Category: Career

Taxes are something that the average person hates. It’s a way of helping put money back into the government, but most people see it as a means of losing their hard-earned income on the promise of a return, which isn’t much in the way of a prize. If you talk to business owners, however, taxes become even more of a tedious aspect of being an entrepreneur because of the staggering amount of rules and regulations that are much less commonplace than it is for the average person.

They’re a part of being a business owner, but there is quite a lot to know about business tax and law. One aspect that is not usually at the forefront of the minds of people in sales and uses tax bonds, which is a unique part of being a business owner. This is especially important for businesses operating in retail, leases, or rentals, and it’s imperative that someone in business knows this. Here is what you need to know about sales and use tax bonds.

What are Sales and Use Tax Bonds?

As mentioned, a business that is operating in retail (selling products), leasing property or products, or renting property and products, is often required to ensure that a business will pay taxes on the revenue they make from these sales/leases/rentals. This bond is useful in helping ensure that the business is reliable in paying the taxes on time, and you can find more info on how it relates to the role of proving that they are responsible and credible in the act of doing so. Sales and use tax bonds are intended to help assure the state taxes will be paid and collected in the proper amount of time.

Types of Sales and Use Tax Bonds

Sales and use tax bonds come in many different types but are all related to the taxation of products and goods sold. Here are some of the most common types you will find for a business:

• Motor Fuel 
• Customs
• Fireworks 
• Tobacco Products and Cigarettes
• Alcohol, Liquor, or Beer

These are commonly taxed products sold every day that need to be made tax by the business, and thus, pay the taxes to the government. The bond acts as the license to collect these taxes, but sometimes they are not needed and can be posted with a general sales tax bond. It’s important to understand the role of your business and its sales.

Why is it Important?

The government needs to be sure that a business can financially sustain itself beyond revenue and be able to pay back taxes in an orderly fashion. Covering the cost of filing for bankruptcy is not in the interest of the state or federal government as it costs them billions every year. It’s also very important that many of these products sold are taxed regularly because of the high volume that they are purchased in. 

Does Every State Have the Same Rules?

No, the short and simple answer is that not every state has the same rules regarding sales and use tax bonds. It would be common to find a bond required for the sale of liquor in many states, like Texas, but in some states, this is not a requirement. It’s also important to note that many states may require a different kind of product tax issue instead of a sales and use bond. Posting the general product sales tax is enough in some places, while in others there is no requirement at all. 

How Much Do These Bonds Cost?

Another good question to ask is how much the bonds cost, which is also a variable answer depending on the state. In Missouri, the bond must be equal to double the monthly average on sales and taxes. In other places, like New Hampshire, there are no state taxes at all which means there is no requirement to pay either, even though a permit for sales tax still must be acquired. The varying cost also has to do with acquiring the bond as well. The bonds are issued, usually by surety companies, which deal with agencies that help spread your application to as many companies as possible to help you get approved. Often, there is also a payment of a premium, which is a percentage of the total bond amount.

Sales and use tax bonds are not the most common knowledge for the average person and many business owners, but it may be a crucial step in opening up a legitimate business. It also helps ensure the government’s trust in the ability to pay back taxes in a proper manner, as well as a sign of faith in a business’s financial credibility.

As a writer, it can be easy to fall victim to your own work ethic and become swamped with a high workload. This can be an overwhelming ordeal, and so writers need to know how they can reduce their workload and how they can effectively manage their workload. 

Rebalance Your Workload

If you find yourself in a position where you can’t keep up with your workload, and this is a consistent experience for you, then you should consider rebalancing your workload. Doing this will vary depending on how you are employed. For example, if you work for a company, and have someone managing you, then you need to talk to them, explain the difficulties you are having regarding your workload, and ask them to readjust it for you. 

Often management will not realize if you are swamped, and if you continue suffering in silence, they will assume that all is okay. If some of your workloads get reassigned then you will be able to focus properly on your writing, without the niggling bit of stress in the back of your mind. 

If you are a freelancer it can be tempting to take on as much work as possible, but often this can lead to burnout and poor quality of work. Consequently, this will lead to the possibility of redoing work and disappointing clients. So try to create a structure for yourself to follow, a routine that will not allow you to take on more than you can handle. A balanced workload makes for a happy writer!

