Understanding the Role of a Game Designer in Poker

Home Business Magazine Online

Have you ever gotten so lost in a game that you forgot about time? Or wondered how that game even came into being? Who are the masterminds behind it? If you’re nodding right now, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive deep into the world of game designers, the unsung heroes who shape our virtual escapes.

Back in the day, games were simple. Now? They’re epic sagas, intricate puzzles, and ever-evolving virtual realms. And guess what? The game design arena has transformed right alongside them!

The intricate world of game design can be likened to many things, but let’s use a deck of cards as our muse. If we shuffle and deal, we land squarely on poker, a card game with as many twists and turns as the meandering journey of game design itself. If you want to understand what are the rules in poker, you’ll have to explore the different poker variants. Let’s explore the role game designers played in the following popular poker games:

The Classic: Texas Hold ’em

Ah, Texas Hold ’em—the Beyoncé of poker games, if you will. It’s everywhere, from the glitzy casinos of Las Vegas to your Uncle Bob’s dusty garage. But what makes this game a classic? In essence, it’s the simplicity.

Each player on the table gets two private cards, and the dealer deals five community cards face-up. The goal is straightforward: make the best five-card hand and take home the pot.

But here’s where the designer’s genius comes into play. The simplicity of Texas Hold ’em is actually its most complex feature. Game designers have masterfully structured the betting rounds and community cards to create a landscape rich with strategy.

The game allows for intricate bluffs, calculated risks, and edge-of-your-seat excitement in every round. It’s like a roller coaster where the climbs and drops are your wagers and bluffs—a brilliant balance of risk and reward. No wonder it is popular in poker tournaments held globally.

Omaha: The Strategy Buff’s Paradise

If Texas Hold ’em is the classic rock of poker, then Omaha is like progressive metal—complex, nuanced, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. At first glance, it seems similar to Texas Hold ’em, with community cards laid out in the middle. But here’s the catch: You get four private cards instead of two. Sounds easier, right? Think again. You must use exactly two from your hand and three from the community pile to make your best five-card hand.

This is where the role of game designers shines through. They took the familiar structure of Texas Hold ’em and added a twist, complicating your choices and intensifying the level of strategy.

The complexity in Omaha lies in the plethora of hand combinations available, making it a dream come true for players who love crunching probabilities and devising advanced tactics. Game designers focused on building layers of complexity, making it an evolving puzzle that beckons you to solve it hand after hand.

Seven-Card Stud: A Blast from the Past

Ah, the vintage charm of the Seven-Card Stud! It’s like the vinyl records of poker—rich in tradition and something of a collector’s item for seasoned players. Before Texas Hold ’em swayed the crowd, Seven-Card Stud was the game everyone was talking about. Here, there are no community cards; instead, you’re dealt seven individual cards, three facing down and four facing up for all to see.

Now, why would anyone want to play a game that shows most of their hand? That’s where the clever craftsmanship of game designers comes in. Seven-Card Stud is a game of keen observation and patience, qualities that are often overshadowed in flashier, faster-paced games.

Designers of this classic have kept the old-school charm intact while highlighting the importance of reading your opponents rather than just your cards. The exposed cards serve as a public narrative, while your hidden cards offer a plot twist, making each game a riveting story told one card at a time.

Five-Card Draw: The Poker Essence

Let’s step back a bit and go old school with Five-Card Draw. If poker were a tree, this game would be one of its deepest roots. Many of us first learned about poker through this straightforward game. You get five cards, you keep some or all, you draw new ones to replace what you discard, and that’s it—no community cards, no shared pots, just you against the odds.

In a world where poker games often come with a bunch of bells and whistles, Five-Card Draw is refreshing in its simplicity. And that’s precisely the genius of its game design. Designers have managed to come up with a game that captures the essence of poker without all the extra layers.

In doing so, they’ve made a form of the game that’s accessible to newcomers while still offering enough depth to keep seasoned players interested. It’s like the “comfort food” of poker, satisfying and familiar, showing us that sometimes less is indeed more.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving realm of gaming, designers are both pioneers and visionaries. Those eager to leave their mark should remain agile and committed to lifelong learning in this vibrant landscape.

The post Understanding the Role of a Game Designer in Poker appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/success-lifestyles/understanding-role-game-designer-poker/

Ai-powered Online Fashion Hub Kollectin.com Is turning Mompreneurs and Other Aspiring Micro-business Owners into Digital Divas

Home Business Magazine Online

The pitch is pretty powerful: “Start your fashion business with no overhead, no barriers, just possibilities.” Scroll the Kollectin.com site further and you’ll see not just opportunities to shop or sell like other fashion sites, but a call-to-action to open your own digital storefront. In minutes. With no inventory. Let me explain…

It all starts with the vision of lifelong serial entrepreneur and successful fashion SheEO Nadia Lee. In the late Nineties, before online shopping was “a thing,” the LA-based Lee found success with her jewelry brand Adia Kibur. Her innate sense of style and business acumen inspired her to create a brand featuring designs that combined quality, affordable price points and what was trending into a rapidly expanding enterprise that is today carried in over 5,000 retailers ranging from small boutiques to national notables like Neiman-Marcus and Nordstroms.

