#e commerce ideas to make money

[onlinemoneycash-blog]

Unlocking the Power of Unique Ways to Make Money at Home.

In today's fast-paced and dynamic world, the idea of finding unique ways to make money at home has gained immense popularity. Whether you're seeking financial independence, a side hustle to supplement your income, or the convenience of working from your own space, there are countless opportunities to unlock the power of unique ways to make money at home. In this article, we'll explore 10 distinct avenues for doing just that.

1. Embracing the Gig Economy: The gig economy is booming, and it offers an array of unique ways to make money at home. Platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash allow you to use your vehicle for ridesharing or food delivery. These services have provided income-generating options for many people worldwide. Unveiling the power of unique ways to make money at home begins with exploring these gig opportunities.

2. Craft Your Etsy Empire: Etsy is a haven for creative individuals looking to monetize their crafting and artistic skills. If you have a knack for handmade jewelry, home decor, or vintage items, opening an Etsy store can be a unique way to make money at home. With the right products and marketing strategy, you can unleash the power of Etsy to build a thriving online business.

3. Virtual Garage Sale: Unearth hidden treasures from your wardrobe, garage, or attic, and transform those forgotten items into a stream of revenue.. Platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace make it easy to list items for sale. Harness the power of online marketplaces to declutter your space and pad your wallet.

4. Write Your Way to Success:

If words flow effortlessly from your pen, exploring the realm of freelance writing might be your path to financial success. An insatiable appetite for high-quality content in the business world and on the web opens doors to a flexible and fulfilling home-based income stream through freelance writing.

5. Online Tutoring: Becoming an online tutor is a powerful method to earn income while sharing your knowledge. Whether you excel in mathematics, science, or a foreign language, various platforms connect students with tutors, providing you with an opportunity to leverage your expertise.

6. Remote Customer Service: In the evolving landscape of modern business, a growing number of companies are embracing the concept of enlisting remote customer service ambassadors.. By providing assistance from your home office, you can explore the power of unique ways to make money at home while assisting customers and clients.

7. Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing is a thriving industry, allowing individuals to promote products and services from other companies. Create a niche website or blog, and as you review and promote products relevant to your audience, you can earn commissions. Leveraging the power of affiliate marketing can transform your online presence into a lucrative income source.

8. Real Estate Investment: Real estate investment can be a unique way to make money at home without leaving your front door. Consider investing in a rental property or participating in real estate crowdfunding platforms. With a well-crafted approach, you have the potential to cultivate income streams that flow effortlessly and require minimal active involvement.

9. Offer Your Expertise: If you're an expert in a particular field, consider offering online courses or consulting services. Many people are willing to pay for valuable insights and knowledge, making this a potent way to make money from home.

10. Turn Your Hobbies into Profits: Do you have a hobby you're passionate about? Whether it's gardening, photography, or playing a musical instrument, explore the power of monetizing your hobby. Create online courses, sell your photos, or offer online lessons to enthusiasts.

In conclusion, the power of unique ways to make money at home is undeniable. From driving for ride-sharing services to selling your crafts on Etsy, there are diverse opportunities for those willing to explore the possibilities. Whether you are looking to earn a side income or fully transition into a home-based career, these unique methods can help you unlock the power of working from the comfort of your own space. By exploring these ten distinct avenues, you can unveil the full potential of unique ways to make money at home and embark on a journey toward financial independence. Don't wait—begin your journey today and experience the freedom of working on your own terms.

[newsnowwdotcom]

Unlocking Honest Side Hustle Income: Balancing Student Life and Financial Success.

Unlocking Honest Side Hustle Income: Balancing Student Life and Financial Success. Discover the Secrets to Generating Extra Income Ethically as a Student. Being a student regularly approach dwelling on a tight finances, with constrained financial resources to cowl fees and revel in a few entertainment activities. However, with the arrival of the virtual age and the rise of the gig financial…

[thomasrayan12]

Explore Inspirational Motivational Startup Stories to Drive Your Ambition

Starting a business from scratch requires grit, determination, and a willingness to face challenges head-on. Many successful entrepreneurs have gone through difficult times before achieving their goals. By exploring motivational startup stories, aspiring business owners can gain insights and inspiration for their own ventures. Whether you’re looking for e-commerce ideas to make money or simply seeking motivation for your entrepreneurial journey, these stories of resilience and innovation will help drive your ambition.

The Rise of Amazon: From Online Bookseller to E-Commerce Giant

One of the most inspirational startup stories is that of Amazon. Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 as an online bookstore, Amazon began with the simple idea of selling books online. However, Bezos had a broader vision—he wanted to create the world’s largest online marketplace.

In its early years, Amazon faced several financial struggles and skepticism from investors. Despite these challenges, Bezos focused on long-term growth, reinvesting profits into expanding the business. Today, Amazon is a global e-commerce giant that sells everything from books to electronics, apparel, and groceries. The key takeaway from Amazon’s journey is the importance of having a clear vision and staying committed to your goals despite setbacks.

Amazon’s success also serves as a reminder for aspiring entrepreneurs to explore e-commerce ideas to make money by identifying untapped opportunities in online retail.

Airbnb: Turning a Simple Idea into a Global Hospitality Leader

Airbnb’s story is another remarkable example of how an idea can evolve into a successful global business. Founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia started Airbnb in 2008 by renting out air mattresses in their apartment to make extra money. The concept was simple—helping people find affordable lodging while traveling.

However, Chesky and Gebbia faced initial skepticism from both investors and customers. They struggled to gain traction, and their business idea was dismissed by many as impractical. But through persistence, creativity, and the use of an innovative platform, Airbnb expanded into one of the world’s largest hospitality companies, offering millions of listings in more than 220 countries.

The story of Airbnb is a powerful example of how solving a real-world problem with a unique approach can lead to tremendous success. For those looking to start their own venture, it highlights the importance of perseverance and being willing to adapt your business model when necessary.

Glossier: Building a Beauty Empire Through Customer Engagement

Emily Weiss, the founder of Glossier, built her beauty brand by focusing on customer engagement and creating a strong sense of community. Glossier started as a blog called Into The Gloss, where Weiss shared beauty tips and insights. By engaging with her audience, Weiss realized there was a gap in the market for beauty products designed with customer input in mind.

In 2014, she launched Glossier, offering a line of skincare and makeup products that catered to the needs of her audience. Glossier’s business model emphasized direct-to-consumer sales, relying heavily on social media and online marketing. Weiss prioritized customer feedback and created products that resonated with her audience, leading to rapid growth and brand loyalty.

Glossier’s journey highlights how deep customer engagement and understanding market needs can drive success. It also showcases the potential for e-commerce ideas to make money in niche markets by focusing on community building and direct-to-consumer strategies.

Warby Parker: Disrupting the Eyewear Industry with an Innovative Model

Warby Parker was founded in 2010 by four friends—Neil Blumenthal, Andrew Hunt, David Gilboa, and Jeffrey Raider—who wanted to make stylish eyewear affordable. At the time, the eyewear market was dominated by a few players, with high prices that left many customers frustrated. The founders saw an opportunity to disrupt the industry by offering affordable, high-quality glasses through a direct-to-consumer model.

By cutting out middlemen and selling directly to consumers online, Warby Parker could offer stylish glasses at a fraction of the cost. The company also introduced a home try-on program, allowing customers to test out glasses before making a purchase. This innovative approach not only saved customers money but also provided a convenient and personalized shopping experience.

