Making Money With Shortened Links

 How Content Creators Can Make Money With Short Links

Content creators and website owners share website links all the time to promote their products and services online. Freelancers who are social media managers spend time creating content and sharing it on various social media sites. Platforms like Twitter that require only 140 characters per post work best with short links. Plenty of websites charge a monthly fee to shorten links, but others will pay you for shortening your link on their platform.

These websites will pay you to shorten your links but there is a catch. They usually pay you for traffic from specific countries. Some countries earn more money than others. No matter your country there is a link shortener that can earn you money. Here are some examples of these websites and what audience they pay out to.

DZ4link- Pays $2 per click for worldwide traffic.

Shrinkearn- Pays $3.50 for worldwide traffic 

Short.est- Pays $14.04 for 1000 views from the U.S

Bindbucks- Pays $ 1.30 per link for IK traffic

Link.tl- Pays $4.80 for traffic from the U.S

Shink- Pays $5 for traffic from Australia

African Traffic Link Shorteners

These are link shorteners that pay specifically for African traffic.

Linkrex- Pays $15 for 1000 views of traffic from Angola

Lanzame- Pays different rates depending on the country, but has a global rate of $ 3.50 for 1000 views

Please note that most of these link shorteners are only good for a limited time, once the short link is created. I encourage you all to look at your audience and find one that works for you and look into their terms and conditions to understand how they work. You also need to be aware that Facebook does not allow you to post shortened links on its platform.

Are you a content creator? Do you have a website? Which one of these link shorteners would pay you for your traffic? Comment below and tell us how you plan on monetizing your content.

Easy Online Jobs For African Freelancers

Easy Remote Jobs You Can Start Today

Remote work is a job that can be done by the employee regardless of their location. No office commute is required but one needs to have access to a computer, laptop, and a stable internet connection. It also helps if you emulate a work office environment by having a quiet workspace with good natural or artificial lighting. For those of you that may be new to remote work, here are some easy jobs that you could get started with today.

Product Testing

Often times when you see a job listing for a product reviewer the listing asks for students or teenagers because of how simple and uncomplicated this job is. These jobs require reviewers to write product reviews for e-commerce vendors. Sometimes the job also requires inspecting finished products and write up of the product. The review will include materials used, quality of product, and whether or not it is as described in the listing. Individuals can sign up for product testing, and give their demographics such as location, age, and sex.

I recently signed up for a product testing position on Opinion Hero, see my thoughts on this platform on our YouTube channel.

Website Testing

If you own a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam, a pair of headphones, stable internet, and a quiet well-lit room, you could start website testing today. This job entails using a browser app to record your screen as you give your opinions out loud. Often times they will have a task that they want you to accomplish on the website in order for companies to improve the user experience of their customer while buying goods or signing up for services.

I have a whole review on my experience on Userbrain on this blog and a video of how I was able to make over $800 using this browser extension alone.

Blogging

Blogging is an easy yet challenging way to make money online. It's easy because you can get started for free on blogger.com which allows anyone with an idea, interest, or something to teach an audience can document it in their dedicated blog for free. Challenging because it takes years to fully monetize a blog after which it can generate monthly passive income. The advice that I can give anyone with an idea or a passion to share is start now and rip the rewards for years to come.

Breaking Down Affiliate Marketing For African Freelancers

 What Is Affiliate Marketing And How African Freelancers Can Use It To Make Money

Affiliate marketing is performance-based marketing in which businesses reward partners for visits to their websites for products or services bought from their affiliates' efforts. This is a marketing arrangement by which an online retailer pays a commission to an external website for traffic or sales generated from its referrals.

This is a way in which thousands of freelancers make recurring income online by partnering up with online retailers through affiliate programs. This is especially effective for freelancers that have a blog. There are so many brands, products, and services that could benefit from affiliate marketing like insurers, wireless routers, flights, and perfume subscriptions hence no matter what your blog audience is, there is an affiliate program that your audience can benefit from. By simply recommending products and services to your audience, they benefit by having information on products and services that they would already use. You as the blogger will benefit by having content for your audience and earning based on action taken by your audience.

How Do I Make Money?

Affiliates get a unique link that can be tracked by using cookies. These links can be integrated with blog posts, social media posts, or any other place that drives traffic. Cookies then track purchases within a certain amount of time, for example, the cookie might track clicks and purchases for 15 days or 60 days. If a purchase is made within a certain amount of time from that click the affiliate gets paid a commission. The payout is usually through PayPal but sometimes an affiliate program will ask for bank details for direct deposit. Other rewards like gift cards and points might be earned. 