Kollectin
Photo Courtesy of Kollectin

Even with the success she was enjoying with her jewelry business, by 2018, Lee was ready to launch her next venture, Kollectin.com. Driven by her desire to disrupt the online retail space while simultaneously empowering women with an easy on-ramp business model, she went on to create something decidedly different than the standard online storefront or brick-and-mortar play. Indeed, beyond blouses, denim, swimwear, jewelry and other fashion finds, part of Kollectin’s business DNA is to serve as a vehicle to bring other women—particularly aspirational entrepreneurs—along for the ride, including profits.

“Our data shows women want to be entrepreneurs, they want to sell stuff, especially fashion—but what stops them is start-up money,” says Lee. “I wanted to tap into that mindset and give them the space to give it a try by creating a simple, easy tool for women to access current technology, source products, and not worry about backend issues like customer service and shipping.”

Kollectin
Photo Courtesy of Kollectin

A New Fashion Business Model

The new approach Lee developed for Kollectin.com leverages person-to-person social selling and influencer marketing. She dubs it a “B2B2C” model where site visitors discover and purchase from trusted collections by emerging brands as well as influencers who curate their own Kollectin collections. By breaking down traditional barriers between buyers and sellers, the app streamlines the fashion discovery process, making it easier for buyers to find their preferred fashion items and for sellers to expand their customer base. A classic win-win.

“We want the people to determine what sells,” says Lee. “Back in the day, you would walk through a trade show, the buyer buys certain styles and that ends up in the boutique or store. So what’s on offer is curated by someone else.” On the Kollectin app, the community of sellers curates their own stores and the behaviors of their personal cohorts drives what the algorithms show to their shoppers.The way Kollectin’s B2B2C platform works is there are around 80 brands selling their own products as well as individual sellers who discovered the site on their own or were invited by a current user.

The process of going from a new visitor to an influencer and seller with a self-curated collection takes just a matter of minutes and involves only a few steps. First, they scan the QR code or directly download the app, then sign-up, which includes choosing a store name, uploading a store banner image and a few other steps. The site then gives the user a walk-through on how to build the store and pick the first six items from the approximately 6,500 SKUs available at any given time. The new seller’s store then goes live with a dedicated URL and QR code ready to be shared on social networks or IRL.

Kollectin
Photo Courtesy of Kollectin

Lee says she’s seen many Mompreneurs hit the ground running with the platform, doing activations like livestreams from their socials where they wear and share outfits with their cohorts and others. By simultaneously posting the unique URLs of their store and the outfits, shoppers can then buy in three clicks.

Another powerful networking feature that Lee built into the platform is a gamified profit-sharing model where sellers can earn income from not only their sales, but from the sales of their circle of customers—called cohorts—who have decided to become sellers themselves. The app uses a sliding scale that begins at the 5 to 10 percent range of sales and increases with the number of people a certain user shares the product links with. Lee says that power sellers who actively share can regularly earn over a thousand dollars through the sales of their cohorts alone.

Kollectin
Photo Courtesy of Kollectin

Harnessing the Power of Ai

Beyond the human connections the app facilitates, Kollectin also harnesses the novel and sweeping power of Ai that is now so prevalent in a wide range of industries. For both customers and sellers on the app, Ai is used extensively to upgrade interactions and extend the utility of multiple functions. On the seller’s side, Kollectin offers a chatbot that essentially serves as a 24/7 assistant (that never calls in sick).

For example, if a buyer has a return, the chatbot will instruct them how to complete the return, rather than the seller having to manage the interaction. With all the data being collected by the app (which is kept private), the Ai chatbot also becomes a powerful sales and recommendation tool with its ability to pull selections that are very specific to a shopper’s preferences.

On the buyers’ side, the chatbot replicates a conversational tone, guiding the shopper through the entire customer journey. It will initiate the conversation with a question about what the customer is looking for. If they say something like “an outfit for a beach party with warm weather,” the chatbot will drill down to more specifics, asking about patterns and lengths. After a few more questions, the chatbot will generate six recommendations, including descriptions and images. If the shopper likes what she sees, a click will take them directly to check-out, not some affiliate link.

Kollectin
Photo Courtesy of Kollectin

“We’re the first to close the loop,” says Lee. “You have a conversation with the chatbot, see the images and discover the designs you like, then press and checkout all in one place, without going to another link.”

By bridging the gap between obstacles and opportunity with a powerful, tech-driven solution, Nadia Lee with her Kollectin.com app has found a way to shape the fashion industry with an innovation uniquely designed to empower the entrepreneurial spirit of women.

