Friday, 17 December 2021

7 Best Crypto Tax Software of 2022 (Ultimate Guide)

Buying cryptocurrencies is one of the most talked-about events in this day and age. Many people are looking at this as an opportunity to use...Read More

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Make Money Tutoring Online

The post Make Money Tutoring Online appeared first on Millennial Money.

Working as an online tutor is an increasingly popular side hustle thanks to the abundance of online educational opportunities. If you want to make money tutoring online, there are many platforms available that pay you for doing just that. 

In this post, you’ll learn all about how to make money tutoring part-time, including which are the best platforms to consider, how much you can earn, and more.

Online Tutoring: An Overview

Demand for online tutoring is soaring right now, with parents seeking supplementary learning opportunities for their children. Online tutors help boost classroom performance, enabling students to get into better schools and build better futures. 

Online tutoring is now a highly immersive experience that typically spans online learning portals, video conferencing via Skype, and screen sharing. Over the next few years, emerging technologies like virtual reality will also play more of a role in online education. 

What makes a great online tutor?

Online tutoring isn’t for everyone. To make it as an online tutor, you need to have a fun and engaging personality, and patience to work with students — some of whom may struggle with course material and lag behind their peers. 

The best teachers have a unique ability to connect with students and help them grasp difficult concepts, and tenacity to never give up. 

It also helps to have a passion for a particular subject matter. For example, you may love the English language, math, or science. Being passionate about a subject can inspire students to explore the topic on their own, leading to stronger results. 

The Benefits of Tutoring Online

Here are the top benefits of tutoring online.

Work from anywhere

Online tutors can work from the comfort of a home office. You don’t have to go into a physical location or travel. It’s one of the best home jobs a teacher could have, and a great way to make money online.

Help students improve 

Having an online tutoring job comes with the unique satisfaction of helping young learners achieve their goals.

Ultimately, you never know whom you may work with. The person you tutor could go on to become a powerful CEO, politician, scientist, or writer. You can play a pivotal role in supporting them in their journey. 

Control your schedule 

One of the best parts about working as an online tutor is you can remain in full control of your schedule, working when you want to.

Make extra cash

Working with online providers or starting your own tutoring business is a great way to bring in extra cash. Often tutors teach online in addition to working full-time jobs because the work is flexible. 

Tips for Tutoring Online

Here are our top tips for tutoring online.

Think twice before certification 

As you can see from the above list, not all providers have teaching certification requirements. Some hire based on subject matter expertise alone. 

Start by identifying the company you want to work for, and then go about fulfilling the requirements. Getting certified can lead to more tutoring gigs, but you may be able to start without going through the process — saving time and money. 

Find direct opportunities to tutor students

Most online tutoring platforms take a cut of your overall pay and limit how much you can earn. You can potentially land more lucrative gigs by finding students through your own personal network, or online through LinkedIn and Facebook. 

Cut out the middleman, and you can negotiate higher rates and pocket more of the profits. Consider placing advertisements online to drum up more business as a private tutor. 

Progress is important

Online tutoring is a results-driven industry. Most parents will want to see progress in their kids’ test scores. So it’s a good idea to form a strategy, make solid lesson plans, and dedicate yourself to helping kids improve. The tutor is usually the first to receive criticism when students fail to improve their grades. 

Launch supplementary content 

To generate more business, consider starting a YouTube channel or even an Instagram account and post supplementary material. 

For example, take a common problem that your students face in class — like an algebra concept — and explain it using a service like Tik Tok. The idea could potentially go viral, resulting in a wave of business opportunities. 

Best Online Tutoring Jobs for 2021

Next, let’s take a look at the most popular platforms for online tutoring. 

  1. VIPkid
  2. Chegg
  3. Skooli
  4. Wyzant
  5. Qkids
  6. Preply
  7. TutorMe
  8. Tutor.com
  9. KidPass
  10. Yup

1. VIPkid

VIPKid connects English instructors to Chinese students who want to learn English. You can set your own schedule and teach one-on-one. And best of all, you don’t have to do any lesson planning. VIPKid handles that aspect, allowing instructors to focus their time on interacting with students.

Classes on VIPKid average about 25 minutes in length. You can teach from anywhere, and you don’t have to speak Chinese. 

Teaching requirements 

  • At least two years of teaching experience teaching, coaching, tutoring, or mentoring
  • You have to be legally eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada 
  • Have a bachelor’s degree from a university, in any field
  • Have a working computer and internet connection

Average pay 

VIPKid instructors earn $14 to $22 per hour. VIPKid does not withhold taxes. 

2. Chegg

Chegg — formerly instaEDU — launched back in 2000 by students at Iowa State University. Today, the platform is available to the general public and has a user base of more than 2.9 million people. 

In addition to connecting tutors and students, the company also offers discount textbooks, plagiarism checking, and access to internships.

Teaching requirements 

  • You don’t have to be from the U.S. 
  • Two forms of identity verification at signup 
  • College degree 
  • Recent photo 
  • Pass a skills test — varies by subject 

Average pay

Chegg pays a flat hourly rate of $20 per hour for live lessons or prorated amounts for lessons that go less than one hour. You’ll receive compensation for your work every Thursday via PayPal. 

3. Skooli

Skooli connects students with professional teachers over an online digital classroom setting. It’s a personalized platform designed to provide supplementary digital learning experiences. As a Skooli tutor, you can offer video conferencing, screen sharing, online chat, and an interactive whiteboard experience. 

The company is seeking advanced tutors and pays a higher rate than most other online learning platforms. If hired, you can set your own schedule, 

Start by applying and completing the verification process. 

