If you're short on money, but you've got a little time, then there are several ways that you can advertise your business and start earning very easily.
Your first step to promoting using free advertising is to find as many free classified ad sites online as you can. Post your ads.
The secret to writing a great ad is to study good headlines. Write a good headline, and you'll make it a lot easier for others to click your ad.
You can study newspaper ads, Google Adwords, as well as classified ads on these free sites. You'll get plenty of good ideas you can incorporate into your own ads.
Another thing you can do is to write articles. There are tons of article directories on the internet that are looking for great content.
(Sites like US Free Ads will allow you to post your articles and reviews on their site. Don't forget to submit your articles to sites that offer revenue sharing. It's a great oppportunity for you to advertise your business and earn a little money at the same time.)
You can give them great content and brand yourself as an expert on your topic at the same time.
To write really great articles, you should first know your topic. If you don't know your topic as well as you would like, then do a little research to fill out your education.
Craft a good title (headline). Like classified ads, a good headline will draw your readers in and get them to at least take a look at your article.
Don't forget your resource box either. Make sure you include a reason for readers to click back to your website and include a url to your website.
You can also get local. Many small towns have radio stations and local newspapers. Local, smaller operations are always looking for content, as well as guests.
It certainly doesn't hurt to put in a call to these places and find out what they're looking for. Try to offer them something valuable.
You might even be able to submit articles, press releases, or other content. Who knows, you might even end up with a column at the local newspaper!
Some other easy and inexpensive ways to advertise your business are business cards, flyers, circulars, and local bulletin boards.
Hand out your business cards to others. Post flyers on as many local bulletin boards as you can. Don't be shy about talking about your business.
If you have something free to give away, it might not even be a bad idea to post an ad in the classifieds of your local paper. You can also look for free papers that accept ads. You may have even better luck there.
Although it will cost you a little money, these free circulars, like Thrifty Nickel, can become an easy outlet for you in promoting your business.
(Don't forget to post these free offers on the free classified ad sites either.)
You certainly shouldn't overlook your local markets because people like to buy from those they know.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Cookstown learns how to earn on ebay
NORTHERN Ireland Electricity (NIE) is sponsoring the first ever Ebay training event in Cookstown.
The course, which is being run with the support of Cookstown Enterprise Centre, will take place at Cookstown Enterprise Centre on Thursday and Friday, October 18-19 (2pm-4.30pm on Thursday and 9.30am-4.30pm on Friday).
The course offers training to Cookstown businesses on how to master the art of making money on ebay.
The 'Basics of selling on ebay' course is being delivered by Michael Hughes, the only trained and approved ebay education specialist in Ireland.
The training, which is for small and medium-sized businesses within the area, will cover amongst other things how to register on Ebay, how to research, buy and sell on Ebay, plus how to spot scams and avoid them.
Alison Moore of NIE said, "Ebay now has over 200 million subscribers worldwide, 15 million of them in the UK alone.
"Sales on ebay this year will top £25 billion and around one million users make all or most of their income on it. UK residents spend more per head online than any other population in Europe.
"This is an excellent business opportunity for Cookstown businesses to set out their stall and sell their wares on the worldwide web.
"NIE is delighted to be able to support this first of a kind training course in Ireland."
Recent research conducted indicates that Northern Ireland companies are at the bottom of internet usage and online selling, which is also true for Ebay sales.
Ciaran Higgins, Manager of Cookstown Enterprise Centre, added, "Northern Ireland small businesses are missing out on significant online domestic sales and export opportunities.
"A recent survey reported that Ebay has created up to 30,000 new jobs within the 'cottage industry' type businesses in the UK, giving previously unsustainable and rural based businesses an export lifeline.
"It has the potential to offer small businesses a more level playing field than has previously existed in terms of successfully capturing on-line sales opportunities and getting established within the export market."
Course participants will receive training from Ebay trainer Michael Hughes, the only featured instructor in Europe.
As a precursor to becoming an accredited trainer, Michael has been in business for 20 years and has been trading on ebay for the last 18 months.
In that time, he has generated additional £30,000 revenue via the internet auction site.
"I know from experience that ebay opens up a world of opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses," he said.
"With your own website you have to design, maintain, manage and market it yourself whereas on ebay 95% of that work is done for you and an audience of 200 million can see your products."