Warby Parker’s journey from startup to a billion-dollar company is a testament to how innovation and customer-focused business models can disrupt traditional industries. Entrepreneurs can learn from their success and apply similar strategies to their own ventures, especially when exploring e-commerce ideas to make money in underserved markets.

Tesla: Revolutionizing the Auto Industry with Electric Cars

Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, is a startup story that highlights the power of visionary leadership and long-term thinking. Tesla was founded in 2003 with the mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy through electric vehicles. At the time, the idea of mass-producing electric cars was met with skepticism, and Tesla faced numerous challenges, including production delays and financial difficulties.

Despite these hurdles, Musk remained committed to Tesla’s vision. By continually pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation, Tesla introduced electric vehicles that rivaled traditional gasoline-powered cars in both performance and design. Tesla’s ability to scale production and create a brand synonymous with cutting-edge technology and sustainability has made it one of the most valuable automakers in the world.

Tesla’s success is a reminder that ambitious goals and a willingness to take risks can lead to groundbreaking achievements. For entrepreneurs, Tesla’s journey demonstrates the importance of staying focused on your mission, even when faced with obstacles.

Conclusion

These motivational startup stories—Amazon, Airbnb, Glossier, Warby Parker, and Tesla—offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. They show that success often comes from solving real-world problems, staying committed to your vision, and embracing innovation. Whether you’re in the early stages of brainstorming e-commerce ideas to make money or already building a business, these stories provide the inspiration and guidance needed to drive your ambition and achieve your goals.

[ismailfazil1-blog]

60 Digital Moneymakers | Launch Your Digital Product & Building a Lucrative |

Build your digital empire! "60 Digital Moneymakers" reveals proven strategies for selling online courses, printables & more. Learn to scale, automate & achieve financial freedom. Your work-from-home guide to success!

[digitalmoney4you]

Are you considering starting an e-commerce business in 2023? With the rapid growth of e-commerce, there are countless opportunities to turn your passion into a profitable venture. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right e-commerce business idea to pursue.

[helloitstsyu]

you get to wear a mask | Tom Cruise [fluff]

my masterlist

Summary : As a celebrity, it's nearly impossible to go and to do normal life activities in public. So, as his girlfriend, you offer Tom a solution.

Pairing : Tom Cruise x female!businesswoman!reader

A/N : it's my first fluff y'all🥹, i hope you like it as much i love writing it. this makes me giggle so much as i imagine it. I wanna know what you think abt this one, talk to me, babes!

WC : 3157

"Babe! I'm gonna go run some errands, do you want something specifically?" You shout as you gather your things before you head out the door.

Tom walks downstairs. He just had finished making a phone call with none other than his creative partner, Christopher McQuarrie. Ever since he landed in Los Angeles this morning, he's been occupied with work phone calls.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

Lifting your head up you see your boyfriend walking towards you, he leans against the doorway of your kitchen and put his hands inside his trousers pocket.

"Grocery, we literally have nothing in here,"

You're a thriving businesswoman. A CEO of an e-commerce fashion startup. You constantly hopping between big cities for work, New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris, that's why you decided you expand your assets and buying apartments in each city so that you don't waste your money for expensive hotel expenses. Hence, why you don't have anything in your LA home since you haven't lived here for the past few months.

Tom pouts, "I just finished my calls, and now you wanna leave me,"

You and Tom have somewhat of a long distance relationship. With him caught up and busy filming and you running your business. It took extra effort to spend time together with your man. Though, two of you are keeping one important rule, never spend apart for 2 weeks. And for so long you've been living to that.

You smile as Tom gives you puppy dog eyes. "Why? You wanna come with me?" You smirk.

Tom smiles, "If it means i get to spend more time with you, yes," Tom steps forward and pulling you closer by your hips, "But, you know... i don't think whole food is Tom Cruise friendly,"

You chuckle as Tom place a sweet kiss on your cheek, "i missed you so much, baby,"

Suddenly, the brightest ideas come to your mind.

"I have an idea..." You smile and wiggle your brows.

Tom crook his head as he sees that mischievous grin on your face. For as he thought, you might be plotting something that beyonds the world's expectations.

"This is not what i had in mind when you said you have an idea," Tom protests as you sit down in front of him. You turn your makeup bag upside down, and all of your makeup products rain to the floor.

"You get to wear a mask, Ethan, you love when you got to wear a mask, don't you,"

Tom sighs "Never i thought someone would use that line to turn against me,"

"Tommy, you love when i throws you movies references at you,"

Tom chuckles and shakes his head. You take your phone and turn on the camera. You start recording and put your phone on the coffee table, rest it to a coffee mug so it stands still perfectly.

"What are you doing? Why are you taping this?" Tom asks.

"So we can have memory to look back to," You said as you prop the camera.

"Nonono, NO! you're not recording this," Tom reaches to your phone.

"Thomas!" You slap his and before it can reach your phone.

Witnessing the look you have on your face and the shift in your tone, Tom feels like he just seen your inner mother gothel. He sighs and just gives in.

"You're not gonna post that, though,"

"Of course i won't! It'll be our sweet secret memory, yep?" You smile at him, and Tom only smiles back sarcastically.

"Oh, come on, Thomas! It's not like you haven't got your makeup done for carpets or films anyway,"

You take a few pumps of your foundation to the back of your hand. Dotting the product on several spots of his face, then you start spreading it evenly using your brush.

"Yeah? Well, my makeup artist doesn't have that devilish-mischievous grin on their faces,"

"Baby... i need you to trust me," you said seriously.

Tom grunts and stops protesting.

"This is definitely the wrong shade... you're much tanner than me,"

"Oh, great," He rolls his eyes.

You chuckle, "How do you usually have your makeup on?" You ask.

Taking your fenty cream contour, you swipe them on the back of your hand and mix it with the foundation to create darker shade. Et Voila, the perfect match to his skin.

"Just- what do you call it? concealer?... maybe a little foundation if needed, like if i haven't gotten enough sleep,"

"Yeah? You never have like a full face of makeup? Character makeup?" You ask again as you still apply foundation all over his skin.

"Um... not really, maybe for vanilla sky,"

"Oh yeah! i remember that... that was a scary face though, tell me bout it,"

Tom starts to tell the story about the David Aames makeup he had on Vanila Sky. Well, as you thought, work does stop him from protesting and whining like an annoyed little boy.

You giggle after finishing spreading the foundation and concealer evenly all over his face. His skin looks so good, better than yours even. He has such perfect, well taken care of skin.

You take your face pallette next.

"What's that?" Tom asks.

"My fenty contour and highlight stick, it's to redefine the shadows and highlights of your face, cause after i finish applying foundation, your face now is all in one flat tone." You said as you apply the bronzer and contour to his cheek and forehead.

Tom thinks for a moment, "Why are you teaching me this stuff as if I'm gonna need to do makeup to myself?"

You laugh. "Well, baby, you never know... maybe someday your makeup artist catches a cold before red carpet," Tom chuckles and shakes his head.

You continue to apply contour and highlighter on his face. After setting it all with a translucent powder and put some blush on his cheeks, Tom reopens his eyes with you grinning widely.

"You look different," you giggle.

