• Blog,  Make Money

    10 Profitable Ways To Make Money on Google

    Google is a technology based company that mainly specializes in search engine, advertising, computer and web based services.

    Making money through Google, one of the world’s most influential tech giants, offers a plethora of income-generating opportunities for individuals, businesses, and creative minds. Google’s vast ecosystem encompasses various platforms and tools, each with its unique potential for profitability.

    How to make money on Google has recently become easier because of social media and Google has added more services that actually help the customer. 

    The only steadfast aspect of Google through its changes, it’s that it always aims to serve its customers and visitors. 

    Regardless of the type of content you make, Google will always give top priority to its users, especially search engine queries. This is why it is important always create content that users will find to be value.  Google’s SEO tools and analytics platforms provide opportunities for digital marketing professionals to offer consulting services. Whether you’re a content creator, business owner, developer, or digital marketer, the profitable ways to make money on Google are as diverse as the Google ecosystem itself, promising financial rewards for those who explore and leverage its many facets.

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    How to Make Money on Google

    The advantages include a vast and diverse audience reach, facilitated by Google’s global influence, extensive platforms, and tools. For content creators, Google AdSense and YouTube monetization offer accessible and scalable income streams.  Whether you’re an individual content creator or a business entity, making money on Google offers diverse and lucrative opportunities to achieve your financial objectives. Below are some of our top ways to make money on Google

    Google Shopping and Google Ads  

    There are many ways to Make Money on Google, and this has become more increasingly easier due to the different forms of social media platforms. The greater the competition, the better the services have become and so has Google itself.  For e-commerce businesses or any other type of business, Google Shopping and Google Ads offer powerful advertising tools to drive sales. Because of how big Google is, there are countless top quality publishers that advertisers want their advertising ads to be shown. There are mainly three categories to Make Money on Google, which are:

    • GOOGLE ADS PLACEMENT: this is when you place ads on your platforms and earn a commission
    • GOOGLE ADVERTISEMENT: this is when you pay for targeted traffic with the objective to increase sales
    • GOOGLE PLATFORMS: this is when you directly participate with the various Google platforms and get paid after a desired output.

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    Google Analytics 

    GOOGLE ANALYTICS   showcases where you are getting the most traffic from, and not only that, it shows your most popular pages. You can use this data to improve your content and this improves engagement. Anytime there is high engagement, it generates more traffic and of course more traffic more MONEY. 

    VISITORS – There different types of visitors and usually they all depend on the type of content you produce. The best type of visitors are the ones that become repeat visitors as they not only help with building your tribe but also help with the statistics. Below are some type of visitors:

    One-Timers – go to your Google Analytics and examine the pages that the “one-timers frequent”. Look for any missed opportunities that you can improve such as 

    • keywords usage
    • is the content up to date 
    • does the content provide a solution

    Repeat Visitors – just like the above, examine Google Analytics for the most visited pages and list the key points that you visitors enjoy, such as 

    • type of content 
    • keyword usage 
    • style of writing 
    • length of content

    Tribe – these were once visitors and now converted into followers. They are now part of your community, such as the email list, social media followers and or your group. They are now part of your brand as they like your writing style and or products. As noted above use Google Analytics to find which content they like and not only produce the same content but aim to improve and deliver quality solutions or informative content. 

    TIP: you can use Google Analytics to improve your content or sell products that your target audience is most interested in. Sell or write what your readers want, this will inversely increase your sales.

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    Google AdSense 

    GOOGLE ADS PLACEMENTS – You can earn money from this option by placing Google Ads on your website or YouTube channel. The main source of increasing your GOOGLE ADSENSE commissions is the constant traffic your site or video produces on a monthly basis. There are multiple strategies to increase your traffic but the best is producing content that visitors deem to be valuable on a consistent basis. In addition, make sure your content is shareable and optimized for each social media platform.

    The best way to Make Money on Google is to establish what type of content to publish and it’s delivery. For instance, make sure your content is acceptable for Google AdSense to place ads. Adult content or content that endangers people may not be favorable to many Google Partners.  Write content that can easily be consumed without any restriction. Delivery is how your visitors will consume your content. It is best to start with a platform you are comfortable with either a website or videos. Below are types of delivery options:

    • Videos 
    • Blog Sites 
    • News Sites
    • Forums or Discussion Board

    Types of Google Ads – Your site should be equipped to accommodate various types of ads, as advertisers make more than just one type of ad. Google Ads (formerly known as Google AdWords) is where advertisers create their ads and they mainly have 3 types of ads 

    • Text Ads, 
    • Video Ads 
    • Image Ads

    The best methods include having a great hosting plan, short website loading time and strategic location to place your ads. 

    GOOGLE ADVERTISING: This option is when you want to advertise on Google and have your ads show up on other publishers account. This is a great way to increase traffic and sales, as long as you know how to correctly use Google Ads. Take the time to learn the ins and outs, as you might easily spend a lot of money on campaigns that do not convert.

    TIP: be mindful, there are two types of Google AdSense, one where you earn commissions by allowing ads on your platform and the second is where you pay to advertise your business

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    Google AdSense Custom Search

    Most websites have a search bar where visitors can look for content using keywords. Instead of using the search bar that comes with your site, you could use Google AdSense Custom Search Bar. The search bar will not only search your site if queried by visitors but it will maximize your Google AdSense profits by showing Google Ads alongside your searched results. This is another way to earn from Google and it actually tends to bring or similar to Google Ads, some of its features: 

    • Get fast and relevant search results
    • Make money off the ads we show using AdSense for Search
    • You control the look and feel and when a user clicks you get paid
    • Google matches its highly targeted ads with your search results.
    • Customize the look of the search results to match your site’s design

    TIP: you need to apply for AdSense Custom Search which is separate from Google AdSense

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    Read More Articles on

    How to Make Money Blogging

    How to Make Money on Amazon

    How to Make Money on Pinterest

    How to Make Money on Facebook

    How to Make Money on YouTube

    How to Make Money on Instagram

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    How to Make Money on YouTube

    There are so many ways to earn money on YouTube but the one that is tied to GOOGLE ADSENSE is through ads placements, which air during the video. For content creators, YouTube monetization offer accessible and scalable income streams. Website owners and bloggers can monetize their content through AdSense, while content creators on YouTube can earn revenue through ad displays and sponsorships. Below are some tips on How to Earn on YouTube:

    • RATES: with every 10 000 views, your rate goes up
    • ADSENSE PROGRAM: Your channel should have at least a 1000 subscribers and 4000 views in order to qualify for the AdSense program 
    • PAY METRIC: Cost Per Impression is the metric YouTube uses to gauge how much to pay you
    • VIDEO LENGTH: If your video is more than 10 minutes long, you get the opportunity to put more ads in it
    • POLICIES: always check their policies and terms as they continue to change (it’s best to play by the rules than get blocked)
    • ANALYTICS: Also, look into the analytics and examine what content your audience likes and produce more content that your viewers enjoy

    Read Post: For more information on How to Make Money on YouTube

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    Google Opinion Rewards 

    GOOGLE OPINION REWARDS its a reward based system created by Google and the rewards earned can be cashed for dollars. The surveys are conducted through a mobile app, on Android users earn Google Play credits and whereas on IOS users are paid through PayPal. 

    How Google Opinion Rewards Works

    • APP: Download the App from Google or Android store
    • QUESTIONS: The App asks you questions based on the places you have been, interactions with Google Assistant, shopping habits or products that you have recently purchased
    • SURVEYS: There different types of surveys and each has its own price list  and when you complete each one you get a reward that is converted to monetary value 
    • AUDIENCE MEASUREMENTS – for sharing your TV and internet usage you earn rewards and they can be redeemed at major retailers

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    Google Search Engine Evaluator

    This job analyzes search results to ensure that they are accurate, relevant to the searched keywords and how useful the results pages are. The process includes analyzing both video, text and or infographics results. Below are some requirements for Google Search Engine Evaluator:

    • have a Gmail account 
    • have some knowledge on how search engines and social media works 
    • know the in’s and outs of using Google Search Engine and their other products

    Where to apply – There are companies that you can work with but before you do, some require you to take an exam. They provide study materials and and give you a specified amount of time to take the exam. 

    How much they pay – Most of the pay rates are determined by your location and experience. Currently, Leapforce rate is between $7/hr to 14/hr

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    Google Audience Measurements 

    GOOGLE AUDIENCE MEASUREMENTS is almost similar to Google Opinion Rewards the main difference is this option tracks your behavior in order to learn your media habits. Once you download and give access to The Audience Management Team they learn your interactions, such as browsing the internet, the apps you use, the programs you watch can accumulate rewards known as meters. Google only connects with a small number of panelists for any given research study. The more you participate and the more often you check in to your meters, the more reward points you earn. The more you participate, the more you earn. 

    How it works 

    • Must be 18 years or older
    • currently (live in the US)
    • Rewards are known as meters and can be cashed for money 
    • must actively use at least one device that supports Screenwise Meter 
    • No family members employed in the advertising or marketing industry

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    Google Play

    There are a few ways to make money on Google Play and the most lucrative one is creating an APP to be sold in the Google Store. The best way to make money on any online platform is to diversify your revenue streams and the same is true for Google Play, below are some examples 

    • create an APP 
    • sell subscription 
    • have App in-store sales
    • sell your books or music
    • have in store APP advertising and have your App downloaded for free
    • seek brand collaboration where they can you can sale private ads placement

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    Google Remote Staff

    Google is a very competitive place to work and their job requirements are just as equally as competitive. They do have a demand where they look for resources to help remotely for various departments. The best way is to go to Google Careers and search for remote job vacancies. 

