I’ve been working for myself since about 2002 when I quit my full-time job to stay at home and earn money online. I left a director of advertising position of over ten years to be able to spend time with my daughters at home.

I’ve had a pretty crazy journey getting to where I am today. My path to becoming an entrepreneur has been anything but a straight line. I’ve had to pivot on several occasions and ended up working with technology that hadn’t been invented when I first began.

I was asked to speak to young entrepreneurs at the NWOSU Entrepreneur Seminar in 2020. Part of my speech was telling my journey from employee to business owner. This is the video of my story. It’s a pretty amazing ride when you hear it and realize that it all happened out of a bedroom in Enid, Oklahoma.

I would definitely say that if I can make it as an entrepreneur doing the things that I’ve done then anyone has the opportunity to do the same. It all amounts to how much effort you are willing to put in and are you willing to take risks.

Take a look at my story and learn how I went from selling Jolly Ranchers at junior high to running an online media company providing news and information to many thousands of people.

The first video is the trailer for my entrepreneur podcast called That Buzz Guy along with the podcast below it. The bottom video is from my talk on being an entrepreneur at the NWOSU Entrepreneur Seminar.

The post My Own Entrepreneurial Journey appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

There are many different ways to get people to come to your website. The best ways are always the ones that are free! Most people get their free traffic from search engines. The top search engine by far is Google which is also the most popular website on the Internet.

“Build it and they will come,” does not work on the Internet. You have to use the tools and tricks of the trade to get people to your website. The #1 source of website traffic is the Google search engine. If you can get ranked at the top of the Google for highly searched for keywords you can make a good living on free traffic.

Google does not just send you traffic for no reason. You’ll need to let the search engines know what your page is all about so they will know when to display it and for which keyword searches.

The way Google looks at what information to rank has really changed over the years. In the past Google liked to rank websites. A website could be an authority on a particular subject, whereas today, Google looks more at a single page for ranking factors. They will rank internal pages at the top of the search results no matter what the website is about.

You need to think of an internal webpage as a one page website. Google wants to rank the most authoritative page for a keyword search. Be honest with yourself and ask, “Would I consider this the best, most informative page on the planet for this subject?” If not, you’ve got work to do!

Ideally you want a page so valuable with information that other websites link to your page as a resource for the topic without you even having to ask! Link  building is an external SEO tactic that we will cover later.

With today’s search engine optimization (SEO) you can build an authoritative single page. There are several factors that will help a webpage rank high in the search engines. Below is a list of the basic SEO on-page factors.

On-Page SEO Ranking Factors

1. Keyword Phrases. You must have the keyword phrase on the page for search engines to know what to rank the page for. Keyword research can be an entire episode in itself. Basically start with the keyword phrase you think your audience will be searching for. Example would be “On-Page SEO”. The best keywords are words that are highly searched for but have the least amount of competition. Example: I ranked high for Tatoo Designs back in the day because tons of people were searching for tatoo (tattoo) designs but couldn’t spell tattoo. Other people didn’t want to spend time ranking for the misspelling so I had limited competition.

2. URL. Once you decide on your main keyword phrase you will want to use it in your URL. A URL is the address of the page on the Internet. You should have the keyword phrase in the URL with dashes in between words. Don’t stuff a URL with lots of keywords and try to keep it as short as possible. Example: the URL for this page is CurtisTucker.com/on-page-seo-basics.

3. Title Tag. Many times your page title will be the same as your URL but it does not have to be. Hidden in the header of a pages HTML code are Meta Tags. These tags can be filled out using SEO plugins in WordPress. If you use a different platform you’ll need find out where you go to add that tag. The title tag shows up on the title bar of a browser and it also shows up as the title of the page in a search result. Keep your title between 45-60 characters. Use as much of it as you can but stay below 60 characters which is the amount Google will display in their search results. Example: the title for this page is “On-Page SEO Basics and How To Rank High In Google.” Notice how it is not an exact match of the URL?

4. Description Tag. The description tag is also a meta tag hidden in the header of the page. It is a great place to quickly describe what the page is about. Keep the character count between 145-160. Use your keyword phrase in the description along with any associated words. Example: the description for this page is “Learn how to rank high in the Google search engine with these on-page SEO tactics. Optimize your page for more targeted traffic.”

5. Header Tags. Be sure to use H1, H2, H3 and H4 header tags throughout the page. You don’t have to use every size. Include your main keyword phrase in a few of them. H1 tags carry the most weight and authority. Example: I added the H3 title “On-Page SEO Ranking Factors.”

6. Body Text. Use your primary keyword phrase within the first paragraph or two. Avoid duplicate content meaning don’t go copy information from another website and paste it into your website. Google knows. Be sure to break up your long body text using subheadings and bullets. Example: I used numbered points in this article.

7. Word Count. Write a detailed article about you subject matter/keyword phrase. Try to type at least 800 words if possible and shoot for 1800! When it comes to body content more is better as long as the content is good and informative. Keep your keyword count around 3% of total word count. Example: this blog post has over 1500 words.

8. Images. You can’t have a very authoritative page without at least one image. Choose an image that is related to the subject of the page. Actually name the image using your primary keyword like “your-keyword.JPG”. Once you upload your optimized image add the keyword phrase in the image title and image alt tag. Images don’t just have to be photos, they can also be informative graphics. Example: the image at the top of this article was 3.7mb in size. I reduced the size to 900px by 470px at 72 dpi which dropped the size to 178kb. The image is called “on-page-seo.JPG”. The alt text is “On-Page SEO Tactics”and the title is “On-Page SEO Factors”.

9. Links. Link to external authoritative websites. Use keywords in the link text. Also use internal linking! Have high ranking pages on your website link to your new page and be sure to use the keyword phrase in the text link. Example: this is a link I created to the Google Search Engine (“search engine” being the keyword phrase).

10. Loading Speed. Loading speed is an on-page ranking factor. If you’re page loads slow Google will not reward you and your visitors may leave before the page loads. You’ll need to learn about optimizing photos to keep their size small. You also need to make sure code and scripts on your page are not taking a long time to load. If I get some time I’ll time this page for loading speed.

11. Above The Fold. Above the fold is basically the area that can be seen on the screen without having to scroll down. Have your best keyword phrases and related keywords above the fold. Move big slow loading images and graphics below.