Tom takes a peek on your phone screen to look at what his face looks like.

"Babe, you can't look yet!" You stop him from peeking, but he managed to get a glimpse of what he looks like.

"Oh god! You supposed to make me look unrecognizable, not girly!"

"Your skin looks beautiful tho, you have such nice skin,"

Tom rolls his eyes and grunts.

"Why do i agree to this," Tom mutters.

"Well, darling, you do this because you lo—" Your words stop at the tip of your tongue when you realize the L word hasn't come out yet. None of you have said the L word you've only been with him for a few months.

Tom realizes how your expression drops. He knows what you were about to say. The quick expression shifts on your face from cheerful to a saddened look, sends rushes of pain inside his veins.

"...I mean... You'd do this because you're an adrenaline junkie... right? You like challenging yourself. But i guess you don't have to... i-if you don't really want to," you look down at the scattering makeup products on the floor.

That makes his heart break.

These past few months, Tom has been feeling that bubbling-odd feeling inside him building. He knows he's hooked in deeply. He can't stop thinking of you. You're constantly on his mind, and he admires you deeply. He just hasn't got enough balls to say the word to your face. He's afraid that he's moving too fast.

Tom takes your hand, which is holding a blush brush.

"Come on, need more blush," he smiles.

Beat drops. Even that got your heart swims in wonders. Giggling again, you apply a little more blush to his face, and soon, the apples of his cheek look like a blushing porcelain doll.

Next step, eyebrows. You always love his thick eyebrows. You think it's a statement of him. You take your brow gel, and you brush his brow upwards, and diagonally, you try your best to make them look good.

"I always wanted to do your brows... but it's kinda hard though," you mutter. "Hmm... yeah they look good enough,"

And to make you happy, of course he gives in and lets you do everything to his face. Tom looks at you deeply. Those eyes that he's been giving you for the past 5 minutes starts to make your heart beats faster and your palm sweating. Those eyes are the reason you're here. Everytime Tom looks at you like this, you swear you feel like you've been sent to heaven.

"Stop that!" You chuckle and cover his eyes. He knows you get butterflies when he gives you those eyes and he adores that you try to pretend as if you're not flustered.

Tom chuckles, "I'm not doing anything, darling,"

"Shut up, help hold me this, Tom," you said, handing him an open eyeshadow palette.

"Close your eyes for me, sweet," you kindly ask.

Tom follows all that you said. You begin applying eyeshadow to his eyelids. Deciding to go for an angel eyes look to complement those beautiful emerald eyes.

"Ow! What is that?" Tom asks, look you back in the eyes.

"Just powder," you apply the other eye the same color of eyeshadow too.

"OW! It's like burning," Tom narrows his eyes.

"No, it's not!" You grin

"Right where you just put it, it's burning... seriously!"

You stop applying them and sit back straight. Looking at his eyelids, you try to find if something is wrong, if there's any redness or anything.

"Is it still?" You ask.

"Yes!" Tom grins

You chuckle nervously, "What if you're allergic?"

Just when you start to think he's being serious, you can see shift in his eyes. "What if?!"

"Don't lie to me! I can tell when you're acting!"

"I'm serious!" Tom exclaims, but the grin still stays on his face.

You apply more to his crease.

"Arrghhh," Tom yelps.

"Tommy, stop it! I can smell you lying!" You slap his shoulder, and Tom laughs.

You take your favorite maybelline mascara and your magical shu uemura eyelash curler.

"Wait, what's that? That looks dangerous!" Tom holds your hand down.

"Just an eyelash curler,"

"Nnonono,... don't bringing that thing near my eyes," Tom pushes away your hand.

"Tom,... tommy, relax, just trust me, Baby, come on," you try to stop him from pushing your hand away.

And again, he gives in.

"Look down," you told him to do, adorably, Tom misunderstood and buck his head down.

Pulling his head back straight, you chuckle, "No, baby, you look down with your eyes not with your head,"

"Don't poke my eyes,"

"I won't... i need you to relax, okay?" Tom nods,

"Aaahh..." Tom squeals as you clamp those beautiful long lashes.

You can't stop laughing to your sweet boyfriend's funny reaction. The fact that you have an older boyfriend, a grown man, more than that, your boyfriend is the freaking Tom Cruise. The guy who did daring stunts as his way to pay the check. Now you got him squealing like a big baby. Thank God you tape this moment.

"Okay, okay... I'm done," you said,

Tom sighs hard, "Jesus Christ! it was scarier than hanging on the side of a plane!"

You feel like your stomach starts to get hurt from all the non-stop laughter. This is the best thing that ever happened in your life. Tom Cruise, finally admitting to be scared of something.

"Okay, baby, Mascara, now this will be tricky, just trust me on this one, keep your eyes down and still, ready?" You ask.

"Wait, is that like waterproof? Can it come off?" Tom stops you.

"No, it'll come off,"

"How do i get it off?" He asks.

"You just rub it,"

Tom takes a long deep breath, "Okay, go" he said.

You start applying a good amount of mascara to his lashes. Rolling the wand on his lashes.

"I don't like it..." Tom whines like a big baby sissy.

You can't help but to laugh out loud.

"Aaaahh..., i don't like it," Tom cries again as you put mascara on to his other eye.

Feels like you have a full abs workout. Even you're tearing up from laughing too much.

Now, Tom looks gorgeous, jeez, he looks like a freaking poster model. His eyelashes are snatched and thick long. The sparkly pink and bronze eyeshadows makes his green eyes pop even brighter. Guess you were right, you always thought he'd be pretty too as a girl just as much as he is as a man. He has such a good genes.

You giggle, "you look so pretty, Tommy!" you smile.

"I'm gonna have to contour your nose though. You have such a manly nose, babe," you said as you picked up your go-to fenty contour stick again.

"Um... yeah?! because I'm a man??... I have a freaking annaconda under my pants,"

You gasp, eyes widen in shock, "TOMMY!" You slap his shoulder.

Tom laughs upon watching how your cheek burns in red cherry color. Tom loves to tease you and catch you off guard like that, making you flustered and burn in red.

"Can't believe you said that," you apply the contour again on his nose.

"Well, you like it, don't you?" Tom chuckles.

"I meant you have such a distinct nose! That's such a Tom Cruise nose,"

You blend the contour on his nose. Trying to make it look somewhat different than his famous nose. Tom can't stop grinning widely at you.

As you focus on making his nose look different, Tom looks at you deeply with that look again. The corner of his lips slightly curls up, his tender gaze glued still on you. His hands are on your thighs, softly caressing your smooth skin with his thumb. You feel butterflies fluttering inside of you again.

You giggle, "Can you stop looking at me with those eyes!" You cover his eyes with your hand again,

"What eyes?" Tom smiles wider, he holds your hand down and leans in to place a kiss on your cheek.

"Tom..." You giggle.

"Do i make you nervous or something, Miss Makeup Artist?"

You giggle as Tom sends attacks of sweet kisses on your cheek and neck.

"Tommy, come on, you're not done yet,"

Tom chuckles and sit back straight again. You steal a kiss before you put a nude pink colored lipstick on that lips. Then, you're all done with his makeup.

"There you go... oohhh look at you girl, you look so beautiful!!" You giggle.

Tom looks over at your phone screen. His jaw hangs wide open when he finds the result of your work on his face.