The post Ai-powered Online Fashion Hub Kollectin.com Is turning Mompreneurs and Other Aspiring Micro-business Owners into Digital Divas appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/success-stories-lifestyles/ai-powered-online-fashion-hub-kollectin-turning-mompreneurs-aspiring-micro-business-owners-digital-divas/

How to make money selling photos of yourself

Selling photos of yourself can be a great way to make extra money. With mobile phone cameras getting better and better every year, it is no surprise we take more photographs of ourselves than ever. In particular, ‘selfies’, which are self-portrait style photographs taken with a mobile phone, are the most popular mode of taking photographs.

As of January 2021, there were 53 million active social media accounts within the UK. This is equal to 77.9 per cent of the population having a social media account. There is no surprise, then, that Britons take their own picture a whopping 1.2 billion times a year in total.

We all take pictures of ourselves, whether it is to share them on social media or send to friends and family. But what if you could make money from the photos you take of yourself? It is entirely legal, and a legitimate way to make some extra cash.

 

Selling feet pictures

An interesting way to make money selling photos of yourself is by tapping into the niche market of feet pictures. While it may sound unconventional, there’s a significant demand for such content, and it doesn’t require any specialized skills.

FeetFinder is the premier platform for this unique venture. Designed to connect sellers with a targeted audience of buyers, FeetFinder offers a secure and anonymous environment for transactions. You can set your own prices and benefit from the platform’s growing user base, significantly increasing your earning potential. With its focus on safety and user experience, FeetFinder stands out as the best platform for monetizing feet photos.

 

Sell stock images

taking photos

Stock images are those which are supplied for specific uses and are often licenced. They are made available to those who pay a fee, which goes directly to the artist who produced the images. The host website, which displays the photos, will also take a small cut of the fee.

Most often, stock images are produced for editorial use, appearing in newspapers, magazines, online and even on the television. There are plenty of websites available for you to upload your photos onto in order to make some extra cash.

Shutterstock:

Perhaps one of the most well-known stock image providers, Shutterstock have paid out over $1 billion to their contributors in the past 15 years. As a shutter stock contributor, you will receive between 15 and 40 per cent of the total price Shutterstock receives when your content is downloaded by other users. Your commission is based on the number of downloads your photos receive.

iStock:

Owned by Getty Images, iStock is used by 1.5 million users in 200 countries globally. You can apply to be an iStock contributor in three easy steps. Once completed, you will be able to start earning commission.

Adobe Stock:

Adobe is a name known by millions of internet users. You earn 33% of all royalties for every photo you sell. The more photos you upload, the more earning potential you have on the website.

Here are a few more of the best stock image websites to consider:

 

Try your hand at modelling

BBC

Modelling is one of the most obvious ways to make money from photos of yourself. It may seem a silly idea, but you don’t have to look like Kate Moss to try modelling. In fact, many modelling agencies want to find people of all different shapes and sizes to model for them.

You may not have considered modelling previously, but you may be just what a certain company or agency are looking for. There are also a huge number of different types of modelling, from catalogue to advert modelling. There are also many agencies in search of hand and foot models, and even hair models!

We have previously written an article all about modelling and how you can get yourself scouted. Read it here.

 

Take some headshots

Broadcasting (NEC)

It may seem farfetched, but if you have ever fancied getting into acting, or becoming an extra for film and television, getting some headshots taken is the place to start.

A headshot is an actor’s brand and can help them market themselves in the entertainment industry. It is key to helping actors secure auditions. Plus, having a visual image of yourself can help others remember you for future work. Although you will not make money from the photo itself, it will help you make money down the line.

We understand acting may not be for everyone. But even if you don’t fancy the spotlight yourself, you can make money as an extra. Whilst filming, TV shows and movies are always on the lookout for people to help out. Plus, the pay can be pretty good for an easy and fun days’ work. Plus, it can be a great experience and a chance to meet new people!

Rates of pay vary across the UK, but there are three main agreements used in and around London when it comes to paying extras. It is always a good idea to check with the production team beforehand, but here are the three main pay agreements:

The FAA/PACT Agreement

The rate is £92.69 for a 9 hour work period including a meal break, between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

The BBC Equity Agreement 

£86.40 for a continuous 9 hour period, including up to 8 hours of work and a meal break of at least an hour. Or, a 7 hour continuous period without a meal break.

ITV Equity Agreement 

£79.89. Up to 10 hours, during which up to 8 hours of work may take place. Not required to give any individual characterisation or dialogue.

As mentioned, guidelines vary across the UK and between production companies, but it gives you a rough guideline. Plus, there are many opportunities to earn extra money on set, such as working night-time hours or bagging yourself a small amount of dialogue. Plus, if you have a special skill, such as horse riding, dancing or being able to drive, you may be paid more.

We have previously written a thorough and helpful guide all about how to become a film and TV extra. You can read it here.

 

Become a social media influencer

cellular telephone

It may seem like a long shot, but becoming an online influencer can make you plenty of money. An influencer is someone who has a certain level of influence online. They may have a large number of ‘followers’, people who subscribe to them, engage with their content or even look up to them.

Brands and companies use influencers to help them promote or advertise their products and services to their audiences. Some influencers may be paid a set fee for doing a post, whereas others may be paid commission for every sale made as a result of their promotion.

