1. Define your niche: Determine the type of photography you want to specialize in. It could be portrait photography, event photography, landscape photography, product photography, or any other area that aligns with your skills and interests. Focusing on a specific niche allows you to target your marketing efforts effectively.
2. Assess your equipment: Evaluate your current camera gear and assess if it meets the requirements for your chosen niche. Depending on the type of photography you plan to pursue, you may need additional lenses, lighting equipment, tripods, and other accessories. Invest in quality equipment that meets your specific needs and budget.
3. Build your portfolio: Start building a portfolio by capturing high-quality photographs in your chosen niche. You can collaborate with friends, family, or models to create a diverse range of images that showcase your skills. Consider offering your services for free or at a discounted rate initially to gain experience and expand your portfolio.
4. Create a professional online presence: Establish an online presence to showcase your work and attract potential clients. Build a website or create a portfolio on platforms like Instagram, Flickr, or Behance. Feature your best images, provide a clear description of your services, and include contact information for inquiries.
5. Set competitive pricing: Research the market rates for photography services in your area and determine competitive yet profitable pricing. Consider factors such as your experience level, equipment costs, editing time, and the value you offer to clients. Gradually increase your rates as you gain more experience and build a reputation.
6. Develop a marketing strategy: Identify your target audience and develop a marketing plan to reach them. Utilize social media platforms, online directories, and local advertising to promote your services. Collaborate with complementary businesses or offer referral incentives to expand your network.
7. Provide excellent customer service: Deliver exceptional customer service to ensure client satisfaction and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Communicate clearly with clients, understand their needs, and deliver the final products in a timely manner. Respond promptly to inquiries, be professional and friendly, and go the extra mile to exceed expectations.
8. Expand your skills and knowledge: Continuously improve your photography skills through self-study, workshops, online courses, or mentoring programs. Stay updated with the latest photography techniques, editing software, and industry trends. Growing your skills and knowledge will enhance the quality of your work and help you stand out from the competition.
9. Network with other photographers: Connect with other photographers in your area or online photography communities. Attend local photography meetups, workshops, or conferences to learn from professionals and build relationships. Networking can lead to collaborations, referrals, and valuable insights from experienced photographers.
10. Manage your time effectively: Balancing a side business with other commitments can be challenging. Create a schedule that allows dedicated time for photography, client interactions, editing, and marketing. Prioritize tasks and set realistic goals to ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

1. Create a compelling profile: Your Upwork profile is your digital resume and potential clients’ first impression of you. Optimize your profile by highlighting your skills, experience, and expertise. Use a professional photo, write a captivating bio, and showcase your portfolio. Include relevant keywords in your profile to improve your visibility in client searches.
2. Build a strong portfolio: Clients often make hiring decisions based on a freelancer’s previous work. Develop a portfolio that showcases your best projects and demonstrates your skills. Include a variety of samples that highlight your range and expertise. If you’re new to freelancing, consider offering discounted or pro bono work to build your portfolio.
3. Submit tailored proposals: When applying for jobs on Upwork, take the time to craft personalized and tailored proposals for each opportunity. Read the job description carefully, understand the client’s requirements, and address how your skills and experience align with their needs. Highlight relevant projects from your portfolio that showcase your abilities.
4. Deliver exceptional work: Consistently provide high-quality work that exceeds client expectations. Meet project deadlines, communicate effectively, and maintain professionalism throughout the process. Regularly update clients on progress and seek feedback to ensure you’re meeting their requirements. Positive reviews and client recommendations will help you secure future projects.
5. Nurture client relationships: Cultivate strong relationships with your clients to foster repeat business and referrals. Be responsive and communicative, actively listen to their needs, and offer solutions to their challenges. Go the extra mile to provide exceptional customer service. Satisfied clients are more likely to recommend you to others and leave positive reviews on your Upwork profile.

Bonus tip: Invest in continuous learning and skill development to stay competitive. Stay updated with industry trends, expand your knowledge, and consider taking relevant online courses or certifications. The more skills you acquire, the broader your range of opportunities becomes.