"Oh my lord!" Tom exclaims in a southern accent, which earning you to laugh even louder.

"Darling, what did you do to me?! I look like my sisters!"

You're rolling all over the floor. Bursting in loud laughter. Your stomach hurt and you can't stop some tears to spill out.

"Oh wait, i forgot one thing!" You take your setting spray and spray it to his face.

"What- does it make it not wash off?!" Tom asks.

You grin widely and nod, "Yeah,"

His jaw hangs and eyes widen, "Are you serious?!" Tom crooks his head to the side.

You chuckle, "Yeah... it won't wash off for 6 hours," You lie.

"DARLING!" Tom tickles your waist.

You laugh and hold down his hands. You hand Tom a mirror. He looks at his face closer with wide eyes. Scanning the details of artwork on his face. His eyes nearly bulges out off his head.

"SWEET JESUS! My eyes are scaring me!... Look at my lashes, they grew 2 inches more!"

You for sure can not feel your stomach. Your cheek burns from laughing too much. Feels like the muscles there have their own workouts.

Afterwards, you told Tom to change his clothes with your pink baggy hoodie. Your big hoodie still fits him like a normal-well-fitted hoodie, though this one is better  than his previous outfits that hug his body tightly, showing all of his muscles. You also insist Tom to put on your Jessica Rabbit's wig that you have, and you once use them for a Halloween party.

Later that day, You managed to take Tom Cruise grocery shopping in downtown Los Angeles without one person recognizing him. It was a mission accomplished. Well, some of the people there give him a weird look though.

Before you went to bed, you sent McQ the selfie of you and Tammy (you said to McQ Tammy was your new friend), and he too can not tell who's next to you at first! Took McQ a couple of minutes and a closer look before he texted back, "THAT'S TOM?! YO WHAT THE FUCK?!"

Tom comes out from the bathroom. "Honey! You send McQ the pictures?!"

"What pictures?" You act dumb as you eat your strawberries that you bought earlier.

"Oh you know what I'm talking about," He narrows his eyes and have his hand on his hips.

You giggle again, "yeah..."

"Y/N Y/LN!"

"Oh come on, Thomas, no need to be dramatic here, sweetie. McQ couldn't recognize you that means i did a great job... you too honey! You just went grocery shopping! I'm proud of you!" You come to him and kiss his cheek.

"That was your best acting too, baby," you tease him again. Gives him a playful wink as you click your tongue.

Tom looks at you still. His shoulders drop slowly as his gaze soften at you.

"Thank God, i love you," he said.

You feel your heart skipped a beat, and the clock stops ticking for a moment. You look back at his eyes with wide eyes. You stop chewing the frozen strawberry inside your mouth.

"What?" You ask with your mouth stuffed full.

"Of course i do, you're my dream come true, I was just afraid to say that too soon, but i can't help it any longer. And I don't expect you to say—"

Tom smiles and sits next to you, "You heard me... i love you, Y/N... i love you so much that i let you do shit to my face,"

Tears start to brimming in your eyes. You feel your heart warming up. Tom runs his fingers through your hair.

"... and I'd let you do it all over again if it means i get to be with you, i love you, darling," he smiles.

Swallowing the strawberry inside your mouth. Tears finally falls to your cheek, to which Tom quickly wipes away. "Y-you... love me?" You ask softly.

"I love you!" You cut him immediately.

Tom freezes for a moment before he smiles, "What?" He asks.

You smile, "I know i said to take this slow, but... but i love you,... Gosh, i love you so much, Tom,"

Tom smiles, wraps his hands around you, and brings you forward for a kiss.

ะ.⋆⸙͎۪۫⋆༶⋆⸙͎۪۫˙კ¸⊹

Tagging :

@malavera @call-sign-shark @tomsf18 @moondustfairies @katherineswritingsblog

[adbros]

30 ways to make real; money from home

Making money online from the comfort of your home has become increasingly accessible with the growth of the internet and digital technologies. In 2023, there are numerous realistic ways to earn money online. Here are 30 ideas to get you started:

1. Freelance Writing: Offer your writing skills on platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to create blog posts, articles, or website content.

2. Content Creation: Start a YouTube channel, podcast, or blog to share your expertise or passion and monetize through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

3. Online Surveys and Market Research: Participate in online surveys and market research studies with platforms like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie.

4. Remote Customer Service: Work as a remote customer service representative for companies like Amazon or Apple.

5. Online Tutoring: Teach subjects you're knowledgeable in on platforms like VIPKid or Chegg Tutors.

6. E-commerce: Start an online store using platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or eBay to sell products.

7. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services on your blog or social media and earn commissions for sales made through your referral links.

8. Online Courses: Create and sell online courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable.

9. Remote Data Entry: Find remote data entry jobs on websites like Clickworker or Remote.co.

10. Virtual Assistance: Offer administrative support services to businesses as a virtual assistant.

11. Graphic Design: Use your graphic design skills to create logos, graphics, or websites for clients on platforms like Fiverr.

12. Stock Photography: Sell your photos on stock photography websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock.

13. App Development: Develop and sell mobile apps or offer app development services.

14. Social Media Management: Manage social media accounts for businesses looking to enhance their online presence.

15. Dropshipping: Start an e-commerce business without holding inventory by dropshipping products.

16. Online Consultations: Offer consulting services in your area of expertise through video calls.

17. Online Surplus Sales: Sell unused items or collectibles on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.

18. Online Fitness Coaching: Become an online fitness coach and offer workout plans and guidance.

19. Virtual Events: Host webinars, workshops, or conferences on topics you're knowledgeable about.

20. Podcast Production: Offer podcast editing, production, or consulting services.

21. Remote Transcription: Transcribe audio and video files for clients.

22. Online Translation: Offer translation services if you're proficient in multiple languages.

23. Affiliate Blogging: Create a niche blog with affiliate marketing as the primary revenue source.

24. Online Art Sales: Sell your artwork, crafts, or digital art on platforms like Etsy or Redbubble.

25. Remote Bookkeeping: Offer bookkeeping services for small businesses from home.

26. Digital Marketing: Provide digital marketing services like SEO, PPC, or social media management.

27. Online Gaming: Stream your gaming sessions on platforms like Twitch and monetize through ads and donations.

28. Virtual Assistant Coaching: If you have experience as a VA, offer coaching services to aspiring virtual assistants.

29. Online Research: Conduct research for businesses or individuals in need of specific information.

30. Online Real Estate: Invest in virtual real estate, such as domain names or digital properties, and sell them for a profit.

Remember that success in making money online often requires dedication, patience, and the ability to adapt to changing trends. It's essential to research and choose the opportunities that align with your skills, interests, and long-term goals.

[fluxmarket]

How to make money online

Want to make money online? Here are some ideas:

Start an E-commerce Store: Sell products you love.

Affiliate Marketing: Earn by promoting others' products.

Online Courses: Teach what you know.

Dropshipping: Sell without holding inventory.

If you need guidance on any of these, I’m here to help! Let’s chat!

