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[mega-hustler-blog]

We Offered $128,000 Over List — But It Wasn't Enough!

Sunday evening, Kim and I made an offer on a house. The Greenwood Place (as we'll call it) was listed at $649,000. We offered $677,777 escalating to $777,777; with no repairs required; and a $50,000 appraisal gap waiver. Our offer was not accepted. That's right: Two months after selling our home — and three months after beginning to search for the next place — Kim and I have waded back into this crazy housing market. We're not sure how long this process will last (or what the outcome will be) but we're prepared to be searching for many weeks, if not months. Both our mortgage broker (Michael S.) and our real estate agent (Michael K.) tell us we're doing things exactly right for this market. Kim and I both have credit scores over 800. “Everything looks unbelievably perfect here,” Michael S. told us in June. “That's amazing. Perfect credit.” We've sold our previous house and are currently renting a place while we search for another. This allows us to make offers without home sale contingencies. We're willing to take calculated risks to increase the strength of our offers, but we're not willing to compromise our financial health in doing so. “You can borrow $850,000 all day long,” Michael S. told us. “You'd probably have zero difficulties qualifying for $1 million.” We don't want to borrow a million dollars though because doing so would severely compromise our other goals. All the same, there aren't many homes on the market right now. Demand far outpaces supply, which is driving prices up and creating insanely competitive situations. It doesn't matter whether we're doing everything right. We're still going to run into folks who can make cash offers at more than $128,000 over a $649,000 asking price. Our plan? Be patient. Remain vigilant. We don't need to buy a home at the moment — and, in fact, perhaps it would be best if we didn't — but we want to be prepared to pounce if/when we find the right place. Today, I want to share a bit of our thought process as we attempt to buy a home in 2021. Where We're Starting From Currently, Kim and I are paying $2300 to rent a 1000-square-foot home in a nice, walkable neighborhood on the south side of Portland. We like it. (True story: Two days ago as I was walking the dog, a neighbor stopped me. “Is your name J.D.?” he asked. “I've been watching your YouTube videos!” The first time somebody has recognized me from my tiny YouTube channel haha.) This $2300/month rent payment is comfortable for both of us. Kim doesn't have the extensive retirement savings that I do, but she's in good shape compared to most people. She can afford $1150 per month for housing. And while she (and I) would love to have a lower housing payment, she's willing to go as high as $1200 per month. Our current housing situation leaves me swimming in money. That's the way it feels, anyhow. You see, one of the reasons I wanted to move was because I'd managed to cripple my monthly cash flow. I had too much invested in our house. I owned it outright. One-third of my net worth was locked into the home and couldn't be used for other things — such as buying food. When we owned the home on Wisteria, my monthly housing expenses were $377 for taxes and insurance. (Kim had no housing expenses. The home was mine.) Based on my non-retirement investments and savings, I had a monthly budget of $2059 to get me to age 59-1/2 (at which time I could access retirement accounts). That $2059/month budget was far below my actual spending, which averaged about $4200/month. By selling the home and moving into this rental, an amazing thing happened. Even though my monthly housing expenses jumped from $377 to $1150, my after-housing monthly budget increased from $2059 to $7588 — all because I now have a pile of cash in my bank account. This improved cash flow is 100% because we no longer have $500,000+ locked up on home equity. It's in my bank account. Yes, some of it will soon be in home equity once again (we hope) because we'll use it for a down payment on the next place. But I'll retain a sizable chunk of that to bridge the gap between today and 25 September 2028, when I turn 59-1/2. So, today I feel like I'm swimming in money. Instead of running a $2100 monthly budget deficit, I have a $3300 surplus. I am, once again, financially independent. This is our starting point. As we hunt for homes, I maintain a running spreadsheet that (among other things) tracks my projected monthly budget for each home. In fact, this monthly budget is my number-one consideration in purchasing a home. Selecting a City I am fifty-two years old. In the past thirty years, I've purchased four homes — and I'm about to buy a fifth. My homebuying habits are almost perfectly aligned with the American average. Homeowners tend to stay in one place for about seven or eight years, on average. In other ways too, my homebuying habits have been typical. If I'm not careful, for instance, I can get wrapped up in the emotional side of the process. When my ex-wife and I bought our hundred-year-old farmhouse in 2004, I was 100% motivated by emotion. There was nothing logical about the decision. When Kim and I purchased our most recent home in 2017, we allowed emotion to override logic to our detriment. This time around, I'm trying to be logical and deliberate. After four years in a house that proved problematic, and in the midst of a housing market that seems to have gone mad, I want to make a smart decision. So, my full-time “job” for the past couple of months has been house-hunting. I'm not saying that my process is perfect (nor applicable to everyone) but it's a hell of a lot more logical than any of my past home purchases. To begin with, Kim and I spent twelve full days during the last three months driving all over western Oregon and western Washington in search of a place to live. We'd frequently devote weekends to driving all over both states (with the dog in our laps), exploring small towns, and asking ourselves, “Could we live here?” We love Portland — despite what some media outlets would have you believe, it has not become a wretched hive of scum and villainy — but the place has grown too big for us. Both of us grew up in small towns. We want a slower-paced lifestyle without all of the chaos of a big city. While there are several cities that appeal to us, ultimately we've decided to move to Corvallis. Corvallis is a town of roughly 60,000 at the base of Oregon's coastal mountain range. It's an hour from the Pacific but still very much of the Willamette Valley, the agricultural region where I grew up. It's home to Oregon State University. It's the #1 biking town in the state (even ahead of Portland!) and has just enough stuff to do to keep us happy. After we decided on Corvallis, we made an effort to spend some time there. We'd pack up the dog on Saturday mornings, drive ninety minutes south, then spend a few hours exploring the city. We liked it — a lot. Even so, we were having a tough time getting a feel for the neighborhoods. Enter our real estate agent, Michael K. One day it occurred to me that maybe I could “outsource” learning Corvallis neighborhoods. Searching YouTube, I stumbled upon this video of a Realtor narrating a driving tour of the town. This helped us both so much that we contacted the narrator to ask if he'd take us on as clients. He agreed. For the past two weeks now, we've been working together to find a suitable location. Crunching the Numbers As you've probably heard, there aren't many houses for sale right now. I don't have the exact figures, but my memory tells me that the U.S. housing inventory is about half what it typically is. That means pickings are slim. And when you're searching for a place in a smaller city like Corvallis, pickings are even slimmer. Still, there are maybe a dozen new listings each week that meet our criteria. Michael K. has set us up with an automated tool that emails us when homes come on the market that matches what we're looking for. Plus, I spend hours each day on Zillow looking at the other homes that come up for sale — just in case, you know? What sort of filter are we using? Well, we've set an upper limit of $800,000 — remember that our mortgage broker told us we could borrow $850,000 “all day long” — and we're looking for places larger than 1500 square feet on at least one-tenth of an acre. Like I said, I use Zillow to find possible fits that slip through this net. Of the homes that come to market and make it through our filter, maybe half of them are places we're actually interested in: the price is acceptable, the house and yard look well-suited for our lifestyle, and so on. I put all of these matches into a spreadsheet that looks something like this : As you can see, my spreadsheet only tracks a handful of stats, but those are the stats that are most important to me. I don't track bedrooms and bathrooms, for instance, because our filter already screens for these. (Plus, I figure square footage is a reasonable proxy for beds and baths.) Here are the variables that matter most to me when hunting for a house: Price, of course. But the price isn't the only financial consideration, nor the most important. I don't want to overpay for a place, of course, but I look at the down payment (and eventual equity) as a transfer of assets. I'm not spending $300,000 if I buy a $300,000 house. I'm simply transferring money from cash to real estate. (The money lost to interest, however, is indeed an expense.) Size of the home. Again, this serves as a proxy for other things, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Lot size. Kim and I like a large yard. We recognize, however, that we're not going to find an acre of land in the middle of a city. Still, it's nice to have this number handy. Year the home was built. I want to know when a home was built for a variety of reasons. The building date can give me a rough idea of possible maintenance concerns. Plus, it's also a good guide for the style and layout of the house. I have three columns of numbers related to the monthly cost of the house. The “Each” column is most important to Kim. This shows her share of the housing payment each month. The “J.D. budget” column is most important to me. The “J.D. budget” number assumes that I'm using my savings to make a 50% down payment, then calculates what my monthly budget would be after my share of the housing payment. (Remember: this number is $7588 in our current rental and it was $2059 at our last house.) Walk Score. I like a walkable neighborhood. Walk Score isn't perfect for my situation — I don't care if I'm close to a school — but it's close enough. My main concern is that I'm within an easy walk of a grocery store. This is a huge deal to me. Walking distance to a park would be good too. Location. In which neighborhood is the house located? Notes. This is a catch-all for info like the apparent condition of the home, HOA fees, and so on. In practice, the most important item in the spreadsheet is the “J.D. budget” column. No joke: I tend to remember all of the other details about the various houses. Given my notoriously poor memory, this is something of a shock. As you can see, I've color-coded everything too. I'm using good ol' ROYGBIV, with red being the “bad” end of the spectrum and violet being the “good” end. This allows me to glance at the spreadsheet and know, say, that the Grant Circle house gives me an amazing budget but the Clarence house would put me in almost the same financial predicament as the home we just sold. (That Grant Circle house looks perfect on paper, doesn't it? It's not. It's a rental that's seen some tough love in the past.) A few other quick notes: Homes listed in bold are homes we've viewed in person. Shaded lines represent homes that are under contract, so are no longer available. And that one green line? Well, that's the home we made an offer on. Making an Offer Kim and I have viewed eleven homes now. A couple of these seemed fine in photos but were not good matches in person. Most were average. But one — the Greenwood house — was amazing. it was an almost perfect fit. (Why almost perfect? First of all, price. Second, walkability was marginal.) We toured the Greenwood house on Saturday afternoon. We loved it. As we drove around Corvallis the rest of the day, we discussed whether or not we should make an offer. “I think it's going to be out of our price range,” I said. “It's not going to sell for $649,000. You heard Michael. He called it an ‘atomic potato'. He thinks it'll go for much, much more.” “I know,” Kim said. “But don't you think we'd regret it if we didn't at least try to make an offer?” “Yes,” I said. “We'd regret it very much.” That evening, we met with Michael to go over the paperwork. Then I spent most of Sunday running the numbers through other spreadsheets. (What? You thought I had only one?!?) While I have my personal spreadsheet for tracking properties, the spreadsheet that actually matters most is the one from Michael S., our mortgage broker. This file allows us to make projections using actual numbers such as down payment, property taxes, and current interest rates. If we alter any one of the variables in the mortgage worksheet, we alter our projected financial obligations. As you can imagine, this can lead to many, many permutations of monthly payments and down payments. Generally speaking, Kim and I are planning to do the following: I will make a 50% down payment from the cash I have on hand after selling our last place. She and I will then split the monthly mortgage payment 50/50. This should work for 95% of the scenarios we're exploring. In order for us to make an offer on Greenwood, however, we had to break away from our standard plan. Our default assumptions would lead me to make a $325,000 down payment on the $649,000 list price, then my monthly budget would be $3803. But we knew that Greenwood wasn't going to sell for $649,000. It'd sell for something more. (Probably much more.) Ultimately, we figured we had to offer at least $100,000 over asking. Fortunately, the sellers were allowing escalation clauses, which meant we could offer $750,000+ without risking that we'd overbid anyone else by, say, $30,000. After much internal debate (and even some external discussion with Kim), I decided I'd be willing to buy this house if I could keep my projected budget at about $3800 per month. This is close enough to my current spending that I felt okay with it. Worst case, I'd find a part-time job to cover the gap, right? By Sunday evening, I'd come up with an offer amount: $777,7777 with a $250,000 down payment. This would give me my $3800/month budget assuming Kim was willing to pay $1200 per month toward housing (which she was). With at 50% down payment? Well, then my budget would be $900 lower each month. Still better than at the house we just sold, but less than what I want. Why a goofy number like $777,777? For fun. I'm not joking. Real-estate transactions are deadly dull affairs. I think it's fun to spice them up with numbers like this. (Plus, we thought it might send a positive signal to the sellers.) When I bought my condo on the river in 2013, I deliberately offered 4.01% over asking price because it was unit #401. The selling agent later confided that the owners had noticed the number and that it played a small but important role in their decision to sell to me. The offer we submitted on Sunday night looked like this: We offered a $677,000 starting price — $28,000 over asking. But our offer escalated in increments of $7,777 up to a top price of $777,777. We were offering to beat other offers by $7,777 up to our limit. We agreed to “no repairs”. We'd still perform an inspection, which would allow us to bow out of the deal if we found something catastrophic, but we wouldn't ask the seller to do any repairs. We included a $50,000 appraisal gap waiver. If our offer was accepted at $760,000 but the home appraised at $720,000, I would make up that $40,000 difference with my cash reserves. The next 36 hours were painful for Kim. She had become emotionally invested in the house. While I was hoping we would win the bidding war — our agent himself wrote one other offer for the house! — I was surprisingly cool and collected about the whole thing. Moving Forward Michael K. called on Tuesday morning. He didn't beat around the bush. “Your offer wasn't accepted,” he said without a preamble (which I appreciated). “I'm a little surprised. You wrote a strong offer.” Right now, we don't know how many offers Greenwood received and we don't know the amount of the winning bid. We won't know that until the place closes in a few weeks. But we're dying to know how much more we needed to offer in order to buy the place. Ultimately, however, we have no regrets. We know that we made the highest offer we possibly could. There was nothing more that we could have done without compromising our other financial goals. We're at peace with this outcome. Now, though, it's back to househunting. We've already lined up a couple of home tours for tomorrow afternoon. The places look promising — and one of them is much cheaper than the Greenwood place! I remain hopeful that we'll find a nice home in Corvallis with a walkable neighborhood, a yard for our animals, and space for Kim to do yoga and gardening. Still, a part of me knows we've only been at this for two weeks. The folks who bought our house in May had been shopping for ten months. The market is crazy right now, with far more buyers than sellers. Who knows? Maybe I'll be writing offer recaps through the winter and into next summer. But I sure hope not! Source link Read the full article

