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Here’s why that happens and what it means. Please note: correlation does not imply causation and past performance is not indicative of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. I used Ahrefs…Read more ›View the full article

Does anyone else feel like generative AI has plateaued? Remember 2022, when text-to-image generators like Midjourney and DALL-E debuted? I think we all contributed to melting a glacier or two with our gleeful exploration of these platforms. Once I mastered writing prompts that resulted in images beyond the realm of "uncanny valley meets ’80s airbrush poster art"—an aesthetic AI favors—I was enamored. My prompts became consistent enough that Denver-based artist Jared David Paul asked me to collaborate to create prompts describing sculptures he’d made. The final AI-generated visuals were printed and exhibited alongside the sculptures. They were strange and imperfect, but there was an undeniably compelling relationship between the physical objects and the AI-produced images. Then, in late 2022, ChatGPT, a large language model (LLM), was publicly released. Suddenly, the future—for better or worse —had arrived. Schools banned AI, and headlines warned of doom for copywriters and novelists. With 22 years as a visual designer, art director, and animator, staying relevant is an important focus for my career. Rather than waiting for AI to make me obsolete, I dove in. I’ve found AI useful for planning a trip to Alaska, retouching images in Photoshop, rapid wireframing in Figma, and refining work documents. In 2023, I enrolled in "Artificial Creativity" at Parsons School of Design. There, I learned about the historical foundations of human creativity and how AI might succeed or fall short in replicating these traits. I have embraced AI as a tool, accepting that it could eventually mean the dissolution of my career and many others. I hold out hope that, as taxpayer bases diminish, governments will enact laws to protect workers or offer universal basic income (UBI) so we can be unemployed without becoming unhoused. Little attention is paid to workers losing their jobs, but attention will be unavoidable when no taxes are being collected. I am writing specifically about the generative AI and LLMs proliferating in the creative industries. I know very little about AI for medical or manufacturing purposes for instance and would not want to make statements that I cannot support. I believe those tools as well as the “agents” many tech companies are currently working on are indeed advancing at an impressive rate. The tools I am most familiar with are Midjourney, DALL E, ChatGPT, Claude and Adobe’s Firefly, which can be found natively in Adobe creative apps. I’ve been exploring DeepSeek. Its UI is intuitive, and it seemingly matches ChatGPT’s capabilities while being open-source, 30x cheaper to train, and 95% less resource-intensive. I’ve even gone so far as to build my own GPT. I trained an AI career coach on Machiavelli’s The Prince. War and business aren’t so different! Once the knowledge base is there, it doesn’t devolve. Unlike humans, AI won’t forget something it learned before. These technologies haven’t slipped since they were first released, but my question to you is, when using AI, are the results reliable? Recently, I asked Photoshop to remove an image background. Instead, it created a new one featuring a woman beside a robot. Illustrator fared no better when I requested vector art of a motmot bird—a well-documented species. Twenty seconds later, I received a black-and-white image of a man in a suit. This isn’t useful or quirky—it disrupts my workflow. I ended up drawing the bird myself. I probably prefer it that way. I don’t want to be replaced or see the industry flooded with "designers" who are just prompt engineers. For a presumably pro-union audience, that sentiment should resonate. I asked ChatGPT why visual AI lacks the sophistication of language models. It responded with two self congratulatory paragraphs—AI has learned ego from us too! But its key point was: "Unlike text models, which interpret language, visual AI must grasp complex elements like color harmony, spatial balance, and stylistic consistency." Replace "visual AI" with "designer," "illustrator," or "photographer" to see why we remain essential. Writers, I haven’t forgotten you. Great writing captures human depth—emotions, challenges, dreams. AI writing B2B blog copy? Fine. AI writing novels? I’ll suffer a small death. Frankly, I’m relieved AI adoption has been slower than predicted. The tech industry, true to form, pushed unfinished products to market. "Move fast and break things"—what a model! No doubt, tech CEOs and venture capitalists (hoarding supervillains) made obscene amounts of money in the process, but they may also have unintentionally provided us with a delay that will help protect jobs and incomes. AI still lacks nuanced human abilities, keeping us competitive. I’m no Luddite—AI is here to stay. Master relevant tools. Work faster but charge the same. This window won’t last forever. Call it "greedflation" compensation. If you aren’t already, get involved. Shape the conversation. Contact representatives, join the Freelancers Union, and discuss AI with your employer. We must push for protections in creative work, ensuring fair compensation for human labor. Build unique skills that differentiate you from machine-generated work. AI and humans can coexist, but we must foster a market where authenticity and originality are prioritized. Together, we can lead the way for the responsible integration of AI and create an industry where technology complements, rather than replaces, human creativity. View the full article

Does anyone else feel like generative AI has plateaued? Remember 2022, when text-to-image generators like Midjourney and DALL-E debuted? I think we all contributed to melting a glacier or two with our gleeful exploration of these platforms. Once I mastered writing prompts that resulted in images beyond the realm of "uncanny valley meets ’80s airbrush poster art"—an aesthetic AI favors—I was enamored. My prompts became consistent enough that Denver-based artist Jared David Paul asked me to collaborate to create prompts describing sculptures he’d made. The final AI-generated visuals were printed and exhibited alongside the sculptures. They were strange and imperfect, but there was an undeniably compelling relationship between the physical objects and the AI-produced images. Then, in late 2022, ChatGPT, a large language model (LLM), was publicly released. Suddenly, the future—for better or worse —had arrived. Schools banned AI, and headlines warned of doom for copywriters and novelists. With 22 years as a visual designer, art director, and animator, staying relevant is an important focus for my career. Rather than waiting for AI to make me obsolete, I dove in. I’ve found AI useful for planning a trip to Alaska, retouching images in Photoshop, rapid wireframing in Figma, and refining work documents. In 2023, I enrolled in "Artificial Creativity" at Parsons School of Design. There, I learned about the historical foundations of human creativity and how AI might succeed or fall short in replicating these traits. I have embraced AI as a tool, accepting that it could eventually mean the dissolution of my career and many others. I hold out hope that, as taxpayer bases diminish, governments will enact laws to protect workers or offer universal basic income (UBI) so we can be unemployed without becoming unhoused. Little attention is paid to workers losing their jobs, but attention will be unavoidable when no taxes are being collected. I am writing specifically about the generative AI and LLMs proliferating in the creative industries. I know very little about AI for medical or manufacturing purposes for instance and would not want to make statements that I cannot support. I believe those tools as well as the “agents” many tech companies are currently working on are indeed advancing at an impressive rate. The tools I am most familiar with are Midjourney, DALL E, ChatGPT, Claude and Adobe’s Firefly, which can be found natively in Adobe creative apps. I’ve been exploring DeepSeek. Its UI is intuitive, and it seemingly matches ChatGPT’s capabilities while being open-source, 30x cheaper to train, and 95% less resource-intensive. I’ve even gone so far as to build my own GPT. I trained an AI career coach on Machiavelli’s The Prince. War and business aren’t so different! Once the knowledge base is there, it doesn’t devolve. Unlike humans, AI won’t forget something it learned before. These technologies haven’t slipped since they were first released, but my question to you is, when using AI, are the results reliable? Recently, I asked Photoshop to remove an image background. Instead, it created a new one featuring a woman beside a robot. Illustrator fared no better when I requested vector art of a motmot bird—a well-documented species. Twenty seconds later, I received a black-and-white image of a man in a suit. This isn’t useful or quirky—it disrupts my workflow. I ended up drawing the bird myself. I probably prefer it that way. I don’t want to be replaced or see the industry flooded with "designers" who are just prompt engineers. For a presumably pro-union audience, that sentiment should resonate. I asked ChatGPT why visual AI lacks the sophistication of language models. It responded with two self congratulatory paragraphs—AI has learned ego from us too! But its key point was: "Unlike text models, which interpret language, visual AI must grasp complex elements like color harmony, spatial balance, and stylistic consistency." Replace "visual AI" with "designer," "illustrator," or "photographer" to see why we remain essential. Writers, I haven’t forgotten you. Great writing captures human depth—emotions, challenges, dreams. AI writing B2B blog copy? Fine. AI writing novels? I’ll suffer a small death. Frankly, I’m relieved AI adoption has been slower than predicted. The tech industry, true to form, pushed unfinished products to market. "Move fast and break things"—what a model! No doubt, tech CEOs and venture capitalists (hoarding supervillains) made obscene amounts of money in the process, but they may also have unintentionally provided us with a delay that will help protect jobs and incomes. AI still lacks nuanced human abilities, keeping us competitive. I’m no Luddite—AI is here to stay. Master relevant tools. Work faster but charge the same. This window won’t last forever. Call it "greedflation" compensation. If you aren’t already, get involved. Shape the conversation. Contact representatives, join the Freelancers Union, and discuss AI with your employer. We must push for protections in creative work, ensuring fair compensation for human labor. Build unique skills that differentiate you from machine-generated work. AI and humans can coexist, but we must foster a market where authenticity and originality are prioritized. Together, we can lead the way for the responsible integration of AI and create an industry where technology complements, rather than replaces, human creativity. View the full article

