Making Money Archives

How to become rich through your work

04/07/2025 by Roy Sutton

How to become rich through your work? This is a question many people ask. Some people get rich, but somehow you don’t, dear reader. Would that be true? Why? You work hard, but you’ve got very little to show for it, right?

How is it that other people succeed and get rich, but you never seem to make any progress at all?

Perhaps the question you’ve been asking yourself is, what’s the real link between working hard and getting rich?

Well, give me a couple of minutes of your time, dear reader, and I’ll tell you what I’ve learned about work over the years and how it’s linked to the generation of real wealth.

How to become rich:

What is work?

First off, as I’ve said many times before:

Work is simply doing stuff for other people in return for money

If you enjoy your work and it comes naturally to you, then you’ll do it well. If you do it well, then people will notice. And once people start to notice, then increasingly you’ll be in demand.

The greater the demand for your services, the more you’ll get paid. In short, your value will increase.

If you truly enjoy your work and it becomes your passion, then it won’t seem like work at all.

However, if you work for a single employer, then essentially you’re trading your time for money, regardless of whether you enjoy your work or otherwise.

Even if you work for multiple employers one at a time, the effect is the same. You’re simply trading your time for money. It cannot be scalable because, as an individual, there’s only so much you can do in a given period.

There’s nothing wrong with trading your time for money, of course, and it’s the way that most people earn a living. However, you’re unlikely to get seriously rich that way.

Working for an employer will certainly make you a living, of course, but unless you work on Wall Street or in the City of London, that’s about all.

Serving the many:

To earn serious money, you need to be doing stuff for many people simultaneously. The more people you can serve simultaneously, the more money you can make.

The obvious question in your mind now will be, how’s that done?

Well, creative people serve many people simultaneously, don’t they?

For instance, if you write a bestselling book, record a bestselling song, or produce a bestselling DVD, these would all add value to the lives of many people simultaneously.

When people buy a book, a song, or a DVD in their millions, then, if you’re the creator, you can make millions of dollars in the process. Just ask JK Rowling, Paul McCartney, or Ricky Gervais. They’ve all become rich through their creative work.

Then again, not everyone can write, sing, or perform. Perhaps you’re a designer?

Suppose you design furniture, say a chair perhaps?

You produce a fabulous design and offer it to a furniture manufacturer. They really like it, and they want to use it, but you hold the intellectual property rights (IPR) because it’s your design. So the manufacturer must pay you a royalty when the design is used for every unit sold.

If that chair becomes very popular and sells in the millions, your ongoing royalty payments can add up to something quite substantial. Replicate that with many designs, and you could get very rich indeed.

In this case, the example is furniture, but the same would apply if you designed anything. For instance, the man who designed the retroreflective safety device known as cat’s eyes in Britain got very rich through his design. Fashion design is another area where serious money can be made from your designs if they become popular.

The value of the IPR:

The trick with creative work is to understand the law around copyright and intellectual property rights (IPR) and make sure you’re rewarded for your work through royalties.

The advantage of creative work is that the series of royalty payments can have a very long tail. Your work can be the gift that keeps on giving for years and years.

Take a song like Imagine by John Lennon.

John Lennon wrote that song around 1971, but we still hear it regularly on the radio and television to this day. So despite the fact that it’s been over 40 years since Lennon’s tragic death, the song still earns money for his estate, i.e. his family. Now that’s a real legacy for them.

Build your own business:

Starting a business and selling products by the thousand is another way to serve many people simultaneously.

If your business can produce products that provide your customers with genuine solutions to their problems, then there is serious money to be made. Problems are an opportunity to make money if you can offer suitable solutions.

Your business will employ people who are trading their time for money, but through your business, you’ll be serving the many simultaneously, and you can enrich yourself in the process.

The message here:

The takeaway message for you today:

If you work one-to-one, you’ll make a living, but if you can work one-to-many, you’ll make a fortune

Whether it’s becoming a creative person, a performing artist, or starting a business, serving the many is the real route to riches.

It’s not easy, of course, but it can be done, and people do. With a little self-belief and a lot of hard work, you can too.

So when are you going to get started?

Go on, have a go! Serve the many, not the few.

REMEMBER: It’s better to try and fail than to spend your life wondering what might have been.

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Thank you.

Why your personal philosophy for life really matters

03/23/2025 by Roy Sutton

Let’s talk about philosophy for life and what it matters.

An article relating to philosophy sounds like it might prove to be a little heavy, doesn’t it, dear reader? You might think I’ll be debating the merits of Plato, Socrates, and other thought-leading philosophers. Not today, that’s for sure. My aim today is to consider the idea of your personal philosophy for life and why it matters.

Personal philosophy explained:

What do I mean by ‘your personal philosophy‘?

In this case, I’m not referring to the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence, and philosophical thinkers, past and present.

By philosophy, I’m referring to your mindset, whether it’s positive or negative, and how you choose to see the world around you.

I believe personal philosophy really does matter.

I think how you choose to look at life and the world around you will influence your life experiences to a greater degree than you might expect. It’ll also influence how happy you’ll be.

A simple philosophy:

My own personal philosophy for life is simple.

Firstly I accept the world around me is the world around me. It is what it is. Stuff happens and I have little or no control over most of what happens. That’s just life.

Politicians will come and politicians will go. They’ll promise much but deliver very little, usually.

Philosophically I accept that which I cannot influence directly. I see little point in worrying about any of it. Why worry about stuff you can’t change?

In my experience, people will always look after their own interests first.

That’s fair enough if you think about it because why would they do otherwise? If people don’t look after their own interests then no one else will that’s for sure.

The underlying point here is that most of what’s happening around us is all just noise really. All we can do is work around it.

And basically, that’s what I try to do.

Work on improving what you have to offer:

I focus on my own interests and those of my family and I always do my best to protect what’s mine.

My family will always come first and I will do anything for them. Well, anything that’s legal, at least.

To do the best for my family I recognise that I have to be the best that I can be. To have skills and knowledge that will allow me to add as much value to my work as I possibly can.

So I take personal development seriously. That way the more value I can add the greater will be my income.

I’m a reader and a keen learner and I’m constantly working to add to my skill set and knowledge. Learning for me is a lifelong process, it never stops, and I will keep learning until I no longer have the energy to pick up a book.

Learning is an investment in yourself.

I believe that the better-informed you are then the better prepared you’ll be to excel in your chosen field of work. You’ll also be better prepared to seize any opportunities that come your way too.

Income comes from serving other people:

Let’s face it, dear reader, work is just doing stuff for other people in exchange for money. Through our work, we serve other people.

We work to generate income. And we generate income to put bread on the table and a roof over ourselves and the heads of our loved ones.

While work gives us a sense of purpose and adds value to our lives, we should not live just to work. The idea should be to work to live. Well, I think so anyway.

Become financially independent:

We must work hard when we’re at work, of course, but we must enjoy life with the family as much as possible too. As they say, where I come from, we’ll be a long time dead.

My aim in life is to be financially independent with multiple income streams.

With multiple income streams, there’s a reduced risk of not having any income at all. Not having all your eggs in one basket makes a lot of sense to me.