Teaching requirements 

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • Specialized instructor qualification 
  • Official government-issued teaching license 

Average pay

Skooli compensation is hourly, based on your qualifications and experience. The company pays after you complete a session. 

4. Wyzant

Wyzant connects instructors to students for one-on-one teaching opportunities. The site offers more than 300 subjects, and 65,000 instructors making it one of the most widely used tutoring services on the internet. 

Teaching requirements 

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Live in the U.S.
  • Have a valid Social Security Number 
  • Teaching certification isn’t a requirement

Average pay

Listing your services on Wyzant is free. Teachers post an hourly rate and collect 75% of the profits. Wyzant retains the remaining 25%.

In addition, Wyzant has a referral program, where you can collect 100% of the hourly rate with no percentage dedication when you recommend a new student and they sign up for the platform. 

5. Qkids

Qkids specializes in connecting online tutors with students. You can set your own teaching schedule, and the site doesn’t require lesson plans but encourages them. Lessons last for 30 minutes, and sessions have one to four students at a time. 

Teaching requirements 

  • Live in the U.S. or Canada
  • Resume submission
  • 1-2 minute intro video 
  • Have a webcam 
  • Need headset with microphone
  • Minimum upload speed of 2 Mbps, and 4 Mbps for downloads 
  • Teaching license or certificate – TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, ESL
  • Bachelor’s degree 

Average pay

Qkids tutors receive $16 to $20 per hour.

6. Preply

Preply is a leading online education service and another great source for tutors. You can set your own rate and schedule through Preply, and benefit from training webinars and upskill sessions. Plus, you can work with kids from more than 180 countries. 

Teaching requirements

  • Be at least 18
  • Have a recent photo
  • No degree requirement — acceptance depends on your experience and the quality of the video and personal description that you submit with your application process.

Average pay

Preply pays an average hourly rate of $18.30, although rates can be more or less depending on the subject. 

7. TutorMe

TutorMe is an online platform offering on-demand tutoring opportunities for students across a wide range of topics. Like with most tutoring websites, TutorMe comes with flexible scheduling and you can teach from any location that has internet access. 

Teaching requirements 

  • Be at least 18 years old 
  • Previous tutoring experience is necessary 
  • Have mastery of your subject 
  • Must be a graduate or current student of an accredited university

Average pay

TutorMe pays instructors $16 per hour. 

8. Tutor.com

Tutor.com is a leading tutoring service provider, offering 24/7 tutoring opportunities across more than 40 different subjects. Tutors help students grasp difficult concepts and build their problem-solving skills. The service is one of the longest-running programs, stretching back to 1998.

Teaching requirements

  • Live in the U.S.
  • Have a valid Social Security number 
  • Be available at least five hours per week
  • Have subject matter expertise 
  • Have a four-year college degree, or current enrollment in an accredited university and working towards a four-year degree

Average pay

Tutors receive $10 per hour through Tutor.com. 

9. KidPass

KidPass lets you decide what classes you want to create and instruct. You can offer in-person and online classes, pre-recorded videos, semester courses, and individual or group sessions. 

Teaching requirements

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Live in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K.
  • Pass a background check

Average pay

Earn up to $80 per hour working with kids and families teaching through KidPass.

10. Yup

Yup is a math-focused online tutoring platform that’s available 24/7 to both students and tutors. If you love math or have prior math teaching experience this is a great place to look for gigs. Subjects include pre-algebra and go all the way up to calculus and statistics.  

Teaching requirements

  • Submit a written application
  • Pass a math proficiency exam
  • Complete a mock tutoring session

Average pay

On average, tutors are earning around $14 per hour, which leaves something to be desired.

Learn More:

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about making money tutoring.

Can you make a lot of money with a tutoring business?

Yes, but it depends on whether you hustle and how good you are. Successful private tutoring generally requires building a network and customer base. Tutoring sessions need to be impactful and you have to demonstrate progress to retain students. 

The work isn’t easy, but if you enjoy it and help your students succeed, you could land long-term, well-paying clients. Or, you could choose to work with tutoring sites and work with a steady stream of students. 

The bottom line here is that starting your own home tutoring business is likely to generate far greater revenue than tutoring for an online platform. However, it’s also most likely going to require a lot more work and a larger time commitment.

Is online tutoring challenging?

It all depends on your level of expertise, the students that you’re working with, and the material you’re instructing. If you’re great with students and know the material like the back of your hand, you shouldn’t have any trouble. But if you’re shaky about a particular topic, you may want to brush up on your skills before teaching it or you could run into some issues. Furthermore, not all students have the same background knowledge or learning ability. This means you’ll need to be able to adapt to each student’s unique learning style to help them succeed.

The Bottom Line

Online teaching can be a steady full-time job or a way to make extra money on the side. You can help students with standardized test prep, foreign languages, math, and everything in between.

Start by outlining a basic plan and decide if you want to work with younger students, high school kids, or college students. Then, explore the various online tutoring companies listed here and find a company that’s a good fit for your qualifications and experience. 

If you have a college degree and subject matter expertise, chances are you’ll be in a position to start teaching sooner than you may realize. Some sites may require certification, but not all of them will. You should also consider pursuing direct tutoring opportunities.

Here’s to finding a well-paying tutoring gig that helps you earn extra cash, while you help students prepare for their own life journey.

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December 17, 2021 at 07:30PM

How to Flip Houses – A Guide for New Real Estate Investors

The post How to Flip Houses – A Guide for New Real Estate Investors appeared first on Millennial Money.

House flipping is one of the most common strategies in real estate investing, making it an excellent option for experienced individuals who know the housing market. 

If you’re a beginner who wants to excel at house flipping like the pros on HGTV, you need to know what you’re getting involved in so you can master your first flip and set yourself up for a career of success. 

