed securities will soon bankrupt the bank. As a result, all of the company’s traders end up selling worthless investments to clients on purpose.

Why we recommend it: The story line is reminiscent of the Goldman Sachs controversy after 2007. Besides, history can teach consumers valuable lessons.

5. Banking on Bitcoin

This movie takes on the new trend: cryptocurrency and Bitcoin.

Synopsis: This Netflix production features interviews with enthusiasts and experts covering Bitcoin’s roots, its future, and the technology behind it.

Why we recommend it: Bitcoin is considered one of the most disruptive inventions since the dot com bubble. Moreover, the film shows how technology fundamentally shapes our lives. What’s more, it underlines the new ideological ideological struggle between fringe utopians and mainstream capitalists.

The Financial Markets Make for Fascinating Story Lines

Learn more about the financial markets by seeking out and watching the films recommended here.

The post Financial Markets: Learn from These 5 Movies appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Freelancers often market their skills and services online today. Moreover, in the online world almost every skill is in demand. Whether your specialty is content writing, web design, social media, digital marketing, or something else, you’re bound to find your freelancing niche.

Freelancing Can Be a Risky Business

Freelancers have the freedom to work anywhere they choose, whether it’s a nearby coffee shop or their own home office. What’s more, many freelancers think of themselves as entrepreneurs, and claim the right to create their careers their own way.

On the other had, freelancers must almost continually market themselves and their skills. Otherwise, they’ll never attract the clients they need. Additionally, some admit that they miss having a regular job with a fixed salary. Instead, they have to manage their own business with its ever-changing cash flow.

For many freelancers, the main struggle is that the work is unpredictable. Consequently, they don’t necessarily have a steady income. One month, they might land a great client and make good money. The next month, they struggle just to keep up with basic expenses.

No longer can freelancers look forward to a paycheck that shows up in their bank account twice a month. Gone, too, are the end-of-year bonuses, group health insurance, and benefits of the corporate world.

In other words, freelancing can be a risky business if you don’t learn quickly to generate sufficient income and manage finances. What’s more, since freelancing is a one-person business, all of the responsibilities and liabilities fall on your shoulders.

Therefore, if you’re going to survive as a freelancer, you need to have an organized plan that will keep you afloat financially.

How Smart Freelancers Manage Finances

Project Your Income

At the beginning of the month, make a list of your current clients. Then, estimate your projected monthly income from each client.

If you see right away that you won’t be bringing in enough cash to make it through the month, you’ll know that your first order of business will be to market your skills to attract more clients.

Calculate Your Expenses

It’s pretty easy to keep your expenses low as a freelancer. No longer do you have the expenses of commuting and maintaining an expensive wardrobe.

Basically, your expenses as a freelancer will fall into two major categories:

• personal expenses such as food, water, shelter, and car
• business expenses such as Internet, electricity, taxes, equipment, software, and supplies

It can help to keep a simple spreadsheet where you keep track of your business income and expenses. Then, at tax time, it will be relatively easy to sort things out and report accurate numbers.

Create and Follow a Budget

While you’re building your freelancing business, you might not be able to live as you did when you were pulling in a regular paycheck. For example, instead of eating out every night, you might need to learn how to prepare your own meals at home.

Additionally, create a financial plan and follow it. Also, record all your expenses and track the receipts. Stick to your budget and stay disciplined.

The practice of following a budget will give you more peace of mind. In turn, this will allow you to focus on creating a great experience for your clients. Before too long, word will get around, and more clients will come your way. Eventually, you’ll notice that your freelancing business is growing and thriving.

Manage Finances by Saving More Money

When you’re learning to manage finances as a freelancer, remember that saving money is not an option. During those months when clients come calling and you have so much work you can barely keep up, use that additional income to start a rainy day fund.

Then, the next time you have a dry spell, you’ll be glad you did. As a matter of fact, if you can, try to set aside enough cash in a dedicated account to cover your basic expenses for at least four to six months.

However, there may be times when you’ll need to turn to additional resources just to keep going. When that happens, you could apply for an online loan at inexpensive rates and decent terms. For example, Best Moneylender offers good opportunities for funding.

