Instagram is expanding its Creator Marketplace, aiming to make it simpler for brands to discover creators for partnership ads.
The platform will start inviting creators and brands based in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, India and Brazil to join Creator Marketplace in the coming weeks.
Chinese export brands will also be invited to connect with onboarded creators in countries outside of China.
Why we care. Instagram’s Creator Marketplace can help brands find the creators best suited for their campaigns, and also help creators get discovered by brands.
How it works. The Creator Marketplace leverages Instagram’s data to offer machine learning-based recommendations, making it simpler for brands to identify creators perfectly suited for their campaigns. Brands can also conduct targeted searches for creators, applying filters for both creator and audience attributes. Furthermore, they have access to a list of creators who have shown interest and can explore creator portfolios.
Getting started. To get started using Met’a Creator Marketplace, follow these steps:
Join Instagram’s Creator Marketplace: Brands join Instagram’s Creator Marketplace in Meta Business Suite, and creators sign up via their professional dashboard in the Instagram app, indicating relevant brands and interests while showcasing their uniqueness through portfolios.
2. Find the Right Match: Go through the recommendations and choose a creator you would like to collaborate with.
3. Connect and Collaborate: Creators get brand messages in a dedicated folder, additionally, brands can reach out directly or send project details to multiple creators, including opportunity specifics and rates, all within the Instagram app. Creators then review the details and requirements of the opportunity, as well as the rate, all within the Instagram app.
4. Create and Launch: Once brands and creators agree, they can create partnership ads by boosting existing organic Instagram content or generating new ones in Ads Manager.
Partnership ads explained. Partnership ads, previously branded content ads, enable advertisers to amplify content featuring a creator or other partner’s handle, enhancing the reach of their collaborations. This approach, facilitated by Instagram’s Creator Marketplace, offers a high-performing and transparent avenue for advertisers and creators to collaborate on running ads together.
What Meta is saying. A Meta spokesperson said in a statement:
“Brands have told us it can be challenging to source creators for partnership ads.”
“That’s why we’re excited to begin testing our brand new, machine learning-based recommendations that use Instagram data to help brands more easily discover creators who are the best fit for their campaigns”
“Partnership ads are the most performant and transparent way for advertisers and creators to run ads together and Instagram’s creator marketplace helps brands discover creators to partner with.”
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Google announced the v16 release of the Google Ads API.
To leverage some of its features, you’ll need to update your client libraries and code. Look out for the updated client libraries and code examples, which will be released next week.
Why we care. The updated version of Google Ads offers a range of new tools and capabilities to help you better monitor the performance of campaigns, so that you can make data led decision to improve optimization efficiency.
New features. Although there are no breaking changes, there are several new features available through the updated Google Ads system:
Recommendations based on your specified settings, such as recommendation types or advertising channel types, which could be helpful when creating a campaign.
Insights into why an ad group or an ad group ad is serving or not serving.
The ability to apply changes made to the original campaign to the experiment campaign, while the experiment is running. This saves time from manually applying changes to the experiment campaign.
Updated operation types for customer life cycle goals and campaign life cycle goals to make them consistent with other operation types.
Additional support for tracking the progress of the business registration verification process of Local Services.
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Co-working spaces have emerged as an extraordinary shift in how businesses of today work. Not tied down to the traditional solitude of private office environments, these communal spaces have become hubs for creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
The Concept of Co-working Spaces
Co-working spaces are shared workspaces where individuals from various industries and professions come together to work independently but within a cohesive community. A notable feature of co-working spaces is that they cater to a wide assortment of individuals – freelancers, remote workers, start-ups, and even established enterprises looking to jump into the collaborative environment.
The Genius of Co-working Spaces
These spaces act as the breeding ground for ideas, fostering an environment where creativity is not only encouraged but is integral. The diverse community these spaces harbor allows for a mixing pot of ideas, skills, and perspectives- a key ingredient to innovation.
Collaboration and Networking Opportunities
At the heart of these spaces lies an eminent opportunity for networking and collaboration. The proximity to a wide array of professionals can lead to synergies and partnerships that might not have occurred in a conventional office setting. This innovative approach to work promotes a supportive community atmosphere that spurs creativity and innovation.
Flexibility and Cost-Effectiveness
Surprisingly, co-working spaces can offer more than just a conducive work environment. Their flexible nature allows individuals and businesses to scale up or down as needed, only paying for what they use. It makes them a cost-effective solution for developing businesses and start-ups.