Ready to start flipping houses? Here’s how to get started. 

What Is House Flipping? 

House flipping is the process of buying real estate property with the intention of selling it for a profit. 

House flipping is different from buying a house to live in or rent. This strategy is for a property investor who wants to buy houses, hold them, and sell at the opportune time. 

In other words, house flipping doesn’t involve treating a house as a residence. 

How to Flip Houses 

  1. Pick a strategy
  2. Consider getting a real estate license
  3. Get smart about funding
  4. Research market conditions
  5. Form a solid network

1. Pick a strategy 

There are a few different strategies you can choose when flipping houses. Let’s briefly examine some of the most popular ones.

Fix and flip

This strategy involves buying distressed properties, fixing them up, and selling them for more money. Fixing and flipping is definitely not a passive real estate investment. It can require a substantial amount of work — such as replacing flooring or windows or doing foundational or support work. 

Buying at foreclosure

Foreclosure happens when a homeowner defaults on their loans and the bank steps in to sell the house. Often, you can get decent properties at foreclosure for far less than market value.

Buying short sales 

A short sale occurs when a financial owner runs into financial trouble and sells a property for less than the amount due on the mortgage. 

This strategy is a bit harder, but it can be done. 

Standard flipping 

It’s possible to find normal houses that don’t require extensive repairs. You can either enhance their value with upgrades or hold them until market conditions are favorable. 

2. Consider getting a real estate license

If you’re serious about flipping homes, it’s a good idea to look into getting a real estate license so you can put your own homes on the market. 

Otherwise, you’ll have to pay realtors to act as listing agents every time you sell, which can get pricey.

If you decide to work with an agent, it’s a good idea to be selective about who you sign a contract with. Look for a partner who has both expert knowledge of the local real estate market and great negotiating skills. 

3. Get smart about funding 

Flipping a home is generally more expensive than buying a house to live in or rent — especially if substantial repairs are required. As such, it’s a good idea to be smart about how you fund the property.

The best thing to do when flipping a home is to save up money and buy the home in cash outright. This will prevent having to go through the mortgage process and talking with different lenders about home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and other types of loans. 

Lenders are often skeptical about working with inexperienced house flippers, so it could be harder to get decent rates.

In addition, some lenders won’t even consider working with house flippers at all.

4. Research market conditions 

Before you start looking at houses, it’s a good idea to assess local market conditions and do some advanced planning. Try to narrow down specific locations with affordable pricing in areas that are either already popular or up and coming. 

Remember, house flipping is not typically a long-term play. As such, it doesn’t make sense to look too far down the future when considering whether to purchase a property. 

As an example, you might find a house that’s reasonably priced in an area that has a lot of development and investing taking place. The trick is to buy a place at a bargain rate and then sell it once the house and surrounding properties shoot up in value. 

It’s difficult to time the market perfectly, but it can be done.

5. Form a solid network

Success as a real estate investor requires having a solid team around you to guide you and help you get top dollar for your properties.

For example, one of the best investments you can make is in a team of trusted contractors who can give you honest assessments about repairs and upgrades. Have this team on standby so they can step in whenever work needs to be done.

Even if you’re decent with home repairs, it’s a good idea to work with professional contractors who can advise about what materials to use, what to upgrade, and what should be left alone. The same can be said about specialists like landscaping providers and painters.

It also pays to form relationships with local financial professionals and trusted home inspectors whom you can call for assessments and advice when it’s required. 

How Long Does It Take to Flip a House?

It’s easy to underestimate how long it takes to flip a house. The process may look fast and easy on HGTV, but it can actually take a ton of time. Altogether, the entire process can take six months. For inexperienced flippers, it can take much longer than that.

Of course, this can vary depending on the type of project and the quality of the house as well as market demand. Often, a house can sit vacant for a lot longer before the owner decides it’s time to sell.

Here’s a general breakdown of the time frame when flipping a house: 

  • Buying: Three weeks to a month or longer
  • Restoring: One to twelve months — depending on how much work is required
  • Marketing the house: One to two months
  • Selling: One to two months 

Picking the Right Location

Location is critical when flipping houses. There’s no reason to feel tied to a specific area. It’s possible to obtain real estate licensing in other states or work with a real estate agent if you see a market that looks good. For example, you could live in Maine and flip houses in Texas. 

Some of the top cities for flipping houses include Pittsburgh; Cleveland; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia; Columbia, Maryland; and Baltimore.

In addition, cities with the fastest rising gross profits include Dallas, San Antonio, San Diego, Chicago, and Oklahoma City.

It’s important to take a variety of factors into consideration when looking at different markets. For example, you’ll want to look at job creation, surrounding amenities like mountains, beaches, and parks, school quality, proximity to grocery stores and retailers, public transportation, cleanliness, and taxes, to name just a few examples. 

It’s also a good idea to factor in environmental conditions. A growing number of home buyers are prioritizing ecological conditions. That being the case, you don’t want to get stuck with a house that is unfriendly to eco-friendly buyers. 

How to Profit From Real Estate With No Money

One question that new flippers often ask is how to profit from real estate without any liquid capital. Most people have limited cash on hand, with the majority of their earnings tied up in various investments.

As it turns out, there are a few options.

Consider wholesaling 

Wholesaling doesn’t require making any purchases. Instead, the wholesaler contracts a home with a buyer and keeps the difference between that price and the seller’s offer. This is typically done with houses that are distressed and in need of renovations.

Talk to hard money lenders 

Hard money loans are interest-only loans that enable investors to buy properties while also supplying them with capital to make upgrades and repairs.

The 70% rule says that house flippers should avoid paying more than 70% of the after repair value (ARV) of a property minus the cost of repairs.