Master the game of life:

Essentially, I see life as a game. And I aim to become a master of the game of life.

We must look after our own interests because no one else will.

We must be prepared to be ruthless when necessary. By that, I don’t mean being nasty or mean to people. However, if you don’t push hard sometimes, chances are you’ll lose out to those who are willing to make good use of their elbows.

My point is that we can’t afford to be overly sentimental, and on occasions, in making the right decisions for us it may prove to be less favourable for someone else.

If that happens, that’s life, I’m afraid. We must make decisions that are right for us.

Never lose sight of your own interests:

Sometimes you really have got to be prepared to use your elbows if you’re going to grab your fair share of life’s pie. Don’t be too willing to let other people go first. You might find there’s nothing left for you.

As always there’s a balance to be struck of course but never lose sight of your own interests and never do anything which works against your own interests.

There is no utopian place where all’s well and the sun shines every day. Life’s life. Some of it’s good and some of it’s not quite so good.

However in the end it’s what we make of it that counts. We get out what we put in. There’s no free ride for anyone. On Spaceship Earth we’re all crew.

Don’t let life steal your joy:

All you can do with life is deal with it as best you can.

Enjoy the summers but make sure you’re prepared for the winters too. There will always be winters. Winters always follow summers, so be prepared.

Enjoy the good times and when life gets difficult all you can do is take it on the chin and move on.

Worrying about anything you cannot control just steals your joy and spoils your day.

Life’s too short.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are and most of all enjoy every minute because the years all go by in the blink of an eye. So don’t die before you’ve lived.

And always make time for friends and loved ones. Without them, you have nothing at all.

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8 Top Business Tips for Success Today

03/16/2025 by Roy Sutton

Business tips for success:

I read an article recently about a guy with a college degree who was disillusioned because he couldn’t find a job. At least not one that met his expectations relative to the type of job and income he felt his degree merited.

Well, it’s a tough world out there, as I’m sure you know only too well, dear reader. Despite what some people may think, the world doesn’t owe us a living. The world owes us nothing, and it’s down to us to make a life for ourselves.

Work is just doing stuff for other people in return for money and there will always be people with stuff that needs doing. So rather than seeking a job, perhaps we’d all be better off if we focused on seeking customers for services we could provide.

That’s at the heart of what business is all about, providing people with solutions to their problems for profit, and there’s much to be said for becoming an entrepreneur.

So today let’s explore some business tips for success, for all those wannabe entrepreneurs.

The advantages of self-employment:

There are many advantages to being self-employed.

For instance, not having to deal with office politics is a big advantage.

And of course, being the beneficiary of all of the proceeds of your hard work is another good reason.

Instead of making a lot of money for other people, you could be making it all for yourself. The harder you work, the more you make for yourself too.

Unless you’re a lawyer or an investment banker, the chances are the only way you’ll ever make serious money is through building your own business. Building a business that, perhaps, you’ll be able to sell for a lot of money one day.

However, remember this; you might think that if you’re self-employed then you’re your own boss. Well, that’s not true. The customer is the boss, always.

Serve customers badly and you won’t be serving them for very long, that’s for sure.

The first rule of business is that you must know your customer.

You must gain a deep understanding of the products, services, and marketing that will appeal to your target customer.

One size will not fit all and each market will require a different approach.

Now going into business is not for the faint-hearted. You must be prepared to work very hard, at least in the early days, when you’re trying to establish your business.

However, if you can provide your target customers with real solutions to real problems then you can make serious money.

If someone else is already offering a solution to the target problem, then your solution must be better or cheaper than theirs in some way, if it is to sell.

Creating great products and offering great customer service is the route to business success.

However, never forget your reputation and image. These things matter too.

Make sure you create an image that will appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Running your own business will be a challenge but it can also be extremely rewarding, both financially and in terms of a sense of achievement.

Remember also that running a small business is not a whole lot different to running a large business. The only real difference is one of scale. The key issues are always the same.

So here are some top business tips for success for would-be entrepreneurs:-

Top business tips for success today:

1. Control your costs:

Of the many business tips for success I could suggest, none can be more important than keeping an eye on the money.

Money comes into your business and money goes out. It’s that simple.

However, if you fail to ensure that the former is always greater than the latter, at least for most of the time, then trouble will follow at some point, whatever the size of your business.

Big businesses might be able to weather the storm a bit longer but the consequences of expenditure consistently exceeding income will be the same. Keep losing money and eventually, your business will go bust.

Take every opportunity to maximize your revenue and always keep your costs as low as you can. And never, ever lose sight of cash flow.

Don’t spend money unless it is necessary.

Ask yourself, do I need to spend this money? What will I get in return? Can I achieve the same result at less or even no cost?

It might surprise you to learn how frequently it is possible to avoid the cost, whilst still doing all the things big businesses do.

The key message here is that you must keep an iron grip on costs and you must manage cash flow carefully.

2. Do your own market research:

Every product should solve a problem for your customer and you should have some idea of what that problem is and how your product will solve it relative to other products offered by your competition.

Just because you think you’ve got a great product, doesn’t mean customers will see it that way. Your opinion means nothing if there are not enough people willing to buy your product at the price you want to charge for it.

If your product won’t sell then potentially your business could be in trouble.

Perhaps you think you’ve spotted a gap in the market?

If it’s a genuine gap then you might be on to a winner. However, a gap in the market doesn’t always guarantee that there is a market within that gap. Maybe there’s a reason for the gap which you’ve yet to understand.

In business, the trick is to find out what people want and then offer it to them.

How do you find that out?

One very good way is simply to ask them yourself.

I’m not referring to your family and friends here. They’ll be far too polite to give you any meaningful feedback.

You must talk to real customers, if and when you have them, and potential customers.

You can conduct some of your own market research in your local shopping mall or wherever you think your target customers might congregate. And don’t be shy. Only by talking to people can you confirm whether your ideas have real potential.

So, identify some basic questions, stand there with a clipboard and just start asking people, as politely as possible.

Often people will be far more helpful than you might expect.

And don’t forget you can always use the Internet too.

Search engines like Google have keyword search tools that are free to use. These tools allow you to get a ‘rough and ready’ measure of what people are searching for and how frequently.

And don’t forget social media. Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Quora, for instance, can be great channels for asking questions, so you can gauge what people think.

Market research doesn’t have to be expensive. As a small business entrepreneur, it is possible to do it yourself. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on this activity, but you must do it.

Your results might not be quite as scientific as those produced by professional market research people, but they will provide you with a rough guide and that’ll probably be good enough in the first instance.

3. Advertising costs money: is there a better way?

Another of the most important business tips for success has to be visibility. I cannot stress highly enough that visibility matters, both for your business and your products. It’s crucial.

Your products might be the best in the world, but they won’t sell at all if potential customers have no idea they exist. Surely that much is obvious.

The question is, how does any business ensure that customers have visibility of its products? The obvious answer is advertising of course.

However, media advertising can be costly, and it’s a cost that new businesses often cannot afford.

One small advert in the back of a glossy magazine can cost you a lot of money and yet you have to ask yourself whether that would be money well spent.

