If you’re putting your home on the market, you may be wondering how to style it. Home staging is a popular house-selling strategy that presents your home in its best light.
Staging a house is meant to show off your home’s features, create a move-in-ready look and help potential buyers see themselves living in the space. From tidying up your space to redecorating, home staging can give your home a clean and inviting ambiance that welcomes buyers — and may even entice them to pay more.
When preparing a home for sale, many sellers hire professional home stagers to create a warm, inviting place that buyers will want to call home. But, there are many changes you can make on your own.
Declutter Your Space
Declutter, declutter, declutter. Staged homes shouldn’t have piles of paper on the countertops. Take a moment to reassess your space and ask yourself, “Do I need this?” Determine which books, loose mail and magazines can be stored elsewhere to create a more spacious look.
Getting rid of clutter shows that your home is organized. Potential buyers may also infer that you take good care of your home and that it’s well-maintained.
Focus on a Neutral Color Palette
Home stagers always prefer neutral palettes to make a room look balanced and timeless. Colors such as beige, white or light gray are good choices. Then, add aesthetically pleasing decor, such as a black or green pillow for the couch. Try to create a fun look that’s not too matchy-matchy.
Find Long-Term Storage for Everything on the Counters
In the bathroom, find a long-term storage solution for items like cotton swabs and hair brushes so they’re not littering countertops. Add mirrors to walls to increase light in a small or dark bathroom. Even consider a new set of white, solid brown or light gray towels to give your bathroom a clean, seamless look.
Clear off your kitchen countertops by storing away small appliances, kitchen tools and knick-knacks. You want to accentuate the positives — cabinets for storage and plenty of countertop space for food prep. What can you keep on the table? A bowl of fresh fruit, like lemons or oranges, to add a pop of color and style.
Professionally Organize Your Closet
Show off your generous closet space by making each one neat and tidy. Remove everything from your closets and sort it into piles: keep, donate, sell and recycle.
If there are items you’d like to keep that you’re not currently using, store them away until you’re ready to move. You want potential homebuyers to see uncluttered closets with plenty of space. A bonus? Paring down your belongings means you’ll have less to pack.
Make Your Bedrooms Feel Hotel-Like and Inviting
Stick with one neutral color in the bedroom, perhaps all white, gray or beige, for example. To make your room hotel-like, tuck your comforter into the end of your mattress. Place two pillows on the bed, then add another three to five on top for a luxurious feel. For an attractive touch above the headboard, hang either one large piece of artwork or a set of three smaller ones.
Look to Odd Numbers
Group items in odd numbers, such as three or five. This classic design rule helps create visual interest and calming, naturally appealing displays. It’s a trick that makes a room look more luxurious versus symmetrical. On the dresser or bedside table, arrange a small vase of flowers with two books.
Use Glass for Small Dining Spaces
Make a tiny dining room’s layout appear larger with a glass-topped table. The more solid the furniture, the smaller a place looks.
Add a rug to “anchor” the room, even if you have an open-plan house. But keep in mind the room’s scale — in grander rooms, go big, and in smaller spaces, use a more petite rug that fits under the table. Place a generously sized centerpiece to draw the eye upward toward the room’s ceiling light.
Take Window Treatments to the Ceiling
To create height (even in small rooms), take window treatments as high to the ceiling as possible. Window treatments make the room look taller. And there’s no need to splurge on fancy panels; drapes are one way to use fun patterns in an otherwise neutral room.
Hang a Mirror in the Entryway
At the entryway, set up a sofa table or console with a lamp and accessories in sets of three. Above the console, hang a mirror or a larger piece of artwork to create a welcoming feel whether you’re coming or going.
Don’t Forget About the Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is all about making that beautiful first impression. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to make a big impact. Fresh paint, a new mailbox, a healthy manicured lawn, a clean walkway and flower-filled containers are easy ways to improve your home’s exterior appearance. You may also want to consider investing in outdoor lighting to enhance both safety and aesthetic appeal and, potentially, even your appraisal.
Remove Bulky Furniture
When staging a home for sale, put oversized furniture in storage. Furniture that is too large for a space can make a room feel cramped. Rent or purchase some inexpensive pieces better scaled to the room to make the area appear more airy and comfortable.
Depersonalize Your Home
Your home may be filled with years of special memories, but you’ll want to remove personal photos, collectibles and keepsakes when selling. The goal is to eliminate distractions and help prospective buyers envision themselves living in the space. You want them to concentrate on your home’s unique features, not your personal memories.
Have a Pleasant Scent in the Home for Tours
A gentle, refreshing scent creates a cozy feel and can trigger pleasant emotions. When it’s time to show your home, think about spraying a dash of essential oils throughout your rooms or using a diffuser.
You’ll also want to make sure to remove any bad smells. Open the windows to let fresh air in and thoroughly clean your carpets, sinks, trash cans, bathrooms and pet areas.
With this advice, your home’s spacious, balanced and livable look will be ready to list and show off to potential buyers.
And if you’re selling your home and purchasing a new one, let Pennymac guide you in the mortgage loan process. Get a custom instant rate quote from Pennymac today.
Are you looking for the best side jobs for teachers? Teaching is a great career choice and teachers are very much needed in the world. Unfortunately, though, it is not the highest-paying job that exists. Due to that, you may be looking to find ways to make extra money as a teacher. Side hustles for…
Are you looking for the best side jobs for teachers?
Teaching is a great career choice and teachers are very much needed in the world. Unfortunately, though, it is not the highest-paying job that exists. Due to that, you may be looking to find ways to make extra money as a teacher.
Side hustles for teachers are great because they can help you make extra income, pay off debt, save for a vacation, and more.
Teachers have many useful skills, which make them a great fit for many different side hustles alongside their main teaching job.
Quick Summary on Side Jobs For Teachers:
Online tutoring and selling lesson plans are popular side jobs for teachers that use their existing skills
Selling crafts, selling printables, or teaching online courses can be a nice creative outlet
Short-term and seasonal side gigs like coaching sports or teaching summer school may be better for your schedule than year-round gigs
Best Side Jobs For Teachers
There are 36 side jobs for teachers listed below. If you want to skip the list, here are some jobs that you may want to start learning more about first:
Below are 36 side hustles for teachers.
1. Sell educational printables
Selling educational printables can be a great way for teachers to make extra income and it is great for anyone who wants to learn how to make passive income as a teacher.
An educational printable is a teaching resource, either digital or physical, that educators create to help with learning.
Other teachers buy these for their classes and so do parents.
Educational printables are things like math problems, vocabulary cards, and science experiments. They work for different grades and learning goals, making it an easy way to add to regular teaching or homeschooling. You can share these resources online or print them for in-person classes, making them a helpful tool for improving education.You can learn more at How I Make $400,000 Per Year Selling Educational Printables.
Do you want to make money selling printables online? This free training will give you great ideas on what you can sell, how to get started, the costs, and how to make sales.
2. Tutor online or in person
Tutoring services or helping kids get ready for standardized tests either online or in person can be a great side hustle for teachers.
This option can be a natural fit, as you can use your teaching skills to tutor students.
To start, check out different online tutoring websites like Tutor.com or you can also do in-person tutoring sessions. For in-person tutoring sessions, you can contact local tutoring companies or promote your services on social media or in local Facebook parent groups for your area.
3. Sell your lesson plans
As a teacher, you already make lesson plans for your classes. You can actually sell your lesson plans, earn extra money, and help other teachers.
The most popular platform for this kind of side job is Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT). Here, you can upload your lesson plans, activities, assessments, and other educational resources. Each time someone purchases one of your items, you’ll earn some income.
Lesson plans need to be well-organized, easy to understand, and tailored to specific grade levels and subjects (such as fifth grade math). You should include clear objectives and step-by-step instructions to make your lesson plans more appealing to potential buyers.
4. Coach a school sport or other after-school program
Coaching a school sport is something that you can do within your own school district as many schools are in need of help with their sports teams.
Some sports and after-school programs that can be a teacher’s side hustle include soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track-and-field, as well as clubs such as yearbook, chess, choir, and more.
5. Start a dog bakery
Starting a dog bakery can be a fun side job for teachers who love both dogs and baking.
You can make an extra $500 to $1,000, or even more, each month by making treats for dogs. You can make dog treats like cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and more.
You can learn more at How I Make $4,000 Per Month Baking Dog Treats (With Zero Baking Experience!).