US tech giant says it has harnessed a new state of matter to create the basic building blocks of a quantum machineView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless earbuds are down to $54.99 (their lowest price, according to price-tracking tools) on Woot, a massive drop from their usual $179.99. This deal runs for the next three days or until stock runs out, and if you’re a Prime member, shipping is free (otherwise, you’ll have to shell out an extra $6, and shipping isn’t available to Alaska, Hawaii, or PO boxes). Additionally, they come with a two-year Sennheiser manufacturer warranty, so you're covered if anything goes wrong. Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless Earbuds $54.99 $179.99 Save $125.00 Get Deal Get Deal $54.99 $179.99 Save $125.00 Available in black, these earbuds come with four sizes of silicone ear tips for a more comfortable and snug fit. They use Bluetooth 5.2 and support multiple codecs, including AAC, AptX, and AptX Adaptive for high-fidelity playback (though LDAC is missing). Plus, their 7mm dynamic drivers push a 5Hz to 21kHz frequency range, delivering a well-balanced sound signature—the bass hits hard without distortion, and the highs remain crisp even at high volumes. The touch controls are well-designed—a single tap on the left earbud toggles transparency mode, while the right earbud handles playback. Double and triple taps manage track navigation (backward on the left, forward on the right) and voice assistants, respectively. If that doesn’t work for you, the companion app lets you customize controls. The Smart Control app also includes EQ adjustments, though the three-band EQ is somewhat basic, according to this PCMag review. Noise cancellation on the CX Plus is above average, especially for a budget-friendly pair. It does well with low-frequency sounds like plane engines, and cuts down mids and lows in crowded spaces, but higher-pitched noises reportedly leak. Battery life is rated at around eight hours per charge, with the case adding another 16 hours (your mileage may vary). And, with an IPX4 rating, they can handle sweat and light rain; if you need something more waterproof, though, the Jabra Elite 7 Pro ($154.99) might be a better choice, though it costs nearly three times as much. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I am a manager on a team where there are two managers and five individual contributors: Buffy, Cordelia, Xander, Willow, and Anya. Buffy and Willow are very good friends. They joined the team at around the same time, about two years ago. Cordelia joined the team just under a year ago and quickly got adopted by Buffy and Willow as “one of the gang.” They have similar tastes and are always lending each other books, talking about shared interests, etc. Xander has been in and out of the team, but is well integrated socially with the others. Anya joined the team straight out of college in September. She had been an intern here during college, but on a different team. She enjoyed it enough to want to come back when she was hired permanently after graduation. She said she was looking forward to joining our team because it skews young (Buffy, Cordelia, and Xander are all in their 20s and Willow is in her 40s but acts younger). Before Anya joined, Buffy, Willow, and Cordelia were vociferous about how excited they were and how they wanted her to feel like a member of the team. Unfortunately, they have certain habits that exclude Anya (for example, they all go for coffee together but Anya only drinks tea). There was also an incident a couple of months ago where Anya was catching up with an old contact from her internship days, without knowing that this contact was Cordelia’s ex-boyfriend. There was nothing inappropriate about Anya and Cordelia’s ex having a catch-up meeting, and indeed I would have encouraged Anya if I knew, because it’s good for her to have a wide network. But apparently the others found out when they saw the meeting in Anya’s Outlook and gave her a bit of a hard time, possibly insinuating that she was trying to date the ex herself (which there is no evidence of). (I have only thirdhand information about this incident and only one side of the story.) Anya has been very unhappy almost since she started, but hadn’t said anything to me or the other manager. She told someone from her previous team about it, and that person spoke to his manager, who spoke to the other manager in our team, so it’s now all come out. According to the manager in that team, Anya was very outgoing during her internship, but the other manager and I have found her reserved from day one on our team, which we just assumed was her personality. I think there may be some feedback loops going on where Anya is quiet and the others forget she’s there and don’t include her, which leads her to withdraw further. I spoke to Anya today, and she is desperately unhappy and wants to move to a different team. The other manager and I think we can address it with Buffy, Willow, and Cordelia. We think that if they knew they were making Anya feel excluded, they would change their behavior. We wouldn’t make it a disciplinary issue or anything, but more ask what they can do to change the dynamic. (We’re also agreed that if they’re told about the behavior and continue to make Anya feel excluded, that could become a disciplinary issue, but right now they seem to be completely unaware.) The difficulty is that Anya doesn’t want us to talk to the team members because she thinks it will rebound on her. I have told her that unless I identify the problem/pattern with them and ask them for help in solving it, it’s not going to magically get any better. I have also pointed out that working in a medium-sized company, she could move now only to find that later she has to work with one of the others and that will be harder if things don’t get addressed now. The other manager and I are also concerned that moving would reflect badly on Anya, particularly because new graduates in our company normally stay in their first role for two years. Anya seems paranoid that the others are gossiping about her, but aside from the ex-boyfriend incident, I think they are probably being self-absorbed, not mean. Last week, we had a work social event and Anya left early without saying much. The next morning, Cordelia contacted me to find out if I knew why Anya had left early and if she was feeling okay. So I do have evidence that team members care about Anya and want her to feel included (even if their behavior isn’t making that happen). Anya is clear that she doesn’t blame me or the other manager and acknowledges that she could have spoken to us directly and earlier. But she also wants to leave the team and get a fresh start. I have told her that even if she leaves, we probably need to address the situation with the other team members so no one is treated the way she has been treated in the future. She said she will go away and think about it, but if she doesn’t want us to speak to the other team members, can/should we do it anyway? Would it be better to let her have the fresh start (even if it looks bad to the team/other managers)? Can I help her be more resilient? I hope you didn’t promise Anya that it’s her call whether you talk to the others about what’s happening, because as the team’s manager you need to be able to talk about team dynamics that concern you, even if Anya doesn’t want you to. That said … I can’t really tell what’s going on! Are Buffy, Cordelia, Xander, and Willow being cliquish and exclusionary, or is Anya not meshing with the team for other reasons? Aside from the ex-boyfriend thing — which was really inappropriate, which I’ll say more about in a minute — it doesn’t sound like they’ve been actively exclusionary (it’s not like getting coffee together needs to exclude tea drinkers!). Maybe there’s more to it than what’s described in your letter, but based on what’s here it sounds like they’re just a pretty close group, and (a) that can be legitimately hard for a new person to break into, (b) especially if they’re not the sort who’s willing to actively jump in but rather waits to be invited, but (c) that doesn’t necessarily mean that the others did anything wrong. It might be a matter of them just needing to be more aware that because they’re so close, that’s a tough dynamic for a new person to come into, and so if they want future hires to feel welcome, they need to go out of their way to actively include them, more than they have been. And that’s a message that’s important for you to deliver, even if Anya doesn’t want you to — because it affects your team as a whole, not just her, and because it will affect other hires in the future. However, if Anya doesn’t want you to raise it, you should be sensitive to that in the way you approach it. Stress that these are your observations, not something Anya asked you to address, and ask people to prioritize not making Anya feel awkward as things move forward. (Also, you do need to address the ex-boyfriend thing if you haven’t already. There’s nothing inappropriate about Anya talking with someone from another team — and even if she started dating the ex, that’s something Cordelia and her coworkers would need to handle professionally. You need to call that out and ask them to remember that workplace rules are what apply when they’re at work, even if they might have different expectations of people in their personal lives.) Back to Anya. If she wants to leave the team, you shouldn’t stand in the way of that. You can suggest she give it a little time before deciding, to see if things change now that you’re aware of the situation, but ultimately if she’s not happy, leaving might be the right choice for her — and that’s true even if we think she should give her current team more of a chance. If it’s really true that changing jobs before two years would reflect badly on her internally, you should explain how that’s normally perceived so she has all the information and can make the right decision for herself — but she does get to decide it herself, even if you think she’s making the wrong choice. I do wonder if some of your concern is about feeling you will have failed if she leaves over this … and I do think there’s an important lesson here about paying more attention to team dynamics and how new hires are adjusting, and being more proactive about helping them become part of the team. For example, knowing that you have a close-knit team that might be hard for newcomers to break into, can you look for opportunities to connect your next new hire with people individually? Even just “Willow, could you take Anya to coffee and tell her about your experience with X?” and similar suggestions can really change people’s experience in this regard. But meanwhile, you can’t change what’s already happened and Anya gets to do what she decides is right for her. View the full article