How often do you notice the small advertisements on the back of a magazine? In my case, the answer is not very often.

With so many advertisements competing for my attention, I tend to filter them all out. I’m willing to bet that you do too dear reader.

So, if you’re not careful, money spent on advertising can be money wasted in my experience.

A better approach might be to use some creative thinking with a focus on public relations.

Smart entrepreneurs know that business is show business. It’s all about getting noticed.

For example, the entrepreneur Richard Branson is a brilliant exponent at getting media attention at little or no financial cost to his business.

It helps that he’s a likeable guy, of course, but he’s also clever and creative in his approach.

If you have an interesting back story, perhaps the local press, local radio or even television might be willing to run a story on you and your business and the products you have to offer.

Social media can be a powerful medium for gaining attention for your business too.

Social media is also a useful way of driving traffic to your company’s website, particularly Pinterest, which is an incredible tool, in my opinion.

Then there’s using search engine optimization (SEO) techniques on your website content to ensure you drive traffic to your site from the search engines.

Let’s face it, you do need to appear on the first page of a Google search if there’s to be any chance of anyone noticing you and your business through search queries. So, if you can optimize your website for SEO, then you can get enormous amounts of traffic from Google and other search engines, like Bing and Yahoo.

Make sure you offer visitors to your company website the opportunity for signing up for a regular email newsletter. And give them the incentive to sign up.

This could be a free report or perhaps a discount code for one of your products.

How about running a competition using your company’s fan page on Facebook or your company website?

The price of a smartphone or a Kindle or other desirable electronic device as a prize would be cheaper than the cost of a small advert in a glossy magazine, but it’s more likely to get noticed and it’ll probably generate a lot more excitement.

If you have a car or van, don’t forget that it can be emblazoned with your company logo, your website details and product information on the back, sides and front. Even on the roof.

It would be free advertising as you’re driving around.

Park your vehicle at a big event attended by thousands of people and you’re beginning to master the art of guerrilla marketing.

The bottom line is that creative thinking and public relations can produce powerful results in your quest for visibility at a fraction of the cost of advertising. The key message is, be creative.

4. Don’t make yourself indispensable:

The biggest mistake any entrepreneur or business manager can make is to think that every decision should be made by them.

If you’ve started a business from scratch, you tend to form an emotional bond with it. It becomes your baby and you become very protective of it.

That’s natural of course, but as the business grows you’ll have so many things to do that you couldn’t possibly do them all.

You could try, of course. However, if you try to do everything you’ll find yourself falling behind in key areas like product sourcing, sales, and keeping your accounts up to date.

Fall behind, and it becomes very hard to catch up. Potentially it is also very damaging for the business.

So you have to learn the art of delegation.

A good start would be to document every task and process within the business and then create an Operations Manual. This can include everything from the preferred method for answering the phone to completing invoices and dealing with complaints.

It can also include the degree of flexibility which you are delegating to staff, so they can get on with basic tasks allowing you to get on with those activities which are much more important for achieving business success.

No business should be dependent solely on one person.

If it is, and that person gets seriously ill or has an accident, then obviously the business would be in trouble very quickly and it would struggle.

Delegate basic activities to your staff and you can be sure that the business will continue to function even when you’re not around.

It will also give you a bit more thinking time for steering the company towards bigger and better things.

The key message here is that you must delegate. Never delude yourself into thinking that only you can do a particular task.

5. Charge sensible prices:

If you’re to earn a decent income then any list of business tips for success must stress the importance of knowing the value you can add and know your worth too.

It’s easy when you’re a small business to undervalue your products and your time. The result is that you undercharge for what you have to offer.

This is particularly true when professionals are selling their expertise and time based on a consultancy arrangement.

It’s common for first-timers to lack the confidence to charge what they might perceive to be a high rate for their services.

The problem is that selling things cheaply can be counter-productive because customers then think they’re getting an inferior product or service and can be put off.

It is a fact that price can often be used as a proxy measure for quality when your business is being judged.

You have to be very business-like when considering the pricing of your products and services.

So look at what your competitors are charging and then analyse where you think your products and services fit into the market.

If you struggle with that idea, then you can always seek guidance from someone else, like a fellow business owner or your accountant.

However, you must always remember that you must believe in your products and services. If you don’t, then why should anyone else?

You must project confidence.

If you don’t have the courage of your convictions, then the chances are that your business will never succeed.

Believe in yourself and charge what you’re worth. Sell yourself based on the value you bring and the value you can add.

6. Make the best use of technology:

Sometimes small business owners think that because they are small they can only act in a small way. However, that can be a mistake.

Don’t be afraid to invest in your business. For instance, investing in up-to-date technology like the right phone system and websites, doesn’t have to be expensive but they can be the difference between a customer contacting you or not.

These days no business, large or small, can operate without a website.

And that website needs to be as user-friendly as it possibly can be.

Make sure your website provides customers and potential customers with the opportunity to sign up for a regular email newsletter. And as suggested earlier, offer them an incentive so they do sign up.

Ensure also that your telephone system allows customers to reach you at their first attempt. Certainly, customers won’t make too many attempts to call you before they’ll simply go elsewhere.

If you don’t know how to do all this yourself, then go on a course or seek guidance from someone with the right expertise.

Good communications will pay handsome dividends over time.

7. Set goals:

Another in this list of business tips for success, that I want to stress here, is the importance of goal-setting.

You have to know what it is you’re trying to achieve if you’re to have any chance of successfully achieving it.

Never set your sights too low either. Set yourself a challenge and then put all your energy into achieving it.

Once you’ve set a goal then you need to establish a plan as to how it is going to be achieved.

For instance, if your goal is to achieve a certain level of turnover over the next year, you have to break that down into the small steps you will need to take for it to be achieved.

How many sales will you need to achieve each day, each week, and each month?

What implications will those sales targets have for production?

Do you have enough sales staff to generate that amount of business?

And so on.

Always create a plan and review it regularly, making adjustments as and when necessary.

8. If you got a great idea, then do something with it:

How many great ideas never see the light of day because the person with the idea fails to do anything about it?

And how many times does someone with an idea see someone else come along with the same idea and beat them to market?

Let me give you an example. Two years ago I thought up a great idea for a tee shirt slogan. However, I was busy and so in the end I didn’t do anything about it. Fast forward two years, and the other day I noticed one of the best-selling teeshirts on Amazon was one bearing the slogan that I’d thought up.

Someone else had the idea too, but they did something about it. And they’re now benefitting from the income generated. From my standpoint, a great opportunity was missed.

Procrastination stops many entrepreneurs from cashing in on a great idea. Don’t let this be you.

If you’re waiting for the perfect time to do anything, you will be waiting for the rest of your life. Now is always the perfect time to start.

Don’t wait until you think the economy will be better or your children have left home or some other arbitrary barrier.

The right time to start your business is right now.

So go for it. Yes, you’ll make mistakes. You won’t get everything right the first time. You won’t become an instant millionaire either.

However, by getting started you’ll be heading in the right direction and you’ll learn along the way.

Hard work combined with implementing good ideas will get you there eventually.

Concluding Remarks:

I hope these business tips for success prove useful to you, dear reader.