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Guide on How to Start Selling on Amazon

Wondering how to sell on Amazon? The first step is to sync Amazon and Shopify. Shopify is an official Amazon partner, allowing entrepreneurs like you to sell your products on Amazon. You can use Amazon as an additional sales channel to grow your revenue.  In this article, you’ll learn how to start selling on Amazon, and why you should list your products on the marketplace. In addition, you’ll learn a few tricks to maximize your Amazon sales. We’ll also debunk myths about selling on Amazon for beginners. NOTE: When it comes to how to sell on Amazon, there are lots of options. But… you cannot use any tool to dropship on Amazon. Why You Should Sell on Amazon 1. It’s the biggest online sales channel Amazon is the biggest online sales channel for online retailers. With over 1.9 million active Amazon sellers, the site proves to be a powerhouse.  Shoppers will find best-selling items on Amazon first. No wonder 89 percent of them say they are more likely to buy items from Amazon than other eCommerce sites. The massive e-commerce store carries millions of products in various categories. Don’t be discouraged by the amount of competition you might face. It’s better to be where your customers are by selling stuff on Amazon. Don’t let your competition take all of your potential sales. 2. Additional stream of revenue The main reason you should learn how to sell stuff on Amazon is that you’ll have access to the second stream of income. When it comes to selling through Amazon, you’ll want to be wherever your customers are.  If your customers are on Facebook, create Facebook ads to reach out to them. If your customers love reading and learning about your niche, create a blog so that they’ll find you easily. If your customer's shop on Amazon, sell on Amazon. You’ll be able to grow your sales and even connect with new customers by selling on the marketplace. 3. Trusted brand Amazon is a recognized and trusted brand. Amazon was founded in 1994. Thus, it has over 24 years of relationship and trust-building under its belt. If your store lacks brand recognition because it’s relatively new, customers may feel safer buying stuff from Amazon than from your store.  By selling stuff on Amazon through your own store, you can build a great brand image and reputation. And when selling on Amazon, you can get access to customers who may be a bit more risk averse.  Over time, the customers who consistently buy from you may eventually start buying directly from your store. 4. Many people have an account As mentioned earlier, Amazon has millions of active users. In the US, there are currently 150 million Amazon Prime subscribers. The average Amazon Prime user spends $1400 a year on Amazon products alone.  Thus, when it comes to eCommerce, Amazon has a huge chunk of the market share in the industry. Those with Amazon Prime accounts will likely search on Amazon for items they want since they have special perks as a member. It’s important to be where your customers are. If your primary audience is in the US, then selling products on Amazon is worthwhile. 5. Minimal fee One of the perks of selling on Amazon is that there aren’t any listing fees unless selling as an individual rather than a merchant account. You can add as many products to your Amazon store as your heart desires. With an Amazon Pro Merchant account, you’ll be required to pay $39.99 a month and a percentage of your sale. If you sell a lot of items on Amazon, the monthly fee seems minimal. 6. Proven success model Many of those who sell stuff on Amazon have achieved big payouts on the platform. About 0.3% of Amazon sellers make over $100 million in sales on Amazon alone, with 0.6% making over $50 million. The number may seem small but $100 million is a lot of money for a brand to make off only one sales channel. Notably, 51% of Amazon sellers make over $100,000 in sales each year so odds are definitely in your favor. With consistent effort, you too can be an Amazon success story. 4 Myths of Selling on Amazon 1. Amazon’s marketplace is too crowded While there are hundreds of millions of products on Amazon, there’s still room for a business like yours to make money.  Even if you can’t compete on price, it’s still possible for a potential Amazon customer to choose your product over a competitor or even supplier. Don’t add barriers. Even if you only make an additional $10,000 in revenue from selling stuff on Amazon, that’s still more than you would have had by avoiding it. 2. You can set it and forget it Oftentimes, entrepreneurs think marketplaces will result in people finding your products on their own. You need to be proactive about generating sales, especially in the beginning. Once you’ve built up a few sales and received positive reviews, you’ll be more likely to be found organically.  3. You can de-prioritize your store The reality is Amazon is only one of the online selling websites out there. You can also sell on other platforms. However, your own online store can prove to be more valuable over the long term as you can eventually sell it.  Also, if Amazon were to ever go away or close your shop, you’d still have your online store to fall back on.  Never become dependent on one sales channel. The more streams of income your business has, the less risky it is for you if any of them ever stop panning out. 4. New products can’t get organic traffic New products can get organic traffic if they’re well-optimized.  Also, if you send paid traffic to your products as soon as you upload them and focus on getting sales and reviews early on, your new products can also get organic traffic.  Potential customers may be wary of items without reviews, but there will still be those who buy products without them if it’s something they want. What is Amazon FBA or Fulfilled by Amazon? Amazon FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) is a service Amazon provides where Amazon carries your inventory and ships the products to your customers on your behalf. Items that are fulfilled by Amazon are able to reach customers with faster shipping times. When investigating how to sell products on Amazon, you’ll want to think about whether you want to ship items to customers yourself or have Amazon do it for you.  If you ship it out yourself, you can save additional Amazon fees. However, the mega online store has shipping guidelines you’ll still need to adhere to. If you don’t consistently deliver products within a reasonable time frame you might eventually get booted off the platform. Plus, by taking advantage of Amazon FBA, Amazon will take over the bulk of the work allowing you to have one less responsibility to worry about. Amazon FBA sellers also qualify for free shipping on orders over $49 for all items except books (booksellers qualify for free shipping on orders over $25).  Note: Using Amazon FBA doesn’t exempt you from selling on other sales channels. In other words, you can continue selling on your online store, Instagram, Facebook, and other marketplaces like Walmart and eBay. How to Become An Amazon Seller in 8 Steps 1. Choose What to Sell on Amazon The first step in learning how to sell on Amazon is figuring out what to sell on Amazon. To get product ideas, you can use our featured. merchants as an inspiration.  The dropshipping platform has thousands of products in different categories. Check out the items listed to get ideas for what you can sell on the Amazon marketplace. 2. Does your store meet all requirements? To become an Amazon seller, you’ll need to ensure that you meet all requirements and that your products aren’t restricted.  Niches like baby products, books, pet supplies, toys & games can start an Amazon store quickly. You can view additional eligible stores. If your niche isn’t listed there, you’ll need to apply for approval.  Amazon also has restricted products such as hoverboards, explosives, and weapons, so avoid selling anything that falls under Amazon’s restriction guidelines.. 3. Create a professional seller account If you currently run a Shopify store, you’ll likely need a professional Amazon account.  In the individual selling plan, every time you sell a product a .99 cent Amazon listing fee gets added which eats away at your margins, especially on top of other Amazon fees.  With a professional plan, you pay a $39.99 monthly subscription and a few category-related fees with a professional seller account. To register, go to Amazon Seller Central where you’ll have to provide your name, email, and password. Next, you’ll need to share your business details. Then, you’ll need to continue on with the process by providing Amazon your business’ billing, tax, and product information. 4. Apply for category approval When working through the process of selling on Amazon you’ll need to apply for category approval. Some categories require approval from Amazon before they can be added. Popular categories such as Clothing & Accessories, Shoes, Handbags & Sunglasses, and Jewelry require approval before selling. Take a look at the approval requirements for each category to determine your specific next steps. 5. Connect your Amazon account to your Shopify account After receiving Amazon approval, connect your Amazon seller account to your Shopify account. On the left navigation of the Shopify dashboard, look for the + button beside Sales Channels and click on it. A pop-up will appear where Amazon is listed first. Click Add Channel. Next, click ‘Connect to Amazon.’ 6. Create Listings for Products Under the sales channel, you’ll see Amazon listed. Click on it, then click the create listing button.  Afterward, you’ll want to click Select Product. There will be two options to choose from. As a private label seller, you should click the lower option ‘This product is made by another brand.’  Choosing the option will allow you to search for the AliExpress product to become an additional seller. After finding the product you sell, click Select. Lastly, you’ll need to select Publish. And repeat the process for each item. 7. Streamline Your Inventory Effective inventory management is the key to success when selling products on Amazon. It’s crucial to keep your product inventory level healthy for your direct customers and those buying through the marketplace.  