Option to buy 

An “option to buy” policy gives the investor the right to purchase a property after leasing it. 

This option can be risky. But it’s a way to potentially secure a house without having any money to put down. 

Learn More:

Tips for Flipping Houses

Here are the top tips to know before flipping houses.

Beware of carrying costs 

Carrying costs are fees that homeowners need to pay for owning a property. This may include a loan, landscaping, utilities, insurance, and taxes, to name a few examples. The longer you hold a property, the more you’ll pay in carrying costs.

Estimate project costs in advance 

Try to get a solid understanding of how much you’ll need to pay in repairs when buying a house. 

In other words, don’t get so caught up in buying a house at a bargain price to the point that you fail to factor in the true cost of putting in a new kitchen, bathroom, yard, or finished basement. 

These projects can tack thousands of dollars onto the purchase price, eating into your profits. 

Take the home inspection process seriously

The home inspection process is nothing to dash through. As important as it is when buying a home to live in, it’s even more important when getting a house that you’re going to flip. Rest assured that, if there is a potential issue, the buyer’s inspector will find it. 

For example, one issue that causes a lot of grief is mold, which can be difficult or impossible to detect with the naked eye and requires the help of a certified mold inspector. Failing to capture a mold problem could result in a massive pre-sale renovation.

Sharpen your negotiation skills

Real estate investors who choose to get licensed as real estate agents need to do more than just learn the real estate process. They also need to sharpen their negotiation skills. 

Negotiation is a critical part of the real estate process, and a good real estate agent will know how to play hardball to get the price where they want it to be.

REITs: A Top Alternative to House Flipping

Often, real estate investors want to enter the market and flip homes but are afraid to get in over their heads. This is a reasonable fear because house flipping is risky and expensive.

One strategy is to buy real estate investment trusts (REITs), which are publicly traded companies that own and operate commercial properties. REITs are available in many types of industries and sectors, including healthcare, telecommunications, retail, data centers, and office buildings, to name just a few examples.

REITs can lead to steady profits and dividend returns over time, without any of the stress or overhead that comes with buying, repairing, managing, and selling actual properties. They are just like buying stocks. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about flipping houses.

Can you make a lot of money flipping houses? 

It’s certainly possible to make a lot of money flipping houses. It starts with being smart about the first house you buy and using those gains to purchase more properties. 

Generally speaking, the more houses you flip, the more you’ll make, and the better you’ll get at it. The best house-flippers keep growing and give their projects the proper attention that they require. 

Who knows? Do a good enough job, and flipping houses can be a full-time job.

Can you flip an investment property right away?

Most flipping occurs within a few months after buying the property. Flipping is not a long-term hold strategy.

What is sweat equity?

Sweat equity is the result of hard labor that you put into a property that results in a higher profit. 

An example of sweat equity could be clearing brush and increasing the size of a yard, building a deck, or finishing an attic or basement. 

Anytime you manually invest labor into a house without paying professional contractors to do the work for you, it’s considered sweat equity. 

What is a live-in flip?

Some investors choose to buy a house and then live in it while they conduct necessary repairs and flip it, a process known as live-in flipping. 

This is a great way to increase your profit margin and cover renovation costs, as you can avoid having to pay rent or another mortgage while you live in the house you’re flipping. When the project ends and you sell, you simply pack up and move onto another house and start again. 

Serious flippers often start out by doing live-in flips to save money and get ahead. 

The Bottom Line

Flipping homes can be an excellent short-term real estate strategy. It’s one of the more difficult types of real estate investments that you can try. But, with the right approach, it can be immensely profitable. 

The key is to nail your first house purchase and set yourself up for long-term success without going too far into debt. Focus on finding the right property at a great sale price and pay attention to the amount of time that you spend on it. 

First-time homebuyers need to be very careful and get a property they can easily resell — whether it’s a fixer-upper or a foreclosure. 

The biggest thing that you can have before entering into the house flipping market is a strong “why.” In other words, you need a reason for entering into real estate — even if it’s just to make a lot of money. 

Start by outlining your goals, and make sure that you’re making the right decision before entering into this market. Otherwise, you could end up over your head quickly.

If you’re new to real estate investing, you might want to dip your toes into the industry by investing in REITs first. And once you’ve socked away enough for a down payment on your first flip, you can move forward with confidence that you’re not starting out from a blank slate.

Whatever you do, be patient, analyze your options, and don’t jump into anything too fast. With a smart approach to the market, you could be well on your way to building a real estate empire before you know it. Whatever you decide, I’m rooting for you!

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December 17, 2021 at 12:30AM

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Get Paid to Watch Movies – The Ultimate 2022 Guide

The post Get Paid to Watch Movies – The Ultimate 2022 Guide appeared first on Millennial Money.

Get paid to watch movies? That sounds like a film-buff fantasy. But believe it or not, there are many ways to make the dream come true.

If you love to watch movies, you could turn your passion into a full-time job or a side hustle. You could even make money by watching videos for just a few minutes a day.

In this guide, we’ll show you our favorite ways you can get paid to watch movies.

How to Get Paid to Watch Movies

Here are twelve ways to get paid to watch movies.

  1. Become a Netflix tagger
  2. Start a YouTube channel
  3. Write movie reviews
  4. Become a film critic
  5. Edit movies
  6. Produce movies
  7. Teach film
  8. House sit
  9. Sign up for Nielsen’s Computer and Mobile Panel
  10. Do theater checks through Market Force
  11. Watch movies through survey sites
  12. Enter the CenturyLink Holiday Movies Binge Contest

1. Become a Netflix tagger 

You can watch Netflix and make money at the same time by working as an editorial analyst or “tagger” for the streaming service provider. 