While you’re building your freelancing business, learn to save money wherever you can. Take care of your basic needs and postpone luxury purchases until you’ve built a steady flow of income. And don’t be discouraged if that doesn’t happen overnight.

RELATED ARTICLE: THE SELF-EMPLOYED BUSINESS OWNER’S GUIDE TO SAVING FOR RETIREMENT

Manage Finances Well for More Freedom as a Freelancer

There’s a lot to like about life as a freelancer. For example, freelancing gives you freedom and the flexibility to work the way you want. However, freelancers who don’t learn how to manage finances well in the beginning can have a difficult time.

Therefore, learn how organize your finances, manage your money wisely, and keep track of your expenses. Learning how to manage finances will give you greater peace of mind and allow you to become an even better freelancer.

The post How to Manage Finances When You’re Working as a Freelancer appeared first on Business Opportunities.

If you’ve long been dreaming of joining the ranks of successful founders, read on. We’ve culled some of the best advice from the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. What’s more, we hope this post gives you the clarity and motivation to forge ahead and follow your dreams.

Believe in Yourself and the Good of Your Enterprise

Ariana Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post and one of the world’s most successful founders, has said, “If you’re going to start a business, you need to really love it, because not everybody is going to love it. When The Huffington Post was first launched in 2005, there were so many detractors. I remember a critic who wrote that the Huffington Post was an unsurvivable failure.”

It’s hard to believe that something like that can be said about the successful and enduring Huffington Post, but it’s true. What this tells us is that every endeavor worth its salt will often come with naysayers. What’s more, it’s often best to ignore them. When you believe in your business, the opinion of others should matter only if they’re saying something that is aligned with your growth.

Do What You Love and Love What You Do

Apple CEO and co-founder Steve Jobs was born February 24, 1955, and died of cancer on October 5, 2011. He also had something to say about work: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life. And the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Simply put, believing in your work will be your North Star. What’s more, your belief will help you persist when challenges arise and obstacles lie in your path.

Be a Problem-Solving Enterprise

The first American black woman to become a self-made millionaire and one of the most successful founders of her time was Madam C. J. Walker. Madam Walker got started on her path to success when she noticed that black women had specific hair problems and concerns that required new solutions. Over the years, Walker developed, marketed, and expanded her growing line of hair and scalp care products. She believed in her products—she personally used them—and she filled a void in the market.

Madam C. J. Walker’s success is a perfect example of how a business can succeed when it solves a problem. Therefore, no matter what enterprise you start, be sure to ask yourself what value you are offering others. When you can confidently answer this question, you will be on the path to becoming one of the world’s successful founders.

Must Successful Founders Always Invent Something New?

However, this does not mean your goal is to invent something totally new. This is especially true now when new things pop up every other day.

On the contrary, the trick is to innovate. See what’s already out there and figure out how you can improve it to serve a specific market. Send Later CEO Nathan Latka says, “Don’t invent something new. Copy what works and make tweaks to push it over the top.”

In other words, successful founders often think in terms of product innovation. For example, consider smartphones, which get yearly refreshes. Likewise, when it comes to the product you have in mind, think of ways you can improve it. What new features can you introduce?

Successful Founders Find New Solutions

Elon Musk, founder of PayPal, did right by consumers all over the world by creating an efficient platform for sending money online. Today, we take for granted that we can pay for goods and services within seconds. Moreover, Musk created this platform in a world where paying online by credit or debit card was already commonplace.

However, Musk took it one step further. That is, he combined money transfer with payment for goods and services without having to expose your credit card to all the merchants you transact with.

Successful Founders Get Technical

Profit is one of the cornerstones of entrepreneurial success. After all, if you’re not making any returns on your efforts then why pursue them?

However, if you want to know if an endeavor is making enough profit, it pays to know the details of your financials. This is especially true when you are just starting out and are still in no position to hire a lot of staff. As you go it alone (or with a very lean team), learn to do many tasks on your own. This is particularly true with tasks that require performance monitoring.

Sian Lenegan, founder of widely successful digital agency Sixth Story, advises entrepreneurs to personally attend to their finances. Doing so, she says, will allow them to discover growth opportunities as they come to terms with their company’s real numbers.

Get Help When You Need It

However, are you not so good with math and accounting? No problem, says Lenegan. Fortunately, there are resources that can help entrepreneurs manage their finances. Lenegan also goes on to say that she personally uses a virtual financial director service that’s designed for both small- and medium-scale businesses. This helps her to manage her business’s financials.

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Recruit People You Admire

Once you feel that you’re ready to get others on board, it is important to be prudent about whom you welcome into your entrepreneurial fold. This applies to all individuals who will play a part in your business. Therefore, whether you’re aligning with a new partner or hiring an administrative assistant, look for people who share your mindset when it comes to work.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman shares that the one quick way to change yourself is to be in the company of individuals whom you admire. You need to see the kind of good you like in the people who are part of your team.

Focus on Incremental Growth

When you have a great start and your business is doing really well, you might see this as a sign to take it to the next level. While that’s the natural way of doing things, remember that a good approach is to concentrate on your next small step.

Coach.me founder and CEO Tony Stubbelbine says, “Focus on the next step and don’t try to make your five-year vision happen tomorrow.” In other words, aiming for the stars is perfectly acceptable. But focusing on small expansion goals will be easier and poses fewer risks. Always remember that small gains add up. Moreover, before you know it you will be in a whole new level of doing business.

No Two Paths Are the Same

Remember: When it comes to entrepreneurship, it’s going to be different for every person. If an entrepreneur runs more than one endeavor at a time, it will be different for every type of business he or she runs. There is no linear formula that every person can follow to success. In fact, for many there will be roundabouts, one step forward and two steps back, and so on.

These wise words from successful founders will certainly help a lot. But a large part of getting your endeavor up, running, and thriving will be based on your gut feel and personal assessment of how things are going. Leave room for mistakes, take opportunities as they come, and always stay the course!

The post Successful Founders Share Their Advice for Starting Your Own Business appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, in order to be able to spend money abroad, exchanging money is essential. In other words, you will have to exchange your currency to the locally accepted currency of the country where you are visiting.

Keep in mind that the exchange rate will determine how much money you get. What’s more, that rate varies. Therefore, it’s a good idea to become acquainted with the best places for exchanging money, as well as the best times to make an exchange. For example, if you are visiting the Canadian city of Winnipeg, you can make your exchange at currency exchange Winnipeg.

All the same, you need to be informed when it comes to exchanging currencies anywhere in the world. To that end, here are ten simple tips you can make use of when you’re exchanging money abroad.

1. Exchange Only Small Amounts of Money at the Airport

Airports often have poor rates. That’s because they have no competition. However, since you need a little cash to move around, just make a small exchange. However, only get enough of the local currency to allow you to get into the city and get your bearings.

2. Find a Touristy Street for Better Rates

When it comes to exchanging money, savvy travelers look for places where there are many tourists. That’s because they know that any touristy street is likely to be a good place for exchanging money, since the level of competition there makes currency exchanges more competitive.

What’s more, you could even shop different streets around the city for a chance of getting better exchange rates.

3. Currency Rates Are Volatile

It is always wise to monitor the currency rates. That’s because they are constantly changing. However, also keep in mind that tomorrow’s rate may cost you more for exchanging money than today’s rate does.

Also, it is a good idea to know about the best times to make an exchange. Generally speaking, Monday through Friday are the best days for exchanging money.

4. Do Not Exchange Money on a Weekend

The forex market is not open on weekends. As a result, weekends are not a good time to exchange your money for the locally accepted currency. Besides, every money-changing vendor will be using the last quote made on Friday. Therefore, it is better to wait until Monday.

RELATED ARTICLE: WHAT IS FOREX TRADING AND HOW DOES THE FOREX MARKET WORK?

5. ATMs Are Great Places for Exchanging Money

If your bank has an international ATM or a partner bank in the city you’re visiting, you could save money on withdrawal charges.

Nonetheless, even if that’s not the case, any ATM is still fairly inexpensive when it comes to exchanging your money for the locally accepted currency, even taking into account the transaction fees. So consider looking for an ATM when you want to exchange your money abroad.

6. Stay Away from “No-Fee” Bureaus

Avoid any bureau that has sign out front offering a “no-fee” currency exchange. Such a sign outside a money-exchanging bureau is an indication that you could be walking into a scam. The sign is just a way to lure you in. However, if you check their rates carefully, you will see that they are offering higher rates than you would get at an ATM.

7. Do Not Use Your Credit Card for a Cash Advance

As much as credit cards offer competitive rates, they often charge higher fees and interest rates on cash advances. What’s more, the interest on the advance will start as soon as you take the money. You won’t even get the usual interest-free grace period you receive for your credit card purchases.

8. Have Some Cash for Emergencies

Apart from your travel money, you should have an emergency fund stashed somewhere. Therefore, keep a U.S. one-hundred-dollar bill hidden away with you while you’re traveling. That’s because this is a currency that is accepted anywhere in the world, and it could get you out of a jam.

9. Do Not Use Your Debit Card for Purchases Abroad

Always use your ATM or debit card for cash withdrawals but not for purchases. This is because your bank account is likely to be debited immediately for any purchases. And if you decide to ask for a refund, it can take a week or more for that refund to be credited back to your account. This can be a big inconvenience while you’re traveling.

10. Use Credit Cards for Large Purchases Instead of Exchanging Money

Most credit cards will charge you a small percentage for the purchases you make abroad. However, they are still the least expensive and safest way to make payments for large purchases. Besides, credit cards often add their fee on top of the interbank rates. This can give you a better conversion rate even with the paid fees.

Be Sure to Have a Plan for Exchanging Money When Traveling

In conclusion, have a proper plan for exchanging money when you’re traveling internationally. In short, understand when, where, and how to exchange your money for the local currency. Knowing these things will help you to avoid unnecessary costs.

The post Exchanging Money Abroad: 10 Simple Tips for Getting a Better Deal appeared first on Business Opportunities.

Being a rental business owner is not easy. You have to wear many hats at the same time. Whether it is damaged equipment returned by a customer, a missing product, or a scheduling conflict, everything falls on your shoulders. All these mounting responsibilities can be hard to deal with. However, they serve as a great reminder that running a rental business is no easy feat.

Let’s take a look at five truths all rental business owners should never turn a blind eye to.

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1. There Is No 9 to 5. You Have a Rental Business Because You Love It!

Being your own boss might sound attractive. However, it comes with its fair share of troubles. It isn’t all parties and CEO moments. The truth is there is no such thing as a 9-to-5 workday or a clock-in and clock-out for an entrepreneur. Running your own business is much more demanding than that.

For example, if something obstructs your rental operation, you can’t leave it at the risk of it hindering your business processes. Sometimes, steering this ship is an all-around-the-clock thing. You might even need to tend to a 3 am emergency.

But if you’re putting in a ton of effort, you need to make sure that it has the maximum impact. This makes your health a top priority for the health of your business. Therefore, take care of yourself. In other words, account for your energy output and health so you can always cater to tasks to the best of your abilities.

Also, always, always prioritize tasks. Moreover, delegate the ones that someone else can handle. In this way, you can maximize your output.

You have to put your day and night into your business.

Image source: freepik.com

2. People Don’t Just Rent. They Buy the Experience of Renting

There could be many companies in the market that offer the same product lines. While products play a crucial role, they start to lose their importance when everyone has the same offering. That’s where the importance of a wholesome rental experience kicks in. In short, it is not about what products you offer but how you offer them.

Even if most of the rental businesses in town have identical camera brands or party supplies, you can still distinguish yourself from the crowd. Provide a meaningful customer experience to stand out.

For example, offer a pleasant atmosphere, helpful customer service, hassle-free paperwork, and timely deliveries. These all play into how your customers perceive your brand. What’s more, if you focus on all these fronts, you are likely to become a customer favorite.

People are always willing to pay for a better, easier, and more satisfying experience. Therefore, make sure you make it worth their money.

3. Customers Will Not Come to You. You Will Have to Be Both the Buyer and the Marketer

Let’s consider this: You have a great product line to rent out. You are using cutting-edge technology and incorporating innovative strategies for better customer experience. However, you still aren’t getting any customers.

The problem is customers don’t come flocking in long queues to a new business. On the contrary, the competitive world of business requires you to aggressively market yourself. It is through consumer-driven marketing, fool-proof content strategies, and growth hacking plans that your business is going to get traction.

You have to spread the word by marketing yourself.

Image source: freepik.com

Therefore, be sure to study ongoing rental and marketing trends, and always try to be in the shoes of the buyer. What are they expecting and what will move them to make a purchase? Thinking like a buyer will make you a better marketer. Moreover, it will help establish a permanent spot for your business in your target audience’s mind.

4. Overnight Success Doesn’t Exist. You Can’t Do It Without Consistency

There is no such thing as overnight success. Notably, all successful business owners will testify to the fact that getting your first 10 clients is going to be the hardest feat that you’ll accomplish in your career.

Often, another company’s hard work does not gain a lot of attention. What’s more, it might seem like certain companies made it to the top because luck was on their side. However, that’s far from the truth. In most cases, they worked day and night to get to that stage of their career.

The bottom line is that there’s no route leading to instant success. You have to put in the necessary hours. Only in this way will you establish a strong footing for your business, especially in the beginning when you’re juggling multiple tasks.

However, once you know the ins and outs of your industry and all the ongoing trends, you can grow your team and outsource tasks. Remember to keep notes on all the mistakes you made while doing every task and what you learned from them. After that, share what you’ve learned with your employees so you can help them grow as well. In a nutshell, switch from hard work to smart work.

5. Your Product Line Isn’t Exclusive. There Are Plenty of Other Fish in the Sea

Most rental businesses offer items that are popular among renters. This makes it hard to offer innovative product lines and gives rise to cut-throat competition.

There are probably companies out there that are much better than you. That’s because they feature a greater variety of products, offer better pricing, or use marketing strategies that instantly connect with their audience.

However, there’s no reason to lose heart. Instead of being discouraged, you can use this to your advantage and try to improve yourself. In other words, turn your competition into your driving force. Use it to continually re-evaluate your strategies. Who exactly is your target audience? What are others in your field doing differently? What’s more, how can you position yourself better in the market?

In short, focusing your efforts on the right people along with the right strategies will help you grow sustainably and outrun your competition. Moreover, to automate the process and keep your data secure, you can implement online rental software across your organization.

Running Your Rental Business Can Be a Rewarding Experience

Whether your business is a furniture rental, equipment rental, or party rental, there are some downsides of being a rental business owner.

However, it’s only a problem if you see it that way. You really only need to have a thick skin and a drive to pursue excellence, and you will be able to succeed. Without these two qualities, you might give up on what could’ve been a large enterprise.

On the other hand, if you’ve committed yourself to your business, don’t let harsh realities bring you down. That’s because there is always something waiting to be created, customers waiting to be served, and opportunities waiting to be made the most of.

And YOU can make it happen!

Author Bio

Kiran is a content writer and marketer at EZRentOut, which offers equipment rental software for SMBs, mid-sized rental businesses, enterprises and more. She is a guest writer and an MBA graduate. Kiran is enthusiastic about the way technology interacts with contemporary businesses. She is willing to explore beyond her knowledge.

The post The 5 Truths All Rental Business Owners Should Know appeared first on Business Opportunities.

The state of Rajasthan in India attracts not only tourists but also an increasing number of business travelers. But even if you’re visiting Rajasthan strictly for business purposes, be sure to take advantage of all there is to see and do while you’re there.

The majestic splendors of the state’s palaces and forts make it one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world. If your company’s business happens to take you there, be sure to take time to visit its colorful cities, including white Udaipur, pink Jaipur, and blue Jodhpur. And don’t miss its many beautiful lakes and lofty mountains.

To get more ideas, go to eRajasthanTourism.net. There you’ll find tips as well as alluring tour packages at greatly discounted prices.

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Reaching Rajasthan

There are plenty of options for traveling to Rajasthan. It is well connected by road and air. The international airport at Jaipur has regular flights from multiple domestic and international destinations. Rail is another popular means of travel. That’s because a vast network of local and express trains fan out across the state. Moreover, Rajasthan has an excellent road transport facility as well.

When to Visit Rajasthan

Summers in Rajasthan can be sweltering. For this reason, the best time to enjoy the state and its attractions is during winter, when the temperatures are pleasant for sightseeing and other activities. One can also enjoy Rajasthan during the monsoons because the temperatures drop then. In short, the months between October and March are the most comfortable times of the year.

Traveling Within Rajasthan

Transportation within Rajasthan comes in the form of cycle rickshaws, taxi, metro, and buses. Buses run between the major cities and make special trips to the major attractions. In addition, one can rent out a vehicle or hire a taxi to explore the state. You can also book significant transfers from the airport or the station to reach your destination. If you wish, you can also fly from one city to another within the state. That’s because Rajasthan has airports at various cities. For instance, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kota, Jaisalmer, Ajmer, and Udaipur all have local airports.

Where to Stay

When it comes to lodging, Rajasthan has almost endless options, whatever your budget. For example, business travelers can take advantage of popular business hotels. To name a few, there are the Trident in Jaipur, Shahpura House, Golden Tulip Jaipur, Hilton Jaipur, Ramada Jaipur, and many more.

What to Do and See in Rajasthan

During those times when you’re free from meetings and seminars, be sure to visit as many of the following attractions as you can. Above all, take some time to unwind and relax while you’re in Rajasthan. Moreover, keep in mind that it doesn’t matter which city you visit in Rajasthan. That’s because wherever you go, there is plenty to see and explore here.

For example:

Jaipur is a particularly popular tourist attraction. That’s because of its palaces, forts, and temples.  Major attractions there include Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, and the City Palace.

In Jodhpur, explore Mehrangarh Fort and marvel at the massive walls that encircle it. Also, visit Jaswant Thada, the elegant Umaid Bhavan Palace, and Mandore Gardens.

Visit Udaipur, home to the City Palace, Rajasthan’s largest palace. Additionally, the Garden Palace is there as well, as is the Lake Palace at the banks of Lake Pichola. Also, you can explore the 15th-century fort of Kumbhalgarh as well as many other attractions.

Enjoy majestic views from Mount Abu. Major attractions there include Dilwara Jain Temples near Mount Abu and the Nakki Lake.

In the city of Bikaner you’ll discover epic forts such as Junagarh. Additionally, you’ll enjoy the stunning architecture of Lallgarh, as well as several other amazing places to visit in Bikaner.

But wait. There’s more:

See the sights in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan’s golden city, famous for its majestic forts, ancient havelis, and grand palaces. Further, enjoy a breathtaking view of the Thar desert with its high sand dunes.

Chittorgarh, too, is loaded with attractions. For example, explore Chittorgarh Fort, the Kirti Stambh, Rani Padmini’s Palace, the Vijay Stambh, and more.

Finally, Ajmer is a well-known center for Muslim pilgrimages. What’s more, be sure to visit Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, Akbari Fort, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, and Taragarh Fort, an excellent example of Muslim architecture.

Shopping and Eating in Rajasthan

The exotic state of Rajasthan is famous for its tourist-friendly destinations and its traditional bazaars and colorful street markets. Explore these markets and shop for jewelry, handicrafts, miniature paintings, leather goods, traditional Rajasthani artifacts, and footwear.

But even when you’re visiting Rajasthan strictly for business, do enjoy tasting the local delicacies and authentic Rajasthani cuisines. For example, try the traditional Rajasthani thali as well as other delicious dishes. And don’t go home without tasting, for instance, Dal Bati Churma, Mohan Thaal, Laal Maas, Mawa Kachori, Mirchi Bada, Mohan Maas, Pyaaz Ki Kachori, Gatte, Kadhi, and more.

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