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10 Projects to Improve Your Marketing Consultant Skills

 01

10 Best Small-Business Ideas With Low Overhead Costs

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Starting a business can be a multimillionaire-dollar proposition that requires rounds of massive fundraising and the issuance of stock to investors. But there are plenty of types of small businesses that entrepreneurs can begin with little-to-no funding, and few ongoing expenses as well. The key is to understand the type of business you're running and know where you can get customers before you even start.

See: 9 Best Small Business Ideas To Make Money From HomeCheck Out: Small Businesses That You Can Do in Retirement

Here are 10 small-business ideas that have low overhead costs and few barriers to entry, assuming you have the skills to operate them.

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Blogger

Blogging is perhaps one of the easiest businesses to begin on your own, as all you have to do is start writing. Of course, the reality of turning a blogging hobby into a bona fide business is a bit more complicated, but in terms of barriers to entry, there are effectively none. To become a successful blogger, however, you'll have to set up an attractive website, market it to new users, and, of course, be proficient at writing and knowledgeable of your topic. In terms of cost, however, starting a blogging business is one of the most affordable options you can find. Although many bloggers don't earn much, highly popular ones can earn in the six digits.

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Private Chef

It might not cost much money to start a business as a private chef, but it does take serious skills. However, if you've been trained in the industry and either find yourself out of work or simply want to go out on your own, you can generate a lucrative salary without spending a dime on anything other than marketing. Private chefs are often hired on a word-of-mouth basis, so developing a presence in the industry is usually a good first step before starting your own business.

Tips: 27 Best Small Business Ideas To Make Money in 2022

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At-Home Bookkeeper

If you're proficient at bookkeeping, you have the skills to start a successful business without ever leaving your home. Every company needs to keep accurate books, and many businesses outsource this work rather than paying for expensive in-house support. With the right software, a good computer and a solid internet connection, you can be up and working with minimal expense.

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Etsy Creator

If you're a creative tradesperson, sites like Etsy and Ebay offer exposure to huge markets that you could not access before the age of the internet. While Ebay is a more diverse site with a larger audience, Etsy is a more niche marketplace that primarily highlights individual, creative, vintage or handmade products. But you can tap Etsy and other online sites to sell products you manufacture at home on your own, with little-to-no startup costs.

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Consultant

The term "consultant" covers a broad range of disciplines, but if you've got specialized knowledge about a particular field or business, companies likely want to talk to you. From the comfort of your own home, with nothing more than a smartphone and/or a computer, you can offer your advice to businesses around the globe, often for a hefty annual fee.

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Design Services

A wide range of design services are best done using computer software. If you're a designer, this means you can easily work from home using the computer you likely already own. You may want to invest in some design software, particularly if you are an interior designer or plan to present graphic images to your clients, but beyond this, your startup costs are low. The real challenge in being a successful work-from-home designer is the ability to build a reputation in the industry, as that is the key to developing new clients.

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Tutor/Music Teacher

Once you've acquired the skills and talents to be a tutor or a music teacher, your ongoing costs should be quite low. Typically, students will bring their own computers or musical instruments to lessons, which you can even hold at your own house if you want to keep travel costs down. You'll likely want to get some business cards and do some marketing, but beyond the cost of acquiring students, you shouldn't expect to pay too much to start this type of business.

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Personal Trainer

If you're into fitness, starting your own personal training business could be a win-win situation for you. Not only will you enjoy the satisfaction of helping your clients to keep active, but you'll also be paid for conducting your own personal workouts as well. Unlike some of the other businesses on this list, becoming a personal trainer can carry some higher startup costs, as you'll likely have to purchase some equipment, rent out a training space and acquire various certifications. But your costs will still be much lower than those for manufacturing or production companies, which require facilities, inventory, raw materials and extensive staffing.

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Notary

If you want to do business as a notary, you'll have to meet some legal requirements before you can start. For example, you'll need to be trained, licensed, bonded, insured and fingerprinted, and you'll have to invest in a notary seal. But beyond the few hundred dollars or so that are usually required, the only additional costs are typically marketing and transportation. Notary pay varies based on the number of clients you can reach and the state in which you reside, but it can be quite lucrative for a relatively small investment.

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Wedding Planning Services

When couples are planning a wedding, the sky is often the limit when it comes to how much they're willing to spend. If you have a knack for providing all the services a couple might want at a less-than-expected price, you might have the skills to run your own wedding planning company. Relationships with venues, distributors and suppliers are the key to success in this business, but in terms of startup costs as an entrepreneur, you may only need a phone, a computer and a vehicle, assets you likely already have.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Best Small-Business Ideas With Low Overhead Costs

02

How to enhance your hire to retire processes (webinar)

Wednesday 27 April 2022, 2:00pm BST

The ‘great resignation’ is in full swing. HR and in-house recruitment professionals are working harder than ever to snap up talent with in-demand skills quickly. Maintaining productivity is key in this vital moment for the UK’s post-pandemic recovery.