Netflix taggers watch movies and shows and assign specific metadata or descriptions. For example, this might entail watching a movie and entering the language, release date, or genre into a database. 

To work as a tagger, you need to have expert knowledge of movies and an ability to accurately categorize video content. 

Having a Netflix job as a tagger may seem like a dream come true. But as a word to the wise, this full-time job has the potential to become a slog. 

Read the job description and make sure you’re comfortable with the role before quitting your day job to watch movies. 

2. Start a YouTube channel

Movie lovers live for hidden Easter eggs like Yoda breakdancing in Revenge of the Sith. And they depend on YouTubers like Mr. Sunday Movies to find them.

If you’re a true movie buff and comfortable on camera, why not consider launching your own movie channel? You can write movie reviews, talk about upcoming projects, offer predictions, and discuss characters or plot holes. 

Of course, you’ll face stiff competition. But if you can produce high-quality content at a consistent level, you just may attract subscribers and start making some money

Top movie reviewers make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year just talking about films. How cool is that?

3. Write movie reviews 

One of the downsides to running a YouTube channel is it requires a lot of work. You’ll have to produce episodes on a regular basis, and you’ll also need to have a strong camera presence and top-shelf video editing skills. 

At the same time, producing video content leaves less time to actually study movies and produce engaging material. 

But all hope isn’t lost: You may find it easier to put your ideas into writing. 

One option is to launch a blog on WordPress and make money through AdSense and Amazon affiliate links. 

Another option is to link up with a site like Animation Arena, which pays $15 for reviews. Each review needs to be at least 550 words long.

The main downside to working with a site like Animation Arena is you receive a one-time fee for your work. You may want to consider writing for a site like Vocal.media instead, which can lead to passive income. This site will pay money each time someone reads your story. 

Either way, writing movie reviews is something you can do in your free time as a side hustle. You don’t need any qualifications or experience to start. If you know movies and can write quality content, this option is worth exploring. 

4. Become a film critic 

Think you have what it takes to become the next Roger Ebert? Consider taking your game to the next level by pursuing a career as a professional film critic. 

It’s a good idea to land a degree in film to polish your skills and gain some expertise. You’ll also need advanced writing skills, a solid portfolio, and some entry-level experience before you start to make real inroads as a trusted film critic. 

According to Glassdoor, movie critics can make anywhere from $49,445 to $89,000 per year. How much you make depends on your skill and your ability to market yourself and create opportunities. 

5. Edit movies 

Behind every great movie is a solid team of editors who dissect footage and splice it together to make an actual film. Editors work behind the scenes, pouring over raw video and transforming it into a final product. 

As an editor, you can work independently or with a media or production company. This is a highly collaborative position — and one that requires strong creative and communication skills. 

You don’t necessarily need a bachelor’s degree to become an editor, but it can help you learn the basics. That said, it’s more important to gain hands-on experience by taking internships and helping with professional projects. 

If you’re interested in this line of work, focus on building a portfolio and improving your skills first and bigger jobs will follow as you progress. 

The national average salary for a film editor is $59,095 per year.

6. Produce movies 

A movie producer is a bit like a general manager in sports. Producers plan and finance projects and hire creative professionals like directors, actors, and production specialists. They see projects through from initial planning to release. 

Movie producers typically follow the same path as editors and critics at first, studying film, building connections, and gaining hands-on experience in the industry. This is not an overnight profession, and it takes a lot of hard work, a bit of luck, and usually a lot of cash to break through as a producer. 

The average film producer salary is $58,857 per year. But you can easily earn double or triple this amount as you make a name for yourself.  

7. Teach film

As a disclaimer, making it in Hollywood is no easy task. 

People often waste decades trying to make it in the movie business only to wind up old, broke, and miserable. There’s no sugarcoating this experience. 

For a safer path, you may want to pursue a life in academia. Spend a few years teaching undergraduate classes and work your way up to become a professor in a university. Play your cards right and you could wind up with an office, control over your curriculum, and the ability to watch movies and give lectures.

On average, film professors make $63,137 per year. You can also make more by selling books and pursuing speaking opportunities. 

Plus, you’ll enjoy the same vacations that students get — like Thanksgiving, winter break, spring break, and summers off. 

8. House sit

At this point, you may be thinking this: I don’t want to do any of these things, Grant. I just want to sit on the couch and make money watching movies!

If this describes you, look into house-sitting. 

Working as a house-sitter is a pretty sweet deal. All you really have to do is make sure the house doesn’t burn down and water the plants. You may also get to play with dogs or cats.

Since there isn’t much to do as a housesitter, you can watch movies to pass the time. 

Look for house-sitting gigs on Care.com. Social media is also a great place to find work. Another cool site to check out is Nomador, which is an international sitter community.   

The average salary for a house-sitter is $70,166.

9. Sign up for Nielsen’s Computer and Mobile Panel

If you’re like most people, you jump at the slightest opportunity to tell others what you’re watching. I’m looking at you, Manifest fans.

Did you know that you can make money by sharing what you watch through the Nielsen Computer and Mobile program? 

Nielsen is a trusted market research provider that collects information about demographics and media usage patterns.

The company offers a $10,000 monthly sweepstakes, up to $50 per year in rewards points, and instant win games. And all you have to do is give the company access to your data.

Simply sign up, download Nielsen’s software, and earn rewards as you watch content.

This site doesn’t pay much, but it’s very easy to use, and you never know when you might hit the sweepstakes.

10. Do theater checks through Market Force 

You could make money working as a theater checker by signing up as a certified field associate (CFA) through Market Force. This gig is a bit like mystery shopping, only you do it at the movies. 

As a Market Force CFA, you can collect a paycheck just for going to a movie theater and reporting what you see. You’ll also get ticket and concession reimbursement. 