[keicordelle]

As Good as Mora in Hand

Fandom: Genshin Impact Rating: E Pairing: Diluc/Childe Word Count: 4.2k Tags: Explicit Sexual Content, Sex as Payment, Porn What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Enthusiastic Consent, Semi-Public Sex, Top Diluc, Bottom Tartaglia | Childe, Referenced Switch Diluc, Light Dom/sub, Hydro as Lube, Anal Sex, Rough Sex, Biting, Marking, Aftercare, POV Third Person

Summary: The Fatui's information network was not to be underestimated. If there was anyone in Mondstat who ought to have been able to remember that, it was Diluc. But even he was at something of a loss as he stared across at the ginger-haired Harbinger cheerfully asking about Angel's Share's secret credit system.

It was a bad idea, there was no doubt about that. But the opportunity to have the Eleventh Harbinger bend to his whim was one he just couldn't pass up.

-

The Fatui's information network was not to be underestimated. If there was anyone in Mondstat who ought to have been able to remember that, it was Diluc. But even he was at something of a loss as he stared across at the ginger-haired Harbinger cheerfully asking about Angel's Share's secret credit system.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he responded flatly.

Tartaglia (because of course Diluc knew who he was the moment he'd stepped foot in his bar - his own information network was not to be trifled with either) pouted at him, those wide blue eyes glittering with private amusement. They'd play the game, and when they both got what they wanted, they could both claim to have won. "That's really too bad. Because you see, I seem to have lost my wallet. But if there were some other way to pay you, I'd be more than happy to make sure you got what you were owed."

It was a lie and they both knew it. Tartaglia threw around money like he was the god of commerce himself, and even if he really had forgotten his wallet, Northland Bank held sway even in Mond, and an IOU from the Fatui was as good as Mora in hand.

Diluc's indifference was a lie, too. The thought of having one of the Fatui - a Harbinger! - at his mercy was enough to make his cock rouse in his pants. He'd always liked blue eyes.

"What I'm owed is 9326 Mora," he said flatly instead. A hefty sum. Hefty like the weight of a dick in his ass, spreading him wide and spearing into him. Although... He eyed Tartaglia and corrected: hefty like the weight of a dick in Tartaglia's ass. Diluc shifted behind the counter to hide the evidence of his growing interest. Tartaglia caught the motion, arching an amused brow as he raked his eyes down Diluc's body. Diluc scowled. "Where did you hear such a foul rumor anyway?"

Oceanic eyes met his once more, glittering with delight in their game. "Fair winds blow even in Snezhnaya sometimes. But don't worry, I won't tell," he added with a wink. A seemingly haphazard glance tossed over his shoulder towards the window. "You know, you really should invest in some blinds."

Diluc's face flushed as red as his hair, and Tartaglia's grin widened at the reaction - a tacit admission of guilt that he couldn't hide behind his dour expression and his minced words. Not that he wasn't going to try. Not even Tartaglia’s hydro vision could have soothed the scathing heat in the glare Diluc leveled at him, those flame-colored eyes searing into him. The dark passion in their depths was exhilarating, sinking straight to Tartaglia's core and filling out his cock. He'd come expecting a good time; he hadn't expected to find a kindred soul, but there was no doubt that that was his own hunger reflected back at him in Diluc's heated gaze. A fuck or a fight, he wasn't quite sure which he wanted any more, but they could always start with one and try the other after.

-

Read the rest on Ao3!

[thedashshop]

Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters More Than Ever

In today’s fast-paced, digitally-driven world, supporting local businesses has never been more crucial. As large corporations and e-commerce giants continue to dominate the market, the survival and prosperity of small, local businesses are at risk. However, the significance of these local enterprises extends far beyond their products and services—they are the lifeblood of our communities. DASH Shop recognizes this and is dedicated to fostering economic sustainability through its innovative platform, designed to uplift and empower local businesses.

Economic Benefits: The Ripple Effect of Supporting Local

Supporting local businesses has a profound economic impact that resonates throughout the community. When you shop locally, a larger portion of your money stays within the community, creating a multiplier effect. Local businesses tend to source their supplies locally, use local services, and reinvest their profits within the community. This not only boosts the local economy but also creates job opportunities, contributing to a lower unemployment rate.

Small businesses are also more likely to offer unique and diverse products, enhancing consumer choice and fostering innovation. By supporting these businesses, we encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new ideas, which can lead to broader economic growth and resilience.

Strengthening Community Ties

Local businesses are integral to the social fabric of our communities. They are not just places to buy goods and services; they are gathering spots where people connect, share stories, and build relationships. These interactions foster a sense of belonging and community spirit that is often missing in large, impersonal retail chains.

Local business owners are typically more engaged in their communities, participating in local events, supporting local causes, and contributing to community development. Their involvement helps to create a more vibrant, cohesive community where people feel more connected and invested in their surroundings.

How DASH Shop Facilitates Local Support

DASH Shop is committed to making it easier for consumers to support local businesses while enjoying the convenience of modern technology. Here’s how DASH Shop facilitates this support:

1. Connecting Customers with Local Retailers

DASH Shop’s platform connects consumers with a wide range of local retailers, allowing them to shop from the comfort of their homes while still supporting their community. The platform

features an extensive selection of products from local stores, ensuring that customers have access to unique and high-quality items that they might not find elsewhere.

2. Promoting Instant Delivery

DASH Shop understands that convenience is a significant factor in modern shopping habits. By offering instant delivery services, the platform ensures that customers can enjoy the speed and convenience of online shopping while supporting local businesses. This service is particularly beneficial in today's fast-paced environment, where time is often a scarce resource.

3. Enhancing Visibility for Local Businesses

One of the main challenges for local businesses is visibility. DASH Shop addresses this by providing a robust online presence for local retailers, making it easier for them to reach a broader audience. The platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive search features enable consumers to discover new local businesses and products effortlessly.

4. Building a Community-Centric Brand

DASH Shop positions itself as a community-focused brand, dedicated to the economic sustainability of local businesses. By highlighting the stories and products of local retailers, DASH Shop fosters a deeper connection between consumers and businesses. This approach not only boosts sales for local businesses but also strengthens the community as a whole.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Supporting local businesses is more than just a purchase decision; it’s an investment in our communities and our future. By choosing to shop locally, we contribute to the economic vitality, social cohesion, and overall well-being of our communities. DASH Shop is at the forefront of this movement, providing the tools and platform necessary to make supporting local businesses easier and more convenient than ever.

Let’s embrace the opportunity to support our local businesses and, in turn, build stronger, more resilient communities. Together, with DASH Shop, we can make a difference, one purchase at a time.

[weatheryear]

The Internet Was Made BY Porn

In the before time, in the long-long ago, if we wanted to communicate with someone out of ear shot, you had to go to your kitchen, and pick up a handset connected to the wall. This telephonic device allowed you to transfer sounds to distant locations, replacing the earlier telegraph. We even mastered a system that didn't require you to dial it.

Runtime: 2:49

Incidentally, this is where the term "Dial" and "Dial-up" comes from.

The US Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA, which would later add a D for Defence and become DARPA), wanted a communication system that could survive nuclear war.

The idea was you set up an interconnected system of computer networks (spoilers). They had a flexible routing system that would basically search every path to find the shortes, and then send information along this path. If a path was cut, (by nuclear explosion), then a number of other paths will be available.

Well, the academics that designed this thought this was fantastic, and started connected their own computer networks together. The universities started giving locals access to these networks. The original form of e-mail didn't think that anyone would lie about their e-mail, and every network was set to automatically repeat any messages along that needed to get sent. I mean, that was literally how the network worked. Why would someone spoof a system who's primary purpose is complex mathematical calculations?