6. Sell crafts on Etsy
Selling crafts on Etsy can be a great way to make extra money by being creative.
Etsy is a website where people from all over can buy and sell handmade and digital products.
Some ideas for products you can create and sell on Etsy that are teaching-related include:
Classroom decor items
Educational games and activities
Customized planner pages and stickers
Flashcards and study materials
Of course, you can create things that aren’t related to teaching at all, such as knitwear, jewelry, and more.
7. Sell on Teachers Pay Teachers
Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) is a site specifically for educators to buy and sell educational materials, and this is a popular teacher side hustle. If you’ve developed lesson plans, worksheets, or other teaching tools for your classroom, you can share and earn from them on TPT.
I know I talked about selling education printables and lesson plans above, but I want to talk more about Teachers Pay Teachers in its own section because it is such a popular teacher side hustle.
You can sell:
Lesson plans and unit studies
Worksheets and printable activities
PowerPoint presentations and interactive notebooks
Posters, charts, and visual aids
For example, I looked on Teachers Pay Teachers and searched for third grade lesson plans. There, I found over 49,000 results such as math lesson plans about rounding, substitute teacher plans for third graders, reading comprehension lesson plans, and more. Here’s an example of one that you can look at.
The average teacher on Teachers Pay Teachers can make around $300 to $500 extra, but there are some teachers that make hundreds of thousands of dollars extra each year.
8. Babysit
As a teacher, you may find that babysitting is an easy side job to pick up, and, depending on where you live, you may be able to earn around $15 to $25 an hour. Parents love hiring teachers as babysitters because they have so much experience with children.
While babysitting, you’ll find that your existing skills from teaching make a difference in providing the best care possible.
9. Teach English as a second language online
Teaching English as a second language (ESL) online is a popular side job for teachers. As an online ESL teacher, you can help students learn English and work from home.
Most jobs require you to be a fluent English speaker with a bachelor’s degree.
10. Teach summer school
One of the obvious ways for teachers to make extra money in the summer is to teach summer school.
It’s a great way to make use of your teaching skills while earning extra income. Plus, summer school takes place during summer break, so it should fit well with your schedule of already being off from school.
11. Summer camp counselor
Another great option during the summer months is to become a summer camp counselor.
As a counselor, you’ll supervise children in activities such as sports, arts, and crafts. Camps are always looking for instructors with teaching experience, making this a good side job for educators.
12. Grade papers
Grading papers as a side job may appeal to you if you’re looking for a more flexible, at-home option.
Companies such as Measurement Inc. hire teachers to grade student work, such as essays and test answers.
They are hiring evaluators to score in the subjects of English, mathematics, science, and more and pay starts at $15 per hour.
13. Work at a restaurant
If you’re looking for something completely different from teaching, you could take a part-time job at a restaurant.
Working in restaurants can be a good fit for teachers because they often offer flexible hours that can align with your teaching schedule. You can choose jobs like being a server, host, and more.
14. Proofread
As a teacher, you are probably already a great proofreader and are able to spot mistakes easily. With these skills, proofreading can be a great side job. By proofreading, you can help authors, website owners, students, and more improve their writing while earning some extra income.
Even the most skilled writers can make mistakes in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. That’s why hiring a proofreader can be very helpful for pretty much anyone and everyone.
If you want to find online proofreading jobs, I recommend watching this free 76-minute workshop all about how to get started proofreading.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Online Proofreading Jobs For Beginners (Earn $40,000+ A Year).
15. Blog
Blogging can be a fun way for you, as a teacher, to make extra money from home. Many blogs are run by teachers, and I completely get why – you can blog in your spare time and you don’t have to stick to any formal schedule.
To start your own blog, first, choose a topic that you’re interested in writing about, maybe something related to your teaching field or a hobby you enjoy.
You can make money from your blog in ways such as:
Affiliate marketing – Share links to products or services related to the topic you are writing about, and earn a commission for sales generated from your referral links.
Advertising – Include display ads or sponsored posts on your blog.
Courses and ebooks – You can create courses or ebooks related to your area of expertise, and sell them through your blog.
Since I began Making Sense of Cents, I’ve made more than $5,000,000 from my blog, and it all started as a side job.
Learn more at How To Start A Blog FREE Course.
Similar to blogging, a teacher could also start a YouTube channel, a TikTok, and more.
16. Freelance write
If you are looking for side jobs for teachers from home, then becoming a freelance writer can be a great choice.
Freelance writers write content for blogs, websites, magazines, newspapers, advertising companies, and so much more.
You can find different writing jobs on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, or even find clients on your own, such as by reaching out to websites that you are interested in writing for.
Recommended reading: 14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs – (Start With No Experience!)
17. Transcribe
An online transcriptionist’s job is to listen to video or audio files and then type out everything that they are hearing. There are many different types of transcriptionists, such as legal, general, and medical transcriptionists.
This job requires strong typing and listening skills, and you can work from home on your own schedule.
Transcriptionists earn around $15 to $30 per hour on average.
I recommend watching FREE Workshop: Is a Career in Transcription Right for You? You’ll learn how to get started as a transcriptionist, how you can find transcription work, and more.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Online Transcription Jobs For Beginners To Make $2,000 Monthly
18. Flip used items for resale
Flea market flippers find underpriced items at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores, then resell them for a profit. This job requires a good eye for finding valuable items that you believe can be sold for a higher price.
As a teacher, you could find and sell items in the evening, on the weekends, over holiday breaks, and in the summer. You get to make your own schedule, and it can be however many or few hours as you want.
Some items that you can resell include:
Vintage furniture
Collectibles, such as toys, coins, stamps, books, and more
Sporting equipment
Clothing
Electronics
I recommend signing up for a helpful webinar on this topic, How To Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business.
19. Bookkeep
Bookkeepers are people who keep track of all the money-related things for businesses. Bookkeepers do tasks like:
Tracking income
Organizing expenses
Making financial reports
This is typically a flexible job that you can do from home on your own time.
You can join the free workshop that focuses on finding virtual bookkeeping jobs and how to begin your own freelance bookkeeping business by signing up for free here.
Recommended reading: How To Find Online Bookkeeping Jobs
20. Sell Canva templates
Creating and selling Canva templates online allows you to work from home in your free time.
A Canva template is like a pre-designed layout that you can use for creating things like social media graphics, Pinterest pins, ebooks, or presentations. It is a helpful starting point if you’re not very skilled at designing from scratch. Business owners, marketing professionals, nonprofit organizations, educators, event planners, restaurants, and more buy templates all the time.
Canva templates come with blank spaces where buyers can add their own words or pictures, adjust colors and fonts, and more. They’re useful for people who want their graphics to look high quality without spending a lot of time in the process (or perhaps they don’t know how to do it so templates help them a lot!).
Making and selling Canva templates can be a great way to earn extra money as you only need to create them once, and then you can sell them as many times as you’d like.
Recommended reading: How I Make $2,000+ Monthly Selling Canva Templates
21. Rover (walk and watch pets)
Rover is a website that links pet owners with pet sitters and dog walkers. You can do this job on the weekends throughout the year, or simply only open up your schedule during the summer months. It is up to you.
Getting started is easy on Rover – you set up a profile that talks about your experience with pets and the services you can provide, like dog walking, pet sitting, and house sitting.
Then, you will receive requests from customers and talk about pricing. Rover takes care of processing payments, and you’ll receive payments directly into your account.
You can sign up for Rover here.
22. Care.com
Another platform for finding pet and house sitting side jobs is Care.com. Care.com is not limited to pet care and includes other caregiving services, such as childcare and senior care.
You can browse available jobs in your area and apply to those that match your skills and interests. Care.com also allows clients to contact you directly for your services after you’ve created a profile. Once a job is completed, you’ll receive payment through the site.
23. Be a virtual assistant
A virtual assistant provides administrative, technical, or creative support to clients from home.
Some of the tasks you might do as a virtual assistant include managing schedules, responding to emails, making travel arrangements, handling social media accounts, and even writing articles or creating presentations.
If you want to become a virtual assistant, I recommend taking the free workshop called 5 Steps To Become a Virtual Assistant.
Recommended reading: Best Ways To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
24. Be a food photographer
Food photography can be a fun and creative way to earn extra income during your free time. Food photographers do just that – take pictures of food.
Whether you’re working directly for restaurants, magazines, or on a freelance basis, this job allows you to use your skills and interests to create beautiful images.
You can learn more at How To Become a Food Blog Photographer And Earn Over $50,000 Each Year.
25. House sit
As a teacher, you might be looking for ways to make some extra money during breaks or weekends. One option to consider is house sitting, and this is when you watch someone’s home (such as watering their plants and collecting mail) and sometimes take care of pets while their owners are away. People also hire house sitters so that their homes aren’t sitting empty because a visible presence can deter potential thefts.
To get started in house sitting, you can join house-sitting websites to find opportunities in your area, or ask friends and family for referrals (you might want to start by house sitting for people you know and then ask for references that you can use to broaden your job search).
26. Rent out an unused room in your home
If you have a room in your home that you are not using, then you may be able to rent it to someone on either a short-term (such as by becoming an Airbnb host) or long-term basis (getting a full-time roommate).
I have rented out rooms many times in the past, and it was a great way to make some extra income for space that I wasn’t using.
You can learn more at What You Need To Know About Renting A Room In Your House.
27. Rent your garage space
If you have empty storage space, such as a garage, driveway, closet, basement, or attic, you may be able to rent it out and make extra money. This can be a lucrative side hustle where you don’t have to use up much of your spare time.
You can use Neighbor to list your extra space for rent and make up to $15,000 per year by doing so. With Neighbor, you can rent out your garage, driveway, basement, or even a closet.
You can sign up at Neighbor for free here and list your space.
You can also learn more about Neighbor at Neighbor Review: Make Money Renting Your Storage Space.
28. Rent out a photo booth
Renting a photo booth can be a fun side job for teachers.
To get started, you will need to buy a photo booth as well as things like backdrops and props for people to hold in the picture (such as hats, signs, fun things to hold, etc.).
On average, photo booth rentals can range from $500 to $1,000 per event, and in some cases, even more for specialized events or packages with additional features.
I have personally rented a photo booth for an event in the past, and it was a lot of fun!
29. Online surveys and focus groups
Taking online surveys and answering questions for focus groups is very part-time and can be a way to side hustle for teachers.
You share your thoughts plus answer questions and can earn cash or free gift cards.
The survey companies I recommend signing up for are:
American Consumer Opinion
Survey Junkie
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Branded Surveys
Pinecone Research
PrizeRebel
User Interviews – These are the highest paying surveys with the average being around $60.
Recommended reading: 18 Best Paid Survey Sites To Make $100+ Per Month
30. Voice over act
A voice-over actor is the person whose voice you hear but don’t see in YouTube videos, radio ads, educational videos, and more.
Different companies need a wide variety of voices, and that’s where you come in.
Recommended reading: How To Become A Voice Over Actor And Work From Anywhere
31. Mystery shop
I was a secret shopper in the past, and there were often mystery shops that gave me $100 to put toward a free dinner. I always looked forward to these, as I was living paycheck to paycheck, and I used these restaurant mystery shops to reward myself every now and then.
There were other mystery shops that paid me actual money, and some paid me in free items, such as makeup, movie theater tickets, and car oil changes.
Companies hire mystery shoppers to get an understanding of their customer’s experience. Companies want to know a real product opinion, how the customer felt they were treated at their business, how phone calls were handled, and more.
Basically, mystery shopping is a way to anonymously test the entire shopping experience.
You can learn more at How To Become A Mystery Shopper.
32. Fitness trainer
Fitness trainers help people reach their health goals through customized exercise plans and nutrition advice. This is typically a job where you can choose your schedule, so you can choose to work hours outside of your teaching job, such as in the evenings and on the weekends.
I actually know a few teachers who are fitness trainers on the side, so it must be a good fit!
Another positive is that you can even choose between in-person and online coaching. Online coaching can mean that you can work remotely, making it a more flexible side job for teachers looking to earn extra income.
33. Find random gigs on Craigslist
As a teacher looking for side jobs, you can look for random gigs on Craigslist to earn some extra income. To begin your search, simply go to the Craigslist website and select your city from the home page.
Here are some jobs I found through a quick search:
Cleaning a house
Help assembling furniture
Taking down a shed in a backyard
Garage cleanup
Mover
Handyman
Movie extra
Sign holder
You can even post your own services on Craigslist if you have a skill you’d like to share with others, such as giving music lessons or tutoring.
34. Deliver groceries with Instacart
Grocery delivery services are popular because there are more and more people who want someone to do their grocery shopping for them.
Services like Instacart need personal grocery shoppers, and the average shopper makes $15 to $20 an hour to deliver groceries. Drivers are paid per order, and you get to keep 100% of your tips. You also get to choose your schedule, so a teacher could choose to work in the evenings or on weekends. Or, you could choose to only deliver groceries during the summer.
You can click here to sign up to be an Instacart Shopper.
You can also learn more at Instacart Shopper Review: How much do Instacart Shoppers earn?
There are many other gig ideas that you can try out too, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash.
35. Real estate agent
Some teachers are real estate agents on the side of their full-time job as a teacher. This is because you can list and sell homes on your weekends, during breaks, at night, and over the summer.
Selling homes can be more difficult, though, as your clients may want your full attention during the day occasionally and you would be busy teaching, so this is something to think about.
36. Driver’s ed teacher
A common side hustle for teachers is teaching driving lessons to teenagers and adults. As a teacher, you may be able to check if the high school near you is in need of a teacher for this subject. Or, you can reach out to a local driving school to see if they are hiring.
Driving instructors make around $20 an hour more or less, depending on where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about side hustles for teachers.
How can I make money on the side while teaching?
Some good side jobs for teachers include tutoring, freelancing, transcribing, blogging, selling lesson plans, and more.
What can teachers do to make extra money?
Teachers can do a lot of things to make extra money, such as jobs like tutoring, freelance writing, blogging, or creating educational printables.
What is a second career for teachers?
Second careers for teachers can include jobs such as educational consultants, curriculum developers, or even working in corporate training and development.
Do most teachers have 2 jobs?
Many teachers have two jobs. This is for many reasons, such as the typically low pay of a teacher as well as teachers wanting to make money while they are off in the summer.
How to make extra money on Teachers Pay Teachers?
Teachers can make extra money on Teachers Pay Teachers by selling lesson plans and printables.
How can teachers make money in the summer?
Teachers can make money when they’re off in the summer by teaching summer school, helping students with test prep, babysitting, selling lesson plans, working at a restaurant, working as a real estate agent, and more.
What to do after quitting teaching? How do you pivot out of teaching?
Quitting teaching and moving on to something else will take a few steps, and you can begin by thinking about your skills and interests. Then, start exploring different job options and connect with people in the field you’re interested in, attend industry events, and consider getting any certifications that you may need.
How can teachers earn extra income through online tutoring?
Sites like Tutor.com look for teachers to tutor students remotely, and you can even offer your services through social media.
How can a teacher make six figures by utilizing their skills?
While it’s not always easy for teachers to earn a six-figure salary, it is possible if you find ways to make extra income or by starting a business of your own.
What opportunities do music educators have for side income?
Side income ideas for music educators can include jobs like giving private music lessons or working as a weekend or evening instructor at a music school. Music educators can also sell lesson plans (I found some examples on Teachers Pay Teachers here).
What are some good side jobs for teachers?
I hope you enjoyed this article on the best side jobs for teachers.
Whether you are looking for side jobs for teachers from home, side jobs for teachers in the summer, or if you want to learn how to make passive income as a teacher, there are many ways to make extra money as a teacher.
Some of the best side hustles for teachers include:
Sell educational printables
Tutor online or in person
Sell your lesson plans
Coach a school sport
Start a dog treat bakery
Sell crafts on Etsy
Sell on Teachers Pay Teachers
Babysit
Teach English as a second language online
Teach summer school
Summer camp counselor
Grade papers
Work at a restaurant
Proofread
Blog
Freelance write
Transcribe
Flip used items for resale
Bookkeep
Sell Canva templates
Rover (walk and watch pets)
Virtual assistant
Food photographer
House sit
Rent out an unused room in your home
Rent your garage space
Rent a photo booth
Online surveys and focus groups
Voice over act
Mystery shop
Fitness trainer
Find random gigs on Craigslist
Deliver groceries
Real estate agent
Driver’s ed instructor
What do you think are the best ways for teachers to make extra money?
When you’re in college, you likely want to choose a major that will lead to a successful and enjoyable career. If you’re a business marketing major, you may wonder whether the education you’re getting now will pay off in terms of the type of job you’ll qualify for after you graduate, and what you can earn.