This isn’t a complete walk in the park, though. Once you get to the movies, you’ll have to complete various tasks — like watching movie previews, counting patrons, or recording advertisements. You may also have to report on how the staff treats you and the quality of the popcorn. 

If this sounds appealing, this part-time gig could help you make some extra cash.

11. Watch movies through survey sites

Survey sites issue points or cash rewards when you complete tasks on a computer or mobile device in your spare time. 

For example, you can take online surveys, play games, participate in focus groups, and buy items from partnering retailers. Of course, you can also be paid to watch videos and possibly even full movies. 

These sites often have fun perks through referral and bonus programs.

Here’s a list of a few sites that can help bring in some extra money. 

Swagbucks 

Swagbucks issues free gift cards for watching entertaining videos and sneak previews. It’s fun and it doesn’t take much of your time. 

If you’re interested in learning more about survey sites, Swagbucks gives a signup bonus worth 1,000 points (about $10) when you spend at least $25 at a partnering retailer. 

InboxDollars 

InboxDollars is just like Swagbucks except you earn direct cash rewards. You can make money watching short video clips on a variety of topics. 

InboxDollars is currently offering a $5 signup bonus for new members. 

MyPoints

MyPoints gives you points in exchange for watching online videos. Sit through video playlists and earn up to 500 points per day. You can redeem points for gift cards, travel miles, and cash.

At the time of writing, MyPoints is giving new subscribers a $10 welcome bonus. 

iRazoo

iRazoo offers a mix of content like short films, advertisements, cooking tutorials, and movie reviews. 

When you watch content on iRazoo, you can earn points and cash out with a gift card once you reach certain thresholds. The site partners with AMC Theatres and Regal Entertainment, so you can collect movie vouchers and watch more free content.

You can also cash out through a PayPal account, giving you more convenience when receiving your payout.

12. Enter the CenturyLink Holiday Movies Binge Contest

Every year, internet provider CenturyLink holds a contest to find the country’s top Christmas movie fanatic.

This person gets paid $1,000 to binge-watch 24 Hallmark Christmas movies in 12 days and review them.

If you can’t get enough Hallmark movies, this is the promotion for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about getting paid to watch movies.

Can you make a lot of money watching videos online?

It depends on what you’re doing. There’s a big difference between taking a full-time analyst position at Netflix and watching TV shows and advertisements through a survey site. You can earn a full-time salary if you land the right gig or earn substantially less.

How can I watch free movies online?

If you love to watch movies, you should consider ditching your subscriptions and save money by using free streaming platforms. Crackle, Vudu, and Tubi offer a lot of free content. 

If you’re willing to ditch some services, consider taking the money you save and putting it into an emergency fund or investment account. This way, you’ll cut down on spending, stockpile some money, and still have a way to watch the content you enjoy. 

Are survey sites legit?

Some survey sites are legit, while others are scams. 

Stick with sites like Swagbucks and InboxDollar and you’ll be fine. You won’t get rich, but you can use them to make money online by watching movie trailers, advertisements, and short clips. 

Watch out for sites that lack online reviews or look shady. There are tons of scams online, and you have to be vigilant.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, there’s a variety of ways to get paid for watching movies. 

If you want to start earning extra cash immediately, your best bet is to use survey sites or write movie reviews. At the same time, you could get a house-sitting gig and make money watching videos while earning a paycheck.

The other option is to think long-term and pursue advanced opportunities as a critic, editor, producer, or professor.

At the end of the day, there are tons of ways to make quick money online, and using mobile apps to watch movies is just one example. You could also manage social media, work as a virtual assistant, sell unwanted items, and offer pet care. 

The possibilities are endless. Poke around, explore your options, and you’re bound to find something that fits your interests and needs.

Here’s to getting paid to watch some flicks!

The post Get Paid to Watch Movies – The Ultimate 2022 Guide appeared first on Millennial Money.



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December 16, 2021 at 12:30AM

Wednesday, 15 December 2021

7 Best AI Investing Software and Apps of 2022 (Ranked and Compared)

AI investment apps and software are quickly influencing the way people invest. When done correctly, investment apps and software are powerful tools for increasing your...Read More

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Tuesday, 14 December 2021

15 Best Free Traffic Sources to Scale Your Website

The post 15 Best Free Traffic Sources to Scale Your Website appeared first on Millennial Money.

If you’ve got a website, you need website traffic. Fortunately, there are plenty of free traffic sources that can help bring visitors or customers to your site.

In this guide, we’ll break down the fifteen best free traffic sources to help your website grow and be profitable.

First, let’s take a step back and define some key terms, starting with what I mean when I say “free traffic sources.” 

What Are Free Traffic Sources?

A free traffic source is anything that drives traffic (i.e., users) to your site without you spending a dime. Free traffic sources can be anything from another website to a search engine to a business card with your website’s name on it. Basically, anything that connects people with your website is a traffic source.

On that note, every time someone visits your site — whether they typed in the URL, searched on Google, or clicked a link in an article — there’s a traffic source that got them there. 

As a website owner, it’s your job to capitalize on these sources to make your site as accessible and profitable as possible. 

The good news is that you don’t need to cough up money to do this effectively. Free traffic sources are readily available and can help you improve your engagement without spending a dime.

Now that we have the basics covered, let’s take a look at the most effective free traffic source strategies that you can implement right now. 

15 Best Free Traffic Sources for Your Website

1. Search engine optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a digital marketing strategy with a single aim: to get your website as high as possible in Google’s search results.

It’s a simple concept and probably the best free traffic source you can hope to find. Google alone estimates that it fields more than 5 billion searches per day. The more visible your site is to search engines, the more likely people are to find it. 