It Is Okay To Say No

This is very important to remember. Too often people feel like they can’t say no, so they accept project after project, responsibility after responsibility, until one day they crack. As a society, we have this tendency to fear the word no as if it will bring us shame and disappoint others. The reality is, that no one will really care if you say no, because honesty and clear communication is essential in the working world. 

Once you say the dreaded word once or twice, the feelings of anxiety around the word will gradually just go away. It loses its power the more we say it. If you do not have the capacity to take on anymore, that is okay.

Be Realistic

The bottom line is that it is important to know your limits as a writer. Set yourself and your clients’ realistic expectations as to what you can do. It is far better to be able to hand in one piece of work that has had your full attention, as opposed to five pieces that were rushed and poorly written because you were not able to concentrate. 

It’s natural to want to exceed expectations and work hard to impress your clients and make more money, but it’s a fine line to walk, and you can easily fall into the trap of producing a poor quality of work and burning out. 

Be realistic to yourself and understand that we all have limitations as to how much work we can do!

Tips For Improving Productivity

Improving your productivity will make you feel as though your workload has decreased! As a result of this, you’ll feel more in control of your workload, even if it remains the same.

1. Use a clipboard manager such as ClipClip
2. Prepare a to-do list every night for the following morning
3. Have realistic to-do lists!
4. Stop aimlessly scrolling through your phone
5. Take regular screen breaks, whether that’s to get up for some exercise or even to just go to the bathroom. 
6. Work in a clean space. A cluttered desk leads to a cluttered mind!
7. Set routines

The Pomodoro Technique

Chunking is another method that writers use to improve their productivity. One well-known method of chunking is the Pomodoro Technique! It is a time managing method that breaks up your working day into twenty-five minute periods of working followed by five minutes of a break. After doing this around four times, you then are rewarded with a longer break of fifteen to twenty minutes. 

This method works because our brains need breaks, and our attention spans cannot last over long periods. A lot of people found that they were more productive by working in short bursts of time. 

All in all, reducing your workload as a writer does not have to be a stressful ordeal! Whether you are a freelancer or working for somebody else, it is important to set realistic expectations for you. Having a more manageable workload increases your productivity, quality of work, and mental wellbeing.

Digital marketing is a career involving online sales and advertising. So much of the world is digital these days that digital marketing, a profession that didn’t exist 30 years ago, can now be a highly competitive and lucrative business. Today over half the world has access to the internet and therefore has the capacity to shop and browse products online. There are many facets to digital marketing, all of which can influence how much money a digital marketer can make. This makes it essential to learn digital marketing as mastering these strategies can open doors to lucrative opportunities in the ever-expanding online marketplace. Let’s take a look at what digital marketing is, how you can become an expert in it, and how profitable it can be.

What Is Digital Marketing

First, we think it is important to explain what digital marketing is and how it is done. A digital marketer understands the best ways to get people’s attention online. They will use a combination of various marketing tactics such as blog posting, targeted advertising, social media, and more to create unique marketing campaigns for brands and products. This can also include various other skills such as networking, web design, artistic design, and much more. Basically, it is the job of a digital marketing professional to ensure the right consumers see the right adverts online. It has largely overtaken many of the more traditional advertising spaces such as billboards, posters, and print advertising.

Training in Digital Marketing

There are now many ways you can train in the field of digital marketing. Steve, a digital marketing professional over at be your maverick said, “With so many online courses and training centers dedicated to the field of digital marketing, it has never been easier to learn the skills required for a digital marketing professional.” It has become such an in-demand profession that many people now offer remote and classroom-based courses in digital marketing. These courses will cost a small amount but could lead to a rewarding career in the field as you learn the skills and tricks of the trade.

What Skills Do You Need?

There are many skills required to be a successful digital marketing specialist. Some, you will be able to learn on a training course, while others you will need to develop yourself. The key skills you can learn through training include coding and technology skills, design software skills, SEO utilization, and understanding of online advertising platforms like Google’s AdWords. On the other hand, there are many skills required that can’t necessarily be taught, such as great communication with clients, being a flexible worker, or being highly organized. Many digital marketers work alone so need to be able to juggle plenty of tasks and clients in one day.

How Much Money Is In Digital Marketing?

So, the real question. How much money can be made as a digital marketer? Is it a good career choice? In short, yes. But, there are many variables when it comes to a career in digital marketing. When starting out as a digital marketer, the simplest way is to join a marketing agency as a junior or associate marketer. In these roles, the salary can start anywhere from $25 to $40,000 depending on the location and size of the company. A digital marketer in Manhattan, for example, may have a much higher starting salary than one in a small town. 