Here’s a look at what you can expect as a marketing major — both during college and after you graduate.
What Does a Marketing Major Learn?
As a marketing major, you will learn various aspects and strategies for promoting a company or product, creating brand awareness, and building relationships with customers.
You may study marketing tools like social media, content marketing, and advertising, as well as public relations, sales, marketing strategy, and consumer behavior.
Once you complete your degree, you should have a thorough understanding of how to employ these tools and tactics in the real world on behalf of your employer. 💡 Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.
Who Is It Good For?
If you’re still trying to determine the best college major and are considering marketing, here’s some insight into the type of person who might thrive in a marketing career.
If you’re curious about how brands connect with customers and find yourself analyzing ads in magazines and on television, you might be a natural marketer. Marketers are typically creative and good communicators; you’ll need that ingenuity to come up with innovative marketing campaigns to compete with others in a given industry.
Depending on the job you get after college, you may work with a team on campaigns, or you may be solely in charge of doing multiple different tasks on your own. Ideally, you’ll be excited and confident about sharing your ideas for projects.
If you’ve got an analytical mind, so much the better. You’ll be able to analyze data to better understand what types of marketing efforts are working to reach your audience and which aren’t.
Recommended: 20 of the Most Popular College Majors
Why Consider Marketing?
Marketing isn’t a trendy or even industry-specific career; it’s one that every brand on earth needs. As a result, there will likely always be careers in marketing. Because marketing is what propels a company to sell products or services, it has a return on investment, and that means that companies are willing to also invest in smart marketing professionals.
Everywhere you look, there’s marketing, from the product placement in your favorite television show to the daily Instagram posts from influencers that offer “sponsored content.” Being a part of this exciting field gives you the opportunity to shape how consumers connect with brands.
Recommended: How Do You Change Your Major?
What Jobs Can a Marketing Major Get?
So you’ve majored in marketing and now you want to know your career options. What does a marketing major do after graduating? And what professional goals can you set down the road, once you’ve had more experience?
Entry-Level Marketing Jobs
Depending on your specific interest in marketing, there are several paths you could take after graduation.
If you enjoy working with advertising, you could get work as a media buyer, who is in charge of purchasing ads, both digital and print, to achieve marketing goals. Average annual salaries can be as high as $80,195.
If you enjoy dabbling in different aspects of marketing, you could be a marketing coordinator. You might be a part of planning and launching marketing campaigns and events, managing email marketing, and writing content for different platforms. The national average annual salary is $51,283.
If you lit up in your public relations coursework, a public relations assistant might be a good first job. You’ll be tasked with creating press releases and pitch letters, and connecting with the media to get interviews and media coverage for your brand. Salaries vary, but the average is around $42,642 a year.
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Marketing Jobs for More Experienced Professionals
Once you have a bit of experience in your entry-level marketing job, you may be eligible for a promotion or could qualify for a more advanced role with a different company like the following ones.
A public relations manager has approximately six to eight years of experience working in PR. In addition to building relationships with journalists and influencers and securing media coverage for a brand, this role may also hire and manage other PR roles as well as writers and designers. The average salary for this role is around $62,810.
A marketing director could be a good goal after you build experience as a marketing coordinator and have five to 10 years of marketing experience. This role is involved in the planning of marketing activities, building a budget, and forecasting sales. You may oversee a marketing team, including internal staff and freelancers. The average salary for this position is approximately $141,490, but can vary widely.
Another option once you have one to five years of experience, specifically in sales, is as a sales manager. This role analyzes sales data to shape sales and pricing strategy and may train or manage sales staff. The average salary for a sales manager is $107,500.
Launching Your Own Marketing Business
You’re not limited to working for someone else in your marketing career; many professionals get experience under their belt by working for companies of all sizes, then decide to open their own business. That could be a one-person content marketing business run out of your home or a PR firm with office space and staff.
Starting your own business gives you the flexibility of working when you want, and to choose exactly the marketing, advertising, or PR services you want to specialize in. It does, however, require plenty of hard work and dedication: without the stability of a regular paycheck, you aren’t guaranteed to make a certain amount of money.
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What Can a Marketing Major Earn?
Understandably, you want some reassurance that what you’ll make in your career after graduating will help you quickly pay off any student debt and help you become financially successful.
Generally, students can expect to make the least right after graduating, since they’ll have little to no work experience. Salary expectations for entry-level marketing positions can vary based on factors like where you live and the industry you want to work in. Some companies may offer hiring bonuses or commission on top of that salary.
As you build experience, your salary will generally increase. Again, this will depend on your specific experience and accomplishments as well as the industry and company you work for. 💡 Quick Tip: Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too. You can submit it as early as Oct. 1.
The Takeaway
Only you know whether marketing is a field that you will thrive in and enjoy being a part of, but suffice it to say that there is an opportunity to learn a wide range of marketing skills and career advancement potential if you’re willing to put in the work to climb that corporate ladder.
Of course, as a student, you’re still a long way from earning a sizable salary, and coming up with enough funds to cover the high cost of college can be challenging. Fortunately, no matter what you’re thinking about majoring in, you have a range of funding options, including grants, scholarships, federal work-study programs, and both federal and private student loans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
Cover up to 100% of school-certified costs including tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and transportation with a private student loan from SoFi.
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SoFi Private Student Loans Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs.
SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Living in Naples, Florida, is a luxury paradise where you’ll discover a lifestyle suitable for a range of personalities. From nature lovers to fashionistas, this city perched along the Gulf of Mexico beckons visitors and transplants from around the world.
Whether you already call Naples home, or you’re looking to find an apartment for rent or homes for sale in Naples, FL, Naples has something for you. Dive into our Redfin’s curated list of 8 free things to do in Naples, FL, and discover the charm and beauty of this coastal haven, all while keeping your wallet happy.
1. Naples Pier
Naples Pier is an iconic landmark that offers a serene setting for a leisurely stroll with a picturesque sunset view. This historic structure is ideal for fishing, dolphin watching, or simply soaking in the coastal ambiance.
2. The Naples Preserve
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the Naples Preserve, a hidden gem in the city’s heart. This 9.5-acre preserve boasts a network of elevated boardwalks and nature trails, offering a peaceful retreat for birdwatching and exploring Southwest Florida’s unique ecosystem.
3. Naples Depot Museum
History buffs will enjoy the Naples Depot Museum, housed in a restored Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station. The museum showcases the region’s history through engaging exhibits and artifacts, from the early Native American inhabitants to the modern era.
4. Paradise Coast Blueway
The Paradise Coast Blueway is a free attraction perfect for kayaking and paddleboarding enthusiasts. This water trail encompasses a labyrinth of waterways and mangrove tunnels, offering opportunities for exploration and wildlife observation. Bring your own gear or rent equipment locally to embark on a tranquil aquatic adventure.
5. Big Cypress National Preserve
Located just east of Naples, the Big Cypress National Preserve is a vast wilderness expanse renowned for its natural beauty. Visitors can hike, bird watch, and spot alligators in their natural habitat. The preserve’s visitor center provides valuable information to help plan your adventure into this pristine ecosystem.
6. Third Street South
Third Street South is a charming district known for its upscale shops, dining, and cultural events. While dining and shopping may not be free, strolling along its picturesque streets and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere won’t cost you a dime.
7. Naples Regional Library
If you seek a peaceful respite indoors, the Naples Regional Library offers a wide array of books, magazines, and digital resources for all ages. It’s an excellent spot to unwind, research, or even catch up on reading in air-conditioned comfort.
8. Third Street South Farmers Market
Third Street South hosts a bustling farmers market every Saturday morning featuring fresh produce, artisanal goods, and local crafts. While purchases are optional, exploring the market is a beautiful way to experience the local community and some delectable treats while you’re at it.
You want to become a homeowner but aren’t sure how you’re going to save up for your down payment. Typically, you’re going to need at least 3% to 5% for a down payment for a conventional mortgage, or 20% on a loan that doesn’t require private mortgage insurance.
Fortunately, there are a number of methods you can use to stash away money for your future home. Here are some of the best ways to save for a house and get one step closer to your dream.
1. Creating a Budget
Living on a budget may not be easy, but in the long run it can help you save money to put toward a home purchase. Creating a budget to track where your money is going is a good first step in a house savings plan.
Some effective ways to do this are recording expenses in a spreadsheet or using a budgeting app to determine your spending practices and identify where changes can be made to meet your savings goal. 💡 Quick Tip: Want to save more, spend smarter? Let your bank manage the basics. It’s surprisingly easy, and secure, when you open an online bank account.
2. Using Cash Envelopes
The theory behind this method is that it may be harder to part with cash than it is to swipe a debit or credit card. The cash envelope budgeting method involves distributing cash each month (or pay period) into envelopes based on categories you establish. When you’re out of cash for each category, you stop spending.
3. Deleting Your Stored Cards
Do you store your payment information on Amazon or other e-commerce stores? If so, it’s time to consider deleting them from each store or from your browser settings. If you have to manually input your card each time you want to make a purchase, you may just stop spending so much money online.
4. Downsizing Your Life
Another one of the tips for saving for a house involves downsizing your life. This could mean moving to a smaller rental or to a more affordable area of town. Just keep in mind that there is always a flip side to downsizing. For instance, your smaller apartment may not include parking, so you might be taking on an expense you didn’t have before. Moving to a different part of town might mean spending more on transportation costs getting to work each day. It’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons before making any big decisions.
5. Setting Up Automatic Transfers
Reaching your savings goals might happen faster by setting up automatic transfers from checking account to savings account each time you’re paid. If your paycheck is direct-deposited, you may also be able to split the deposit into more than one account, on a percentage or dollar-amount basis.
6. Postponing Vacation
This method can reap plenty of savings if your usual vacation is a costly one. Instead of taking a big trip, a staycation may be entertaining and less expensive. Check out your local newspaper’s website to find free activities and events in your area. Art museums sometimes offer free admission days, and area nature trails are generally free and can be a good way to have fun and get exercise in one fell swoop. Now is the time to be creative since you’re working on your house savings plan.
7. Tackling Your Debt
If you get 4.50% APY in your high-yield savings account, but you carry a credit card balance with an interest rate of 23.99%, it may make more sense to put your money towards your debt right now rather than savings.
8. Eating at Home
Dining out is expensive. The average American household spends more than $3,000 per year on eating out. By skipping the takeout and restaurants and cooking your meals at home, you can add that money to your house savings plan.
9. Making Your Own Coffee
It’s a cliche, but it’s true: If you skip the lattes, you could boost your savings. The average American spends $92 per month on coffee, which adds up to about $1,100 per year. Purchasing a coffee maker and brewing your own cup of joe as opposed to hitting up a coffee shop every day will likely improve your home savings plan.
10. Using Coupons at the Grocery Store
Looking for coupons for items you normally buy anyway can trim your grocery bill. Coupons can be found on coupon websites and on brands’ websites.
Recommended: Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget
11. Buying Things on Sale
Just because you want something doesn’t mean you need to have it right away. Waiting to buy things when they go on sale is another one of the best tips for saving for a house. Along with looking at stores’ advertised sales, you could always create a Google alert to find out when things go on sale by typing in your favorite stores’ names + sales on Google Alerts. 💡 Quick Tip: If you’re saving for a short-term goal — whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or the down payment on a house — consider opening a high-yield savings account. The higher APY that you’ll earn will help your money grow faster, but the funds stay liquid, so they are easy to access when you reach your goal.
12. Using Promo Codes
Promo codes are like coupons for online purchases. Browser extensions that search the web for deals can bring those promo codes to you and save you precious search time and effort.
13. Cutting Out Cable
Cable television can be a major monthly expense for some households, sometimes hundreds of dollars every month. One of the best ways to save is to cut the cord, switch to streaming services, and potentially pay much less per month on your favorite entertainment by saving on streaming services.
14. Canceling Your Subscriptions
You may be spending money on monthly subscriptions without realizing how much. Canceling subscriptions to things like lifestyle boxes you aren’t using anymore or magazines you don’t read can add up to significant savings.
15. Making the Most of the Library
The local library is a fantastic resource. You can borrow books, magazines, and movies instead of buying them, and some libraries even offer access to free audiobooks. Libraries are funded by taxes, so you’re probably already contributing to this resource—there’s little reason to pay twice for items it provides as a public service.
16. Canceling Your Gym Membership
Gym memberships can be pricey, but exercise is not. Using free, online workout videos and things in your home as exercise equipment (e.g., stepping on your stairs, doing wall or table pushups, or using a chair for barre exercises), or walking around your neighborhood can save money over a gym membership.
17. Shopping Around for Insurance
You may be overpaying for insurance. Comparing rates and getting different quotes for your car, renter’s, pet, health, and other types of insurance can ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.
18. Steering Clear of Checking Account Fees
Is your bank charging you a monthly maintenance fee just to keep your account open? If so, it might be worth looking into switching banks or asking your bank how you can avoid these fees. For example, if you have a direct deposit into the account or maintain a minimum daily account balance, you may be eligible for a fee-free account.
19. Selling Your Stuff
Do you have things you never use anymore? Could they fetch some cash? Holding a garage sale or selling your stuff online might net a few dollars to add to your house savings plan. You’ll probably want to buy new things for your new home anyway, and selling your old things will allow you to save up.
20. Asking Your Boss for a Raise
During your annual performance review, consider asking for a raise, highlighting your accomplishments and why you deserve more money. Be specific about improvements you’ve made to the company by backing up your accomplishments with data.
21. Switching to a Better Job
If you aren’t making enough money in your current position, then consider switching to a higher-paying job. It’s a good idea to keep your current job until you find a new one, though.
22. Taking on a Side Hustle
If you have the time and energy, earning extra money on nights and weekends with a side hustle might be an option. For instance, you could start a dropshipping business, take up freelancing, or do affiliate marketing.
23. Signing Up for a Travel Rewards Credit Card
If you need to travel or you are still planning a vacation, using a travel rewards credit card may be a good idea. These cards offer certain rewards for different categories such as travel, gas, and dining out, and allow you to put your rewards towards flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. Plus, many of them offer other ways to save, such as providing you with rental car and baggage delay insurance or no foreign transaction fees.
Recommended: Credit Card Rewards 101: Getting the Most Out of Your Credit Card
24. Getting a Cash Back Credit Card
With a cash-back credit card, you can earn cash rewards every time you spend. Putting that cash back toward a statement credit or bank transfer will help accelerate your savings.
25. Renting Your Spare Room
If you have an extra room in your apartment that you aren’t using, you could get a roommate or list it on a rental site to reduce your overall living expenses. Just make sure that you get permission from your landlord before inviting anyone else to move in.
26. Renting Out Your Storage Space
Another one of the best ways to save for a house is to rent out your unused storage space on a peer-to-peer site. You could generate income without having to do much work at all, and you won’t have to live with someone else—just their stuff.
27. Making Your House Savings Plan Known
Your Aunt Mildred may always get you boxes of chocolates for your birthday, and your dad might give you gift cards for Amazon. But letting your family and friends know you’re trying to save for a home might plant the seed for them to give you cash instead. If you’re getting married, this is a time to tell people about your plans so that instead of registry gifts, they might give you cash for your future home.
28. Opening a High-Yield Savings Account
Putting your money into a regular savings account may not result in much of a return. However, putting money in a high yield savings account may net more interest and get you closer to reaching your savings goals. A high-yield savings account typically offers 20 to 25 times the national average of a typical savings account.
29. Hiring an Accountant at Tax Time
If you’ve been doing your taxes on your own every year, you may have missed potential tax savings you might be eligible for. A tax professional may be able to maximize your savings, possibly resulting in a larger refund, or minimize taxes you owe.
30. Saving Your Tax Refund
If you get a tax refund, consider saving it instead of spending it. The money can be a nice addition to your down payment, possibly even earning interest in high-yield savings account until you need it.
31. Changing Your Tax Withholding
Among the best ways to save for a house is by keeping more money from your paycheck. If your withholding is too high, the IRS is essentially holding your money for you all year round. Instead of getting a large tax refund, keeping your money now and investing it in an interest-bearing account will help you save up for your home.
The Takeaway
Saving for a house takes some time and effort, but there are many different ways to do it. For instance, by eating out less, you could potentially save thousands of dollars a year. Launching a side hustle could increase your income. And opening a high-yield savings account, which typically offers considerably higher interest rates than a traditional savings account, could also help your money grow — and help you achieve your dream of home ownership.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
Better banking is here with up to 4.50% APY on SoFi Checking and Savings.
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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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4.50% APY SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.50% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/9/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet..
Marketing is an expense, but it can also be considered an investment in the success of your small business. When done correctly, it can build your brand, draw prospective customers to your website or store, and ultimately drive revenue.
To make the most of your marketing dollars and successfully promote your small business, you’ll want to avoid the following mistakes.
1. Not making market research a priority
Market research, one of the first stages in the marketing process, is used to confirm demand for your business’s product or service, identify its target market and assess competitors.
“If we think of marketing, it’s not only the promotion of services, the promotion only of products. It’s the creation of products. It’s the creation of services. It’s connecting with people,” says Islam Gouda, a marketing scholar and author. “As a small business, I want to understand how my customers are thinking about different aspects in terms of their wants or their needs.”
When researching your target market, consider the platforms and channels they frequent and market your business there.
”Make sure that you’re really focusing on how people are going to find you,” says Jennifer Fortney, president of Cascade Communication, a PR and marketing communications company based in Chicago. Beyond the largest, most popular platforms, Fortney suggests also looking into niche publications and local magazines.
2. Brand inconsistency
“Always have consistent branding across all your channels: your social media, your LinkedIn profile, your website, your brochures, your fliers, whatever it is,” says Vanessa Castillo Bell, a consultant for the Arizona Minority Business Development Agency. “Once you have consistent branding all across your channels, your customers will recognize your brand.”
Establish brand guidelines for the logos, colors, images and text you’ll use across your marketing materials. Consistent branding creates a brand identity that looks professional and can offer benefits such as increased customer trust and loyalty — which can all lead to higher revenue for your business.
3. Not having a clear website strategy
There are many platforms on which to market your business, but your website is especially important. “Businesses own their website. That’s their online home,” Castillo Bell says. Therefore, you have complete control over what information you provide and how.
Castillo Bell recommends learning search engine optimization (SEO) techniques and identifying keywords that your customers would use to search for your products and business. Including those keywords in blogs, newsletters, white papers, videos and other types of content marketing can help your website appear on search engine results pages and gain traffic. Optimizing your website for mobile — since many consumers search online using their phones — is another key step, Castillo Bell says.
You’ll also want to make important details about your business easily accessible to website visitors. “If you’re a local business, be very specific about your location, what areas you serve, and put all of that information on your website,” Fortney says.
Building an effective marketing strategy requires patience; however, a mistake many businesses make is that “they are looking for a quick process,” Gouda says. “They are looking to generate revenue on the spot. They do not wait for return on investment,” he says. Ultimately, “they confuse marketing and sales.”
In reality, the results from your marketing strategy may not be noticeable for months. Researching your target audience, creating consistent messaging in all your marketing materials and exploring free marketing ideas can all help you stay the course.
From Facebook and YouTube to Instagram, TikTok and many more platforms, social media is a great place to market your business. However, trying to build an online presence on multiple channels doesn’t guarantee success.
“Just because a social media outlet or a social media platform exists doesn’t mean you have to use it. If you stretch yourself too thin, you’ll do none of it well,” Fortney says. “Own one. Pick one that’s the best for your business and your product or service, own it.”
After you’ve become successful in managing one platform, consider whether you want to add another social channel to your marketing strategy.
6. Not utilizing free resources
Before paying consultants to help with your marketing strategy, “one resource you should take advantage of is your free agencies,” Castillo Bell says.
The U.S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Centers, Minority Business Development Agencies and community development financial institutions, as well as nonprofit organizations for women, minorities and veteran small-business owners, can all be good options when you need free or low-cost help with your marketing plan.
C&R, a leading public relations agency in the luxury real estate and hospitality industries, is pleased to announce that Cayla Kondo has joined the firm as vice president, of real estate. With an impressive track record of results, leadership, creativity, and strategic execution, Kondo will invigorate the firm’s offerings and drive growth trajectory goals.
Kondo joins C&R most recently from Concord Companies, a vertically integrated real estate corporation based in Beverly Hills, CA with an estimated $1B AUM across the U.S. There, as chief marketing officer, Kondo was responsible for all marketing, branding, and communications for the organization. She executed a full rebrand for the parent company and its seven subsidiaries to attract higher caliber and institutional-quality investors.
“We are very excited to add Cayla to our team and confident she will bring tremendous leadership, high-impact relationships, and a diversified background to our team and clients,” said C&R Co-Founder Spencer Castillo. Caruso, as a leader in its retail, residential, office, hotel, and private club expansion as senior director of Marketing. Cayla was also director of VIP services for Caruso, where she created and implemented extraordinary experiences for the Portfolio’s most valued guests, including A-list celebrities, high-net-worth individuals, heads of state, and global executives.
“We are very excited to add Cayla to our team and confident she will bring tremendous leadership, high-impact relationships, and a diversified background to our team and clients,” said C&R Co-Founder Spencer Castillo. “It was important that the person we hired for this role brought a new perspective, a curated network, and a deep understanding of the luxury real estate consumer to our agency. We are confident we found that in Cayla.”
Kondo brings a roster of experience garnered from 10+ years of marketing and communicating with real estate industry executives, as well as a strong understanding of ultra-high-net-worth individuals. She is intimately familiar with C&R’s clients’ audience(s) and will be a valuable resource for all. Based in Los Angeles, Kondo will lead operations at C&R’s flagship Century City office, overseeing the agency’s real estate portfolio and contributing to the firm’s expansion efforts in new asset classes.
A sampling of current real estate clients within the agency’s portfolio includes Costa Palmas, Kukui’ula, Hualalai Resort, Martis Camp, East West Partners, Punta Mita, Montage International, Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas, Panther National, and Shell Bay, among others. A sampling of long-standing travel clients includes Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Mayakoba, Malibu Beach Inn, Park Hyatt Aviara, Thompson Hotels located in Austin, Nashville, and Palm Springs, and more.
“Joining C&R presents an exceptional opportunity to redefine the art of communication and brand positioning of such high-end properties,” states Kondo. “I am excited to collaborate with this esteemed team of forward-thinking professionals to optimize our clients’ positioning across the real estate, travel, and golf sectors.”
C&R specializes in three key pillars for its partners: media relations, like-minded brand partnerships, and content development.
Led by former Robb Report Editorial Director and current Travel that Matters podcast host, Bruce Wallin, C&R Content is a full-service creative studio specializing in custom magazines, videos, and more. With clients including The Agency, Montage International, Hualalai, and Costa Palmas, C&R Content is a cornerstone of C&R’s ongoing commitment to providing authentic, thought-provoking value to its real estate clients.
C&R recently expanded its footprint across the country and continues to reinvest in core offices in Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, and Charleston. The firm has newly partnered with a handful of high-profile clients in the hospitality and real estate spaces, including Aero (aviation), Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort by Hyatt, InterContinental Washington D.C. – The Wharf, Four Seasons Private Residences Las Vegas, Andaz Residences Turks & Caicos, Waldorf Astoria Residences Guanacaste, 21C Chicago, and others.
“As we head into our 15th year, we are more committed than ever to investing in top-notch talent, and the addition of Cayla to lead real estate is yet another example of that,” said C&R Co-Founder Pieter Ruig. “We take our client partnerships seriously, and it’s important we continue to deliver best-in-class service, leadership, and results.”
About C&R
Founded in 2009 by Spencer Castillo and Pieter Ruig, C&R is a public relations and content agency representing leading clients in the hospitality, real estate, and golf sectors throughout the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean. With offices in Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, and Charleston, C&R works with the industry’s top journalists, like-minded brand partners, and digital influencers to deliver impactful results that drive awareness and credibility. C&R is innovative and forward-thinking, bringing together fresh ideas with results-driven strategies. Award-winning campaigns span-new build-outs and sales to renovations and openings – always with an eye on generating ROI for the agency’s partners. For more information, please visit www.candrpr.com.
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According to iPropertyManagement, just over one-third of American households are rental units, such as apartments, townhomes and even single-family residences. That means that of the approximately 332 million people residing in the United States, over 110 million rent.
With that many would-be tenants searching for a new rental unit at any given time, criminals will be out there looking for vulnerable people they can con out of their hard-earned money. However, there are some tell-tale signs that someone is trying to scam you in your apartment search.
Here’s what you need to look for so you don’t fall victim to common rental scams.
1. Don’t fall for misleading advertisements
Landlords and property managers often reach a potential renter by posting advertisements about their available units in newspapers, magazines and on a listing website. That translates into an unthinkable number of rental listings highlighting what’s on the market at any given time, not to mention all vacation rental listings out there.
Or, at least, what’s supposedly available. Rental listing scams are rampant, so it’s imperative to know how to differentiate between a legitimate advertisement and one full of lies.
Don’t be fooled by beautiful pictures advertising an apartment that looks perfect before doing your due diligence on all property matches. When searching for the next place to call your own, keep these suggestions in mind to avoid common rental scams.
2. Review apartment rental listings carefully
When reading advertisements, pay attention to the way it’s written. Skip listings with misspelled words, improper abbreviations or incomplete information. Details are important, so be extra wary if an apartment ad has errors, blank spaces or confusing terms.
Those kinds of no-nos are a potential clue the person posting the ad is not advertising a real place for rent. Or, maybe they aren’t really a legitimate landlord.
3. Is a month’s rent too low?
Another common rental scam is creating an environment that’s too good. For example, is the monthly rent unexpectedly low for what’s being promised? If the average cost to live in your dream neighborhood is $2,000 a month for a one-bedroom, be wary of apartments being advertised in the same vicinity for far less.
Seeing is believing, so be sure to tour the rental property before signing a lease. That investment of time could go a long way to preventing rental fraud.
4. Cash is not king for a security deposit or first month’s rent
Run, don’t walk, from any supposed landlord requesting cash for any debt relating to renting a property, like an application fee or a security deposit. Giving cash means it will be difficult to prove the payment was actually made. Therefore, even if the would-be landlord offers to provide a written receipt, that paper means nothing if they request money and the transaction is a rental scam.
Other payment methods
Other tips when paying rent, the security deposit or the first month’s rent include:
Not wiring money. When you wire money, you run the risk of not having enough of a paper trail.
Using the actual payee’s name and phone number on payment apps like Venmo to ensure the money reaches a legitimate destination
Familiarizing yourself with staff personnel to gain reassurance you’re dealing with a legitimate landlord
The more information you have, the better you can protect yourself from the bad people out there trying to engage in rental scams.
5. Avoid landlords who will not meet in person
It’s said a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes, a photo is not always what it seems. Anyone can create and post breathtaking images, its amenities and the surrounding area in an online listing, hoping viewers will like what they see. Therefore, it’s imperative to meet the property manager, landlord or their authorized agent in person before signing on the dotted line.
And, of course, visit the apartment you’re interested in to ensure posted pictures of the abode match the place depicted in the photos. Walking through the rental properties that may become your home is the best way to decide if you like the place. You might feel a vibe you don’t like or realize the available storage space isn’t sufficient for your needs.
Don’t be satisfied with a virtual tour, because the apartment in the video may not be the one you actually rent. If you have to insist on a personal walk-through before renting, you might want to consider walking away instead. This is a sign it could be a rental scam.
Unusual circumstances
A different set of challenges arise when extenuating circumstances prevent a potential tenant from touring a property before renting. One example is if you live out of town and are unable to travel to a new city to visit the apartment prior to signing a lease and moving in. While it’s best to avoid that situation, there are steps to take to decrease the likelihood of falling for a fraudulent listing.
They include:
Asking a friend or relative to check the place out for you
Checking the property address online
Surfing Google Earth for additional details
Requesting the landlord provide references from prior tenants
6. Vet the landlord
Researching a supposed landlord before renting from them can go a long way to preventing fraud.
One way to do that is by checking the website of the county auditor or county recorder where the rental is. That should help you determine who owns the property you want to rent. Be extra careful if it’s difficult to decipher ownership because that could make it easier for someone to perpetrate a fraud.
Hit the internet
While perusing government websites about your would-be landlord, check the criminal courts, too. It could reveal a supposed landlord’s checkered past or their clean background.
Another good place to look online is the county’s municipal court, or wherever you file rental disputes. Does the property owner sue to evict many tenants? How often do they win those cases?
And yet another website to peruse is the Better Business Bureau in the city where the property is or where the landlord has their headquarters. Consumers should report both positive and negative interactions with the business community, so a quick check of their website could reveal whether the landlord or their rental company has ever perpetrated rental scams.
7. Read the lease. Really.
No matter how honest or direct a landlord or property manager might appear, don’t solely rely on a rental listing to decipher what an apartment and its community actually offer.
When you sign a lease, you’re entering into a contract obligating you to perform certain acts, like pay rent on time. The document also explains what the landlord is responsible for, like providing working heat.
If you don’t understand or agree with everything contained in a lease, voice your concerns to the landlord before signing it. It’s too late afterward.
Avoid inexplicable blank spaces on a lease
Don’t sign a lease that’s incomplete. Any missing but pertinent information, such as monthly cost, the rental term and details about who is financially responsible for utilities, are immediate red flags the contact isn’t legitimate.
Rental agreements should also be error-free
A lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord or property manager and a tenant. When a would-be tenant and landlord sign a rental agreement, they enter into a contract requiring certain acts of each of them.
For example, the tenant agrees to pay the rent according to the terms of the contract. The landlord promises to perform whatever the lease promises.
However, a lease pocked with typos, or missing or inaccurate information could be a sign the document is a fraud.
8. Avoid an immediate move-in request
A supposed landlord who insists a potential tenant move in immediately, before a personal walk-through of the place, does not sound legitimate. If nothing else, they sound desperate to rent their unit.
When you tour an apartment and meet the property manager or their representative, they’re meeting with you, too. Normally, an owner takes an interest in who lives in their units. Not taking the time to vet you, as well, should worry you.
Be concerned if they don’t demonstrate that level of concern for their property.
What to do if you’re a victim of rental scams
Unfortunately, despite best efforts not to fall victim to fraudsters, it still happens. If it does, you can fight back.
An initial response is to contact local law enforcement to report the crime. Provide as much information as you can when you contact local authorities to help them in their search for the fraudulent landlord.
Try canceling your method of payment of the security deposit or rent you paid in advance. If you paid cash, you’re out of luck. Using a traceable method, such as a check or credit card, gives you some some recourse to take them to small claims court.
If you wrote a check, contact your bank to determine if somehow, the check was not yet cashed. If it was, report the fraud to your bank. You can also try to stop the payment.
File all the complaints
Don’t forget to file a fraud report with the Federal Trade Commission. While the feds won’t resolve your individual complaint, they use submitted reports to investigate rental scams, unethical business practices and cases of fraud.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center, also known as the IC3, offers another tool for fighting rental fraud. Anyone who believes they’ve been a victim of an Internet crime may file a complaint through that website.
Enjoy a successful apartment search
Finding a great place to live that suits your lifestyle and is affordable is challenging enough, and the prospect of fraud makes it that much more difficult. Create a paper trail of payments for rent or deposits by paying by credit card or check, never by cash. Meet the landlord or their representative personally when you tour the premises and read the written rental agreement thoroughly before signing.
Then, sit back and enjoy your new surroundings.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or financial advice. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal or finance advice as they may deem it necessary.
DuBois native Emily Kelley’s passion for “making a house a home” has been recognized by a national publication. A spread on her kitchen and dining room is featured in the September 2023 issue of Country Sampler magazine.
Kelley, who currently resides in Pittsburgh, graduated from DuBois Area High School in 2000 before leaving the area to finish college. She moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 after her husband, Ryan Kelley, finished his tours in the U.S. military.
After working mainly for nonprofit organizations doing social work, Kelley transitioned to being a stay-at-home mom in 2014, where she currently homeschools her children.
Country Sampler, “a resource for any country decorator,” features country-lifestyle articles, as well as a catalog of decorating products that “provide all the tips and tools you need to make your house a country home,” according to its website. The publication takes viewers inside the homes of country enthusiasts, featuring “room by room home tours,” home decorating tips and authentic and unique styling ideas.
Submitted
Kelley has always loved to decorate their rental homes over the years, she said.
“When my husband and I bought our home in 2012, I could really make things ours,” she said.
Around four years ago, Kelley says she restyled their home, transitioning from a more “boho-style” to “farmhouse, leaning towards a vintage/antique” theme.
She began posting photos of her home decor work on Instagram, and was contacted by photographers with Country Sampler magazine in September 2022.
In October of last year, Country Sampler did a photo shoot at the Kelleys’ home of her fall decor. The photos feature a rustic, farmhouse-style atmosphere, with various items in autumn colors and accents.
For Kelley, decorating their home has been somewhat of a blank canvas she could make all her own.
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“I absolutely love making our home a cozy space,” she said.
She also enjoys the thrill of “junk hunting,” and finding pieces to repurpose, then “styling different spots for different seasons.”
“I’ve always loved art and being creative. Our home has just turned into my canvas to create with.”
The issue featuring the Kelleys’ kitchen and dining room hit the newsstands July 25. Seeing her work in a national publication, she said, feels like a dream.
“I obviously love looking through decor-related magazines,” she said. “Never in a million years would I have expected to see our home featured. It’s an honor to have had them recognize my style and share (it) nationally.”
Shown is an autumn scene in Emily Kelley’s home last October.
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Visit www.countrysampler.com for more on Country Sampler.
Staying at a hotel so famous that it’s printed on a country’s currency isn’t something that was on my travel bucket list. In fact, I didn’t even know that such a hotel existed. But it turns out that the Grand Pacific Hotel in the capital of Fiji is famous enough to earn that honor.
While it’s no longer the most luxurious hotel in the country, the Grand Pacific Hotel is still the go-to hotel for celebrities, politicians and business travelers when visiting the Fijian capital of Suva. Here’s what it’s like to stay at this historic hotel.
During my stay in April 2023, the Grand Pacific Hotel still operated as an independent IHG hotel — not flagged as any particular IHG brand. However, the hotel is in the process of joining the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand.
At the time my wife and I booked our stay, award nights at the Grand Pacific Hotel cost a steady 30,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. As an IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card holder, I received a fourth night free on this stay.
That means my four-night stay only cost 90,000 IHG points. At NerdWallet’s valuation of 0.7 cent per IHG One Rewards point, that’s approximately $630 worth of points.
An equivalent cash booking cost $1,006 total at the time we booked. That means this fourth-night free award booking netted around 1.1 cents per point in value.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The Grand Pacific Hotel is located on harborfront land in the Fijian capital of Suva, surrounded by some of the nation’s most important sites. The hotel is just a few minutes walk from the nation’s seat of power, historic Thurston Gardens and the Fiji Museum.
Directly in front of the hotel, you’ll find Albert Park. This expansive park has hosted dignitaries throughout the years, was the site of the unveiling of the new Fijian flag when the archipelago gained independence from the British and remains a center of Fijian culture.
(Photo by JT Genter)
During our stay, Albert Park constantly bustled with life — from soccer and rugby practices to a cricket tournament featuring teams from all across the island nation.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The Grand Pacific Hotel is located just south of other Suva highlights. The bustling Suva Municipal Market, historic Carnegie Library and shopping streets are all located within a mile.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The Grand Pacific Hotel is the most storied hotel in the country of Fiji — so much so that the hotel is featured on the back of the Fiji $10 bill. Originally opened in 1914, this fittingly named grand hotel has hosted a long list of celebrities. Among the most famous are Queen Elizabeth II during several visits to the once-British colony and Charles Kingsford Smith in his famous “Southern Cross” flight from the U.S. to Australia in 1928.
(Photo by JT Genter)
A display case near the entrance to the hotel displays memoirs of the hotel’s past.
(Photo by JT Genter)
Photos of the hotel’s history line the walls of the original building, with plenty of photos of Queen Elizabeth’s multiple visits fittingly surrounding the so-called Queen Elizabeth Suite.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The hotel maintains a “Wall of Fame” with the many politicians and celebrities who have stayed at the hotel. Next to the Wall of Fame, the hotel hangs a mirror with the label “our most important guest of all.”
Accommodation
(Photo by JT Genter)
The original Grand Pacific Hotel building hosts just 10 so-called “heritage rooms” and suites. These are the classic rooms originally built in 1914 but updated in a 2014 remodel.
(Photo by JT Genter)
However, there’s much more to the Grand Pacific Hotel than just these 10 rooms and suites. A 2014 expansion added the Harbour and Kingsford Smith Wings to the hotel — adding over 100 new rooms. Most of the rooms in the Harbour Wing offer a balcony with an angled view over the pool or harbor.
(Photo by JT Genter)
At the far end of the Harbour Wing are 16 harborfront rooms and suites — eight standard rooms plus eight so-called “Grand Pacific Club” corner rooms.
(Photo by JT Genter)
As a Diamond Elite, I received an upgrade to one of these harborfront rooms, which was dubbed “Daveta” per a sign next to our door.
(Photo by JT Genter)
This harborfront room offered an expansive view of the beautiful — but surprisingly quiet — Suva harbor.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The nice — if a bit plain at first glance — room offered all of the standard amenities you might expect from a hotel room. The king-size bed visibly consisted of two twin beds but was plenty comfortable.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The 42-inch flat-screen TV offered only around a dozen mostly sports-related channels.
(Photo by JT Genter)
A minibar fridge came stocked with around a dozen self-serve drinks. As is customary in Fiji hotels and resorts, the fridge had a carton of complimentary fresh milk for your coffee or tea.
(Photo by JT Genter)
Tucked away in drawers, the hotel provided complimentary teas, French press coffee and even “drinking chocolate” packets.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The closet housed staples such as a blow dryer, safe, laundry bags, hangers, an iron and an ironing board — as well as luxury items, including robes and InterContinental-branded slippers.
(Photo by JT Genter)
The open-design bathroom offered a partially walled shower and refillable Pure Fiji-branded white gingerlily-scented amenity bottles.
Food and beverage
(Photo by JT Genter)
Guests have two options for breakfast: a la carte or a breakfast buffet costing around $20 ($45 Fijian dollars) per person. As an IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite member, I opted for the daily breakfast as my welcome amenity.
(Photo by JT Genter)
Each morning, the buffet breakfast spread was a bit different. However, the expansive buffet always offered more than a half-dozen main dishes — including a couple of vegetarian options and one vegan option — plus fruits, deli meats, cereals, breads, baked goods, salads and juices.
(Photo by JT Genter)
If you want something fresh, you can order from a menu of custom-made egg dishes.
(Photo by JT Genter)
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the eggs Benedict I ordered a couple of mornings.
(Photo by JT Genter)
On Thursday and Friday evenings, the Grand Pacific Hotel offers tapas complete with a live band out on the veranda.
(Photo by JT Genter)
Thankfully, our stay overlapped with the events and we could enjoy a selection of reasonably priced tapas and local Fijian beer.
(Photo by JT Genter)
Our appetite not quite suppressed, my wife and I split a bowl of kokoda — the Fijian national dish.
Pool
(Photo by JT Genter)
The Grand Pacific Hotel pool is located adjacent to the Heritage and Harbour Wings. This long but rather simple pool is open from dawn to dusk.
Fitness center
(Photo by JT Genter)
The Grand Pacific Hotel fitness center was located next to the spa. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., the fitness center has several stationary bikes, treadmills, a rowing machine, free weights and various weight machines.
Spa
(Photo by JT Genter)
The Grand Pacific has a full-service Bliss Spa on-site. During our visit, the spa offered reasonably priced specials including:
60-minute table massage: around $54 ($120 Fijian dollars).
45-minute hot stone therapy: around $61 ($135 Fijian dollars).
30-minute foot massage: around $20 ($45 Fijian dollars).
50-minute pedicure or manicure: around $27 ($60 Fijian dollars).
(Photo by JT Genter)
After a long day of walking around Suva (and then a shower), my wife and I opted for one of the 30-minute foot massages. The therapists adapted to our pressure preferences and provided a wonderful massage.
🤓Nerdy Tip
You cannot charge gratuities to the room. While tips generally aren’t expected in Fiji, you might want to have cash on hand in case you want to tip your therapist.
Wi-Fi
Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the internet in Fiji can understandably be spotty — even at some of the top resorts on the islands.
Thankfully, Wi-Fi was not an issue at the Grand Pacific Hotel. While not particularly speedy, the Wi-Fi was solid throughout our stay. A Wi-Fi speed test reflected download and upload speeds of around 10 Mbps.
Business center
(Photo by JT Genter)
Need a place to get some work done? The Grand Pacific Hotel offers a business center on the ground floor of the heritage building with a couple of computers, a printer, magazines and newspapers.
If you’re considering staying at the Grand Pacific Hotel
Many foreign tourists stick to Fiji’s excellent resorts when visiting the island nation — as my wife and I did on a previous trip and much of this trip.
However, if you want a true taste of Fijian culture, I recommend basing your visit to the Fijian capital at the Grand Pacific Hotel.
(Top photo by JT Genter)
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