1. Upwork (www.upwork.com): Upwork is one of the largest freelancing platforms where you can find a wide range of virtual assistant jobs. Create a profile, search for relevant job postings, and submit proposals to clients.
2. Freelancer (www.freelancer.com): Freelancer is another popular freelancing platform that offers virtual assistant job opportunities. Sign up, complete your profile, and bid on projects that match your skills and expertise.
3. Fiverr (www.fiverr.com): Fiverr is a platform where you can offer your virtual assistant services and set your own rates. Create a gig showcasing your skills and experience as a virtual assistant, and potential clients can hire you directly.
4. Virtual Assistant job boards: Various websites and job boards are dedicated to virtual assistant job listings. Examples include www.virtualassistantjobs.com, www.remote.co, and www.hiremymom.com. Visit these platforms regularly to find new job opportunities.
5. LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com): LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where you can connect with potential clients and find virtual assistant job listings. Update your LinkedIn profile, join relevant groups, and search for virtual assistant positions posted by companies or individuals.
6. Online communities and forums: Engage in online communities and forums related to virtual assistance. Often, clients post job opportunities or look for virtual assistants in these spaces. Examples include the Virtual Assistant Forums (www.virtualassistantforums.com) or the r/WorkOnline subreddit (www.reddit.com/r/WorkOnline).
7. Company websites: Some companies directly advertise virtual assistant positions on their websites. Check the career or job openings sections of companies that you are interested in working with to see if they have any virtual assistant positions available.

1. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language): A TEFL certification is widely recognized and respected for teaching English as a foreign language. It provides training in language teaching methodologies, lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment techniques. Many online language teaching platforms and institutions prefer or require TEFL certification for English language teaching positions.
2. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): Similar to TEFL, TESOL certification focuses on teaching English to non-native speakers. It covers principles of language acquisition, lesson planning, teaching techniques, and cultural considerations. TESOL certification can be beneficial for online language teaching positions, particularly for teaching English as a second language.
3. CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): CELTA is an internationally recognized qualification offered by Cambridge Assessment English. It provides comprehensive training in language teaching methodologies, lesson planning, and practical teaching experience. CELTA is highly regarded and can open doors to online language teaching opportunities.
4. DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): DELTA is an advanced-level qualification for experienced language teachers. While not always required for online teaching, DELTA demonstrates a high level of expertise and can be advantageous in competitive job markets or when seeking higher-level teaching positions.
5. Other language-specific certifications: If you plan to teach languages other than English, there may be language-specific certifications available. For example, for teaching Spanish, you may consider certifications like DELE (Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language) or SIELE (International Spanish Language Evaluation Service). These certifications validate your language proficiency and teaching competence in specific languages.

There are four main ways a college-students can make money online and extend their budget. They are:

1. Answering surveys
2. Signing up for trial offers that actually pay you more than they cost
3. Watching videos
4. Using the Swagbucks cashback program for online shopping & dining

Millennial Investing by The Investor’s Podcast Network is hosted by Robert Leonard (@therobertleonard) and Rebecca Hotsko (@RebeccaHotsko). They cover not only investing basics and investment and financial advice, but also business topics such as entrepreneurship, side hustles, personal development, and more to help educate and inspire the millennial generation. The show’s mission is to improve people’s financial literacy and business savvy in order to help anyone make better investment decisions with both their time AND money.

New Episodes are Released Bi-weekly on Tuesdays! Welcome to Ditch the Suits, where reformed planners get real about the stuff no one in the financial world wants you to know about. If you are interested in learning from successful business owners about how to build your retirement and better manage your family’s wealth while protecting it from financial exploitation, stick around and join co-hosts Steve Campbell and Travis Maus for this unapologetic and thought-provoking no-holds-barred banter. Connect with us! Send us an email at ditchthesuits@gmail.com with any thoughts, questions, or feedback.

With over 20 years of experience, Quint Tatro and Daniel Czulno have a passion for helping folks who desire to go it alone in the world of personal finance and investing. Whether you’re looking to start a simple budget and get out of debt or you’re developing a full blown financial and retirement plan, DIY Money is for those who want to drive the ship towards their retirement future.

Take control of your life and money once and for all. The Ramsey Show offers up straight talk from Dave Ramsey and his team of co-hosts. Millions listen in as callers from all walks of life learn how to get out of debt and start building for the future. Check out one of Apple’s most popular podcasts! For more information, visit www.ramseysolutions.com

Have a question for the show? Call 888-825-5225 Weekdays from 2-5pm ET.