As you get orders on Amazon, your inventory levels will start to decrease, so make sure to update your stock to reflect the current product availability on your Amazon listing. 8. Send Traffic to Amazon Store The most important part of learning how to sell things on Amazon is knowing how to promote the items. There are a number of ways to promote your Amazon products. Here are a few ideas to get started: To sell items on Amazon, you’ll need to take advantage of every audience you own. For example, if you have an email list for your business that you’ve been building for a while, you can send them a link to your Amazon store. The upside to using your email traffic is that they’re already familiar with your brand. Loyal customers will likely also write positive reviews which is what you’ll need to sell stuff on Amazon to people beyond your email list. Another tip for selling on Amazon is by adding your product links to Pinterest group boards. Most small brands don’t have a lot of social media followers. That’s why group boards are a great way to tap into a big audience. You can use a tool like PinGroupie to find relevant boards for your niche. Amazon ads are one of the most popular ways to sell on Amazon if you don’t have an audience of your own. To get more visibility for your product, an ad budget can help position you above your competitors who sell similar products. If you’re promoting the best-selling items on Amazon on your account, the product will sell itself when seen by customers. How to Sell on Amazon Successfully: 5 Tips 1. Treat your Amazon store like your actual shop If you sell stuff on Amazon, it won’t make you six figures in sales just because you uploaded products. You’ll need to treat it like your online store.  You’ll need to drive traffic to the Amazon product pages whether with Amazon ads or other methods. You’ll need to optimize product pages. You’ll need to get great reviews. You’ll need to offer great customer service.  In a nutshell, Your brand still has to live up to a great reputation even if items are sold on Amazon. 2. Get online reviews early on Focus on getting positive reviews early on. Go the extra mile for your customers when you sell stuff on Amazon. Issue refunds quickly if a customer is upset. In the event that you get a negative review, communicate with the customer to try to have it removed.  You can also offer a replacement quickly and great service to keep your customers happy. After going above and beyond, many customers will change their reviews if asked. Most sellers have experienced that having a 95% rating has led to a better ranking in the Amazon search engine, allowing them to sell products on Amazon in higher quantities. 3. Focus on optimizing your product pages When selling on Amazon, it’s important to optimize your product pages. You can use a tool like Merchant Words to determine the estimated monthly search volume for keywords as well as which categories they dominate in. By choosing popular keywords you can improve your chances of being found organically by customers. Also, you’ll want to consider which product categories your products would perform well in. Keyword tools can also help you identify what items to sell on Amazon. 4. Pay for Amazon ads Paying for Amazon ads is optional and not essential for growing your Amazon presence. One of the perks of paying for ads is that you get access to Amazon’s search data making selling on Amazon easier. The cost per click is often fairly low on Amazon compared to other ad networks. Also, the product ad blends in well with the other products which make it likely that a customer will click on the product if it meets their needs. 5. Register as a professional seller Having a professional seller account will save your Amazon store money if you’re uploading countless products. As a professional, you can add as many products as you wish. Remember, there are no listing fees.  The more products you list on Amazon, the more likely that you’ll be found. Also, the more items you sell on Amazon, the more money you can potentially make. Product volume, especially on marketplaces, can be great for getting sales. FAQ How to sell on Amazon for free? Sign up as an individual seller. This saves you from the monthly fee associated with a professional seller account.  How to sell on Amazon without buying products? Register for Merch by Amazon. This is Amazon’s version of print-on-demand. You just design merchandise and earn every time a customer buys your product. Is selling on Amazon profitable? Selling on Amazon is still a great way to earn profits. According to JungleScout, more than half of all Amazon sellers make $1,000-$25,000 per month, meaning you could make between $12,000 to $300,000 annually. Conclusion Becoming an Amazon seller can help you earn additional income for your business while also finding new customers you wouldn’t have had access to on your own.  In the beginning, your focus for selling products on Amazon should be on getting product reviews so you can build social proof and trust. Take advantage of the email lists, social media followers, advertising services, and Amazon affiliates at your disposal.  With the best-selling items on Amazon in your shop, you’ll be unstoppable. Summary: How to Sell on Amazon in 2023 - Choose your product niche - View eligibility requirements - Create a professional seller account - Apply for category approval - Connect your Amazon account to your Shopify account - Create listings for products - Manage your inventory - Send traffic to Amazon listings Is there anything else you’d like to learn about how to sell on Amazon? Let us know in the comments below! Want to Learn More? Source link Read the full article

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Etsy Sellers (Avoid This Old Strategy in 2023)

Recently I did a live call, and I'm calling it an ETSY sellers emergency. We are days before we hit 2023. You have been listening for the last three to four months. Everything we've been doing focuses on my wife's Etsy shop and my partner's shop. We're about to do more than $220,000 this year, which is unbelievable. I wanted you guys to hear this because most of you are getting started on Etsy. Some of you are still chasing hot products or trends and just an outdated old strategy. Use the media player above or watch the video below to learn more about my ETSY Sellers emergency. “Remember, I'm here for you, believe in you, and rooting for you! Now it's time to take action and rock your brand”! Enjoy, and let's CRUSH YOUR WEEK! FYI: If you want to be part of the Rock Your Brand Building Profitable Niche Website Properties Facebook group, where you can ask any question, head over to brandcreators.com/group. Watch This Video Thanks For Tuning in! - If you found today's show to be valuable, please share it. - Please consider taking a couple of minutes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. - They're very beneficial when it comes to the show's ranking. I can guarantee to read each one of them myself. - Finally, don't neglect to subscribe to the show on your preferred app. Helpful Links Source link Read the full article

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How Much Is a Shopify Domain?

If you're planning to set up an online store, you may be considering using Shopify as your e-commerce platform. One of the first things you'll need to do is choose a domain name for your store. But how much does a Shopify domain cost? The short answer is that a Shopify domain can cost anywhere from $14 to $39 per year, depending on the type of domain you choose and how you purchase it. In this article, we'll go over the different types of Shopify domains, the factors that can affect their cost, and how to choose the best domain for your store. Types of Shopify Domains Shopify offers three types of domains: - Shopify-provided domains: These are domains that are provided by Shopify and can only be used with a Shopify store. These domains typically have the format "yourstore.myshopify.com." Shopify-provided domains are free to use and are automatically included with every Shopify plan. - Custom domains: These are domains that you purchase from a domain registrar, such as GoDaddy or Namecheap, and then connect to your Shopify store. Custom domains allow you to use a more personalized and branded domain name, such as "yourstore.com" or "yourstore.co.uk." - Subdomains: These are domains that are created using a portion of a larger domain, such as "store.yourcompany.com." Subdomains are a good option if you already have a website for your business and want to create a separate online store. Cost of a Shopify Domain The cost of a Shopify domain depends on the type of domain you choose and how you purchase it. Here's a breakdown of the costs for each type of domain: - Shopify-provided domains: These domains are free to use and are automatically included with every Shopify plan. - Custom domains: The cost of a custom domain depends on the domain registrar you choose and the type of domain you purchase. Generally, you can expect to pay around $14 to $39 per year for a basic .com domain, although prices can vary depending on the registrar and the availability of the domain. Some registrars also offer discounts for purchasing multiple years upfront. - Subdomains: The cost of a subdomain depends on the domain registrar you choose and the type of domain you use as the base. For example, if you use a .com domain as the base, you can expect to pay around $14 to $39 per year. If you use a more premium domain, such as a .co.uk or .net, the cost may be higher. Factors That Affect the Cost of a Shopify Domain There are several factors that can affect the cost of a Shopify domain: - Domain registrar: Different domain registrars offer different prices for domain names. Some registrars, such as GoDaddy and Namecheap, are known for offering competitive prices, while others may charge more. It's a good idea to shop around and compare prices before making a purchase. - Domain extension: The extension of a domain, such as .com, .net, or .co.uk, can affect its cost. In general, .com domains are the most popular and widely recognized, and therefore tend to be more expensive. Check out "Best Bundle Apps for Shopify" Read the full article

