In this video, I share with you how much I earn on YouTube with 500 daily views. I hope this video will inspire you.
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Author: Cheptiony Mutai
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My YouTube Earnings with 500 Daily Views (Detailed Breakdown)
Video – My YouTube Earnings With 500 Daily Views -
Understanding Your Tax Obligations As a Freelancer & Consultant Living in Kenya
When it comes to taxes in Kenya, individual consultants and freelancers are subject to the same regulations. This is because they have multiple sources of income. Their income is determined by their productivity.
In this article, I will shed a light on the kind of tax obligations that consultants and freelancers needs be enrolled in.
Income Tax
This is compulsory tax for all people with a Tax PIN. Income tax is filled annually by the taxpayer on iTax portal. This is the direct tax on income and is charged for each year of income on all the income of a person, with resident or non resident that is accrued in or was derived from Kenya.
As of July 2023, tax rates now vary depending on the amount of income you earn per year. Here is table.
Tax Band Annual Income ksh. Monthly Income Ksh. Rate On the first 288,000 24,000 10% On the next 100,000 8,333 25% On the next 5,612,000 467,667 30% On the next 3,600,000 300,000 32.5% On the excess of 9,600,000 32,333 35% Source : Kenya Revenue Authority. Watch Video – Understanding Tax Obligations as a freelancer or consultant Every individual tax payer is entitled to get a Personal Relief of Kshs. 28,800 per annum (Kshs. 2,400 per month). This only applies to resident tax payers. Non residentials are expected to pay their taxes at the rates indicated above with no relieve.
Most consultancy clients will withhold 5% of the total cost of services and remit the amount to Kenya Revenue Authority. This amount reflects in your account and deducted from tax payable at the end of the year. E.g if your tax payable at the end of the year is Ksh. 50,000 and your total withholding tax credit amount is Ksh. 20,000, then you will pay Ksh. 30,000 as tax payable.
Penalties – If you don’t file your income tax returns 6 months after your annual accounting year has ended, you will be penalized Ksh. 20,000.
VAT Tax
VAT tax is an indirect tax that is paid by person who consumes taxable goods and services supplied and consumed in Kenya. This is another tax obligation that a freelancer or a consultant needs to voluntarily enroll in order to benefit. Its not mandatory but necessary if you are charging VAT on your services or your client is withholding VAT tax on the services that you have rendered.
Additionally, it benefits you as all the VAT tax on purchases on your PIN will be credited into your tax account via ETIMS. This is accounted for when you file your return at the end of the month.
Unless otherwise, VAT tax rate for freelancers and consultants is 16% of the total cost of goods or services.
Once you are enrolled for VAT tax, you will be required to file return before the 20th date of every month. As of November 2024, most of the purchases and sales tax are prepopulated into the downloadable return excel sheet to simplify the process.
How To Claim VAT Tax
- In order to claim VAT tax on all your purchases, you need to first enroll for VAT tax via iTax portal. Once the VAT obligation is added to your PIN, you can start claiming VAT on all your purchases while filling your monthly returns.
- When making purchases, ask your seller for VAT tax receipt. They will request that you give them your PIN number. This way your purchase will qualify as it will be registered on ETIMS.
- Keep all receipts with claimable VAT in your file for easy reference.
- File your VAT returns before 20th day of the following month for previous months return. e.g. You file January VAT returns before 20th Feb.
- You will be penalized Ksh.10,000 if you file your returns later than 20th day of the month.
Digital Marketplace Supplies Registration
If you’re a non-resident freelancer or consultant selling goods or services in Kenya over the internet, an electronic network, or a digital marketplace, you must register for Value Added Tax (VAT). This applies even if your sales are less than the usual KES 5 million annual turnover threshold.
Paying Your Taxes
You can pay your tax online on iTax portal. You can pay via Mpesa or Bank. You will first need to generate a payment slip on iTax portal then use the payment slip No. for the payment to be processed. If you have any problem, its advisable to contact KRA support for assistance.
Conclusion
Understanding your tax obligations makes navigating the tax system straightforward. Paying taxes is essential for the growth and expansion of your freelance or consultancy business. Don’t be misled into avoiding your tax responsibilities.
Tax-compliant freelancers and consultants are often the preferred choice for businesses and individuals seeking services. Adhering to tax regulations also opens doors to higher-value contracts, as many organizations require proof of tax compliance before awarding significant projects.