Although it may seem difficult to become an influencer, a new brand of ‘micro-influencers’ is on the rise. A micro-influencer is someone with 3,000 followers or more. This means you don’t have to have millions of followers to start earning money from photographs of yourself.

According to Tribe, micro-influencers can earn anywhere from £50 to £250 per sponsored post. A photograph of yourself holding a product or a short video discussing the benefits of a product could earn you a nice little income.

But how can you grow your social media influence? Pick a niche, start posting, and begin to engage with other accounts similar to your own. It is all about networking and creating new contacts online. Once you start to gain a small following, you can reach out to brands and companies and ask them about a working relationship. You will be surprised at how many brands are willing to work with smaller influencers, particularly small and local brands.

 

Tips to take good photos

taking photos

Of course, to make decent money it is imperative the photographs taken are of the best quality possible. Luckily, you do not have to be a professional photographer to begin selling your photos, and many mobile phone cameras take beautiful, high quality images.

There are also plenty of helpful guides and tips online to help you take beautiful photos on your phone. The School of Photography suggests a few ways to ensure you get the best photos possible via your smartphone. These tips include taking multiple shots, use good lighting, and natural lighting where possible, and using editing tools to help transform the photos your capture.

It is also a good idea to have a play around with the camera you are using, whether it be your mobile phone or a digital camera. This will help you understand how the camera works, any settings you can change and different modes to help you capture the perfect shot.

So, why not try your hand at photography and make money selling photos of yourself? You may be surprised at how much extra cash you can make!

 

Other useful articles:

 

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.

The post How to make money selling photos of yourself appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/how-to-make-money-selling-photos-of-yourself

B&M to buy 51 Wilko stores

B&M buy 51 Wilko stores 

Retail giant B&M has agreed to buy 51 stores from Wilko administrators – for a whopping £13 million. A previous bid from M2 Capital – who previously bought HMV stores – fell through last week, leaving many worried. It’s believed this deal – to buy up to 300 of the spaces – collapsed due to Wilko’s debts to suppliers. 

However, now retail park favourite B&M has announced they will be taking over more than 50 stores across the UK, with more details on opening dates to come alongside B&M’s half-year financial results this November. 

B&M currently runs a staggering 1,150 stores across the UK and in France, and the purchased Wilko stores are expected to rebrand as B&M.  

Currently, it is unknown what will happen to the remaining Wilko stores. HMV owner Doug Putman is still in talks to take over some stores, however there is an anxious wait for thousands of Wilko employees currently facing redundancy. When the firm announced administration back in August, it employed over 12,500 people. 

Just yesterday, almost 270 employees at the Wilko support centre lost their jobs in the company’s head offices. 

It is still unknown which Wilko stores have been bought by B&M, and the locations are being kept under wraps. There is also much discussion being had about the location of the current stores. Wilko stores tend to be in town and city centres – beneficial for those without cars. However, most B&M stores are just out of these locations, in retail parks. So, will B&M create a new, inner-city mode of retail for themselves? 

The sale of the 51 Wilko stores is believed to be enough to settle some of the current debt held by the business and will also be able to pay for staff wages and other business costs. 

Here at MoneyMagpie, we will keep you in the loop with all the latest updates on this huge deal. As the discount giant B&M takes over a small chunk of Wilko stores, will other competitors step forward to snap up these locations? 

The post B&M to buy 51 Wilko stores appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/bm-to-buy-51-wilko-stores

Meta may remove ads on Facebook and Instagram for subscribers in Europe

Meta is reportedly considering paid versions of Facebook and Instagram that would ban ads in Europe.

The cost of the subscription and potential rollout date has not yet been confirmed by the company.

However, Meta will continue to offer free versions of its apps which will still serve ads regardless, according to the New York Times.

Why we care. Depending on user adoption, this could significantly affect brand reach and campaign performance. While an ad-free subscription service is currently under consideration for Europe, it may extend to the US in the future. Advertisers should closely watch this development as they may need to consider reallocating their ad spend to other platforms accordingly.

Why now? A Meta subscription service has been suggested in response to the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which comes into effect on 1 January 2024.

Under the new regulations, more onus is being put on large platforms that have more than 45 million regional users, such as Google and Meta, to:

  • Create a safer digital space.
  • Establish a level playing field for businesses.

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What has Meta said? The company has not commented on launching paid-for versions of Facebook and Instagram. However, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted in 2018 when he appeared before the US Senate that such a product could be on the horizon. When asked if he would consider charging users for access to his apps to avoid ads, he said:

  • “There will always be a version of Facebook that is free.“

Then Meta COO, Sheryl Sandberg, added:

  • “We have different forms of opt-out. We don’t have an opt-out at the highest level. That would be a paid product.”

Deep dive. Read Meta’s statement on the DSA, issued by Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, for more information.

The post Meta may remove ads on Facebook and Instagram for subscribers in Europe appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/meta-remove-ads-facebook-instagram-paid-for-subscription-431564

Google adds URL Contains targeting functionality to Performance Max

Google has launched the URL Contains targeting functionality on Performance Max.