    The other best way to secure a job from Google is to be more socially exposed. Go to various job listing boards to examine the type of jobs they offer remotely. Once you have gotten a good understanding of what they want and how you can meet their expectation, then monitor their LinkedIn page. There you have access to various recruiters from that company and the best way is to simply introduce yourself and your skill sets.

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    Summary

    If you add up all the ways on how to make money on Google, it can bring in a steady income. To be successful with anything, you have to take the time to study the requirement, expectations and making money online, you have to know how to bring traffic to your site as targeted traffic translates to money.


    Cheering To Your Success
    Brenda | www.DesignYourFinances.com
    Let’s Connect on Social Media! | Pinterest 


     QUOTE OF THE DAY 

  • Blog,  Make Money

    10 Ways to Make Money On Pinterest Fast

    Pinterest is quickly growing into a search engine which currently supports infographics and video sharing content. How to make money on Pinterest has become one of the most searched topics.

    Pinterest has become one of the leading platforms of driving traffic and for any type of business to be successful, traffic is the most important asset to any business.

    Pinterest, often recognized as a visual discovery and bookmarking platform, presents a unique opportunity for those looking to generate income online. With its vast and engaged user base, Pinterest offers a wealth of creative avenues to explore, from affiliate marketing and sponsored pins to promoting e-commerce products and building a strong brand presence

    The explosion of social media has made it much easier to make money online. In this blog post we will delve into the world of making money on Pinterest quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned Pinterest pro or just beginning to explore its potential, these strategies and insights will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to leverage the platform’s visual appeal and convert it into a profitable endeavor. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey to discover how to make money on Pinterest fast and unlock the financial potential this unique platform has to offer. Below is a list of How to Make Money on Pinterest (which is not exhaustive) but can certainly serve as a starting place.  

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    How to Make Money On Pinterest

    There are different ways to improve your pinning strategies and the below are courses and tools that will help you in growing your Pinterest account. From scheduling, learning more Pinterest strategies to converting Pinterest traffic into profits

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    Design Your FinancesCOURSE: PINTEREST INCOME

    STATUS: EARNS $100,000 PER MONTH

    This Pinterest Course teaches you step-by-step process of How to Use Pinterest and grow your business. The course creator has managed to increase their traffic and built businesses that make a $100,000 a month. This course is geared towards candidates, who want to build a business from their blogs or any internet venture.  Click Here to Learn More

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    SERVICE: GRAPHIC DESIGN

    COST: 30 DAY FREE TRIAL

    Pinterest is an image and search engine tool. You have to pin “a poster” that showcases your blog title, description and links back to your website. There are different types of pin “posters” but the best performing posters are the ones that state a problem and offers a solution. This tools is perfect for the less tech savvy as it comes with predesigned templates for different social media platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and many more. You can design numerous graphics such as infographics, newsletters, brochures, flyers, logos, photo books, print products, invitations, ebooks, printables and so much more. Click Here to Learn More

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    SERVICE: PINTEREST SCHEDULER

    COST: 7 DAY FREE TRIAL 

    If you have an internet business you should start with Pinterest as it is a search engine and brings so much traffic to your site. This is the most favored tool to schedule your pins. You can schedule your pins for at least a year and this becomes so efficient and you do not have to spend too much time pinning.  You can schedule your pins in advance to your personal boards, group boards and Tailwind Communities. Many bloggers that have used this tool, have drastically increased their traffic.  Click Here to Learn More

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    How to Make Money On Pinterest 

    There are many ways to make money on Pinterest, but the ones below have been proven to be successful. The most important aspect of making money on Pinterest is driving traffic from Pinterest to your site, ecommerce or any other money making avenue. This post will showcase how to increase your Pinterest followers and in turn increase traffic to your site.  Below are the 11 Ways to Make Money On Pinterest. To increase your Pinterest engagement, you have to share other Pinterest pins, that is the only way to increase your website traffic.

    TIP: Pinterest has become the best search engine mainly because, once you share a pin, it can continuously brings traffic

    STEP BUSINESS TYPE

    1

    Blogging

    2 Consulting
    3

    Copywriting 

    4

    Interior Design
    5 Freelancing   
    6 E-Commerce
    7 Video Creator
    8 Virtual Assistant
    9 Brand Ambassador
    10 Social Media Manager

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    Tips on Creating Pinterest Business Account

    Currently, there are two types of Pinterest accounts, mainly a personal account and a business account. The main difference between the two is for any commercial use, such as advertising or any business related strategies, you need the business account. You can convert your personal account into a business account. Since the post is geared on How to Make Money on Pinterest we are going to focus on the business account.