However please note, this blog post was not intended to be a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs.

You’ll find many excellent books on the subject and I recommend that you make a point of reading as many of them as you can because educating yourself is always a good idea.

It doesn’t have to be formal education. Self-education can be just as good in practice. And then, of course, you can start creating your list of business tips for success.

And the best form of education, in my experience, is to learn by doing. You will make mistakes but the lessons learned from those mistakes will be far more valuable to you than anything anyone can teach you in a classroom.

Being an entrepreneur can be a roller coaster ride but it can be a fantastic and enriching experience too. So if it appeals to you, go for it.

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If you found these business tips for success useful, then please share them on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share this post now. If you can do that for me, I’ll be forever grateful and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you for your support, dear reader.

Top wealth creation strategies for financial success

01/05/2025 by Roy Sutton

If you aim to learn about wealth creation strategies, you might find this blog post useful.

Essentially, it’s a video from Brian Tracy with some advice on what he sees as the top wealth-creation strategies for financial success. This video is useful, I think.

Brian Tracy is one of the best motivational speakers I know, and I can recommend his audio programs highly.

His messages are always so simple yet so very effective.

I recommend you give this video a few minutes of your time because Brian Tracy is always worth a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

And please feel free to share this post.

Wealth Creation:

Please share these quotes with your friends:

Did you find this video on wealth creation strategies interesting? I hope so. Brian Tracy is always inspirational.

If you found the video interesting, please share this post on social media with your friends.

When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share this post now. I’ll be ever so grateful if you can do that for me. You’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you for your support.

Why an investment in knowledge pays dividends

12/10/2024 by Roy Sutton

Today I want to explain why an investment in gaining knowledge is important and should be considered seriously.

Investment in knowledge

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin

You don’t get paid for the hour; you get paid for the value you put into the hour. Everyone must understand that important distinction, dear reader.

You get paid for the value you add.

The more value you can add, the more you’ll get paid over time.

It’s really that simple.

If you can solve problems for people with the skills you’ve got, then you can earn an excellent living.

The question is, what underpins your skills and your ability to add value? The answer to that question would be knowledge, of course.

Knowledge comes from learning, and learning is a lifelong process.

Learning is an investment

The quote at the top of this post from the venerable Benjamin Franklin reminds us of the importance of learning. Learning is an investment in ourselves.

We all have an enormous capacity to consume and retain knowledge in our heads, and that knowledge is then a currency with which we can trade. The more knowledge we have, the more value we can add.

When it comes to investing, nothing will pay you a better dividend than making sure you have a good education. And I stress that it’s a lifelong process. It doesn’t end when you leave school or college.

And it’s not about whether or not you went to college or university. Important as they may be, learning can be achieved in many ways.

Self-education is the best education

Knowledge can be gained through reading books, listening to audio and video tutorials, and challenging yourself to master anything that appeals to you.

Learning from hands-on experience, making mistakes, and learning the lessons you can take from any mistakes you’ve made.

In particular, if you want to master the game of money and all matters financial, then you need to become a seeker of financial knowledge and know-how.

You need to become a reader and a keen student of finance. To be successful in investing, of course, you need to know what you’re doing. You need financial education.

The price of ignorance

If you think that education is expensive, then think again. The price of ignorance is far greater.

Ignorance can prove to be very costly indeed. And that’s true in every aspect of your life.

Getting an education may seem expensive, but it’s nowhere near as expensive as ignorance.

So, if you’re not already, become a reader.

The investment in yourself is well worth the effort, and it’ll pay you a handsome dividend.

As the late, great Jim Rohn once said:

“Work harder on yourself than you do on your job.”

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How to Make Money Online for Beginners

10/24/2024 by Roy Sutton

If you’re wondering “How to Make Money Online for Beginners,” then read on.

Making money online has become easier than ever. There are many ways to earn extra cash from home, even if you’re a beginner.

You can start making money online by freelancing, taking surveys, selling items, or creating content.

These options don’t need special skills or big investments.

Freelancing is a great way to use your talents. You can write, design, or code for clients. Taking online surveys is simple and quick. Selling stuff you don’t need anymore can bring in some cash. Creating content like blogs or videos can lead to income over time.

The key is to pick something that fits your skills and interests. Start small and learn as you go. With practice and effort, your online income can grow.

Key Takeaways

Online money-making options include freelancing, surveys, selling items, and content creation
Choose a method that matches your skills and interests for the best results
Start with small, achievable goals and gradually build your online income over time

DISCLAIMER: This article presents money-making ideas which many other people have exploited successfully. However, there are no guarantees in life and you must do your due diligence on any specific idea before you make any significant commitment to it. Money can be made online, and plenty of people do, but you must proceed in a professional and business-like manner

Understanding Online Monetization

Making money online involves different ways to earn income through internet-based activities. It can be done part-time or full-time, with various methods suited for beginners.

Basic Concepts of Online Income

Online income comes from digital transactions where people pay for goods, services, or content over the internet. It often starts with building an online presence through a website, social media, or digital platforms.

Key elements include:

Digital products (e.g. ebooks, courses)
Services (e.g. freelancing, consulting)
Advertising revenue
Affiliate marketing

Beginners can start by selling items they no longer need on online marketplaces. This helps learn the basics of online transactions and customer service.

Popular Online Business Models

Several business models have proven successful for earning money online. These range from simple to more complex strategies.

E-commerce: Selling physical or digital products through online stores.
Print-on-demand: Creating custom designs for products like t-shirts or mugs.
Freelancing: Offering skills like writing, design, or programming.
Content creation: Making money through blogs, YouTube videos, or podcasts.
Online coaching: Providing expertise in a specific field.

Beginners often start with freelancing or content creation as these require little upfront investment. As skills grow, many move to more advanced models like e-commerce or creating digital products.

Setting Up Your Foundation

A strong foundation is key for making money online. Pick the right platform and build a solid online presence to set yourself up for success.

Choosing the Right Platform

Selecting the best platform is crucial. Many beginners start with popular sites like Fiverr for freelance work. These platforms connect you with clients looking for your skills.

Social media can also be a great starting point. Instagram and TikTok are perfect for visual content creators. LinkedIn works well for professional services.

For selling products, consider marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon. They provide built-in audiences and easy setup.

Your own website gives you full control. WordPress is user-friendly for beginners. Shopify works well for online stores.

Building Your Online Presence

A strong online presence helps you stand out. Start by creating professional profiles on chosen platforms. Use clear, high-quality photos and write an engaging bio.

Consistency is key. Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Share valuable content related to your niche.

Interact with others in your field. Comment on posts, join online communities, and network virtually.

Consider starting a blog or YouTube channel. This shows your expertise and builds trust with potential clients or customers.

Use social media to promote your services or products. Share behind-the-scenes content to connect with your audience.

Content Creation and Monetization

Making money online often involves creating and sharing valuable content. This can take many forms, from written articles to videos and audio recordings. The key is to produce high-quality material that appeals to a specific audience.

Starting a Blog

Blogging is a popular way to make money online. To start, choose a niche that interests you and has potential for profit. Pick a catchy name for your blog and set it up using a platform like WordPress or Squarespace.