The feature, which is also available on Dynamic Search ads (DSA), enables you to manually specify which URL to show your PMax ads to.

Here’s a preview of how to access the new tool on the platform, as shared by Google Ads expert Thomas Eccel on LinkedIn:

Alphabet Inc.

Explaining why this new feature could be super useful for advertisers, Eccel told Search Engine Land:

  • “Since a Pmax campaign with the Final Url expansion turned on can basically re-direct users on every URL possible (for example, to your blogs, about us page etc), non-monetizable pages should be excluded.”
  • “Now, with this new URL rule, I can tell PMax to only redirect users to pages that include them. For example ‘/shop’. Or if I run the PMax campaign for just one product category, let’s say Nike shoes, I can just include ‘/shoes’, for instance .”

Why we care. This feature provides marketers with more control over how their ads are served as you manually get to choose which tokens to target in order to reach a more specific and relevant audience for your brand.

How it works. You can use this functionality to target pages with URLs that contain a certain piece of text – also known as a “token”. Within URLs, a token is a piece of text surrounded by a limiter like “/” or ‘-” – among others.

This feature cannot be used in conjunction with URLs like “electronicsexample.com/servicesmenu/” because the word “menu” appears after the targeted keyword “services”. However, this feature can work for URLs like “electronicsexample.com/services-menu/” because the keyword “services” is separated from the word “menu” with the “-“. Other URL separators include:

  • “:”
  • “/”
  • “?”
  • “+”
  • “&”

What has Google said? A Google told Search Engine Land:

  • “This is a new feature rolling out for Performance Max.”
  • “We are bringing the same URL Contains targeting functionality from Dynamic Search ads (DSA) into Performance Max to better support DSA use cases in PMax as part of the voluntary upgrade we announced in July.”
  • “This feature works exactly as it does in DSA today.”

Deep dive. Visit the Google Ads Help Center for more information on the URL Contains in DSA.

The post Google adds URL Contains targeting functionality to Performance Max appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-url-contains-targeting-functionality-performance-max-431572

Innovative Platform Helping Schools, PTOs & Groups Raise More Money & Organize Better

Home Business Magazine Online

By Ashley-Victoria Smith

Getting kids ready back to school can be a very frustrating task especially knowing the financial burden that it has on many families. Not only do parents have to shop for school supplies, they also have to take in consideration buying new clothes and keeping the pantry well stocked.

Within a few days after sending kids to school, they are bringing home even more paperwork in regards to upcoming field trips, extracurricular activities, sports teams, and school clubs that all require a signature and maybe even registration fees.

While many schools still rely on traditional fundraising such as car washes, popcorn and cookie sales, and school swag all to help raise funds for the clubs, sport teams and not to mention the PTO also trying to raise funds for the school, can become really overbearing.

One platform that was developed specifically to solve these problems and is used by the largest PTA organizations in the US, Girl Scouts of America, and the American Heart Association is Cheddar Up.

Cheddar Up was designed specifically to help schools & group organizers collect payments and forms online, for free. Its purpose-built platform has the features group organizers need, including robust tracking and reporting, fundraising and ecommerce add-ons, messaging, forms, waivers, sign ups, point of sale, year-over-year hand off and more.

“Like so many schools, we have a lot of different types of family situations to accommodate. We have parents who both work, parents who are busy entrepreneurs, parents who stay home with multiple children across a wide age range. Everyone has a different lifestyle.” says Andrea Fraser, PTA Board Member & After-School Enrichment Coordinator. “So the goal was to make paying easy…allowing them to pay on-the-go from their mobile phones. Cheddar Up’s ability for parents to just “click and pay” without having to create an account or download an app while providing a great mobile interface fit that bill!” Fraser explains.

Organizers can create a page for anything in minutes offering communities seamless online payments they can make from anywhere; no instructions, app or account necessary.

The beauty of Cheddar Up is that it extends beyond educational purposes and can be used for church & youth groups, HOAs, events & festivals, and even small businesses.

“I liked that the platform allowed me to create my own payment pages with tons of flexibility” Kelly Hartman, Founder at Boss Ladies Referral Crew says.

“The ability to collect information along with payment has also been a gamechanger, like collect members name, preferences, etc.” Hartman continues.

So whether you’re prepping for back to school with the kids or looking to establish a more user-friendly platform for your business, Cheddar Up promises to deliver.

The post Innovative Platform Helping Schools, PTOs & Groups Raise More Money & Organize Better appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/business-spotlights/innovative-platform-helping-schools-ptos-groups-raise-money-organize/

New Orleans – The Soft Ground Dilemma and the Need for Foundation Repair

Home Business Magazine Online

New Orleans, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and unique architecture, is a city that stands out in the American landscape. However, beneath its picturesque streets and historic homes lies a challenge that many homeowners face: the soft ground. This geological characteristic has made foundation repair a common necessity for many homes in the area, often soon after they are built.