    BUSINESS PROFILE – since you are running a business it is imperative to have all your social media profile image to be the same or similar, it makes it easier to identify your brand.

    BIOGRAPHY – give a great description of what your business does. The best way to do it on Pinterest is to have keywords included in your descriptions such as Blogging | Make Money Online.  In addition to the keywords, if you have a link in your bio, it is best to shorten it. You can use bit.ly 

    RICH PINS – this gives you the ability to provide more information about the product. For your rich pins to be activated go to the Rich Pin Validator and enter your URL, once the process is complete and approved, you can identify Rich Pins by the extra information above and below the image and the bolded title. There are different three types of rich pins which include:

    • Product Rich Pins: they show up-to-date price, availability and product information and the product rich pins 
    • Article Rich Pins: any blog post or article from your website, this still give you the option to include detailed descriptions
    • Recipe Rich Pins: this has the ability to be updated as any edits are made from your siteHow to Make Money on Pinterest

    VERIFICATION – this is an important part and it gives more credibility. In your Pinterest settings, you can copy an HTML code and paste in your WordPress, a checkmark next to your website link indicates your account has been verified. 

    LINK TO OTHER ACCOUNTS – in your Pinterest settings you have the option to link to other social media accounts. This becomes so seamless when sharing information across all linked platforms and it does generate more traffic

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    How to Make Money on Pinterest

    The above example showcases a correctly optimized Pinterest profile. There are many ways to optimize your Pinterest account, currently the above example is the best way to optimize your profile. Make sure you add the keywords to your profile, as this will help with the search engine.

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    Benefits of Pinterest Group Boards

    PINTEREST KEYWORDS  – always use Pinterest keywords for all your descriptions such as pin naming, description and group board names. The best way to find Pinterest keywords is by using the Pinterest search bar and the suggested words that show up after entering a word or phrase in the search, are the keywords.

     

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    How to Make Money on Pinterest

    Your Own Group boards – are pins grouped together under the same topic such as blogging, savings, recipes. When you pick the name of your group board, it is best to use a keyword. You should pin into your own group boards at least on a daily basis. 

     

    Other Pinners Group Board – this is when you join other pinners group boards. The goal is to share other pinners pins, while you pin yours into their group boards. The greater the visibility the higher the traffic sent to your website. Below are the examples of other people’s group boards,  it shows the number of pins in the boards.

    TIP:  to join group boards, you can email the board owner, introduce yourself and explain how you can contribute to the board. To effectively manage this task, set a weekly schedule to send requests to different board owners.

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    Pin Descriptions

    Pins Descriptions – as stated above, always use keywords for the pin description and title. In addition to that try to include the reason why that pin will be helpful. for instance, such as how is it solving a problem

    Hashtags – these are mostly used in the pin descriptions as they make it easier for Pinterest users to search for information. Most pinners use keywords as hashtags as well as description.

     

    TIP: Usually Pinterest hashtags show up in blue, they are clickable and you can see other creator’s content that are using the same hashtag. Like the example below:

     

     

    Take the time to create Pinterest titles that explain what the post is about and also that catches the reader’s interest. The main point, is to drive traffic back your site. If you read How to Blog, it details the correct way to research and write a post. The main point is to write post, that solve a problem or a solution. 

    That same analysis should be applied on how you write your Pinterest descriptions and titles. 

    TIP: make sure your Pinterest Titles state a problem and also provides a solution. This usually drives so much traffic as the reader is getting an answer to a problem

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    Tips on Using Tailwind 

    The reason why Pinterest is such a favored search engine by most bloggers it’s because a pin has a longer life cycle compared to other social media posts. When you interact with other pinners such as pinning their content, you increase your own visibility. 

    Tailwind – This has become the most favored tool among Pinterest business users as it increases productivity and cuts time spend pinning. Tailwind is a third party tool that is Pinterest approved and its main ability is setting up pins in advance in large quantities, instead of manually pinning. 

    Tailwind Tribes – these are similar to group boards on the Pinterest platform and the objective is to share other pinners post as you pin yours. This is one of the best ways to get your pins shared everywhere and the reach is wider than manual pinning. Most tribes require you to send a request to join them, include a description of what your business does and show enthusiasm that you would like to join the board. 

    Tailwind Slot Time – the other feature that is highly favored is the ability of the system to detect the best time to pin when most of your audience is active and has a higher chance of engaging. You also have the ability to add more slot time.