Write helpful, engaging posts regularly. Focus on topics your readers care about. Use keywords to help people find your content through search engines.

To make money from your blog, try these methods:

Place ads on your site
Write sponsored posts for brands
Offer digital products like ebooks or courses
Use affiliate links to earn commissions

Build an email list to stay connected with your readers. This can help you promote products and services later on.

Creating a YouTube Channel

YouTube offers a platform to share video content and earn money. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and start making videos. Use good lighting and audio to ensure quality.

Consistency is key. Post new videos on a regular schedule. Engage with your viewers by responding to comments and asking for feedback.

To monetize your channel:

Join the YouTube Partner Program
Use affiliate marketing in your video descriptions
Get sponsorships from brands
Sell merchandise to your fans

Remember to follow YouTube’s guidelines to keep your channel in good standing.

Podcasting Essentials

Podcasts are audio shows that listeners can download and enjoy anytime. To start, choose a topic you can talk about for many episodes. Get a good microphone and recording software to ensure clear sound.

Plan your episodes in advance. Write outlines to stay on track while recording. Edit your audio to remove mistakes and add intro music.

Monetize your podcast through:

Sponsorships from companies
Listener donations via platforms like Patreon
Selling your own products or services
Offering exclusive content for paying subscribers

Promote your podcast on social media and other platforms to grow your audience. The more listeners you have, the more money-making opportunities you’ll find.

E-commerce and Selling Online

Selling products online can be a great way to make money. There are several methods to get started, from setting up your own store to using existing platforms. Let’s explore some popular options.

Launching an Online Store

Starting an online store is easier than ever. Pick a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce to build your website. Choose products that match your interests and target audience.

Create eye-catching product pages with clear descriptions and high-quality photos. Set competitive prices and offer various payment options.

Promote your store through social media and email marketing. Consider running ads to reach more potential customers.

Don’t forget about customer service. Respond quickly to inquiries and handle issues promptly to build trust and loyalty.

Utilizing Dropshipping

Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding inventory. When a customer places an order, the supplier ships it directly to them.

To start, choose a niche and find reliable suppliers. Popular products include clothing, accessories, and home decor.

Set up your online store and add products. Adjust prices to ensure a profit margin.

Focus on marketing to drive traffic to your site. Use social media, content marketing, and paid ads to reach potential customers.

Be transparent about shipping times and handle customer service professionally to maintain a good reputation.

Exploring Print on Demand

Print on demand is great for selling custom designs on products like t-shirts, mugs, and posters.

Create unique designs or hire a designer. Choose a print-on-demand service like Printful or Printify.

Set up your online store and connect it to the print-on-demand service. Upload your designs and set prices.

Market your products on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. Show off your designs and engage with potential customers.

Consider offering limited-edition designs or collaborating with artists to keep your product line fresh and exciting.

Freelancing and Service-Based Earnings

Freelancing offers beginners a flexible way to earn money online using their skills. It allows people to work on projects they enjoy while building a client base.

Offering Freelance Services

Beginners can start by identifying their strengths. Writing, graphic design, and programming are popular freelance skills. Web development and virtual assistance also have high demand.

Freelancers should create a list of services they can offer. For example, a writer might offer blog posts, product descriptions, and social media content. Setting competitive rates is key. New freelancers often start lower to attract clients.

It’s important to deliver quality work on time. This helps build a good reputation. Happy clients often lead to repeat business and referrals.

Joining Freelance Marketplaces

Upwork, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit are popular platforms for finding freelance work. These sites connect freelancers with clients worldwide.

To get started:

Create a detailed profile
Showcase relevant skills
Set up a professional photo
Write a compelling bio

Beginners should apply to many jobs at first. This increases the chances of landing work. It’s okay to start with smaller projects to build experience.

Reading client reviews and job descriptions carefully helps avoid scams. Freelancers should only take on projects they can complete well.

Portfolio Building Tips

A strong portfolio shows potential clients what a freelancer can do. It should highlight their best work.

Tips for creating an effective portfolio:

Choose 5-10 top projects
Include a variety of work samples
Write brief descriptions for each project
Update regularly with new work

For beginners without client work, creating sample projects can help. A writer might draft blog posts on topics they enjoy. A designer could create mock logos for imaginary companies.

Freelance copywriters can earn between $19 and $45 per hour on platforms like Upwork. Rates may vary based on experience and project type.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to make money online. It lets you earn commissions by promoting other people’s products. This method works well for beginners and experts alike.

Starting with Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is easy to start. You don’t need your own products or services. Pick a niche you like and know about. This could be fitness, tech, or cooking. Research your chosen niche to find out what people want.

Next, create a website or blog. This is where you’ll share info and product links. Use a simple platform like WordPress to build your site. Make sure it looks good and works well on phones.

Learn about SEO to help people find your site. Write helpful content that answers questions in your niche. This builds trust with your readers.

Finding Affiliate Programs

Many companies offer affiliate programs. Amazon Associates is a good place to start. They have lots of products to promote. Look for programs in your niche too.

Affiliate networks like ShareASale and CJ Affiliate have many options. They connect you with brands looking for promoters. Sign up for free and browse their offers.

Check the commission rates before joining a program. Some pay per sale, others per lead or click. Pick programs with fair rates and good reputations. Read the terms carefully to know what’s expected.

Promotion Strategies

Create helpful content to promote affiliate products. Write reviews, how-to guides, and comparison posts. Be honest about the pros and cons of each item.

Use social media to share your content. Build a following on platforms where your audience hangs out. Pinterest works well for visual products. Twitter is good for quick tips and links.

Try email marketing to connect with your readers. Build a list of subscribers who trust your advice. Send them useful info and product recommendations.

Make your affiliate links clear. Tell readers when a link earns you money. This builds trust and follows rules. Use eye-catching buttons or banners for important links.

Track your results to see what works best. Try different strategies and improve over time. With patience and effort, affiliate marketing can become a steady income source.

Online Courses and Digital Products

Creating and selling digital products can be a great way to make money online. This method lets you share your knowledge and skills with others while earning income.

Creating and Selling Online Courses

Online courses are a popular way to teach others and make money. Pick a topic you know well and break it into lessons. Use video, text, and quizzes to help students learn.

Platforms like Teachable make it easy to set up and sell courses. You can also use sites like Udemy or Coursera to reach more students.

Think about what people want to learn. Popular topics include:

Cooking and baking
Fitness and health
Languages
Tech skills
Business and marketing

Make sure your course gives real value. Happy students may tell others, helping you sell more.

Designing Digital Products

Digital products are items people can download or use online. They’re easy to create and don’t need shipping.

Some digital product ideas:

E-books
Templates (for websites, resumes, etc.)
Printable planners or worksheets
Stock photos
Music or sound effects

Choose products that fit your skills and interests. Make them look good and work well. Quality matters!

Marketing Your Digital Products

Getting the word out is key to selling your products. Use social media to share tips and show your expertise. This can help people trust you and want to buy from you.

Start an email list to tell people about new products. Give away some free stuff to get people interested.

Ask happy customers for reviews. Good reviews can help others decide to buy. You can also team up with other creators to reach more people.