The Soft Ground Issue

The ground beneath New Orleans is a complex mix of clay, silt, and organic matter, which has been deposited over thousands of years by the Mississippi River. This soft and compressible soil is prone to settling and shifting, especially when subjected to the weight of a building. As a result, many homes in the city experience foundation problems soon after construction.

Several factors contribute to this:

  • Water Content: The high water table in New Orleans means that the soil is often saturated. This can lead to soil expansion and contraction, which can destabilize foundations.
  • Organic Decay: The organic matter in the soil can decay over time, leading to soil compaction and settlement.
  • External Factors: Events like heavy rainfall, flooding, or nearby construction can exacerbate soil movement and increase the risk of foundation issues.

The Impact on Homes

Foundation settlement can manifest in various ways:

  • Cracks in walls or ceilings
  • Uneven or sloping floors
  • Doors and windows that stick or don’t close properly
  • Gaps between the walls and the floor or ceiling

These issues are not just cosmetic. If left unaddressed, they can lead to more severe structural problems, compromising the safety and value of the home.

The Solution: Foundation Repair and Academy House Leveling

Given the prevalence of foundation issues in New Orleans, homeowners need reliable solutions. This is where companies like Academy House Leveling come into play. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by the city’s soft ground, they offer specialized foundation repair services tailored to the needs of New Orleans homes.

One of the standout features of Academy House Leveling is their commitment to quality and longevity. They offer lifetime warranties on all foundation repair work, giving homeowners peace of mind that their investment is protected. This warranty is a testament to the company’s confidence in its workmanship and the durability of its repairs.

While the soft ground of New Orleans poses challenges for homeowners, solutions are available. With the expertise of companies like Academy House Leveling, residents can ensure the stability and longevity of their homes. A lifetime warranty is more than just a guarantee; it’s a promise of quality and a commitment to the safety and satisfaction of homeowners in this iconic city.

The post New Orleans – The Soft Ground Dilemma and the Need for Foundation Repair appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/home-improvement/new-orleans-soft-ground-dilemma-need-foundation-repair/

4 top affiliate search partners to consider: A breakdown

Q4 is looming, and many brands are strategizing how to optimize their budgets to get more traffic to their products when buyer intent soars. 

One humble suggestion from this longtime affiliate marketer: TM+ partners (also known as Trademark+ partners or affiliate search partners), who work with brands to bid on brand keywords to drive traffic to coupon or offer sites.

Despite what you may have heard, TM+ models are a no-risk model – the affiliate site pays for the click and gets paid by the brand when the ads lead to conversions. 

To keep the guidelines clearly delineated, brands should give their affiliate partners a list of keywords approved by the search teams, with any other keywords off-limits to the TM+ partner to ensure both parties aren’t bidding against each other. 

I work with a ton of affiliate search partners, but if you’re just getting your feet wet in this initiative, you should start with a short list of targets who can help you get traction. 

This article covers four major partners – why I recommend them, their unique strengths, and when they might not make sense for your brand.

1. PromoCodesForYou

Brands that give PromoCodesForYou (PCFY) bidding rights to a keyword set have more of a chance to get picked up for organic inclusion in the portfolio of sites in Dotdash Meredith, PCFY’s parent company. 

The portfolio is broad and includes publications like:

  • People
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Allrecipes
  • Food & Wine
  • EatingWell
  • InStyle
  • Shape
  • Better Homes & Gardens

Brands looking for added exposure to complement direct-response coupon campaigns have a potential gold mine with a PCFY partnership.

The flip side is that PCFY won’t work with just any brand (specifically, small, lesser-known ones aren’t going to be a fit here). 

Their sweet spot is well-known brands, and their vetting process includes search volume (pulled from Google Ads) with aggressive volume minimums. 

That said, if search volume is low but the brand offers a relatively high average order value, PCFY may be willing to run a test to see if the partnership has some sparks.

2. Offers.com

A relatively close second, Offers.com is a Ziff Davis company with the potential of added organic exposure on its portfolio of sites, which include:

  • Mashable
  • AskMen
  • PCMag
  • Everyday Health
  • BlackFriday.com
  • BestBlackFriday.com
  • TheBlackFriday.com

(The latter three are obviously great and relevant platforms for the holidays, getting over 60 million global sessions during the holiday season). 

Offers.com isn’t as particular as PCFY about partnerships, so it could be an ideal starting point for small brands looking to build on their momentum. 

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3. Slickdeals 

This is the deal site that’s most frequently leveraged for clients who have a need for inventory liquidation. 

With 69 million unique monthly visitors and a big consumer footprint during the holidays, Slickdeals is great for pushing heavily discounted products.

Working with the site as a TM+ partner means you’ll likely get comped on individual deal submissions, which you usually have to pay for.

Slickdeals is an ideal partner for brands with seasonal catalogs, which usually means there are inventory remnants to clear out for the next season’s line. 

It’s not solely for low-priced or mid-priced products. I’ve seen a discounted watch that retailed for $6,000 sell out in a matter of minutes, and some of our high-end clients have seasonal products that have found a great audience on Slickdeals. 