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The 10 Best POS Systems for Small Businesses 2023

What is a POS system?A Point of Sale (POS) system is a critical tool for any business, allowing them to easily track their sales and inventory. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the number and variety of POS systems available on the market today. But what exactly is a POS system, and how can it help your business? This article will explore the basics of these systems and explain why they are an essential part of any successful business.What does a POS system do?A point of sale (POS) system is a crucial component of any successful business. With the right POS system, businesses can boost sales and increase customer satisfaction. This article will help you understand what constitutes a POS system and its various components. We will also discuss the benefits of using such a system in your business operations. Finally, we will look at some of the best-of-breed POS systems available for businesses today to help streamline their operations.How pos system works?A POS system, or point of sale system, is a type of technology used to manage sales transactions in retail and hospitality environments. This system helps businesses run more efficiently by streamlining the checkout process, recording customer data, and tracking inventory levels. To understand how a POS system works, it is essential to explore its components and features.POS systems are typically composed of hardware such as barcode scanners and cash drawers, a computer terminal for data entry and payment processing functions, software for managing customer information and inventory levels, and various other peripherals such as receipt printers. The key features of POS systems allow retailers to perform daily tasks quickly while allowing managers access to important financial reports with ease.What are the benefits of a pos system?A Point of Sale (POS) system is a powerful tool for business owners and merchants. It helps them to process transactions, track inventory, manage employees, generate reports, and much more. The POS system is an integral part of any retail or hospitality business.The benefits of using a POS system are numerous. A POS system can help to reduce the time needed for completing transactions, as well as improve accuracy in sales records. This also leads to better customer service since sales personnel can focus on providing excellent customer service rather than worrying about accuracy in processing payments. Additionally, it allows for easy tracking of inventory levels and the ability to quickly identify when it’s time to restock items so that customers always have access to the products they need.Here are some key benefits :Cost Savings :Cost savings is an important part of any business, and a Point of Sale (POS) system is one way to achieve those cost savings. A POS system is a combination of hardware and software that can be used to manage and process sales from a retail store or restaurant. The system allows businesses to track sales, analyze inventory trends, control costs, improve customer service, and more.The cost-saving benefits of using a POS system are numerous. By reducing the need for manual data entry and eliminating costly mistakes associated with human error, companies can save time and money by streamlining their processes. Additionally, businesses will no longer have to pay for separate cash registers or manual accounting systems as the POS handles all these tasks at once. Lastly, the real-time reporting capabilities provide insight into consumer behavior which can help identify cost-saving opportunities within businesses' operations to maximize profits.Increased EfficiencyIn today's ever-changing world, businesses need to stay ahead of the competition. One way to do this is by increasing efficiency. A point of sale (POS) system can be a powerful tool for any business looking to improve its workflow and speed up customer checkout times.A POS system is an electronic device used for recording transactions at the time of purchase or sale. It also allows businesses to keep track of their inventory, as well as employee hours and sales data. With these features, businesses can easily access the data they need and make more informed decisions quickly. In addition, it eliminates the need for paper records, reducing clutter and enabling faster processing times.Overall, a POS system helps increase efficiency in businesses by streamlining processes and providing easy access to important data.Improved SecurityIn today’s digital world, the need for improved security is becoming increasingly important. This article will discuss what a Point of Sale (POS) system is and how it has improved security in businesses.A POS system is a computerized payment terminal that can be used to process credit card payments, debit card payments, and more. The hardware consists of a cash register or other device that can accept card payments from customers, as well as software to track customer purchases and sales data. The software also provides detailed reporting capabilities so business owners can gain insights into their sales performance over time.POS systems are designed with advanced security features to prevent unauthorized access and protect confidential customer data from potential theft or fraud. This includes encryption technology for secure payment processing and real-time alerts when suspicious activity is detected.Customer SatisfactionCustomer satisfaction is important to a successful business. When customers are satisfied with their experiences, they will continue returning and becoming loyal customers. POS systems can be a great way to ensure customer satisfaction throughout the entire buyer’s journey.A POS system stands for point of sale and it is essentially a computerized replacement for the traditional cash register. It has features like scanning barcodes, tracking stock, managing employee accounts, and processing payments - all contributing to an improved customer experience. Many modern POS systems also provide detailed analytics about sales data which can help businesses understand their customers better and identify areas for improvement. With such detailed information at hand, businesses can make better decisions that lead to more satisfied customers.Access to Data & InsightsData and insights are essential in retail businesses today. They enable store owners to make more informed decisions about their operations, from analyzing customer behavior to optimizing inventory levels. A point of sale (POS) system is one of the most effective tools for collecting, storing, and analyzing this data.A POS system allows store owners to track sales in real-time, capture important customer information, manage employee performance and scheduling, and much more. By combining a range of features with intuitive software solutions, POS systems make it easy to identify trends across multiple areas of the business. This helps stores create a detailed picture of what customers want and how they purchase products or services.Accessing meaningful data can be challenging without the right technology in place.Increased AccuracyIncorporating a Point-of-Sale (POS) system into a business can help streamline operations and create an efficient environment. POS systems provide increased accuracy and efficiency, which leads to better customer service experiences.A POS system is an all-inclusive computerized register that allows businesses to process sales transactions quickly and accurately. The technology behind these systems integrates with inventory management, customer loyalty programs, eCommerce platforms, analytics capabilities, and more. By using a POS system, businesses can accurately track sales data in real-time while also collecting valuable insights about their target customers' behavior. This helps them better understand their customers’ needs so they can increase overall satisfaction levels as well as profits.The use of a POS system also aids in reducing staffing costs while ensuring accurate information on invoices and receipts is printed out for customers each time they make a purchase.Here is our top 10 pos system list :- Best POS for restaurants of all sizes: Toast- Best POS for small restaurants: Upserve POS- Best POS for payment methods: CardConnect- Best POS hardware options: Clover- Best POS for retail: Lightspeed- Best POS for guest experience: TouchBistro- Best POS for tracking sales: GoDaddy- Best POS for brick-and-mortar businesses: Square- Best POS for ease of use: Epos Now- Best POS for customization: Lavu- Best POS for established restaurants: Revel Systems------ToastToast is a popular point-of-sale (POS) system that offers restaurant owners a comprehensive and easy-to-use solution for managing their businesses. Toast boasts an array of features and functions, all designed to help streamline restaurant operations, including staff and customer management, inventory tracking, payment processing, reporting capabilities, and more. With its user-friendly interface and intuitive dashboard design, Toast makes it easy to manage every aspect of a restaurant’s business from one central location. Its cloud-based platform allows users to access data from any device with an internet connection, allowing them to manage their restaurants anytime anywhere. And with its powerful analytics toolkit, Toast can provide real-time insights into customer behavior for smarter decision-making.Here are some key features of the toast pos system :Benefits of Toast: Customization, Flexibility :When it comes to running a business, having the right point-of-sale (POS) system is essential. Toast is a POS platform that offers restaurants and businesses customizable features that allow for flexibility and scalability. Toast has many benefits, including the ability to customize the user experience, flexible payment processing solutions, and advanced analytics capabilities.Toast's customizability enables businesses to set up their POS systems according to their unique needs. Businesses can personalize their menus, configure employee permission levels, and adjust order screens for each station within their restaurant or store. Additionally, businesses can take advantage of other features like automated loyalty programs and gift card integrations.Toast also makes payment processing more flexible with built-in support for all major credit cards as well as third-party mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.Features of Toast: Payment Processing, AnalyticsA point of sale (POS) system is a critical tool for businesses to manage their day-to-day operations, track sales and inventory, accept customer payments, and more. Toast is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management platform that offers powerful features to help streamline operations. Two key components of the Toast platform are payment processing and analytics.Toast’s payment processing features allow users to quickly and securely process customer orders with integrated credit card readers or NFC-enabled terminals. This technology helps speed up the transaction process while keeping customer data safe. Additionally, Toast supports contactless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and EMV chip cards to meet customers’ needs in the modern digital world.Cost and Setup: Pricing Structure, Installation ProcessA POS system, or Point of Sale system, is essential to running a business. It provides the necessary tools for inventory management, sales tracking, customer relationship building, and more. But before you can reap the benefits of a POS system, you need to consider cost and setup. Here are some things to keep in mind when looking into the pricing structure and installation process for your new POS system.When it comes to cost, there are two main considerations: hardware costs (such as tablet computers) and software costs (monthly subscription fees). The good news is that many software providers offer free trials and discounts on hardware purchases. Additionally, most companies provide installation support services that will help walk you through setting up the system correctly so you don’t have to worry about technical problems down the road.The other factor to consider is the installation process itself.- Starting price of $69 per month- Contactless Ordering- All-in-one restaurant platformIntegrations: 3rd Party Apps, AutomationPOS systems are essential for any business. They help to manage daily transactions, increase efficiency and accuracy, and streamline the customer experience. But what many people don’t know is that POS systems can do even more when they’re integrated with 3rd party applications and automated processes.Integrating a POS system with third-party applications can open up a world of possibilities. With integrations, businesses can sync their data across multiple platforms, automate mundane tasks such as invoicing and inventory management, optimize staff scheduling based on real-time sales data, and generate detailed reports on customers. Automation also removes manual processing from the equation so that businesses have more time to focus on other aspects of their operations. Furthermore, automation ensures accuracy across all functions such as stock control or customer service inquiries.Customer Support OptionsCustomer Support Options are an important component of any Point-of-Sale (POS) system. Without a reliable customer support team, businesses can have difficulty resolving technical issues and keeping their customers happy. A POS system is essential for running a successful business, as it helps streamline sales and improve customer service. Therefore, having an effective customer support system in place is critical for ensuring the smooth operation of your POS system.Customer support options may include phone support lines, live chat services, or email contact forms to help address customers’ problems quickly and efficiently. In addition, many companies provide self-help resources such as FAQs or tutorials on setting up the POS system so that customers can resolve some of their questions without needing to contact a representative directly.Conclusion: Streamline Business OperationsThe conclusion of this article discusses how a POS system can help to streamline business operations. In today’s market, having a streamlined process for all aspects of your business is essential for success. A POS system helps to organize and manage inventory, sales, customer data, and more. By implementing a POS system, businesses can save time and money by eliminating manual processes and streamlining their operations.Not only does using a POS system make it easier to track daily sales activities, but it also allows businesses to easily access key insights into their customers' purchasing behaviors. This enables them to better understand the needs of their customers and respond quickly if needed. Additionally, advanced POS systems allow businesses to send digital receipts or loyalty rewards, further enhancing the customer experience.Click here to know about "Clover Pos System: A Revolution in B2B Payments"

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How Kathryn Read Livestreams on LinkedIn and YouTube to Grow Her Site

A year abroad at university for Kathryn Reed piqued her curiosity in international trade; after that, there was no looking back. She eventually entered the field and traveled the world, and when she felt she had enough experience, she flexed her entrepreneurial muscles and opened her own consulting and coaching business.Kathryn is using a lot of different strategies to grow her business. This includes everything from organizing events in the international business space and growing her blog to live streaming on YouTube and LinkedIn. Keep reading to find out more about everything she's trying.In this interview, you'll learn more about:- How she got her start in the industry- Why she started her own company- How her business evolved during the pandemic- How and why she created her podshow- All the inbound and outbound strategies she's using- The traffic her blog is getting- How she creates content for all of her channels- The approach she takes with SEO- How she does keyword research- The way she uses Pinterest- Her favorite resources and tools- The biggest challenge she's faced- Her greatest accomplishment- Her advice for other entrepreneursMeet Kathryn ReAdI'm originally from the UK. I grew up on the east coast of England, about three hours north of London, and I studied French and German at university. A year abroad, which was a compulsory part of my studies, got me interested in international trade, exchange rate mechanisms, and how all of that works because I could see firsthand how it kind of impacted me as somebody living abroad. After university, I did a postgraduate certificate in Austria in international business and export and started working in a company in the UK. I spent five years in the UK working in both administration and sales, traveling around the world and dealing with emerging markets in the automotive industry before moving back to Austria in 1999. I've been here ever since.In Austria, I had a brief intermezzo in the world of rubber stamps before moving into the infant formula and baby food industry, where I spent 18 years. During that time, I focused on covering many countries, from Eastern Europe through to Asia, especially China, and doing all aspects of business development there.In 2019, I decided to become self-employed. Since then I've been consulting and coaching for companies looking to expand internationally. Especially for companies looking to expand into Europe, maybe from the US, Asia, or the UK (because of Brexit, of course, that's an issue). Also, helping companies from the US or Europe into Asia.I've also done quite a lot of coaching for salespeople who are either new to international sales or who are new to selling in certain regions, such as Asia. Why Kathryn ReAd Started Her Own ConsultancyI would say I started out with my own consultancy partly because I had always wanted to be my own boss. Also, I felt that the time was now right, having gained over 20 years of experience working for other people in a variety of industries and in a whole range of markets. When I started out, it was around nine months before the pandemic started. And at that time, there was a reasonable amount of business, finding import partners for companies who were looking to export. So I started marketing my services on LinkedIn and concentrating on cold-calling companies around the region where I'm based in Austria. I was also using existing contacts to gain introductions.Then the pandemic came along. And for the first couple of months, I guess like everybody, I hunkered down and carried on with existing projects. As it went on, it became clear that I needed to develop different methods of outreach in order to gain new projects. Her Strategies for Attracting ClientsAt that time, I started to double down even more on LinkedIn. And I built my own website and started blogging. And in 2020, I also ran an event together with a colleague. We called it the "Business Beyond Borders” event, and we interviewed a number of experts in the international business space. The attendees from that event were also the basis of my current email list. And then, in 2022 or at the end of 2021, I started out doing a LinkedIn and YouTube Live series called "International Expansion Explained." It’s kind of a podshow where I also interview experts. This has also been a good source of business for the past few months. I do a new one every 3 weeks or so.Of course, I would say that my blog is at the core of the business, and everything else has been built on top of that. It drives traffic in and brings in a certain number of discovery calls that can be developed further down the funnel into clients. I started it in the fall of 2020, and I’m coming up on 100 posts. It’s really starting to bring in traffic now.I have both an inbound and an outbound strategy for developing clients. The outbound side includes calling companies that I feel are relevant and attending networking events in the region and international trade events, such as the Biofach trade fair in Nurnberg. And for inbound, I'm mostly focused on the website.How Kathryn Read Grows Her BlogThere's around a 50:50 split. First I have projects for companies who are looking for partners or who need strategic consulting, and then I offer coaching for clients who would like me either to support their team or who need some support themselves. This can be related to transitioning into new roles or learning about new markets, etc. and managing overseas teams.The website has around 6,000 visitors per month which, for a niche website, for me is okay. Of course, it could always be more, but this has been growing quite quickly in the past few months.Her Top Marketing StrategyI would say that my main marketing strategies, are:- Consistency on LinkedIn, where I post at least five days a week, and- Consistency with my blog, where I produce one long-form content item per weekI've also been focusing more on producing consistent content for YouTube. So I think that consistency is really the key here, as that is the only way to build up a certain dynamic. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq9mPtlxp-P301Ef-5ZHWaQHer Unique Approaches OnlineI've been using LinkedIn and YouTube live streams that I stream via Restream. I do this to establish my authority, and it also gives me longer-form content that I then repurpose into blog posts at a later point in time. To livestream on LinkedIn, you need to use a third party platform like Steamyard or Restream.io. Restream lets me choose which channels I stream to. There are literally hundreds to choose from, but LI and YT are the most relevant for me. I create an event there, and it automatically creates an event on both YouTube and LinkedIn.When I do lives, I see all the comments from both channels in one place in the Restream feed so that I can answer or deal with questions easily.This is something that perhaps not too many people have been using. Lots of people also position themselves as experts by doing podcast interviews, which I also like to do. But there are not that many podcasts in the international business space. The number is growing, but it's not like popular topics like SEO or marketing.The Importance of SEO for Kathryn ReadSEO has been critical to helping me grow the blog, and with it, the business, but like for anyone, it’s a work in progress.In terms of SEO, I'm mostly trying to be consistent across the niche of international trade and international business. Also, I cover topics related to doing business in Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, etc. I try to build pillar content around those topics, be that on my blog, on my LinkedIn profile, or on my YouTube channel.I use Squirrly SEO to help me ensure that I'm optimizing my blog. For my YouTube channel, I'm using YouTube Buddy. I think there are a lot of tools out there that can help. Also, I read pretty widely to try and keep up with new things, so for me one thing that I struggled with was optimizing my web page speed, but that’s something that I hope to work on more during this winter.Keyword ResearchI have a set of core keywords and search for long tail keywords that I may have a better chance of ranking for. I use tools like Squirrly, Sealmetrics, Google, and SEO PowerSuite.Link BuildingI subscribe to the HARO newsletter. I try to make sure that, at least a couple of times a week, I answer requests on there in order to help with my link building. Also, appearing as a guest on podcasts gives me backlinks, as do collaborations with some other niche websites where I have complementary knowledge and authority, so they're happy to link back to my website. This is probably something that I would like to focus more on in the future, but there are only so many hours in the day. I feel that area is a little bit neglected right now because I only do it if I have the time. Recently, I received a lot of backlinks to my pillar content from sites that found my content on Google and linked to it from their own blogs, but this is more by chance and not due to any specific strategy other than improved SEO bringing me visibility.Kathryn Read’s Email ListI have a small but growing email list that I grow through the website. I drive traffic to my website via Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and podcast interviews. So if I've been a guest on somebody's podcast, then I usually can also gain a number of email subscribers. Those are the main ways that I'm growing my list.How She Uses PinterestI make 3 pins for each post generally, and I often also make idea pins with short content summary videos. It's not a huge amount of traffic, but certain topics—especially anything related to international e-commerce—do quite well.Her Content Creation ProcessI keep a list with a mix of pillar content and trending topics, and whenever I see someone write an article about something in a parallel niche, I consider whether I could use it for my own content. So if somebody writes about food trends in the US, it might inspire me to write about food trends in Southeast Asia or China, for example.I also select a range of guests for my "International Expansion Explained" podshow and create summary blogs of our discussions. Until now, most of my guests are from LinkedIn, but now I’m receiving requests for specific topics from listeners, so I will need to expand my circle.Achieving Current Revenue LevelsIt's taken me about three years to get to where I am now. And whilst that's not a perfect situation, I do feel like the business is growing. I'm certainly enjoying the way that this has taken on its own kind of dynamic and how things are progressing forward at the moment. But, of course, there are always ways that you would like to improve, grow, and restructure. So this is something that is going to be a work in progress for years to come.Kathryn Read’s Favorite ResourcesI think there are really a lot of great books and podcasts out there that can be very helpful if you're starting out. For me, a few that really stand out are Laura Vanderkam’s "168 Hours." That really helped me with time structuring. I'm a big fan of Cloris Kylie's "Beyond Influencer Marketing" podcast as well as Chris Ducker's work. And there are really so many brilliant podcasts out there that I'm sure that whatever your niche, you can find something that is specific to it. For example, in international trade, then great examples would be the "International Business Podcast," or the "Worldly Marketer Podcast."Her Top 3 ToolsI guess the most important tool for me, on top of having a good laptop and great internet connection, would be LinkedIn. It’s such a valuable source of potential leads, marketing, and community as somebody who's a solopreneur starting out. Secondly, I really love Asana, as this helps me stay organized. And thirdly, my recent purchase would be a really good microphone for interviews online, as this has become even more important in the last couple of years since the pandemic. Her Biggest ChallengeI would say my biggest challenge has been to run an Asian-focused business in the middle of a pandemic when I couldn't actually travel there. Kathryn Read’s Greatest AccomplishmentOne of my biggest achievements is the fact that I'm still surviving and still growing. Also, I still have my contacts and my network in Asia and China, and they’re even growing during this difficult time.What She Wishes She Knew When She StartedI wish I'd known in the beginning that starting my own blog could really make such a difference. In the beginning, I was focused on building the cash flow quite quickly, as that was essential for my survival. But it did mean that I didn't have such a strong foundation for the business when the pandemic came along. I think if I were starting again, I would build the website much more quickly.The Biggest Mistake She’s MadeProbably some of the biggest mistakes have been not managing client expectations well. In the beginning, maybe I didn’t tell clients how long a project could take, because export projects can take 9 to 12 months before they really come to fruition. Sometimes there were frustrations on both sides when a client would expect that within a couple of weeks they would have a partner in an overseas market, and things just don't work like that. If I was starting out again, I would try and manage those expectations much better right from the first discussions with any potential client.Her Advice for Other EntrepreneursMy advice to people starting would be to pick which channels you will do your marketing through and be consistent with those.Make sure that you have a solid content strategy and that you do things systematically and build things up so that you can maintain them over a long period of time.You've got to remember that it's a marathon. It's not a sprint to build a business. So you have to find a way to balance the need for cash in the beginning with building a long-term foundation for your business that you'll be able to maintain for many years. Source link