Eventually something thought that this would be fantastic for civilians. Every civilian could connect to a university, and do complex mathematical calculations!

Civilians entered the field, and started building major trunklines, offering service to wider and wider areas.

Now, the biggest profits can be made with new markets. This is how Telsa and Amazon made so much money. Everyone wanted to be the first to make money on this Internets thing, (that s isn't cute, as the internet is a series of interconnected networkS; the s was later dropped colloquially). Incredible amounts of financing poured into the tech startups. How did they make their money?

And that's what lead to the Dot Com Bubble.

So, it turns out the two main ways to make money on the internet are using it to arrange physical commerce, which is how Amazon made it's money, and to sell discrete amounts of data.

Now, what kind of data are people most willing to spend money on? Sing it with me now!

Runtime: 1:32

Movies? What about movies? It you wanted to spend 2 weeks of this.

Runtime: 0:28

Okay, yeah, you only have the dial-up noise when dialling up, but you still lose use of your telephone. How did you handle someone trying to call you while you were online?

Sadly, the answer is pretty banal. There's a busy signal, and you hope they call back later.

Even loading a site with a dozen pictures would take an hour. And people waited. And people paid for the privilege.

[unpluggedfinancial]

Is Bitcoin Adopting Faster Than the Internet? A Deep Dive into Adoption Curves

When the internet began its meteoric rise in the late 1990s, it revolutionized the world, connecting people, ideas, and markets in ways previously unimaginable. Fast forward to today, and a new technological revolution is underway: Bitcoin. Remarkably, Bitcoin's adoption rate is outpacing that of the internet in its early years. This raises a compelling question: Is Bitcoin truly adopting faster than the internet, and what does this mean for the future of global finance?

A Comparison of Adoption Rates

To understand the gravity of Bitcoin’s growth, we can look at a direct comparison between the two technologies' adoption curves. In its first decade, the internet saw steady growth, reaching around 120 million users by 1997—about seven years after the World Wide Web's inception. Bitcoin, by comparison, achieved a similar milestone of 120 million users in just 12 years, but its growth trajectory suggests it could surpass 1 billion users by 2030.

Here’s a visual representation of the adoption curves for both the internet and Bitcoin:

As the graph illustrates, Bitcoin is following an adoption curve that not only matches but potentially exceeds that of the internet. The implications of this are profound, suggesting that Bitcoin could become as integral to global society as the internet is today.

Factors Driving Bitcoin's Rapid Adoption

Network Effects: The concept of network effects, where a technology becomes more valuable as more people use it, is at the core of Bitcoin's growth. Similar to the internet, Bitcoin’s utility increases as its user base expands, whether it's being used as a store of value, a medium of exchange, or a financial technology platform.

Global Reach Without Borders: Unlike the internet’s early days, where physical infrastructure had to be built in each new region, Bitcoin is decentralized and global by design. Anyone with internet access can participate, making its spread potentially faster and more widespread.

Increased Technology Awareness: The world today is far more tech-savvy than it was during the internet's infancy. This awareness, coupled with an understanding of the transformative power of technology, has accelerated Bitcoin’s adoption.

Mobile and Internet Penetration: The proliferation of mobile devices and the internet worldwide has provided fertile ground for Bitcoin’s growth. Access to smartphones and the internet enables even those in remote regions to engage with Bitcoin, bypassing traditional financial systems.

What This Means for the Future

Bitcoin's rapid adoption signals a paradigm shift. Just as the internet democratized access to information and commerce, Bitcoin has the potential to democratize access to financial systems. As more individuals, institutions, and even governments begin to adopt Bitcoin, it could reshape the global financial landscape in profound ways.

We are witnessing the early stages of a revolution that could redefine the concepts of money, value, and trust in the digital age. If Bitcoin continues to follow or even exceed the internet’s adoption curve, it’s not just a new asset class—it’s the foundation of a new financial order.

Conclusion

The comparison between Bitcoin and the internet’s adoption rates is not just an academic exercise; it’s a window into the future. If these trends continue, Bitcoin could become as ubiquitous as the internet, transforming how we interact with money and each other on a global scale.

As we continue to track Bitcoin’s growth, one thing is clear: the pace at which it’s being adopted suggests that we are on the cusp of something monumental. Whether you’re a long-term holder or just beginning to explore Bitcoin, understanding its potential and its rapid adoption is key to staying ahead in this digital revolution.

Take Action Towards Financial Independence

If this article has sparked your interest in the transformative potential of Bitcoin, there's so much more to explore! Dive deeper into the world of financial independence and revolutionize your understanding of money by following my blog and subscribing to my YouTube channel.

🌐 Blog: Unplugged Financial Blog Stay updated with insightful articles, detailed analyses, and practical advice on navigating the evolving financial landscape. Learn about the history of money, the flaws in our current financial systems, and how Bitcoin can offer a path to a more secure and independent financial future.

📺 YouTube Channel: Unplugged Financial Subscribe to our YouTube channel for engaging video content that breaks down complex financial topics into easy-to-understand segments. From in-depth discussions on monetary policies to the latest trends in cryptocurrency, our videos will equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed financial decisions.

👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with our latest content. Whether you're a seasoned investor, a curious newcomer, or someone concerned about the future of your financial health, our community is here to support you on your journey to financial independence.

[sarkos]

Chinese people know their country’s internet is different. There is no Google, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter. They use euphemisms online to communicate the things they are not supposed to mention. When their posts and accounts are censored, they accept it with resignation. They live in a parallel online universe. They know it and even joke about it. Now they are discovering that, beneath a facade bustling with short videos, livestreaming and e-commerce, their internet — and collective online memory — is disappearing in chunks. A post on WeChat on May 22 that was widely shared reported that nearly all information posted on Chinese news portals, blogs, forums, social media sites between 1995 and 2005 was no longer available. “The Chinese internet is collapsing at an accelerating pace,” the headline said. Predictably, the post itself was soon censored. “We used to believe that the internet had a memory,” He Jiayan, a blogger who writes about successful businesspeople, wrote in the post. “But we didn’t realize that this memory is like that of a goldfish.”

As China’s Internet Disappears, ‘We Lose Parts of Our Collective Memory’ - The New York Times

NYT trying to figure out how to make linkrot sinophobic

(Their test span is from the mid1990s to 2000s. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find things you would assume were digitized from news sources, or how many file hosts have disappeared in that time? There’s no money in memory. )

[future-sign]

Fulfill Your Dreams: How to Earn from Home Successfully

In 2024, the internet has opened up numerous opportunities for individuals to earn a substantial income from the comfort of their homes. With a wide range of online jobs available, it is now possible to pursue a lucrative career by mastering a job that aligns with your interests and expertise. The flexibility and convenience of working remotely enable you to earn a significant income while enjoying the comfort and convenience of your home.

It is essential to recognize that most methods of earning money online necessitate dedication, perseverance, and a patient approach. While the internet offers numerous opportunities to generate income, it typically takes time and effort to achieve meaningful results. Building a successful online venture or establishing a steady stream of online income often requires consistent work, learning, and adapting to the evolving digital landscape.

However, here are some ways you can make money online relatively quickly:

1. Affiliate Marketing: Affiliate marketing is promoting other people's products and earning a commission on each sale. You can start by creating a blog or a YouTube channel, and promote products related to your niche.