But if you’re a brand that’s careful about buying in reasonable quantities and have a limited and/or stable collection of products, you can skip this one and research other partners. 

4. CouponCause

CouponCause is different. Its main selling point is a give-back component that encourages consumers to donate their savings to any of a group of partner nonprofits. 

It’s a great partner for calendar events like Giving Tuesday, and it’s a natural fit for socially conscious brands who have built a name around doing good.

CouponCause is much more flexible with brand partners, so SMBs and startup brands looking to get awareness or increase sales velocity often start here. 

Getting started

If you don’t have relationships with any of these partners, you can go through an affiliate agency (using a recommended vetting process) or dig up a list of contacts at the partner and do the outreach yourself. 

Remember that these are partnerships, so you’ll need to create a compelling case for why the platform will benefit from bidding on your brand and product terms. 

It bears repeating that when you do get traction, it’s a good idea to make sure your search team is in the loop since they may have reservations or caveats for the partner to address (as well as keywords they want to protect).

Managed well, TM+ partnerships are an added source of low-risk revenue and exposure that can help you maximize purchase intent in the coming months. 

Even if you’re not sure you can act in time to catch the Q4 wave, start doing the legwork now – good deals are always in season.

The post 4 top affiliate search partners to consider: A breakdown appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/top-affiliate-search-partners-breakdown-431502

9 disturbing ways to make money

Not too fussed about whether your cash comes crisp and clean, or slightly dingy and disturbing?

Then your best bet for making a quick buck might be investigating those jobs that the majority of people are not brave enough to do.

Of course, we aren’t talking about illegal or immoral things – just unconventional ways to make money.

Here’s a list of our favourites!

 

1. Selling feet pictures

Making money by selling feet pictures has become an increasingly popular and profitable venture.

This unique market offers a way to generate income without the need for specialised skills or a large investment. For those interested in tapping into this niche, FeetFinder is the ideal platform to get started.

It provides a specialised marketplace that connects sellers directly with buyers who are specifically looking for feet-related content. The platform’s focus on safety and anonymity ensures that all transactions are secure and confidential. With the ability to set your own prices and a growing, targeted user base, FeetFinder elevates the earning potential, making it the go-to platform for this unconventional yet lucrative business.

 

2. Roadkill cleaners

Dead hedgehog at side of road

There are few things you can count on when embarking on a motorway journey, but two are certain. The traffic will be terrible, and you will have to do some serious swerving to avoid roadkill.

Yes, roadkill is a real problem and animal collisions happen far more often that we would like to admit. The reason that they’re not more noticeable is because it’s someone’s job to clear up the carcasses.

Roadkill collectors find, remove and dispose of the motorway’s unlucky victims and provide a service to the more squeamish among us. Namely, dealing with the tragedies of dead badgers, deer and even dogs.

While roadkill collectors in the UK are unlikely to find a moose or a bison on the side of the road as in the US, they do have to enjoy driving as they spend the majority of their days combing roads for collisions.

While some cleaners are paid per hour they work, others are paid per animal removed.

In Farnham, 2016, the role of a roadkill cleaner was advertised at £7 an hour (it would obviously pay more now), with the proviso that the successful applicant would be able to work in all weather conditions and have a strong stomach.

Look on the bright side: at least you won’t be competing with many people for the job!

 

3. Google Sensitive content checker

Shocked/Upset young woman looking at something on a laptop

The internet is a minefield and no one knows that better than a Google Sensitive content checker. They spend their working hours trawling through disturbing YouTube videos and blocking the worst from being seen on social media.

Responding to complaints about disturbing content ranging from pornography to extreme violence, content checkers are tasked with removing the material within 24 hours and reporting it to government authorities.

Writing on Buzzfeed.com, one former content checker revealed that he was reviewing over 15,000 images a day from Google platforms including Google Images.

Working at Google for over nine months without any kind of psychological or emotional support, this anonymous techie asserts that he needed to search out serious therapy before he could continue. Even then, Google made him redundant.

This highlighted the need for proper mental health and technical support for those doing such jobs.

It might be worth remembering that your mental well-being is priceless before considering this kind of dirty work.

 

4. Selling your body

Woman cutting her ponytail off

Having read the above heading, you may be wondering how much you could get for a kidney or a lung. I’m sorry to break it to you, but that kind of thing is not only disturbing, but illegal and also seriously dangerous!

This doesn’t mean you can’t make money selling your body! Here are a few totally legal and potentially lucrative body shop ideas:

Companies such as HairHarvest will pay up to £200 for your flowing locks. WigsUK pay by the ounce, offering between £3-£5 depending on how long your hair is.

It sounds slightly strange, but in 2012 mothers were selling their breast milk at £1 an ounce on Facebook!

Don’t mind a needle? Then trials4us offers £60 per 600 ml of blood (or pay at a proportionate rate). They even cover travel expenses!

Clinics around the UK will also offer money in return for sperm and egg donations and in some places, it also pays well to be a surrogate mother.