Website views resulting from a Bing or Google search are known as organic traffic — and that’s precisely the type of website traffic you want. Customers who find you through a search engine are already looking for what you provide, leading to higher conversion rates. 

On the other hand, paid traffic is when you pay for ads that viewers click on to view your website. Paid traffic can still be a very effective monetization strategy if you understand how media buying works.

Truth be told, SEO isn’t easy. Working your way up to a top-ranking term takes a lot of time and dedication. In other cases, it’s downright impossible to rank for certain terms.

This is because bots and algorithms power search engines, and it requires constant attention and fresh content to stay on their radar. Also, in some cases, millions of other websites are competing for the same coveted keywords.

To get started with SEO, here are a few key things you should do:

  • Publish new content regularly
  • Do keyword research and incorporate relevant keywords into your content
  • Research and understand search engine algorithms
  • Find a niche — the more unique your content is, the less competition there will be
  • Always produce useful, high-quality content
  • Ensure that your website is SEO-optimized using a tool like Yoast

2. Build an email list

Email is one of the most effective ways to attract people to your site. By building a list of email addresses, you can keep your audience engaged and let them know about special offers and new content. 

Unlike SEO, email marketing focuses on retaining your current audience rather than attracting a new one. With this in mind, the two strategies are best used together — SEO to get them in the door and email marketing to keep them there. 

Sounds great, right? 

But let’s address the obvious question: How do you get ahold of all those email addresses?

If you currently run a website, chances are you already have an opt-in form to collect contact information. The key is to make it worth people’s while to hand over their information, which you can do with a lead magnet. 

In case you’re unfamiliar, a lead magnet is anything that entices your site visitors to sign up. It could be a discount, access to exclusive content, or free entry into a raffle — whatever you want.

Once you’ve built up a solid list, you can look into email automation tools like Constant Contact to routinely send your subscribers relevant content. You can even create a referral program that offers readers an incentive to share your website with their friends.

3. Utilize Reddit

With more than 50 million daily active users, Reddit is one of the most popular sites on the internet. The behemoth message board host is a hotbed of information and a great place to attract an audience. 

Reddit consists of an endless variety of forums called subreddits. No matter what your subject is, odds are there’s a subreddit dedicated to it. 

To use Reddit to drive traffic, you’ll want to be strategic. Find a subreddit that fits your website’s niche, and be sure to share quality content so that other users are encouraged to promote it for you. 

You’ll also need to be careful. Certain subreddits have strict rules against self-promotion or marketing, so make sure that you understand the guidelines within any forum.

4. Start a YouTube channel

Another great way to direct people to your site is with a YouTube channel. Video content can help engage your current audience in a different way and find new people who haven’t found your site on their own.

Ideally, the content you put out on YouTube will directly align with your website’s subject matter. That way, you’ll be drawing in viewers who are likely to be interested in your website’s content. Of course, you can also embed YouTube videos directly into your site. 

Building up a YouTube following can take some time. As such, you can’t expect to start pulling in huge numbers overnight. That said, if you regularly add engaging video content, you should see your views grow. 

Your YouTube channel could consist of tutorials, reviews, or whatever is relevant with your subject matter. Once you have a decent number of subscribers, you can link your website or blog in the video itself and in the description. 

5. Write guest posts

Appearing as a guest blogger on a popular site can have a huge impact on your site’s traffic — especially if your content is complementary. 

This will take some networking since you can’t just walk into any website and demand a guest spot. The key to guest posting is to make it mutually beneficial. You’ll want to make sure that the content you provide is high-quality and will help drive traffic for the site you’re writing for. 

And of course, the more views you can generate on your guest post, the higher the chance that you’ll get hits on your site through backlinks. This is what’s known as referral traffic. 

Furthermore, when you publish content under your byline on a highly trafficked website, it helps your website’s SEO ranking. That’s because, in Google’s eyes, you’re likely to be a person of authority on that particular topic if you’re publishing content on a well-respected website.

To get started with guest blogging, make a list of sites you think would be a good fit. Be sure to understand what they’re about and reach out directly with a collaboration proposal.

6. Use social media

If you aren’t already using social networks to reach your target audience, you’re falling behind.

Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have billions of users and are huge free traffic sources that will continue to grow. 

Of course, social media doesn’t drive the same quality of traffic as search engines. But as far as free sources go, it can be a highly effective tactic. 

The best social network to focus on depends on your target audience. If your site is intended to attract younger people, you’ll probably want to focus on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. On the other hand, if your site is geared toward professionals, LinkedIn might be a better fit. 

7. Start a podcast

A podcast can serve as a form of content marketing in the same way a YouTube channel can. The idea is to draw people in with valuable content that incentivizes them to dive deeper into what you have to offer. 

There are a couple of different ways that a podcast can help drive traffic. 

First, if you can host the podcast on your site, subscribers will have to head your way to find it. You can also push listeners toward your site with the subject matter in each episode. 

For example, maybe you refer to infographics that they can check out for themselves or a certain video that they can watch. 

Ideally, your website and your podcast will work hand in hand. Each one should serve the other so you can increase your subscriber base on both. 

8. Don’t sleep on direct traffic

Direct traffic results from someone reaching a site by typing in the URL or clicking a previously bookmarked page.

If you’re starting a new website, think long and hard about your domain name. Will it be easy to remember or will someone need to perform a Google search whenever they want to find it?

To capitalize on direct traffic, you also have to make sure that your website is well-formatted and properly functioning. If the user lands on your site and finds it confusing or has trouble navigating it, they’re likely to click away and visit a competitor’s site.

Aside from consistently producing quality content, your website’s name can make a huge difference on how much direct traffic you get. And remember that effective domains are short, catchy, and easy to remember. 