Types Of Affiliate Programs

Content Creators- These are bloggers and influencers that independently make content for their audience. By featuring products on their platform, they would drive organic traffic to brand websites and likely result in sales and website traffic.

Review Sites

These websites are popular for higher-end purchases. When a buyer is about to invest a larger amount of money on a product online, they go to review sites to make sure the product reviews well. By creating review sites freelancers can post reviews of products and provide their audience with affiliate links for purchase.

Search Affiliates

 Freelancers pay to promote offers on search results like Google, Bing, YouTube, and Facebook. This will drive traffic to the advertised websites and result in clicks and purchases. 

Coupon Sites

These sites are popular with bargain shoppers that are always looking to get the lowest price while shopping online. Freelancers that love to discount shop online can create coupon sites that encourage their audience to go to certain websites for the lowest price on goods and earn commissions on these sales.

Email Marketing

This kind of marketing works best when shoppers provide their email addresses to get notified of new products or sales on brands or products that interest them. affiliate links would be attached to these emails and sales generated by these emails will gain you a commission.

There are plenty of affiliate programs in every conceivable niche online. Which niche would generate your blog or website money online? Comment below.

Futuristic African Cities Built Around Tech

African Futuristic Smart Cities Underway in 2022 

Back in 2010 or thereabouts, there was a huge need for African cities to be built to accommodate a tech-savvy future. Innovation emerging from the African continent encouraged wealthy individuals and governments to create cities where technological advances would be made. A career in tech, cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and all-around innovation would bring about a great future for the whole world. Here are some of these project cities and their progress so far.

Akon City, Senegal

The $6 billion city is the brainchild of Senegalese American singer Akon. This mega project would feature ultra-modern skyscrapers with the city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the village of Mbodiene. Akon wanted this city to be a refuge for the African diaspora hence the name. The currency would be the Akoin which would be a cryptocurrency for this smart city. The first phase of Akon city is expected to be completed in December 2023.

Konza City, Kenya

This is a project of the Government of Kenya by the Konza Technopolis development authority. This will be a world-class technology hub with a mix of business, workers, residents, and urban amenities.  Konza city construction began in 2017 and at this time in April 2022 is 50% completed. The first phase of this project is projected to be finished in December 2022.

Kigali Innovation City

The master plan for Kigali Innovation City was unveiled in December 2021. The 61 hector site entails mix-use construction for three universities, research facilities, development facilities, business incubators as well as retail, hospitality, and accommodation. This is a project of the government of Rwanda that will integrate smart solutions for green solution transport and building designs. With a variety of green and open spaces to foster collaboration and exchange of ideas in the ecosystem. 

Modderfontein New City South Africa

This current defunct mega project in South Africa was proposed in 2013 by a private Chinese real estate firm. The goal was to create a New York in South Africa, however, a lack of investments and pushback from the municipal government led to the eventual demise of this project. The initial project may be dead in the water but it has inspired other such mega projects.

Which of these futuristic African cities are you rooting for? Which have the most potential for progressing the African continent. Comment below.

Best Paying Jobs Across Africa in 2022

 5 Highest Paying Jobs In Africa

If you are looking to make great money in Africa as an employee, it helps to know the best paying jobs in Africa. In fact, there are many in-demand occupations that pay extremely well. Knowing the best-paying jobs will set you on the right path as a freelancer to direct your services.

Software Developer

There is a high demand for software developers in Africa. African developers are getting full-time jobs that pay as high as $107,000 per year. The job involves developing, designing, supporting, and deploying software to customers. Software developers also design application systems for smooth operations. Analyzing and testing computer programs and software is also part of the job of a software developer.

Marketing

It will come as a surprise to many how well marketing jobs in Africa pay. According to glass door marketers in Africa are making about $112,000 per year. The job involves demographic analysis. Promoting products and services to the right audience as well as promoting ideas to certain demographics to increase revenue and the growth of businesses.

Agriculture

With vast fertile land, Agriculture is a natural fit in the continent of Africa. Agriculture is Africa's largest economy generating the highest paying revenues. This industry requires management, business research, manufacturing, packaging, marketing and so much more. These employees make an average of $60,000 per year with commercial farmers making around $90,000 per year.

Mining

Mining accounts for 20% of economic activity in Africa. Careers created in mining are such as scientists, surveyors, geologists, engineers, as well as drillers. Mining engineering is the most sought-after in mining. Earning an annual salary of about $72,000 per year. The trade and industry around mining bring in large revenue in Africa.