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How to Make Money Online in UAE for FREE (7 Legit Methods)

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Online Business Ideas 2022! 16 Ways To Make Money!

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The Only Color Combinations Cheat Sheet You Need (2023)

Our lives are filled with color. Color influences our moods, feelings, and perceptions, as well as our decision-making processes. That means your choices in color combinations play an essential role in designing your brand and website. Choosing the best color combination is both a science and an art. Although not everyone was born with an eye for color and an innate ability in graphic design, there are methods and principles you can use to choose the best color combinations to make both a strong impression and achieve your desired effect. We put together a cheat sheet to help ease the stress of picking. Color combination basics Before we start picking out color combinations, it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of colors, color terminology, how colors work together, emotional connections to colors, and the role colors play in creating a reaction. Let’s start by reintroducing the visual representation of the relationships of color hues: the color wheel. The color wheel The history of this essential guide for artists and designers goes back to the early 1700s. Whether it was in elementary school or the last time you used Photoshop, most of us have seen a version of the color wheel at some point. Grasping the fundamentals of the color wheel will help significantly in your color combo choices, especially if you’re not well-versed in the universe of color theory. How does the color wheel work? A simple color wheel consists of 12 color hues arranged around a central hub. A color wheel consisting of primary, secondary, and tertiary colorsAll colors come from some combination of primary colors. The three primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. These three colors are essentially the parents of all the other colors. Primary colors highlighted on a color wheelMixing equal parts of any two of the primary colors results in the creation of secondary colors. Red + Blue = Purple Blue + Yellow = Green Red + Yellow = Orange Secondary colors highlighted on a color wheelTertiary colors come from mixing one of the primary colors with one of the nearest secondary colors. Tertiary colors are found in between all of the primary colors and secondary colors.Red + Orange = Red-orange Yellow + Orange = Yellow-orange Yellow + Green = Yellow-green Blue + Green = Blue-green Blue + Purple = Blue-purple Red + Purple = Red-purple Tertiary colors highlighted on a color wheelColor terminologyLike any area of study, the world of art, design, and color is rife with technical language. A general comprehension of color terminology will be helpful, both here and in the future of your business. Let’s introduce you to the basic terms most used in the chromatic world.Hue. The terms color and hue are often used interchangeably by artists and designers. However, they actually mean different things. In general, “color” refers to all colors, including black, white, and gray. In contrast, “hue” refers to the origin of the color we see. It is the base of the color and is always one of the six primary and secondary colors on the color wheel. Tint. A tint is a lighter version of a given hue. It is a hue that has only white added to it. A tint can range from a hue barely lighter than the original to almost white with a tiny amount of color in it. Sometimes a tint can seem brighter than the original hue, but it is just a paler version. Shade. This is the opposite of a tint. A shade is a hue with only black added to it. It can include varying amounts of black, and the resulting color may be barely darker than the original hue, or it may be almost black. An easy way to remember this one is to think of how the grass in the shade of a tree seems darker than the grass in the sun. Tone. This is very similar to tint and shade, but instead of being a hue with white or black added to it, it is a hue with only gray added. The gray added to make a tone must only consist of black and white, no other colors (many colors that are considered gray actually have a base that is a hue). Toned colors tend to be viewed as more sophisticated than pure hues. Warm versus cool. Warm colors are those that resemble or symbolize heat, while cool colors are attributed to ice and cooler temperatures. For example: red, orange, yellow, and red-purple are warm colors, while blue, purple, green, and blue-green are cool colors.The psychology of colorNow that we’ve had an introduction to color theory, we should take a quick peek at the psychology of color.Choosing a color combination is not about choosing the colors you like; it’s about choosing the colors that evoke the emotions you seek from your audience. This is important because the colors and hues you choose set the tone for how your customers and clients feel about your website, business cards, and/or office space.“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” —Wassily KandinskyBelow is a quick rundown of different hues and the feelings they often elicit:Red: excitement, danger, energy, courage, strength, anger Orange: creativity, enthusiasm, health, happiness, encouragement, balance Yellow: sunshine, hope, optimism, light, positivity, freshness Green: health, nature, renewal, generosity, freshness, environment Blue: freedom, trust, expansiveness, dependability, faith, inspiration Purple: royalty, luxury, power, pride, creativity, mysteryWarm colors usually create energy and excitement, and evoke passion, while cool colors calm and relax.If you’re interested in reading further about the psychology of color and how color meanings affect you, read our full post.Now that we have an understanding of color as applied to art and design, let's move on to the fun stuff.Color combinationsOnce you’ve decided on your desired psychology, it’s easy to pick out colors that go together. Using a color wheel, you can quickly pick out color combinations that are monochrome, complementary, analogous, split, triad, or tetradic. These different color schemes guide your options between selecting contrasting colors and harmonious colors, depending on the desired effect you want to achieve.Monochrome combinationsA monochrome color combination is a different variation of a single hue. This combination consists of varying tints, shades, and tones of the chosen hue. For example: dark blue, slightly lighter blue, and light blue. These combinations are great for simplifying busy designs and creating a harmonious, visually appealing look.Monochrome is a great color scheme strategy if you want your brand to be identified with a particular color. It’s also useful to show progression in a design, such as a tiered price list, or to create a more sophisticated-looking design using a brighter color. Complementary combinationsComplementary colors exist directly across from one another on the color wheel. These colors are highly contrasting and can make your design boldly stand out with high contrast. However, if used improperly, they can be very visually jarring.Generally speaking, when using complementary colors, you do not want to use them equally in your design. You want to pick one of the hues as your main color, then use the complementary color to highlight and make certain important items stand out.These contrasting color schemes can also be found in nature and lend a vibrant yet natural feel to a design. Take, for example, orange coral standing out in the blue of the ocean, or lavender against the soft green of the foliage.Examples of complementary color combinations are:Red and green Blue and orange Yellow and purple Yellow-green and red-purple Red-orange and blue-green Above is an example of a complementary combination: blue and orange. Notice how they are directly across from each other on the color wheel. Analogous combinationsThese color combinations sit directly side by side on the color wheel. The harmonious blends evoke serenity and peace. Some say this is due to analogous combinations existing so frequently in the natural world. It is recommended that you choose a primary color as a base, then choose two more to highlight. This usually works best with a secondary and a tertiary color. Make sure your base color dominates and the other two colors highlight, not overwhelm. Also, be wary of choosing colors that are too closely related, as they may blend together and wash out your design.Examples of analogous combinations:Violet, blue, and teal Red, fuchsia, and purple Red, orange, and yellow Green, blue, and purple Split complementary combinationsThis is a variation of the complementary color scheme. The split combination comprises one color and two colors symmetrically placed around it. This strategy adds more variety than complementary color schemes by including three hues without being too jarring or bold. Using this method, we end up with combinations that include warm and cool hues that are more easily balanced than the complementary color schemes.Examples of split complementary color schemes:Red, blue-green, and yellow-green Blue, red-orange, and yellow-orange Yellow, blue-purple, and red-purple Purple, yellow-orange, and yellow-green Triadic color combinationsTriadic color schemes are variants of the split complementary color scheme. The colors in this composition are found equally spaced on the color wheel. Take an equilateral triangle and place it on the color wheel. The colors at each point come together to make the triadic color scheme.The first color in triadic color palettes is the dominant color while the colors that follow are accent colors. You can manipulate a triadic color palette by brightening or saturating the colors.And if you're wondering how triadic colors are toned down, choosing tertiary or subdued shades is the answer. For instance, you can switch out a golden yellow for a softer honey glow, or an iridescent turquoise for an oceanic teal.Triadic color examples:Red, yellow, and blue Purple, green, and orange Blue-purple, red-orange, and yellow-green Triadic color harmony refers to the aesthetically pleasing appearance triadic colors have when paired together. The colors stand out from each other and result in a lively, vibrant color palette regardless of the specific color choice.Tetradic combinations Like the triadic color scheme, the tetradic color combination involves colors that are equidistant. Except these color combos use four colors instead of three. You can find a tetradic combination by placing a square on the color wheel and choosing the colors at each corner, or by choosing two opposing sets of complementary colors.These color combinations are always loud and fun, and the vibrancy makes designs stand out. However, caution must be used in finding balance with these combinations because they can easily be overwhelming.Examples of tetradic color schemes:Red, green, blue-purple, and yellow-orange Yellow, purple, blue-green, and red-orange Experimentation is keyUnless you have a natural affinity or a background in art and design, choosing the best color combinations can sometimes be a little overwhelming. You won’t really know what your chosen color combinations will look like in your design until you actually apply them. That’s why experimenting with different hues, tones, tints, and shades can help you find the best color combinations for your purpose and desire. And help you deliver the message and feeling you intend.There are a number of apps and websites that can help with your decision-making process, too. We love the color palette generator at Canva where you can drag and drop a favorite photo to retrieve a color palette. Whether you’re looking for a color scheme for your website, business cards, or office, we’re confident you’ll develop the best color combination for your needs. Our favorite combosMonochrome Art by Kimberly Rachelle. Color palettes from Canva.Complementary Art by Kimberly Rachelle. Color palettes from Canva.Analogous Color palettes from Canva.Split Art by Kimberly Rachelle. Color palettes from Canva.Triadic Art by Kimberly Rachelle. Color palettes from Canva.Tetradic Color palettes from Canva. Want to Learn More?Have any colorful tips or tricks of your own? We’d love to hear them. Let us know in the comments! Source link

