Category: ONLINE FREELANCE TIPS

Tips to success in Online Freelancing

  • 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.

    Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai

  • How Freelancers Lose Hard Earned Money Online

    How Freelancers Lose Hard Earned Money Online

    I spent a decade freelancing online before transitioning away from that lifestyle. While my cumulative earnings were substantial, I was disheartened to discover I had no savings to show for it. This isn’t an uncommon experience for remote freelancers, even those who work long hours. Numerous factors contribute to this financial challenge, and I’ll delve into some of the most common ones.

    In addition to the challenge of securing consistent client work, freelancers frequently face the psychological hurdle of managing their income with anxiety, leading to suboptimal financial decisions.

    Driven by a desire to boost their online earnings, freelancers can sometimes make unwise financial decisions. Here are four common pitfalls that can lead to financial loss:

    Multiple Income Sources Gimmick

    The internet is flooded with financial gurus offering online money-making schemes. While diversifying income streams is a sound financial strategy, many of these gurus promote misleading or fraudulent advice. Unfortunately, freelancers, who often rely on digital income, are particularly vulnerable to these scams.

    Have you ever seen a YouTuber boasting about earning $1,000 daily with just two hours of online work? They often conclude by urging you to sign up for their $39 or $99 course, promising to reveal the secrets to online wealth. Even if your gut tells you it’s too good to be true, you might still pay the fee, driven by the allure of easy money.

    This is where the trouble starts. The YouTuber will relentlessly upsell you on additional courses and services, all with empty promises. You’ll pay fees to reach new levels, only to find yourself burned out and regretful after spending hundreds of dollars chasing a mirage.

    After enrolling in a seemingly legitimate $39 course, you’re assigned tasks like typing scripts or writing reviews for gaming and gambling websites. The promise? A quick $1,000. However, once you complete the work, you’re hit with a $50 processing fee to withdraw your earnings. After payment, the website vanishes, and all communication ceases.

    Be cautious of online opportunities that promise easy money, especially those involving upfront fees or unusual tasks. Always verify the legitimacy of such offers before proceeding.

    Forex Trading

    The dream of rapid wealth accumulation is a powerful motivator. For many, Forex trading offers the tantalizing possibility of doubling or even tripling their investments in a single day. Social media platforms are filled with stories of individuals who have achieved financial success through Forex, inspiring countless others to embark on this potentially lucrative journey.

    A common way people get ensnared in Forex scams is through social engineering. A friend or acquaintance may boast about their incredible earnings from Forex trading, displaying a seemingly lucrative trading account. Impressed by these apparent profits, the victim becomes eager to join.

    The scammer often suggests starting with a demo account to learn the ropes. On this demo platform, the victim might experience rapid, unrealistic gains, falsely creating the impression that Forex trading is a guaranteed path to wealth.

    Ready to begin, your friend suggests a $400 investment for optimal returns. Aiming to double this in eight hours, you’re disheartened by a $300 loss within four. Despite reassurances of a market rebound, a sudden crash wipes out your entire investment in just fifteen minutes.

    This whole thing just makes you even more pissed off. You ask your friend how they helped with the trade, and they basically tell you things went south and they’re really sorry. To try and cheer you up, they tell you about how they lost a grand on their first day of trading and kept throwing more money at it.

    With limited resources, you’re forced to either heal and patiently wait for your next freelance payment to try again, or you may be compelled to give up entirely.

    This is how many freelancers lose money in Forex trading, chasing quick riches. Remember, anything promising quick wealth is likely a scam. Invest your hard-earned money wisely to avoid poverty and overwork in old age.

    Cryptocurrency Investing

    In 2022, I unfortunately lost over $500 on cryptocurrency cloud mining. Here’s how the process was supposed to work:

    Cloud Mining Process:

    1. Rental: You would rent an online bitcoin mining machine for a monthly fee, typically starting around $100.
    2. Earnings: The earnings were based on the specific specifications (ASIC) of the rented mining machine. For example, if you paid $100, you might expect to earn $3 per day for 30 days.
    3. Refund and Profit: At the end of the month, the initial $100 rental fee would be refunded. So, in this example, your total earnings would be $190 ($90 in profits + $100 refund).
    4. Investment or Withdrawal: You could then choose to reinvest your profits back into the cloud mining operation or withdraw them.
      It’s important to note that cloud mining can be a risky venture, and there’s no guarantee of consistent or significant profits.