9. Answer questions on Quora

If you’ve ever typed a question into a search engine, you’re probably familiar with Quora, which is a simple question-and-answer community that allows people to share knowledge and find answers. 

Quora is the highest-ranking website of its kind and is now one of the most popular websites in the world. But how can it help drive traffic to your site?

Quora is free to use, so you can easily join the community and answer questions that relate to your website content or domain expertise. When you provide thoughtful answers, there’s a chance that thousands of question-seekers will view your Quora profile and want to learn more from you.

If this interests you, start by thoroughly answering the question asked, and include only content that adds value to your answer. With more than 300 million monthly active users, Quora is a massive pool of potential website visitors.

10. Write an eBook

Writing an eBook does a couple of positive things for your website. 

First, it legitimizes your content and positions you as an expert and authority on your subject. And when your audience hits your landing page and sees that you have an eBook, folks will be more inclined to value your content.

A successful eBook also gives you an edge in driving new traffic. For example, if you publish your eBook on Amazon Kindle Direct, you can include information about your website in your author bio — creating yet another free traffic source. 

I’m not saying that this is an easy route — writing a good book takes time, research, and a ton of editing. But if you can pull it off, it can significantly boost your traffic numbers. 

11. Leverage influencers

As social media continues to expand, so does the impact of influencers.

Most influencers make their living by seeking out paid sponsorships, where a company pays them to talk about a product or service on their channels. But we’re here to talk about free traffic sources, right? 

Not all influencers command high rates for sponsored posts. Only top accounts have this type of reach, so you can seek out smaller accounts for a better deal. 

For example, if you have an eCommerce site, you can offer free products, discount codes, or guest blogging opportunities to the influencer in exchange for promoting your website or product. 

The key is to target influencers that fit your particular niche. For example, if you sell clothes, you’ll want a fashion-focused influencer. If your site sells kitchen gadgets, a food blogger would be a natural fit. 

12. Forum marketing

Similar to using Reddit, you can also seek out specific online forums that directly relate to your site’s content.

Forums are reliable because you can find an audience that’s already highly engaged with your niche. For example, if your website focuses on fantasy football advice, you can easily find forums where people are already talking about it.

Each forum has different rules on sponsored content, so again, it’s important to approach this type of outreach with a plan. Don’t just drop a link and say “visit my site.” 

Make sure that any content you publish is valuable to readers and you’ll have a better shot at growing your audience.

13. Publish a press release

Press releases are a professional, time-tested channel for spreading the word about your business. 

The goal of a press release is to generate buzz and drive traffic to your website through backlinks. Plus, press releases can easily compound into other traffic sources. You’ll cast a wider SEO net and new readers can easily share the information on social media. 

To create a successful press release, you’ll need a few things. First, find a journalist or publication that’s willing to work with you and understand what you’re about. Keep it brief but exciting, and highlight your site’s particular story and the unique experience you offer. 

In most cases, you’ll have to pay upfront for the press release — even if you write it yourself, since you’ll have to pay for placement. But the traffic you’ll receive thereafter comes at no cost.

14. Use Pinterest 

Bookmark sites like Pinterest can have a huge effect on traffic. By creating visually alluring pins, you can create a new traffic source and expand your rank on search engines.

The key is to use enticing images that encourage Pinterest users to click into them and share them on their own boards. By attaching the link of your site or blog to the image, you’ll get hits every time someone engages with it. 

Pinterest is the best fit for lifestyle content – think fashion, cooking, interior design, or travel.

15. Raid the comment section

When all else fails, head to the comment section. 

It might seem silly, but providing information and links in the comment section on applicable sites is a proven free traffic strategy. It’s quick, easy, and could help you find some high-quality visitors.

Comment sections will never get you the same level of traction as other sources. But they can still have an impact when used correctly. 

In general, you should approach this method in the same way as answering a question on Quora. Address the problem, provide a solution, and drop a link. If the information is useful, readers will take advantage of it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best free traffic sources?

Organic searches on Google, by far. Google Analytics indicates that more than half of all site traffic comes from search engines, making SEO the most lucrative target for free traffic.

That said, it shouldn’t be your only focus. As mentioned above, organic SEO is super competitive, and it takes years of time and energy to master. With this in mind, it’s in your best interest to put time into both SEO and other strategies.

How do you create a traffic source?

No matter which direction you go in, it all starts with content. Even the best marketing strategy won’t hold up if your content is sub-par, so crafting high quality content should always be your first focus. 

Like the saying from Field of Dreams, if you build it (i.e., a high-quality website), they will come (i.e., the readers).

Once you have traffic, you can collect emails of new users that visit your site to build a secondary traffic source: email marketing. It’s free to collect emails, but you’ll have to pay a monthly fee for email software like Constant Contact.

The Bottom Line

No matter what anyone tells you, you don’t need to shell out cash to start driving traffic right now. 

You can generate free website traffic for your online business by implementing any of the ideas I’ve covered here. It won’t happen overnight, but with a careful strategy and dedication to quality content, there’s no reason that you can’t expand your audience. 

If financial freedom is what you’re after, you’re already on the right track. 

The online world is fast-paced, competitive, and ever-changing, but with the right plan, you can bring people in and make your mark.

What are you waiting for? Get after it — and I hope to stumble across some of your content soon.

The post 15 Best Free Traffic Sources to Scale Your Website appeared first on Millennial Money.



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December 14, 2021 at 05:04AM

Monday, 13 December 2021

7 Best LLC Services to Form Your New Business in 2022 (Ranked)

Thinking about starting your own business? You’re not alone! It’s interesting to know that just in June 2021, more than 440 thousand small businesses were...Read More

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