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12 Best Websites to Sell Stuff Online (2023)

Before the advent of the internet and ecommerce, yard sales and newspapers were the only places where you could sell your stuff without owning a storefront. Now, with all of the different selling websites and apps available, anybody can make extra cash selling just about anything, without having to leave their house.Online selling has completely changed the way we think about starting a business. And there’s a good reason why: 63% of shopping journeys start online, making online selling an increasingly lucrative option for aspiring young entrepreneurs.Are you a hobbyist looking to sell kitchen equipment? Do you have a backstock of trendy jewelry? Have you got a connection to get a product at wholesale prices? Maybe you’re just looking to sell off that Beanie Babies collection? (Don’t lie, you’ve got one!) Or, perhaps you’re practicing feng shui and looking to declutter your living space or storage unit? If you’re still trying to figure out how to find winning products, check out Shopify’s Winning Products course.No matter what your objective is or what you’re selling, there’s a sales channel out there that’s a perfect fit for you. We’ve done the research and compiled the best sites for you to sell your products online. As a bonus, we’ll also tell you the benefits of starting your own store, and how using both can help you make more online sales.Let’s get started.Create your own online storeCreating your own online store comes with its own challenges, but can also be extremely fulfilling and profitable if done right. The biggest downside is that you have to market yourself and drum up your own traffic to your site. Essentially, you’re creating your own brand and that can take a little time. The upside is that your profits are yours—there are no commissions, and you have complete control over your pricing strategy. Here’s the best platform you can use to create your very own online selling site:ShopifyWhen it comes to creating your own website to sell your stuff, Shopify has got to be one of the easiest to use and most trusted. As of November 2022, more than four million sites were using Shopify to run their operations.The basic Shopify fee is $29 per month. This includes your own website, blog, SSL certificates, abandoned shopping cart recovery, and social media sales channels, among many other tools and perks. There is no initial setup fee or other hidden fees, unless you choose to use a different payment gateway than what Shopify provides.Shopify is an excellent platform to start selling online via your own site. It’s beginner-friendly, with excellent customer service. Plus, there are various Shopify apps you can use to customize your store, including wholesale marketplaces like Handshake. Here’s a guide you can use to launch your Shopify store in less than 30 minutes.Top 12 websites for selling stuff onlineThe following are some of the most well-known online selling sites and can accommodate just about any item you might have. 1. BonanzaThis Seattle-based company is relatively new to the online marketplace scene, yet is doing remarkably well. With more than 50,000 sellers and 35 million different items, Bonanza is a large and growing community of online shops.The fees for selling on Bonanza are relatively minimal and are based on what it calls the Final Offer Value. The Final Offer Value is the combined dollar value of what the buyer paid plus the portion of the shipping fee that exceeds $10.So, if you sell an item for $20 then charge $12 for shipping, the Final Offer Value is $22. The selling fee is 2.5% of the Final Offer Value, so in this example, your fee would only be 77¢. If you sell items for more than $500, the same rules apply, but there is an additional 1.5% flat fee on any dollar amount over $500.This online selling site works well for those that are not able to pay listing fees. Setting up a shop is easy, and you only pay fees if you make a sale.2. AmazonAmazon is a trusted go-to website that sells more than 400 products per minute. How is it able to sell that much so quickly? Well, people feel a sense of comfort and trust when buying from this site.Amazon is known to verify sellers and keep counterfeit products out of its marketplace. And it’s earned people’s trust by delivering the items they want, on time. That’s why so many people consider it their go-to marketplace for online shopping. Such a large number of perks means your products are more likely to be sold, but it also means the site comes with more fees.A professional selling account on Amazon requires an application process as well as a $39.99 monthly fee. There are also fees for each item sold. If you don’t plan on selling more than 40 items a month, you can get an individual seller account that requires no monthly fee. The individual seller account charges a 99¢ per item fee plus percentage fees on top of that, depending on the category in which your item is selling.Amazon is great for those looking to move large quantities of products or need exposure to a larger audience. 3. eBayThe original online selling platform, eBay has been on the web since 1995. There is almost nothing you can’t sell on this website. So if you’re looking to sell something antique, crafty, or a little weird, this might be the online selling site for you.Be aware of the selling fees when selling on eBay. It charges a non-refundable fee to list an item and another “insertion” fee if you decide to list the same item in another category.There’s also a “final value fee” that is a certain percentage (eBay says it’s 10% to 12% for most categories) of the price that your item sells for, plus a percentage of the shipping costs. These fees vary and are calculated based on what your product is, how many, and what types of categories it is listed in, as well as shipping.According to 2021 eBay Statistics, eBay has over 1.7 billion listings and 135 million users, worldwide. Similar to Amazon, it’s an incredibly large buyer network. However, keep in mind that eBay as a brand is generally less trusted than Amazon.4. VarageSaleVarageSale is a Toronto-based online selling platform created by an ex-elementary-school teacher who grew frustrated with the scams and illegitimate listings on classified sites.The site requires sellers to create a Facebook verified profile to ensure that merchants use a real profile image and name, along with a personal bio. This helps buyers feel comfortable doing transactions as they have a better idea of who they are dealing with.VarageSale members can sell products online for free. As a seller, you can create a listing with a headline, description, and product photo. If someone is interested in making a purchase, they can reserve your item and plan an offline meetup for exchange, or use Stripe to make an online payment.As of this writing, the platform isn’t charging a seller or transaction fee from merchants.5. HandshakeBuilt and operated by Shopify, Handshake is a wholesale marketplace designed to bring suppliers and retailers together. Retailers can join Handshake whether they are brick-and-mortar or online (or both), and suppliers are handpicked by the Handshake team. If you sell unique, distinctive products under your own brand, you can apply to sell wholesale on the platform. In addition to hosting a massive collection of unique, non-mass-produced products, Handshake stands apart from other online selling sites because of its integration with Shopify. Shopify is the world’s leading ecommerce platform, which enables wholesale creators and retailers to manage inventory, track sales, and execute new orders from within the same ecommerce ecosystem they might be using already. This stands out in the world of wholesale marketplaces, which often require CSV uploads and other manual upkeep.6. Ruby LaneProbably the best online selling site and shopping forum for vintage and antiques, Ruby Lane was voted the number one recommended selling venue a few years back.There’s no fee to set up a shop with Ruby Lane, and the platform doesn’t charge you for listings. However, you need to pay a $54 monthly maintenance fee for shops with 50 items or more. Additionally, RubyLane charges a 6.7% service fee on total purchase order (excluding sales tax).This online selling site is designed to bring collecting enthusiasts together. If you are looking for a niche selling website for your antiques and collectibles, this is likely the site for you. Be mindful of the fees, though.7. EtsyMuch like Ruby Lane, Etsy caters to more of a niche market than that of eBay or Amazon. Here, you can sell your handmade goods, art, collectibles, and antiques. With annual sales in the billions, Etsy is considered to be a lucrative platform for online selling.Etsy charges a 20¢ listing fee for each item. The item stays in your shop for four months or until it sells, whichever comes first. When you sell an item, there is a 5% transaction fee and a 3% plus 25¢ processing fee (this varies based on the location of the seller’s bank).The transaction fees apply to just the listed price (not to sales tax) if you’re selling from Canada or the US. However, the platform will take 5% of the overall shipping charges should you decide to charge customers a separate shipping fee. Etsy is well known and respected. Its ease of use and overall good standing in the online selling world make this site one of the best places to sell your stuff online. 8. ChairishThis growing online consignment store is geared specifically for high-quality furniture and home décor. Listing items is easy on Chairish, and like any consignment store, it takes a percentage of the selling price. The percentage that Chairish keeps depends on how much your item sells for: 20% of the first $2,500, 12% of the next $22,500, and 3% of the next $15,000. In the example on its website, if you sell an item for $40,000, you get to keep $35,350. The best part is that listing your items is completely free. You list your items, and the curators at Chairish review them to make sure they meet their standards. Then they touch up your provided photos and make the item available for purchase.Chairish also takes care of the shipping logistics, so you don’t have to worry about shipping large pieces of furniture (just as you don’t when you engage in dropshipping). You can also arrange your own shipping if that suits you.Chairish is a great online selling site for those that want to sell furniture and other home décor. It upholds high standards, which is ideal for buyers and collectors.9. SwappaDo you have a smartphone that you no longer use? A camera lying around gathering dust in your drawer? Maybe you can consider turning them into cash since they don’t really have much utility for you.Swappa is a marketplace to buy and sell tech gadgets. The team behind the platform have done a great job at weeding out the trolls and fraudsters, which has helped it gain an excellent reputation. Of course, this means they will thoroughly scrutinize your item, which won’t be a problem if you’re selling products in good working condition. Swappa doesn’t charge seller fees to create listings. However, you can choose to get a listing featured for a $5 fee. Also, transactions on Swappa typically happen via PayPal, which charges a fee from sellers when buyers make a payment. Still, Swappa has one of the lowest fees amongst all the marketplaces on our list. You can also choose to use Swappa Local, a version of the platform that allows you to sell tech gadgets to local buyers in your community.10. Facebook MarketplaceIntroduced in October 2016, Facebook created Facebook Marketplace to bring people in communities together to buy and sell. What’s exciting about Facebook Marketplace is that the company is starting to support ecommerce merchants.Facebook has partnered with online selling platforms, such as Shopify, to facilitate online merchant presence on Marketplace. Shopify users can sell stuff locally while managing inventory on a familiar back end.There are no listing fees, but there are specific requirements and guidelines you must follow as a merchant on Marketplace.11. CraigslistBasically just a forum, Craigslist is basic and easy to use. Started in 1995 by Craig Newmark, it was originally developed to provide information on local happenings around the San Francisco Bay Area. It is now a go-to online selling site for many individuals and even some businesses.The downside of Craigslist is the rampant scams and the “you’re on your own” style of dealing with fraud and disputes, which makes it a higher-risk selling site. This online selling site is best suited for those who prefer to sell locally and make deals in person. Some people take advantage of buying low and selling high on Craigslist, which can turn a pretty profit for those into market arbitrage.12. NextdoorSimilar to Craigslist, Nextdoor is about community. It’s a platform where neighbors can share information about what’s going on in their area—from announcing a block party to complaining about the traffic on their streets. Beyond being a neighborhood forum, Nextdoor also provides a free forum for selling your stuff online. Like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, there are no listing or membership fees, but you do have to meet your buyer and make the exchange in person.This platform feels a little safer than Craigslist, as it requires that you sign up and create an account. Because of that, it tends to be more private and have fewer scams.Something for everybodyNo matter what you’re selling or how you want to sell it, there is an online selling site that fits your needs. Whether you want to clear your cluttered home, expand your reach for your retail store, or break into the ecommerce scene with your unique brand, you’re sure to find a platform on this list that works for you.Got a site you love to use that isn’t listed here? Let us know in the comments!Best sites to sell stuff FAQWhat are the best sites for selling your products online?There are many sites to sell your products online. You could consider Shopify, Handshake, Bonanza, eBay, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist, to name a few.What are the best known online clothes selling sites?Ruby Lane, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, and Etsy are known online clothes selling sites. Each varies in fees and costs, but their brands are strong and reliable.What are the top online selling sites for individual sellers?Handshake, Chairish, VarageSale, and Bonanza are examples of top online selling sites for individual sellers. Each has a strong community of entrepreneurs and a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more.Source link