Transportation

With its relatively low barrier of entry, transporters across Africa enjoy huge power and influence because of the income generated in this sector. This industry offers lucrative daily revenue to many from drivers, accountants, bus companies, couriers and so many more. An average transportation logistics manager will make a minimum of $33,000 per year. There are numerous ways to make money in the transport sector.

As a freelancer where do you see the opportunity to benefit from these high-paying jobs across Africa? Comment below and share with our community of African freelancers. How can we make it work?

How Small Businesses And Startups Can Benefit From Freelancer Culture

 Freelancer Culture Can Benefit Small Businesses And Entrepreneurs

If you are a small business or entrepreneur you could benefit from this booming freelancer culture. Now more than ever there are no gatekeepers to talent or work. People are free agents for the first time in our lifetime. Corporate culture will always be there but the shift is for labor to move online in a freelancer capacity.

As the owner of a startup, you are often the solo labor for your business. You do the taxes, acquisition, sales, and marketing. The truth is you could really use help from a pro. You might not be able to hire full-time employees, but you can outsource for a task or a project to keep your startup going. Here are a few freelancer platforms that you can use to find help with your business.

Fiverr

Fiverr helps small businesses hire the perfect freelancer for projects and short gigs. They have freelancers in everything from graphic design, and website designers, to freelance architects to draw up plans for your new home. If there's a job you want to be done you could probably get it done on Fiverr. This platform was known for the cheapest freelancers but all that has changed. They have Fiverr pros that are verified in their field and have the experience and skills to get that job done right.

Flexjobs

Another platform that will give you vetted remote workers to fill in the blanks in your growing company. They staff some of the largest corporations in the world as well as small businesses looking to fill in their ranks.

24/7 Virtual assistant

This website provides dedicated virtual assistants who can help get your work done. They offer services like web development, custom websites, e-commerce, content management system, and more. 

99designs

This website specializes in graphic design services. They offer logos, website designs, branding, product packaging, and more. They work with many talented designers and you will have access to all their specialists on their website.

Deel

 Hire anyone anywhere from deel. This website allows you to hire international employees in all capacities. You can access their talent spread out in over 150 countries and hire employees and contractors from all over the world. This is really useful for companies looking to expand into new territories and are looking to create a team locally. You can also access their guidelines on how to conduct remote interviews and compliance guides for different countries.

Making Money With Canva As A Freelancer

Five Creative Ways That African Freelancers Can Make Money With Canva

If you make your money online, or if you are in e-commerce, you understand the importance of online presence. To be a brand in this digital age requires that you maintain social media pages with content. Everything from YouTube videos, Twitter feed, logos, and imagery for your online identity. This is where Canva comes in.

Canva is a platform that allows creators to use their templates to create posts, banners, logos, videos, posters, and more. They have basic templates for free and a wide variety of templates for their paying members.

How Can I Use Canva To Make Money Online

1. Use Canva For YouTube Channel

You can create YouTube thumbnails for your videos. Banners for your YouTube channel and even edit your videos on the platform.

2. Create Print On Demand Products

You can create the graphics and artwork for your print-on-demand business on the Canva website. The templates on Canva are all professional level and you can choose the file type that you want it saved as. Ensuring your print on demand company prints your art and graphics in the best quality for your product.

3. Design Your E-book Cover

E-books generated $1.1 billion. If you have a story to tell or information that people, find useful, creating an e-book is the least you could do to make money online. Once the words are written you will need a book cover that communicates the value of your work. Canva will allow you to use their templates as well as their images and elements to create a captivating book cover for your e-book.

4. Canva For Businesses

You can create good-quality logos on Canva. On Fiverr, you could sell one logo for at least $5 each. You can also create business cards for clients and charge a fee respectively. Other products you can create for your business clients are; presentations, websites, invoice templates and so many more. Most busy business owners are aware of Canva but who don't have the time to sit through that process will be happy to pay you for it.

5. Social Media Manager

To be a social media manager, you will need to create posts and infographics to keep the timeline active for a company or brand. Using Canva you can create posts, gifs, videos, animations, and event invitations for the timeline. Social media managers make about $50-100 per hour. With this useful website, you have the ability to make this too.

Have you ever used Canva in your freelancing work? What most excites you about this platform. Comment below and share with this community of African freelancers how else they can use Canva in their freelancing work.