It is never too early to start training a child about money-and maybe training yourself in the process. Parents can start teaching children as young as four or five to budget during a vacation or during an outing to a favorite store. As a child ages, parents can insist that part of their allowance goes to savings, a part toward charity, and the rest is for the child's discretionary spending. By the time that child reaches the teen years, one of the best tools for teaching money management is to put that teenager on a budget. First decide who will pay for what-school clothes, athletic wear, shoes, underclothes, winter coats, entertainment, cosmetics, eating out with friends, etc. Once you decide what you will pay for, research average prices. What do you think is reasonable to pay for jeans? For tee-shirts? For running shoes? For flip-flops? Based on your research, come up with a monthly figure you think is reasonable.
It takes training, time, and repetition to teach kids how to budget, handle credit, understand bank accounts, etc. Have your teenager sit down with you when you pay your monthly household bills. Show him or her the breakdown: mortgage or rent, utilities, garbage collection, cable and Internet costs, landline and cell phone costs, medical costs, etc. Show you teenager gas and grocery receipts to see how much those necessities cost you each month. The topper is to pull out your credit card bill. Whether you pay it all off every month or just a portion, have your teenager calculate the interest and late-payment penalties. Credit card costs usually opens their eyes.
If parents can achieve this while their teenager is living at home, it will be a much smoother transition when that young adult goes on to college or whatever he or she does after high school. The college student that already understands what expenses he or she is responsible for will most likely succeed in managing their college budget.
Then consider following the direction of Laura Crowley, a math teacher at the John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri. Crowley has her students pick a college of their choice and determine the real costs of attending: tuition and fees, room and board, books, transportation expenses, recreation costs, and everything else from haircuts to football tickets. Crowley has the students use "recent growth rates to predict the increase in tuition for each year that they will be in college." The total usually shocks her students.
Next, Crowley has her students devise a plan to pay for everything, including jobs, scholarships, loans, savings, work-study, and how much mom and dad can kick in. Crowley's students are required to make a formal presentation of their findings to their parents as well as preparing a paper showing their calculations and a poster for class discussion. During lively class discussions, the students discuss monthly payments and total cost of any loans they would have to take, and how much money parents would have to save each month of their child's life to be able to fully pay his or her college costs once that child turns 18.
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Feb 4, 2012
Money Management and Marriage
Divorce can be summed up in one word devastating.
Putting aside the emotional distress, often times divorce takes a unaccountable toll on you financially. Divorce is not only the separating of a family, it is the separating of finances. Overnight many of your bills for staples such as electricity, cable TV and phones double since they are now not shared. Ironically, research has shown that most divorces occur due to financial distress; this problem is only compounded after the divorce.
Research also shows that both parties in a relationship often times do not have a good understanding of their current financial situation. I have found in my work that the majority of the couples that I consult with do not have a good clear understanding of what their net worth is, nor what their expenses are. Over the decades of being in this business and doing multiple financial analysis I have found that it is rare to find a couples that are prepared financially if their relationship ended in divorce.
Here is a list of things that I advise both parties in a marriage do immediately to have a better understanding of their current financial position:
Putting aside the emotional distress, often times divorce takes a unaccountable toll on you financially. Divorce is not only the separating of a family, it is the separating of finances. Overnight many of your bills for staples such as electricity, cable TV and phones double since they are now not shared. Ironically, research has shown that most divorces occur due to financial distress; this problem is only compounded after the divorce.
Research also shows that both parties in a relationship often times do not have a good understanding of their current financial situation. I have found in my work that the majority of the couples that I consult with do not have a good clear understanding of what their net worth is, nor what their expenses are. Over the decades of being in this business and doing multiple financial analysis I have found that it is rare to find a couples that are prepared financially if their relationship ended in divorce.
Here is a list of things that I advise both parties in a marriage do immediately to have a better understanding of their current financial position:
- Make two lists. First, make one list of your monthly living expenses and another separate list for your expenses that hit annually. Then, plan out 15 years with those expenses growing at 5%.
- List all of your financial assets. Separate the list by assets that can be sold and turned into cash immediately and those that cannot. For the liquid assets place a value on them by using the value given from your statements. On the other assets place a realistic value.
- Putting any appreciation aside, list the amount of income that your derive from these investments. Then separately estimate any appreciation you might realize from your investments.
- Determine how much money you need to have reserved in cash, just in case you lose your employment income or your assets depreciate.
Money Managemen and Sports Betting
Sports Betting is an extremely popular practice among gaming enthusiasts. A large number of people enjoy putting a few bucks on their favorite team in order to make watching the big game even more exciting. But in contrast to a lot of the other games you would find in a casino, sports betting actually gives you a very good chance to have the edge over the oddsmakers and enjoy long-term profits.
In order to do so, however, you need to invest a lot of time and energy to gain an edge. If you are willing to do this and work very hard at it, you might join the ranks of Vegas-based professionals or online sports bettors who make a solid living solely by wagering on professional sports.
One of the most important first steps to becoming a winning sports bettor is specializing. This means to focus your energy on either a few teams or a particular conference or division (for example the Big Ten conference in college football or the National League East in baseball.)
Specializing is key because it gives you more knowledge on those teams than the regular betting public, which will allow you to identify betting lines that give you an advantage.
Professional sports bettors do not bet every single contest. Instead, they only place a wager when their own research shows that the odds being offered by a sports book are not equal to the true odds for that contest. This divergence is exactly what sports bettors are able to exploit and make a big profit.
The next key trait to being a successful sports bettor is learning how to manage your sports betting bankroll. In order to withstand natural downswing periods of bad luck, the professional must dedicate a large amount of money to the endeavor and make sure never to wager too significant of a percentage on one game. As a rule of thumb, you should strive never to bet more than 2% of your total bankroll one a single contest. No one game should be so important that it would make or break your sports betting success.
Each sport has a slightly different structure for betting and a few quirks that set them apart from the others. With bankroll management and specialization in mind, you are well on your way to becoming a successful sports bettor.
In order to do so, however, you need to invest a lot of time and energy to gain an edge. If you are willing to do this and work very hard at it, you might join the ranks of Vegas-based professionals or online sports bettors who make a solid living solely by wagering on professional sports.
One of the most important first steps to becoming a winning sports bettor is specializing. This means to focus your energy on either a few teams or a particular conference or division (for example the Big Ten conference in college football or the National League East in baseball.)
Specializing is key because it gives you more knowledge on those teams than the regular betting public, which will allow you to identify betting lines that give you an advantage.
Professional sports bettors do not bet every single contest. Instead, they only place a wager when their own research shows that the odds being offered by a sports book are not equal to the true odds for that contest. This divergence is exactly what sports bettors are able to exploit and make a big profit.
The next key trait to being a successful sports bettor is learning how to manage your sports betting bankroll. In order to withstand natural downswing periods of bad luck, the professional must dedicate a large amount of money to the endeavor and make sure never to wager too significant of a percentage on one game. As a rule of thumb, you should strive never to bet more than 2% of your total bankroll one a single contest. No one game should be so important that it would make or break your sports betting success.
Each sport has a slightly different structure for betting and a few quirks that set them apart from the others. With bankroll management and specialization in mind, you are well on your way to becoming a successful sports bettor.
Money Management and Caregiving
Taking care of money matters can be frustrating, overwhelming, and even scary for senior citizens. Many people, including my grandmother, frequently go to the customer service department at their bank for help balancing their checkbooks. This is a good solution, but there are other easier ways to avoid problems. If you have an in home caregiver that is able to help with finances, the senior citizen can avoid the scariness that emerges from missing money and at the same time, avoid an extra trip out to the bank.
Great money management skills are necessary for this task. Most seniors are on a fixed income, either solely Social Security benefits, or perhaps a pension or an annuity payout in addition to Social Security. Either way, a budget is a necessity. Evaluating how much money is coming in and comparing that number to how much is going out in expenses is a very good place to begin. The best way to commence with this is by starting with the absolute necessary expenses. Take their monthly income and subtract these expenses off the top. This includes rent/mortgage fees, groceries, utility bills, and any medication or medical bills that exist. After this, the remaining money can be used for more discretionary purposes. Entertainment should also be considered-everyone needs to have fun and relax at some point during the day. This might come in the form of a cable bill, books, magazine subscriptions, or even investing in a video game system. In all honesty, it doesn't matter what they do for fun; as long as they are having fun and not sitting around in boredom, entertainment is a good expense.
More than good money management skills are necessary when dealing with a senior citizen's finances. You need to be trustworthy and professional as well. Nobody wants to turn over their personal finances to a stranger, so you need to be as soothing as possible when dealing with a senior. Remember that there is a strong human element in this type of task. Yes, you are helping with finances, but you are dealing with a person's finances. Don't forget this.
An optional task that a money manager might encounter is providing funds for appointments. Making sure that there is enough money available in their checking account might be part of your duties as well. As a caregiver, you need to ensure that the senior you are caring for has the appropriate medical help. If they are unable to budget for doctor copayments, you will quickly run into problems. Balancing checkbooks properly and maintaining the right amount of money in their checking account will be an absolute necessity for giving your client the care that they desire.
Great money management skills are necessary for this task. Most seniors are on a fixed income, either solely Social Security benefits, or perhaps a pension or an annuity payout in addition to Social Security. Either way, a budget is a necessity. Evaluating how much money is coming in and comparing that number to how much is going out in expenses is a very good place to begin. The best way to commence with this is by starting with the absolute necessary expenses. Take their monthly income and subtract these expenses off the top. This includes rent/mortgage fees, groceries, utility bills, and any medication or medical bills that exist. After this, the remaining money can be used for more discretionary purposes. Entertainment should also be considered-everyone needs to have fun and relax at some point during the day. This might come in the form of a cable bill, books, magazine subscriptions, or even investing in a video game system. In all honesty, it doesn't matter what they do for fun; as long as they are having fun and not sitting around in boredom, entertainment is a good expense.
More than good money management skills are necessary when dealing with a senior citizen's finances. You need to be trustworthy and professional as well. Nobody wants to turn over their personal finances to a stranger, so you need to be as soothing as possible when dealing with a senior. Remember that there is a strong human element in this type of task. Yes, you are helping with finances, but you are dealing with a person's finances. Don't forget this.
An optional task that a money manager might encounter is providing funds for appointments. Making sure that there is enough money available in their checking account might be part of your duties as well. As a caregiver, you need to ensure that the senior you are caring for has the appropriate medical help. If they are unable to budget for doctor copayments, you will quickly run into problems. Balancing checkbooks properly and maintaining the right amount of money in their checking account will be an absolute necessity for giving your client the care that they desire.
Do you want to be a Billionaire - Money Management Systems
Managing money starts with knowing where your money is going and having the control as to how it will be spent, invested and grown. First, you have to divide the money that you receive every paycheck or whenever you receive any money, into specific purposes or expenses.
Billionaires are not any smarter, they only have better money management habits.
Generally, your money must be divided into six different parts:
Financial Freedom Account (FFA) - 10%
This is the money that you set aside for business and investments. This is not a savings account, rather it is called an investment account. You do not spend this money in any way possible unless it will be for a certain business venture or an investment opportunity.
Savings for Expenses (SFE) - 10%
This part is for spending. If you want a new phone, a new gadget or a new car, then this account will supply the money for that. Keeping a savings account for this purpose eliminates your chances of going into debt and in overspending.
Financial Education Account (FEA) - 10%
Learning more about financial education helps you more in becoming financially healthy and free. Invest on books, seminars and trainings. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
Rest and Recreation (RAR) - 10%
Depriving yourself will not help you achieve financial success. Overindulging will not help you either. The key is balance. This account if like a reward. Spend it for yourself every month or every quarter. It is mainly up to you as long as you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Everyday Expenses (EE) - 50 - 55%
This account includes your daily allowance, transportation and food expenses, utilities and other necessities. Ideally, 50% is enough, but if it is quite hard to start with, 55% is still good.
Gift and Contribution (GAC) - 5 - 10%
Charity is a fulfilling way to say thank you to every blessings that comes your way. This money can go to your church, a foundation that you support or even to a friend who unexpectedly needs financial help. The key is to always have an amount ready to be given to others. The more you give, the more you will receive.
This may be as simple as they look, but they are really powerful. Some people find it hard to start as they believe they would always run short, but it is actually the opposite. Keeping this habit will help you have more control with your money as in comes and goes.
If you feel that you cannot follow all the other divisions since your expenses are quite big, you may follow this:
FFA - 10%, SFE - 1%, FEA - 1%, RAR - 1%, EE - 86% and GAC - 1%
This way, you will still be able to follow the management more comfortably. Remember, it is not the amount but the habit that is important. A few hundreds today may soon be billions with the help of these six different money accounts.
Billionaires are not any smarter, they only have better money management habits.
Generally, your money must be divided into six different parts:
Financial Freedom Account (FFA) - 10%
This is the money that you set aside for business and investments. This is not a savings account, rather it is called an investment account. You do not spend this money in any way possible unless it will be for a certain business venture or an investment opportunity.
Savings for Expenses (SFE) - 10%
This part is for spending. If you want a new phone, a new gadget or a new car, then this account will supply the money for that. Keeping a savings account for this purpose eliminates your chances of going into debt and in overspending.
Financial Education Account (FEA) - 10%
Learning more about financial education helps you more in becoming financially healthy and free. Invest on books, seminars and trainings. If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.
Rest and Recreation (RAR) - 10%
Depriving yourself will not help you achieve financial success. Overindulging will not help you either. The key is balance. This account if like a reward. Spend it for yourself every month or every quarter. It is mainly up to you as long as you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Everyday Expenses (EE) - 50 - 55%
This account includes your daily allowance, transportation and food expenses, utilities and other necessities. Ideally, 50% is enough, but if it is quite hard to start with, 55% is still good.
Gift and Contribution (GAC) - 5 - 10%
Charity is a fulfilling way to say thank you to every blessings that comes your way. This money can go to your church, a foundation that you support or even to a friend who unexpectedly needs financial help. The key is to always have an amount ready to be given to others. The more you give, the more you will receive.
This may be as simple as they look, but they are really powerful. Some people find it hard to start as they believe they would always run short, but it is actually the opposite. Keeping this habit will help you have more control with your money as in comes and goes.
If you feel that you cannot follow all the other divisions since your expenses are quite big, you may follow this:
FFA - 10%, SFE - 1%, FEA - 1%, RAR - 1%, EE - 86% and GAC - 1%
This way, you will still be able to follow the management more comfortably. Remember, it is not the amount but the habit that is important. A few hundreds today may soon be billions with the help of these six different money accounts.
Help Your Child to Save Money
Children can learn about money as early as age two. They watch as you pay for things, either with cash or an ATM card. They learn constantly and money management can be incorporated into everyday events. Remember that short lessons are best as preschoolers have a short attention span.
Your children are watching you. Setting a good example will likely provide the strongest lessons as you are aware of the messages that you are sending about money. Here are some fun ways to teach your young child about coins and money.
Sort Coins by Color
Begin by differentiating pennies from silver coins. Pennies are easily understood as children learn how to count. Practice counting out 10 pennies at a time.
Sort Coins by Size
As your child gets older and understands more, work on the difference of the silver coins by grouping the coins by size. Even though children learn the sizes, learning that a dime is worth more than a nickel is a hard concept for very young children.
Pretend
Practice by pretending to be a bank and exchanging money in the different denominations. Another pretend game to practice is to operate a store where your child can buy his own toys.
Recognize Opportunities
Keep your eyes open for moments that can reinforce your teaching. Buying groceries, clothes, or eating at a restaurant and leaving a tip are all great opportunities to explain to your child what you are doing and why. The best learning opportunities are just regular day-to-day activities.
Use a Piggy Bank
Introduce the concept of some sort of container that is only used for saving coins. You may want to consider a clear container so it's easy for your child to see how much is in his piggy bank. Periodically, open it and count the coins. Let the child see how it grows
Use a Coin Counting Machine
If the child is older, consider buying an inexpensive coin counting machine. Unloading the coins from the piggy bank is a fun way to practice sorting and counting. You can also teach the relationship of the different coins.
Introduce Paper Money
Once your child has mastered coins, it is time to introduce paper money. In a child's eye, coins are probably more valuable than paper money. Over time they'll begin to understand the relationship.
Use Money Related Toys
A toy cash register is a great gift for a three year old to practice learning about money. You can also emphasize the value of toys when at the store. Each time your child sees something he thinks he wants, point out how much it is and how many coins would equal that amount.
Kids don't really like to save money. They want the things that money buys more than the good feeling of future financial security. To get the idea of saving money to stick with your kids, it should be part of a larger lesson about the value of money and being a smart consumer. Those may be heavy subjects for a young child, but there are easy ways to put the lessons in terms they can understand.
Your children are watching you. Setting a good example will likely provide the strongest lessons as you are aware of the messages that you are sending about money. Here are some fun ways to teach your young child about coins and money.
Sort Coins by Color
Begin by differentiating pennies from silver coins. Pennies are easily understood as children learn how to count. Practice counting out 10 pennies at a time.
Sort Coins by Size
As your child gets older and understands more, work on the difference of the silver coins by grouping the coins by size. Even though children learn the sizes, learning that a dime is worth more than a nickel is a hard concept for very young children.
Pretend
Practice by pretending to be a bank and exchanging money in the different denominations. Another pretend game to practice is to operate a store where your child can buy his own toys.
Recognize Opportunities
Keep your eyes open for moments that can reinforce your teaching. Buying groceries, clothes, or eating at a restaurant and leaving a tip are all great opportunities to explain to your child what you are doing and why. The best learning opportunities are just regular day-to-day activities.
Use a Piggy Bank
Introduce the concept of some sort of container that is only used for saving coins. You may want to consider a clear container so it's easy for your child to see how much is in his piggy bank. Periodically, open it and count the coins. Let the child see how it grows
Use a Coin Counting Machine
If the child is older, consider buying an inexpensive coin counting machine. Unloading the coins from the piggy bank is a fun way to practice sorting and counting. You can also teach the relationship of the different coins.
Introduce Paper Money
Once your child has mastered coins, it is time to introduce paper money. In a child's eye, coins are probably more valuable than paper money. Over time they'll begin to understand the relationship.
Use Money Related Toys
A toy cash register is a great gift for a three year old to practice learning about money. You can also emphasize the value of toys when at the store. Each time your child sees something he thinks he wants, point out how much it is and how many coins would equal that amount.
Kids don't really like to save money. They want the things that money buys more than the good feeling of future financial security. To get the idea of saving money to stick with your kids, it should be part of a larger lesson about the value of money and being a smart consumer. Those may be heavy subjects for a young child, but there are easy ways to put the lessons in terms they can understand.
Kay Hedges is the author of tips and advice to parents who would like to teach their child to save money. Saving money is a habit that can be instilled in a child at an early age and forms the basis for other positive attributes as the child grows.
Save Money With Short Term Health Insurance
As Americans get older, they pay more for medical insurance. Medicare was put into place because the prices for older Americans were unaffordable. Once you qualify for Medicare you will get great coverage at a great price. The months just before your benefits start at age 65, Americans pay the most they ever will pay for medical insurance. This is OK if for people who get benefits paid for from an employer. But if you would like to retire early or you have to pay for your own health insurance, the monthly premium for many insurance plans can be prohibitive.
Lots of people have discovered short term health insurance plans as an affordable alternative to coverage with expensive benefits that they may not need. Short term health insurance plans are full medical insurance programs approved by the department of insurance just like any other major medical plan. The difference is that everything is covered subject to a deductible and co insurance. Major incidents such as hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and surgeries are covered the same as the most expensive plans. You pay less for the temporary insurance plans because they do not have co payment benefits for prescription drugs or doctor visits. Pre-existing conditions and preventive care benefits also are not covered. As a result of these basic benefits, people save a lot of money when they switch to short term health insurance while waiting the last few months before their Medicare starts.
Short term insurance plans are not for everyone. People who have expensive chronic health issues such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or a history of stroke will not qualify for these insurance programs. If you take a lot of medicine you are probably going to be better off paying the more expensive premiums for the benefits. However if you do not take medicine and are in pretty good health, people save hundreds of dollars each month with quality coverage for major medical issues that may come up.
Everyone in America qualifies for Medicare the first day of the month that they turn 65. No matter what health issues may have happened up until that time, when you go on Medicare everything will be covered. If you have less than 2 years consider saving money by reducing your benefits. If you are within 6 months to a year until Medicare you are in the best position to save money with the short term health insurance plans the way many Americans already have.
Lots of people have discovered short term health insurance plans as an affordable alternative to coverage with expensive benefits that they may not need. Short term health insurance plans are full medical insurance programs approved by the department of insurance just like any other major medical plan. The difference is that everything is covered subject to a deductible and co insurance. Major incidents such as hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and surgeries are covered the same as the most expensive plans. You pay less for the temporary insurance plans because they do not have co payment benefits for prescription drugs or doctor visits. Pre-existing conditions and preventive care benefits also are not covered. As a result of these basic benefits, people save a lot of money when they switch to short term health insurance while waiting the last few months before their Medicare starts.
Short term insurance plans are not for everyone. People who have expensive chronic health issues such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or a history of stroke will not qualify for these insurance programs. If you take a lot of medicine you are probably going to be better off paying the more expensive premiums for the benefits. However if you do not take medicine and are in pretty good health, people save hundreds of dollars each month with quality coverage for major medical issues that may come up.
Everyone in America qualifies for Medicare the first day of the month that they turn 65. No matter what health issues may have happened up until that time, when you go on Medicare everything will be covered. If you have less than 2 years consider saving money by reducing your benefits. If you are within 6 months to a year until Medicare you are in the best position to save money with the short term health insurance plans the way many Americans already have.
Parents Save Money for Their Child's College Education
My personal answer to this, and remember this is my own decision is yes. My wife and I are wanting to have our first child and this is one of the first things we discussed before we even started trying to get pregnant. We both have college educations, we both have full-time steady income jobs, my Grandmother set aside money for myself and my brother to go to college, and my wife paid hers through scholarships, grants, and working through school. My father has always said that he wanted to provide a better life for his family than he received, and always said to me that I would understand later in life. I do understand and that is what I want to do for my future children as well. I do not want my children to graduate with a lot of college graduate debt like I did.
I hear a lot of people ask, if I'm going to save for my children's education how much? Think of it this way, it's not the same for every student. Do you want your kids to graduate college and have money left over to go to graduate school if they would like, or do you want them to try and obtain scholarships, grants, and jobs to help pay off school? These are all things that the parents need to answer for themselves. If you are struggling to make ends meet how do you also save for your children's college funds? I would suggest trying YouNeedABudget.com. The program will allow you to create a budget and see what expenses you can cut, or where you can save a little extra money. Remember, a little money for savings is better than no money at all.
You need to think of it this way, if you save $50 a month from the very first day your child was born, by the time they turn 17, you would have about $20,000 assuming a 7% return on investment. If you saved $200 a month instead, with a 7% return on investment by the time your child turns 17 you would save nearly $80,000! If you would like to check out more savings calculators check out this resource at FinAid.org
But you may ask why would you do it, or are there tax benefits? The answer is yes. There are tax advantages to saving in a section 529 college savings plan.
What is a Section 529 Plan?
There are two types of section 529 plans, one is a prepaid tuition plan, and the other is a college savings plan. Prepaid tuition plans let you lock in future tuition rates at in-state public colleges at current prices which are usually guaranteed by the state. College savings plans are more flexible, but do not offer a guarantee.
Benefits of Prepaid Tuition Plans
-Guaranteed to increase in value at the same rate as college tuition. If you prepay for a year's worth of college education when your child is 5, when they are 17 it will have increased in value to still cover a year's worth of college education.
-Parents, grandparents, family, friends, can contribute to a prepaid 529 plan. This is great because you can take gifts and apply it to the plan.
-Prepaid Tuition plans are exempt from federal income tax, and very often are exempt from state and local income taxes.
-The Money in the plan is controlled by the account owner and not the child. Most parents love this feature, because they don't have to worry if the child will start withdrawing money and using it for non college expenses.
-Safe. affordable, and convenient option for a family that is not a finance expert or do not have access to a financial expert.
Benefits of a 529 College Savings Plan
- The money in the plan is controlled by the account owner as well and not the child.
-Have the ability to gain higher potential earnings on investments depending on the rate of return and the decision on how the portfolio risk is decided. You can be highly aggressive with 100% equity funds to a more conservative approach which would be more towards money market funds.
-No restriction on choice of college other than it must be an accredited college or university.
-Flexible investment options such as age-based meaning if you start saving later, you can make up for the lost time, and also risk-based allocation dependent on how aggressive or conservative you would like.
What investment Strategy Should you Use?
-The first suggestion that I would say is the most beneficial is start early. It is never too early to start and it's not too late to start. The earlier you start the higher amount of interest you will accrue over the life of your child and the more compounding interest you can gain from starting early. This means that you will have to invest less out of your own pocket if you start earlier to gain the same amount of money you would if you started later in life.
-The second strategy I would use is invest in a highly aggressive manner earlier in your child's life and progressively get to a more conservative portfolio. This would be the same strategy used when you are thinking about retirement. Would you really want to take the chance that a year before your child goes to college they lose 25-50% of their college fund? I would strongly suggest speaking with a financial adviser or someone who specializes in college savings to help accommodate the best investment strategy when it comes to your child's life.
-Get a Financial Adviser! I cannot emphasize this enough when it comes to your own investments as well as your college investments. If you don't know how investing works or the best strategies to take, talk to someone who does it for a living. They have more time, more resources, and more ideas of the best investments you can make in life. One strong suggestion I would make is, is that you research who your adviser is and don't get stuck in a point where they are doing bad business decisions for you. Ask around and see who has great reviews, great customers, and who has been in the business for years. It's your money, don't let someone else destroy it by not doing your own research.
-Use savings plans that actually have tax advantages for you. That means use a Section 529 plan, or look at something where you can have a tax advantage for saving money for college expenses. If you don't do this, you will be losing money at the end of the year when you file taxes and have to claim your interest. Again, do you research on your own to make a quality, information-based decision.
I hear a lot of people ask, if I'm going to save for my children's education how much? Think of it this way, it's not the same for every student. Do you want your kids to graduate college and have money left over to go to graduate school if they would like, or do you want them to try and obtain scholarships, grants, and jobs to help pay off school? These are all things that the parents need to answer for themselves. If you are struggling to make ends meet how do you also save for your children's college funds? I would suggest trying YouNeedABudget.com. The program will allow you to create a budget and see what expenses you can cut, or where you can save a little extra money. Remember, a little money for savings is better than no money at all.
You need to think of it this way, if you save $50 a month from the very first day your child was born, by the time they turn 17, you would have about $20,000 assuming a 7% return on investment. If you saved $200 a month instead, with a 7% return on investment by the time your child turns 17 you would save nearly $80,000! If you would like to check out more savings calculators check out this resource at FinAid.org
But you may ask why would you do it, or are there tax benefits? The answer is yes. There are tax advantages to saving in a section 529 college savings plan.
What is a Section 529 Plan?
There are two types of section 529 plans, one is a prepaid tuition plan, and the other is a college savings plan. Prepaid tuition plans let you lock in future tuition rates at in-state public colleges at current prices which are usually guaranteed by the state. College savings plans are more flexible, but do not offer a guarantee.
Benefits of Prepaid Tuition Plans
-Guaranteed to increase in value at the same rate as college tuition. If you prepay for a year's worth of college education when your child is 5, when they are 17 it will have increased in value to still cover a year's worth of college education.
-Parents, grandparents, family, friends, can contribute to a prepaid 529 plan. This is great because you can take gifts and apply it to the plan.
-Prepaid Tuition plans are exempt from federal income tax, and very often are exempt from state and local income taxes.
-The Money in the plan is controlled by the account owner and not the child. Most parents love this feature, because they don't have to worry if the child will start withdrawing money and using it for non college expenses.
-Safe. affordable, and convenient option for a family that is not a finance expert or do not have access to a financial expert.
Benefits of a 529 College Savings Plan
- The money in the plan is controlled by the account owner as well and not the child.
-Have the ability to gain higher potential earnings on investments depending on the rate of return and the decision on how the portfolio risk is decided. You can be highly aggressive with 100% equity funds to a more conservative approach which would be more towards money market funds.
-No restriction on choice of college other than it must be an accredited college or university.
-Flexible investment options such as age-based meaning if you start saving later, you can make up for the lost time, and also risk-based allocation dependent on how aggressive or conservative you would like.
What investment Strategy Should you Use?
-The first suggestion that I would say is the most beneficial is start early. It is never too early to start and it's not too late to start. The earlier you start the higher amount of interest you will accrue over the life of your child and the more compounding interest you can gain from starting early. This means that you will have to invest less out of your own pocket if you start earlier to gain the same amount of money you would if you started later in life.
-The second strategy I would use is invest in a highly aggressive manner earlier in your child's life and progressively get to a more conservative portfolio. This would be the same strategy used when you are thinking about retirement. Would you really want to take the chance that a year before your child goes to college they lose 25-50% of their college fund? I would strongly suggest speaking with a financial adviser or someone who specializes in college savings to help accommodate the best investment strategy when it comes to your child's life.
-Get a Financial Adviser! I cannot emphasize this enough when it comes to your own investments as well as your college investments. If you don't know how investing works or the best strategies to take, talk to someone who does it for a living. They have more time, more resources, and more ideas of the best investments you can make in life. One strong suggestion I would make is, is that you research who your adviser is and don't get stuck in a point where they are doing bad business decisions for you. Ask around and see who has great reviews, great customers, and who has been in the business for years. It's your money, don't let someone else destroy it by not doing your own research.
-Use savings plans that actually have tax advantages for you. That means use a Section 529 plan, or look at something where you can have a tax advantage for saving money for college expenses. If you don't do this, you will be losing money at the end of the year when you file taxes and have to claim your interest. Again, do you research on your own to make a quality, information-based decision.
Helping Your Child Save Money
Teaching children to save money isn't going to happen overnight. It happens over years. They usually want to immediately spend the money they receive. This is a habit formed from past experiences.
To encourage the saving concept, you can show children the benefits of saving by trying several different ways. Once they understand the concept, you can back off a little.
But how do you get them started? Here are a few tips.
Match their savings
Tell your child that for every dollar saved, you will put in a matching contribution. When they are little, you might be able to match 100%. As they get older, 25% or 50% might be more reasonable. Just be sure to discuss it with them at each stage so that there are no misunderstandings.
Open a savings account
Encourage a deposit of a part of the earnings into a savings account and track the interest earned on that account. Banks and credit unions have special features just for kids. Shop around for the best value for your situation.
Encourage the idea of setting goals
Discuss items they would like to have and then prioritize that list by how badly they want each item. Make a drawing of an empty thermometer for as many items as they would like to track. Depending on their age, this could be as little as one to as many as 5. As they save their money, color in the thermometer. They'll be able to track their progress visually. It also helps them see how much value is in each dollar.
Give rewards
Young children may not understand that $10 tomorrow is better than $5 today. Consider rewarding children with things special to them for saving their money: stickers, toys, and special outings can be helpful.
Make a list of future wishes
Encourage children to identify fun things to spend their money on. For older children, prioritizing the list can be a helpful challenge.
Encourage them to find a picture of the item they want
Hang a picture of a wanted item off their wish list on the wall. If your child is saving for a special purchase, hang up a picture to remind them of what they are working towards.
Show by example
Keep a piggy bank at home with a label for what you would like. If possible, make deposits in the bank when you are with your children and explain what you are saving for. Your children will mimic your behavior when you lead by example.
Support their expenditure choices
Occasionally, children make poor choices that might seem like a waste of money. You can help them enjoy the process by supporting their selections and discussing alternatives for next time. You can also surprise them at random times by buying something they'd like.
Discuss appropriate spending
Some children will get so focused on saving their money and won't spend any money along the way.
To encourage the saving concept, you can show children the benefits of saving by trying several different ways. Once they understand the concept, you can back off a little.
But how do you get them started? Here are a few tips.
Match their savings
Tell your child that for every dollar saved, you will put in a matching contribution. When they are little, you might be able to match 100%. As they get older, 25% or 50% might be more reasonable. Just be sure to discuss it with them at each stage so that there are no misunderstandings.
Open a savings account
Encourage a deposit of a part of the earnings into a savings account and track the interest earned on that account. Banks and credit unions have special features just for kids. Shop around for the best value for your situation.
Encourage the idea of setting goals
Discuss items they would like to have and then prioritize that list by how badly they want each item. Make a drawing of an empty thermometer for as many items as they would like to track. Depending on their age, this could be as little as one to as many as 5. As they save their money, color in the thermometer. They'll be able to track their progress visually. It also helps them see how much value is in each dollar.
Give rewards
Young children may not understand that $10 tomorrow is better than $5 today. Consider rewarding children with things special to them for saving their money: stickers, toys, and special outings can be helpful.
Make a list of future wishes
Encourage children to identify fun things to spend their money on. For older children, prioritizing the list can be a helpful challenge.
Encourage them to find a picture of the item they want
Hang a picture of a wanted item off their wish list on the wall. If your child is saving for a special purchase, hang up a picture to remind them of what they are working towards.
Show by example
Keep a piggy bank at home with a label for what you would like. If possible, make deposits in the bank when you are with your children and explain what you are saving for. Your children will mimic your behavior when you lead by example.
Support their expenditure choices
Occasionally, children make poor choices that might seem like a waste of money. You can help them enjoy the process by supporting their selections and discussing alternatives for next time. You can also surprise them at random times by buying something they'd like.
Discuss appropriate spending
Some children will get so focused on saving their money and won't spend any money along the way.
Benefits With SEO Articles
There are many ways you can end up spending your advertising budget each year. Some of those methods of advertising are now dated and will not be as effective as others. If you really want to make an impact on your overall business then you should consider getting SEO articles written for you. You will notice the different almost immediately and you will never want to spend your budget anywhere else. There are a lot of things that these articles can do that other ways cannot. Here are a few ways they can get you the business you are looking for.
When you search for something online you probably aren't thinking about who gets to pick who comes up in the search. You probably don't realize that you can get your name in the top of the list yourself. If you have a website, but have found it difficult to get more people to look at it you should have SEO articles written to solve that problem. You can hire a SEO company to write articles for you that will contain a keyword in them. This word should be chosen after some consideration because it will make or break your effectiveness in traffic. It should pertain to what you sell or the business you are in and the location you are working in. Then they will include this keyword in the article a number of times, once every 100 words usually. They can't overuse this word because the search engine companies will not use them because they will consider you spamming them.
The search engine companies have some guidelines that you have to follow in order for your articles to be used. The writer you hire to write your SEO articles should be aware of all the rules they need to go by in order for your articles to be effective. They should know how many times to include the keyword and how often. They will also know that the article needs to be very informative about what you are selling and have a positive spin on it. You don't want to end up with articles that are negatively showing what you do. You can have the option of how long you want these articles. If you have a product or business that people aren't really aware of then you may want to consider getting 500 word articles. You can better explain what you do when you have more space. You should get all the traffic you want in a short amount of time after you have SEO articles written for you.
When you search for something online you probably aren't thinking about who gets to pick who comes up in the search. You probably don't realize that you can get your name in the top of the list yourself. If you have a website, but have found it difficult to get more people to look at it you should have SEO articles written to solve that problem. You can hire a SEO company to write articles for you that will contain a keyword in them. This word should be chosen after some consideration because it will make or break your effectiveness in traffic. It should pertain to what you sell or the business you are in and the location you are working in. Then they will include this keyword in the article a number of times, once every 100 words usually. They can't overuse this word because the search engine companies will not use them because they will consider you spamming them.
The search engine companies have some guidelines that you have to follow in order for your articles to be used. The writer you hire to write your SEO articles should be aware of all the rules they need to go by in order for your articles to be effective. They should know how many times to include the keyword and how often. They will also know that the article needs to be very informative about what you are selling and have a positive spin on it. You don't want to end up with articles that are negatively showing what you do. You can have the option of how long you want these articles. If you have a product or business that people aren't really aware of then you may want to consider getting 500 word articles. You can better explain what you do when you have more space. You should get all the traffic you want in a short amount of time after you have SEO articles written for you.
Use SEO Articles to Increase Your Online Visibility
SEO articles are a wonderful marketing tool in organic search engine optimization. Can you imagine having first page placement in the search engines? With the right keywords, focus, and well written articles it is possible.
The following are a few ways you can use SEO articles to increase your online visibility:
1. Post SEO articles to ezines such as this one to add value to readers - when you post an article on an ezine site your content is able to be published by editors who are looking for great content to add to their customer base. Your copy is then available to even more readers who can benefit from the information you offer. If your SEO articles are written to give insightful information rather than exclusively market yourself, you stand a chance of widespread exposure.
2. Add value to your social media contacts - Share the good news with others in your social media circle. You don't necessarily want to post 500 word SEO articles to twitter (that would take a whole lot of tweets!) but you can add an interesting snip bit in those 140 characters and include a link to your article. Tip: you can shorten website links and track where your visitors are coming from for free with http://www.bitly.com
3. You do have great content on you website, right? - When prospects read your SEO articles they will want to learn more. A welcoming website will offer the additional information on your topic and let them know how to pay for your products or services. Really, you don't want to post duplicate content on your site so placing the article here would be a no - no. But what you can do is include links to direct readers to your published SEO articles online.
4. Articles can be offered to your site visitors as an incentive - You can have a special report or exclusive article that you give in return for a first name and email address. It's a win-win! Your customers get even more great content and you are invited to speak to them through email that they requested (and are more likely to open). This is another great way to establish a relationship with your contacts. Note: Delivered content thorough email does not have to be search engine optimized because search engines do not search email.
5. Post a condensed version of full SEO articles to a blog - Nowadays, articles should aim to be around 500 words. That may be a little much for a blog. Instead, relay creative content on a blog in under 250 words. Don't have a blog? It's easy to get one up and running on http://www.wordpress.com. Tips, templates, and trade secrets are available on the site - at little to no cost to you.
These are just a few tips to help you use SEO articles to help you increase your online visibility. When done the right way you are sure to secure more traffic and results.
The following are a few ways you can use SEO articles to increase your online visibility:
1. Post SEO articles to ezines such as this one to add value to readers - when you post an article on an ezine site your content is able to be published by editors who are looking for great content to add to their customer base. Your copy is then available to even more readers who can benefit from the information you offer. If your SEO articles are written to give insightful information rather than exclusively market yourself, you stand a chance of widespread exposure.
2. Add value to your social media contacts - Share the good news with others in your social media circle. You don't necessarily want to post 500 word SEO articles to twitter (that would take a whole lot of tweets!) but you can add an interesting snip bit in those 140 characters and include a link to your article. Tip: you can shorten website links and track where your visitors are coming from for free with http://www.bitly.com
3. You do have great content on you website, right? - When prospects read your SEO articles they will want to learn more. A welcoming website will offer the additional information on your topic and let them know how to pay for your products or services. Really, you don't want to post duplicate content on your site so placing the article here would be a no - no. But what you can do is include links to direct readers to your published SEO articles online.
4. Articles can be offered to your site visitors as an incentive - You can have a special report or exclusive article that you give in return for a first name and email address. It's a win-win! Your customers get even more great content and you are invited to speak to them through email that they requested (and are more likely to open). This is another great way to establish a relationship with your contacts. Note: Delivered content thorough email does not have to be search engine optimized because search engines do not search email.
5. Post a condensed version of full SEO articles to a blog - Nowadays, articles should aim to be around 500 words. That may be a little much for a blog. Instead, relay creative content on a blog in under 250 words. Don't have a blog? It's easy to get one up and running on http://www.wordpress.com. Tips, templates, and trade secrets are available on the site - at little to no cost to you.
These are just a few tips to help you use SEO articles to help you increase your online visibility. When done the right way you are sure to secure more traffic and results.
Tips For SEO Content Writers
SEO articles are used to drive weighty traffic into websites that's why the need of experts in SEO writing is increasing day by day. Also known as SEO, search engine optimization is not an easy process that can be done by everyone. It is to be accomplished only by an expert SEO content writer who knows a lot about the field. Understanding that there are more and more people trying to learn how to write SEO articles effectively, below are collected tips on how to it can be done:
• Choose the right keywords. An effective SEO content writer does not just pick any keywords of his choice but makes use of words or phrases that sum up the whole content of the article he's writing. A writer is to choose those words that the majority of internet users are likely to type in into their favorite search engine every time they need to browse for certain information. To site a good example, some of the possible keywords for an article related to "fat burning" may include "effective fat burning exercises", "fat burning foods" and "best exercises for fat burning."
• Know frequency and proper placement of keywords. Because the frequency as well as proper keywords placement greatly impacts the ranking of a website in search engines, it's important to bear in mind that when you write, keywords must not only get inserted just because it's what's required but because you know that it affects how the website would rank. It's also crucial to take note that use of single word as keyword must be avoided as it would not be of any help. We call them general keywords that don't do anything in creating website traffic.
• Have optimized headings. Most if not every SEO content writer is aware that the search engines look at the headings and subheadings of articles when ranking a website. You know that you have optimized headings when they include at least one keyword phrase.
• Use keywords in the first and last paragraphs of each article. Aside from what was previously mentioned that search engines look into the headings to rank a website above all others, the next area that search engines would rank are those keywords that are mentioned in the first and last paragraph of an article. they usually catch the search engine's interest as well as the reader's.
• Keep the article short yet precise. Take note that search engines do not like rambling, long articles. As much as possible articles should only be between 300-700 words and maintain focus of the content on one single topic.
• Do not plagiarize. Plagiarism is a crime so never attempt to copy and paste articles on the web thinking that you won't get caught in doing so. An effective SEO writer knows the importance of creating fresh and unique articles and is aware that copying someone else's work would put him or her into a huge trouble.
There you go, some of the tips that make an SEO content writer effective in his job. Follow these steps religiously and surely make yourself an expert in SEO very soon. Learn more while writing on certain topics and also learn good money at the same time.
• Choose the right keywords. An effective SEO content writer does not just pick any keywords of his choice but makes use of words or phrases that sum up the whole content of the article he's writing. A writer is to choose those words that the majority of internet users are likely to type in into their favorite search engine every time they need to browse for certain information. To site a good example, some of the possible keywords for an article related to "fat burning" may include "effective fat burning exercises", "fat burning foods" and "best exercises for fat burning."
• Know frequency and proper placement of keywords. Because the frequency as well as proper keywords placement greatly impacts the ranking of a website in search engines, it's important to bear in mind that when you write, keywords must not only get inserted just because it's what's required but because you know that it affects how the website would rank. It's also crucial to take note that use of single word as keyword must be avoided as it would not be of any help. We call them general keywords that don't do anything in creating website traffic.
• Have optimized headings. Most if not every SEO content writer is aware that the search engines look at the headings and subheadings of articles when ranking a website. You know that you have optimized headings when they include at least one keyword phrase.
• Use keywords in the first and last paragraphs of each article. Aside from what was previously mentioned that search engines look into the headings to rank a website above all others, the next area that search engines would rank are those keywords that are mentioned in the first and last paragraph of an article. they usually catch the search engine's interest as well as the reader's.
• Keep the article short yet precise. Take note that search engines do not like rambling, long articles. As much as possible articles should only be between 300-700 words and maintain focus of the content on one single topic.
• Do not plagiarize. Plagiarism is a crime so never attempt to copy and paste articles on the web thinking that you won't get caught in doing so. An effective SEO writer knows the importance of creating fresh and unique articles and is aware that copying someone else's work would put him or her into a huge trouble.
There you go, some of the tips that make an SEO content writer effective in his job. Follow these steps religiously and surely make yourself an expert in SEO very soon. Learn more while writing on certain topics and also learn good money at the same time.
Are Poorly Composed SEO Articles Acceptable?
If you have spent much time searching for a product or service online, you have probably encountered them: search engine optimization (SEO) articles that sound like they were written by a sixth grader-who is failing English class.
At a time when the marketing value of SEO content is at all-time high, the standard or quality for the content has hit a low. Part of the problem stems from SEO companies that cheaply compensate foreign writers to produce web articles. But SEO clients are accepting those articles. Are they to blame, too?
If so, their complicity in the creation of bad content is understandable: someone is selling them on the idea that bad SEO writing can do the job, that the links it contains, and where it ranks in Google search results, is all that matters.
If a web visitor is determined to buy something, perhaps the interlude of reading, or glancing through, a web article on the way to a product page is a triviality. Most consumers do not approach online shopping with blinders on. Competing deals are everywhere, and the means sellers use to draw customers in, including web articles, impact sales.
Web articles lead consumers to take the first step in the online sales process - and that is visiting the website the article links to - and compelling content is what motivates them to take that step. Even when articles are used solely to generate web traffic, the longer they hold readers' attention, the more likely readers are to take the next step and visit the website.
You win more flies with honey than vinegar, as the old saying goes.
Should SEO Writing Be Held to Copywriting Standards?
SEO writing and copywriting have a fundamental difference: depending on how it is used, copywriting can be an end in itself, whereas SEO writing typically serves a commercial end: the sale of a product or service, or the gathering of contact information.
Because SEO writing is not viewed as an end product, online marketing gurus and their clients seem to have a high tolerance for sentences like the one below, which comes from a real article about laser cutting machines:
"Laser cutting machine processing as a new processing method, it is quietly [sic] prevalent in leather, textile and apparel industry because of its precise, fast and simple operation, high automation advantages."
Say what?
Bad composition might not sabotage web content marketing from a technical standpoint (if the keywords are applied correctly, Google will index the article), but it weakens its human appeals and professional integrity. Sub par content simply isn't interesting to read; and when you compare it to good website copy, it seems like a banged up Honda sitting next to a new Acura.
Even so, some content producers might argue that raising the bar for SEO writing would result in more cost to customers, and decrease the bottom line results of SEO. However, you don't need senior copywriters to create the type of content that SEO writing should be. Instead, you need writers who are fluent in English, have some writing experience, and are willing to take pride in their work.
Hiring writers of this pedigree doesn't require a talent search or a significant increase in payroll; it requires a minimum payroll investment that can result in the SEO provider receiving more clients, and its clients receiving better results from their online content.
At a time when the marketing value of SEO content is at all-time high, the standard or quality for the content has hit a low. Part of the problem stems from SEO companies that cheaply compensate foreign writers to produce web articles. But SEO clients are accepting those articles. Are they to blame, too?
If so, their complicity in the creation of bad content is understandable: someone is selling them on the idea that bad SEO writing can do the job, that the links it contains, and where it ranks in Google search results, is all that matters.
If a web visitor is determined to buy something, perhaps the interlude of reading, or glancing through, a web article on the way to a product page is a triviality. Most consumers do not approach online shopping with blinders on. Competing deals are everywhere, and the means sellers use to draw customers in, including web articles, impact sales.
Web articles lead consumers to take the first step in the online sales process - and that is visiting the website the article links to - and compelling content is what motivates them to take that step. Even when articles are used solely to generate web traffic, the longer they hold readers' attention, the more likely readers are to take the next step and visit the website.
You win more flies with honey than vinegar, as the old saying goes.
Should SEO Writing Be Held to Copywriting Standards?
SEO writing and copywriting have a fundamental difference: depending on how it is used, copywriting can be an end in itself, whereas SEO writing typically serves a commercial end: the sale of a product or service, or the gathering of contact information.
Because SEO writing is not viewed as an end product, online marketing gurus and their clients seem to have a high tolerance for sentences like the one below, which comes from a real article about laser cutting machines:
"Laser cutting machine processing as a new processing method, it is quietly [sic] prevalent in leather, textile and apparel industry because of its precise, fast and simple operation, high automation advantages."
Say what?
Bad composition might not sabotage web content marketing from a technical standpoint (if the keywords are applied correctly, Google will index the article), but it weakens its human appeals and professional integrity. Sub par content simply isn't interesting to read; and when you compare it to good website copy, it seems like a banged up Honda sitting next to a new Acura.
Even so, some content producers might argue that raising the bar for SEO writing would result in more cost to customers, and decrease the bottom line results of SEO. However, you don't need senior copywriters to create the type of content that SEO writing should be. Instead, you need writers who are fluent in English, have some writing experience, and are willing to take pride in their work.
Hiring writers of this pedigree doesn't require a talent search or a significant increase in payroll; it requires a minimum payroll investment that can result in the SEO provider receiving more clients, and its clients receiving better results from their online content.
SEO By Writing Articles
primary objective is to get an answer for their question, solve their problem or get an opinion on a particular area. Therefore your article should address one of the above issues. The more targeted your topic is, the better.
- Article structure: The next point is about the structure of an article. It should be consistent and logical. If you can illustrate your idea in a step-by-step approach, your visitors will be able to digest your idea more easily.
Although you do not need to be a writer in order to write an article, if you really do not want to write yourself, you can always pay someone to do that for you. Actually, there are a lot of writing services that you can use to get a well-researched, unique article related to your target market. However, it is always safe to do proper research first before investing a lot of money into a writing service. For example, you can ask the writer to give you a sample article and see if their writing style is suitable for your company culture. You can also give them one or two test jobs and see how they perform. Once you feel comfortable with them, you can discuss with them about long-term co-operation.
- Article structure: The next point is about the structure of an article. It should be consistent and logical. If you can illustrate your idea in a step-by-step approach, your visitors will be able to digest your idea more easily.
Although you do not need to be a writer in order to write an article, if you really do not want to write yourself, you can always pay someone to do that for you. Actually, there are a lot of writing services that you can use to get a well-researched, unique article related to your target market. However, it is always safe to do proper research first before investing a lot of money into a writing service. For example, you can ask the writer to give you a sample article and see if their writing style is suitable for your company culture. You can also give them one or two test jobs and see how they perform. Once you feel comfortable with them, you can discuss with them about long-term co-operation.
Writing Articles For SEO Traffic
Writing articles for SEO is what professional article marketers do best. Well, what if you're not a professional writer? Well, become one! With millions of people searching for information online, you can be sure to find people willing to do business with you. But first, you must master the SEO tactics that will lead you to attract your prospects.
Here's what you can do to make that happen for you:
1. Choose your topic. When writing articles for SEO, it is important that you choose a topic that has an audience. What kind of people are you trying to write for? In order to construct a well written article, you'll have to meet the demands of your target audience. Research those topics that are profitable and in demand. An SEO article will meet these requirements.
2. Create some titles. Writing SEO articles that have high quality titles is a must. Your article titles should be compelling and target the exact keyword phrases that your audience would use to do a search online. Make sure that you have your target keyword at the beginning of your title. This will ensure proper optimization takes place.
3. Research some keywords. This is the step that makes it or breaks it. You need to have a list of the top searched keywords in your niche. When writing an article, it's important that you target these words effectively. Keep in mind that the search engines are changing every day and it's up to you to stay on top of things. So, place your target keyword at the beginning of your article, in the middle, and in the conclusion. It would also be a good idea to use synonymous keywords. These are keywords directly related to your target keyword. For example, a synonymous word for "writing an article" would be "write a article."
4. Showcase your expertise. Writing articles for SEO will not do you any good if people don't trust you. Make sure that you offer some tips and advice that goes above an beyond what they would expect. If you want these people to visit your website, you need to provide them with good information. SEO article writing will work best once you can prove to people that you are an expert in your niche.
5. Keep it simple. Don't over complicate things. Keep your articles simple and to the point. People will appreciate a well written article that gets right to the information they want to know. So, make it your number one priority to satisfy your readers with easy to read SEO articles.
Here's what you can do to make that happen for you:
1. Choose your topic. When writing articles for SEO, it is important that you choose a topic that has an audience. What kind of people are you trying to write for? In order to construct a well written article, you'll have to meet the demands of your target audience. Research those topics that are profitable and in demand. An SEO article will meet these requirements.
2. Create some titles. Writing SEO articles that have high quality titles is a must. Your article titles should be compelling and target the exact keyword phrases that your audience would use to do a search online. Make sure that you have your target keyword at the beginning of your title. This will ensure proper optimization takes place.
3. Research some keywords. This is the step that makes it or breaks it. You need to have a list of the top searched keywords in your niche. When writing an article, it's important that you target these words effectively. Keep in mind that the search engines are changing every day and it's up to you to stay on top of things. So, place your target keyword at the beginning of your article, in the middle, and in the conclusion. It would also be a good idea to use synonymous keywords. These are keywords directly related to your target keyword. For example, a synonymous word for "writing an article" would be "write a article."
4. Showcase your expertise. Writing articles for SEO will not do you any good if people don't trust you. Make sure that you offer some tips and advice that goes above an beyond what they would expect. If you want these people to visit your website, you need to provide them with good information. SEO article writing will work best once you can prove to people that you are an expert in your niche.
5. Keep it simple. Don't over complicate things. Keep your articles simple and to the point. People will appreciate a well written article that gets right to the information they want to know. So, make it your number one priority to satisfy your readers with easy to read SEO articles.
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