Remember, selling takes time. Keep improving your products and marketing. With effort, you can build a steady income from digital products.

Investing in Stocks and Cryptocurrencies

Investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies can be a way to grow wealth over time. These markets offer different opportunities and risks for beginners looking to make money online.

Stock Market Basics

The stock market allows people to buy shares of public companies. To start, open an account with a brokerage firm. Many offer free trades and educational resources.

Research companies before investing. Look at their financial reports, growth potential, and industry trends. Diversify by investing in different sectors to spread risk.

Consider low-cost index funds for beginners. These track broad market indexes and offer built-in diversification. Start with small amounts to learn the ropes.

Set a budget for investing. Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Be patient and think long-term. The stock market has historically grown over time despite short-term ups and downs.

Cryptocurrency Fundamentals

Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use blockchain technology. Bitcoin and Ethereum are popular choices for beginners. To buy cryptocurrency, create an account on a reputable exchange.

Crypto is highly volatile. Prices can swing wildly in short periods. Only invest what you’re willing to lose. Research projects thoroughly before buying.

Store crypto securely in a digital wallet. Choose between hot wallets (connected to the internet) and cold wallets (offline storage). Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication.

Stay informed about regulations. Crypto laws vary by country and change often. Be aware of tax implications when buying, selling, or trading digital assets.

Making money online has many options for beginners. There are ways to earn without investment and methods for regular income. Students can find opportunities too. Some strategies can even help you make $100 or more per day.

What are some beginner-friendly ways to earn money online from home?

Beginners can start with online surveys to earn small amounts. Another easy option is selling unused items on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

Freelancing is great for those with skills in writing, design, or programming. Platforms like Fiverr connect freelancers with clients looking for various services.

Can you make money online without any initial investment?

Yes, it’s possible to earn money online without spending anything upfront. Freelancing platforms often let users join for free.

People can also start a blog using free platforms or offer services like virtual assistance without any initial costs.

What are some legitimate methods for making regular income online?

Affiliate marketing is a popular way to earn consistent income. Bloggers and content creators can promote products and earn commissions on sales.

Creating and selling digital products like ebooks or courses can provide ongoing revenue. Subscription-based services or membership sites can also offer steady monthly income.

Are there any secret platforms that are effective for online earning?

There aren’t any secret platforms. Most effective ways to earn online are well-known. The key is finding the right method that fits one’s skills and interests.

Popular platforms like Upwork, Etsy, and YouTube are widely used but still offer good earning potential for those who put in the effort.

How can students make income through online activities?

Students can tutor or teach English online. Many platforms cater specifically to student tutors.

They can also do freelance work like writing, graphic design, or social media management. This allows for flexible hours around their studies.

What are some strategies for earning $100 or more daily on the internet?

To earn $100+ daily, people need to focus on high-value skills or services. Web development, copywriting, or consulting can command higher rates.

Creating and selling online courses or digital products can also lead to significant daily earnings once established.

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If so, then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

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The 4 steps to financial freedom

09/29/2024 by Roy Sutton

Financial peace isn’t the acquisition of stuff. It’s learning to live on less than you make, so you can give money back and have money to invest. You can’t win until you do this. ~Dave Ramsey

Many people are searching for the steps to financial freedom. Search the internet and there will be references to seven, eight, nine, and even ten steps but I think only four steps matter.

However before I discuss those steps, let us first think about the biggest cause of people remaining poor, namely the debt burden.

Statistics suggest that most people these days are heavily in debt. And debt is a burden that enslaves us. Knowing we have debts can be stressful.

What is the underlying cause of such debt? That’s simple. Mostly it’s the overuse of credit cards with little or no thought to how this will affect our financial well-being.

Unsecured debt built up through the excessive use of credit cards is expensive. Very, very expensive!

That means even a small sum outstanding on a credit card can quickly become a large debt due to the effect of compound interest if you only make the minimum payment each month.

Are you affected by debt, dear reader? Are your finances out of control? Would you like to achieve financial freedom?

Steps to Financial Freedom:

People often say, “If only I could increase my income, I could pay off my debts.”

Those same people, if they did increase their income, would probably just spend more. And financial freedom would remain a distant dream.

If financial freedom is your aim, then you must take control of your finances. The steps to financial freedom are as follows:-

1. Spend less than you earn:

It all starts with spending less than you earn. If you spend less than you earn, you can work on becoming debt-free and then start to build capital.

2. Pay yourself first:

You must always pay yourself first. What does that mean? It means that as soon as you get paid each month, you take a minimum of 10% of what you earn and put it away somewhere safe immediately.

Never, ever wait until the end of the month to see what you’ve got left.

If you do that, you’ll never save anything.

If you take 10% upfront, it will just be another debit on your income like taxes and pension contributions. You’ll quickly get used to having only the remaining 90% to live on.

And what do you do with the 10% or whatever you’ve put away?

3. Eliminate credit card debt:

Initially, if you have a credit card debt burden, then it makes sense to use that money to deal with paying off your debt first because the interest you’ll pay on the debt is always greater than any interest you’ll get on savings.

To pay off your credit card debt, you must find a way to eliminate the interest element each month so that any payments you then make go against the outstanding balance.

And how is that done?

Well, when you take out a new credit card account, it often comes with a period of zero interest, usually six months. These accounts also usually allow you to transfer in outstanding debt from another credit card account.

So by moving from one card provider to another and transferring the debt across to the new account, you then have a period of six months to make payments against the outstanding balance without accumulating interest on the old debt.

Never, ever use this card to increase your debt. Use it only to reduce your debt.

At the end of the period of zero interest on your new card, repeat the process if necessary. Once again, you move to another card account offering you a zero-interest period. By focusing only on the outstanding balance, it will be paid off sooner.

Eliminating the burden of debt is the first step on the road to financial freedom.

Freedom from debt will give you peace of mind. And that peace of mind is a good reason for spending less than you earn.

Once the debt is cleared, what next with the money you’ve paid yourself first?

4. Build capital:

Initially, put your money into a savings account. Then, as that builds into a larger sum, you can start thinking about other forms of investment like stocks, bonds, and property.

Once you develop the habit of putting some of your money away each month, it’s amazing how quickly it accumulates into a decent capital sum, and you’ll be on the road to achieving financial freedom.

Conclusion:

Learn to live within your means.

If you live modestly and spend your money wisely, you can ensure that you have enough money when you need it.

You can also build that nest egg for your retirement and give a little back to those less fortunate than yourself. And you’ll feel so much better about yourself too.

Conversely, gathering too much clutter through excessive spending on things you don’t need can become stressful, as well as wasteful. The choice is yours.

Financial freedom is achievable, and it will give you peace of mind.

You will sleep better knowing you’re debt-free.

The steps to financial freedom are quite simple. Spend less than you earn; pay yourself first; eliminate expensive credit card debt; and start building capital.

Do this, and one day your older self will be grateful you made the effort, I can assure you.

Did you find this article interesting and useful?

If so, then please share it on social media with your friends. When you share, everyone wins.

So go on, please share it right now. If you do, I will be ever so grateful, and you’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you for your support.