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7 Passive Income Ideas That Actually Work In 2022 (WITH PROOF)

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An Easy Breezy Guide (2023)

You may have noticed that there’s a massive market for print-on-demand products, especially for custom t-shirts. It’s one of those items that will never go out of style: people need clothing, and print-on-demand shirts guarantee an infinite flow of fun new ideas.This presents both an opportunity and an obstacle for hopeful business owners. On one hand, there’s a ton of business to tap into. But on the other hand, competition is fierce, as many other entrepreneurs have the same idea. So how can you break in and build your own successful t-shirt business? In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of getting started. We’ll look at top print-on-demand companies to work with, how to create your designs, and how to start making some money selling them. Best print-on-demand t-shirt companiesThere are plenty of top-rated print-on-demand companies to choose from. Before you make your decision, you’ll want to consider some key elements like print quality, turnaround time, and competitive prices. Let’s go over a couple of popular companies.Printify Printify allows you to print your custom designs on more than 750 high-quality products—including t-shirts, of course. They offer all kinds of tops, like short- and long-sleeve t-shirts, as well as hoodies, jerseys, and even Hawaiian shirts. Printify may be a great idea if you’re shipping outside of the US, as the company prints in more than 90 countries worldwide, including Canada, Australia, Germany, and the UK, to name a few. Printify integrates with several ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, eBay, Wix, Etsy, and more, as well as a custom API integration to keep your business running smoothly. As for fulfillment times, most orders will ship between two and seven business days from the time you place your order. Pricing is available in three membership tiers: Free, for small businesses Premium, for growing businesses, priced at $29 per month, billed monthly, or $24.99 per month, billed annually) Enterprise, which uses custom pricing; contact Printify if you’d like to learn moreThe lowest-priced tee on Printify costs $6.55.Printful With more than 430 products, including t-shirts and other items, Printful’s catalog isn’t as robust as Printify’s. But it certainly gets the job done, with all the basics that a t-shirt business would need.Printful has printers located in the US, Canada, and Mexico—not quite as global as Prinity, but still able to make its way to other destinations. Printful has lots of integrations, including Shopify, Etsy, WooCommerce, Wix, Launch Cart, Square, and TikTok Shop. It also offers a Printful API.Another great perk of Printful is that it offers a free 14-day trial for its Pro membership, giving you a solid amount of time to test all of its features and see if it’s the right digital printing partner for you.Pricing for Printful is available in three categories: Free, for small businesses Plus, for medium-sized businesses, priced at $9 per month Pro, for large businesses, priced at $49 per month, billed monthly, or $539 yearly (which offers one month free in comparison to monthly billing)The lowest-priced tee on Printful costs $7.95. Teelaunch Teelaunch is a print-on-demand company that customizes a range of shirts. You can choose from t-shirts, long-sleeve tees, sweatshirts, and tank tops. Double-sided printing is possible for some styles—TeeLaunch has men’s, women’s, unisex, and baby styles available. We recommend connecting Teelaunch with your Shopify store. There’s no fee to use it, and you can sell the shirts on Amazon, Facebook, or Etsy. Though Teelaunch doesn’t offer samples, users are entitled to a 25% discount every 30 days.Teelaunch ships to the US, the UK, and Canada. The company usually takes three to six business days to process and prepare orders for shipping, though the time is longer during peak periods. Teelaunch is:Free to use for all businessesThe lowest-priced tee on Teelaunch costs $5.AOP+ AOP+ offers more than 200 print-on-demand products to Etsy and Shopify merchants. What distinguishes it from other POD suppliers is that it’s also the manufacturer—you can work with AOP+ directly to make custom shirts.Additionally, the company offers popular t-shirt brands like Gildan and Bella+Canvas. Shipping time varies based on location, and production takes three to five business days. If you choose to white label shirts via AOP+, you will also get labels, packaging inserts, and branded stickers. Pricing for AOP+ is available in three categories:Start-up member, for small businesses, always free Super member, for medium-sized businesses, priced at $11.99 per month Hero member, for large businesses, priced at $19.99 per month The lowest-priced tee on AOP+ costs $8.99.SPOD SPOD’s print-on-demand services offer a wide selection of shirt options—you can choose from styles for women, men, kids, and babies. Use filters to see which items are available in a specific color or size. SPOD includes over 50,000 free designs to choose from, making it a great option for those who don’t have the interest or time to create their own design. You also get a mock-up generator, allowing you to easily envision designs on different styles of shirts. Plus, SPOD includes a customizer tool that lets buyers personalize products right from your Shopify store. SPOD is: Free to use for all businessesThe lowest-priced tee on SPOD costs $6.71.Designing your print-on-demand shirtsOnce you’ve picked your favorite print provider, it’s time for the action. While it would be great if you’re an artist who can design the shirts yourself, that’s absolutely not the only option. Let’s go over the main ways to create your custom t-shirts.Make t-shirt designs yourselfDo you consider yourself artistic and have knowledge of graphic design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator? If so, you can have complete control over the designs that are sold in your online store.The main thing to keep in mind here is whether this option makes the most sense from a business perspective. For example, if you only have light or moderate graphic design skills, you may need to spend a lot of time creating all of your designs. In this case, it may make more sense financially to hire a designer or buy design templates to kickstart your process.Do the math to figure out how much each option will cost before you make your decision.Hire someoneIf you’re looking to work directly with a graphic designer who can bring your ideas to life (or bring their own masterpieces to the table), you’ll find no shortage of great talent looking for work.You might want to consider if you have any trusted colleagues, friends, or family who might be up for the job. If not, there are plenty of marketplaces that connect designers with short-term and long-term projects and positions. There are even websites like 99designs, where you can crowdsource your idea to a group of designers and choose your favorite submission.Here are a few other places you can source your designer: Buy design templatesIf you have light or moderate graphic design skills, you can maximize your time spent working by starting with some templates or mockups. Using these as a baseline, you can add and tweak until they’re just right. This can be a huge time-saver in comparison to building everything from scratch, especially when there’s a learning curve that’s slowing you down a bit.You can buy templates from websites like:Note: just make sure that you’re buying art with the correct rights and permissions, like extended and editable licenses. You definitely DO NOT want to accidentally use anyone’s art without legal permission—even if you don’t mean it, it’s still stealing! Another idea is to sell another artist’s designs in exchange for part of your profits. For example, motivational brand Startup Vitamins sells designs from other companies and people, like this shirt design that says, “Life is short. Do stuff that matters,” from entrepreneur Siqi Chen. Source Start your print-on-demand shirt company todayIt might seem daunting to start your own t-shirt printing company. Totally understandable. But when you do your research, explore all your options, and build a solid business plan, you can definitely succeed in this wide world.In all things entrepreneurship, the name of the game is to learn as you go. Just make sure you keep an open mind and have a willingness to change gears if you need to. When you have a resilient attitude coupled with savvy business decisions, you’re already on the right path. Print-on-demand shirts FAQIs selling t-shirts profitable? The overall profitability of a t-shirt business depends on various factors. Your margins will depend on the types of t-shirts you sell, the cost of materials you use for production, and how much you spend on advertising and marketing. One advantage of following the print-on-demand model is that it’s much easier to remain profitable (due to not having to buy or hold inventory before a sale).What are some of the best print on demand services? Printify Printful Teelaunch AOP+ SPOD Want to learn more? Source link

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Make $1250+ From Google News PER DAY (Make Money Online)

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