As you progress through the ranks of a digital marketing agency you can certainly earn more money. A senior marketer or digital marketing manager could push up to a salary of $60,000 which is a great salary. And, if you end up an executive in the firm salaries can go as high as six figures. Of course, to reach this level, you will need to be an expert digital marketer, people manager, and creative lead.

Self-Employed Marketers

There is another route into earning good money as a digital marketing manager; self-employment. As a freelance marketer, you can charge differing rates for different projects. Many first-time self-employed marketers charge low rates with smaller clients to gain experience, and as they develop, they can charge higher rates. Without a firm behind you, it can be hard to gain clients and experience. But, as you grow, you can charge as much as a huge firm would charge and take more of the profit for yourself. You will need great client-facing skills to develop and grow as a freelance marketer, but can expect to earn a high salary if you are successful.

As you can see, it is a lucrative business and well worth stepping into. If you think you have the necessary skills to be a digital marketer, maybe it’s time to take the leap. If you do, we wish you the best of luck.

Being a good employee isn’t enough to get noticed and put your career on a higher level. If you have been doing all the right things like working hard, introducing new ideas, and helping colleagues who’ve asked for your advice, that only means you are an excellent employee. However, it doesn’t mean you are getting anywhere further than that. There are loads of simple tips and everyday habits you will need to adapt to successfully take your career to the next level. Here are a few recommendations on what to change and what to focus on to easily level up your career.

Get up early

Other than multiple health benefits, getting up early can help you achieve a feeling of confidence and accomplishment. Early birds have more time to do things which offer a sense of control that you might not enjoy if you wake up later. This way you are automatically more determined and prepared for the day and preparation is the key to improvement.  This tip is probably the least fun, but it will inevitably change your mindset, and improve overall productivity, so If you seriously want to level your career up, do yourself a favor and get up early to accomplish everything you have set for a day. 

Have a role model

If you want to kick your professional growth up it is a good idea to follow people who do the same thing you do but on a grander scale. Make sure to identify what they are doing that you are still not, and what it is that works best for them. Regardless if you are an employee, or you are running your own business, having a good example of what you are trying to achieve is very important. It reminds you that what you are going for is possible and helps you understand how. Also, remember that it is more than ok to use someone else’s experience and knowledge to improve your career. 

Related: Innovative Ways You Can Assist New Hires Adjust To Their Work As Soon As Possible

Invest in your core competence

Your core competence is the area where you provide the best results. It is a point where you have the highest potential and the greatest creativity which is also a place where you may be easily deceived. The key is to look for ways to invest in them and highlight them in any way possible to elevate yourself higher. They include any exceptional skills, and individual competitive advantages that separate a leader from an average player in the industry. These are your best assets and your employers must understand that well. Regardless if you are looking for a promotion in your current company or changing your job altogether it is very important to point out your best qualities upfront. 

Go to workshops and conferences

Everybody knows that beginning a new job can feel overwhelming as there’s so much to learn and take in at once. As you get more comfortable and confident at your job, you will find room for improvement. One of the best ways to get more knowledge and upgrade your professional skill set is to visit conferences and workshops that you have never taken part in before. There are various high-quality boot camps around the world depending on the job skills you want to improve.  And if you want to go big, the advice is to go solo. It can promote the ultimate productivity, helping you to focus on the learning.

Improve communication

Want to be noticed and respected at work you have to be a good conservationist. Even if your job isn’t customer-oriented or doesn’t require you to provide presentations to clients, it is still important to communicate effectively with your boss and colleagues. That means being constantly present and diligent about checking emails and calls and staying in touch with your co-workers and their tasks. Besides, regardless of the position you are looking for, employers are always looking for people that express themselves well. So work on upgrading your communication skills, and don’t forget to watch out for your body language as another type of communication that may reveal much more than you are aware of.

Change industries

In some cases, you might find you’ve reached the ceiling in your current career, and changing the industry field or a company might be the right choice. Some industries offer very few opportunities to improve your career, or it just may be much harder than in others. As much as changing careers is a tough choice, in some situations, it might be the right one. Before you make this decision take a long hard look at your career and put all pros and cons on the paper, so you get a better insight if it’s better to switch to another job or stick at the current one.