1. Sign up for the Amazon Associates program: Visit the Amazon Associates website and sign up for the program. Provide the necessary information and agree to the terms and conditions. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a unique affiliate ID that you can use to track your referrals and earnings.
2. Choose your niche and target audience: Select a specific niche or category of products that aligns with your interests and target audience. Focusing on a niche allows you to establish yourself as an authority and attract relevant visitors who are more likely to make purchases.
3. Create a website or blog: Build a website or blog where you can promote products as an Amazon Associate. Choose a domain name that reflects your niche and create engaging, informative, and valuable content for your target audience. Regularly update your website with fresh content to attract visitors and keep them engaged.
4. Add affiliate links to your content: Incorporate Amazon affiliate links within your content to direct visitors to specific products on Amazon. You can create text links, image links, or even use Amazon’s native shopping ads. Ensure that your affiliate links are properly disclosed according to the guidelines set by Amazon and the relevant regulations in your jurisdiction.
5. Produce high-quality content: Focus on creating high-quality content that provides value to your audience. Write product reviews, buyer’s guides, tutorials, or other content that educates and assists your readers in making informed purchasing decisions. By offering helpful information and recommendations, you can increase the likelihood of conversions.
6. Drive traffic to your website: Implement strategies to drive traffic to your website or blog. Optimize your content for search engines (SEO), promote your content on social media platforms, participate in relevant online communities, and consider running targeted advertising campaigns. The more targeted traffic you attract, the higher the chances of generating affiliate sales.
7. Analyze and optimize your performance: Use the reporting and analytics tools provided by Amazon Associates to track your performance. Monitor your click-through rates, conversion rates, and earnings to identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Optimize your content, placements, and marketing strategies based on the data to maximize your earnings potential.
8. Explore additional promotional opportunities: In addition to your website or blog, consider exploring other promotional avenues. You can leverage social media platforms, email marketing, YouTube videos, or even create your own Amazon affiliate storefront to expand your reach and increase your earning potential.

1. Pay your bills on time: Payment history is one of the most significant factors in determining your credit score. Consistently paying your bills by the due date can have a positive impact on your score. Set up automatic payments or reminders to ensure you don’t miss any payments.
2. Reduce credit card balances: Your credit utilization ratio, which is the amount of credit you’re currently using compared to your total credit limit, plays a significant role in your credit score. Aim to keep your credit card balances low, ideally below 30% of your available credit limit. Paying down your balances can help improve your credit utilization and potentially boost your score.
3. Avoid opening new credit accounts: Opening multiple new credit accounts within a short period can be seen as a red flag to lenders and may negatively impact your credit score. Focus on managing your existing accounts responsibly rather than applying for new credit.
4. Check your credit reports for errors: Regularly review your credit reports from the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to ensure there are no errors or inaccuracies. If you find any discrepancies, such as accounts that don’t belong to you or incorrect payment information, dispute them with the credit bureau to have them corrected. Removing errors can potentially improve your credit score.
5. Maintain a mix of credit types: Having a diverse mix of credit accounts, such as credit cards, loans, and mortgages, can positively impact your credit score. If you only have credit cards, consider diversifying your credit portfolio by responsibly managing different types of credit accounts over time.

1. Conduct thorough market research: Before making a purchase, thoroughly research the market where you intend to buy the rental property. Evaluate factors such as rental demand, vacancy rates, property values, neighborhood amenities, and potential future growth. Understanding the local market dynamics will help you make an informed decision and select a property with strong rental potential.
2. Determine your investment strategy: Clarify your investment goals and strategy. Decide whether you’re looking for cash flow, long-term appreciation, or a combination of both. This will guide your property selection process and financial analysis. Consider factors such as rental income potential, expenses, property management requirements, and your overall investment timeline.
3. Perform a thorough financial analysis: Before committing to a purchase, conduct a detailed financial analysis of the property. Evaluate its potential income and expenses, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance costs, and any other relevant expenses. Factor in expected vacancy rates and consider the potential return on investment (ROI). Ensure that the property’s financials align with your investment goals.
4. Get professional assistance: Consider seeking professional guidance from real estate agents, property inspectors, and attorneys who specialize in real estate. They can help you navigate the purchase process, conduct property inspections, review legal documents, and provide valuable advice. Their expertise can help you make more informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.
5. Start conservatively and plan for contingencies: When purchasing your first rental property, it’s wise to be conservative with your financial projections. Overestimate expenses and account for potential vacancies or unexpected repairs. Have a contingency fund in place to cover unforeseen circumstances. Starting with a conservative approach will provide a buffer and help you manage unexpected challenges that may arise.

Additionally, remember to familiarize yourself with local landlord-tenant laws and regulations to ensure compliance. Establish clear tenant screening criteria and lease agreements to protect your interests as a landlord.