And that is it from me here. I hope you have found this article helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. And if you need help to create content, you can reach out to me here.
Up until next time, bye bye and take care.
Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai
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Get Ahead of the Curve: 5 Creative AI Tools to Explore in 2025
The future of work is being shaped by AI, and the creative industries are no exception. From streamlining workflows to sparking new ideas, AI is transforming how creatives bring their visions to life. I’ve compiled five AI tools that I think will be essential for creatives in 2025.
Suno AI
Looking for the perfect custom intro music for your podcast? Suno makes it easy. This AI-powered song maker lets you create original tunes, whether you write the lyrics yourself or use ChatGPT to generate them based on any theme. Just tell Suno what instruments or overall tone you’re looking for, and it will compose a unique track in your desired genre.
I used ChatGPT to write a song about freelancing, business, and my website, cheptiony.com. Afterward, I pasted the lyrics into Suno AI, which quickly composed a beautiful melody with drums and flute. The results were impressive! You can listen to the song here. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Watch Video – 5 AI tools to try in 2025. Microsoft Clipchamp
Microsoft Clipchamp has taken the place of the traditional Windows Video Editor, and while it might be overlooked by some, this app packs a surprising number of powerful features. Beyond basic video editing, Clipchamp allows you to create screencast tutorials with a picture-in-picture view of yourself, and even offers a text-to-speech function with a wide selection of high-quality voiceovers.
Text to speech is my favourite feature. I use it to generate voice overs for any video project that I am working on. Here is the voice over I generated from this app for an ad video.
Aside from this, Microsoft clipchamp has several templates that you can use in your video. One downside of Microsoft clipchamp is that it only works when you have your internet connection on.
Adobe Express
Adobe Express empowers you to create stunning visuals and videos from text or images. Beyond that, it simplifies the creation of consistent characters, avatars, and animations. From graphic design and slideshow presentations to video animations, audio generation, text-to-speech conversion, and social media publishing, Adobe Express handles it all.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this tool makes content creation accessible. It’s available for free, with a premium version offering additional features.
Gemini AI for Text editing
Struggling with grammar or clarity in your writing? Gemini can help. It offers writers quick fixes and enriches text with helpful context, providing different versions of your work, sometimes even adding details for improved understanding.
I use Gemini to polish the grammar and improve the clarity of my blog posts. My process is simple: after drafting a post, I copy each paragraph, paste it into Gemini, and ask it to rewrite the text. The results are always excellent. I then copy the revised paragraph and replace the original version on my blog.
Elevenlabs AI
ElevenLabs is well-known for its impressive text-to-speech capabilities, but they’ve been busy adding even more powerful tools. Beyond just generating speech, they now offer a voice changer feature, allowing you to record your own voice and then transform it to sound like someone else.
In addition, ElevenLabs now offers voice dubbing, voice cloning, and text-to-SFX. I encourage you to visit their website and explore these exciting new additions.
And that is it from me here. I hope you have found this article helpful.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Up until next time, bye bye and take care.
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Redistributing the Video Production Budget: A Comprehensive Overview
Many individuals and businesses, particularly small ones, prioritize cost-effectiveness when it comes to video production. This is often reflected in their event budgets, where video production and media relations typically receive a smaller allocation of funds.
Why? Because of the misconception that video production is easy which stems from the belief that most production tasks can be completed quickly, often within hours or days.
But is this really true? Consider a scenario where a client engages our services for video production. Their project involves creating a documentary. This will require on-location filming of various subjects to effectively convey the intended narrative.
Prior to commencing video production, producers or production companies must develop and submit a budget outlining the anticipated costs.
Here is how the budget is arrived at.
Preproduction
Preproduction marks the beginning of the video production journey. In close collaboration with the client, the team meticulously plans every aspect of the video shoot, guided by the client’s project brief. The time dedicated to this crucial planning phase is included in the client’s invoice.
Preproduction for a project may include the following activities;
Recce /Reconnaissance Location Visit
Before embarking on any filming project, conducting a location visit is crucial. This on-site assessment allows filmmakers to gain a comprehensive understanding of the environment. Such knowledge is essential for selecting the appropriate equipment.
For instance, underwater marine videos necessitate the use of water-resistant cameras. By carefully considering the specific demands of the location, filmmakers can ensure they have the necessary tools to capture high-quality footage effectively.