    Tailwind Smartloop – this is finally no longer in beta and now accessible to all accounts. The best feature of this service is that you can set the system to repin your most popular pins. This helps in giving your old pins new life and reaching a wider audience.

    Below is a Tailwind Dashboard, this allows you to schedule your pins in advance as well as join other Tailwind Communities. This can greatly increase your traffic, most bloggers use Tailwind and getting thousands of pageviews to their site. Click Here to Join Tailwind

     

    TIP: create your own personal boards that go along with your content, then join other group boards. Spend more time pinning in Tailwind Communities, as they are currently the best option to massively increase your traffic.

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    Tips on How To Increase Pageviews 

    Below are tips, tools and tricks you could use to increase your Pinterest page views, the more page views you have the more traffic that will go to your site.  

    Follow People – this is usually the first thing and it’s really beneficial. When you follow someone, Pinterest usually sends an email and most of the time you get a follow back. 

    Study Big Accounts – take the time to study the big account in your niche, as they are clearly doing something right. Study how their boards and pins are structured, take notes on your findings so you can implement yours.

    Big Accounts Boards – also examine the type of boards they have in addition to group boards they participate on. It’s a great idea to see which boards are open and which ones they participate in. Usually, those group boards have high activity and repins, which is the type of exposure you need 

    Creating Pins – your pins should be inviting and well designed. Enter your keyword into the Pinterest search tool and look at the type of pins that show up. This will give you an idea of what people are interested in pinning.  

    Group Board & Pins Optimization – just as stated above, implement keywords and SEO strategies such as adding multiple keywords. Adding descriptions that actually solve the issue.

    Below are Design Your Finances Personal Boards, that are correlate to the different topics that I write about. This helps the reader get an idea of what your blog is all about

    Inter Board Pinning – consistently pin from your own boards and group boards you belong to. The Pinterest search engine works in your favor when you are consistently active on and most importantly when your pin other pinners content.

    Create New Boards – always try to create new boards each month, this increases your traffic and visibility. But when you create new boards, target other keywords in the search engine. Use both the main and sub keywords on your new board, for instance, “blogging” is your main keyword and “blogging for beginners” is a sub keyword. You can name your new board the main keyword and in the description, you can use the sub keyword. This allows you to target traffic from both keywords. 

     


    Pinterest Tips

    There are numerous strategies, tips and tools when it comes to Pinterest, but the best method is to test and analyze who your reader is and what they like. 

    In addition to all the tips stated in this post, be mindful that Pinterest continuously changes its algorithm, and this may affect or improve your account. The best method is to always check for Pinterest updates.  Below are some additional tips to apply.

    Editorial Calendar – is a spreadsheet or calendar that showcases when content is being published. This may also include researching your blog posts, social media postings or any other related tasks.

    Management Spreadsheet – this includes blog and related social media platforms. It may include analytics, social media, blog post titles, related keywords, affiliate links, amount of traffic each post brings etc. Simply,  this includes anything that organizes or manages your business.

    TIP: if you are a new blogger, take the time to research the best tools to manage your blog business.

    Seasonality and Trends – in your Editorial Calendar keep track of seasons and trends during the course of the year, plan your postings in advance such as 3 weeks before, so that you have enough time to market and circulate your post.

    Analytics – in your Pinterest settings, it gives you all your stats such as engaged audience, performances of your pins, impressions, video analytics and so much, you can use this information when creating your next posts.

    Measurements – as much as Pinterest is an informative search engine, it is also a visually appealing platform. Most of these pins on Pinterest are vertical are roughly 735 x 1102 pixels.

    TIP: make sure you periodically check the preferred Pinterest pin measurements, as this has changed in the past.

    Fonts – take the time to see which fonts work on for your designs. Keep in mind that less is more, keeping your designs simple actually make them stand out and more uniformed. 

    Graphics – there are many companies where you can design your pins and the most popular ones are Canva or PicMonkey. They have plenty of templates, fonts and effects that can help you design your poster 


    Read More Articles on

    How to Make Money Blogging

    How to Make Money on Google

    How to Make Money on Amazon

    How to Make Money on YouTube

    How to Make Money on Facebook

    How to Make Money on Instagram


    Titles – write titles that people want to click on and they should be informative. Always aim to answer a problem and give multiple ways to solve it. The best way to research is to search Google and Pinterest examine the posts with the most shares and see how their titles are formatted  

    Test – If you have a couple of good headlines, it is best to create multiple variations of the pins, title, picture, colors or descriptions to see which one works the best. 

    Google Analytics – this is a great way to understand what your audience is looking for especially that Google Analytics showcases exactly which pages your audience frequents. You can curate more content that your audience finds to be helpful. 

    Manual Pinning – this has to be one of the most rewarding aspects of Pinterest mainly because it produces results. The best results are when you pin manually to your own boards. For optimum results, use Tailwind to see when your audience is more engaging and then manually pin. 

    TIP: do not pin over 100 pins at once, as you will receive notifications from Pinterest that your account is blocked and try in a few hours. This is not the correct way to use this method, as your monthly views will spike and then drop drastically.

    Manual Pinning Strategy – manually pin to all your boards, you could do the first board about 20 pins, then wait for a few hours. Your second time around, pin to your next board during the times of your highest engagements. Your third time around skip a day or two and continue with the process.

     


    Summary

    How to make money on Pinterest, has been a question that many bloggers have answered by confirming that Pinterest has become the leading source of traffic.  There are many ways to make money on Pinterest, but the most important aspect regardless of the social media platform is the ability to generate traffic. Without traffic, there is no money or its potential of being made. 


    Cheering To Your Success
    Brenda | www.DesignYourFinances.com
    Let’s Connect on Social Media! | Pinterest


     QUOTE OF THE DAY 

  • Printables,  Shop

    Shop Printables

    Building an Income Blog has many stages and requires measures and well-crafted milestones in order to achieve the goal.

    Blogging Printables is not just pdf pages but has useable worksheets that make your daily blogging process much easier, productive and tracks your S.M.A.R.T Goals.

    It includes printables such as 

    • how to pick a profitable niche
    • how to build a strong brand
    • how to create a customer avatar
    • how to track and create SMART GOALS

    Blogging Printables

     

     

     


     

  • Blog,  Debt Payoff

    11 Expensive Credit Cards Charges to Know

    Credit card charges refer to the fees, costs, or expenses associated with using a credit card for various transactions and services

    Credit cards have become an integral part of modern financial transactions, offering convenience, flexibility, and a wide range of benefits.

    However, the true cost of credit cards isn’t always immediately apparent. Beyond annual fees and interest rates, there is a myriad of charges that cardholders may encounter, often without full awareness.

    We’ll explore 11 expensive credit card charges that every cardholder should be aware of. From foreign transaction fees and cash advance charges to balance transfer fees and over-limit penalties, these charges can add up quickly and have a substantial impact on your financial well-being.

    By understanding these potential expenses, you can make informed decisions about your credit card usage, mitigate unnecessary costs, and use your cards in a way that aligns with your financial goals. So, let’s embark on this journey to discover the various credit card charges that may affect your financial bottom line and empower you to make wiser financial choices.

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    1. Annual Fees

    Some credit cards have an annual fee that cardholders are required to pay for the privilege of using the card.

    Annual fees are one of the common credit card charges that cardholders may encounter. These fees are typically charged once a year for the privilege of owning and using a particular credit card. The cost of annual fees can vary significantly depending on the type of card, its benefits, and the credit card issuer. While some credit cards may have no annual fee, others can have fees ranging from a few dollars to several hundred dollars.

    • For example, a premium travel rewards credit card may come with an annual fee of $450 or more, offering benefits such as airport lounge access, travel credits, and enhanced rewards. On the other hand, a basic credit card with no annual fee may be a more suitable option for individuals looking to minimize costs.

    When considering a credit card with an annual fee, it’s important to assess whether the benefits and rewards offered by the card outweigh the cost of the fee. Some cardholders may find that the benefits, such as travel perks or cashback rewards, justify the annual fee.

    .


    2. Interest Charges

    When you carry a balance on your credit card, you will incur interest charges, which are calculated based on the annual percentage rate (APR) of the card.

    Interest charges are one of the most significant costs associated with credit card usage. When you carry a balance on your credit card from month to month, the credit card issuer charges you interest on the outstanding amount. The interest rate, often referred to as the annual percentage rate (APR), can vary based on factors such as your creditworthiness and the type of credit card you have. The higher the APR, the more you will pay in interest charges.

    • For example, let’s say you have a credit card with an APR of 18% and you have an outstanding balance of $1,000. If you only make the minimum payment each month, it will take you a long time to pay off the balance, and you will end up paying a significant amount in interest charges over time. In this scenario, the interest charges can add up quickly, making it more difficult to pay off your debt.
    • To minimize interest charges, it’s advisable to pay your credit card balance in full and on time each month. This way, you can avoid carrying a balance and accruing interest. If you can’t pay the full balance, paying more than the minimum payment can help reduce the interest charges. Additionally, considering credit cards with lower APRs or introductory 0% APR offers can be beneficial if you need to carry a balance for a limited time and want to minimize interest costs.

    It’s essential to be mindful of interest charges and carefully manage your credit card usage to avoid unnecessary costs and maintain good financial health.

    .


    3. Late Payment Fees

    If you fail to make the minimum payment by the due date, you may be charged a late payment fee.

    Late payment fees are charges imposed by credit card issuers when cardholders fail to make the minimum payment by the due date. These fees can be quite costly and can add up quickly if you consistently miss payments. Late payment fees typically range from $25 to $40, but they can vary depending on the credit card issuer and the terms of the card agreement.

    • For example, let’s say you have a credit card with a late payment fee of $35, and you miss the payment due date by a few days. If you fail to make the payment before the grace period expires, the credit card issuer will charge you the late payment fee. If you continue to miss payments in subsequent months, you will incur additional late payment fees, increasing the overall cost of using the credit card.

    It’s important to be aware of the potential costs associated with late payment fees and to manage your credit card payments responsibly. By making timely payments, you can avoid unnecessary fees and maintain a positive credit history.

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    4. Over Limit Fees

    Over-limit fees are charges imposed by credit card issuers when you exceed your credit limit on a credit card. These fees can be quite costly and can add to your overall credit card debt.

    Typically, over-limit fees range from $25 to $35, but the specific amount may vary depending on the credit card issuer and your card agreement. If you attempt to make a purchase that exceeds your credit limit, the credit card issuer may allow the transaction to go through but charge you an over-limit fee.

    • For example, let’s say you have a credit card with a credit limit of $3,000, and you make a purchase for $3,500, exceeding your credit limit by $500. In this case, your credit card issuer may charge you an over-limit fee of $30. This fee will be added to your outstanding balance, increasing the amount you owe.

    Consider setting up alerts or notifications to inform you when your balance is approaching the credit limit. By being mindful of your credit card usage and staying within your credit limit, you can avoid costly over-limit fees and maintain better control over your finances.

     


    5. Cash Advance Fees

    When you use your credit card to withdraw cash from an ATM or make a cash advance, you may be charged a fee, which is typically a percentage of the amount withdrawn.  When you use your credit card for a cash advance, you’re hit with an upfront fee, which is usually a percentage of the total cash withdrawal.

    Furthermore, the interest on cash advances is typically much higher than that on regular credit card purchases, and it often starts accruing immediately, without the usual grace period. This combination of high fees and exorbitant interest rates can quickly lead to a cycle of debt, making cash advances a costly and financially risky option. It’s advisable to explore alternative methods of obtaining cash before resorting to credit card cash advances.

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    6. Foreign Transaction Fees

    When you use your credit card for purchases in a foreign currency or while traveling abroad, you may be charged a fee for the currency conversion. Foreign transaction fees are often considered expensive and unfavorable for travelers and individuals who make international purchases. These fees are typically charged by credit card companies when a transaction occurs in a foreign currency.

    • First and foremost, they add an extra cost to every purchase made abroad, which can quickly accumulate, making your international expenses significantly more expensive.
    • Moreover, these fees can be hidden and surprising, as they are not always prominently disclosed to the cardholder. They can also deter individuals from using their credit cards while traveling, leading to the inconvenience of carrying large sums of cash or seeking alternative payment methods.

    Overall, foreign transaction fees can make international travel and online shopping less cost-effective and convenient, emphasizing the importance of choosing credit cards that do not impose such charges for global transactions.

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    7. Balance Transfer Fees

    Balance transfers can be seen as both expensive and disadvantageous for several reasons.

    • Firstly, they often come with balance transfer fees, which can range from 3% to 5% of the amount being transferred. These fees can add up significantly, especially for those with substantial balances, offsetting potential savings from a lower interest rate.
    • Secondly, while balance transfers can provide temporary relief with a promotional 0% APR period, they can turn into a financial burden if the entire balance isn’t paid off within that timeframe. Once the promotional period expires, the interest rate often increases to the card’s standard rate, which can be considerably high. This can lead to unexpected costs and potentially more significant debt. 
    Lastly, opening a new credit card for a balance transfer may impact one’s credit score, and if not managed carefully, it can lead to increased credit card debt and a worsened financial situation. Therefore, balance transfers should be approached with caution and a clear repayment plan.

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    8. Returned Payment Fees

    If a payment made towards your credit card is returned due to insufficient funds or other reasons, you may be charged a returned payment fee. Returned payment fees, often charged by credit card companies and other financial institutions, are detrimental for several reasons. Late or missed payments caused by returned payment fees can significantly damage one’s credit score, leading to higher interest rates on loans and credit cards.

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    9. Top Credit Card Questions

    Below are some of the questions that we received in regards to the different types of credit card charges. They are not an exhaustive list, but surely will highlight some areas of concerns and interest. 

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    What are the easiest credit cards to get approved?

    The easiest credit cards to get approved for all depends on your credit score. The higher your credit score, the better your chances of getting approved. Your credit score determines the conditions and the type of credit card you can get. 

    Below are some criteria to consider before applying:

    • Low Credit Score – Usually with a low credit score you have limited options in getting a credit card. The easiest way if you cannot get approved is to a secured credit card. A secured credit is when the company uses your money and loans it back to you. The secured credit card normally has the same stipulations as a non secured credit card such as interest rate, monthly payment and reporting to credit bureau.  
    • High Credit Score – You normally have better chances of getting approved, the best option is to shop around. You may want to look for credit cards that have “good packages” such as mileages, credit card balance transfers, low interest rate, no annual fees, cash back or mileage points. All the added “packages” add up and can you save money in the long run.

    What credit card can I get with a bad credit score?

    The best credit card to get when you have a low credit score is a secured or student credit card. 

    • Secured Credit Card is when you use your own money and have it set up as a loan. Usually, with type of credit card you do have the ability to choose the monthly payment amount you are comfortable with.
    • Student Credit Card they usually come with a low approved amount. You can start with one and be diligent in paying off the balance every month. As time passes make sure to monitor your credit score, as it rises shop around for better credit card options. 

     

    Can I get a Credit Card with a 450 Credit Score?

    Credit scores range from 300 to 800. Depending on what your credit score it determines if you can get approved for a credit card. Usually with a 450 credit score, you may need a secured credit card as getting approved for non secured credit requires a higher score and that may be difficult.


    How Can I build a credit if I cannot get a credit card? 

    The best way to improve and build your credit if you have low credit score is to get a secured credit card. This is the fastest way to start building your credit score. The best advantage of this, you do not need a co-signer. 

    Another method that helps in building your score is to have a co-signer on a loan. This helps you in establishing your credit as the credit bureaus are getting constant updates about your credit use. 

    You can also establish credit history by being added to a third party’s existing credit card. The principle is the same, establishing your credit history through third party.


    How do you get cash from a credit card?

     This is not an advisable solution as it is so expensive. There are additional charges and interest rate applied to the cash you borrowed from your credit card. To get cash from your credit card is usually referred to as cash advance. The best way is to call your bank and request the amount you would like to borrow, after that has been approved they usually advice you to withdraw the money from an ATM. The best method is to contact your credit card company as each company is different.


     

    Can you pay a credit card with a credit?

    Technically, you cannot pay a credit card with a credit. The other methods you can use are typically not conventional or widely offered on most credit cards such as:

    Cash Back if you have a credit card that has offers cash back or any other package that you can redeem as cash, then you can easily have that redeemed cash applied to your balance 

    Cash Advance this is not a good choice.  There are many related charges applied to your account on top of the normal credit card charges. This option allows you to get cash from your credit.


     

    How does credit card work?

    For you to get a credit card, you have to be approved first and the type of credit card and interest rate you get, is all depended upon your credit score. The higher your score the better rates you get. 

    Once you have been approved, you can start using your credit card to pay for your purchases. At the end of your billing cycle, the credit card company will sent you a bill of of the total amount you have spent. You have two options, to either pay the full amount (which usually the best option) or pay the minimum amount stated on your statement. 

    It is advisable to pay either the full balance or the minimum payment before the due date inorder to avoid additional charges. Additionally, do not go beyond 30 days without payment as this will be reported to the credit bureaus as a late payment. This has a tremendous effect on your credit score rating.


     

    What is a credit card limit?

    A credit card limit is the maximum amount your credit company has approved you for. For instance, if you have been approved for $5,000 dollars, this means you are authorized by your credit card company for that amount. You cannot go over that amount, any transactions beyond $5000 dollars, will be declined. 

    Your good payment history can enable you to have your credit card limit increased. Some credit card company do it automatically, while others you have to call in and request for an increase.


    How do you avoid paying interest on a credit card?

    You can avoid paying interest on a credit card by not carrying a balance into the next billing cycle. Simply pay all the balance on the account.


     

    How do beginners use credit card?

    The best way for beginners to use credit cards and improve their credit score is to:

    • have a budget
    • pay off the balance each month
    • use your credit card, only if you have cash to pay it off
    • use your card for small amount purchases (gas, electricity) bills that you can easily payoff

    Summary

    It’s important to review the terms and conditions of your credit card agreement to understand the specific charges and fees associated with your card. By being aware of these charges, you can make informed decisions and manage your credit card usage responsibly.

    There are great points to having credit cards, but everything has to be carefully managed. The best approach is to establish your objective of getting one such as, establishing credit, rewards or cash back’s, or increasing credit limit for a rainy day. It perfectly, okay to establish a high credit limit, but strategy and discipline have to be established to payoff the amount.  Conduct thorough research on which credit card best suits your needs.

     


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    Brenda | www.DesignYourFinances.com
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