    Over time, you’ll be able to purchase a powerful machine costing $200 that can generate $10 per day. In four months, with consistent upgrades to more powerful machines, you could accumulate over $1000. However, if you attempt to withdraw these funds, you’ll be denied and required to pay a 50% tax on the withdrawal amount. At this point, you’ll realize you’ve made a mistake.

    Additionally, when you delve deeper into the cloud mining company, you’ll discover that it’s owned by a Nigerian citizen and registered in the UK.

    Imagine investing a significant sum, like $1,000 or even $10,000, only to lose it all. The pain of losing hard-earned money can be substantial.

    To maximize your earnings and avoid falling victim to cryptocurrency cloud mining scams, freelancers should exercise caution and invest wisely.

    Gambling

    Gambling is highly addictive, making it difficult to exercise sound judgment when the goal is quick riches. While nobody wants to remain poor, gambling is not a reliable path to wealth. The Bible warns, “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

    Gambling can be a slippery slope, leading to financial ruin and emotional distress. It’s important to be aware of the risks and to seek help if you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction. There are many resources available to help people overcome this problem.

    I’ve heard many stories of people who work all day without eating, only to gamble away their entire paycheck.

    If you find yourself caught in the cycle of gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to seek help. A therapist can provide the support and tools you need to overcome this challenge.

    Gambling is a risky endeavor that often leads to financial loss rather than wealth accumulation. The pursuit of wealth requires a strategic and disciplined approach, not a reliance on chance.

    To achieve financial success, it’s crucial to adopt a mindset focused on building wealth through sustainable means. If gambling is not solely for recreational purposes, it’s advisable to reconsider this habit and embark on a journey towards financial independence.

    I encourage individuals to consider joining a Christian church, where they can access supportive communities and spiritual counseling to aid in overcoming addiction.

    Conclusion

    Protect your valuable online earnings by making informed investment decisions. Take your time to research potential opportunities and, if necessary, consult with experts. Your financial future depends on it.

    A freelance community can protect you from falling victim to deceptive get-rich-quick schemes.

    With this said, don not hesitate to diversify your income streams. Multiple reliable sources of income can enhance your quality of life.

    And that is it from me here. I hope you have found this article helpful. What other ways do freelancers loose their earnings online? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    Up until next time, bye bye and take care. If you need video production services, you can reach out to me here.

    You can follow me on social media on @cheptionymutai

  • 5 Core Components of Successful Vlogging

    5 Core Components of Successful Vlogging

    If you’re a budding vlogger just starting out, this article is for you! Setting clear expectations for your audience is crucial. Understanding what keeps viewers engaged will help you create high-quality content that resonates with your audience.

    Of course, by the time you decide to start creating content, you likely already have a vision for the kind of content you want to produce.

    I’ve spent the last 15 years crafting high-quality videos for a diverse clientele, including major corporations and remote clients. My portfolio boasts over 3,000 completed projects, and I’ve also shared my passion for video production through my YouTube channel, which now features 400+ videos.

    Here are five key elements to consider when planning to create high-quality vlog content:

    Sound

    Clear audio is paramount to keeping viewers engaged. If your audience can’t hear what you’re saying, they’ll quickly lose interest and move on to the next video.

    For optimal audio quality, find a quiet spot in your home and record using your device’s built-in microphone. If you need better sound, consider investing in an external microphone. These come in various price ranges, compatible with cameras, phones, and other recording devices.

    Video Quality

    If you’re using a camera, familiarize yourself with manual settings. Because you’re filming in a controlled environment, you can precisely adjust your camera’s video settings to achieve the desired look for your videos.

    Mastering the Exposure Triangle: Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed

    Understanding how to control aperture, ISO, and shutter speed is fundamental to capturing high-quality video footage. By mastering these three elements of the exposure triangle, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect balance of light and exposure in your videos.

    Frame your shots effectively to enhance your presentation. Understand the difference between close-ups, medium close-ups, and long shots. For most talking-head videos, a close-up shot works best.

    Finally, to ensure the highest possible video quality, shoot at a frame rate of 50 frames per second or higher. This will result in smoother and more detailed videos.

    Lighting

    Ensure optimal lighting for your indoor vlogs. If you’re filming indoors, choose a well-lit space or invest in additional lighting equipment. Take the time to set up your lighting and test your shots to avoid overexposure.

    Good lighting can significantly enhance your video quality and boost your confidence. If you don’t have professional lighting equipment, consider filming outdoors in natural light whenever possible.

    Work on Your Content And Composure

    Plan your content in advance. Outline what you want to discuss and, if necessary, write a script. Practice your script multiple times to ensure a smooth and natural delivery in your video.

    A more natural approach to vlogging is often preferred by viewers. Scriptless vlogs can feel more authentic and engaging, as content creators can speak directly to their audience without the constraints of a script. This direct, point-to-point style can help keep viewers interested and focused.

    Video Editing and Branding

    Master the art of editing and personal branding! Explore the wealth of user-friendly video editing software available today. Enhance your skills with free YouTube tutorials on video editing techniques.

    Once you master video editing, you can elevate your brand. Editing allows you to add professional touches like standardized intros and outros, incorporate your logo, and remove unnecessary footage. The result? A polished final product that reflects your unique brand identity.

    Conclusion

    Viewers are drawn to high-quality video content. Videos with clear audio, sharp visuals, proper lighting, well-researched information, a composed presenter, and professional video editing attract a more dedicated audience.

    To maximize your content’s impact, prioritize these 5 essential elements. Remember, content is king. Consistent high-quality content is the key to success.

    And that is from me here. I hope you have found this article helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
    If you need quality video production services, you request for our services here. I will be glad to help.

    Up until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on all social media networks @cheptionymutai

  • Ways to Cope With Pressure And Stress in Business Today

    Ways to Cope With Pressure And Stress in Business Today

    Stress can be a debilitating factor in the business world. Consider this scenario: A client approaches you with a project, and you agree to terms. You begin work, anticipating the client’s cooperation to ensure a successful outcome. Despite your expertise, the client’s lack of collaboration hinders your ability to deliver quality service. This disconnect creates unnecessary stress, as you find yourself navigating unreasonable demands while striving to meet project goals.

    How do you handle a situation like this? Will you give up and request for cancellation of the contract?

    I have been in this situation in the past and here is how I coped.

    Giving Up

    After a stressful experience with a client that ended up costing me more than what I earned, I decided to stop offering that service to other clients. However, years later, when a similar incident occurred on a different project, I realized that giving up was a mistake. I should have continued providing the same services despite the negative experience.

    Do Not Let One Experience Mess Your Vision/Dreams

    I recently watched a video on YouTube about a philosopher who said he believes in reincarnation. Reincarnation is the belief that a living being’s non-physical essence is reborn in a new physical form after death. It’s also known as rebirth or transmigration.

    Reincarnation, in a business context, signifies the opportunity to rectify past mistakes and start anew. It implies that setbacks are not necessarily fatal but rather stepping stones towards a better future.

    Your reaction to negative experiences can significantly impact future opportunities. Remember, every setback presents a chance for improvement. While it’s unlikely the client causing the issue will recommend your services, don’t let this deter you. Focus on learning from the experience and seeking out new opportunities to showcase your skills.

    Dust yourself off and confidently move forward, as the next opportunity awaits.

    You gain valuable insights from challenging experiences and ultimately become a leading force in the market.

    Relook at Your Pricing

    Evaluate the challenges you faced during the stressful project. Consider whether increasing your rates is necessary to mitigate potential future frustrations. If so, don’t hesitate to adjust your pricing accordingly.

    Many frustrations arise from projects where clients expect additional work without compensation, often due to inadequate initial budgeting. This can lead to increased stress and, in some cases, even threats of non-payment if you refuse to provide services outside the original agreement.

    When analyzing the sources of stress during a project, consider the potential impact on your profitability. It’s disheartening to invest significant time, effort, and sleepless nights into a project only to realize that the final profit margin is negligible or even negative.

    The goal of any business is to be profitable so stay focused.

    Build on Contract Agreements

    Always establish clear terms and conditions with your clients, regardless of whether they’re individuals or businesses. Draft a comprehensive contract agreement that outlines the scope of work, payment terms, deadlines, and any other relevant details. Ensure both parties sign the agreement and retain copies.

    If a client fails to sign and return the contract within a specified timeframe, consider it a breach of contract and reserve the right to cancel the project. Any associated costs should be borne by the client.

    The contract you sign with the client will serve as a safeguard during your service tenure. It will clearly outline the scope of work and any additional services that may incur extra fees, preventing misunderstandings and setting clear boundaries for both parties.

    Learn to run your business unusually so that it gives you exemplary results.

    Relook At Your Team

    The root of your problem might lie within your team. While many individuals claim expertise, they often lack essential interpersonal skills. It’s crucial to invest in training your team members on effective communication and cooperation. Those who consistently fail to meet these standards may need to be replaced. Don’t tolerate incompetence.

    Neglecting underperforming team members can lead to subpar service delivery and dissatisfied clients. Don’t hesitate to take decisive action by terminating the employment of individuals who consistently fail to adhere to your standards and expectations.

    Conclusion

    Pressure and stress are inevitable parts of business growth. Learning to manage them is crucial for long-term success. When feeling overwhelmed after a challenging project, avoid making rash decisions. Instead, take a step back and reflect on the underlying causes of your stress, such as pricing, contracts, or team dynamics. By addressing these root issues, you can effectively alleviate pressure and create a more sustainable and fulfilling work environment.

    And that is it from me here. I hope you have found this article insightful. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    If you need professional video production services, you can reach out to me here. Alternatively, you can visit our business website here.

    Up until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on social media @cheptionymutai

  • Why I Quit Freelancing On Upwork After 10 Years

    I joined Upwork in the year 2011 when it was called Odesk. That was before it merged with Elance to form Upwork. I only had one mission, to find freelance work and attain financial freedom. I knew that if was financially sound, other things would fall in place like love, peace, patience, self control and the biggest of all, the freedom to travel and work anywhere I want in the world.
    But 10 years down the line, I had not achieved financial freedom despite being one of the top-rated freelancers in the platform. I offered video content creation service as a video producer.

    This really worried me. Seeing that there was no way this could happen, I quitted.

    That is why in this blogpost, I will share with you why I quit freelancing on Upwork after 10 years.

    1. Unending Bidding For Work With No Tangible Results

    Despite being one of the top rated freelancers on Upwork and getting invitations to submit proposals from prospective clients on the platform, I still found myself looking for work to bid on. Why? All the invitations from enterprise clients rarely converted. On the other hand, all the clients that had hired me and had existing contracts with me seasonally assigned me work. I could go for even 4 months before they assigned me work.

    For this reason, I felt like the good freelancing vibe was slowly evolving to a digital rat race where you endlessly keep bidding for work. Financially, this kind of pattern is quite disorienting.

    Watch video: Why I Quit Freelancing On Upwork After 10 years

    One can easily be deceived by Youtube content creators showing off how much they are making as freelancers. In reality, the figures shown to the public by these gurus are mostly from a one time contract. In this I mean, the freelancer might have gotten one time contract that paid $5000. They show this to people and say that is what they make freelancing online every month working from home which is a lie.

    But again, maybe people in other Niches does make good money.

    More Freelancers Than Clients Hiring

    Its a fact that more and more freelancers are joining Upwork freelancing platform everyday compared to the number of clients hiring on the same platform. I have received numerous e-mails from Kenyans who have joined Upwork but have never gotten a job despite completing their profile and bidding.

    On the other hand, many newbie freelancers with the right skills quote low in order to be considered. This means that, for someone like me with 10 years of experience in the platform and many positive reviews, I will be closed out because I will obviously quote high.

    Imagine someone offering a service valued at $3000 at $1000! That’s insane especially in the creative industry. In a freelancing platform, the client is king. They choose whom they want. Mostly, they choose the lowest bidder.

    It does not make sense to go for 4 months without work on a freelancing platform and you are top-rated. On top of it, you are bidding for work regularly and being just interviewed.

    Many Clients Are Hiring People To Develop YouTube Content

    In the last 4 years I was on Upwork, I noticed that most of the video jobs that was posted there was to create YouTube Content. The clients budget was very small. They promised whomever will take the job that they would probably increase the amount once their channel picks up. In other words, once the channel starts monetizing.

    Me applying to such work didn’t sit well having in mind that I have the ability to own a YouTube channel.

    Why not use the same skills to build my own channels and monetize? The amount of money the prospects was offering for YouTube video content creation was not worth the amount of work required to complete the services. Some wants you to do everything from script to production.

    For this reason, I resolved to put all my energy on building my YouTube Channel. Its the same thing, but in a long run, the later is more rewarding.

    Lessons Learnt While Freelancing on Upwork

    1. Don’t let the the hype that freelancing platforms will bring you freedom get into your mind. That is not true for everyone. Be there and never forget your goals in life. If the freelancing platform is not helping you achieve your goals, try something else and never look back.
    2. Freelancing platforms are just stepping stones. Do not camp there like I did. Learn from the platform and make your next move to your next project. The more you camp there and keep hoping that magic will come your way, the more you become a victim of mental health.
    3. All of us are gifted. Don’t be fluttered by the few well paying contracts you get tudon the freelancing platforms. Most of them don’t last. Strive to be the owner of a business, not a mere follower of one.
    4. Learn from your experiences. Be it negative, or positive, always ask yourself, what did this experience teach me?

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, no one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. This saying comes from the Bible in the book of Mathew 6:24.

    This was the major lesson I learnt after 10 years of freelancing on Upwork. I wanted to own a successful business online yet I was devoting a lot of my time looking for freelancing jobs. I now serve one master and hope you will too.

    I hope you found this article helpful. Do you still work on Upwork? Please share your experiences freelancing online below.

    And that is it from me.

    Don’t forget to check out my video production services here. You can hire me from anywhere in the world.

    Follow me on X @cheptiony. Visit my Youtube channel on @cheptionymutai.

    Bye bye and take care.

  • 3 Possible Ways To Invest Your Earned Income Online In Todays Economy

    Many people who work and earn their income online struggle a lot with one thing; choosing the right investment vehicle for their earned income. Am not left out on this. I too struggle.
    This is owing to many mouth watering investment deals presented to them by random followers on social media and ads they find online. While others are quick to spot a fraudulent deal, it’s really hard to crack others until you lose money on them.

    Note that some have gone a notch higher to advertise their shady deals terming them as ‘mind-blowing investment.’ Anyone can advertise what they are offering online on the platform they choose.
    So how can you determine a good investment deal from the bad one? It’s really hard to know one especially if you are a first timer.
    Sometimes, its worth risking on the investment of interest in order to learn if its legit or not.

    In this blogpost, I will share with 3 ways to invest your earned income online.

    Blogging


    Blogging is a long term investment with potential to earn you big. When starting one, don’t be in a rush to earn big at a go. Take your time to first find your voice. The voice is in other words your ‘niche.’
    It will pave way for you to create more without guess work. Also, as the time goes, you will be able to come up with many related products and services to sell to your audience.


    For example, for me, at some point I will want to be an authority in the freelancing business. I can do this by either developing a course about freelance video production or selling my services as a freelance video producer.
    To get started, invest your money in buying a domain and hosting services for your blog.


    If need be, pay someone to help you design a captivating landing page if you are not able to do so yourself.
    Investing money on a blog is not a one time thing; you will have to do it in bits as needed until you get the results you are looking for.
    The small investments you make will compound to a big investment with high returns in a long run.

    Based on my research on successful bloggers, a blog has the potential to earn you between $200-100,000 a month depending on how much effort you put.

    Mobile App/SaaS

    Mobile apps and Software As Service Apps(SaaS) are developed with an aim to solve a problem in the market.
    It’s therefore worth considering them as an investment vehicle with high returns in future.

    As an online freelancer or business owner, you have great advantage on this owing to your exposure to the online marketplace. To get started, identify a problem within your niche that can be solved by an app or software.
    Think of ways to leverage in your idea.


    Is it possible to earn from it after solving the problem at hand?
    If you find yourself with many ideas for software and apps, take your time and start with one. Don’t run with all even if you have money.
    I repeat this again, INVEST in one first until its a success. Launch it to the market. Get as many users as you can to use the product.


    Invest in retaining the users you find. Build it as a business until it stabilizes and the income generated by it is enough to sustain the team you are working with and you have got back your initial investment.
    If you do it right, this investment will earn you big. You may even stop what you are doing to go and work on the product.
    Steps to investing in apps/software’s includes ideation/brainstorming, design & development, testing and review, official launch, marketing, updates, monetization and more.

    Website Services


    Website services is what has a lot demand today going by the number of searches online by website users.
    It’s therefore important to consider investing your earned income in website services. The first step to doing this brainstorming. Look at the market and analyze trends.

    Using Google trends in your analysis can be of help here.
    Look at the services many people are searching and using online. See ways that you create similar service with a fresh approach. E.g Creating a classifieds website, job website, e-commerce website e.t.c.

    The best way to start is launching a service that is within your skills. If you are skilled in something, it will be easy to market it. This is because, you have marketplace experience. This is key.
    Give yourself a room for improvement in the early stages when your service is not performing well.
    You will not go wrong if you continuously invest in it.

    Always give it your all.

    Conclusion


    It takes a lot of sacrifice and dedication to succeed with any investment online. On the other hand it takes a few clicks to loose your hard earned money online in a fraudulent investment. Make your choices wisely.

    Always remind yourself that even your friend or a family member can refer you to a bad investment and you will end up loosing money.
    When scouting for what to invest in, look at the return on your investment in a long term as opposed to short term. Investing in products that solves peoples problems are the best investments that is hard to go wrong.

    And that is it from me here. There are many more investments out that one can invest in.


    Do you have an idea of something else that people can invest in online? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.


    And if you need help to edit or produce professional videos, do not hesitate to reach out to me here.
    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.

  • 3 Ways To Reinforce Your Creativity During Difficult Times

    People in the creative economy depend on their original ideas and knowledge to thrive. During hard economic times, one can easily get discouraged from continuing to do what they love. If you enjoy doing what you do, then you have no reason to give up.

    Hard times should be a time to reinforce your creativity and move it to a new level. Spend your time creating more as better times are always ahead.

    In this blogpost, I will share with you 3 ways to reinforce your creativity during difficult times.

    Invest Your Time in Writing A Journal/Blog

    Look at your current life state and draw your inspiration from it on what to write on. For example, I am writing this blogpost at a time when I have less work that pays. What I am writing here is what I am practicing right now. Writing anything useful that comes to my mind on my blog is what I have been doing for as long as I can remember.

    It is important to dwell on positive things as opposed to negative ones. Every person who has succeeded in life confess that they found success the moment they dwelled on the positive things in life.

    Focus on ways to create abundance and internalize it for your own benefit. When you do so, you will surely be preparing yourself for abundance and at the right time, you will receive it.

    Try New Creative Things in Your Business or Freelancing

    Every day ideas for your business or freelance career comes to mind. The hard part is introducing the ‘new’ ideas to your business and trying them out.

    Take advantage of difficult times to experiment on those Ideas and see if they work. You never know, the ideas you have had in your mind for a long time might turn out to be the beginning of your success in business.

    Think of Partnering With Established Individuals/Companies

    During difficult times, money is scarce. Many at times, entrepreneurs and freelancers run out of money. On the other hand, many may have good ideas but lack financing to push the ideas forward.

    How about reaching out to an established company in your field and seeking their help to push your idea forward to fruition? Does it sound difficult for you to pursue? Everything is worth trying in life. Make sure you are well prepared when approaching these partners.

    If you pitch your idea well and it resonates well with their policy, then, they may consider working with you.

    Conclusion

    Don’t let difficult times kill your creativity or talent. Keep it alive by finding a way out for yourself. Identify best avenues that you can use to connect with the world. When you do so without ceasing, you will be enhancing your creativity in preparation for your next big break.

    And that is it from me here.

    Did you find this post helpful? let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    And if you need help with content creation do not hesitate to reach out to me here. I might be of big help.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.

  • Do Scammers Play A Role in The Evolution of Online Ecosystems?

    When you hear the word Scam, what comes to your mind? Is it the money you lost to con men and con women who called you, or is it the work you did via a website you signed up on with the hope of getting payment and ended not getting paid.

    How did it start? Its a fact, anyone can get scammed. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have online. Scammers study their victims complaints after every successful scam and mutate to another fresh scam targeted at the same victims. And guess what, many still fall for it.

    Watch Video – Do Scammers Play a Role in the Evolution of Online Ecosystems

    Oxford dictionary define SCAM as a ‘dishonest scheme; a fraud.‘ There are several scams online and can only be defined based on the context in which it occurred.

    Scam Adviser and GASA (global Antiscam Alliance) define scam as a situation when the gap between the promise and delivery is huge.

    The number of scams reported currently stands at 293 Million with online scam being the 2nd most reported type of crime in many countries globally. This is according to Scam Adviser and GASA insights report.

    How People Meet Scammers Online

    Scammers are great marketers who take advantage of popular recurring events, crisis and trends to execute their plan. A good example is the popular Netflix series Squid Game Scam. Squid Game crypto token siphoned $3.4 million in 5 days from unsuspecting users and vanished. Here is a list of annual events that people should be vigilant of when looking for services online.

    1. Popular Annual events – Valentine, mothers day, fathers day, holidays, Christmas and new years.
    2. Crisis – Corona masks, vaccines, bush fires, Ukraine war, General elections, Big companies promotions e.t.c.
    3. Trends – Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin Mining, E-commerce, NFT’s, Energy crisis, Real Estate investments.

    Categories of Online Scams

    • Attempts to gain your personal information
    • Hacking
    • Identity theft
    • Phishing
    • Remote Access Scams
    • Buying or selling
    • Classified scams
    • False billing
    • Health and medical products
    • Mobile premium services
    • Pyschic and clairvoyant
    • Online shoppers scams
    • Overpayment scams
    • Dating and romance
    • Fake charities
    • Investments
    • Betting and sports investment scams
    • Jobs and employment
    • Pyramid schemes
    • Threats and extortion
    unrecognizable person in a black hoodie typing
    • Ransomware and malware
    • Threats to life, arrest or other
    • Unexpected money
    • Inheritance and unexpected money
    • Rebate scam
    • Travel, prizes and lottery scams
    • Unexpected prize and lottery scams.
    • Travel prize scam.
    • Scratchies scams.

    Data compiled from https://www.scamwatch.gov.au

    While every nation across the world is working hard to fight the scam vice, the speed at which they mutate is unprecedented. This begs the question, do scammers play any role in the online space? While I hate scammers, their presence have had a big impact in my life.

    Here are 3 ways in which scammers have stimulated vigilance in various sectors of the economy.

    1. Scammers Have Stimulated Security Innovations

    Web service providers have continued to enhance their security frameworks in their platforms based on reported cases of fraud by users. This is aside creating awareness to their consumers of how scammers work and how they can protect themselves.

    Many online security innovations have largely contributed towards elimination of scammers from interfering with various online business infrastructure. Such security inventions include introduction of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)Technology, Disaster Recovery as a Service (DDaaS), Firewall, Continuous Data Protection (CDP) and more.

    While this comes at price, its worth every penny for anyone who wants their business, service or users protected from malicious scam attacks.

    2. Emergence of Security Agencies to Investigate And Prosecute Offenders

    Many countries today have an Agency that monitors and prosecutes people found guilty of online fraud. In Kenya, this is done by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI). They have a special unit that investigates and prosecutes offenders found guilty of this vice.

    At the moment, they investigate on reported cases of scam by individuals and business entities. Those found guilty of scam are judged and prosecuted.

    3. Users Are Now Vigilant

    After a user has experienced hacking of their e-mail and social media accounts by scammers, they become enlightened and vigilant. From then, they are more willing to cooperate with the platforms security recommendations.

    With various scam awareness campaigns being sponsored by various social media sites, email service providers, mobile service providers and popular online platforms, users have now found a way to easily report all suspected cases of fraud.

    Users are also now wary when e-mailed or called by impersonators.

    Conclusion

    Scam remains an illegal yet profitable and risky activity to engage in. No one will ever see the value that scammers add to the growth of online ecosystems unless it was ethically done e.g. Ethnical hacking. For those who engage in it, it is a matter or life and death.

    It is notable to mention here that not every victim of scam will report to the responsible authorities. Some will instead take law on their hands and punish the offenders. In some occasions, they kidnap the offenders, kill them and throw their bodies in the wild.

    It’s important to note the existence of dark web where a lot of illegal activities take place. But that is a story for another day.

    I hope you found this article insightful.

    Do you think scammers play a role in the growth of online ecosystems?

    Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    And until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony

  • Is Freelancing Online A Lucrative Career?

    This is a common question that many people wanting to pursue a career freelancing online today ask. Having been a freelancer for now 10 years, is freelancing truly a lucrative career? The answer to this question is an affirmative yes. Now the success that everyone is looking for lies on how you pursue it.

    Watch Video: Is Freelancing Online A Lucrative Career?

    For instance, freelancing on a platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, freelancer and others was very lucrative 5 years ago but now things have changed. It’s now hard to make a descent amount of money there. This is owing to an increased number of people joining these freelance gig platforms looking for work compared to the number of clients hiring.

    So what makes freelancing a lucrative career despite the shifting tides in the freelance marketplace? It is the individuals flexibility to adapt to change. In this blogpost, I will share with you 3 things that still makes freelancing a very lucrative career to date.

    Direct Connection With Clients

    One of the biggest shifts that we all witnessed during the Covid-19 lockdown in the year 2020 was the change on how businesses connect with their customers and workers. Freelancers were not left out. They contacted clients directly to seek for work as opposed to applying for work through the freelancing platforms.

    As it turned out from the freelancers I have interacted with, getting hired by a company directly online is more lucrative than applying for gigs every day via a freelancing platform. I am also a firm endorser to this approach to freelancing. It is the way to go.

    A good example is a client who hires a freelancer for a 6 months contract. The contract pays the freelancer an average of $4,000 a month. That’s good money depending on the country you are residing in.

    Moreover, you can plan how you will spend the money or invest.

    When you compare this to a freelancing on a platform; on a freelancing platform, it’s really hard to get a client who hires you and give you work consistently for more than 3 months. You may have a contract with a client for long but what you make from it in a month is very small.

    The secret today to a lucrative online freelancing career is to look for direct clients.

    Diversify

    Diversification gives one a room for growth. Diversity when it comes to freelancing is investing your earnings in profitable ventures. Before you do this, educate yourself on how different online investments work. For instance, before you start investing in cryptocurrency, educate yourself and know how the cryptocurrency you are investing in works.

    Look for avenues in which you make good profit from your investment.

    When you do this, you will be able to shift your focus from depending on one source of income to many. Freelance diversification is not only limited investments; you can diversify your knowledge as well.

    For example, if you are a video producer like me, you can diversify and offer video script writing and graphics designer. This move will give you a room to grow financially.

    Diversification multiplies your sources of income and this makes freelancing a lucrative career.

    Own A Business Online

    Take freelancing as an avenue to study and do market research for your next business. Have a goal of owning a business online that serves people within your career. The beauty of freelancing online is that you are paid as you learn how it works. When I started freelancing way back in the year 2013, I had very little experience in video production.

    When I was hired for my first job, I learnt from it. I kept perfecting it with time while working on paid contracts. However, my goal always had been to own a successful video production business in Kenya. At the time, I had started it offline.

    Take freelancing as your foundation to not only a lucrative career but a successful business as well.

    Once you have you idea ready, start. Know who your target audience are and address them clearly. When you position your online startup well, you will definitely prosper in it.

    The long term benefit of being a freelancer is owning a lucrative online business.

    Conclusion

    With new emerging technologies and ideas, freelancing will never cease to be a lucrative career. Be very honest with yourself when you take this path. I have seen many people show off and lie on camera that their luxury lifestyles are being financed by money they got from freelancing, trading on Forex, writing e.t.c. Not all of those who share their story about their freelancing journey or trading are lying. But the loud and flossy ones in most occasions lie.

    When you get into the world of freelancing, be open minded. When you come across a good idea, pursue it with a positive mind. When you do so, you will surely succeed.

    And that is if from me on why freelancing online is still a lucrative career today.

    Did you find this article helpful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

    And if you need professional video production services, you can reach out to me here.

    Until next time, bye bye and take care.

    Follow me on twitter @cheptiony.