Funding for this initiative must be allocated and should be borne by the client. Following the reconnaissance visit, the transport and logistics team will be able to determine various factors, including hotel accommodation costs.
Moreover, you’ll be better equipped to plan your itinerary based on the local weather conditions.
Storyboarding And Subject Contact
During preproduction, the team will develop a project storyboard and identify all individuals who will be featured in the video. This proactive step allows for timely contact and preparation of all participants prior to the actual day of filming.
A key portion of the video production budget is allocated to fairly compensating the team. This includes those who work on the storyboard and draft script, as well as those who reach out to the subjects featured in the video.
Administration
Administrative tasks encompass a wide range of responsibilities within an office, including but not limited to: managing quotes, maintaining accurate records through filing, processing payments, and overseeing financial accounts.
These duties are typically shared among the office staff, contributing to the overall administration and successful execution of projects. Recognizing the crucial role of administration, every budget allocation includes a dedicated line item for administrative expenses.
Production
The production budget is allocated to various crew members and includes funds for transportation and logistics. These include;
Transport and logistics
Transport and logistics costs encompass expenses incurred for transportation and associated services throughout the production process.
These include costs for hiring vehicles, fuel, accommodation for the production crew, meals for the team, and any other logistical expenses necessary for the smooth operation of the production.
Production Crew
The production crew comprises a videographer, photographer, writer, sound recordist, and the producer. Each crew member receives a daily stipend (per diem). Importantly, the compensation rate for each individual may fluctuate based on the specific tasks and requirements of the project.
Contingencies
It’s essential to allocate funds for unforeseen circumstances during travel and filming. Unexpected events can arise, such as equipment malfunctions, travel delays, or unforeseen medical needs, which can significantly impact progress and require immediate attention.
Contingency funds are specifically allocated to address unforeseen circumstances.
Postproduction
Post-production involves a multifaceted process, encompassing a range of crucial steps. These include meticulous script editing, professional voiceover recording, skillful video editing and sound design, captivating animation, and dynamic motion graphics, among others.
Each of these post-production tasks typically requires a dedicated individual to perform them effectively. Since most post-production work is billed on an hourly basis, employing a separate person for each task significantly increases the overall production cost.
This is a key factor contributing to the high cost of production in many creative projects.
Conclusion
Beyond the direct production costs, several other expenses often go unaccounted for, such as the time invested in revisions and the time spent waiting for client payments. It can be beneficial to occasionally offer discounts that encompass some of these hidden costs.
Video production is a multifaceted field that necessitates a robust team to consistently deliver high-quality services. Assembling a strong team requires significant investment, but a well-compensated team consistently exceeds expectations.
This is the ultimate objective: cultivate a high-performing team capable of delivering exceptional results on schedule.
And that is it from me here. I hope you have found this article helpful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Up until next time, bye bye and take care.
Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai
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How to Start or Open A YouTube Channel in 2025
In this video, I am going to show you step by step how to start or open a YouTube channel.
Follow me on YouTube @cheptionymutai
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2025’s Top 3 Digital Marketing Tools
The marketing world is in a state of constant flux, with new platforms and strategies constantly emerging. However, the core principles of effective communication – building relationships, understanding your audience, and delivering a compelling message – remain timeless.
In this article, I’ll reveal 3 effective marketing communication formats that you should implement to achieve outstanding business results in 2025.
1. Blogging
Blogging remains a powerful marketing tool, even in the age of AI and advanced technology. Here’s why:
SEO Powerhouse
A study by HubSpot found that companies that prioritize blogging tend to have 434% more indexed pages.
Each blog post is a new page on your website, giving you more opportunities to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs) for relevant keywords.
AI can help optimize blog posts for SEO by suggesting relevant keywords, analyzing readability, and identifying areas for improvement.
Builds Trust and Authority
Consistent, valuable content positions your business as an expert in your industry.
How it works
- Informs and Educates: When you provide helpful information to your audience, you establish yourself as a trusted resource.
- Demonstrates Expertise: High-quality blog posts showcase your knowledge and understanding of your industry.
- Humanizes Your Brand: Blog posts written in a conversational tone help connect with your audience on a more personal level.
Drives Traffic and Leads
Blog posts can attract organic traffic from search engines and social media.