2. Freelance Work: If you have skills like writing, graphic designing, web development, or any other skill that can be offered as a service, then you can start freelancing on various online platforms. You can create a profile on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and start getting clients from all around the world.

3. Online Teaching: If you have expertise in any subject, you can teach it online. You can offer classes on websites like Udemy, Skillshare, or Teachable. You can also offer personalized coaching or tutoring services.

4. Sell digital products: If you have skills like graphic design, programming, or writing, you can create and sell digital products like e-books, stock photos, or website templates on websites like Gumroad or Creative Market.

5. Dropshipping: Dropshipping is an e-commerce model where you don't have to maintain an inventory. You can create an online store, and when someone orders a product, you purchase it from a supplier who ships the product directly to the customer.

6. Online transcription: Some companies pay people to transcribe audio or video files into written documents. You can find transcription opportunities on websites like Rev or TranscribeMe.

7. Online Surveys: There are many websites that pay for completing online surveys. Though the pay is not very high, it can be a good source of side income. Some popular survey sites are Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, and Vindale Research.

Also, you can start your work in the freelance sector. If you learn any high-demand skill like Graphic Design- Digital Marketing-Video Editing so, you can earn huge money from that type of work.

Here you will find one of your most choice-full platforms where you can start your online Job from home.

Top 5 freelancing platforms:

1. Upwork

2. Freelancer

3. Fiverr

4. Guru

5. PeoplePerHour

Note that these are some ideas to start now, and your success in making money from home depends on various factors such as your skills, experience, dedication, and market demand. Hope you understand all and it will be helpful for you. Have a Nice journey.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

How Amazon transformed the EU into a planned economy

Amazon is a perfect parable of enshittification, the process by which platforms first offer subsidies to end users until they’re locked in, then make life good for business customers at users’ expense, until they’re locked in, then claw back all the value they can for themselves, leaving just enough behind to keep the lock-in going.

In a new report for SOMO, Margarida Silva describes how the end-stage enshittification of Amazon is playing out in the EU, with Amazon repeating its US playbook of gouging the small businesses who have no choice but to use the platform in order to reach its locked-in customers, making European customers and European sellers poorer:

https://www.somo.nl/amazons-european-chokehold/

The mechanism for this isn’t a mystery. Amazon boasts about it! They call it their flywheel: first, customers are lured into the platform with low prices, especially through Prime, which requires pre-payment for a year’s shipping, which virtually guarantees that customers will start their shopping on Amazon. Because customers now start their buying on Amazon, sellers have to be there. The increased range of goods for sale on Amazon lures in more buyers, who lure in more sellers, with both sides holding each other hostage:

https://vimeo.com/739486256/00a0a7379a

This flywheel creates a vicious cycle, starving local retail so that customers can’t get what they need from brick-and-mortar shops, which funnels sellers into offering their goods for sale on Amazon. The less choice customers and sellers have about where they shop, the more Amazon can abuse both to pad its own bottom line.

There are 800,000 EU-based sellers on Amazon, and they have seen the junk-fees that Amazon charges them skyrocket, to the point where they have to raise prices or lose money on each sale. Amazon uses both tacit and explicit “Most Favored Nation” deals to hide these price-hikes. Under an MFN deal, sellers must not allow their goods to be sold at a lower price than Amazon’s — so when they raise prices to cover Amazon’s increasing fees, they raise them everywhere:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/25/greedflation/

It’s not hard to understand why Amazon would raise its fees: the company has an effective e-commerce monopoly. Like Ozymandias, they have run out of worlds to conquer, and so their growth has to come from squeezing suppliers and/or raising prices, not from bringing in new customers. This is likewise true of mobile companies like Apple and Google, who have run out of people who are so excited about incremental mobile hardware gains that they’ll buy a new phone every year, which means that growth has to come from squeezing app vendors:

https://www.tbray.org/ongoing/When/202x/2023/06/09/Pixel-4-to-7

This is likewise true of the streaming companies, which is why Netflix is cracking down on “password sharing”:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/02/nonbinary-families/#red-envelopes

It’s true of the movie studios, which is why they want to zero out their wage bills by replacing writers with automatic plausible sentence generators that will write stupid movies that they think we’ll still pay to see because there won’t be anything else:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/06/people-are-not-disposable/#union-strong

It’s certainly true of Uber, which is why they’ve double the cost of a taxi ride and halved the wages they pay drivers:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/12/algorithmic-wage-discrimination/#fishers-of-men

Monopolies “grow” by making their customers and suppliers worse off. But they have to be careful about this: if it’s obvious that you’re using your market power to screw buyers, you can get in trouble with competition regulators. That’s because the only part of antitrust law that the neoliberal project left intact is “consumer welfare” — the idea that monopolies should only face enforcement when they raise prices and/or lower quality:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/10/play-fair/#bedoya

This focus on price-hikes has given monopolists a free hand to squeeze suppliers and workers, because a monopolist — from Walmart to Amazon — can claim that squeezing your workers and suppliers is necessary to enhancing consumer welfare. The less you pay to produce a product, the cheaper you can price it.

When a company has a lot of seller power, we call it a monopolist. When it has a lot of buying power, we call it a monopsonist. No one ever made a bestselling, family-destroying board game called “Monopsony” so most people haven’t heard of the concept. But monopsony is every bit as dangerous as monopoly, and monopsonists find it far easier to acquire market power than monopolists. Few suppliers can afford to have even 10% of their sales disappear overnight, so a buyer who accounts for 10% of your sales can demand deep discounts and other favorable terms.

Amazon is a monopolist, but it’s also a very powerful and ruthless monopsonist. For example, its audiobook division, Audible, has a 90+% market-share, and it used that market-power to steal at least $100m from audiobook creators, in a scandal dubbed Audiblegate:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/09/07/audible-exclusive/#audiblegate

For Europe’s 800k sellers who rely on Amazon to reach their customers, the monoposony conditions are blatant and shameless. Take listing fees: Amazon’s “flywheel” pitch claims that as the company grows, it achieves “economies of scale” that can lower its cost basis. But Amazon’s listing fees haven’t changed, even as the company experienced explosive growth in the EU (remember, sellers whose Amazon fees exceed their margins have to pass those fees onto buyers, and also raise their prices everywhere else to satisfy the Most Favored Nation requirement).

Amazon books the revenues from these fees — and other junk-fees it extracts from sellers — in Luxembourg, an EU member nation that provides a tax haven to multinational businesses that want to maintain the fiction that they operate their businesses out of the tiny kingdom. There is sharp competition in the EU to offer the most servile, corrupt environment for multinationals, and Luxembourg is a leader, along with Cyprus, Malta and, of course, Ireland:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/05/15/finnegans-snooze/#dirty-old-town

But at least listing fees haven’t gone up, unlike other fees, which have climbed sharply. Amazon falsely claimed that its additional revenues from fees were the result of growth by independent sellers, which Amazon pegged at 65%. Later, the company admitted that the true growth figure was 22%. Meanwhile, fees are up 85%.

The true growth figure might be lower still. Amazon refuses to show the math behind its growth figures, or even say which sellers and sales are included in the figure.