Do more by doing less

Sure everybody has heard the saying “the less is more”, but how can it help you achieve your career goal? It is quite simple. Instead of setting hundreds of goals in front of you, and not finishing half of it at the end of the day, set smaller and more attainable goals each day. This way you will make sure you’ll have enough energy to get a few important things done. When it comes to long-term planning it is essential to create time-frame goals and adjust your daily task accordingly because, without the daily goals, nothing else gets done. 

Be clear and focused

Before you start with any of this, you should make sure you are clear with what you are looking for, and why you want it. These questions are critical and demand precise and deep self-exploration, and that might not be as easy as it seems. You will need to be willing to work on your goal every day, so you must be sure enough that it’s the right thing for you. There are a million things you could do instead of following your goal plan, so it is important to have that as a priority. Another crucial thing is to find a way to stay laser-focused to help you get you to your chosen destination. 

The key elements for a successful upgrade of your current career are positivity, productivity, and motivation. Changing your habits and following the tips mentioned in this article will certainly help you reach your goal faster and easier.

The hiring process can be rigorous for both employer and applicant. With so many questions to ask, so many people to vet and so much research on both ends, it’s an arduous process that only feels fully completed when you can finally land on someone who seems like the best possible choice out of the scores of applicants.

Landing on that right person for the job is tough enough, so weeding out the good and the bad is the risk/reward duty of the interview process and the employer. There can be a lot to dissuade and a lot to persuade in choosing someone, so it’s good to know the good and the bad of finding a good candidate for a job. Here are some key factors to consider.

Lack of Experience Isn’t Always a Deal Breaker

Experience is an asset, which many job applications state, while some say it is a requirement. It is a good idea to not get too hung up on this part because there are a lot of gifted, eager, and talented applicants who have not had the time in the workforce to acquire all of the experience needed. It’s more important to find experience in crucial skills related to the job, like the use of tools or software, as well as other unorthodox examples of experience like life experience. The perfect candidate is not someone who checks off every box, but one who can reach their potential in due time.

Background is Hazy or Has Red Flags

While experience should not be mandatory for the right applicant, a must is a good background and one that isn’t questionable or concerning. A dbs check is a type of background check to determine any criminal activity or warnings, and many places have these kinds of resources to ensure that an applicant is legally qualified. Besides that, there are tools to do background on social media presence and other information to check out. Similarly, it’s good to do this before an interview process to see what they say and whether their account of their background or past is in fact truthful.

Confidence (or Lack Thereof) Is Noticeable

How people carry themselves is a good way to determine if they are going to be a good match for the job. Confidence is a major skill to have that takes years to develop. Lacking confidence is just as noticeable, and in the interview process, you can tell when someone is timid or unsure, as well as self-doubtful. Downplaying their skills or being cautious with how they are perceived may be a sign that they aren’t yet ready to handle the job they are applying for, while confidence is a good sign they are up for the challenge. However, it is good to note that overconfidence could be a sign of someone thinking they’re punching well above their weight.

Interview Process Feels Choreographed

As you can obviously tell, and from your past experiences, finding the right applicant is not easy and the interview process is a defining factor because it gives you time to meet face to face with the person behind the CV. A good interviewee is always prepared, dressed appropriately, and follows key steps like proper posture, eye contact, and speaking habits. A surprisingly bad interview isn’t one where someone shows up looking like they rolled out of bed, but one that feels overly choreographed and planned. Following generic phrases and using vague answers is a sign that they are not prepared and are just doing what they were told, rather than being themselves, which could be a sign of a less than unique applicant.

Provide Limitations On What They Expect

Every job has requirements that you might not want to do but will do because you understand your role and the needs of the employer. Some applicants will make it abundantly clear that they won’t be doing certain tasks, which is a red flag that they are setting up barriers and expecting something they are comfortable with. There are limitations on what to expect, but when they provide concrete no answers for many simple tasks, they aren’t the one.

Appear Knowledgeable About The Job and Employer

Leaving on a high note is an applicant that has done their research on the job, its responsibilities, and the employer themselves. A go-getter of an applicant is one that is knowledgeable, even before the interview, and has made it clear that they know what they are looking for and why they have come to you to find it. This is a sign of an applicant that is hirable.

The hiring process is long and difficult for everyone involved because it requires countless hours of preparation and consideration, but with these key factors to consider, you can feel confident that you will find the right applicant.