How it works
- Calls to Action: Include clear calls to action within your blog posts (e.g., “Learn More,” “Download Now,” “Contact Us”).
- Lead Magnets: Offer valuable resources (e.g., ebooks, webinars, checklists) in exchange for contact information.
Cost-Effective Marketing
Compared to traditional advertising methods, blogging can be a very cost-effective way to reach a large audience.
Takeaways on Blogging
While AI can assist with certain aspects of blogging, human creativity and expertise are still essential. Focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that resonates with your target audience. Utilize AI tools to enhance your blogging efforts, but don’t rely on them solely.
By consistently creating valuable content and optimizing it for search engines, blogging can be a highly effective marketing strategy for businesses of all sizes.
2. Video
Video marketing remains a powerful tool in today’s digital landscape, even with the advancements of AI and technology. Here’s why:
High Engagement
According to Wyzowl, 92% of marketers say video is an important part of their marketing strategy, and 86% of businesses use video in their marketing.
Videos are inherently more engaging than static text or images. This leads to higher viewer retention rates and increased brand recall.
Versatility
Videos can take many forms:
- Explainer videos: Clearly communicate complex products or services.
2. Product demos: Showcase features and benefits in action.
3. Customer testimonials: Build trust and social proof.
4. Behind-the-scenes: Offer a glimpse into your company culture.
5. Live streams: Engage with your audience in real-time.
6. Social media stories: Short, attention-grabbing content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Improved SEO
Videos often rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). Videos can include relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and transcripts, boosting search visibility. Platforms like YouTube are major search engines themselves.
Stronger Brand Building
A study by Animoto found that 93% of businesses gained a new customer after posting a video on the internet. Videos help humanize your brand. They allow you to showcase your personality, values, and customer relationships.
Increased Conversions
Videos can effectively guide viewers through the sales funnel. They can be used on landing pages, in email campaigns, and as part of online advertising.
How AI Enhances Video Marketing
While AI doesn’t replace the need for creative video content, it can significantly enhance the process.
- AI-powered video creation tools can help generate basic scripts, suggest music, and even create simple animations.
- AI can analyze video performance to identify areas for improvement and optimize campaigns for better results.
- AI can personalize video experiences by tailoring content to individual viewer preferences.
Takeaway on Video as a Tool
Despite the rise of AI, video marketing remains a cornerstone of successful digital marketing strategies. By leveraging AI to streamline the process and enhance its effectiveness, businesses can maximize their return on investment from video marketing efforts.
3. Graphics Designs
Despite the advancements in technology and the rise of AI, graphics continue to be a highly effective tool for marketing businesses. Here’s why:
Visual Communication is Universal
Graphics can convey messages and emotions across cultures and languages, making them accessible to a wider audience. In today’s fast-paced world, visuals are processed faster than text, grabbing attention and making a lasting impression.
Builds Brand Identity
Consistent use of logos, colors, and typography across platforms strengthens brand recognition and establishes a unique identity. Visual elements can effectively communicate a brand’s personality, whether it’s playful, sophisticated, or trustworthy.
Increases Engagement
Eye-catching graphics are more likely to be shared on social media, expanding reach and increasing brand visibility. Visual content, such as infographics and videos, often receives higher engagement rates than text-only content.
Drives Conversions
Graphics can effectively guide viewers towards desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Visuals can effectively tell a brand’s story, building emotional connections with potential customers and driving conversions.
HubSpot research found that content with relevant images gets 94% more views than content without images. This demonstrates the significant impact that visuals can have on audience engagement and content performance.
Takeaway
While AI can assist in creating some graphic elements, human creativity and strategic thinking are still crucial for developing truly impactful marketing visuals.
AI tools can be used to enhance the design process, but they cannot replace the human touch that brings a brand’s unique personality and message to life.
And that is it from me here. I hope you found this article helpful.
Which is your favorite tool for marketing your business? Let me know in the comments section below.If you need help to produce professional quality videos for your business, I can help you. Please contact me here.
Up until next time, bye bye and take care.
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2 Ways to Compress Large Video Files To a Small Size Without Loosing Quality
In this video tutorial, I am going to show you how to compress large video files to a small size without loosing quality.
If you need professional help to produce any kind of video, you can reach out to me here.
Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai
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Building Faith-Driven Business: 3 Reasons to Start Now in 2025
With an estimated 10,000 distinct religious faiths worldwide, and four major faiths representing 77% of the global population, it’s safe to say that everyone belongs to one of these faiths.
The question I will be posing to you today is; have you aligned your business with your religious faith? Do you practice faith teachings in your daily business practices?
If your answer to the above questions is yes, then you are good. But if you answer is no or you are in a limbo, read on as I will be sharing with you three reasons you should intertwine your religious practices into your every day business.
Before we dive into this topic, lets first discuss, how religious practices and teachings influences our success.
Take time to leave a comment below after reading this article and head over to my Youtube Channel for more inspiration.
How Religious Practices And Teachings Influences Our Success
Words of Wisdom
Nearly every religious book written carries a lot of wisdom for living based on ancient people who lived. A lot of the words were inspired by God. When one reads them, they feel good.
You relate with almost each one of them. It’s easy to practice them. It becomes part of you way of life and you can pass it on to your children.
Motivation
Religion is set to motivate people. The religious teachings inspires one to maintain their business drive and pursue their goals, regardless of whether they are experiencing prosperity or hardship.
When you read the religious books like bible, one is motivated. Its in the religious books that you also get positive affirmations.
Integrating spiritual guidance from religious leaders, such as priests and servants of God, into your daily life can foster holistic growth and well-being.
Supernatural Connection
Many religions teaches of the existence of a higher power and offer guidance on establishing a connection through prayer, meditation, and adherence to religious principles.
They also teach about positive entities that guide you towards your divinely intended purpose and negative entities whose primary goal is to obstruct your path and cause harm.
When you seek intercession of these higher powers in business, you will prosper. They intercede for you and make your business engagements easy.
Community
With religion comes community of believers. There is nothing good like having a community around you of people who you share same believes and practices. You get along with them easily. You get to support one another. You pray together and wish one another well.
A supportive community strengthens your faith. It fosters a sense of belonging and self-worth, allowing your talents to flourish and your faith to deepen.
With this said, let’s now explore the benefits of integrating religious practices into your business resolutions for the new year.
Reasons You Should Incorporate Religious Practices Into Your Business
I may refer to the Christian religion when talking about the reasons because that is the faith I believe in.
Business is Driven By Faith
Business success is driven by faith. The path to securing business prospects begins with self-belief. Once you have established confidence in your abilities and honed your business acumen, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed in the market.
Religion teaches you how to speak to God (who is invisible) and trust in him to help you. When you incorporate religious teachings into your business, you will be courageous to try things that people think are impossible.
You Need God
Being a member of a religion means you believe in God or some higher invisible being. The creator of the universe. When you embrace faith, prayer becomes an integral part of your existence. It’s not merely a ritual, but a continuous dialogue that shapes your thoughts, actions, and interactions with the world.
Often, we relegate God to the sidelines of our business endeavors, viewing Him as an observer rather than the guiding force.
Fostering a culture of prayer in your workplace can significantly ease the burden of business.
By consistently seeking God’s guidance, seemingly insurmountable challenges may become surprisingly manageable.
Religious Faith Keeps You Focused
In business, when things are not going on well, we tend to shift our focus to other unrelated activities that are working out and forget ours. When you look at religion, it never changes. We thus should remain focused taking religion as our anchor.
By maintaining focus and nurturing your creativity, you will continuously generate innovative ideas that will power your business growth.
Conclusion
Faith, God and Focus is all you need to remain strong and grow you business in 2025. This will pave the way for a life of good health, happiness, and freedom.
And that is it. I hope you found this article helpful. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
If you need help to produce professional videos, you can reach out to me here.
Up until next time, bye bye and take care.
Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai
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4 Things I Think You Should Know About Receiving Google AdSense PIN in Kenya
In This video, I will share with you 4 things I think you need to know about receiving Google Adsense PIN in Kenya.
If you need help to produce professional video tutorials, you can reach out to me here.
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Boma Yangu Website Review- Affordable Housing Program in Kenya
In this video, I review Boma yangu website managed by the ministry of lands in Kenya.
I walk you through the process of acquiring a unit under Affordable Housing Program and how much deposit to make before you are allocated a unit, how a 3 bedroom floor plan looks like e.t.c.
If you need help to produce professional video tutorials for your software on hardware project, you can reach out to me here.
Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai