Founded in 1964, the nonprofit SCORE organization has over 11,000 volunteers ready and willing to help you take your small business — or career — to the next level with free, expert mentoring and resources.
Surveys that can make you a ton of cash (really!)
People always call the show and ask, “How do I make money with online surveys?” I tell them two things: First, you’ll probably earn gift cards instead of actual cash, and second, those gift cards could be worth $50 with the right sites.
Notice how I said “the right sites.” Look up survey sites and you’ll inevitably see lists with Swagbucks or Survey Junkie at the top. But if we’re being realistic, even a diehard user of Survey Junkie will likely only make $40 a month. It’s not much — but there are sites that will give you $50 for a single survey.
Expert tips for earning money through online surveys
Your background impacts how much money you’ll make. Sites that give out big gift cards care about your experience. They’ll want to know what you do for a living and what you’re an expert at.
Others care about your position in life. If you’re a small business owner, what challenges are you facing? Are you really into fitness? Are you taking these essential security steps?
The best sites that pay you to take surveys require some effort. You can’t immediately sign up for an account and take a million surveys. You have to apply and wait to be approved. But the effort is worth it since they pay much better than InboxDollars, Swagbucks, MyPoints or Survey Junkie.
Does LinkedIn pay for surveys?
Okay, so you can’t take surveys directly through LinkedIn. But you can connect your LinkedIn account to third-party survey websites like The Expert Cafe, which focuses on marketing research.
Get this: You can earn up to $100 per survey. After you register, you must fill out a short questionnaire to see if you’re eligible. Once you’ve verified your address, The Expert Cafe will email you about available surveys.
Another site worth checking out is User Interviews, a platform that connects companies with market research participants. You’ll earn anywhere from $5 to $200 an hour on this site.
Reader question: 'What can I use instead of QuickBooks?'
If you’re a business owner, you don’t need us to tell you that running a business is tough. Don’t let QuickBooks and spreadsheets slow you down, making things more complicated than necessary. It’s time to upgrade to our sponsor NetSuite.
Small-biz boost: Amazon is giving over $250,000 in grants to small businesses that earn less than $1 million per year. Plus, it’s rolling out a new Small Business Success Studio — think free tutorials on loan applications and website optimization. Applications close May 24.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
3 security steps every small business needs to take right now
Business accounts can be hacked as easily as personal accounts. Imagine all your hard work being held at ransom by a hacker or your data falling into the hands of someone who can sell it to the competition.
You need to secure your business as best you can, and here are three crucial tips to get started. This tip is brought to you by our sponsor, NetSuite.
Smart ways to make more money and find new customers
Small business owners must build trust, set trends and share their customers’ values. Connecting with customers is one of the most important ways to make money.
Success starts close to home. Before connecting with customers, you must build strong bonds with your teammates. Tap or click here for five leadership secrets every small business owner should know.
Fix your website! 4 ways to get more people to your site using SEO
A savvy business owner knows the value of website optimization. In today’s cutthroat digital marketplace, an SEO-friendly website with solid keyword research, meta tags, good page speed and backlinks helps you stand out. If you want to know how to improve search engine rankings for small business websites, you’ve come to the right place.
Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks
You can’t keep track of everything on paper. Excel can play a significant role in your daily workload. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro user, there’s much to learn — like these five useful Excel tricks.
Want to become an Excel expert? It’s a good strategy for small business owners who want to grow this year. After all, you’ll generate tons of data. Speaking of which, here’s how to stop third parties from selling your data.
5 free resources to grow your business
Entrepreneurs and small business owners need all the help they can get. When you’re a self-starter, you’re constantly on the go, multitasking and doing all you can to grow your company quickly. Luckily, there are a ton of free small business resources that can help you along the way.
Small-biz tip: Don't overlook this digital danger
Are you the type of business owner who forgets about ex-employees as soon as they’re gone? Failing to remove former employees’ access to your systems and data could lead to security breaches. Don’t let poor offboarding practices be the weak link in your cybersecurity chain.
Small business owners: Simplify your life with one financial tool that does it all
Are your finances as organized as you’d like them to be? Come on, be honest. For most business owners, the answer is a reluctant no.
As your company grows, you will have more expenses, contractors, KPIs and hands managing it all. If your communication happens through email, over the phone, in messages, and via spreadsheets, you will hit a wall sooner or later.
How to change the default browser and search engine on Windows
Many factors, including speed, appearance, ease of use, privacy and customization options can determine your choice of search engine. Some people stick to the default search engine included with their browsers. But it would be best if you took the time to choose a search engine that works best for you.
Shopping for a new computer? 3 specs that really matter
We’re all suckers for a good deal. When buying a computer, jumping on a shiny new laptop is tempting if it’s at a great price. While cost is a definite factor, it’s not the only thing you must consider. Need help to find the perfect laptop for you? Tap or click here to take our quiz and find the right one.
10 tech freebies to grab now: Software, phone service, logos and more
There’s never a dull moment when you own your own business. You don’t report to anyone but are on the hook for all the big decisions. You have complete control over what you spend your money on, but the bills never stop coming. Tap or click for small business tips that will save you money.
5 great tools to remove pesky programs on your Windows PC
If you’ve ever tried self-diagnosing a slow PC, you’re already familiar with bloatware and other software installed on the computer.
What’s the best way to clean up your PC? Doing it by hand is one option, but you risk deleting something foundational and wasting time. Automation is one option that solves both problems. All you need is the right software.
I wish I could help every one of you
That’s where the pros at my sponsor Dell come in. We use Dell gear at Komando HQ. Dell laptops, PCs and servers power my national radio show, podcasts, this newsletter and everything else we do.
If you’re shopping for your small business, side hustle or new venture, you can chat with a small business expert for free advice on the right hardware. No obligation to buy, either.
Upgrading to a new computer soon? Don't make this big mistake
Do you have any old tech piling up and collecting dust? If so, you may be thinking about donating or selling it. This is a good idea, especially since gadget prices are skyrocketing. Many people are in the market for a gently used smartphone or computer rather than spending big bucks for a brand-new one.
9 best AI extensions for Google Chrome
As a small business owner, Kim wears many hats and handles different tasks every day. If you can relate, you should know that automation can help you manage everything on your plate and keep your business running smoothly.
3 secrets about email marketing and sending your own newsletters
Email marketing is one of the best ways to reach your target audience. It helps send personalized messages straight to your ideal customer’s inbox. Don’t overlook it when planning cross-channel campaigns. If you’re new to email marketing, use these three strategies for success.
Small biz or side hustle tip: Manage appointments and rentals with these tips and tech tools
Running multiple small businesses can be overwhelming. You have to juggle scheduling, accounting and countless other duties. Talk about stressful.
Luckily, you can streamline your operations with a small business scheduling app like Google Calendar, Calendly or Acuity Scheduling.