datadrivenconsumer

[datadrivenconsumer]

What it Takes to Become a Six-Figure Freelance Writer

Many people dream about making a full-time living as a freelance writer. While it's definitely possible to earn a six-figure income from writing, it isn't easy nor doable for everyone. First, you need the aptitude to be a great writer who knows how to connect with their audience. Furthermore, you must be able to write a tremendous amount of high-quality content in a year to be able to support yourself from your writing  - let alone earn six figures! However, if you are serious about the idea, here is a roadmap that can get you started on your path to becoming a six-figure freelance writer (but it’s not a guarantee that you will make it). 

https://vocal.media/journal/what-it-takes-to-become-a-six-figure-freelance-writer

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Why Diversity Makes Dollars and Sense for Businesses Big and Small

A study from Gallup found that when businesses embrace diversity, they have higher profits than those that are more monolithic. Furthermore, the study found that companies with a more inclusive workforce had higher levels of employee satisfaction and less employee turnover. Therefore, fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce makes good financial sense for businesses both big and small.   

https://vocal.media/journal/why-diversity-makes-dollars-and-sense-for-businesses-big-and-small

[datadrivenconsumer]

Sales Cure All: The Solution to Three Common Reasons New Businesses Fail

As a freelance writer who has written extensively about the topic of entrepreneurship, I am sad to report that most small business dreams are, well, just that - dreams. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-in-five new businesses fail within the first year of operation. Furthermore, nearly half of all new businesses fail within the first five years.

Unfortunately, that means if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, the odds are stacked against you. However, the data doesn’t necessarily tell the entire story about why new businesses really succumb to such a high rate of failure. Based on my experience from researching and writing about entrepreneurship, the three biggest problems that can sink a new business are having too much capital tied up in inventory, inadequate cash flow that doesn’t cover expenses, and/or taking on too much debt to fund business operations.

So, what’s the cure to these entrepreneurial headaches? Sales, profitable sales, to be more exact!

https://vocal.media/journal/sales-cure-all-the-solution-to-three-common-reasons-new-businesses-fail

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10 Great Business Quotes to Inspire Entrepreneurs

Becoming an entrepreneur will be the hardest job that you ever take in your life! There will be countless times when you will feel like giving up. You might even fail, as most entrepreneurs do - especially their first time starting a business. However, the key to entrepreneurial success is to stay motivated and positive. Here are some of the best business quotes from some of the greatest leaders in history that can help inspire and motivate you to succeed.

https://vocal.media/journal/10-great-business-quotes-to-inspire-entrepreneurs

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Why I’m Tired of Personal Finance “Experts” Offering Oversimplified Advice

A lot of personal finance "experts" (and self-promoters) like Dave Ramsey likely love just one thing more than giving advice to consumers, making lots of money from giving advice to consumers. Now, before you think that I'm being a bit unfair by picking on poor Mr. Ramsey, I want you to understand that I'm not opposed to those who are subject-matter experts offering valuable advice to others - and even (gasp) getting paid for their advice. For example, I got my start as a freelance writer by writing personal finance articles for bloggers, brand owners, and internet marketers. Some of my articles were published on Yahoo Finance, MoneyWise, and Healthy Living.

However, what folks like Dave Ramsey often get wrong is that they oversimplify their advice - and then blame struggling consumers when their advice doesn't improve their money problems. As someone who has written extensively about consumer finance topics, I can tell you that the subject of personal finance is far more complicated than many make it out to be.

https://vocal.media/trader/why-i-m-tired-of-personal-finance-experts-offering-oversimplified-advice

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10 Great Shark Tank Quotes That Inspire Me as a Writer and Entrepreneur

I have been a huge fan of the hit ABC show Shark Tank for the last several years.

One of my favorite things about watching Shark Tank is all of the incredible entrepreneurial advice that I have learned over the years from the "sharks." Their advice has not only inspired me to become a better writer, it has also made me see my freelance writing career as a business - and helped me grow that business into new opportunities. In the past, I didn't always think of myself as an entrepreneur. Mainly because I don't create products or buy inventory to sell to customers. However, when I think of my content like a digital product and my audience like customers, then I can see my "writing business" as a business.

Here are my 10 favorite Shark Tank quotes that were so good I wrote them down for a little entrepreneurial inspiration!

https://vocal.media/journal/10-great-shark-tank-quotes-that-inspire-me-as-a-writer-and-entrepreneur

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6 Smart Money Ways to Use Your Stimulus Check

Unless you are privileged enough to be in Dave Ramsey's income tax bracket, there's a good chance that you can find a wise use for your stimulus check(s) - especially when it comes to improving your personal finances. Since I have a lot of experience researching and writing about personal finance topics, I decided to compile a list of the best smart money moves that consumers could make with the latest round of economic impact payments. 

https://vocal.media/trader/6-smart-money-ways-to-use-your-stimulus-check

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Walk this Way to a Better, More Organized Life

G.M. Trevelyan said, “After a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value.”

However, many people would probably be surprised to learn that something as simple as taking a walk could be such a valuable experience - especially when it comes to helping them better organize their life and becoming more productive. Although, if you think about why so many people feel like they live in chaos, it’s often because they fail to give themselves the opportunity to take a break, clear their mind of clutter, and then properly plan out everything that they need to do in the most organized, efficient way. Going for a walk gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that - especially when you have a lot on your mind to think about.

Here are the ways that walking every day can help you enjoy a better, more organized life.

https://vocal.media/motivation/walk-this-way-to-a-better-more-organized-life

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Retire in Your 30s: What it Takes to Be a Young Self-Made Millionaire

The purpose of this article is to explain how someone in their 20s can make dramatic, life-changing financial decisions that might allow them to retire early - even by their 30s. However, before you get excited about the prospect of retiring two-to-three decades before your peers, there are some important financial requirements that you will need to achieve early retirement. For example, you will likely need to earn at least $100,000 a year - while living like someone who earns less than $30,000 a year. That's because you will need to accumulate at least one million dollars before you can even think about retiring at such an early age. In short, if you are still in your 20s and willing to live the most frugal life imaginable while investing the vast majority of your income, then you might be able to retire in your 30s by following these important steps. 

https://vocal.media/trader/retire-in-your-30s-what-it-takes-to-be-a-young-self-made-millionaire

[datadrivenconsumer]

Living a Life of Abundance

Living an abundant life might seem out of reach for a lot of people. However, the reality is that almost everyone has what it takes to live a life of abundance. It’s more an attitude of developing the right mindset, attitude, and perspective that will help them realize and appreciate everything that they have. 

https://vocal.media/motivation/living-a-life-of-abundance

[datadrivenconsumer]

Securing Enterprise Networks from Cybersecurity Threats

Enterprises both large and small face network security threats. These threats can come from malicious external actors - like hackers and data thieves - as well as from internal sources (like a disgruntled employee). Therefore, you must take a proactive approach to securing your enterprise network from all conceivable cybersecurity threats. 

https://vocal.media/01/securing-enterprise-networks-from-cybersecurity-threats

[datadrivenconsumer]

5 Tips for Taking Good Care of Your Health

Taking good care of your health is essential if you want to live a longer and better life. Neglecting your health and wellness will not only make you unhealthier, but it will lead to a lower quality of life as well. Furthermore, you won’t (likely) live as long as you could by taking care of your health. Here are some helpful tips to promote healthy living. 

https://vocal.media/longevity/5-tips-for-taking-good-care-of-your-health

[datadrivenconsumer]

4 Key Metrics to Measuring User Engagement

If you truly want to measure user engagement, then you have to dive deeper than just counting the number of visitors, likes, and comments you get on your blog or website. Unfortunately, that’s as far as many bloggers and webmasters get - which means they are missing out on valuable insights about their traffic. The purpose of measuring user engagement is to help you better understand how your audience is responding to your content to help you generate quality leads and maximize conversions. 

https://vocal.media/lifehack/4-key-metrics-to-measuring-user-engagement

[datadrivenconsumer]

5 Rules for a Happier Life

How do you find happiness? Some people spend their entire life trying to find the answer to that question. Furthermore, many people attempt to buy happiness with expensive possessions, as well as by seeking out elusive things. However, money can’t buy true happiness. Instead, being happy comes from within you - regardless of how great or little your wealth is. In short, here are the five rules to a happier life. 

https://vocal.media/motivation/5-rules-for-a-happier-life

[datadrivenconsumer]

4 Ways to Establish Your Brand as an Authority in Your Niche

Brand authority represents the amount of trust and respect you have earned from your target market, as well as the degree to which you are viewed as a subject matter expert in your niche. While there are several factors that can influence authority, the most critical aspect is your ability to provide your target audience with information that they find relevant, valuable, and trustworthy. Here are four important ways to establish brand authority. 

https://vocal.media/journal/4-ways-to-establish-your-brand-as-an-authority-in-your-niche

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Social Marketing: Connecting Your Brand to a Social Cause

As more businesses leaders recognize the importance of creating value for their community, they are connecting their brand to social causes that are near and dear to their target market - also known as social marketing. For example, businesses are partnering with nonprofits to raise awareness and money for initiatives related to climate change, hunger, literacy, health, and economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities. However, supporting a social cause is about more than getting good PR for your business. It’s about aligning your brand’s mission with an important social cause that enables your stakeholders to make a real difference in the world.   

https://vocal.media/journal/social-marketing-connecting-your-brand-to-a-social-cause

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4 Downsides of Income-Based Repayment Plans

As tens of millions of Americans hold a record amount of student loans, many seek ways to ease the burden of repaying their debt. That's why income-based repayment plans have become a popular way for millions of borrowers to repay their loans. Unfortunately, these flexible repayment plans don't always put borrowers in better financial shape. In short, here are four big downsides to income-based student loan repayment plans. 

https://vocal.media/education/4-downsides-of-income-based-repayment-plans