The SOMO report cites research by Juozas Kaziukėnas of the e-commerce research firm Marketplace Pulse, who finds that sellers are now giving 50% of their gross revenues to Amazon, an increase of 10% over the past five years across the whole EU. However, different EU (and ex-EU) countries have experienced much steeper increases in fees — in the UK, fees have nearly doubled (up 98%), and in France, fees more than doubled (up 115%).

Many of these increases come from the Fulfilment By Amazon (FBA) program, which is promoted as an optional service, but which is really obligatory — careful research shows that sellers who warehouse, pack and ship their own goods get banished to the depths of search results, even if they have ratings, costs and times that are competitive with FBA. This is especially true of the “buy box” that lands at the top of most searches. The company refuses to disclose how buy box positioning is determined, but 90% of products in the buy box pay for FBA.

Amazon has used excuseflation to hike its FBA prices, blaming higher energy prices for price hikes that predated the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and blaming covid for price hikes that predated the pandemic.

Italy’s competition authority did yeoman service in uncovering the sleaze of FBA, publishing an investigation that showed that Prime and buy box made the notionally “optional” FBA into a must-have for merchants, meaning that Amazon could jack up FBA prices without losing business.

Another notable source of gouging came in response to the UK and France adopting digital services taxes, which were meant to make up for the tax-base erosion enabled by Luxembourg’s flouting of EU tax law. Amazon passed these taxes straight through to its merchants, without seeing a comparable decrease in the number of sellers using its platforms — an unmistakable sign of market power. If you can raise prices without losing customers, then, by definition, your customers have nowhere else to go.

I’ve previously written about how Amazon’s $31b/year “advertising” market isn’t really advertising — rather, it’s a payola scheme that auctions off the top of a search-listing to the merchant with the most to spend:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/28/enshittification/#relentless-payola

This is how you get a simple search like “cat beds” returning results whose first screen is 100% ads, and whose next five screens are 50% ads, many of them for dog products:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2022/amazon-shopping-ads/

Auctioning off search results means that every time you search for something you want, you have to wade through screen after screen of listings for products whose vendors spent more on advertising, leaving less to spend on making quality goods.

This is as true in the EU as it is in the USA. The SOMO report shows that European merchants are required to spend ever-larger sums to show up in results for the exact products they sell, leaving them with a choice between making less money, raising prices, or skimping on quality.

But even the “winners” of Amazon’s gladiatorial combat among vendors can still lose. Amazon uses an automated product removal process that can delete some or all of a merchant’s products, without warning or explanation, and no one at Amazon will explain what a merchant did wrong. That remains true even if a vendor pays for Amazon’s “marketplace consultant” service — ask these paid Virgils why you’ve been cast into Amazon’s pit, and they’ll shrug their shoulders (and bill you for it).

And even if you can navigate the junk fees, the Kafka-as-a-service removals, the war of all sellers against all sellers for search primacy…you still lose. Merchants told SOMO that a product that survives Amazon’s gauntlet is likely to be cloned by Amazon and sold as an Amazon Basic or other house-brand product. Amazon doesn’t charge itself 50% junk fees, so it can always underprice the vendors it knocks off, and give its own products permanent top-of-search placement.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos once testified under oath before Congress that this doesn’t happen — and then refused to return to Congress when multiple vendors showed evidence that he’d lied:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/10/18/amazon-congress-letter-third-party-data/

He definitely lied:

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/amazon-india-rigging/

Amazon has faced investigations and enforcement in the EU over this, and settled a claim with a promise to “not use non-public seller data to compete with sellers,” but given the company’s record of broken promises on this score and the difficulty of catching them cheating, it’s pretty naive to think they’ll stick to this.

The report quotes Thomas Höppner, a lawyer who has represented small businesses that Amazon screwed over. Höppner says the problem is that the EU evaluates Amazon’s bad deeds on a “case-by-case” basis, missing the big picture: “By the time one identified problem was seemingly solved, Amazon had long made amendments elsewhere with the same effect. We require a more holistic approach that considers the entire Amazon ecosystem and the various interdependencies within.”

But the EU’s enforcement approach is about to change significantly. The EU just passed the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which imposes a bunch of obligations on Amazon:

allowing sellers to offer their products on other marketplaces at different prices (Article 5.3),

not obliging business users to pay for one of its services in order to use its platform (Article 5.8),

limiting the way Amazon uses non-public seller data to compete with them (Article 6.2)

preventing Amazon from giving top billing in search results to its own products or sellers that have acquired extra Amazon services (Article 6.5)

The report concludes with a suite of recommendations for improving EU enforcement. First, they argue for a return to traditional competition law, abandoning the “consumer welfare standard” that is so friendly to monopsonies and their abuses of suppliers and workers.

They call for a probe into Amazon’s Most Favored Nation deals (“fair pricing policy”), the practice of sponsoring search results, and spiraling fees. They want the EU to adequately fund DMA enforcement, with “measures to prevent regulatory capture.” And they want Amazon to publish clear explanations for how search results, buy box placement, and other practices hidden behind a veil of secrecy.

Amazon will doubtless claim that disclosing how those systems work will make it easier for spammers and scammers to game their way to the top of search results. We should be skeptical of this claim — content moderation is the last domain where anyone takes the bankrupt idea of security through obscurity seriously:

https://doctorow.medium.com/como-is-infosec-307f87004563

Finally, the report calls for breaking up Amazon, forcing it to choose between being a platform seller or a platform user, calling this the only way to “prevent the conflicts of interest between its role as a platform intermediary, seller, and service provider.”

The technical term for this measure is “structural separation” — a rule that bans platform companies from competing with their business customers. This is the principle at work in the US bipartisan AMERICA Act, which would force Google and Meta to spin off the parts of their ad-tech business that put them in a conflict of interest. Right now, Googbook represents both publishers and advertisers, while operating the marketplace where ad sales take place, and they take 51% out of every ad dollar:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-shatter-ad-tech

Structural separation hasn’t really been applied in the US for a generation, but it’s gained currency in recent years, for the obvious reason that the referee can’t also own one of the teams. I was in Germany last week speaking to regulators and politicians, and they espoused skepticism that the EU would embrace structural separation anytime soon.

But they were wrong! Today, the European Commission announced plans to force Google and Meta to sell off their conflict-of-interest ad-tech lines of business, mirroring the provisions of the US AMERICA Act:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/06/google-may-soon-be-ordered-to-break-up-its-lucrative-ad-business-eu-warns/

Structural separation really is the policy we should be demanding. It’s amazing that lawyers who would never argue a case in front of a judge who was married to the plaintiff will turn around and defend the idea that Amazon can fairly operate a marketplace where they compete with other sellers.

With Amazon dominating online sales, and with in-person retail cratering, Amazon’s decisions have the power to determine the outcome of whole swathes of Europe’s economy. This is the “planned economy” that the EU claims it detests and seeks to prevent — but it’s an economy planned by distant autocrats in a Seattle boardroom, for the purpose of extracting the surpluses needed to launch an endless procession of penis-rockets.

If you’d like an essay-formatted version of this postto read or share, here’s a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/14/flywheel-shyster-and-flywheel/#unfulfilled-by-amazon

[Image ID: A desert ruin. In the foreground is a huge Amazon box, with an EU flag in place of its shipping label. Atop the box are the feet and partial legs of an Oxymandias figure.]

Image: Rama (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gladiator_with_sword-Louis_Ernest_Meissonnier-MG_1216-IMG_1223-white.jpg

CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/fr/deed.en