While the money might seem nice at first, remember that such work could have potentially life changing consequences so don’t make the decision lightly. Read on here to find out more.

 

5. Clinical trials

Docotor giving young woman medication

Don’t mind going further than a little haircut for some money? Then look into clinical trials and you can get paid £100 per day for your trouble!

One of the most difficult parts of the process is finding a clinical trial to take part in. What you can do is ask your doctor or a patient organisation if they know of any clinical trials that you may be eligible to join. You can also sign up to some websites such as:

  • UK Clinical Trials Gateway
  • WHO International Clinical Trials
  • Cancer Research UK
  • Multiple Sclerosis Society
  • Parkinson’s UK
  • Arthritis Research UK

Clinical trials are open to those lucky enough to be in full health, and those suffering from a particular disease.

They can actually be a great way to contribute to medical research, and if you take part in one that addresses your particular condition, you could also benefit from a cutting edge new treatment. It doesn’t always have to be disturbing!

However, there is the risk that the treatment can be no different to the standard treatment you normally receive.

It’s also important to remember that clinical trials may be very time consuming. They may also require you to restrict certain aspects of your lifestyle such as alcohol consumption.

While a 13-day trial may translate into £1,300 in total, it may also mean you have to put your day job on hold.

There is also the risk that the drugs used in a clinical trial will have unexpected side effects, so it is important that you are sure of what the compensation mechanisms are if something does go wrong.

Want to find out more? Click here for NHS advice on clinical trials and here for more details from MoneyMagpie.

 

6. Headstone cleaning

Woman cleaning gravestone

Don’t mind spending time getting to know some ghosts?

Well, headstone cleaning could be for you. As well as being a unique way to make money, it will give you the chance to help grieving families sustain memories of loved ones.

Although cemeteries do a great job of maintaining their sites, headstone cleaners are still needed because they don’t have time to give every grave the attention it needs.

Headstones are made from a variety of materials which all require different cleaning methods.

Limestone, granite and marble are commonly used but older ones made from sandstone may stump you.

Do a little research, however, and you’ll find that there are lots of specialist tools and detergents available to you.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can also always expand your service to include flower planting and placement, watering, repainting and basic landscaping.

You could charge per hour or offer a package with tri-annual upkeep visits.

At The Headstone Cleaning Company, for example, prices for a full professional clean start at £80.00, and their annual care starts at £55.00.

It might not be as disturbing a job as you think!

 

7. Dog food tester

Bowl of dog biscuits

Ever wondered what dog food actually tastes like?

Okay, you probably haven’t – that would be quite disturbing. Would you think otherwise, though, if I told you you could get paid for it?

Sitting in the comfort of your own home, you would have to open a few tins of dog food a day, smell them and sample them.

As quoted in The Guardian, Phillip Wells, the chief taster for Lily’s Kitchen pet food, said: “Although dogs’ palates are different to ours, taste is an important quality check to ensure each different ingredient is perfectly balanced in just the right way.”

He added: “Trying the food is also a good way to pick up on the nuances of the cooking; this works especially well on the dry kibbles!”

Wells revealed that £20,000 was an average starting salary for an entry level job in his department in 2015, but that £50,000 or more was “easily achievable” for a technical director. Obviously salaries will have risen considerably since then.

While you might turn your nose up at your plate if you were offered dog food for dinner, the Animal Feed Regulations 2010 says that the meat is safe for people to eat. It must be derived from animals passed as fit for human consumption.

You never know, you might find out you like it!

 

8. Dog poop cleaner

Woman picking up dog mess

“Struggling to find time to clean your garden? Feeling the strain of an injury/health issue? Or maybe you’re just tired of the constant family arguments about whose turn it is, whose pet it is, etc?”

So opens PAWServices page on professional poo scooping.

Offering weekly, fortnightly or monthly deals, this canine-loving company will clean up your garden. They will also sanitise and deodorise the area where pets have been making a mess.

If you love dogs and you like getting down and dirty with nature, then this could be the job for you.

Dog poop is a breeding ground for nasty diseases such as Salmonellosis, and is also a nightmare to clean off the carpet. It is one of those services that will never go out of business.

As reported by the Express in 2014, you can make a killing cleaning up after other people’s pets – Tim Stone, 54, managed to earn an incredible £56,000 a year by charging £28 per month for four visits!

 

9. Make money mourning

Funding a funeral: understanding the costs

Funerals are horrible affairs in many ways, but they do provide one of the most disturbing ways to make money. You can get paid to show up as a professional mourner.

This might sound weird, but professional mourners – or moirologists to give them their official title – have been in practice for well over 2,000 years.

Sometimes people die without many family members or friends left. In this case, people will pay you to come along as a respectful way of ‘making up the numbers’.

It’s a job that’s not for everyone, you’ll be around people at their lowest moments.

Find out more about making money mourning here. 

Any other ideas about how to make money in a strange or disturbing way? Let us know in the comments section below!

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.

The post 9 disturbing ways to make money appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/7-disturbing-ways-to-make-money