12. User Experience. You want the visitor to your webpage to have the best possible experience. Google knows exactly how their experience is going. Google is aware of load speed, bounce rate, time on page, click thru rate, etc. Your goal is to attract a visitor to your page using the correct keywords, have them find valuable info very quickly, entice them to stay and read or learn more and then have them follow one of your links to another website for additional info.

13. Extras. It can’t hurt to embed a podcast about on-page SEO and also embed a video about on-page SEO! See how I just used that keyword phrase two more times?

This blog post was created to help with on-page SEO tactics. Is it the best page on the Internet for that subject? No. I’m more into creating the podcast and vlog than I am into ranking for the blog post. Do I want to rank high in Google for this subject? Of course! I can always go back and improve on this page over time.

Also be aware that you can niche down and try to rank for less competitive keyword phrases. There will be less traffic overall but you might rank #1 and actually get more traffic! I could try to optimize this page for “On-Page SEO Basic for a WordPress Website”. Less popular keywords and longer keyword phrases are called long-tail keywords. You can gather lots of traffic with dozens of long-tail keywords.

Be sure and check your facts and your spelling! Google knows!

Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes HERE or on your favorite podcasting app.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/CurtisTuckerTV.

The post On-Page SEO Basics appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

Getting your website online early gives you time to learn. By the time you decide on your business idea or side gig you’ll have enough knowledge to start adding great content.

Once your website is online and you’re ready to start using it to attract visitors you’ll want to make sure it is ready for Google and the other search engines. This is a list of elements that just about every website should have.

There are other elements that could have been included but some of those are just content and fluff. Go over your website and make sure you have these 20 essential elements.

These will make it easier on your visitors and will help you with the basics for getting ranked in search engines. If you don’t understand a few of these I will most likely cover them in detail later down the line. In the mean time just search online for additional information for any element you do not understand.

20 Most Essential Website Elements

1. Logo and Name. Your branding elements on every page of the website. Usually found in the header. Be sure the logo image loads quickly and has your company name in the Alt Tag and description. Usually a .JPG or .PNG.

2. Homepage. This should be your introduction page with welcoming information. Add a short story about what you do.

3. Call To Action. If you need the visitors to perform an action let them know! Have them subscribe, download, ask questions, click links, provide information, search, etc.

4. About Page. This describes who you are and tells your story in depth. Might include a photo. If you have some great history add it here. This page could include bios of other employees.

5. Blog. Blogs keep your website fresh and updated. Provide information, entertainment and updates. Some website have the blog as the homepage while others just have a link in the menu to the blog.

6. Contact Page. Include an email form, map, phone number and address. Make sure everything you add here works! Test it. When someone contacts you answer them quickly. You could add your hours here also.

7. Contact Info. Add a phone number or email on every page possibly in the footer. You never know what page a visitor will enter your page on so be sure whichever page it is you have quick contact info.

8. Privacy Policy. It’s boring but you need this on your website. Explain how personal info and data (e.g. advertising, cookies, emails etc) collected will be used, and whether or not it will be shared with third parties. Place a link in the footer.

9. Sitemap. A sitemap page should include links to all of your web pages and blog posts. A sitemap link could be located in the footer of every page. There are XML and HTML site maps. WordPress has sitemap plugins.

10. Search Box. You need to allow visitors to easily search your website for information. You can use a search feature from the website itself or use code from Google for a Google search. Try to add this in the sidebar of every page.

11. Social Media Icons. Be sure to link to all of your social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. These small icons can be in the footer or sidebar. WordPress has widgets that help with these icons.

12. Responsive Theme/Template. Be sure your WordPress or other website is responsive. That means your website will display correctly depending on if a visitor is on a computer, pad or phone.

13. Meta Tags. Make sure you fill in the hidden meta tags in your header. You’ll need a website title and description. Without these tags search engines will not know how to correctly rank you.

14. SEO. Search Engine Optimization. This will be an entire blog post/episode in itself. Just be sure you know how and where to add keywords, headline text, images, and content. WordPress has great SEO plugins.

15. Email Signup. Everyone needs to build an email list! Ask visitors to sign up with a simple form or link. An email list is something you own and keep. It’s your secure connection to your best fans or customers. Try Mail Chimp.

16. Navigation Menu. This may seem obvious but be sure to link to your most important pages at the top of the page. Do not overdue the links in the main menu, maybe limit to 5-7. Add navigation menu to every page.

17. Google Analytics. Get bazillions amounts of information on your visitors by letting Google track them. Learn who your visitors are, where they came from, where they are going, what they are searching for and more. A must have.

18. SSL Certificates. An SSL certificate is needed for websites accepting payments and collecting user data. They help keep the website secure. Google has now come out and said websites with SSL will rank higher because they are trusted.

19. Copyright Notice. Original content on your website is automatically protected under copyright law. Include a copyright notice on your website. It can support your legal rights and may deter infringements from happening.

20. Images. A website would be very boring without photographs and illustrations. Break up long blocks of text with images. Be sure images are optimized so they load quickly. Homepage sliders with great images are very popular.

That’s 20 elements every website needs. Do you think I missed one? Leave your ideas and thoughts in the comments. Don’t forget… start now!

Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes or on your favorite podcasting app.

Be sure and stop by YouTube.com/CurtisTuckerTV and subscribe!

The post 20 Elements Every Website Should Have appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

If I’ve said it once I’ll say it again, “Everyone needs a website!” Even those that don’t need a website, need a website. You’ll never make a good impression in the online world without a web presence.

I’ve also talked about getting started no matter what. You’ve got to eliminate excuses so you can just get going. Starting a blog or website is not as difficult as you might think. If you are not ready to start your side gig you still need to start the process and that entails setting up a website.

A website cannot be seen online without having a domain name and without being hosted on a server somewhere. Your domain name registrar and hosting service company do not need to be the same.

I highly recommend that you build your blog and website on the WordPress platform. WordPress itself is completely free and open source but it does require a paid hosting plan. WordPress hosting can cost as little as $2.95 per month. It’s the number one web building software on the Internet.

WHAT’S A BLOG

Don’t get confused between a website and a blog. A blog is a “web log” or journal that is an addition to a website. A website without a blog is very static and does not change much. Blogs are dynamic and change all of the time.

A website is made up of pages like home, about us, contact, sitemap, etc. A blog is made up of posts that are continuously updated and can be categorized by topics and easily searched for. WordPress is a website and blogging platform. If you don’t want to update a blog you can just turn it off.

Blogs have dated posts that can be grouped by months and years. Blog posts can really help with search engine ranking because they are fresh and topics can cover a large number long tail keywords.

Blogging has become very popular and blogs are a great way of making extra money on the side while working from home. Affiliate links and ads can be inserted into blog posts which generate advertising income.

FREE WEB PLATFORMS

If you are absolutely broke and plan on using that as an excuse I am going to include a few completely free options. You can get started and test things out with a free blog and not have any commitment. Once you’re ready to move to the next level you can switch to WordPress.

Free blogging platforms include Wix.com, Weebly.com, Blogger.com and Tumblr.com. Wix and Weebly are newer, Tumblr is a micro blogging platform and Blogger has been around the block a few times.

Wix and Weebly are pretty easy to use. Almost too easy. They allow you to choose from assorted templates and include a drag and drop system to build your site. Use these platforms to cut your teeth on. Set them up and just start typing. Nobody ever has to know they are online. Upload photos, try to add videos, test their limits.

Blogger and Tumblr are older but have their own communities. I was building HTML websites in 1999 and when I discovered blogs I used Blogger as the blog on my websites. It was 2003 and WordPress had just been created. I basically built websites and had a link called “blog”. When surfers clicked on the link they were taken to the Blogger website where they saw my blogs. Clunky but it worked. If I had known code I would have invented WordPress.

Tumblr is part micro blog, part social media network. It’s really easy to get started. Check it out if you just want to have a little fun and get something online in minutes. There are also many other free blogging platforms online.

The advantage to using these free blogging platforms is that they are simple to use, quick to setup and you don’t need to connect them with your domain name, although you can. These are for you get break the ice and get started.

The disadvantage to these free websites and blogs is that they have limits. They do not have the full capabilities of WordPress and they are proprietary, meaning you can only use them on the website/server they are associated with.

USING WORDPRESS

WordPress is the leading web building software on the Internet. Many of the largest websites and most popular blogs use WordPress. It is open source and completely free. You can move your WordPress website to any web hosting company. You’ll also find tens-of-thousands of themes, plugins and tutorials.

If you love to figure things out and you’re not afraid to try I would recommend you just start with WordPress and skip the other free platforms. I’ll eventually talk you into moving to WordPress down the road so avoid the nagging and start now!

Web design has become so much more simplified than back in the day. Websites these days are built on themes that can easily be switched with the click of a couple of buttons. There are thousands of themes for WordPress and the other web designing platforms. Do a few searches and you’ll find free and paid themes.

Free themes can be very cool. Unfortunately some of them come with no support and the author may stop updating them without warning. If the theme is not updated it could eventually stop working with the web designing platform like WordPress. Paid themes have more support and tend to get updated for much longer times.

About the only downfall I’ve found with WordPress is all of the updates. Luckily many hosting companies now update WordPress automatically which is fantastic. Be sure to check in your dashboard and see if your WordPress version needs an update. If your host does not update automatically you’ll need to click a few links to get it to update. Once updated you’ll also need to update plugins.

A theme or plugin that does not get updated can stop working correctly or develop a “back door” that a hacker could break into. Once you get used to this it doesn’t really take much time at all.

WEB HOSTING

Many web hosting companies now offer WordPress packages like HostGator.com. I use HostGator for almost all of my websites. A WordPress hosted account means the software is automatically installed for you so there’s no setup.

HostGator will migrate your website if it is currently hosted somewhere else. They also offer an SSL Certificate, Backups, Domain Name and more. They also have great deals when you first get started. Give them a try! If you sign up after clicking on my link I might even make a buck through an affiliate sale.

When choosing a web hosting company be sure to look into a few specific things. Does the hosting include free email accounts, SSL certificates and 24 hour support? Look for packages that include unlimited websites, unmetered storage, unlimited bandwidth, subdomains, backups and other bonuses.

If you’re building an eCommerce store there are many other things to look into. Shopify and other shopping cart websites might be the easier way to go. I’ll do a future episode on building an eCommerce website. But that shouldn’t stop you from starting on something now!

Subscribe/Review That Buzz Guy podcast on iTunes or your other favorite podcasting apps.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel HERE!

The post How To Start A Blog For Your Side Gig appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

Think of your website as your house, the place where you live online. Like a regular home you need an address to be found. Rather than assign a website along list of numbers you get to choose an easy to remember domain name. Your domain name is associated with a set of name servers that tell the Internet where your website is hosted. Name server addresses are entered at your domain name account registrar like Go Daddy or Network Solutions.

Think of a phone number like 1-800-843-2665. It would be easier to remember 1-800-THE-COOL. That’s exactly why we use domain names. There are many factors in deciding on the perfect domain name. Take a little time to research your choice but don’t let that stop you from getting started. Pick something and get going, you can always make changes later.

You can always change your name at a later date and even forward a new name to the old one. But! Don’t wait too long. If your business or side gig starts picking up steam you will need to make a decision quickly. The age of a domain name has been a ranking factor in Google before so the sooner you can get your name online the better.

I personally have owned over 100 domain names and still have a rather large collection. I have my own set of rules that will help guide you to a great domain name. There might be a reason for you to differ from my guidelines which is fine.

1. Purchase your name, business name, brand or keywords. This seems pretty obvious. I own CurtisTucker.com which is my name. I run EnidBuzz.com which is the name of my main gig. And I purchased EnidBusinesses.com which is a local business directory for Enid, Oklahoma. Most people will search for you by name so it would be advisable to buy your name if possible. Unfortunately your name may not be available. Someone may already be using it or a cyber squatter may have reserved it.

If you can’t get your exact domain name you can alter it slightly or choose a different name. At one time I wanted to buy CartoonLogos.com but it was not available so I purchased ECartoonLogos.com. If your name is gone try adding your middle initial or full middle name.

There might be circumstances where you want to buy your name or business name but would like to use something else as your domain name. Guess what? You can point more than one domain name to the same website! You cannot point a domain name to more than one website though. For example, I purchased CurtisTucker.com years ago but have since started branding myself as That Buzz Guy. So! I purchased ThatBuzzGuy.com and it forwards to CurtisTucker.com! Just like a phone number or email address.

Another example of when you might need two domain names is if one is very long or hard to remember. I purchased BottleCapsMercantile.com because we opened a brick and mortar store. That is the name of the store but is a bit much to type all of the time. So I also purchased BCMerc.com which forwards to BottleCapsMercantile.com. That way I can give people a much easier name to type in.

2. Purchase a .com. You can tell someone a million times that your website is WhiteHouse .gov and they’ll usually go straight to WhiteHouse.com. I always suggest getting a .com. Almost everyone has heard of famous DotComs whereas very few remember a famous .net, .edu, .org, etc. If you can’t get the .com go with a different name rather than going for a .net. Anything other than the .com will appear as not being the original or best web address. It’s like taking second place.

These days you can purchase a wide variety of descriptive extensions like .pizza, .photography, .buzz, .smile, .life, .lawyer, .me and many, many others. These are cute and can be fun to purchase but I would not use one of these as your main domain name. Like I said I own EnidBuzz.com but I also own Enid.Buzz. They both forward to the same website. I bought it just for fun and to make sure someone else didn’t come along and try to compete with me.

Some companies will purchase the .com, .net and .org to protect their brand. They don’t want anyone using their brand with a different extension. I’ll do a post on trademarking down the line.

3. Pick a name available on social media. Another factor for choosing a domain name might be the vanity usernames on social media. In an ideal world you would want to have your domain name as your username on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms. If your username is gone on most social media accounts you can pick a different domain name which helps with branding or you might just have to choose a variety of social media account names that don’t match. It’s not a huge deal but makes branding a little messy and less memorable.

4. The shorter the better. Try to get the shortest domain name possible. I purchased ShaggyDuck.com but my company name was Shaggy Duck Media & Design. Short domains are easier to remember, faster to type and actually worth more if you ever try to resell. Finding a four or five letter domain name is much like finding a nugget of gold. They are almost impossible to find unless they make no sense at all. I made up several six letter domains like Weetys.com. My shortest domain name is EHS81.com at five letters. It stands for Enid High School Class of 1981.

5. Choose a catchy name. There might be times when you are creating a fun online business and want something really catchy. Think of names like Google, Apple, Yahoo and Monster. My first domain name was Curtoons.com in 1999. It is a combination of my first name Curtis and the word cartoons. It was the perfect cartoon website name which I still own today. I also used to make up new words back in the day. I combined Zoinks and Jinkies from Scooby Doo and came up with Zoinkies.com.

6. Avoid hyphens and numbers. Although I just said I own EHS81.com I would not recommend using numbers unless it is specific to the name. Do not use a hyphen, nobody will remember it is in your name and they’ll never find you. The problem with numbers is that searches won’t know whether to use the number or spell out the word.

7. Don’t use a trademarked name. After the release of the Apple iPad I purchased iPadBum.com. I would blog about iPads, apps and accessories. It was a bad choice of names because I could never really promote it with merchandise and I could never trademark it myself because it was using the word iPad. If I had printed anything using the term and tried selling it, Apple would have shut me down really quickly. Make sure you have complete freedom to market your domain name without possibility of legal action.

8. Purchase an existing domain name. There might be a domain name that your really like or your actual brand name might be parked. In those cases you might want to purchase an existing domain name. Beware that you’ll pay way more than the actual $8-12 cost. Be sure and negotiate. One benefit will be that the domain name will have some age which could help in rankings. A negative might be that the domain was used for illegal purposes and or had been blocked in search rankings in the past. Be sure and do several searches online to see what info comes up. You can also visit the Way Back Machine to see what website had been connected with the domain.

Be sure and set your name to auto-renew! If you lose your name someone will snag it. They’ll hold it as long as they can and charge you big bucks to get it back. At one time I owned WebZot.com, a name I totally made up. I purchased the domain for about $10 from a registrar that I normally did not use. They did not have auto-renew on. The second the domain expired it was purchased by someone else. Over the years I’ve seen it used a few times but it is now parked and is for sale. Guess what the asking price is? $50,000! LOL!

The post Choosing The Perfect Domain Name appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

This blog post is all about ideas! Here are 100 crazy, wacky and unique subjects that you can use to launch your side gig. My intent is for you to take any one of these ideas and create multiple versions of your own.

An example would be to start a blog about cooking the best Mexican dishes. You can take that idea, twist it, and start a blog or video channel about baking desserts, creating original soups, using only pressure cookers, cooking on a grill, etc.

You’ve got to find something that you are interested in and thousands of others are interested in. Not hundreds of thousands or millions, just enough to create a loyal following. You can’t create a podcast for everyone or it’ll be impossible to reach anyone. You need to have a niche audience or targeted group of followers.

You’re going to hear me tell you to just get started over and over again. I truly mean that. Use one of these ideas to set things in motion. Once you’re going you’ll start to figure things out and an idea is going to pop out of nowhere. Many great business ideas have come as a spinoff from an existing business.

Use these business ideas to get going. See if you can combine two or three of these ideas into something new. Test and ask your listeners for ideas and suggestions. Let me know if these spark a unique idea.

100 Actual Side Gig Business Ideas To Start Online

1. Fashion Trends – If you love to keep up on the latest fashion trends this gig is for you! Let everyone know the latest styles, colors and materials.

2. Dumbbell Workouts – Teach how to workout with nothing other than a set of dumbbells. No gyms or heavy weights. Include tips on eating healthy.

3. Reality Show Junky – Do you really love one certain reality show! Become the biggest, most knowledgeable fan! Watch live while commentating.

4. Vintage Photos – Collect vintage photos from garage and estate sales. Post them online and make up fantastic or humorous stories about each one.

5. Hiking Expert – Let everyone know the most beautiful places in the world to hike. Teach hiking and travel tips. Share tons of videos and photos.

6. Movie Scores – Share with people the best movie scores of all time. Point out great scores from the most current films. Create playlists.

7. Used Ball Caps – Collect and trade professional and college sports ball caps. Track down history and stories. Build up the largest collection anywhere!

8. Jingle Writer – Write jingles, taglines and slogans for companies, organizations and individuals. Add music and make them commercial jingles.

9. Stain Removal – Create the largest video library of stain removing techniques. Include all natural cleaners created with organic ingredients.

10. Saturday Morning Cartoons – Discuss your love of Saturday morning cartoons. Go deep with character profiles and little known facts.

11. Reunion Organizer – Become the online expert on how to organize a high school reunion. There are tens of thousands of family reunions each year.

12. Dental Consultant – Teach dental offices how to get organized and run their offices. Teach them marketing and social media. Build their websites.

13. Cheap Meals – Concoct inexpensive recipes that taste great. Combine unique ingredients for family meals that save people time and money.

14. Wine Bars – Create a list of the best wine bars all over the world. Give reviews and directions. Let everyone know the local wine brands.

15. 80’s Music – Podcast about anything and everything to do with 80’s music. Try to interview musicians from that decade and get them to sing!

16. Coming Of Age Movies – Start discussions on the best coming of age movies and TV shows. Interview actors and actresses from those movies.

17. Agritourism Guide – Build an online guide to the best agritourism destinations in every state. Post photos and videos. Include printable maps.

18. Paint – Create a unique way of getting paint on a canvas. Produce large sized paintings and feature them online. Sell online and at art shows.

19. Get A License – Document the steps it takes to get all kinds of licenses. Document others getting their licenses. Be sure to include videos.

20. Single Parenting – If you’re a single parent you’ll have a huge amount of followers in the same boat. Give tips, concerns and failures.

21. Model Trains – Be the expert in model trains and find the best track layouts in the country. Start your own train convention.

22. Family Games – Teach families how to play all kinds of games together. Everything from cards to boards games. Make up a new game!

23. Background Noises – Create and record background sounds for movies, videos and podcasts. Build a library and sell subscriptions.

24. Concert Tickets – Collect used concert tickets from concerts all over the world. Tell stories. Sell vintage tickets framed as gifts. Trade!

25. Office Decorating – Seek out outstandingly decorated offices. Post photographs. Interview designers. Sell decor and office furniture.

26. Find A Cause – Help promote a cause. Create bracelets or other merch. Take a cause to a national level. Start a non-profit organization.

27. Presets and Filters – Create and sell Lightroom Presets and Photoshop Actions and Overlays. Teach photographers how to use them.

28. Organic – Create something out of organic materials and sell it. Teach people how to live organically. Be the Organic God!

29. Goonie – Track down every known fact about The Goonies. Collect and sell Goonie merch. Build the biggest Goonie Tribe.

30. Podcast Reviews – There are more and more podcasts coming out every day. Help people find news one that might never get heard.

31. History – Research the history of everyday items and let people know how and why they were invented. Tell creative stories.

32. Sports Techniques – Teach young kids how to shoot baskets, hit a baseball, throw a football, etc. Create videos with experts.

33. Space Saving – Everyone needs more space in their homes and garages. Teach folks how to organize and pack things away.

34. Resume Samples – Collect the best resumes in the top business categories and post them as examples. Give tips on job hunting.

35. Flowers – Be the flower expert! Teach how to plant them and grow them. Which flowers go with which to make beautiful floral arrangements.

36. Pet Care – Give great tips and examples of how to care for your pet. Include diet, exercise and grooming. Lots of photos!

37. The Outside World – Describe what’s going on outside for those that are stuck inside. Some people are rarely able to get outside.

38. Happiness – Describe how to be happy every day. Inspire, motivate and encourage people. Use songs, stories, flavors and more.

39. Names – People are fascinated by names. Research the history of names. Give examples of popular and trendy names. Suggest monthly baby names.

40. Non-Celebrities – Discuss and interview everyday people that are doing great things but are not celebs. Spotlight local heroes.

41. iPhone Updates – Explain to everyone the latest iPhone updates. Let everyone know which are important and needed.

42. Germ Free – Teach people how to avoid germs and keep things clean. Talk about diseases and how to avoid them. Give product reviews.

43. Pins – Create a pin exchange platform. Allow people to trade, buy and sell pins on your website. Build a huge pin collection. Give away freebies.

44. Rookie Players – Give background info on rookie sports players. Talk about college and professional sports. Make predictions on who will be great.

45. Holidays – There’s a holiday or national day for all 365 days of the year. Most days have multiple celebrations. Remind people of these.

46. Dancers – Find and rank the best dancers in the country. Get results from multiple dance competitions. Show videos and publish profiles.

47. Colors – Introduce people to new colors. Show which colors compliment each other for designs and decor. Display creative color combos.

48. Financial – Give great advice on how to stay out of debt. Teach people to avoid debt rather than how to get out of it. Teach how to save!

49. Journal – Keep a journal of your daily moments. Make your life sounds super exciting even if it’s rather mundane. Get creative!

50. Jeeps – Talk about everything Jeeps. You’ll find a very loyal following. Some people love Jeeps and don’t even drive them.

51. Travel – Travel related businesses are very popular. Post about out-of-the-way locations that are cheaper but beautiful.

52. Blogging/Podcasting – Blog about podcasting or podcast about blogging. Give tips and do interviews. Teach how to get started.

53. Traffic – Teach publishers how to get traffic to their blogs, podcasts and video channels. Without traffic nobody makes money!

54. Candy – Remind people about candies that no longer exist. Also publish new candy releases. Do candy tasting videos.

55. Humor – People love to watch funny video and listen to funny podcasts. Post jokes, pranks and funny stories.

56. Traditions – Help parents build fun family traditions. Find unique traditions and write about the history. Look for holiday traditions.

57. Video – Give tips and suggestions on how to do better videos. Teach lighting and audio. Help people create professional looking clips.

58. Peanut Butter – Create a venue for everything peanut butter! Post recipes, taste test, give reviews and find new brands.

59. Stickers – Design creative stickers and sell them online. Make up funny sayings and silly characters. Build a brand!

60. Hot Rods – Find the best hot rod builders in the country. Show examples of their work. Interview them and share techniques.

61. Radio Stations – Review radio stations all over the country. Help listeners discover online independent stations. Interview DJ’s.

62. Likability – Teach people how to be more likable. Help them get along with co-workers and family members.

63. Coaching – Teach adults how to play video games! Help them set up their own Twitch accounts. Drag them into the future.

64. Bigfoot – Do everything you can to prove that Bigfoot is real. Interview people that have seen him. Post lots of stories.

65. Bracelets – Make custom bracelets and sell them. Relate them to some fantastic story that will make people want to wear them.

66. City Government – Cover your local government. Attend meetings and boil stories down to just the details. Run for office!

67. Sleeping – Show people different techniques in how to fall asleep. Talk about the benefits of getting enough zzz’s.

68. China – Follow blogs and news from China. Relay that info to American citizens. Keep people updated on developments.

69. Military – Connect military families. Talk about life living on base and moving from city to city. Highlight the advantages.

70. Presidents – Start a podcast giving historical stories and facts about all of our Presidents. Discover unknown tidbits.

71. Fish – Encourage more people to have fish as pets. Talk about the different species and how to care for them.

72. Space – Keep everyone updated on the next comets, meteors, full moons and rocket launches. Share pictures from space.

73. Top 10 – Build weekly top 10 lists and share those with your followers. Ask for suggestions to build future lists.

74. Sun and Moon – Teach amateur photographers tips on how to take better sunrises, sunsets and full moons.

75. Tea – Become an expert on different varieties of tea. Review brands. Teach people how to brew the perfect cup.

76. Magic – Create videos of you doing amazing magic tricks. Teach kids easy tricks. Interview magicians.

77. Gifts – Write articles on what gifts to give when. Use affiliate links to gifts to make money. Suggest ideas for the guys!

78. Love Letters – Have families send in old love letters that they’ve found. Read them on a podcast. Post photos of the lovers.

79. Coffee – Find the best places that sell coffee merchandise. Everything from beans and mugs to t-shirts and brewers.

80. Green – Talk about anything and everything green. Link to green furniture, bikes, food, clothes, gadgets and more.

81. Hemp – Have discussions on the amazing uses of hemp. Sell hemp products. Create videos on the benefits.

82. Eagles – Let everyone know where they can go watch and photograph eagles. Many places have annual watches.

83. Tailgating – Create videos on how to prepare the ultimate tailgate. Give cooking tips and review different locations.

84. Bartering – Teach people how to barter. Set up a page that allows people to barter with each other.

85. Coats – Get people to donate their old coats to you. Customize them and sell them online. Add some bling to them.

86. Beatles – Do nothing but talk about the Beatles. Discover little known facts. Dig up great history and stories,

87. Song Lyrics – Read song lyrics. Talk about the meanings of songs. Find songs that make no sense and misheard lyrics.

88. Rap – Talk about the latest rap artists. Interview artists and review new releases. Discuss the fashion and lifestyle.

89. Potato Chips – Taste test chips. Find the best brands and varieties. Show how to make homemade potato chips.

90. Surfing – Build a community around the surfing lifestyle. Locate the best places to catch waves. Share beach photos.

91. Pedal Cars – Buy and sell pedal cars. Show how to renovate them. Document going on searches for hard to find models.

92. Architecture – Start discussions on different types of architecture. Show examples. Interview architects.

93. Home Activities – Give tons of examples of things to do around the house for the kids. Blanket forts, games, etc.

94. Weeds and Lawn – Teach homeowners how to care for their lawn. Let them know when to plant and when to spray.

95. Collections – Take calls from people with unusual collections. Write articles and show photos of huge collections.

96. Technology – Keep everyone updated on the latest and greatest technologies on the market. Create “how to” videos.

97. Voice – Talk about voice activated devices. Give tips on using Alexa and other brands. Review skills.

98. Crime – Crime podcasts are hot! Find a new angle or take on murder cases. Find unknown cases. Tell stories.

99. Country Music – Be the go-to place for the latest country music news and the latest song releases. Interview artists.

100. Inspire – Find inspiration and share it with your audience. Use quotes, stories, songs, movies, photos and more.

That’s it! Get started today, build a website, stay consistent, be patient and never quit.

The post 100 Actual Side Gig Business Ideas To Start Online appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

How do you find affiliate programs? There are several ways to find money making programs. You can search for the top affiliate networks that combine dozens of affiliates all in one place. Or you can go to some of your favorite websites and look in the footer of the homepage. Usually there will be a link called Affiliates and that will lead you to more information.

My links are below, a few of them I shortened at TinyURL. I will add more as I join them. I’ll let you know which one work the best also. If you click on one of these and sign up or make a purchase I will make a small amount of income so thank you! Check them out!

Robinhood – This is a fantastic affiliate program. When you download the app you get a free stock! That’s pretty cool. Most people end up with a $4-5 stock. When I personally signed up I got a Microsoft stock worth $156 at the time! The affiliate program allows you to invite friends to sign up and when they sign up under your link you will get a free stock when they get a free stock. I earned an extra $75 when I posted my link. I had 13 people sign up almost immediately. The chance at a $156 stock is enticing!

https://join.robinhood.com/curtist455
https://tinyurl.com/RHBuzz

Fiverr – This is not only a great affiliate to join but it’s a great place to make money from home. If you have a skill or are creative you can pick up tons of jobs from this website. Check it out and see if you can start a side gig.

https://track.fiverr.com/visit/?bta=86036&nci=7416
https://tinyurl.com/fivrrbuzz

HostGator – I host my WordPress websites at HostGator. I believe everyone needs a website! Get yours hosted here. I’ve purchased a multi-website package and I host some of my websites there and some of my clients. The payments from my clients cover the cost of my hosting so I’m basically hosting my sites for free!

https://partners.hostgator.com/c/2231139/176502/3094
https://tinyurl.com/gatorbuzz

Buzzsprout – I use this company for hosting That Buzz Guy podcast. They are offering a referral offer without even having to sign up as an affiliate. If you click on my link and sign up for podcast hosting they will give you a $20 Amazon gift card and they’ll give me one!!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=928225

The post Make Money With Affiliate Links appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

The best advice is to just get started with something. As things progress you’ll discover topics that spark your interest and you’ll see what your audience responds to. New opportunities are not going to divulge themselves if you’re not already in the game.

Getting started allows you to pivot and the more you pivot the closer you’ll get to your destination. I started a website to sell cartoons to magazine editors which turned into a cartoon logo business which opened up the doors to Google Adsense which lead to affiliate marketing which… I hope you get the point.

I don’t believe anyone is afraid to start a business, I think most people just don’t have an idea and they don’t know how to get started. You may not even know if you want to start a blog, a podcast or a video channel. Try them all and you’ll quickly fall in love with the one that fits your skills the best.

Honestly, jumping into a business idea without know the roadblocks and hurdles can be a huge advantage. You learn to figure it out and you create your own path. The best ideas are those that have never been seen before and are untested. People love innovation and jumping on the bandwagon of something new. Give them something to discover so they can spread it to their tribe!

You should 100% get started tomorrow! DO NOT WAIT! Even if you don’t have an idea just start something tomorrow. Make a commitment to a few weeks or months to get into the groove of creating something. This will be your learning period so there’s no pressure and nobody even needs to see what you are creating.

My suggestion is to setup a free blogging account at Blogger.com or Tumblr.com and start writing. Or download the Anchor podcasting app and start talking. If you’d rather try video, hit record on your phone and upload your videos to YouTube. Any of these will begin to teach you how to use the platforms, what it takes to create consistent content and you’ll get a feel for which method you enjoy the most. Don’t forget! You can always pivot.

As you go through this process be sure to always keep a pen and paper handy. Write down every crazy idea you think of whether it’s viable or not. This will give you a much better idea of the types of businesses you might want to start. Have your family look over the list and watch their faces. If one idea really causes them to think or light up it might have possibilities.

Below are some questions to help you narrow your topic ideas. Hopefully one of these will give you that light bulb moment and you’ll just know. If not, don’t worry. This is not a test. Try not to pressure yourself, this is supposed to be fun! Now grab a pencil and answer some questions.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU DISCOVER A BUSINESS IDEA

1. What do you love to talk about? Build a blog or podcast around a subject you love to talk about or some hobby you already have. Are you fascinated by ghost stories? Do you love a specific sports team? Is there a model of car you’re fascinated with? Do you enjoy reviewing movies or gadgets?

2. Are you an expert in anything? Being an expert can catapult you to the top of a category. If you went to college you should know a little more than most folks about at least one topic. Have you worked a job where you’ve learned all of the secrets?

3. Can you solve a problem? Creating a product or service that solves a problem might be one of the best ways to make money. Do people ask you to help them with accounting, taxes, car engines, parenting, etc.? Are you confident at something that you know could help hundreds of people?

4. Do you live a niche lifestyle? Living a lifestyle that others seek can be a great way to start a side gig. People love community. If you live a certain lifestyle there are more than likely hundreds of other people that enjoy the same lifestyle. Do you like camping, surfing, eating vegan, growing organic foods, homeschooling, etc.?

5. Is there anything you can teach? Do you know how to do something that thousands of people would like to learn? Use your experience to create a side gig teaching others. Teach people how to save money, how to declutter, how to survive outdoors, etc.

6. Have you always wanted to learn something? Document yourself learning something. Creating a blog, podcast or vodcast that documents your journey at learning or accomplishing something great. Others may not want to learn themselves but they might love seeing someone else go through the process. Learn how to use social media, how to build a website, how to write a book, etc.

7. Is there a business you know you could do better? Have you searched for a product or service but wound up frustrated because nothing was up to your standards? Fill that gap! Take a current business or service and make it 50% better than anyone else in your area. Could you be a better real estate agent, artist, musician, cook, coach, etc.?

8. Can you purchase an existing business? Is there a blog, podcast or business that you know might be for sale? If not, ask and see what responses you get. You’ll never know if you don ask. Maybe you just buy the client list from another business. Become a partner and work your way in.

9. Is there a need in your town? Ask friends and family if there is a need in your area. Look for opportunities. Create a tighter niche in an already existing category. Don’t just build websites, build websites only for attorneys. Only walk dogs under 15 lbs., train long distance runners, deliver food, interview entrepreneurs, etc.

10. Is there an idea you’d like to copy? Who do you admire? What do they do? Is it something you’d love to do? If so, give it a try! Don’t steal a business idea but copy the basics and make it your own. Pick a different audience or customer base. Maybe you can collaborate!

I’ll do an upcoming post and podcast with at least 100 business and side gig ideas. Many times we don’t know what we don’t know. I may be able to suggest something you’ve never thought of before or something you’ve never encountered.

My final thought is to just get started! If you keep putting it off, you’ll keep putting it off. It’s takes time, effort and dedication to build a business, side gig or brand. If it was really easy everyone would be doing it! Don’t be afraid to start multiple ideas at one time. There’s talkers and there’s doers. Be the doer!

The post What Kind of Business or Side Gig Should You Start? appeared first on Curtis Tucker.

I wish everyone had a side income that could keep them afloat until this COVID-19 pandemic is over. Unfortunately not many do not. But, it’s not too late to get started right now! You won’t be making money right out of the gate but creating a side gig now could change the entire direction of your future. Learn to rely on yourself and enjoy the freedom of working from home at your own business.

I want to help everyone start their own side gig! Some will want to simply start a side hobby while others may want to create a viable business. There are almost an unlimited number of ways to make money online while working from home. There are also other fun gigs that you can do that will add to your overall yearly income.

For the past 20 years I made enough income online that I’ve been able to work from home as an entrepreneur. I’ve been my own boss and have the freedom to come and go as I please. I always say that, “I wake up every morning and find ways of making money so I don’t have to get a job.”

To give you an idea of how many ways there are to make money with side gigs I’m going to list all of the different methods I’ve used over the years. Many of my little ventures alone would not support a family of four. But combined together, just a few of them have supported me since 2000.

Almost all of these money making methods are done through websites but I have started looking at making money with podcasts, online radio, video and more. I’ll do those more individually as they grow. There are a few that do not require an online presence.

1. Cartooning – Becoming a professional cartoonist is what sparked my imagination into building my first website. I built Curtoons.com in 1999 and tried to sell single panel cartoons to magazines. That idea turned into a 10 year cartoon logo business. I created cartoon logos for companies all over the world charging anywhere from $150-$600 per design. Everything was handled online.

2. Cartoons & Clip Art – I eventually ended up with lots of single panel cartoons and cartoon characters sitting on my computer. I posted these online and sold the designs on multiple websites as digital cartoons, clip art and royalty free characters. I was selling royalty free cartoon characters for $49. Some characters were sold dozens of times.

3. Google Adsense – Other than cartooning the biggest money maker for me in my first 10 years was Google Adsense. At my peak I was getting 21,000 visits a day to my websites and that was making me on average $4,000 a month. That’s just people clicking on the tiny Google ads. I had built 100 thin content websites based on highly searched keywords that ranked well. This entire venture collapsed in 2012 due to the Google Panda update. An Adsense click can make anywhere from .03¢ to several dollars depending on the keyword.

4. Display Ads – Placing digital display ads on websites and blogs can make great money from local advertisers. This has been a big part of the success of my community website at EnidBuzz.com. This website get around 30,000 unique visits a month with around 70,000 page views. That’s a lot of eyeballs on local ads. I’ve also started adding back Adsense ads on this website. Ads can run from $10 to $600 a month with assorted packages.

5. Website Building – After building 100 websites of my own I started getting requests from local companies to build their websites. Building websites is not as complicated as it was at one time. These days you can open a WordPress hosted account and have an instant website and blog. Add customized themes to WordPress and you instantly have thousands of pre-built designs. Add local logos, photos and content to make it individual to your client. I would charge anywhere from $300 to $1200 per website.

6. Website Hosting – Look into opening a web hosting reseller account. You pay a monthly fee for hosting, let’s say, 10 websites. Put five of your websites on that account and add five of your clients. If the monthly fee is $60 and you charge your clients $15 a month you not only make a little bit of money but all of your websites are being hosted for free! Scale this and you can make some easy money.

7. Graphic Design – I’ve had a graphic design side gig since my high school days. With a little bit of creativity and a computer you can learn to design logos, layout publications and build ads. Charge per hour or project and you can make a really good living. Find a niche of clients to work for and you can corner a market. Look into the going rates for graphic design to know what to charge.

8. Sell Websites – If you build a website with enough traffic you can flip it! You can also buy and sell websites that are already online. I sold a website that only had puppy name suggestions on it. It was making $8,000 a year with Adsense so I sold it for two years worth of income. That was $16,000 and it wasn’t even for sale! Website flipping is just like flipping anything else.

9. Domain Names – I have acquired well over 100 domain names over the last two decades. Many of the websites have been shut down so I have put the domain names up for sale. Most domain names average $10 each. That’s a yearly cost. I’ve sold several for $100 each. Domain names were once a big business but the prices have come down. Dot Coms are always worth the most. It’s always fun to own a part of the world wide web.

10. Affiliate Marketing – Niche websites and blogs can make great money with affiliate marketing. Basically you are promoting services and products on your websites that are being sold by other individuals and companies. You place photos, descriptions and links on your pages and when customers click on those to go make a purchase you actually make money with each sale. Large ticket items will make much more money quickly but multiple websites selling small ticket items can add up to good money as well. At one time I had the #1 ranked website for “baby furniture” and all I sold was affiliate products.

11. Reviews – If you build a niche blog you are bound to be approached to by companies with related products. They will ask you to review their products in exchange for free merchandise. You can keep the merch or turn around and sell it. I had a blog that talked about the Apple iPad when it first came out and I was approached by a company in the UK that sent me all kinds of tech gear. Some may flat out pay you for a review.

12. Link Selling – This one is not as popular as it once was. With all of the websites that I had I was always getting email from companies that wanted to pay me for links to their websites. Links help websites rank higher in Google so many people try to buy links. This is frowned upon by Google and you can get your website knocked out of Google if you get caught. This one I would not recommend any longer. Either buying or selling.

13. Naming – At one time I built a website around being a naming company. I had clients come to me looking for creative name suggestions for businesses. This was not a big money maker but I didn’t put much effort into it.

14. Consulting – I’ve been paid to look at websites and give suggestions on design and SEO ranking. I’ve also gotten paid for meetings where I’ve given advice on marketing and advertising.

15. Advertising – I help advertise my clients by writing articles about them and link to those from social media accounts. I also do live streaming at events much like radio remotes and conduct interviews to help promote specials and events.

16. Micro Influencer – I recommend different businesses on my social media accounts. On Instagram I’ll wear a t-shirt with a company logo to help promote a business. I currently do not charge for these plugs but will eventually move to paid promos.

17. T-Shirt Sales – I create custom t-shirt designs and sell them online. Many times I use print-on-demand services that allow me to do nothing but create the design and promote the website. I also print t-shirts and mail those as people order them through a website or social media posts.

18. Flipping – I’ve taken stuff from around the house and sold it on eBay, Craig’s List and Facebook Marketplace. Tons of people make a great living by flipping products they buy used or highly discounted. Garage sales are a good source of things to flip. If you make this a full time business you can pay the bills. There are now many websites and apps that you can flip merchandise through.

19. Business Listings – I’ve started an online business directory with a monthly subscription. I promote the directory and get the pages to rank well in Google. This becomes another avenue for local companies to get their brand online. You can also include advertising options on directory websites.

20. Photography – I’ve added thousands of images to my websites. I spent two years taking sunrise photos and uploaded those to social media. Over the years I’ve sold many of those images for websites, publications and calendars. I’ve also been hired to shoot small projects and events. I am not a professional photographer but have made some decent money from my photos. I will eventually put together a sunrise photo coffee table book.

21. Being An Extra – I’ve had a few parts in some movies as an extra. If you’re in an area that films lots of movies you can make some many doing this. I started out just to do a story but ended up doing a few movies. The pay is not big but if you ever get a speaking part you will make more money.

22. Greeting Cards – I actually started my own paper greeting card company called Chuckleberrys. I sold cards online and also supplied them wholesale to small stores and boutiques. As part of that I also drop shipped greeting card displays. Each one that was shipped made me a little money. At one point I printed the cards in my office on my own computer and then I started using a print-on-demand service.

These are the 22 money making ideas that popped into my head. I know there are many more activities I’ve done to add extra change to my pocket. As I come up with new ideas and methods I’ll write new blog posts and record podcast episodes.

I promise you that if this sneaker wearing, entrepreneurial, Buzz Guy can learn how to make money online, anyone can!! Get busy. This post is also a podcast and YouTube video. Catch them below.

The post 22 Side Gigs I’ve Used To Make Money appeared first on Curtis Tucker.