The Ultimate Breeding Ground for Creativity and Innovation
One noteworthy feature of these shared working spaces is their knack for facilitating brainstorming and innovation. With a pool of diverse mindsets, approaches, and business models existing within the same space, there is a natural encouragement of creative impulses.
Being around other ambitious, like-minded individuals can inspire and motivate, leading to an increase in productivity. Also, the casual and dynamic environment these spaces provide tends to alleviate work-related stress, spurring overall mindfulness and creativity.
Looking Ahead
As the digital age continues to influence every sector, more and more industries are shifting towards these dynamic work environments. Besides, who wouldn’t want to work in a cost-effective, flexible, and productive space that thrives on creativity and innovation? For those keen on taking their work experience to the next level, coworking spaces offer a unique platform loaded with opportunities and benefits that stimulate growth and innovation.
Co-working Spaces and the Startup Scene
Co-working spaces and startups have a symbiotic relationship where they both benefit from each other’s existence. For startups, co-working spaces offer a nurturing environment to grow and thrive while co-working spaces enjoy the dynamism startups bring to their corners.
The Perfect Setting for Startups
Typically, these communal workspaces have become the go-to solution for many startups due to the multitude of advantages they offer.
Cost-Effective Workspace
Most startups operate on a tight budget during their initial stages. Investing in a traditional office can escalate operational costs. Co-working spaces become an extremely viable option due to their cost-effectiveness and the opportunity to only pay for the space or resources used.
Networking Opportunities
For startups, networking is crucial for development and growth. Co-working spaces offer a unique and diverse network of individuals and businesses that open doors to collaboration or new clients. Interestingly, these relationships often lead to long-term partnerships and lucrative opportunities down the line.
Learning and Skill-Sharing
A distinct advantage of the co-working setup is the constant proximity to an array of talents and skill sets. Sharing common space with industry experts allows startups to learn continuously, providing organic knowledge transfer and constant access to advice and assistance. For entrepreneurs, this could mean getting tips on SEO strategies from a neighboring expert, or getting critical operational hacks from a seasoned professional.
The Future of Work for Startups
Given their multitude of benefits and the increasing popularity among startups, co-working spaces are set to reshape the future of work for new businesses. Equipped with flexibility and networking opportunities, these spaces can cater to the dynamic needs of startups.
As the interests of entrepreneurs continue to evolve, the environment of coworking spaces adapts to meet their changing needs. These spaces have become more than just a place to work, they have transformed into communities that nurture creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
The Future of Co-working Spaces
With the changing dynamics of work culture, co-working spaces are becoming more than just shared workstations; they’re emerging as an important tool for fostering innovation, nurturing startups, and creating a community focused on collaboration and mutual growth.
Changing Work Dynamics
Our interrupted world has brought about a significant shift in how work is conducted. Remote working has become the norm, but that doesn’t spell the end for the traditional office environment. Instead, it provides an opportunity for co-working spaces to redefine their role in the new normal.
Facilitating Hybrid Work Models
As more companies opt for a hybrid model of work, where staff split their time between home and office, co-working spaces offer a perfect solution. They can provide the benefits of an office environment, such as face-to-face interaction, without the commitment of a traditional office lease.
A Community-Centric Appeal
With the evolution of co-working spaces, they’re focusing more on building a community rather than just providing a shared workplace. By organizing events and fostering a close-knit community, they can form a valuable networking platform that nurtures collaboration, innovation, and creativity.
Co-working Spaces and Sustainability
In the future, co-working spaces could play a crucial role in the sustainability and environmentalism movements. With shared resources and services, these workspaces can contribute significantly to reducing environmental impact – a factor that will appeal to an increasingly eco-conscious audience.
The Road Ahead
As we move forward, the demand for dynamic, cost-effective, and collaborative coworking spaces is only set to grow. These communal workspaces are poised to respond to the developing needs of the modern workforce. Whether it’s the flexibility to scale floor space, access to a diverse community, or shared amenities, the value of co-workspaces can’t be understated.
Coworking spaces have evolved to meet the changing professional landscape, with increasing emphasis on community, collaboration, flexibility, innovation, and creativity. They not only provide a conducive environment for productivity but also play a pivotal role in networking, innovation, and sustainability. Whether for startups or established businesses, the potential of these dynamic spaces continues to grow and shape the future of work.
Starting a home business has never been easier, and more people than ever before are reaping the benefits of home-based work. There are countless ways you can utilize your existing skills to build a successful online business these days. Working from home is appealing because it gives you flexibility and independence, and you can often start with minimal capital. So, whether you want to supplement your income or begin a new career, you can discover trending home business ideas for 2024 in the guide below.
Sell Homemade Products
What better way to satisfy your creative desires than selling homemade products? There’s a massive demand for artisan goods, making this a great business idea for 2024. You can sell your goods online or at local craft or farmer’s markets. Do you have a creative hand or unique product ideas? If so, selling handmade products might be the perfect home business idea for you.
If you’re a whizz in the kitchen, an aspiring artist, or dab hand on the sewing machine, why not profit from your talents? The great thing about selling homemade items is that the possibilities are endless. You can create cosmetics, food items, personalized gift boxes, clothes, candles—whatever takes your fancy.
Selling products online has never been easier, and you can list your wares on many platforms. That said, some states have rules and regulations about homemade products, and you may need a license or certification to sell them. If you’re unsure, check the laws in your state before selling homemade items online.
Open a Pet Hotel or Become a Pet Sitter
If you love animals, the next entry on our list of home business ideas is for you. Opening your home as a pet hotel or becoming a dog sitter is one of the most popular trending small business ideas of 2024. Sixty-six percent of American households have pets, so there’s massive earning potential in pet care. Doggy daycare centers typically charge $20-45 per day per dog.
It’s easy to convert your home into a safe, secure place to accommodate pets. You can also offer extra services such as grooming, bathing, nail clipping, and training to boost your earning potential. That said, you may need certificates for training and grooming, and you will also need liability insurance to care for other people’s pets.
If you don’t want to open your home as a pet hotel, you can advertise yourself as a live-in pet carer or a dog walker. The fantastic thing about being a live-in pet sitter is that you can run other online businesses while you stay in people’s homes.
Start a Subscription Service
Subscription services continue to grow in popularity into 2024 and are a perfect small business to run from home. You can offer goody boxes, courses, lessons, or publications such as newsletters. Many people love the idea of a monthly treat, cherish a personal touch, and often buy subscription boxes as gifts for close family and friends.
The fantastic thing about subscription services is that your monthly finances are more stable, meaning you can better plan and organize your business. You can also base a subscription service on your unique skills and hobbies, so you don’t have to train or get qualifications.
If you’re creative, you could produce subscription boxes with handmade items, such as sauces or skincare products. Or maybe you have a unique local product to offer the world. If you’re an expert in iGaming, why not create a monthly newsletter with tips and tricks? Subscribers would love to know what games have the best payouts or how you get up to 20% back on all your losses.
Take Advantage of Drop-Shipping
Many at-home entrepreneurs harness the power of drop-shipping to create a successful small business. If you have an eye for style, a talent for identifying vacant niches, or can effortlessly spot a rising trend, why not get involved with drop-shipping? The fantastic thing about drop-shipping is that it’s low risk, and you don’t need a massive investment to start.
If you have a product idea, you can team up with a wholesaler—who will produce, supply, and ship your goods. As a drop-shipper, you act as a marketer and take advantage of wholesale prices. Drop-shipping is secure because you only buy from the supplier when the customer has ordered and paid.
You can sell almost anything with a drop-shipping service without worrying about inventories and storage space. It’s also easy to scale your business up or down without financial loss or investment.
Get Involved with Social Media
Digital media is the final entry on our list of trending home business ideas for 2024. There’s never been a better time to profit from online platforms—and there is a whole range of them to choose from. If you have the gift of the gab or unique interest to share, why not start a podcast or YouTube channel? It takes time to build a following, but when you do, there are incredible revenue opportunities.
If writing is your thing, you can make a blog turn a profit with advertising and affiliate marketing. Or, if you have a flair for storytelling, why not publish an eBook or become a self-employed freelance writer?
If you live and breathe social media, understand trends, and have the skills to create engaging content, you can potentially make a living as a social media manager. Of course, the shining jewel on the social media earnings crown is being a global influencer because the most successful influencers can make millions of dollars.
Many people have an incredibly low bar for what they consider to be “great” content that deserves to rank in Google Search.
So often, I see people bemoaning the fact that their content is great and high-quality. They just can’t understand why it isn’t ranking. But inevitably, when I go look at that great content, it typically is, at best, subpar.
The problem is everyone creating subpar content (and website experiences) is blind to this reality. They all think their content is great and high quality.
But it isn’t. It just isn’t. They just can’t admit their content babies are ugly.
Truly great content is rare.
It’s not about whether it was generated by AI or human. AI tools can write crap. But humans have been mastering the art and science of mediocre content creation for far longer.
The web is full of generic content. Just because you think it’s high-quality content doesn’t mean that people – or Google – will.
Google, the cesspool and brands
The web is a cesspool. That’s how former Google CEO Eric Schmidt put it in 2008.
And Google – despite its best efforts, all these years later, still hasn’t really figured it out.
Google’s solution was brands. Which is why you’re seeing so many complaints lately (none of which are actually new, though they may be new to you) about:
There is an endless circular argument to be made here – it’s almost the case of which came first, the chicken or the egg.
Content came first. Then Google. But now Google is a Search monopoly that can send lots of incredibly valuable search traffic – or barely any or none. SEO can be very much feast or famine.
Google, for its part, absolutely bears part of the blame. (If you haven’t read A.J. Kohn’s brilliant piece, It’s Goog Enough! I highly suggest reading it for a full teardown of some of the huge problems with Google’s search experience.) Google also indirectly feeds this problem, as websites can easily monetize content through advertising programs like Google’s AdSense.
So people essentially copy or mimic the type of mediocre content Google ranks for a given query in the hopes of outranking whatever is ranking – which often isn’t that great anyway.
Multiply on a massive scale and you’ve got steaming trash piles of content that Google now has to make sense of and rank.
So Google does Google and reverts to what it knows: when in doubt, rank content from a brand.
But what about the content creators? They also bear part of the blame.
In 2022, before ChatGPT and generative AI became available to anyone and everyone to flood the web with even more low-quality and spammy content, we published Is Google Search getting worse? Former Googler Marissa Mayer said she thought the “quality of the Internet has taken a hit”:
“When you see the quality of your search results go down, it’s natural to blame Google and be like, ‘Why are they worse?’ To me, the more interesting and sophisticated thought is if you say, ‘Wait, but Google’s just a window onto the web. The real question is, why is the web getting worse?’”
And oh, by the way, Google search quality crises are not new. At all.
In addition to discussing the flood of fake news and dubious content at the time, it goes into the long history of Google’s other challenges of when Google’s Search results became the “worst ever” – including the rise of low-quality content farms ranking well in Search results that resulted in the Google Panda algorithm update nearly 13 years ago.
Let’s be real: Google and content creators can both take some blame here.
Meanwhile, Searchers lose.
How should Google rank mediocre content?
HouseFresh published an excellent tirade against Google two days ago, How Google is killing independent sites like ours. Today, I decided to look at some of the “high-quality content” HouseFresh is publishing – not to do a teardown of any SEO issues, just as a consumer of content and searcher of products.
My first article, picked at random, was titled 5 best air purifiers for cigarette smoke we have tested. Here’s how the review starts:
Is that high-quality content? Is that at all helpful? When is the actual review going to start?
That opening line is just painfully generically written. Talking about “one person smoking as they walk by” is how you kick off your product review? That’s your hook? Really?
Why do I need to read a bad book report before I get to the actual thing I came for – a review? This is the same type of approach to bland content that made so many people despise recipe blogs.
But turns out, this habit of generic writing isn’t at all unique to HouseFresh. Curious, I looked to see what content ranks in Google Search for [best air purifiers for cigarette smoke]? Here’s what I see:
Good Houseskeeping in position 1:
Compared to what else is ranking in the top 10 organic positions, this one appears to be the best. The intro could use some shortening (and the overall review could use some tightening up), but overall, it delivers a content experience. I’m not unhappy that this is in Position One.
Things go downhill from here.
Better Homes & Gardens in position 2:
This isn’t bad or offensive, but it’s not particularly helpful to me, as a searcher who is in the mode of buying. I don’t need all this preamble. Can we please get to the point? I came for a review, not several non-essential generic paragraphs of text forcing me to scroll or just leave out of annoyance.
Of course, a Google SERP wouldn’t be complete without Forbes, an absolute respected authority on air purifiers (and nearly everything else under the sun, according to Google) in Position 7:
The intro doesn’t mention cigarette smoke – the one and only mention comes much later in the section explaining how they chose the best air purifiers (“It’s no secret that breathing in smoke, be it from wildfires or cigarettes…”).
And digging much deeper after some retail content (Amazon, Best Buy, etc.), you’ll find whatever the opposite of a hidden gem is from Blueair in Position 9, with painfully terrible content:
Just. Wow. So awful. Thanks for that irrelevant history lesson, I needed a nap.
Look, this is just one query. I could easily spend hours, finding examples across endless queries and industries. But we all know the results will be similar.
Google is a baby wading through a content trash heap
The featured image I used for this article is the best metaphor I could come up with – Google is a baby in a content landfill that’s run out of space.
We seem stuck in a repeating cycle where people mimic sucky content, because it’s successful, and then expect it to rank because that’s what Google ranks, only to be annoyed when that content is unsuccessful.
To me, the solution is clear – though not easy:
Become a useful, credible brand. This is not a quick or easy process.
So continue to play the “long game” of SEO and don’t just hope Google will rank your content and complain when they don’t.
Create better content that is legitimately useful to people. Keep improving every aspect of your SEO.
Content creators need to improve. But so does Google.
For its part, Google has signaled that changes are coming. In November, Google advised us to “buckle up.” The company reiterated this in January. And again in February.
History tells me that when Google is faced with an onslaught of criticism about its Search quality, Google tends to respond. When that will be remains the big question.
Pinterest is launching its first-ever streaming show with an actionable and shoppable experience.
Inspired by Pinterest trends, Deliciously Entertaining is a six part cooking series that will premiere on the Tastemade streaming channel on February 23.
Why video matters. 93% of consumers say video is helpful when making an online purchase, according to video creator Animoto.
Why we care. Showcasing products on streaming shows is a chance for brands to expand their reach and engage with a highly-engaged audience. Considering the persuasive impact of video on consumer purchasing decisions, this opportunity could significantly enhance the likelihood of conversions.
How it works. During every 22-minute episode, viewers will be able to scan an on-screen QR code to access a Pinterest board with shoppable Pins. The board includes everything needed to recreate the show at home, such as recipes, DIY tutorials, and inspirational Pins related to the episode theme.
Synopsis. The show will follow host Danni Rose and her celebrity guests as they take inspiration from Pinterest to plan menus and create homemade decor. Celebrity guests include Lance Bass, Asia Jackson and Joy Cho (who has the most followed account on Pinterest with more than 15 million followers).
Grand finale. In celebration of the season finale on June 21, Deliciously Entertaining will premiere on Amazon Live for a special “shop the show” companion episode.
Why now? Pinterest is expanding its original content to strengthen its position as a product discovery platform. These initiatives aim to attract a wider audience while integrating with shoppable Pins for an enhanced shopping experience.
What Pinterest is saying. Nadine Zylstra, Pinterest’s Global Head of Programming and Originals, said in a statement:
“Pinterest is all about finding inspiration to then take action and expand your horizons. That’s exactly what Deliciously Entertaining will encourage viewers to do.”
“The concept is entirely inspired by Pinterest trends and the calendar moments that matter most to Pinners. We hope it will inspire people to try something new.”
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It seems like having a side hustle is a thing nowadays. It could be anything, from driving to creating and marketing. It’s a gig economy and the IRS is interested in it. So, if you have a side hustle, let’s talk a bit about your responsibilities and obligations for taxes. There are new forms and some new language for which you’ll need to be aware of. Here are some of the basics.
The IRS calls you an independent contractor or as I prefer, a solopreneur. So, of course, there is an expanded set of IRS rules and regulations that impact you. The number 1088 will become important to you. There are several: (Form 1099-NEC, Form 1099-K, Form 1099-MISC). Don’t be surprised to get one of these forms in the mail – don’t throw it away as the IRS also gets a copy of it. So, let’s take a look at them but first, you must understand that you must report your income to the IRS and to the State and maybe some local tax authorities also. Income first.
Income
In a broad sense, income is everything except what isn’t as defined by the IRS. This includes income from your side job or freelance work. So if you sell online, drive, create, and make some money from these, it’s income. Even if you barter where you exchange your service or goods with others instead of money, it’s income to you.
This means you will have to keep good records, your receipts and bills as you can deduct certain business expenses. It’s your responsibility to keep track of your deductible costs so that you can correctly calculate the tax you owe. Now that we know about income, let’s talk about those 1099 Forms.
Form 1099-NEC – Non-Employee Compensation
Did someone pay you $600 or more during the year? You may receive one of these. You won’t get a W-2 Form as you’re not an employee. Instead, you’ll get this one. As I said before, the IRS gets a copy too. And if you pay someone $600 or more during the year you must also file this form (one to the person you paid and one to the IRS). This form is due out by January 31 so don’t get confused with the April 15th deadline for filing your individual income tax return.
Form 1099-K – Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transaction
Yep, that’s the name of this form. So what does that really mean? This form is a new one and was born in 2021. If you have a side hustle, you might receive this Form from companies like Venmo, PayPal, eBay, ETSY, or crowdfunding sites.
For this year, 2023, Businesses that received more than $20,000 and had more than 200 transactions during the year. However, the law as passed in 2021 drops the amount to be reported to $600. Don’t be alarmed yet. The IRS has had to overcome many difficulties in implementing this. So the IRS decided to take a phased approach instead. The IRS plans to introduce an interim threshold of $5,000 for TY 2024. For TY 2025, the IRS expects to implement the $600 threshold fully.
Form 1099-MISC – Miscellaneous Income
As the name implies, this form is for income that doesn’t quite fit into other categories of income. This includes rent from real estate, royalties, or other types of income. So, if you have some other type of income you may also receive this form.
Form 1099-MISC usually isn’t the standard form for most gig workers, but those who diversify their income streams may encounter it.
So What about Social Security and Medicare Tax?
As an employee or when you were employed, these taxes were also paid. Now that you’re on your own how do these get paid? Another thing you need to know about taxes, this what the IRS calls, Self-Employment Tax. When is that due to be paid you ask?
For self-employed folks who have a side hustle, the IRS has come up with quarterly estimated tax payments spread throughout the year. For TY 2024, the four due dates are April 15 (except taxpayers living in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 17), June 17, September 16, and January 15, 2025.
Think of it this way. Employees have these taxes paid by withholding from their paychecks every two weeks, weekly or monthly. But being self-employed this doesn’t happen. The IRS wants its tax throughout the year so they created the quarterly estimated tax payments. Further, if you don’t make these quarterly payments timely, there is a penalty for not doing it. The IRS bases these penalties on either paying too little in estimated tax or not paying each installment on time. These payments are made on Form 1040-ES to the IRS. States also have their own forms for quarterly estimated payments so don’t forget about your state tax obligations.
The Big So-What
This is just the basics for those who have a side hustle. Depending on your personal tax world there may be other forms that you will need to know about. The resources listed below is a good place to start for more information. If you get confused talk with a tax professional to help you.
Professional certifications serve as a formal recognition of an individual’s expertise and knowledge in a specific field. In the context of personal training, obtaining a personal trainer certification can be crucial, not only for validating one’s skills to clients but also for standing out in a crowded market. Certifications reflect a commitment to professional development and adherence to industry standards, which can enhance a trainer’s credibility and potentially lead to greater earning opportunities.
The value of professional trainer certification extends beyond personal recognition; it is an essential asset that helps to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the services offered. Certified personal trainers are equipped with a quantifiable understanding of exercise science, nutrition, and program design, enabling them to create customized workout plans that can safely meet clients’ fitness goals. Acquiring certification from a reputable organization also ensures that the trainer remains current on the latest fitness trends and best practices.
Determining the best personal trainer certification requires considering several factors, including the program’s cost versus its value, the reputation of the certifying organization, and the specific focus of the curriculum. Some certifications are recognized globally, while others may be more regionally focused. The decision on which certification to pursue should align with the trainer’s career goals and the expectations of their potential clientele.
Benefits of Professional Trainer Certification
In the realm of professional training, certification can be a powerful tool to establish authority and open doors to new opportunities.
Credibility and Recognition
Professional Trainer Certification serves as a testament to an individual’s dedication and expertise in their field. The endorsement of a reputable organization, like Langevin Learning Services, can significantly boost a trainer’s credibility. It assures clients and employers that the trainer has met stringent industry standards.
Skill Enhancement
Certification processes often involve comprehensive training that enriches a trainer’s skill set, enabling them to deliver high-quality education and engage with their audience more effectively. This continuous learning fosters professional growth and keeps trainers current with the latest methodologies.
Career Advancement
Armed with certification, trainers often find themselves with the potential for career progression. Certifications can open the door to more coveted roles and responsibilities within organizations, acknowledging a trainer’s capability to handle complex and high-level tasks.
Increased Earning Potential
Often, having a respected certification correlates with the ability to command higher pay. Employers are typically willing to compensate certified professionals more generously, reflecting the added value they bring to the organization without requiring extensive on-the-job training.
By achieving professional trainer certification through a well-regarded program, trainers are investing in their future—setting the stage for a fulfilling and prosperous career.
Acquiring Professional Trainer Certification
Professional Trainer Certification validates an individual’s expertise and enhances their credibility. This process involves meeting specific criteria, completing necessary steps, and committing to ongoing education.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for professional trainer certification, candidates typically must have:
A high school diploma or equivalent.
Completed a certain number of hours of practical experience.
Basic knowledge in anatomy, exercise science, and programming.
Eligibility varies by certifying body, so one must review the specific requirements of the certification they are interested in.
Certification Process
The certification process for professional trainers generally includes the following stages:
Preparation: Studying the necessary material, which may involve self-study, online courses, or in-person classes.
Examination: Successfully passing an exam that tests knowledge of various training concepts and practices.
Practical Assessment: Some certifications require a hands-on assessment to demonstrate training skills.
Candidates are urged to select a certification that aligns with their career goals and has recognition in the industry.
Maintaining Certification
Once certified, trainers must maintain their credential through:
Continuing education units (CEUs) or credits
Renewal fees
Adherence to any updated certification standards
Renewal requirements ensure that trainers stay current with industry developments and best practices.
Conclusion
Professional Trainer Certification signifies a trainer’s commitment and expertise in the development and delivery of high-quality training programs. It assures employers and learners of the trainer’s dedication to ongoing professional development and their adherence to industry standards. Certifications can lead to higher efficiency and employee satisfaction, positioning certified trainers as valuable assets in educational and corporate settings. By achieving certification, trainers demonstrate a clear investment in their professional prowess and in delivering impactful educational experiences.
Last week I went for lunch with some school friends, normally one of us treats the others and we sort of take it in turns to foot the bill. This time we however decided to go Dutch. Times were hard and none of us felt the inclination to drop a few hundred pounds in one sitting. All except one of us, and she is a nurse, something was awry: Or afoot, as we later discovered.
It turned out that *Jenny has been selling photos of her feet online. Going under a pseudonym she has built up quite the following, fed up with the huge cost-of-living at present, I was intrigued enough to give it a go. Jenny shared with me her top tips to get rich from foot pics.
1. Creat a Profile on Fun With Feet
These profiles take a matter of minutes. Jenny’s big tip was to peruse the best sellers and look at what sells. Also to establish your brand. If you want to create a niche (muddy feet videos, for example) then this is where you start.
Profile tips
1. Prepare Your Feet.
This may sound obvious but make your feet look cute. If you are going heeled and peeping – then get them looking their best. “I recommend a good pumice and a cute lick of nail varnish – red always does well, as does a French manicured look” Says Jenny.
2. Check Out The Competition.
Research, research research! “I did a really deep dive on the profiles that seemed to make lots of money and compared them to the ones that were average and the ones that barely ranked”. If you do this you can work out a plan. Either imitate the big earners (although they will often have cornered their market”( or work on your own USP. “I have a slightly Celtic second toe and found that it appealed to a certain clientele”.
What foot type are you?
3. Create An Online Presence.
As with any social media (or media even), there is no use being brilliant if people can’t see your work. On Insta low engagement is a pain, but on Fun with Feet it will literally be the make or break. Engage with people, get to know your subscribers likes and dislikes. Always stay safe but put yourself out there a bit.
4. Set Your Pricing.
This is hard when you start out as you don’t have the subscribers to warrant the top-tier pay. Give people a good deal, get them hooked and then start to get the bigger pay packets. Show your subscribers you are worth their money.
5. Pick Secure Payment Methods.
Do your homework on this and absolutely stick to the recommended payment platforms. If someone offers direct payment to avoid the commission, DECLINE! It could be a stolen card and you could end up paying it back – so always make sure you are payment protected.
6. Take High-Quality Photos.
This may sound obvious but so many people try and submit a bad phone pic and then wonder why this doesn’t work. Like all social media, this needs to feel curated and a brand. If your foot brand is expensive then the pics need to look it to warrant the pay. Not just the camera (because let’s face it, most phones have amazing cameras these days), but the styling of the shot and the way it is lit. This all needs to tie in with your brand.
7. Be Anonymous & Create Safe Boundaries.
This one is so important. People will try to meet with you, people will ask for your personal details. You are selling a product and not yourself! Always remember this.
2. List your Feet Pics
Jenny recommends doing “themed collections” – she said she soon started to see which was most popular but by playing the field she cast her net wide to begin with. Her categories were: High-heels, high-heels with bare feet, feet washing (with suds), dirty feet, tired feet and just outright sexy feet. For the latter she filmed her feet standing on her partner’s back and paired them with other sexy body parts.
She also recommends combining feet fetish with other fetish: One was to incorporate Siophelia (food related) and one of her most successful videos to date was her walking barefoot through a picnic.
Her main tip was to “create content that you put some effort into. If you just snap your tootsies watching TV and upload a few, you won’t get the financial results you maybe expected. I started with quite a lot of content.” This seems to be a trend across the board too, with Fun With Feet stating the importance of a large and diverse profile.
3. Start Earning
If you have done your prep you can start earning instantly. Fun With Feet state that “Whenever a buyer unlocks any of your sexy feet pics or videos you’ll receive the money instantly into your Fun With Feet wallet. From there, you can withdraw these funds from your wallet directly to your bank account.”
Jenny, however, suggested that we remember to use it like a form of social media. It will need promotion, consistency and quality. She said “be prepared to be initially a bit disappointed, It isn’t an overnight sell. It is however the start of something very lucrative. It took me a few months to start seeing high results, but it has literally doubled my income.”
She also says “Due to this I am having a lovely beach holiday this year… excited to get some nice sandy feet content to treat you all to lunch next time.”
*Jenny is a fake name. Our user wished to remain anonymous.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
Switching bank accounts, if that’s something you’ve been thinking about doing, is relatively easy, and you may be interested to know that there are currently six banks who will offer you £175 cash for switching to their services. Also, it’s worth noting that some accounts pay savings interest or will offer you cashback on bills.
Here’s a quick list of which bank is offering which service (on day of publication):
Santander: Free £175 plus 1% to 3% bills cashback (ends this Thurs)
NatWest/RBS: Free £175 plus £3/month cashback
Nationwide: £100 free cash for new customers
Virgin Money: 25% cashback on supermarket/fuel spend (max £160)
Longer-term rewards
Santander 123 Lite: 1% to 3% bills cashback
Chase: 1% cashback, 1.5% interest plus fee-free overseas
Also our in depth round-up of our best easy access savings accounts this Autumn is here.
Savers (interest paying)
Virgin: 2.02% on £1000 plus 1.71% on £25,000
Chase: 1.5% on up to £250,000
Nationwide: 5% on £1,500, for ONE year
switching bank accounts
If you’re overdrawn
Most of the main banks charge about 40% interest for overdrafts but some offer 0% overdrafts, so if you’re in the red, it’s worth noting that you CAN still switch if you’re overdrawn BUT is does depend on your intended new provider’s lending procedure. They may decide not to offer you an overdraft, or could offer you a lower overdraft limit. However, many banks have eligibility checkers to determine whether you’re likely to get the overdraft before you try for it.
These three banks offer:
First Direct: £250 0% overdraft
Nationwide: 12-month 0% overdraft
Starling: Low overdraft rates
Insurance
Nationwide: £500+/year insurance for £156 p.a.
The Current Account Switch Service (CASS) process takes seven working days to apply for: you just open a new account with your chosen bank, then request a switch, and provided both banks are signed up to CASS, the switching service will close your old account and transfer your money, direct debits and standing orders across
It’ll also handle payments due to your old account by automatically directing them into the new one, for at least three years. It also guarantees a refund of any charges wrongly accrued due to this process.
RECURRING PAYMENTS
Otherwise known as Continuous Payment Authorities, these are set up using your debit or credit card details, as opposed to your account number and sort code: so things you’ve set up like storee cards or memebership fees. So if you switch, make sure to give your new card details to any companies that take money from your card this way.
ACTIVE DIRECT DEBITS
An active direct debit is one that has paid out in the last 13 months or is less than 13 months old. Old direct debits can stay active even if you’re not paying out on them every month in case they’re needed again, or if they’ve been set up for annual payments. After 13 months, your bank may remove them from your account, or mark them as inactive.
YOUR OLD ACCOUNT
You must close your old account if you switch via CASS (the norm if you want the switching incentives). Your new bank will automatically move across all payments like direct debits or your salary.
ISAs and Credit Cards
Moving your current account won’t affect these kinds of payments as they’re separate from your account; if you set up a direct debit for these, it will be automatically moved to your new bank account.
SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
There is currently no switching service for savings accounts but you can move them yourself by opening the new savings account and transferring your money across.