If you are interested in finding out more about this Ebay training course, please contact Michael on 028 7083 4600.
The course, which is being run with the support of Cookstown Enterprise Centre, will take place at Cookstown Enterprise Centre on Thursday and Friday, October 18-19 (2pm-4.30pm on Thursday and 9.30am-4.30pm on Friday).
The course offers training to Cookstown businesses on how to master the art of making money on ebay.
The 'Basics of selling on ebay' course is being delivered by Michael Hughes, the only trained and approved ebay education specialist in Ireland.
The training, which is for small and medium-sized businesses within the area, will cover amongst other things how to register on Ebay, how to research, buy and sell on Ebay, plus how to spot scams and avoid them.
Alison Moore of NIE said, "Ebay now has over 200 million subscribers worldwide, 15 million of them in the UK alone.
"Sales on ebay this year will top £25 billion and around one million users make all or most of their income on it. UK residents spend more per head online than any other population in Europe.
"This is an excellent business opportunity for Cookstown businesses to set out their stall and sell their wares on the worldwide web.
"NIE is delighted to be able to support this first of a kind training course in Ireland."
Recent research conducted indicates that Northern Ireland companies are at the bottom of internet usage and online selling, which is also true for Ebay sales.
Ciaran Higgins, Manager of Cookstown Enterprise Centre, added, "Northern Ireland small businesses are missing out on significant online domestic sales and export opportunities.
"A recent survey reported that Ebay has created up to 30,000 new jobs within the 'cottage industry' type businesses in the UK, giving previously unsustainable and rural based businesses an export lifeline.
"It has the potential to offer small businesses a more level playing field than has previously existed in terms of successfully capturing on-line sales opportunities and getting established within the export market."
Course participants will receive training from Ebay trainer Michael Hughes, the only featured instructor in Europe.
As a precursor to becoming an accredited trainer, Michael has been in business for 20 years and has been trading on ebay for the last 18 months.
In that time, he has generated additional £30,000 revenue via the internet auction site.
"I know from experience that ebay opens up a world of opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses," he said.
"With your own website you have to design, maintain, manage and market it yourself whereas on ebay 95% of that work is done for you and an audience of 200 million can see your products."
If you are interested in finding out more about this Ebay training course, please contact Michael on 028 7083 4600.
Craigslist: The Easiest Way To Make Money Online
There are virtually 1000s of techniques to attain money online and sometime it may become a little puzzling with each of these so called "opportunities." Then what represents the simplest method to earn money online? There really isn't the safest way to make money online. Looking upon your skills and talent are how you decide what work best.
Nevertheless if you're an individual who barely began making money online and have got no more idea what to do and do not prefer to waste your money then Craigslist is the 1st base you had better head to.
What is Craiglist and why it's one of the finest free way to bring in money online?
1. Craigslist is the most favourite classified ads web site of all time. Craigslist is acknowledged because of their severe rules and policy. Whatever spam ads will get erased almost instantly by users or their staff. A lot of Internet Marketers receive hassle with this and can't seem to get their advertisements to appear on the site.
2. Craigslist is free to utilize. Although they are so popular, they allow us to use it free to post our ads in numerous cities and country. Numerous multitude have used Craigslist to purchase trade goods and service from others. Those that are fortunate enough to know how to use Craigslist with wisdom have created 1000s of bucks. A few even bring in $500-1000 per month with Craigslist applying their free service.
3. Craigslist is strict. This is a good thing because that means fewer competitor for you if you know how to apply it correctly.
So altogether, Craiglist is just immense for sharp Internet Marketers and you never pay a cent to advertise on their web site. I recommend you to start using Craigslist now and begin experiencing with it. It is flourishing by the seconds and bear huge potential for those bright enough to utilize it.
Bringing in money on Craigslist is the simplest way of all time but most never arrives at it.
1. They don't know how to acquire high CTR.
2. They don't know how to post correctly so it passes the spam filter.
3. They give up way too easily once Craigslist disapprove them since they do not know how to post right.
http://www.WarriorBlog.net
Nevertheless if you're an individual who barely began making money online and have got no more idea what to do and do not prefer to waste your money then Craigslist is the 1st base you had better head to.
What is Craiglist and why it's one of the finest free way to bring in money online?
1. Craigslist is the most favourite classified ads web site of all time. Craigslist is acknowledged because of their severe rules and policy. Whatever spam ads will get erased almost instantly by users or their staff. A lot of Internet Marketers receive hassle with this and can't seem to get their advertisements to appear on the site.
2. Craigslist is free to utilize. Although they are so popular, they allow us to use it free to post our ads in numerous cities and country. Numerous multitude have used Craigslist to purchase trade goods and service from others. Those that are fortunate enough to know how to use Craigslist with wisdom have created 1000s of bucks. A few even bring in $500-1000 per month with Craigslist applying their free service.
3. Craigslist is strict. This is a good thing because that means fewer competitor for you if you know how to apply it correctly.
So altogether, Craiglist is just immense for sharp Internet Marketers and you never pay a cent to advertise on their web site. I recommend you to start using Craigslist now and begin experiencing with it. It is flourishing by the seconds and bear huge potential for those bright enough to utilize it.
Bringing in money on Craigslist is the simplest way of all time but most never arrives at it.
1. They don't know how to acquire high CTR.
2. They don't know how to post correctly so it passes the spam filter.
3. They give up way too easily once Craigslist disapprove them since they do not know how to post right.
http://www.WarriorBlog.net
Monday, October 1, 2007
Learn the basics of student finance
Staying on top of spending is key to a healthy bank balance at university, but if you really want to keep your finances in shape and save money, a good place to start is the account itself. Here, Times Money runs through the student finance basics, from current accounts and credit cards to loans and bursaries.
Student bank accounts
The chances are that you will be with the bank you use as a student for at least three years, if not the rest of your life, so give yourself time to think carefully before signing up.
David Malcolm, finance officer for the National Union of Students, suggests looking at the details, which could make a big difference. An interest-free overdraft will come as standard, but ask how much you will be charged if you go over your limit. Mr Malcolm says: “Also think about logistics: are there branches nearby and how much support is there for students in those branches?”
Halifax is offering the biggest free overdraft this year, at £2,750 from the first year. That figure is set for the full three years, rather than increasing gradually, as with most other student overdrafts. However, this is an “up to” figure, so not everyone will be eligible for the full amount. NatWest gives students a five-year Young Persons Railcard, which cuts train fares by up to a third. The free overdraft starts at £1,250, rising to £1,600 in your third year. Lloyds TSB, meanwhile, has a £1,500 free overdraft and promises £75 cash back after your first year, but only to those who manage the impossible and stay in credit.
Mr Malcolm adds: “The trick is to look beyond the gimmicks. Something useful, such as the railcard, will always be popular because, though inexpensive, you can save a lot more money over the course of five years.”
Most banks allow graduates a bit of time to pay back their student overdrafts interest-free. HSBC has reversed its decision to end free overdrafts for graduates, but others, such as Halifax, allow only a year to repay the free overdraft before charging you interest.
Credit cards
You are likely to be offered a credit card, or sent one automatically, when you open a student bank account, but remember that these cards must be handled with extreme caution.
Halifax and NatWest, for example, add student credit cards to their current account packages and charge interest of 17.9 per cent and 18.9 per cent respectively. Blow £500 on the NatWest card and, sticking to the minimum monthly repayment of 2.25 per cent, you will be paying it off for 14 years at a total cost of £1,104.20.
Lisa Taylor, of Moneyfacts, the financial website, says that credit cards should be used only in emergencies, adding: “It is easy to get caught out. The interest adds up quickly and paying off the balance is hard if you are not earning.”
It is likely that your card will be designed specifically for students. The Barclays Student credit card has the lowest rate, at 14.9 per cent, and includes delivery protection for online purchases, free text reminders of payment dates and fraud protection.
If you have already racked up credit card debts, perhaps on a gap year, it may be worth consolidating the debt with a 0 per cent balance transfer. The Virgin Money MasterCard charges 0 per cent on balance transfers for 15 months, but remember that the rate then rises to 15.9 per cent. For large purchases, such as a laptop computer, you could use the Purchase Card from Halifax, which offers 0 per cent on purchases for 15 months. After that, however, the balance is charged at 14.9 per cent.
As with all credit cards, if you clear the balance by the end of the month, rather than sticking to the minimum payment, you will avoid paying any interest at all.
Loans
Student loans are designed to cover tuition fees and help with living costs. Interest is charged at the rate of inflation. The maximum loan amounts are £3,070 a year for tuition fees and £6,315 a year for maintenance.
New students from low-income households – with income, after allowances, of less than £38,330 – are eligible for a nonrepayable maintenance grant of up to £2,765 a year. Information on funding is online at www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk and you can apply for grants and loans at www.direct.gov.uk .
This year’s deadline for loan and grant applications was June 29, but late applications are accepted until nine months after your course’s start date. Latecomers may receive their first instalment after the start of term, which can make for tough budgeting.
You must start to repay the loans once you are earning more than £15,000 a year. Repayments are 9 per cent of income above this and are deducted from your salary. The self-employed make repayments directly to the Student Loans Company.
Bursaries
There is more financial support available than you probably realise. A survey by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) this year found that two thirds of students did not realise that their university could offer nonrepayable bursaries from £305 to £1,000.
Next month the Government is starting a campaign to let students know what is available. Your first stop should be the Bursary Aware map at www.bursarymap.direct.gov.uk, which gives details of all bursaries available from universities and higher education institutions in England.
Jenna Khalfan, of the NUS, says: “There are different pockets of money available and students often miss out because it is not made clear. It can be an easily missed tick-box on a form that is the difference between getting a bursary or not.”
Universities that charge full tuition fees of £3,070 have to offer bursaries of at least £305, though many offer more to students from households with income of less than £17,900. From next year, this threshold will rise to £25,000.
The Aim Higher website at www.aimhigher.ac.uk has a list of the different sources of financial support. These include the Access to Learning fund and specific funds to help the disabled and students with children.
Don’t dismiss savings opportunities
Student savings may sound like an oxymoron, but if you can put away a little, it will prove invaluable if you are hit with unexpected expenses.
A tax-free instant-access Isa from National Counties Building Society can be opened with as little as £1 and pays a market-leading 6.26 per cent.
If you are not working and need not worry about tax on your savings, a standard online savings account will work just as well as an Isa. Sainsbury’s Bank’s Internet Saver pays 6.25 per cent.
Sue Hannums, of AWD Chase de Vere, the independent financial adviser, suggests putting a chunk of your student loan in a savings account. “You can drip-feed money into your student account and earn interest on the rest,” she says.
CASE STUDY
Anna Griffiths, 22, is starting her third year studying psychology at Roehampton University, London. She has a student account with Halifax, with a free overdraft of £2,750.
Miss Griffiths, left, has a student credit card with Halifax, which she leaves at home. “It is useful to have one,” she says, “but I don’t trust myself to carry it around with me.”
She also has a web-saver savings account with Halifax, where she keeps the cash she saved while working over the summer.
Her advice to new students is to set a weekly budget and put aside money for the household bills, adding: “It is hard to stick to, but it’s easy to run out of money if you do not.”
Student bank accounts
The chances are that you will be with the bank you use as a student for at least three years, if not the rest of your life, so give yourself time to think carefully before signing up.
David Malcolm, finance officer for the National Union of Students, suggests looking at the details, which could make a big difference. An interest-free overdraft will come as standard, but ask how much you will be charged if you go over your limit. Mr Malcolm says: “Also think about logistics: are there branches nearby and how much support is there for students in those branches?”
Halifax is offering the biggest free overdraft this year, at £2,750 from the first year. That figure is set for the full three years, rather than increasing gradually, as with most other student overdrafts. However, this is an “up to” figure, so not everyone will be eligible for the full amount. NatWest gives students a five-year Young Persons Railcard, which cuts train fares by up to a third. The free overdraft starts at £1,250, rising to £1,600 in your third year. Lloyds TSB, meanwhile, has a £1,500 free overdraft and promises £75 cash back after your first year, but only to those who manage the impossible and stay in credit.
Mr Malcolm adds: “The trick is to look beyond the gimmicks. Something useful, such as the railcard, will always be popular because, though inexpensive, you can save a lot more money over the course of five years.”
Most banks allow graduates a bit of time to pay back their student overdrafts interest-free. HSBC has reversed its decision to end free overdrafts for graduates, but others, such as Halifax, allow only a year to repay the free overdraft before charging you interest.
Credit cards
You are likely to be offered a credit card, or sent one automatically, when you open a student bank account, but remember that these cards must be handled with extreme caution.
Halifax and NatWest, for example, add student credit cards to their current account packages and charge interest of 17.9 per cent and 18.9 per cent respectively. Blow £500 on the NatWest card and, sticking to the minimum monthly repayment of 2.25 per cent, you will be paying it off for 14 years at a total cost of £1,104.20.
Lisa Taylor, of Moneyfacts, the financial website, says that credit cards should be used only in emergencies, adding: “It is easy to get caught out. The interest adds up quickly and paying off the balance is hard if you are not earning.”
It is likely that your card will be designed specifically for students. The Barclays Student credit card has the lowest rate, at 14.9 per cent, and includes delivery protection for online purchases, free text reminders of payment dates and fraud protection.
If you have already racked up credit card debts, perhaps on a gap year, it may be worth consolidating the debt with a 0 per cent balance transfer. The Virgin Money MasterCard charges 0 per cent on balance transfers for 15 months, but remember that the rate then rises to 15.9 per cent. For large purchases, such as a laptop computer, you could use the Purchase Card from Halifax, which offers 0 per cent on purchases for 15 months. After that, however, the balance is charged at 14.9 per cent.
As with all credit cards, if you clear the balance by the end of the month, rather than sticking to the minimum payment, you will avoid paying any interest at all.
Loans
Student loans are designed to cover tuition fees and help with living costs. Interest is charged at the rate of inflation. The maximum loan amounts are £3,070 a year for tuition fees and £6,315 a year for maintenance.
New students from low-income households – with income, after allowances, of less than £38,330 – are eligible for a nonrepayable maintenance grant of up to £2,765 a year. Information on funding is online at www.studentsupportdirect.co.uk and you can apply for grants and loans at www.direct.gov.uk .
This year’s deadline for loan and grant applications was June 29, but late applications are accepted until nine months after your course’s start date. Latecomers may receive their first instalment after the start of term, which can make for tough budgeting.
You must start to repay the loans once you are earning more than £15,000 a year. Repayments are 9 per cent of income above this and are deducted from your salary. The self-employed make repayments directly to the Student Loans Company.
Bursaries
There is more financial support available than you probably realise. A survey by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) this year found that two thirds of students did not realise that their university could offer nonrepayable bursaries from £305 to £1,000.
Next month the Government is starting a campaign to let students know what is available. Your first stop should be the Bursary Aware map at www.bursarymap.direct.gov.uk, which gives details of all bursaries available from universities and higher education institutions in England.
Jenna Khalfan, of the NUS, says: “There are different pockets of money available and students often miss out because it is not made clear. It can be an easily missed tick-box on a form that is the difference between getting a bursary or not.”
Universities that charge full tuition fees of £3,070 have to offer bursaries of at least £305, though many offer more to students from households with income of less than £17,900. From next year, this threshold will rise to £25,000.
The Aim Higher website at www.aimhigher.ac.uk has a list of the different sources of financial support. These include the Access to Learning fund and specific funds to help the disabled and students with children.
Don’t dismiss savings opportunities
Student savings may sound like an oxymoron, but if you can put away a little, it will prove invaluable if you are hit with unexpected expenses.
A tax-free instant-access Isa from National Counties Building Society can be opened with as little as £1 and pays a market-leading 6.26 per cent.
If you are not working and need not worry about tax on your savings, a standard online savings account will work just as well as an Isa. Sainsbury’s Bank’s Internet Saver pays 6.25 per cent.
Sue Hannums, of AWD Chase de Vere, the independent financial adviser, suggests putting a chunk of your student loan in a savings account. “You can drip-feed money into your student account and earn interest on the rest,” she says.
CASE STUDY
Anna Griffiths, 22, is starting her third year studying psychology at Roehampton University, London. She has a student account with Halifax, with a free overdraft of £2,750.
Miss Griffiths, left, has a student credit card with Halifax, which she leaves at home. “It is useful to have one,” she says, “but I don’t trust myself to carry it around with me.”
She also has a web-saver savings account with Halifax, where she keeps the cash she saved while working over the summer.
Her advice to new students is to set a weekly budget and put aside money for the household bills, adding: “It is hard to stick to, but it’s easy to run out of money if you do not.”
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