With recent CV-Library research suggesting that three in four UK employees plan to look for a new job in 2022, and Randstad finding that almost seven in 10 are keen to change roles in the next few months, there has never been a better time to overhaul your processes for offboarding leavers and onboarding new starters.

Not only will efficient on- and offboarding processes save time and reduce admin for HR, it will also improve the candidate experience and has the potential to drastically improve your employer brand.

This Personnel Today webinar, in association with DocuSign, covers:

  • What a smooth onboarding/offboarding process looks like
  • The benefits technology can bring your HR and recruitment functions
  • The importance of reducing time to hire for candidates and the organisation
  • Top-tips for overhauling your onboarding/offboarding processes
  • How to enhance your candidate experience
  • Personnel Today’s HR and wellbeing editor Ashleigh Webber is joined by Martin Stubbs, resourcing manager at civil engineering company Colas; Sean Jones, DIS head of product management at global recruiter Hays; and Alan Murphy, senior HR manager for DocuSign EMEA, for a panel discussion on how to enhance your hire to retire processes.

    This 60-minute webinar is free to attend and there will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

    Reserve your free place now

    Martin Stubbs is resourcing manager at engineering firm Colas. Martin’s areas of expertise include recruitment marketing, employer branding, candidate attraction, process improvement and system optimisation. Martin is a passionate EDI advocate works hard to make sure this is at the heart of everything he does. Previously, Martin worked for his own consultancy delivering projects for clients within the construction sector, including IR35 change and readiness, recruitment marketing and process improvement, and has delivered employer brand, employer value proposition, and candidate attraction projects for a FTSE 250 construction business.

    Sean Jones has worked at global recruiter Hays since 2014 starting as a solution architect in the Digital Innovation and Services (DIS) team. He’s worked on products as diverse as in-house compliance and referencing systems, to migrations to cloud infrastructure and back office integration implementations. He has grown to be the CTO for DIS, leading a team of product managers and UK-based architects.

    Alan Murphy is the senior HR manager for DocuSign EMEA, managing a team of HR professionals for the region. Alan has worked in a variety of HR roles in technology, finance and consulting companies. He is passionate about change management, workplace wellness and talent development. Alan also spent four years sitting on the national committee for the CIPD in Ireland.

    03

    22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job

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    Earning extra money on the side can be easy when you know what types of opportunities to look for. Whether you want to pay off student loan debt, start saving for a big-ticket purchase or build up a fund for the future, finding one of the best side jobs out there is a great way to reach your goal.

    Find Out More: 7 Simple Habits That Will Make You Richer in 2022See: How To Compound Your Income in 2022

    Some side jobs pay so well that you might even consider giving up your full-time job to have more time to dedicate to these gigs. It's important to note that some of these jobs might be harder to do during the pandemic but could be ones you look to take on in the future.

    If you need a side job to create extra income, read this list of viable side jobs to create your own schedule and breaking out of the 9-to-5 grind.

    MCCAIG / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Lawn Care Professional

    Sign up as a vendor with GreenPal, a lawn care service and app that CEO Bryan Clayton describes as "Uber for lawn care," and make money mowing lawns. "Many of our lawn care vendors are part-timers -- some are firemen, some are teachers that use our app in the summer to make extra money; others are college students that work afternoons and weekends, and it is the perfect way for them to make extra money," Clayton said. "Our average vendor makes around $55 per hour mowing lawns on our system."

    Aja Koska / Getty Images

    TaskRabbit

    Become a TaskRabbit and earn money by completing everyday errands and tasks for people in your area. All it takes is a visit to TaskRabbit.com, where you can select tasks you are willing to accomplish. After getting matched with individuals requesting service, you can proceed to doing the job -- and getting paid.

    When you pick a task, the website will show you hourly rates for the most qualified taskers. You will then be able to set your own price. All jobs require a minimum time commitment of one hour, and payments are made securely online. According to Time's profile of elite taskers, TaskRabbits have been paid up to $70 an hour to fold shirts, $65 an hour for heavy lifting and $80 for moving services.

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    Frequent Flyer Specialist

    The side gig of frequent flyer specialist is perfect for those who travel often and understand how to maximize frequent flyer miles to receive the best deals. If this sounds like you, consider using your skills to help other travelers plan their itineraries. Experienced frequent flyer specialists can charge clients up to $150 for planning just one itinerary, according to a profile of a frequent flyer specialist on Budgets Are Sexy.

    Drazen Zigic / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Bookkeeper

    With this side gig -- which typically pays $30 an hour, according to FlexJobs -- your duties can include performing bank reconciliations, payroll needs and creating financial reports. Providing bookkeeping services to more than one company at once can increase your earning potential.

    lechatnoir / Getty Images

    City Guide Writer

    If you love your city and have a passion for writing, a side gig as a city guide writer might be ideal. According to Business Insider, real estate and tourism businesses often hire local writers to craft city and neighborhood guides. As a city guide writer, you would provide a unique local perspective on the city, statistics about population demographics and insider tips for shopping, recreation, culture, entertainment, activities, public transportation and more.

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    Online Instructor

    Share your knowledge with the world -- remotely and on your own schedule -- by becoming an online instructor. Computer and IT skills courses are especially in demand, according to FlexJobs.

    Antonio_Diaz / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Fashion Consultant

    Fashionistas with an eye for current trends might be able to find side jobs as fashion consultants for high-end shoppers. Some clients are willing to pay top dollar for fashion help and will even ask their personal shoppers to select entire wardrobes for different seasons.

    As a fashion consultant, you'll meet with clients to discover their likes, dislikes, personalities and style goals. According to The Art Career Project, savvy stylers can earn anywhere from $50 to $500 per hour for their work.

    Jovanmandic / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Sign Language Interpreter

    Licensed sign language interpreters are hired by businesses and other entities to facilitate communication for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The average pay is $30 an hour, according to FlexJobs.

    Tempura / Getty Images

    Curriculum Writer

    If you're a teacher looking to start a side gig outside of the classroom, consider becoming a curriculum writer. These professionals are hired to develop curricula and teaching guides. It's a gig that can pay $50 per hour, according to FlexJobs.

    miodrag ignjatovic / Getty Images

    Education Training Specialist

    This gig involves conducting or teaching workshops, seminars or courses, as well as evaluating participants and developing the curricula for what you teach. According to FlexJobs, the average pay is $34 an hour.

    Ridofranz / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Executive Assistant

    It's possible to find executive assistant positions that are remote and part time if you already have a few years of experience under your belt, according to FlexJobs. Duties can include setting up meetings, responding to emails, tracking appointments and more.

    filadendron / Getty Images

    Consultant

    Turn your area of expertise into extra money in your pocket with consultant work. These professionals are hired by an organization to review its processes and provide advice to improve its performance. According to FlexJobs, IT is a particularly lucrative field for consultants.

    vgajic / Getty Images

    Lead Generation Specialist

    Companies and business development teams hire these specialists to find, qualify and generate leads. It's a gig that pays an average of $30 an hour, according to FlexJobs.

    NicoElNino / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    NetSuite Administrator

    Knowledge of NetSuite -- a software program used by companies to manage their business processes in a single system -- can prove valuable in terms of side gig potential. NetSuite administrators can perform a number of tasks including creating custom fields, reports and KPIs; developing workflows; and designing and implementing NetSuite solutions. The average pay for this flexible job is $70 per hour, according to FlexJobs.

    kate_sept2004 / Getty Images

    Project Manager

    You don't need a full-time job to put project management skills to use. Seek out freelance positions that take advantage of these skills, such as overseeing timelines, tracking budgets and coordinating team members. You can make $65 an hour without going into an office every day, according to FlexJobs.

    kate_sept2004 / Getty Images

    Senior Accountant

    Taking accounting gigs can become a major moneymaker. This job will require preparing statements and audits, documenting transactions and performing end-of-month tasks.

    To earn the high salary of a senior accountant, you typically need five years of experience, according to FlexJobs.

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    Social Media Marketing Specialist

    Social media has become a powerful selling tool for businesses and brands, and these companies depend on marketing specialists to make sure their social media campaigns are successful. These individuals create campaigns, develop strategies and write social media content.

    DragonImages / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Software Developer

    These developers are responsible for maintaining and updating apps, testing automation design and troubleshooting software issues. This tech side gig pays an average of $55 an hour, according to FlexJobs.

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    Web Designer

    An eye for design and a background in tech come together with this gig. Web designers will generally need knowledge of platforms such as CSS, WordPress or jQuery, according to FlexJobs.

    RyanJLane / Getty Images

    WordPress Developer

    Many individuals and businesses use WordPress for their websites, so having a mastery of the platform can make for a high-paying side job. These developers create and edit themes, set up and utilize plugins, and write code. The average pay is $45 an hour, according to FlexJobs.

    bernardbodo / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Disc Jockey

    Between corporate events, birthday parties and weddings, it's possible to find enough side gigs as a DJ to make a good living. Although the average salary is $42 an hour, the top 10% of DJs bring in $123 an hour, according to PayScale.

    PhotoAttractive / Getty Images/iStockphoto

    Online Reseller

    Having an eye for a bargain can make you rich as a reseller. Whether your passion is clothes, shoes or something more obscure, selling items for more than what you paid for them on eBay, Craigslist or apps like Poshmark can be a lucrative side gig.

    Alexandra Marquez, a thrift store pro who resells the items she finds on Poshmark, told Business Insider that she left her $50,000-a-year corporate job at a marketing company to focus on her reselling business full time. She now makes $5,000 a month.

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    Autumn Rose contributed to the reporting for this article.

    This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 22 Side Gigs That Can Make You Richer Than a Full-Time Job

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