Daily Habits of Successful People

07/21/2024 by Roy Sutton

If success is your aim, can you learn from the daily habits of successful people?

Certainly, I believe quite strongly, that we are what we do on a daily basis.

Anything you achieve or don’t achieve is brought about by the habits you develop over time.

Everything you do is a result of your habits, good or bad. So surely it makes sense to develop and maintain good habits and make them your master?

The power of repetition:

Habits, good or bad, are formed through repetition.

Good habits can be hard to form but they’re easy to live with. Whereas bad habits whilst easy to form tend to be very hard to live with. Our lives can become a battle of good habits versus bad habits. Don’t let the bad habits win.

Good habits can be learned and bad habits can be replaced by good habits. Yes, it requires self-discipline on your part dear reader but it can be done and people do.

Decide on the habits you want to develop and focus on achieving them one at a time.

Start with one good habit:

Start with one good habit you’d like to form and then force yourself to repeat the necessary actions daily.

After around three weeks that habit will be formed and it will just become part of your routine. You’ll start to repeat it with little or no thought. Essentially you’ll do it on autopilot.

If you have a bad habit you wish to replace with a good habit then each time you find yourself about to perform the actions of the bad habit, stop yourself and perform the actions of the good habit instead. Again after around three weeks, the good habit will be programmed into your brain.

Self-discipline is key:

Successful people are driven to develop good habits. Self-discipline is the key ingredient for good habits to form and for replacing bad habits.

Successful people also establish the habit of goal setting on a daily basis.

You cannot hit a target unless you can see that target. Setting a goal is the first step in achieving that goal. Successful people are results-oriented.

Successful people are also people-oriented.

The power of helping others:

You get what you want in life by helping other people get what they want.

Every product is a solution to a problem. Even if your goal is to sing or dance, to succeed you must always recognise that you perform to and for people.

They have a need to be entertained and your aim is to fulfil that need. To solve this particular problem for them if you like.

In dealing with people you must be honest and show integrity if you are to win the respect of others.

So honesty is a good habit to develop. Dishonesty and cheating will catch up with you and will be a permanent stain on your reputation. You don’t need that now, do you?

Look after your health:

And above all, you must look after your health. You have one body and one mind and they must last you a lifetime.

So develop the habit of taking good care of both.

To reinforce the message of the importance of repetition and routine I‘ve included this excellent video from Brian Tracy.

Brian is always a source of great advice for anyone seeking success and aiming to create a successful life for themselves and certainly, he’s one of my main sources of constant inspiration.

The video is short but well worth your time and I recommend you watch it now.

Habits of successful people:

You might like to try these free games too:

Filed Under: Wisdom Tagged With: Achievement, being the best, Inspiration, Life, Making Money, money, Motivation, Philosophy, Sage Advice, Stress-free, Success, Wealth, Wisdom

How to find the right job for you: Simply Explained

07/14/2024 by Roy Sutton

Do you enjoy your work, dear reader? Do you have a job you love? Do you wake up each morning filled with enthusiasm for the day ahead?

Alternatively, maybe you just feel your job allows you to earn an income, but beyond that, you can’t wait until 5 pm when the working day is over. Perhaps you’re constantly asking the question, “How to find the right job for you?”

If that’s you then you’re not alone.

The Lottery Question:

The acid test when you’re not sure is to ask yourself what I call the lottery question.

What does that mean? If means you ask yourself this, “If I won millions on the lottery and money ceased to be an issue; would I continue to do the work I’m doing now or would I try something else?”

Yes of course if you won the lottery you’d have a little fun with the money first, but eventually, your life would need a sense of purpose and routine again.

So how would you fill your time then?

Never work a day in your life:

If you enjoy what you do, and you’re recognized as being very good at it, then you’ll do your job well and you’ll be successful at what you do. And if you enjoy what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Now, how good would that be?

So if you’re not happy with your job right now, the next question to ask yourself is, “What do I really want to be?”

To answer that question, you need to consider two things:-

These are quite different things but if you can find the sweet spot between them then you have the basis for finding a job you’ll love.

So the steps to job heaven are as follows:-

STEP 1: What are you good at?

Not merely competent but really good at?

Think about that question carefully and be honest with yourself.

What activities are intuitive to you? Things you can do easily and readily without having to give them too much thought?

Ask friends and colleagues for their views, and ask them to be really honest with you. Ask people you work with about the tasks for which they consider you to be the absolutely, first choice ‘go-to’ person.

Gather together this information and make a list.

STEP 2: What do you enjoy doing?

Then make a list of all the things you really enjoy doing.

Which activities really give you a buzz?

What activities get you so absorbed that you really lose track of time?

What activities would you do for free or as a hobby, if you couldn’t make a living at them?

Paul McCartney once said that if he couldn’t have made a living out of writing songs and playing music, he’d have done it as a hobby, simply because he loved it so much. In fact, it was his hobby before it was the way he earned a living.

What activities make you feel the same way? Make that list and don’t be reasonable.

All this requires time for reflection and careful thought, as well as feedback from other people. So do give it the time it deserves.

Don’t jump to conclusions. You do want to ensure you get it right, don’t you?

STEP 3: Which items are common to both lists?

When you have your two lists ready, the final step is to identify the common ground between them, the point at which the two lists intersect.

If you find an item that is contained on both lists then you have found the Holy Grail.

Finding something you’re genuinely good at and have a real talent for, and which is also something you really enjoy, will give you the greatest chance of success in life.

It is essential you find the common ground between your lists because:-

And if you get it right, sometimes people will sprinkle fairy dust on you too. And then a magical career beckons.

Finding your perfect job is never about luck.

Find the right work for you:

If you’re doing something you enjoy doing and you’re doing it well, you’ll stick with it long enough to get someone’s attention. And when you get their attention, you’ll dazzle them because you’re doing it well.

That’s not luck; it’s hard work, perseverance and timing.

Once you’ve identified what you want, the next question is, “How do you get it?” That’s another challenge, entirely.

Have you managed to find the perfect job for you?

If so, you’re lucky indeed. Enjoy every moment. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking;

If you found this article useful, please share it on social media with your friends.

When you share, everyone wins.

Please share it now and I’ll be ever so grateful. You’ll be helping a keen blogger reach a wider audience.

Thank you.

You might like to try these free games too:

Filed Under: Wisdom Tagged With: Achievement, Career, Employment, How to find the right job for you, Inspiration, Jobs, Life, Making Money, money, Motivation, Personal Development, self-actualisation, self-actualization, Self-Help, Success, Work

How to build wealth from nothing: 5 Top Tips

06/16/2024 by Roy Sutton

There’s nothing you can do about being born poor. If that was the case, then it was just unfortunate. However, you don’t have to go through life remaining poor.

It is possible to build wealth over time, and plenty of people do, frequently from absolutely nothing.

Many people born poor become wealthy through their efforts, and you can too, dear reader.

Here are five tips to help you build wealth from nothing.

How to build wealth from nothing:

1. Pay yourself first:

You can make money relatively easily, but holding on to it can be very hard.

We’re all constantly bombarded with reasons why we should spend our money in return for some fleeting sense of gratification. Would that be an experience you recognize, dear reader?

It doesn’t have to be that way, of course, and rich people know that only too well.

So what do rich people do that’s different from everyone else?

Simple! They always pay themselves first.

And what do I mean by paying yourself first?

I mean, the moment you’re paid, you take a slice off the top of your income immediately and put it away somewhere safe. And by a slice, I mean to say 10%, or more if you can afford it.

And what do I mean by somewhere safe?

Well, initially, that would be depositing your money in an interest-bearing account.

However, once your money starts building into a larger sum then you can start thinking about other forms of investment that’ll potentially give you greater returns. Stocks and bonds, for instance.

Building a capital sum is important because, as your money grows, it starts to generate a second income stream for you. That may not seem important to you now, but it will be as you get older.

So paying yourself first is a discipline to which you must adhere until it becomes a habit you do without thinking.

You must always put some money away, and you must make that money work hard for you. You must grow and protect your investment portfolio with careful diversification, and over time, you’ll find yourself building a sizeable fortune.

So here’s today’s mantra for you: Pay Yourself First. Never forget that, please, dear reader.

2. Be an investor, not a speculator:

You must understand that there’s a big difference between investing and speculation. They’re not the same thing at all.

I don’t wish to imply that there’s something wrong with speculation, though. There isn’t.

In the world of finance, speculation brings liquidity to the market, and therefore it does have its place.

However, speculation tends to operate on the ‘greater fool’ principle.

By that, I mean someone is prepared to buy an asset for a given price in the hope that it can then be sold quickly to someone else, the greater fool, for a greater price.

This is what professional speculators do, and they can make money this way because they know what they’re doing and they have sophisticated systems to support them.

However, for ordinary people, speculation is like gambling in a casino. And you should never invest your money as though you’re gambling in a casino.

You might get lucky occasionally, of course, but over time your losses will outstrip any gains you might make, and almost certainly by a significant margin.

So my recommendation to you, dear reader, is that you should never speculate. Instead, you should focus on becoming an investor.

By investing, I mean buying stocks and shares in solid, well-managed, cash-generative businesses that can pay good dividends on a sustained basis.

Buy stocks worth holding for the long term. This will provide you with a steady income stream from the dividends, regardless of any short-to-medium-term volatility in the market. And spread your risk by building a diversified portfolio.

If you reinvest your dividends, then over time you will find that this approach should give you a good return on your money.

If you want to make money and build capital, then my advice to you, dear reader, is to be an investor, not a speculator.

3. Focus on value, not price:

The legendary investor Warren Buffett once said, “Price is what you pay; value is what you get.”

With this observation, he’s making an important point. There’s a distinction between price and value.

A low price for an asset doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get good value.

And a high price doesn’t automatically mean you will not get value.

Price in itself is not a measure of value. You must consider other factors to judge value.

When you’re buying any financial asset, say stocks and shares, you should always focus on value, and you must establish metrics by which you can adequately judge the intrinsic value of that asset.

Judged in isolation, price is just a number, nothing more.

A lower price means absolutely nothing if you’re getting little or no value in return for your money.

Never, ever forget that it’s the intrinsic value that will determine whether something is worth buying or not.

Get genuine value at the right price, and then you can get a decent return over time from an investment.

4. Create a personal private income:

Much as we all aspire to do work we love, you must never forget, dear reader, that ultimately work is simply a means to an end.

Essentially, work is just doing stuff for other people in exchange for money. In turn, that money is then the fuel on which we run our lives.

Money provides us with the means to put bread on the table, a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and those of our loved ones, of course.

If you work hard enough, you can earn a lot of money.

Manage that money wisely, and you can build capital. Invest that capital intelligently, and you can create your private income streams.

When you have a decent private income in your own right then you can truly pick and choose the work you do.

Then you only have to do what you enjoy doing; that thing that gives you a genuine sense of purpose.

Creating a personal, private income is a worthy goal, and it’s well worth the effort.

That way, you’re in control of your own life, and no one else can dictate what you should and shouldn’t do.

You’ll be in control of the good ship ‘Me’ and only you will decide where it goes.

The message here is, to work hard now, so one day you don’t have to work hard.

5. Never forget what matters most:

It would be very easy to believe that a life filled with lots of money and materiality would make you blissfully happy. Well let me tell you, dear reader, that in isolation, it won’t.

I’m not suggesting that these things are not important but you must get your priorities right.

Yes, of course, go out there and make money. Manage it carefully. Buy nice things and enjoy some of that money too.

However, to be truly happy, you must never lose sight of the most important thing in your life and that is family and friends.

People are social animals; we’re not solitary animals like cats. We need other people and most of all, we need our loved ones. A life filled with loved ones and laughter will be a happy life.

So make time for your loved ones, especially your children. Enjoy their company and make the most of every minute with them.

Never focus on work to the exclusion of your family and friends. Without them, you have nothing. Money is important, of course but people are much more important.

Never lose sight of the people in your life.

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Filed Under: Wisdom Tagged With: 5 Top Tips, Achievement, Business, Employment, Financial, financial freedom, How to build wealth from nothing, Inspiration, Investment, Life, Making Money, money, Motivation, Success, Wealth, Wisdom, Work

How to become rich:

What is work?

Serving the many:

The value of the IPR:

Build your own business:

The message here:

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Personal philosophy explained:

A simple philosophy:

Work on improving what you have to offer:

Income comes from serving other people:

Become financially independent:

Master the game of life:

Never lose sight of your own interests:

Don’t let life steal your joy:

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Business tips for success:

The advantages of self-employment:

Top business tips for success today:

1. Control your costs:

2. Do your own market research:

3. Advertising costs money: is there a better way?

4. Don’t make yourself indispensable:

5. Charge sensible prices:

6. Make the best use of technology:

7. Set goals:

8. If you got a great idea, then do something with it:

Concluding Remarks:

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Wealth Creation:

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Investment in knowledge

Learning is an investment

Self-education is the best education

The price of ignorance

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Key Takeaways

Understanding Online Monetization

Basic Concepts of Online Income

Popular Online Business Models

Setting Up Your Foundation

Choosing the Right Platform

Building Your Online Presence

Content Creation and Monetization

Starting a Blog

Creating a YouTube Channel

Podcasting Essentials

E-commerce and Selling Online

Launching an Online Store

Utilizing Dropshipping

Exploring Print on Demand

Freelancing and Service-Based Earnings

Offering Freelance Services

Joining Freelance Marketplaces

Portfolio Building Tips

Affiliate Marketing

Starting with Affiliate Marketing

Finding Affiliate Programs

Promotion Strategies

Online Courses and Digital Products

Creating and Selling Online Courses

Designing Digital Products

Marketing Your Digital Products

Investing in Stocks and Cryptocurrencies

Stock Market Basics

Cryptocurrency Fundamentals

What are some beginner-friendly ways to earn money online from home?

Can you make money online without any initial investment?

What are some legitimate methods for making regular income online?

Are there any secret platforms that are effective for online earning?

How can students make income through online activities?

What are some strategies for earning $100 or more daily on the internet?

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Steps to Financial Freedom: