How to Make Money on Medium

For tens of thousands of content producers when they started writing, Medium was a safe and user-friendly platform to publish articles. Today there’s more to it. Content publishers are now also making money online on this popular platform. Not surprisingly, Medium is seeing a surge in the number of its users.

What is Medium?

Medium is a blogging platform that’s open to all. It’s one of the few blogging platforms where you don’t have to be a successful writer to set up an account. Anyone can become a contributor and share views, stories and insights.

What’s more, there’s practically no limitation on topics to explore. From entrepreneurship and technology to music and food, Medium works for all kinds of content writers.

Medium has gained popularity because it keeps things simple. The platform doesn’t have any frills and as long as you adhere to their guidelines, you can make the most of Medium publications.

How Does the Medium Platform Work?

To publish your blog post on Medium, you need to sign up first. You can choose to contribute to publications of select stories or publish your own standalone posts. If you sign up using Facebook or Twitter, your connections will automatically start following your Medium account. As a content publisher, you also have editing rights.

To make money writing on the platform, you need to build your profile and get people to start following you. Medium has a membership program, which means users pay a reader’s membership fee that allows them to read and write as many articles as they like.

When a paying member reads and claps for your story, a part of their membership dollars goes into your bank account.

You can also use Medium for business. If you have expertise in a particular field as a business owner, you can use the platform to showcase your ability and of course your business.

How Much Money Can You Make on Medium?

Medium is a great channel when you are looking to make some extra money as a freelance writer. But it’s unrealistic to expect it to become full time living and revenue source. Let’s look at an example.

Suppose a paying member claps for just five stories in a month. Each author then receives $1. If the same member claps for several times over, each author receives no more than a few cents.

In the first few months when they are building their profiles on Medium, active writers make about $25 a month. By posting regularly and focusing on quality content creation, writers earn more. In numbers, top members can make about $1,000 a month.

Ways to Make Money on Medium

Granted there are not too many options to earn money on the platform, Medium writers can still start writing and increase their income. Top writers use different ways to increase their income on this platform. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Author Bonuses

Last year, Medium started paying $500 to 1,000 writers. These author bonuses were issued to writers who received the most reads, claps and follows.

As a writer, if you focus on making your content popular with your audience you can increase your chances of getting the bonus amount, too.

Friend Referrals

Another new thing Medium introduced on its platform last year was affiliate marketing.

Members get a personalized affiliate link or referral landing page. When your friends sign up on Medium and purchase subscription, you get a cut and earn money.

Medium Partner Program

Most writers leverage Medium’s Partner Program to make money.

By enrolling in the Medium partner program, you will place your content behind a paywall. Any medium member interested in your article will then have to pay for it.

Interestingly, the Partner Program also has content curators who lookout for the best stories. Stories that make the cut automatically receive higher rankings on the site’s home page, email newsletters and user feeds. This, in turn, helps content creators reach more people and increase their income.

Medium Stories

Another simple way to boost your income on Medium is by importing stories onto the platform.

Medium’s high traffic is useful to get your content attention. This is something your own blog may not be able to provide. By transferring past stories you can maximize your reach.

Tips for Making Money on Medium

When it comes to Medium stories, you need to have a strategy so you reach more Medium members. That way, you can improve your earning potential.

Here are some tips that can come in handy.

1. Write Longer Articles

Doing a deep dive into topics that other members value is a great way to show the uniqueness of your content. This is where long articles are useful.

Another benefit of writing long articles is you can add more keywords that can help you improve your content ranking.

2. Produce Quality Content

Regardless of the topic you choose, you need to focus on quality to stand out.

Remember, Medium is an extremely popular platform and every topic sees contribution from many skilled writers. Without focusing on quality, you cannot hope to compete against them.

When creating a Medium article, proofread it properly and check if it’s readable. Does it have short paragraphs? Do the sentences have proper punctuation? Is the overall tone consistent? Asking these questions will make your Medium articles readable and interesting.

It’s also important to be consistent. So, consider posting at least one story every week.

3. Get Your Work In front of Medium Members

Like any other social content platform, Medium is all about collaboration and bringing like-minded members together. That’s why, you need to focus on connecting with Medium readers.

Follow other writers who produce content on similar topics and engage with them. That way, you will be able to draw attention to your content.

4. Pay Attention to Your Headlines

If you’re wondering how to make money on Medium, one of the first things you must keep in mind is the importance of headlines.

Unless you have an enticing headline, you cannot expect to draw people to your article.

5. Build Credibility Before Going Behind the Paywall

Even though your objective is to make more money with your articles, you cannot go behind the Medium paywall right away. Not until you have established your credibility. So, consider posting some great articles as a new writer that will entice your readers to come back for more stories.

6. Create a Strong Profile

Medium users read not just articles, but also the stories behind each piece of content. A well-structured profile tells your audience about you and what separates you from other new writers. You can include links to your own website or blogs and share why you enjoy writing. By adding useful information, you can turn Medium publication into your writing portfolio. So, make sure you spend enough time to create your profile on the site.

Image: Shutterstock

This article, "How to Make Money on Medium" was first published on Small Business Trends

12 Places to Find Free Legal Advice for Your Business

Did you know that on average business lawyers charge anywhere from $100 per hour in a rural area or small town to more than $1,000+ per hour in a big city at an elite law firm? It’s true.

Getting legal advice isn’t cheap, and it is often out of reach for most small businesses that are just starting up. However, saying you don’t have the cash for legal assistance and ignoring things is simply not an option; the risks are far too great.

In fact, there are many legal challenges in business you can face, including protecting your intellectual property (e.g., patents, trademarks and copyrights), warding off lawsuits that could potentially land you in court and much, much more.

Given the cost of hiring a lawyer and the risks you can face, it’s no surprise that many start-ups and small business owners want to know if there is free legal help for their business. The good news is that there are plenty of free resources available where you can get sound legal aid and questions answered by the experts.

This guide showcases 12 of the best places to go for free legal assistance to help you get the answers and guidance you need when you need it. Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all legal approach, so do a good deal of research before you find the solution that fits you and your company.

Why Advice from Legal Services is so Important in Business

The laws pertaining to business can be complex and hard to understand, especially for small businesses that are just starting out. And even though laws pertaining to business can be tough to understand sometimes, it’s important to get them right.

Here are five critical reasons to start seeking legal advice for your small business:

1. It will help you form the right business structure: The business structure you choose will have a significant impact on your tax obligations, business liability and operational costs.
2. You’ll have a better understanding of your legal obligations and risks: Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and as a business owner you have a legal responsibility to understand your obligations and risks.
3. It can help you avoid costly disputes: Disputes with employees, customers, or suppliers can be extremely costly for small businesses. Legal aid can help you resolve these disputes without them turning into expensive legal battles.
4. To avoid costly mistakes: When drafting important contracts and agreements good legal counsel can help you avoid costly mistakes, such as including clauses that are unenforceable or illegal.
5. Prevent violations: If you don’t know what the law says and how it applies to your business, you’ll likely violate them. Legal counsel will help you avoid running into legal issues such as fines, penalties or even litigation where you may get dragged into court.

12 Best Places to Find Free Legal Advice Online

Now that you’ve seen why legal advice is so important, the next step is to find the right people who can help you and provide you with the right answers. There are a lot of resources online, but some of them charge quite a bit of money or grant limited access. Luckily, there are plenty of free places on the internet where you can get some solid legal recommendations from experts and professionals.

Next, we’ve listed the 12 of the best places to get legitimate and free legal help online.

1. The Small Business Association (SBA)

One of the best places to find free legal help is through your area’s small business association. For example, many local SBAs offer members access to a panel of lawyers who can answer questions about specific legal issues affecting small businesses.

You’ll usually have to be a member of the association to get access to this type of service, but it’s usually worth it. Some associations offer other benefits as well, such as discounts on business products and services, training opportunities for employees, mentorship programs for entrepreneurs and workshops designed specifically to help small businesses succeed in their local area. Additionally, most of these local organizations have a website that lists their contact information and membership fees (if any).

2. Your Local Chamber of Commerce

Another place where you can get free legal advice is your local chamber of commerce. Many chambers offer members access to lawyers who can answer questions about specific legal issues affecting small businesses in their area, as well as other benefits.

Just like with your local small business association, you’ll usually have to be a member of the chamber to get access to this type of service. However, there are some chambers that offer free membership for entrepreneurs who are just starting out. You can find your local chamber of commerce by visiting the website of an organization like the United States Chamber of Commerce or contacting the nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help.

3. Local Non-Profit Agencies

Non-profits are a great resource for free legal help. Many non-profit organizations offer services such as business law clinics, workshops on starting your own small business or connecting entrepreneurs with mentors who can help them navigate their way through employment law and the process of opening up shop.

These programs will often be run by lawyers and other professionals in the community who are passionate about helping small businesses succeed. There are also non-profit agencies and organizations that give legal help and services free or at reduced costs to specific groups like minorities, the military and veterans and people with disabilities.

4. The Secretary of State

If you’re looking for information about starting a business in your state, the Secretary of State is a good place to start. Most states have websites that offer detailed information about how to form and register a business in their area.

Some states also offer online legal resources such as templates for articles of incorporation or LLC formation documents, which you can use to get started. You can search and get contact information for the Secretary of State where your business is located on the National Association of Secretaries of State website.

Small businesses should also be aware of their state’s laws and regulations, as well as any licenses or permits that may be required to operate in that area. You can find this type of information on your state’s website for the Secretary of State or by contacting the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for assistance.

5. Attorney Communities

Attorney communities allow you to look up helpful legal information or bounce your legal question off their members in an “ask a lawyer” fashion. These companies operate a lot like a consultation with a professional attorney in the way that they provide information that skims the surface to get you started. You will get help here that consists of licensed attorneys who answer questions based on their practice area.

They include the following (bear in mind that some of the companies on this list limit their services to people with low incomes):

• Lawyers.com
• Justia.com
• Inc Authority
• Martindale.com
• LegalZoom.com
• LawHelp.org
• RocketLawyer.com
• LawGuru.com
• Law Help Interactive
• FreeAdvice.com

Although they aren’t perfect, these Q&A communities will start you on the right path and help you avoid what could turn into a legal issue. Many of these services also offer low-cost plans by the month and by the year for more detailed legal help. These plans often come with a free trial, so you can try out their legal resources in more detail before you decide if it’s the right option for you.

6. The Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission is a government agency that deals with issues related to business and advertising. One of their primary functions is to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive practices by businesses. They also have a wealth of information on their website about credit & finance, how to start and run a small business, including topics like trademarks, copyrights, and e-commerce for selected industries.

7. The Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service has a comprehensive Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center page, which provides small companies legal recommendations on various matters on anything from filing tax returns to the ins and out of how the ACA works to specific tax reforms that could impact your company. Also, they have an online e-file system for filing taxes electronically, which is convenient if you’re not comfortable filling out forms by hand or don’t want to take the time needed with paper filing.

Another government agency to use besides the IRS is the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ provides free legal advice for small and disadvantaged businesses through its Small Business Legal Clinic Program, which offers attorneys who specialize in advising small-business owners on a variety of topics, including intellectual property rights and contract law.

8. Online Law Libraries

If you’re looking for a more in-depth understanding of business and corporate law resources, an online law library might be a good resource for you. Although they aren’t free, these libraries are often maintained by private companies or organizations and offer access to their entire collection of legal resources for a very low monthly or yearly subscription fee.

CALI is Computer-Assisted Legal Instructions written by law professors at CALI-sponsored educational institutions. You can use it to study several business law topics. The interactive tutorials featured in the CALI law library database can be used as lessons for reading up on specific business legal topics, such as sales and leases, secured transactions and negotiable instruments and other payment systems.

9. Pro Bono Clinics

Pro Bono lawyers are students who are affiliated with a legal aid organization. They volunteer at legal assistance clinics at no cost. They are part of internship programs that help law students gain professional ethics and gain a deep understanding of their responsibility to their community.

In addition, you can use the SuperLawyers website to search for pro bono attorneys that will provide you with free legal aid if you can’t afford a lawyer. Likewise, you can use the American Bar Association’s website about pro bono lawyer support questions. They must be non-criminal questions, though. However, keep in mind that there is often an income threshold for getting help in this manner.

10. Business Law Websites

Websites such as FindLaw and Nolo publish information about laws related to business and offer a variety of resources, including articles, blog posts, videos, and even e-books on various legal topics. They also have searchable databases of attorneys who practice in specific areas of the law, so you can find a business attorney who’s right for your needs. You’ll also find information about specific topics like employment laws, intellectual property, and small business taxes on these websites.

The owners of these websites understand legal assistance can be very expensive for small businesses which is why they provide legal advice at little or no cost.

For example, Nolo.com offers a free online course about the basics of business-related laws for small businesses, which you can take at your own pace or find out more by checking out their website.

FindLaw also offers a free online course on legal matters and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. This one is geared specifically toward helping new business owners get started with their ventures and includes information like how to form an LLC or corporation, what kind of licenses and permits you need to run a business in your state, how to hire employees instead of contractors (and vice versa), etc.

11. Law Schools

Some law schools offer their legal services for free or at reduced costs to individuals or startups. Here, students studying law and instructors that teach legal curriculum can give you basic guidance and answers about any legal issue that you have. Similar to how it is with pro bono lawyers, helping businesses in this way gives law students knowledge of real-world experiences and a sense of community as they work toward finishing school.

Note that supervision of these law students is provided by legal organizations and professional attorneys since the students aren’t licensed yet. It is unethical for them to independently give anyone or an entity free (or paid) legal advice until they receive their degrees.

In addition, there are law school clinics that are geared to serving a clientele of small businesses, sole proprietors and entrepreneurs, which means that you can potentially receive complimentary help from the right lawyer about legal questions pertaining to your business.

You can find a list of clinics near you by visiting the website of the American Bar Association or your state bar association. You can also Google “law school clinic” followed by your city or town’s name. For example, if you live in Atlanta, search for “law school clinic Atlanta”.

If you can’t find answers to what you’re looking for, try contacting your local economic development office or the nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help.

12. Free Consultations with Lawyers

For free legal assistance, most local lawyers will provide an initial consultation at no charge or give you low-cost legal counsel. This initial chat could possibly assist you in:

• Gaining more understanding and insight into the information you’ve collected so far.
• Receiving answers to the questions you have regarding the legal aspects of owning and running a company.

You don’t have to sit down in an office to talk to them about your legal issue, either. Instead, you can consult with real lawyers for free 24/7 through their online chat features.

Their areas of expertise could include laws about business, along with family law, personal injury law, family law, litigation, bankruptcy, patents, trademarks and more, meaning they could give free answers and legal help to you on a business and personal level.

Attorney consultations are excellent starting points if the matter your want to discuss is not too complex. They are also good if you need a good starting point on some basic areas of your business. Meanwhile, as your company gets bigger, the more complex its operations and legalities get. b12q b q2As you probably know, “free lunches” rarely exist in life, and eventually, time will run out on an attorney’s generosity (usually at around the 30-minute mark of the consultation).

In that case, it’s better to pay for future consultation and retain a lawyer rather than attempt to handle complex legal matters by yourself.

What is the best company to use to get answers to my legal questions free?

This is an excellent question…but it’s not so simple to answer. To explain, there are many companies out there that offer free legal advice, and they all have their pros and cons.

For example, some of these companies will give you generic answers to your legal questions (which may be helpful if all you need is general information). Others may have attorneys on staff who will provide more specific legal help, but you may need to be a member of their organization in order to get this help.

There are also some companies that offer free legal consultations specifically for small businesses. This can be a great option if you want to sit down with an attorney and discuss your business in detail. However, keep in mind that these consultations are usually very short, and you may not be able to receive answers to all of your questions.

Finally, some companies offer free legal advice in the form of online resources or articles. This can be a great way to learn more about specific topics, but it’s important to remember that these resources should not be relied on as being the same as the legal recommendations you’d get from a professional attorney.

Take LegalZoom for example, the company has a good rating with the Better Business Bureau and on review sites such as TrustPilot. However, they are not lawyers and can’t practice law. Therefore, they are no substitute for a professional attorney.

Think of “Ask a Lawyer” sites like LegalZoom as more of a DIY portal to legal documents and FAQs. Still, they can be excellent resources for forming an LLC, business registration, trademark protection or other similar small business needs.

If you are forming your business, Inc Authority is the best for-profit company mentioned in this guide since they offer both LLC formation services and a year of registered agent service for free.

On the other hand, we saw that business programs at local non-profits are often managed by lawyers and other professionals, so that is another good resource you can tap into for several types of legal questions and assistance.

Where is the best place to find free legal advice about criminal law relating to business?

Pro bono lawyers are a good place to start when it comes to free advice about your business. legal issue. But who you ultimately go to for legal advice is going to depend on the nature of the criminal matter in question. Many online resources, including the ABA, will not answer any questions related to criminal legalities whatsoever.

For instance, if you want to ask something about workers’ compensation when it comes to potential wrongdoings, an “Ask a Lawyer” website is not qualified to help you. Also, it would be unethical to answer questions like this since they are not technically lawyers.

Unfortunately, business attorneys say that the majority of business owners come to them when they are already in legal trouble. That’s not a good best practice, and it’s also expensive. More importantly, it’s not really an area you want to skimp on for your business.

Many of these organizations offer free or low-cost legal aid, and they can connect you with attorneys who specialize in criminal law relating to a business. You can also find general information on these organizations’ websites such as how to file a trademark and where to find free legal advice about criminal law relating to business.

For example, you might be able to get help with debt collection issues, intellectual property rights (trademarks), or even employment laws if they are relevant for your business. The Small Business Development Center has resources for small business owners on a variety of topics, including taxes and legal issues related to starting up your own company.

If you don’t want to run into legal issues, then it’s essential to get some legal advice from a professional business lawyer as early as possible in the process. After all, laws change and can be complex, so it’s important to have an up-to-date understanding of them.

Also, many attorneys will work with you regarding your bill. For instance, they could put you on a payment plan or work with you on a contingency basis.

So, be sure to get the legal assistance you need—free or otherwise. That, along with some good business insurance, will go a long way toward protecting your business.

And—good luck in your business endeavors!

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "12 Places to Find Free Legal Advice for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

Small Business Owners Need an Employment Law Check Up

The world of employment law is historically ever-evolving, and no more so than in recent years.

Before the pandemic, 30% of employees worked remotely/hybrid. Post pandemic, 48% work remotely/hybrid.

The growth of a remote or hybrid workforce has created new areas of concern:

• Remote/Hybrid Worker Location
• Data Security at Remote Workplaces
• Monitoring Remote and Hybrid Workers, and Workers Comp

ADP delved into those topics during its annual Employment Law Checkup webinar.

Impacts of Remote/Hybrid Worker Location

What if a company’s brick-and-mortar location is in one state, but an employee works from home in another state?

The onus is on the employer to ensure that the company is in compliance with the “foreign” state laws, including: tax issues, hourly wage issues (increases in minimum wage), FLMA laws and annual compliance notices.

Let’s break these down:

Tax and benefit issues – payroll taxes withheld must be adjusted correctly for the hours that the employee is working in the “foreign” state. Payroll taxes apply where the work is performed.

Hourly Wage issues – Yes the federal government sets the minimum wage, but whatever a state sets overrides that. For example, the federal minimum wage is $7.25; Connecticut recently raised its minimum wage to $14. Some states (for example, Colorado and California) calculate overtime differently – for example, by the day and not the week.

Takeaway Advice from ADP senior counselors Kevin Skelly and Samantha Munro:

“The employer should have strict policies concerning “off-the-clock” work (such as making and answering calls after regular work hours). Employers should have a simple time recording instrument. Employers must ensure that work time is recorded and paid. Employees must be paid for all hours worked.”

FLMA laws – Employees are eligible for FLMA if they have been with a company for 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours during those months. But, the employee is eligible for leave based on the state regulations where the employee works, if further than a 75-mile radius from the company’s office. 

Some states allow for supplemental sick leave pay. For example, California allows for up to 80 hours for full-time employees and for part-time employees, paid hours matching an average one-week’s hours (through 9/30/2022). 

Also, some states are expanding the definition of family. Typically, family was spouse, son, daughter or parent. States are changing that, for example, New York has added siblings. Maine has added grandparents, grandchildren and domestic partner’s grandchildren. .

 

Annual Compliance Notices

These are typically posted on a bulletin board in the workplace. Employers can send these to workers electronically, and should also send a hard copy.

 

Data Security at Remote Workplaces

If not done correctly, allowing workers to do their jobs remotely can greatly contribute to attacks of ransomware and security breaches.

Workers should be instructed:

• To contact IT before opening any suspicious emails.
• To use a strong password and change it regularly.
• To never send corporate data to a personal email or cloud account.
• To use caution when opening attachments.

Employers should make sure that employees:

• Do not have access to certain company data that is not needed for them to do their jobs.
• Have signed non-disclosure and restrictive covenant agreements.

Monitoring Employees

Some employers have taken steps to monitor employees by various measures, such as keeping count of the number of keystrokes the employee makes on the work computer.

Some states have electronic monitoring notice requirements. If a workforce is unionized, there may be conditions against monitoring spelled out in the bargaining agreement.

Employers should:

Monitor employees equally, without targeting certain employees.

Set policies on methods to record work time. 

Set specific times for breaks and lunches, and ensure that employees are not contacted during these times.

Establish a specific “workplace” location with the employee’s home. This can be important in cases of a worker’s compensation claim, if the workplace has not been established as “where the employee may reasonably be.” 

What Else Do Employers Need to Do?

Employers should review and update employee handbooks and policies, if necessary, adding specific addendums by state.

Stay informed by subscribing to ADP’s State, Local and Federal updates. You’ll get emails as policies emerge. 

Realize that legislation and rules are often not the final word. Engage the services of an attorney and/or accountant with experience in employment law.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "Small Business Owners Need an Employment Law Check Up" was first published on Small Business Trends

18 Young Black Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship has no limits regarding race or gender. The black entrepreneurs you’ll learn about here have set the bar not only for Black business owners, but for all business owners.

Some threw job titles behind and took their new ideas into entirely different fields. Some started with little more than $40 and grit.

Some of these African Americans became hugely successful before they reached 30 years old (see our choices later in the article). For others, the jump into entrepreneurship came later.

All had these traits in common as they launched their small businesses: They refused to let skin color be a barrier. They refused to settle for the status quo. They refused to give up.

Top Black Entrepreneurs to Inspire You

Check our list of the top black entrepreneurs.

1.Madam C.J. Walker

You may not have heard of this woman, a leader in Black innovation, since her life spanned 1867-1919. Plagued with hair breakage, she developed a hair care product and traveled the southern states (mostly on foot!) promoting and selling it, as well as a skin and hair care regimen which became known as the Walker Method.

Madam C.J. Walker was one of the first American women to become a millionaire.

2.Oprah Winfrey

There’s a name that’s lost to history, and that’s the name of the television executive who told Oprah Winfrey that she “didn’t have it” and would never be successful in broadcasting. Instead, she became one of the most well-known of media people of all time. Her rich legacy includes staggering levels of financial support to educate and support young people.

Remember this Black entrepreneur’s quote: “If you’re holding anyone else accountable for your happiness, you’re wasting your time.”

3. Moziah Bridges, Mo’s Bows

Moziah Bridges started Mo’s Bows in 2011, when he was 9 years old. Today the teenage founder, president and creative director for Mo’s Bows (mosbowsmemphis.com) still handpicks the fabric used for products, which have reached $700,000 in sales. The Shark Tank graduate also designs all the neckties and bow ties for NBA teams. He pays homage to his Memphis roots with the Go Mo! Summer Camp Fund for Memphis children.

4. Cory Nieves, Mr. Cory’s Cookies

This New Jersey entrepreneur launched Mr. Cory’s Cookie’s – Mr. Cory’s Cookies (mrcoryscookies.com) when he was just 6 years old. Working with his mother Lisa, the two combined forces to realize incredible business growth. Their homemade treats, delivered to customers’ doors, are made with all-natural, high-quality ingredients. He started with chocolate chip and branched out to include more unique flavors.

5. Mikaila Ulmer, Me & The Bees Lemonade

When she was four years old, Mikaila Ulmer was stung by a bee. The sting led her to want to learn more about bees. Meanwhile, she learned of a children’s business competition called Acton Children’s Business Fair and Austin (Texas) Lemonade Day.

She decided to enter, using her “Great Granny” Helen’s recipe for Flaxseed lemonade, printed in a 1940s cookbook. Mikaila tweaked the recipe by replacing sugar with local honey.

You can learn more about the company at Our Sweet Story – Me & the Bees Lemonade (meandthebees.com) Ulmer donates a percentage of her profits to honeybee research.

6. Maya Penn, Sustainable Fashion

Founder and CEO Maya Penn’s eco-friendly clothing is made from old vintage fabrics, as well as 100% organics fabrics made from cotton, hemp and bamboo. You can learn more about Maya’s ideas at Maya Penn – Sustainable Fashion (mayasideas.com). When she’s not immersed in fabrics and design with her company, Penn as a global activist for sustainability is sought as a speaker. She’s also written a book called You Got This, geared to inspire teens and young adults.

7.Binta Niambi Brown

Brown was an international corporate lawyer when she left that career to become co-chair and co-founder of Black Music Action Coalition. She is also founder and CEO of Omalilly Projects, an artist management and production company.

She didn’t stop there. She is also one of the top fundraisers in the world for political, humanitarian and cultural initiatives. Currently she is also focusing on human rights issues in Cambodia. You can learn more about Binta Niambi Brown at weforum.

8.MoAnA LUU

Luu if the founder of ManLuu, an American fashion house that features Creole luxury. Clothing is not all that graces the online stores pages – you’ll also see decorations, art and more. She also focuses on brand transformation, most notably a revamp of Essence magazine.

9.Dr. David Walcott

Dr. Walcott is internationally respected not only as a doctor, but as a man who deeply cares about improving healthcare. He is the founder of NovaMed, a company which focuses on healthcare in emerging markets, previously underserved by quality healthcare. Most recently Dr. Walcott is a co founder and ceo of InfinitiPartnership, bringing quality healthcare such as cardiac attack care to the Caribbean.

10.Janice Bryant Howard

Some entrepreneurs start their company with three times less capital than is average. Howard started her Act1Group with practically zero capital.

Howard moved back to her hometown, Tarboro NC and launched Act1Group, an employment agency and consulting service. She didn’t have a fax machine, office furniture or other equipment needed to start a company. She had little money. All she had was a phone.

Through building her clients using her own marketing skills, Howard has built Act1Group into an industry leader among employment agency companies.

11.Nathalie Walten

Walten is the CEO and co-founder of Expectful, a company which focuses on holistic care of mind and body for expectant mothers. The interactive website covers all aspects of motherhood, including meditations, events, supportive groups and more. Expectful includes a number of experts on staff, in fields such as nutrition and post-partum care.

This young entrepreneur followed a path similar to that of other minority founders of companies – she saw a need based on personal experience and followed her heart to creating a company that she loves.

12.Vimbayi Kajese

Kajese is the founder and ceo of #Adtags. Kajese had been astonished and dismayed to learn that only 1% of stock images featured people of color. Stock images are a source of pictures which can be purchased by companies or advertisers.

#Adtags’ mission is to increase the use of visual content featuring people of color. The content is available for use by globally-c0nscious brands. In the advertising business of sponsored content, #Adtags is known as a business of “diversity crusaders.”

Black Entrepreneurs Who Made It Before 30

We’ve already met a mix of black entrepreneurs who “made it” before they were 30 years old. We’ve also met a few who “made it” in other careers before they left or expanded their businesses ventures to become entrepreneurs.

Here are more young black entrepreneurs who are awesome examples of turning an interest into optimum use in the business world.

13. Asmau Ahmed, Plum Perfect

It took her 8 years, but Asmau Ahmed had the perfect background for creating Plum Perfect. The Columbia grad (MBA Columbia Business School) also is also a chemical engineer.

She developed a personalized digital shopping experience for women of color. Customers begin by uploading a selfie. Then, based on the selfie and their answers to questions, Plum Perfect helps them build a unique color signature with recommended products, via a full administrative dashboard.

14. Anne-Marie Imafidon, Stemettes

Imafidon worked at Goldman Sachs before launching Stemettes, or Girls Do STEM Too… – Stemettes ®. Stemettes is a social enterprise designed to inspire and support young women and nonbinary persons towards careers in science, engineering, the arts and math.

15. Ashifi Gogo, Supply Chain Management and Technology Co.

Gogo’s company, Sproxil, is a supply chain mgt. and technology company based in Atlanta. Gogo used his business skills to create Sproxil.

Sproxil’s goal is to build trust, and develop intrinsic security, from end to end of the supply chain using mobile technology. A company’s brand is protected from fraud – such as counterfeiting and theft- which could occur along the chain. To date, Sproxil is protecting more than 2.5 billion product units.

16. Amari Ruff, SUDU, Technology Based Logistics Company

Ruff is the founder of SUDU Logistics, a multi-million-dollar tech enterprise. Here’s how the tech works:

SUDU connects the small and medium sized transportation entrepreneurs with the big companies, such as the giant box stores and manufacturers. SUDU focuses on entrepreneurs who are women, minorities or Veterans. It is basically an on-line marketplace that uses moving analytics technology to connect an entrepreneur with the big customers.

SUDU is a Chinese word that means speed and tempo.

17.Essynce Moore

At 6 years old, Essynce Moore launched a line of clothes and products for black youth called Essynce Couture. This young fashion designer hasn’t stopped there. She’s an actress and an author, who makes optimum advantage of her worldwide name recognition to inspire and support other black-owned business.

18.Asia Newson, Super Business Girl

Newson launched her venture into entrepreneurship making waves with her candles, especially her signature pink, yellow and light blue candle. From those beginnings she expanded to Super Business Girl, a training model on Facebook pages that teaches other young peers how to become entrepreneurs. She also teaches via online workshops which are geared to middle and high school students.

Start Supporting Young Black Owned Businesses Today

As small business owners know, all businesses – white owned businesses, black owned businesses – suffered during 2020 and 2021.

But from February 2020 through August 2021, the number of black business owners grew by 38%. We haven’t learned the official “why” about that stat, but here’s a guess. Those new business owners came from generations of shared histories – and deep down already knew how to turn a seemingly impossible challenge into a new vision for success.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "18 Young Black Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends

3 Reasons to Start Your Own Online Business

Like any enterprise, starting an online business has its challenges. Still, your commitment and determination can spell out success for your business.

[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

Majority of Freelancers Getting Stiffed by Clients

A recently published report has found late paying clients owe $50,000 or more to nearly 60% of freelance workers.

Most Freelancers Getting Stiffed by Clients

The research conducted by the Independent Economy Council surveyed 416 professional freelancers in the U.S. who earn the majority of their income from 1099 work and also directly invoice their clients. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed reported not being paid on time, which includes a number of those who even include a ‘Remit by’ date in their invoices.

Outstanding and Unpaid Invoices

The Getting Paid in the Independent Economy: Insights From 400+ 1099 Workers report has highlighted some of the serious issues facing freelance workers. The research showed that exactly 59% of freelancers were owed $50,000 or more for completed work, with 72% of respondents saying they still have outstanding invoices yet to be paid by their clients.

Being a freelancer is about as ‘small business’ as you can get, so this data can really help get the problematic issues freelancers face out in the open.

Getting Paid is ‘One of the Biggest Challenges’

The President and Executive Director of Freelancers Union, Rafael Espinal, said in response to the report: “One of the biggest challenges freelancers face is getting paid on time, if not getting paid at all.

“Freelancers Union has been in the forefront of ensuring freelancers have the right to a contract and expanded payment protections. With the freelance workforce continuing to grow at record numbers, and 71% of freelancers reporting issues of non-payment, reports like this help create a more just and fair business environment for workers.”

Freelance Invoicing Habits

The research also asked about invoicing habits among freelance workers, with 40% found to be using dedicated invoicing software. Another 38% created their own invoices using the likes of Microsoft Word or Google docs, with a further 21% preferring to use a downloadable template.

Interestingly, only just over half of respondents agreed that they were ‘very satisfied’ with their invoicing process. The main issues for dissatisfaction included their invoicing tools not being equipped to integrate payments, as well as invoices taking too much time to generate.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "Majority of Freelancers Getting Stiffed by Clients" was first published on Small Business Trends

21 Black Female Entrepreneurs

Black women-owned businesses and black-owned brands are growing rapidly in the small business owners’ corporate world.

Let’s take a look at some of the Black female entrepreneurs who are making their mark with old and new businesses.

21 Black Women Entrepreneurs to Inspire You

Businesses run by female black entrepreneurs launched in various ways. Starting businesses was not easy – it’s never easy!

Here are brief descriptions of Black female business entrepreneurs who paved the way the enable Black women entrepreneurs who followed in their dogged footsteps.

1. Sheilisa Burgess

Black women aren’t the only females rejoicing in the creation of Fria, one of the fastest growing of all female owned businesses. Burgess created a jewelry line which uses state-of-the-art technology (thermal heat transfer and evaporative cooling) to combat hot flashes.

2. Maya Penn

Penn joins other Black female business owners in developing a fashion line using sustainable fabrics, including organic cotton, hemp and bamboo. Penn’s line, called Maya’s Ideas, expanded her venture into the fashion world to include global activism, and she is often sought as a speaker. Her book You Got This inspires teens and young adults.

3. Natalie M. Cofield

Cofield is founder and ceo of the Walker’s Legacy Foundation, which is a resource and support organization for entrepreneurial women of color. The foundation also runs an online business accelerator, to aid women of color in their professional development.

4. Essynce Moore

This young black entrepreneur is a fashion designer who launched her line when she was 6 years old. Moore is also an actress and author. Her Essynce Couture line has expanded to include clothes and body products for teens.

5. Tiffany Aliche

Aliche is founder and ceo of both Budgetnista and The Live Richer Academy. At one point in her life, Aliche became homeless and moved in with her parents. Her goal is to provide life-changing financial education for women worldwide.

6. Asmau Ahmed

Ahmed began her work career as a chemical engineer. She also earned an MBA from Columbia Business School. Those two fields gave her a great background – after 8 years of research – to launch Plum Perfect.

Plum Perfect is a personalized digital shopping experience for women of color. Download a selfie, build your color signature, and shop recommended products.

7. Asia Newson

This Super Business Girl got her start in entrepreneurship by making and selling candles, including her signature pink, yellow and light blue candle. She expanded to inspire her peers to start their own business, with targeted efforts that include strategies learned in her workshops. The workshops are geared for middle and high school students.

8. Swivel Beauty

Swivel Beauty was cofounded by lawyer Jennifer Lambert and editor Jihan Thomas. Both women were frequent travelers and despaired of finding quality hair care in unfamiliar towns and cities. They developed Swivel Beauty, an App which connects women of color to hair professionals.

9. Nathalie Walton

Walton is ceo and cofounder of Expectful, which focuses on holistic care for moms. Via the Expectful site, women can take part in meditations and events. They can also join support groups. Expectful is staffed with experts, including those in the field of nutrition and post-partum care.

10. Mikaila Ulmer

Getting stung by a bee, on two occasions, led Ulmer to learn more about bees. She entered a local business competition by making flaxseed lemonade. She tweaked a 1940s recipe from her great grandmother, substituting honey for sugar. She donates a portion of the profits of her Me and the Bees Lemonade business to help save honeybees.

11. Arlan Hamilton

In 2015, Hamilton founded Backstage Capital. Hamilton had learned that fewer than 10% of venture capital deals went to women, people of color, and members of the LBGT community. Backstage Capital seeks to rectify that and provide economic equality for them. To date, Backstage Capital has supported investments from more than 180 companies for small businesses.

12. Tracy Reese

One of the most famous of black women to wear a Tracey Reese design is Michele O’Bama, who in 2012 sported one of her creations at the Democratic National Convention. Reese’s newest line is Hope for Flowers, which focuses on ethical sourcing of materials to create a sustainably manufactured line with economic and social value.

13. Janice Bryant Howroyd

All she had was a cell phone. Howroyd didn’t have office furniture – she didn’t even have a fax machine. Yet when Howroyd moved back to her hometown of Tarboro, North Carolina, she was able to launch and grow Act1 Group, today a leading employment agency with consulting services.

14. MoAnA LUU

The ManLUU fashion house, founded by MoAnA LUU, is an American fashion house featuring Creole luxury styles. Luee also excels at brand transformation, including a redesign of the leading fashion and culture magazine, Essence.

15. Cathy Hughes

Hughes is the first of African American women to lead a publicly traded media company. Hughes was at one time homeless and was turned down for a loan by 31 banks before she obtained a loan and bought her first radio station.

Today the self-made Hughes is one of the wealthiest women in America. She founded and chairs Urban One, Inc., which includes 56 radio stations.

16. Vimbaji Kajese

Kajese and her staff are known as “diversity crusaders.” Kajese realized that only 1% of the stock images used for advertising included people of color. Striving for social and economic equality, Kajese is founder and ceo of #Adtags, to improve the stock image content to include people of color, to be used by companies worldwide.

17. Binta Niambi Brown

Brown was a lawyer for international corporations before becoming cofounder and cochair of Black Music Action Coalition. She is also founder of Omalilly Projects, an artist management and production company. She’s a music executive at Keep Cool/RCA records. Brown is also a prolific fundraiser, who focuses on raising money for political, humanitarian and cultural initiatives.

18. Kimberly Bryant

Bryant is the founder and ceo of Black Girls CODE, a nonprofit that teaches computer programming and tech skills to young Black women. Bryant’s goal is to train 1 million young black women by 2040. Google has donated more than $2 million to the cause, and Nike recently teamed with Black Girls CODE to sponsor an event.

19. Anne-Marie Imafidon

One day while attending college, Imafidon looked around the classroom and realized she was one of only 3 women in the class. She is the founder of Stemettes, Girls Do Stem Too, a social enterprise which strives to inspire and support young women of color in the fields of science, engineering, the arts and math.

20. Oprah Winfrey

No list of inspiring black female entrepreneurs is complete with Oprah Winfrey, one of the most well-known and widely recognized public figures in the country. Her business success and expansive philanthropy across social services sectors are legendary. She’s provided long term funding resources for many underserved groups.

21. Madam C.J. Walker

Walker lived from 1867 to 1919 in the rural American south. She accomplished the American dream through her hard work, producing and selling a hair care product (and later expanded body care line) for African Americans. The regime of using her products was known as The Walker Method. She was one of the first American women to become a millionaire.

How many Black business owners are there in the US?

According to Fundera, there are more than 2 million businesses owned by Black people.

The majority of Black businesses started are in the health care field. The highest percentage of the businesses are in Washington, DC.

What percentage of black owned businesses are owned by black females?

According to Fundera, black women business owners account for 35% of all Black business owners.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "21 Black Female Entrepreneurs" was first published on Small Business Trends

Explore Strategies for Success with B2SMBI FORWARD 2022

What does it take to focus on developing and planning the success of your small business for 2022 and beyond? B2SMBI FORWARD 2022 is going to answer these questions and more by hosting more than two dozen virtual keynotes, panels, and workshops. This includes the CEO of Small Business Trends, Anita Campbell.

Campbell will address the challenges and opportunities of small businesses in a digital ecosystem based on 15 years in the segment. In addition to Campbell, speakers from Accenture, Alignable, Aweber, Comcast Business Strategy, GM Small Business, Verizon, Netsuite, and many others will be taking part in this two-day event.

Among the topics that will be covered are opportunities, challenges, and:

• Customer experience
• Mastering the new SMB segmentation
• The risks and rewards of personalization
• The real world applications of virtual
• Branding
• Influencers
• Your tech stack future
• The future of COVID litigation

In partnership with Accenture, the event will take place online from March 1-2, 2022. You can register for your free all-access pass by clicking the red button.

 

Register Now

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Featured Events, Contests and Awards

B2SMBI Forward 2022
March 1, 2022, Online

When your head is down – making your way through the many crises of the last two years – it’s hard to look up and forward to the future. But that’s just the challenge the B2SMB Leaders have signed up for! We’ve assembled some of our community’s best and brightest to look ahead, over the horizon, to the opportunities they see for their own B2SMB brand, and yours. Register today, it’s FREE!

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TECHSPO Atlanta 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
June 30, 2022, Atlanta, Georgia

TECHSPO Atlanta is a two-day technology expo returning June 30th to July 1st, 2022 at the luxurious The Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. TECHSPO Atlanta brings together some of the best developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, innovators and evangelists looking to set the pace in our advanced world of technology.

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New York City Small Business Expo 2022
June 24, 2022, New York, New York

Small Business Expo is America’s Largest Business to Business Trade Show, Conference, Educational & Networking Event for Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs & Start-Ups. It is the most anticipated event of the year to take strategic action to immediately improve and grow your Small Business. If you are serious about starting or growing your business, Small Business Expo is a must-attend event for you. Register today, it’s FREE!

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More Events

• 3rd Employee Wellness Summit for Legal Professionals
  February 28, 2022, Online
• The Virtual Strategic, Win-Win Corporate Charity Partnerships Conference
  March 1, 2022, Online
• On Building a Values-Driven Healing Practice in a Profit-Driven World
  March 2, 2022, Online
• Research Billing Compliance Virtual Summit- Spring 2022
  March 8, 2022, Online
• Orlando Small Business Expo 2022
  March 16, 2022, Orlando, FL
• TECHSPO Sydney 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  March 22, 2022, Sydney, Australia
• NEMOA Spring Summit 2022
  March 22, 2022, Online
• Spotlight on City Mobility Management
  March 22, 2022, Online
• The Lighthouse Social Summit
  March 24, 2022, Online
• Miami Small Business Expo 2022
  March 25, 2022, Miami, FL
• 2nd KOL Engagement Summit
  March 30, 2022, Philadelphia, PA
• Charlotte Small Business Expo 2022
  April 6, 2022, Charlotte, NC
• Human Resources and Benefits Leadership Virtual Assembly- April 2022
  April 11, 2022, Online
• Innovation Review on Autonomous Vehicles
  April 14, 2022, Online
• Boston Small Business Expo 2022
  April 21, 2022, Boston, MA
• TECHSPO New York 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  April 21, 2022, Online
• Insurance AI and Innovative Tech USA 2022
  April 26, 2022, Chicago, IL
• Philadelphia Small Business Expo 2022
  May 4, 2022, Philadelphia, PA
• DigiMarCon Midwest 2022 – Digital Marketing, Media and Advertising Conference & Exhibition
  May 9, 2022, Chicago, IL
• TECHSPO Chicago 2022 Technology Expo (Internet ~ Mobile ~ AdTech ~ MarTech ~ SaaS)
  May 9, 2022, Chicago, IL

More Contests

This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by Small Business Trends.

You can see a full list of events, contest and award listings or post your own events by visiting the Small Business Events Calendar.

Image: b2smbi

This article, "Explore Strategies for Success with B2SMBI FORWARD 2022" was first published on Small Business Trends

10 Ways to Integrate Big Data, AI, and Other Top Tech Trends into Your Business

Technology has the power to dramatically change your business operations. From big data to API security, it’s important to understand how these concepts can improve your company. Here’s a rundown of today’s top tech tools and trends from members of the online small business community.

Enhance Your Small Business with These Tech Tools

Technology opens tons of new opportunities for business owners. But all the options can seem overwhelming. To make the most of technology for your operations, read this Small Biz Tipster post by Lisa Sicard. Then visit the BizSugar community to see what members have to say.

Improve the Customer Experience with AI and Data Analytics

AI and data analytics aren’t just buzzwords. They are helping real small businesses improve the experience for customers. If you’re not sure how to integrate these concepts into your own operations, check out this Process Street post by Leks Drakos for tips.

Use Tech to Overcome These Common Business Challenges

Every business experiences challenges on a regular basis. Having the right tools in place can help you navigate them when they arise. In this SMB CEO post, Ivan Widjaya lists several tech options that apply to various business challenges.

Step Up Your Website with These 2022 Trends

Your business likely already has a website. But there’s always room for improvement, especially as trends and consumer preferences change. Here are some top web design trends for 2022 via Mary Kyamko of Crowdspring.

Reap the Benefits of Social Media Automation

Social media can be both powerful and time consuming. Luckily, there are tools that can automate various functions to simplify the process. James of EvergreenFeed goes over the benefits of social media automation in this post. And BizSugar members commented here.

Find the Best Project Management System for Your Business

Project management looks different for every business. So there are tons of systems available to suit different processes and preferences. Before you can choose the right one for your operations, you need to understand the options. Read this DPM post by Ben Aston for more.

Stop Ignoring These Tech Trends

Some new technology may seem like a passing fad. But others are here to stay. And small business owners ignore these at their own peril. To avoid falling behind in 2022, visit this SmallBiz Technology post by Becca Williams for the year’s top tech trends.

Increase Search Visibility for Your Restaurant

Search engine optimization is an essential part of digital marketing across industries. But it’s especially important for local businesses like restaurants. So how can you improve search visibility for local customers? Check out this Bright Local post by Eduard Klein for answers.

Improve Your Webinars Using These Statistics

Webinars can be a powerful tech tool for sharing information online. And it helps to learn trends surrounding this concept to better tailor the format and promotion to your audience. Check out this BloggingWizard post by Adam Connell for a selection of current webinar stats. Then see what BizSugar members are saying about the post here.

Check Your API Security

Software and applications can perform nearly endless tasks for businesses. However, they may also be vulnerable to security breaches. This Argon post by Eyal Katz includes a checklist you can use to keep your tech tools secure.

If you’d like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "10 Ways to Integrate Big Data, AI, and Other Top Tech Trends into Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends

American Express and Main Street America Offer Grants for Personal Service Businesses

Personal service businesses like spas and tailors have faced major challenges over the past two years. But a new grant program from American Express and Main Street America wants to help.

And that’s not the only small business grant opportunity unveiled this week. Massachusetts launched two programs. And several more are available throughout the East Coast. Read on to find the best small business grant opportunities for your business.

American Express and Main Street America Inclusive Backing

American Express and Main Street America have partnered on a $1.65M year-round grant program. Inclusive Backing aims to provide money and resources to underrepresented small businesses in four cycles throughout the year. The program will provide $5,000 to 250 small businesses, with preference given to underrepresented entrepreneurs, those disproportionately affected by COVID, and those located in older or historic commercial districts. This year’s second grant cycle is open now through March 1. This round focuses on personal service-based businesses like dry cleaners, beauty salons, and barbers.

Massachusetts Inclusive Grant Program

The state of Massachusetts launched a new round of funding for small businesses this week. The Inclusive Grant Program targets businesses that serve socially and economically disadvantaged markets or historically underrepresented groups. This includes businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, disabled individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. The program includes $50 million, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. And businesses can apply for up to $75,000 now through April 4.

Massachusetts New Applicant Grant Program

Massachusetts also created a new grant program to help businesses that have not yet received any pandemic relief funds. The New Applicant Grant program offers $25 million in total funds, to be distributed in grants of $75,000 or less. Businesses must demonstrate economic loss due to COVID and have no previous grants from state programs. The application deadline is April 4. ??

Rockland County Small Business Assistance Grant Program

The Rockland County, New York Small Business Assistance Grant Program includes $250,000 in grant funding. For-profit small businesses located within Rockland with 25 employees or less are eligible for grants between $5,000 and $15,000. Grants must be used to cover expenses like rent and inventory incurred after March 3, 2020. Eligible businesses can apply online or by mail.

Morris County Small Business Grant Program

The Morris County Small Business Grant Program originally launched in February with a $5 million fund. This week, the County Board approved an extra $5 million to support more small businesses. Eligible local companies can apply for grants of up to $15,000 to reimburse various pandemic-related expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021. The city is also hosting a town hall meeting to help local businesses apply.

Newport News Micro-Enterprise Grant Program

The Newport News, Virginia Micro-Enterprise Grant Program offers more than $100,000 to small businesses in the Southeast community. The pilot program aims to help companies with five or fewer employees. The city has about $106,000 in funding through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Funds and the Department of Housing and Community Development FY22 Resurgence Grant Funds. Eligible businesses can apply for up to $3,500. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. And applications are expected to be available online shortly.

Image: Depositphotos

This article, "American Express and Main Street America Offer Grants for Personal Service Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends

The Most Popular and Best Selling NFT Collections This Week

The usual collections are still trending in the top for this week’s most popular and bestselling NFTs. The top 10 NFTs of what is trending on nonefungible.com will give you a glimpse of what the market is doing.

Make sure keep track of all the marketplaces as a way to have your fingers on the pulse of NFTs. This is one way you can find out about the hottest a latest drops.

Most Popular and Best Selling NFTs of the Last Week – February 25, 2022

1. CryptoPunks

• Last 7 days: $37,013,216
• Number of Sales: 57
• Highest Price: $354,317

10,000 unique collectible characters with proof of ownership stored on the Ethereum blockchain. The project that inspired the modern CryptoArt movement. Inspiration for the Ethereum ERC-721 standard that powers most digital art and collectibles.

2. Bored Ape Yacht Club

• Last 7 days: $36,398,953
• Number of Sales: 485
• Highest Price: $1,503,758

BAYC is a collection of 10,000 Bored Ape NFTs—unique digital collectibles living on the Ethereum blockchain. Your Bored Ape doubles as your Yacht Club membership card and grants access to members-only benefits.

3. The Sandbox

• Last 7 days: $7,882,643
• Number of Sales: 606
• Highest Price: $54,720

The Sandbox is a community-driven UGC-voxel platform where users own their LAND and host their creative magic. Users may buy, sell, and trade their voxel creations on secondary markets and truly become a part of this user-built world where everything you see is built by and for the community.

4. Doodles

• Last 7 days: $6,273,024
• Number of Sales: 189
• Highest Price: $173,882

Doodles come in a joyful range of colors, traits, and sizes with a collection size of 10,000. Doodles are a funky bunch that like to role play or transmogrify themselves into delicious treats. Some are not Doodle-sapiens at all! Holding a Doodle allows you to participate in coordinating the Doodles Community Treasury.

5. Decentraland

• Last 7 days: $4,369,341
• Number of Sales: 284
• Highest Price: $938,700

Decentraland is a virtual reality platform powered by the Ethereum blockchain. Users can create, experience, and monetize content and applications. LAND in Decentraland is permanently owned by the community, giving them full control over their creations. Users claim ownership of virtual land on a blockchain-based ledger of parcels. Landowners control what content is published to their portion of land, which is identified by a set of cartesian coordinates (x,y). Contents can range from static 3D scenes to interactive experiences such as games.

6. Cool Cats

• Last 7 days: $4,113,762
• Number of Sales: 138
• Highest Price: $50,205

Cool Cats are a collection of programmatically, randomly generated NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. The 1st generation consists of 10,000 randomly assembled cats from over 300k total options. Cool Cats that have a variety of outfits, faces and colors – all cats are cool, but completed outfit cats are the coolest.

7. CyberKongz

• Last 7 days: $2,539,723
• Number of Sales: 195
• Highest Price: $197,981

Welcome to an alternate reality, where evolution took a different route and weird apes roam the earth. Some appear normal. Some look weird. And some are just cool! A few CyberKongz are super rare and even animated! Maybe some of them look familiar!

8. FLUF World

• Last 7 days: $2,180,506
• Number of Sales: 231
• Highest Price: $42,235

FLUFs have been programmatically generated from 270 attributes across 14 categories to be entirely unique by at least three degrees of separation. This also excludes their expression, dance, scene, and soundtrack. FLUFs are stored as ERC721 tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.

9. Art Blocks

• Last 7 days: $2,174,634
• Number of Sales: 730
• Highest Price: $293,930

Storefront for genuinely programmable and on-demand generative artwork that is stored directly on the Ethereum blockchain. Pick your style and mint! Each piece is randomly generated by an algorithm defined by the artist, there are endless possibilities to what your unique generation could look like.

10. VeeFriends

• Last 7 days: $1,396,842
• Number of Sales: 37
• Highest Price: $163,530

10,255 token NFT project consisting of 9400 admission tokens, 555 gift goats, and 300 access tokens; including many one-of-ones. The main ambition of this project is to create meaningful intellectual property and create an extraordinary community.

ALSO READ: 

• How to Sell an NFT
• How to Make Money with NFT
• How to Make an NFT: A Simple Step by Step Guide

Image: Larvalabs, Opensea

This article, "The Most Popular and Best Selling NFT Collections This Week" was first published on Small Business Trends