Kentucky Fried Chicken is being uprooted from its ancestral home state in a shake-up announced Tuesday by its parent company that will relocate the chain’s U.S. corporate office to Texas. The food chain now known as KFC—launched by Colonel Harland Sanders and his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices—will be based in Plano, Texas, and about 100 KFC corporate employees will be relocated in the next six months, said Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. The relocation of KFC’s corporate office from Louisville brought a quick response from political leaders in Kentucky. “I am disappointed by this decision and believe the company’s founder would be, too,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement. “This company’s name starts with Kentucky, and it has marketed our state’s heritage and culture in the sale of its product.” Beshear, a Democrat, said he hopes Yum rethinks moving KFC employees out of Kentucky. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg also expressed disappointment with the corporate reshuffling of workers to Texas, noting that the brand “was born here and is synonymous with Kentucky.” Yum said the move is part of its broader plans to designate two brand headquarters in the U.S.—in Plano and Irvine, California. KFC and Pizza Hut will be headquartered in Plano, while Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain based in Irvine, the company said. Yum added that 90 U.S.-based employees who have worked remotely will be asked to eventually relocate to the campus where their work occurs. Yum and the KFC Foundation will maintain corporate offices in Louisville, the company said. The governor and mayor said they were grateful those jobs are being retained in Kentucky’s largest city. “I’ve asked to meet with the Yum CEO soon and am heartened Yum will retain its corporate headquarters and 560 employees here,” Greenberg said in his statement. “I will work tirelessly with Yum’s leadership to continue growing its presence in Louisville.” Employees being shifted will receive relocation and transition support, the company said. Yum said that designating two brand headquarters is meant to foster greater collaboration among its brands and employees. “These changes position us for sustainable growth and will help us better serve our customers, employees, franchisees and shareholders,” Yum CEO David Gibbs said in a news release. Yum also announced it would provide a $1 million endowment to the University of Louisville’s College of Business to fund Yum-sponsored scholarships. And the company said KFC will continue its brand presence in Louisville with the goal of building a first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant. KFC’s ties to Kentucky run nearly a century deep. In 1930, at a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, Sanders began feeding travelers and spent the next nine years perfecting his blend of herbs and spices, as well as the basic cooking technique, KFC’s website says. And the goateed entrepreneur’s likeness is known globally, having been stamped on KFC restaurant signs and chicken buckets. There are now over 24,000 KFC outlets in more than 145 countries and territories around the world, the brand’s website says. —Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press View the full article

Overall home loan application activity fell 6.6% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, with volume resembling the frigid start to the year. View the full article

Freelancers often encounter unique challenges regarding retirement savings, primarily due to the fluctuating nature of their income. In fact, according to Statistica, on average, self-employed individuals receive an old-age pension that is only 79% of what their employed counterparts earn within OECD countries. This disparity accentuates the need for freelancers to take proactive measures to ensure financial stability in their later years. Starting early and having a solid plan are crucial to achieving long-term financial security. This article will explore essential lessons every freelancer should know about retirement savings. Start Early and Stay ConsistentOne of the most convincing reasons to start saving for retirement early is the power of compound interest. When you invest your money, not only do you earn interest on your initial principal, but you also earn interest on the interest that accumulates over time. This snowball effect can significantly enhance the growth of your savings, resulting in a much larger sum by retirement age. Delaying retirement savings can be risky; even a few years can mean less time for your investments to compound. A late start necessitates higher contributions later on, which can strain your finances, especially with unpredictable freelance income. Building consistent saving habits, irrespective of income fluctuations, is essential. Even if you can only set aside a small amount monthly, consistently prioritizing retirement savings instills a sense of financial discipline and creates a cushion for the future. Freelancers can still retire comfortably by strategically diversifying their income streams, such as through side gigs, passive income ventures, or part-time work, alongside committing to ongoing professional development for better rates. Ultimately, it’s about making a plan, sticking to it, and leveraging the incredible benefits of compound interest over time. Choose the Right Retirement AccountsFreelancers have several retirement savings options tailored to their unique circumstances, each with distinct benefits. Traditional and Roth IRAs are popular choices. A traditional IRA allows for tax-deductible contributions, while taxes are owed upon withdrawal in retirement. In contrast, a Roth IRA involves contributions made with after-tax dollars that can grow tax-free. For higher-income freelancers, a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA is advantageous. It allows contributions of up to 25% of income, with higher limits than traditional IRAs, making it ideal for those with variable earnings. Another excellent option is the solo 401(k), which combines the benefits of a traditional 401(k) with the flexibility of a self-employed plan. This plan permits both employee and employer contributions to maximize savings potential. Freelancers must stay informed about annual contribution limits and recent changes in self-employed retirement plans, as these can directly impact their savings potential. For example, the annual limit of contributions to an IRA increased from $6,500 to $7,000 in 2024. In addition, high-yield savings accounts can be an excellent option to grow your retirement wealth. While these accounts aren’t as fluid as they may seem, their high interest can be of great value for creating a robust retirement fund. Budgeting and Planning for Inconsistent IncomeWhen you're self-employed, developing a structured approach to retirement savings is essential while managing your unique income fluctuations. One effective strategy is allocating a fixed percentage of your income towards monthly retirement savings. A standard recommendation is 10-15%. To ensure consistency, consider setting up automatic transfers to your retirement account right after you receive payment for a project. This "pay yourself first" approach helps prioritize retirement savings and reduces spending temptation. While saving for retirement is critical, balancing it with building an emergency fund is equally essential. Aim to save at least three to six months' worth of living expenses in a separate account; this financial cushion will help you weather lean months without dipping into your retirement savings. Tax planning is also vital for freelancers, especially when preparing for quarterly tax payments. To avoid surprises at tax time, factor in your savings contributions when estimating your annual income. Set aside a portion of your income — typically 25-30% — for taxes, which enables you to meet your quarterly obligations without straining your budget. By implementing these strategies, you can create a comprehensive financial plan that secures your retirement while maintaining stability during income fluctuations. Avoid Mistakes and Seek GuidanceFreelancers often face various pitfalls when saving for retirement, one of which is overestimating future earnings. It is crucial to set realistic financial expectations, as income can fluctuate significantly. Relying solely on Social Security for retirement income is another common mistake; benefits are often inadequate for a comfortable lifestyle. Diversifying your income streams through freelance work, investments, and side projects can provide additional financial security. Younger generations, including millennials, should educate themselves about various investment opportunities beyond traditional stocks, such as real estate or peer-to-peer lending. Accessible financial tools like budgeting apps, retirement calculators, and investment platforms can help you track your savings and manage your finances more effectively. Additionally, seeking affordable financial advice from certified professionals or reputable online resources can provide tailored strategies to enhance your retirement plan. ConclusionAs a freelancer, taking proactive steps toward retirement savings is crucial to securing your financial future. Starting small is manageable and can lead to significant growth Over time when combined with consistent contributions. Establishing a dedicated retirement account and regularly setting aside a portion of your earnings creates a safety net that can provide stability during uncertain income periods. Remember, the earlier you begin saving, the more time compound interest has to work in your favor. Stay informed about various investment options and seek professional guidance to strengthen your retirement plan. View the full article

Freelancers often encounter unique challenges regarding retirement savings, primarily due to the fluctuating nature of their income. In fact, according to Statistica, on average, self-employed individuals receive an old-age pension that is only 79% of what their employed counterparts earn within OECD countries. This disparity accentuates the need for freelancers to take proactive measures to ensure financial stability in their later years. Starting early and having a solid plan are crucial to achieving long-term financial security. This article will explore essential lessons every freelancer should know about retirement savings. Start Early and Stay ConsistentOne of the most convincing reasons to start saving for retirement early is the power of compound interest. When you invest your money, not only do you earn interest on your initial principal, but you also earn interest on the interest that accumulates over time. This snowball effect can significantly enhance the growth of your savings, resulting in a much larger sum by retirement age. Delaying retirement savings can be risky; even a few years can mean less time for your investments to compound. A late start necessitates higher contributions later on, which can strain your finances, especially with unpredictable freelance income. Building consistent saving habits, irrespective of income fluctuations, is essential. Even if you can only set aside a small amount monthly, consistently prioritizing retirement savings instills a sense of financial discipline and creates a cushion for the future. Freelancers can still retire comfortably by strategically diversifying their income streams, such as through side gigs, passive income ventures, or part-time work, alongside committing to ongoing professional development for better rates. Ultimately, it’s about making a plan, sticking to it, and leveraging the incredible benefits of compound interest over time. Choose the Right Retirement AccountsFreelancers have several retirement savings options tailored to their unique circumstances, each with distinct benefits. Traditional and Roth IRAs are popular choices. A traditional IRA allows for tax-deductible contributions, while taxes are owed upon withdrawal in retirement. In contrast, a Roth IRA involves contributions made with after-tax dollars that can grow tax-free. For higher-income freelancers, a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA is advantageous. It allows contributions of up to 25% of income, with higher limits than traditional IRAs, making it ideal for those with variable earnings. Another excellent option is the solo 401(k), which combines the benefits of a traditional 401(k) with the flexibility of a self-employed plan. This plan permits both employee and employer contributions to maximize savings potential. Freelancers must stay informed about annual contribution limits and recent changes in self-employed retirement plans, as these can directly impact their savings potential. For example, the annual limit of contributions to an IRA increased from $6,500 to $7,000 in 2024. In addition, high-yield savings accounts can be an excellent option to grow your retirement wealth. While these accounts aren’t as fluid as they may seem, their high interest can be of great value for creating a robust retirement fund. Budgeting and Planning for Inconsistent IncomeWhen you're self-employed, developing a structured approach to retirement savings is essential while managing your unique income fluctuations. One effective strategy is allocating a fixed percentage of your income towards monthly retirement savings. A standard recommendation is 10-15%. To ensure consistency, consider setting up automatic transfers to your retirement account right after you receive payment for a project. This "pay yourself first" approach helps prioritize retirement savings and reduces spending temptation. While saving for retirement is critical, balancing it with building an emergency fund is equally essential. Aim to save at least three to six months' worth of living expenses in a separate account; this financial cushion will help you weather lean months without dipping into your retirement savings. Tax planning is also vital for freelancers, especially when preparing for quarterly tax payments. To avoid surprises at tax time, factor in your savings contributions when estimating your annual income. Set aside a portion of your income — typically 25-30% — for taxes, which enables you to meet your quarterly obligations without straining your budget. By implementing these strategies, you can create a comprehensive financial plan that secures your retirement while maintaining stability during income fluctuations. Avoid Mistakes and Seek GuidanceFreelancers often face various pitfalls when saving for retirement, one of which is overestimating future earnings. It is crucial to set realistic financial expectations, as income can fluctuate significantly. Relying solely on Social Security for retirement income is another common mistake; benefits are often inadequate for a comfortable lifestyle. Diversifying your income streams through freelance work, investments, and side projects can provide additional financial security. Younger generations, including millennials, should educate themselves about various investment opportunities beyond traditional stocks, such as real estate or peer-to-peer lending. Accessible financial tools like budgeting apps, retirement calculators, and investment platforms can help you track your savings and manage your finances more effectively. Additionally, seeking affordable financial advice from certified professionals or reputable online resources can provide tailored strategies to enhance your retirement plan. ConclusionAs a freelancer, taking proactive steps toward retirement savings is crucial to securing your financial future. Starting small is manageable and can lead to significant growth Over time when combined with consistent contributions. Establishing a dedicated retirement account and regularly setting aside a portion of your earnings creates a safety net that can provide stability during uncertain income periods. Remember, the earlier you begin saving, the more time compound interest has to work in your favor. Stay informed about various investment options and seek professional guidance to strengthen your retirement plan. View the full article

To kick off the month, Hulu will be streaming the 97th Oscars, hosted by Conan O'Brien, on Sunday, March 2. The show will be airing on ABC and available to all Hulu subscribers, with red carpet coverage beginning at 3:30 p.m. PT and the award show at 4 p.m. PT. Hulu Original comedy Deli Boys will premiere on March 6 with all 10 episodes of season one. The series stars Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh as Pakistani-American brothers who discover their late father's business, which they are now tasked with, was a front. Also coming to Hulu: the eighth and final season of Roseanne spinoff sitcom The Connors (March 27) and the next season of American Idol (March 10). On the documentary lineup is Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna (March 11), a Hulu original film about the 2021 death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust, when Alec Baldwin fired a live bullet from a prop gun. Good American Family (March 19) is a limited true-crime drama series based on the true story of Natalia Grace (Ellen Pompeo and Mark Duplass star as Natalia's adoptive parents). Finally, there's a new Bill Burr comedy special: Drop Dead Years covers themes like male sadness and dating and will be available on March 14. Here’s everything else coming to (and leaving) Hulu in March. What’s coming to Hulu in March 2025Arriving March 1Akeelah And The Bee (2006) Alien (1979) Alien 3 (1992) Alien Resurrection (1997) Alien Vs. Predator (2004) Alien: Covenant (2017) Aliens (1986) Aliens Vs. Predator - Requiem (2007) The Amateur (1982) American Hustle En Español (2013) American Hustle (2013) The Angry Birds Movie (2016) Anger Management (2003) Big (1988) Birdman Or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance) (2014) Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) Brooklyn (2015) Couples Retreat (2009) Crazy Heart (2010) Dangerous Beauty (1998) Firehouse Dog (2007) Good Will Hunting (1997) High Fidelity (2000) Jojo Rabbit (2019) L.A. Confidential (1997) The Last King Of Scotland (2006) The Legend of Zorro (2005) Life Of Pi (2012) Lincoln (2012) My Cousin Vinny (1992) The Other Guys (2010) The Other Guys En Español (2010) Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018) Predator (1987) Predator 2 (1990) Predators (2010) The Predator (2018) The Princess Bride (1987) Prometheus (2012) Pulp Fiction (1994) Sideways (2004) The Social Network (2010) The Wrestler (2008) Think Like A Man Too En Español (2014) Think Like a Man Too (2014) The Truman Show (1998) 3:10 to Yuma (2007) True Grit (2010) The Ugly Truth En Español (2009) The Ugly Truth (2009) Unbreakable (2000) Wadjda (2013) War Horse (2011) Welcome To The Rileys (2010) Whatever Works En Español (2009) Whatever Works (2009) Wild Target (2010) Arriving March 2The Oscars: Special Premiere Love Again (2023) Love Again En Español (2023) Arriving March 3Sensory Overload Arriving March 4The Gutter (2024) Arriving March 6Deli Boys: Complete Season 1 Arriving March 7The Banger Sisters (2002) Classified (2024) Confessions Of A Shopaholic (2009) Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024) The Inner Portrait (2025) Notes On A Scandal (2006) Arriving March 8Babylon (2022) Babylon En Español (2022) Arriving March 10American Idol: Season 8 Premiere The $100,000 Pyramid: Season 8 Premiere The Benefactor (2015) Ca$h (2010) Hesher (2010) Arriving March 11Last Take: Rust and the Story of Halyna: Documentary Premiere New Life (2023) Arriving March 12Murai In Love: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed) Am I Being Unreasonable?: Complete Season 2 The Conners: Complete Seasons 1-5 Arriving March 13Control Freak: Film Premiere After the First 48: Season 9B American Godfathers: The Five Families: Complete Season 1 Brigham Young: Architect Of Faith: Complete Season 1 Lifetime Presents Women Making History: Complete Season 1 Parents Gone Wild: Complete Season 1 Pawn Stars: Best Of: Complete Season 5 Sentenced to Life: Teen Killers: Complete Season 1 The First 48: Complete Season 26 The Boston Strangler The First 48: Critical Minutes Monster Hunter (2020) Stepmom from Hell Arriving March 14Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years: Special Premiere Fight Club (1999) Force of Nature: The Dry 2 (2024) The Last Of The Mohicans (1992) The Prestige (2006) True Lies (1994) Arriving March 15Premonition (2007) Premonition En Español (2007) The Roundup: No Way Out (2024) The Roundup: Punishment (2024) Arriving March 17The Sabrina Soto Show: Complete Season 1 Anora (2024) Arriving March 18Carol (2015) Exhibiting Forgiveness (2024) Arriving March 19Gannibal: Season 2 Premiere Good American Family: Series Premiere Hyper Knife: Series Premiere (Subbed & Dubbed) Tokyo Revengers: Complete Season 2B (Dubbed) Magi: Compete Seasons 1-2 (Dubbed) Rega Crimson: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed) Arriving March 20O'Dessa: Film Premiere My Strange Arrest: Complete Season 2 Ol' Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys: Complete Season 1 The Proof Is Out There: Alien Edition: Complete Season 1 Rachael Ray in Tuscany: Complete Season 1 Trapped in the Rocky Mountains Arriving March 21The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed) I've Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills: Complete Season 1 (Subbed & Dubbed) Arriving March 22The Jesus Music (2021) Arriving March 23The Machine (2023) The Machine En Español (2023) Arriving March 24Wildflower (2022) Arriving March 25Big Boys: Complete Season 3 Dandelion (2024) Arriving March 26The Conners: Complete Season 6 Arriving March 27The Conners: Season 8 Premiere Alone: Complete Season 11 Biography: WWE Legends: Complete Season 4 Find My Country House: Complete Season 1 Arriving March 28Chosen Family (2024) The Line (2023) Arriving March 31The Fable: Complete Season 1 (Dubbed) Alex Cross (2012) Bachelorette (2012) What’s leaving Hulu in March 2025Leaving March 1Rubikon (2022) Leaving March 2Simulant (2023) Leaving March 3Benedetta (2021) Leaving March 4Lantern's Lane (2021) Leaving March 5Mark, Mary & Some Other People (2021) Leaving March 697 Minutes (2023) Rabbit Academy: Mission Eggpossible (2022) Leaving March 7India Sweets and Spices (2021) Leaving March 11Multiverse (2022) Leaving March 14Bad Therapy (2020) Bayou Caviar (2018) Changeland (2019) Flux Gourmet (2022) Wetlands (2017) You Can't Kill Meme (2021) You Laugh But It's True (2011) Leaving March 15Official Competition (2021) Leaving March 16Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (2021) Leaving March 18Captains of Za'atari (2021) Manifest West (2022) Leaving March 22Section 8 (2022) Leaving March 24Arts, Beats & Lyrics Leaving March 25American Siege (2022) Mass (2021) Leaving March 31Insomnium (2017) Night Raiders (2021) Snakehead (2021) View the full article

Are you looking to make some extra money? If so, you might want to consider Twitch streams. In this article, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make money on Twitch. We’ll cover the different ways that you can monetize your channel, as well as some tips to help you make the most of your streaming career. Let’s get started! How to Start Making Money on Twitch For many Twitch users, the aspiration when they first discover how to make money on Twitch is to eventually earn a full-time income by streaming their favorite games. While reaching this goal can be challenging for many Twitch users, there are several steps you can take to boost your chances of success. Here are a few essential elements you’ll need to begin learning how to make money on Twitch: The right equipment. Before you can start streaming, you will need the right equipment, which includes a quality webcam and microphone, as well as a fast, reliable internet connection. A Twitch account. You will need to create a Twitch account and start streaming on the platform. It’s quick and easy to do! Followers. One of the most important steps you can take is gaining followers on Twitch. The more Twitch users you have following you, the better chance you have of making money. Set up monetization options. Once you have followers, you can set up subscriptions and donations on your Twitch channel. You can also look into sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product sales. Stay consistent. One of the biggest keys to success on Twitch is consistency. Try to stream regularly and provide entertaining content for your viewers. Leveraging Analytics and Insights Utilizing Twitch analytics is crucial for understanding your audience and refining your content strategy. These insights can reveal viewer preferences, peak streaming times, and which content resonates most with your audience. By analyzing this data, you can optimize your streaming schedule, fine-tune your content to better align with viewer interests, and maximize your earning potential. Analytics also help in identifying growth trends and areas for improvement, guiding your efforts to become a more successful streamer on Twitch. Diversifying Content Beyond Gaming While Twitch started as a gaming-focused platform, it has evolved to include a variety of content categories. Diversifying your content to include non-gaming streams, such as Just Chatting, music performances, art creation, cooking shows, or educational content, can attract a broader audience. This diversification not only enhances your visibility on the platform but also opens up new avenues for monetization. Viewers with varied interests might find your non-gaming content appealing, leading to increased followers and subscribers. READ MORE: YouTube Users, Would You Switch to Twitch? Common Ways to Make Money on Twitch There are several methods to monetize your Twitch channel and start generating income from streaming. Below are the most common ways Twitch streamers make money: Become a Twitch Affiliate Through the Twitch affiliate program, Twitch affiliates have the opportunity to generate income from specific games, game sales, and Twitch Bits. Streaming regularly, which is at least seven days with at least three concurrent viewers, and increasing your Twitch affiliate status opens up the Twitch partner program. Start Your Own Twitch Store You can start selling your own merchandise and products on Twitch. This could include T-shirts, mugs, or posters related to your stream. Donations If your Twitch account is so new that you cannot set up subscriptions, then you may consider accepting donations from your viewers. This can be a great way to start earning money on Twitch until you become successful enough to gain subscribers. You can set up donations using a Steamlabs tip page, or using a PayPal donations button. Offer Twitch Subscriptions Subscriptions are one of the most popular ways to make money on Twitch. Offering subscriptions gives paying subscribers extra perks. You can set up three subscription levels at the price points of $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 monthly. Twitch Partner Program With the Twitch Partner Program, you’ll be able to earn a portion of ad revenue generated during your streams. To qualify so you can earn ad revenue, you’ll need to stream regularly, have an established, engaged audience, and be a role model in your Twitch community. You must also stream for a total of 25 hours across 12 different days, maintaining an average of at least 75 viewers. Twitch Bits As a Twitch affiliate, you can earn revenue from Twitch Bits, which is a virtual currency that viewers can use to donate or cheer on streamers. Each Bit is worth 1 cent and streamers can set a minimum amount of Bits each follower can send. Brand Sponsorships and Partnerships As your Twitch channel grows in popularity, you can reach out to businesses to discuss partnerships and sponsorships. Companies are always looking for influencers, so if you have a large enough audience, there are many opportunities available to you. Affiliate Marketing If your stream is focused on a certain niche or game, you can promote products and services related to that topic and earn a commission from each sale. Stream on Multiple Platforms If you want to maximize your earning potential, consider streaming on more than just Twitch. You can stream the same content on your YouTube channel, Mixer, Facebook Gaming, and other streaming platforms. You can even upload YouTube videos of your previous Twitch streams. Coaching and Consulting If you have an established Twitch stream and viewers, you can offer consulting services and coaching. You can charge a fee for these services and help people learn the ins and outs of streaming on Twitch. Upload YouTube Videos of Previous Streams You can also earn money by uploading clips of your streams to YouTube. You’ll earn a portion of the advertising revenue for every view, so the more views your videos get, the more money you can make. To qualify for YouTube’s ad revenue, you need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months. You can also use many of the Twitch monetization methods discussed above on your YouTube channel. Advanced Monetization Strategies As you grow on Twitch, explore advanced monetization strategies to further increase your revenue. Consider hosting exclusive events or streams for subscribers, where you can offer unique content or experiences. Create premium content or behind-the-scenes access for Patreon supporters. Additionally, think about hosting paid workshops or seminars if you have expertise in a particular area. These strategies not only provide additional income streams but also add value to your channel, making it more attractive for viewers to subscribe and engage. READ MORE: Twitch Debuts Pulse: What Is It and What Should Your Small Business Do With It? More Tips for Making Money with a Twitch Channel Many streamers find success by using a combination of these methods. Here are a few more tips to help you make money on Twitch: Use Twitch for marketing. Use your streams to promote your brand and other ventures. This could include linking to your Patreon page, mentioning upcoming events or products, and engaging with your audience. Provide value. If you have in-game experience, unique knowledge, or other valuable information to share, offer value to your viewers and followers. This could include game guides, tutorials on streaming, or advice on a specific game. Get creative. Consider unique and entertaining methods to engage with your viewers that are both enjoyable and captivating. This might involve giveaways, contests, raffles, and other interactive activities. Utilize social media. Cross-promote your Twitch channel on other social media accounts like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to maximize reach and engagement. Mix and match monetization methods. Experiment and see what works best for your channel. Use a combination of all the methods to maximize your earnings. The more streams of income you have, the more successful you’ll be. Tips for Making Money with a Twitch Channel 1. Use Twitch for Marketing - Promote Your Brand: Utilize your streams to promote your brand and other ventures. Link to your Patreon page, mention upcoming events or products, and engage with your audience. 2. Provide Value - Share Valuable Information: If you have in-game experience, unique knowledge, or valuable information to share, offer it to your viewers. Provide game guides, streaming tutorials, or game-specific advice. 3. Be Creative - Engage with Excitement: Interact with your viewers in innovative and exciting ways. Consider hosting giveaways, contests, raffles, and other interactive activities. 4. Utilize Social Media - Cross-Promote: Extend your reach and engagement by promoting your Twitch channel on other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 5. Mix and Match Monetization Methods - Experiment and Maximize Earnings: Try different monetization methods and find what works best for your channel. Combine multiple methods to increase your overall income. Collaborations and Networking Collaborating with other Twitch streamers or influencers can significantly boost your channel’s visibility. Through cross-promotion, you can tap into each other’s audiences, potentially gaining new followers and subscribers. Attend Twitch events, join streamer communities, and actively network to find collaboration opportunities. Collaborations are not just limited to streaming together; they can include joint giveaways, contests, or even creating content for each other’s channels. Networking can also lead to partnerships and sponsorships, providing additional revenue streams. Dealing with Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles Streaming on Twitch can present several challenges, such as market saturation, balancing streaming with personal life, and managing viewer expectations. It’s important to set realistic goals and expectations for your channel. Stay adaptable and open to changing your content or strategy based on viewer feedback and market trends. Maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout. Understand that growth on Twitch can be gradual, and persistence is key. Learning from obstacles and adapting your approach will help you become more resilient and successful in the long run. Long-term Sustainability on Twitch To sustain a successful Twitch channel over the long term, it’s important to continuously evolve your content and adapt to changes on the platform. Keep experimenting with new content ideas to keep your streams fresh and engaging. Stay updated with Twitch’s policies and features to leverage them effectively. Take care of your mental and physical health to avoid burnout. Building a strong, loyal community and diversifying your content and income streams can also provide stability. Remember, a successful Twitch career is a marathon, not a sprint; staying adaptable, creative, and resilient will help you thrive in the dynamic world of live streaming. What Is Twitch? Twitch is a live-streaming video platform focused on video gaming, established in the early 2010s. The site primarily focuses on gamers streaming themselves playing video games but also features live streams of other activities such as creative content and music. Twitch also offers paid subscriptions, which allow users to donate money to streamers and, in return, receive benefits such as emotes, voice chat badges, and other exclusive features. READ MORE: Make Money Selling Games You Stream on Twitch How Do You Make Money on Twitch? What you need to understand right away when learning how to make money on Twitch is that you need to appeal to your Twitch audience. The best way to do this is by streaming content that they are interested in. You can also monetize your channel by using paid subscriptions and donations from viewers. Building and Engaging with Your Community The success of a Twitch streamer largely depends on their ability to build and maintain a strong community. Engage with your viewers during streams, respond to comments, and create an inclusive environment. Utilize polls, Q&A sessions, and interactive games to keep viewers involved. Regularly interact with your community outside of Twitch through social media platforms, Discord servers, or community events. Building a loyal and engaged community not only boosts your viewership but also increases the potential for subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships. How Much Money Can Twitch Streamers Make? This is a common question among Twitch users who are exploring how to make money on Twitch. Given the large number of Twitch streamers, it can be challenging to determine precisely how much money one can earn. It depends on your audience size, the monetization methods you use, and your willingness to put in the time and effort necessary to build an engaged community. Popular Twitch streamers can easily make thousands of dollars per month, and some even more than that. It all depends on your dedication and willingness to work hard. How Do You Qualify to Become a Twitch Partner? To qualify for the Twitch Partner Program, you’ll need to have an established and engaged audience, stream often (25 hours a week on 12 different days) with at least three concurrent viewers, and be a positive role model in your community. You’ll also need to keep up with all of Twitch’s rules and guidelines. Once you’ve reached these requirements, you can apply for the Partner Program and start monetizing your streams with Twitch ads. How Many Followers Do You Need on Twitch to Make Money? The number of followers you need to make money on Twitch depends on the monetization methods you use. Some advertisers require a minimum of 1,000 Twitch followers before they’ll consider partnering with your channel. On the other hand, monetizing through subscriptions and donations requires fewer followers. As long as you have an engaged and supportive community, you’ll be able to make money on Twitch. How Do You Get Paid on Twitch? There are various ways Twitch streamers generate revenue. Depending on how you choose to earn money on Twitch will dictate how you’ll be paid. For example, if you are using subscriptions and donations as your primary source of income, you’ll be paid through Twitch directly. Ad revenue typically comes from advertisers, whereas other methods, such as merchandise sales and affiliate links, provide direct payments to you. Make sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of any contract before committing to monetization. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Make Money on Twitch" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Are you looking to make some extra money? If so, you might want to consider Twitch streams. In this article, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about how to make money on Twitch. We’ll cover the different ways that you can monetize your channel, as well as some tips to help you make the most of your streaming career. Let’s get started! How to Start Making Money on Twitch For many Twitch users, the aspiration when they first discover how to make money on Twitch is to eventually earn a full-time income by streaming their favorite games. While reaching this goal can be challenging for many Twitch users, there are several steps you can take to boost your chances of success. Here are a few essential elements you’ll need to begin learning how to make money on Twitch: The right equipment. Before you can start streaming, you will need the right equipment, which includes a quality webcam and microphone, as well as a fast, reliable internet connection. A Twitch account. You will need to create a Twitch account and start streaming on the platform. It’s quick and easy to do! Followers. One of the most important steps you can take is gaining followers on Twitch. The more Twitch users you have following you, the better chance you have of making money. Set up monetization options. Once you have followers, you can set up subscriptions and donations on your Twitch channel. You can also look into sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and product sales. Stay consistent. One of the biggest keys to success on Twitch is consistency. Try to stream regularly and provide entertaining content for your viewers. Leveraging Analytics and Insights Utilizing Twitch analytics is crucial for understanding your audience and refining your content strategy. These insights can reveal viewer preferences, peak streaming times, and which content resonates most with your audience. By analyzing this data, you can optimize your streaming schedule, fine-tune your content to better align with viewer interests, and maximize your earning potential. Analytics also help in identifying growth trends and areas for improvement, guiding your efforts to become a more successful streamer on Twitch. Diversifying Content Beyond Gaming While Twitch started as a gaming-focused platform, it has evolved to include a variety of content categories. Diversifying your content to include non-gaming streams, such as Just Chatting, music performances, art creation, cooking shows, or educational content, can attract a broader audience. This diversification not only enhances your visibility on the platform but also opens up new avenues for monetization. Viewers with varied interests might find your non-gaming content appealing, leading to increased followers and subscribers. READ MORE: YouTube Users, Would You Switch to Twitch? Common Ways to Make Money on Twitch There are several methods to monetize your Twitch channel and start generating income from streaming. Below are the most common ways Twitch streamers make money: Become a Twitch Affiliate Through the Twitch affiliate program, Twitch affiliates have the opportunity to generate income from specific games, game sales, and Twitch Bits. Streaming regularly, which is at least seven days with at least three concurrent viewers, and increasing your Twitch affiliate status opens up the Twitch partner program. Start Your Own Twitch Store You can start selling your own merchandise and products on Twitch. This could include T-shirts, mugs, or posters related to your stream. Donations If your Twitch account is so new that you cannot set up subscriptions, then you may consider accepting donations from your viewers. This can be a great way to start earning money on Twitch until you become successful enough to gain subscribers. You can set up donations using a Steamlabs tip page, or using a PayPal donations button. Offer Twitch Subscriptions Subscriptions are one of the most popular ways to make money on Twitch. Offering subscriptions gives paying subscribers extra perks. You can set up three subscription levels at the price points of $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 monthly. Twitch Partner Program With the Twitch Partner Program, you’ll be able to earn a portion of ad revenue generated during your streams. To qualify so you can earn ad revenue, you’ll need to stream regularly, have an established, engaged audience, and be a role model in your Twitch community. You must also stream for a total of 25 hours across 12 different days, maintaining an average of at least 75 viewers. Twitch Bits As a Twitch affiliate, you can earn revenue from Twitch Bits, which is a virtual currency that viewers can use to donate or cheer on streamers. Each Bit is worth 1 cent and streamers can set a minimum amount of Bits each follower can send. Brand Sponsorships and Partnerships As your Twitch channel grows in popularity, you can reach out to businesses to discuss partnerships and sponsorships. Companies are always looking for influencers, so if you have a large enough audience, there are many opportunities available to you. Affiliate Marketing If your stream is focused on a certain niche or game, you can promote products and services related to that topic and earn a commission from each sale. Stream on Multiple Platforms If you want to maximize your earning potential, consider streaming on more than just Twitch. You can stream the same content on your YouTube channel, Mixer, Facebook Gaming, and other streaming platforms. You can even upload YouTube videos of your previous Twitch streams. Coaching and Consulting If you have an established Twitch stream and viewers, you can offer consulting services and coaching. You can charge a fee for these services and help people learn the ins and outs of streaming on Twitch. Upload YouTube Videos of Previous Streams You can also earn money by uploading clips of your streams to YouTube. You’ll earn a portion of the advertising revenue for every view, so the more views your videos get, the more money you can make. To qualify for YouTube’s ad revenue, you need at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months. You can also use many of the Twitch monetization methods discussed above on your YouTube channel. Advanced Monetization Strategies As you grow on Twitch, explore advanced monetization strategies to further increase your revenue. Consider hosting exclusive events or streams for subscribers, where you can offer unique content or experiences. Create premium content or behind-the-scenes access for Patreon supporters. Additionally, think about hosting paid workshops or seminars if you have expertise in a particular area. These strategies not only provide additional income streams but also add value to your channel, making it more attractive for viewers to subscribe and engage. READ MORE: Twitch Debuts Pulse: What Is It and What Should Your Small Business Do With It? More Tips for Making Money with a Twitch Channel Many streamers find success by using a combination of these methods. Here are a few more tips to help you make money on Twitch: Use Twitch for marketing. Use your streams to promote your brand and other ventures. This could include linking to your Patreon page, mentioning upcoming events or products, and engaging with your audience. Provide value. If you have in-game experience, unique knowledge, or other valuable information to share, offer value to your viewers and followers. This could include game guides, tutorials on streaming, or advice on a specific game. Get creative. Consider unique and entertaining methods to engage with your viewers that are both enjoyable and captivating. This might involve giveaways, contests, raffles, and other interactive activities. Utilize social media. Cross-promote your Twitch channel on other social media accounts like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to maximize reach and engagement. Mix and match monetization methods. Experiment and see what works best for your channel. Use a combination of all the methods to maximize your earnings. The more streams of income you have, the more successful you’ll be. Tips for Making Money with a Twitch Channel 1. Use Twitch for Marketing - Promote Your Brand: Utilize your streams to promote your brand and other ventures. Link to your Patreon page, mention upcoming events or products, and engage with your audience. 2. Provide Value - Share Valuable Information: If you have in-game experience, unique knowledge, or valuable information to share, offer it to your viewers. Provide game guides, streaming tutorials, or game-specific advice. 3. Be Creative - Engage with Excitement: Interact with your viewers in innovative and exciting ways. Consider hosting giveaways, contests, raffles, and other interactive activities. 4. Utilize Social Media - Cross-Promote: Extend your reach and engagement by promoting your Twitch channel on other social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 5. Mix and Match Monetization Methods - Experiment and Maximize Earnings: Try different monetization methods and find what works best for your channel. Combine multiple methods to increase your overall income. Collaborations and Networking Collaborating with other Twitch streamers or influencers can significantly boost your channel’s visibility. Through cross-promotion, you can tap into each other’s audiences, potentially gaining new followers and subscribers. Attend Twitch events, join streamer communities, and actively network to find collaboration opportunities. Collaborations are not just limited to streaming together; they can include joint giveaways, contests, or even creating content for each other’s channels. Networking can also lead to partnerships and sponsorships, providing additional revenue streams. Dealing with Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles Streaming on Twitch can present several challenges, such as market saturation, balancing streaming with personal life, and managing viewer expectations. It’s important to set realistic goals and expectations for your channel. Stay adaptable and open to changing your content or strategy based on viewer feedback and market trends. Maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout. Understand that growth on Twitch can be gradual, and persistence is key. Learning from obstacles and adapting your approach will help you become more resilient and successful in the long run. Long-term Sustainability on Twitch To sustain a successful Twitch channel over the long term, it’s important to continuously evolve your content and adapt to changes on the platform. Keep experimenting with new content ideas to keep your streams fresh and engaging. Stay updated with Twitch’s policies and features to leverage them effectively. Take care of your mental and physical health to avoid burnout. Building a strong, loyal community and diversifying your content and income streams can also provide stability. Remember, a successful Twitch career is a marathon, not a sprint; staying adaptable, creative, and resilient will help you thrive in the dynamic world of live streaming. What Is Twitch? Twitch is a live-streaming video platform focused on video gaming, established in the early 2010s. The site primarily focuses on gamers streaming themselves playing video games but also features live streams of other activities such as creative content and music. Twitch also offers paid subscriptions, which allow users to donate money to streamers and, in return, receive benefits such as emotes, voice chat badges, and other exclusive features. READ MORE: Make Money Selling Games You Stream on Twitch How Do You Make Money on Twitch? What you need to understand right away when learning how to make money on Twitch is that you need to appeal to your Twitch audience. The best way to do this is by streaming content that they are interested in. You can also monetize your channel by using paid subscriptions and donations from viewers. Building and Engaging with Your Community The success of a Twitch streamer largely depends on their ability to build and maintain a strong community. Engage with your viewers during streams, respond to comments, and create an inclusive environment. Utilize polls, Q&A sessions, and interactive games to keep viewers involved. Regularly interact with your community outside of Twitch through social media platforms, Discord servers, or community events. Building a loyal and engaged community not only boosts your viewership but also increases the potential for subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships. How Much Money Can Twitch Streamers Make? This is a common question among Twitch users who are exploring how to make money on Twitch. Given the large number of Twitch streamers, it can be challenging to determine precisely how much money one can earn. It depends on your audience size, the monetization methods you use, and your willingness to put in the time and effort necessary to build an engaged community. Popular Twitch streamers can easily make thousands of dollars per month, and some even more than that. It all depends on your dedication and willingness to work hard. How Do You Qualify to Become a Twitch Partner? To qualify for the Twitch Partner Program, you’ll need to have an established and engaged audience, stream often (25 hours a week on 12 different days) with at least three concurrent viewers, and be a positive role model in your community. You’ll also need to keep up with all of Twitch’s rules and guidelines. Once you’ve reached these requirements, you can apply for the Partner Program and start monetizing your streams with Twitch ads. How Many Followers Do You Need on Twitch to Make Money? The number of followers you need to make money on Twitch depends on the monetization methods you use. Some advertisers require a minimum of 1,000 Twitch followers before they’ll consider partnering with your channel. On the other hand, monetizing through subscriptions and donations requires fewer followers. As long as you have an engaged and supportive community, you’ll be able to make money on Twitch. How Do You Get Paid on Twitch? There are various ways Twitch streamers generate revenue. Depending on how you choose to earn money on Twitch will dictate how you’ll be paid. For example, if you are using subscriptions and donations as your primary source of income, you’ll be paid through Twitch directly. Ad revenue typically comes from advertisers, whereas other methods, such as merchandise sales and affiliate links, provide direct payments to you. Make sure to carefully review the terms and conditions of any contract before committing to monetization. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Make Money on Twitch" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Most other tallies are down by around 7 percent. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Most other tallies are down by around 7 percent. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Welcome to our weekly Search Engine Land series – Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every Wednesday, I highlight a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it, all in a quick 3-minute read. Let’s explore a powerful tool that can help your Google Search ads stand out and improve your click-through rates: keyword insertion. This is the closest thing we have to a “hack” in Google Ads, so be sure you’re not missing out on this tactic! I’ll cover: What is keyword insertion? Why should you use keyword insertion? How to use keyword insertion Best practices for keyword insertion and common pitfalls to avoid What is keyword insertion? Keyword insertion is a feature that dynamically inserts the keyword that triggered your ad into your ad copy. This means your ad headline, description and/or display path can include the exact keyword that matches to the user’s search, making your ad more relevant and attention-grabbing. Think of it like a form letter where the recipient’s name is automatically inserted. The letter itself stays the same, but that personal touch makes it more likely to be read. Why should you use keyword insertion? The main benefit of keyword insertion is improved click-through rates. Because you’re inserting the keyword into the ad itself, users are likely to perceive your ad as being highly relevant to what they’re looking for – ergo, it increases the likelihood of them clicking. Keyword insertion also saves you time and effort. Instead of creating separate ads for each keyword variation, and potentially using dozens of ad groups to do so, you can use keyword insertion to automatically tailor your ad copy to many keywords with just one ad. How to use keyword insertion Keyword insertion is only compatible with Responsive Search Ads – not dynamic search ads, not display or video ads, not Performance Max or Demand Gen or anything other than standard Search. To use it, you’ll need to add a special piece of code to your ad headline, description, or display path. The code looks like this: {keyword:default text} Let’s break it down: keyword. This tells Google Ads to insert the keyword here. default text. This is the text that will be displayed if the keyword can’t be inserted, the “fallback” option. For example, if the keyword is too long for the character requirement. You can also control the capitalization of the inserted keyword by adjusting how you write “keyword” in the code: Keyword. Sentence case (e.g., “Running shoes for women”) KeyWord. Title case (e.g., “Running Shoes For Women”) keyword. Lowercase (e.g., “running shoes for women”) Best practices for keyword insertion and common pitfalls to avoid Here are a few important things to know when using keyword insertion: Don’t use misspellings as keywords. They might end up in your ad copy. Be mindful of competitor keyword targeting. Keyword insertion can and will insert your competitor’s name into your ad text, if your competitor’s name is one of your keywords. It’s your responsibility to make sure you comply with Google Ads policies and local laws. In fact, it’s always a good idea to review your ads and ensure they make sense with the inserted keywords and adhere to Google Ads policies. Keyword insertion is just one of the dynamic insertion tools available in Google Ads. You can also use location insertion and countdown insertion to further customize your ads with highly relevant messaging. All in all, keyword insertion is a simple yet powerful tool to improve your Google Ads performance. If you haven’t tried it yet, experiment with keyword insertion and see if it helps you drive higher click-through rates, higher Quality Score and lower costs. View the full article

Sit with clients early and address good and bad financial situations to help them make smart tax decisions. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

Sit with clients early and address good and bad financial situations to help them make smart tax decisions. Quick Tax Tip With Art Werner CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Art Werner. View the full article

Disney+ is checking its superhero box in March with the premiere of Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again (March 4), the 13th series set in the MCU with Charlie Cox reprising his role as Matt Murdock (Daredevil), blind lawyer by day and vigilante superhero by night. Episodes will drop on Tuesdays beginning March 4. Also coming in March are additional episodes of the emotion-packed Pixar miniseries Win or Lose (weekly on Wednesdays) and the twelve remaining episodes of season two of Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (March 19). A new Disney+ original comedy film is premiering at the end of the month. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip (March 28) is a sequel to the 2014 film Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, based on Judith Viorst's children's book of the same name. The second installment stars Eva Longoria as Alexander's mother alongside Jesse Garcia, Paulina Chávez, Cheech Marin, and Thom Nemer, who plays the titular character. Finally, Disney+ will get the six-part NatGeo docuseries David Blaine Do Not Attempt, filmed during the performer's trip around the world to explore culture through magic. Two installments will premiere each on March 24 and March 31 (with the final two to follow hopefully in April). Here's everything coming to Disney+ in March. Disney Plus series with new episodes weekly in March 2025Marvel Television’s Daredevil: Born Again—new episodes on Tuesdays beginning March 4 Win or Lose—new episodes weekly on Wednesdays David Blaine Do Not Attempt—new episodes on Mondays beginning March 24 Movies and complete series/seasons coming to Disney Plus in March 2025Arriving March 3Malawi Wildlife Rescue (S2, 6 episodes) Arriving March 5Morphle: Shorts (S1, 15 episodes) Primos (S1, 9 episodes) Arriving March 12Disney Jr.’s Ariel (S1, 4 episodes) Port Protection Alaska (S8, 10 episodes) Meet the Pickles: The Making of Win or Lose Arriving March 19Life Below Zero (S23, 20 episodes) Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (Season 2) Arriving March 22Animals, They’re Just Like Us! (S1, 6 episodes) Arriving March 26Morphle and the Magic Pets: Shorts (S1, 10 episodes) Arriving March 28Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip—Disney+ Original premiere Hulu + ESPN content coming to Disney+ in March 2025Like last month, Disney+ subscribers will also have access to select content from Hulu and ESPN in March, including live streams of sporting events like the NHL Stadium Series, The Players Championship, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Texas Children's Houston Open, and the NWSL Opening Weekend matches. Here are a few of the other titles coming to Disney+: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Castle King of the Hill American Horror Story Tell Me Lies Feud Bohemian Rhapsody Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) Alien Predator College GameDay Pardon the Interruption The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny No Scope: The Story of FaZe Clan Dude Perfect: A Very Long Shot Black Girls Play Motorcycle Mary Long Beach Lifeguards View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article

Google announced new creative tools in Google Ads, leveraging its Imagen 3 AI model to generate lifestyle imagery across Performance Max, Demand Gen, Display, and Apps campaigns. How it works. Advertisers can input specific prompts like “middle-aged man chopping carrots,” with options to customize age, gender, race, and ethnicity while maintaining control over final image selection. Key features: Text-to-image AI generation for humans – a first for Google Ads. Asset-audience recommendations to improve ad targeting. Asset testing for Performance Max campaigns with feed-only strategies. AI-generated image suggestions coming soon for even faster creative development. The big picture. AI-assisted ad creation is evolving rapidly, with Google introducing safeguards to prevent misuse: No AI-generated brand-name products No politicians or celebrities No minors No explicit or sensitive content All AI-created images labeled with SynthID Why we care. Google’s latest AI-powered update enables businesses to generate images featuring humans, dramatically reducing the cost and time traditionally required for lifestyle photo shoots while offering unprecedented flexibility in creating diverse, targeted ad creative. The ability to generate custom human images on-demand means advertisers can quickly test different demographics and scenarios in their ads, potentially improving campaign performance Between the lines. Google is walking a fine line between automation and advertiser control. Marketers can guide image generation with prompts while maintaining final approval over creatives. Bottom line. Google’s expansion of AI-generated ad content could significantly cut production time and costs while keeping ad content within strict safety parameters. View the full article

GoPro, Inc. has unveiled a series of updates to its 360 video ecosystem, including the reintroduction of the refreshed MAX 360 camera, an upgraded mobile editing experience in the GoPro Quik App, and a new GoPro Reframe plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. These updates enhance both mobile and desktop editing workflows, providing AI-powered tracking, advanced keyframing, and cinematic effects. GoPro’s MAX 360 camera now features a 5.6K spherical video capability, a longer-lasting MAX Enduro Battery, and a new mounting system compatible with standard ¼-20 tripod mounts. The camera is available for purchase at $349.99 MSRP. Quik App Introduces AI-Powered 360 Editing GoPro has overhauled the Quik App’s 360 editing capabilities, making it easier for users to edit MAX footage with new features such as: AI-Powered Object Tracking: Automatically keeps a selected subject in focus for the duration of the clip. Keyframing with Digital Lens Options: Users can precisely adjust framing and change digital lenses for customized edits. CameraFX: Pre-set cinematic movements, such as barrel rolls and backflips, can be applied with a tap. Automatic Transitions: Smoothly combines multiple ReFrame modes throughout an edit. Single Clip Edits: Enables filters, volume adjustments, and color corrections on individual 360 clips. New Frame Grab Tool: Allows users to extract high-quality still images from 360 videos. “MAX never misses—and that’s why it’s the go-to 360 camera for the world’s most creative athletes, adventurers and content creators. Getting ‘the shot’ has never been this easy,” said Nicholas Woodman, Founder and CEO of GoPro. “And with the Quik App’s new 360 editing experience, featuring AI-powered Object Tracking and simplified but powerful editing tools, it’s never been this easy or fun to edit your 360 content into amazing sharable moments.” For professional video editors, GoPro has introduced the GoPro Reframe plugin, bringing 360 editing capabilities to Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. The plugin enables users to adjust angle, position, lens curvature, horizon level, motion blur, and other settings for both 360 and 2D media. GoPro Premium and Premium+ subscribers now have the added benefit of editing 360 footage directly from the cloud, along with unlimited cloud storage. The GoPro MAX 360 camera is available for purchase at GoPro.com and select retailers for $349.99. The Quik App with new 360 editing features is available on iOS and Android, while the GoPro Reframe plugin can be downloaded for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. This article, "GoPro Updates 360 Experience with Refreshed MAX Camera and AI-Powered Editing Tools" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

GoPro, Inc. has unveiled a series of updates to its 360 video ecosystem, including the reintroduction of the refreshed MAX 360 camera, an upgraded mobile editing experience in the GoPro Quik App, and a new GoPro Reframe plugin for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. These updates enhance both mobile and desktop editing workflows, providing AI-powered tracking, advanced keyframing, and cinematic effects. GoPro’s MAX 360 camera now features a 5.6K spherical video capability, a longer-lasting MAX Enduro Battery, and a new mounting system compatible with standard ¼-20 tripod mounts. The camera is available for purchase at $349.99 MSRP. Quik App Introduces AI-Powered 360 Editing GoPro has overhauled the Quik App’s 360 editing capabilities, making it easier for users to edit MAX footage with new features such as: AI-Powered Object Tracking: Automatically keeps a selected subject in focus for the duration of the clip. Keyframing with Digital Lens Options: Users can precisely adjust framing and change digital lenses for customized edits. CameraFX: Pre-set cinematic movements, such as barrel rolls and backflips, can be applied with a tap. Automatic Transitions: Smoothly combines multiple ReFrame modes throughout an edit. Single Clip Edits: Enables filters, volume adjustments, and color corrections on individual 360 clips. New Frame Grab Tool: Allows users to extract high-quality still images from 360 videos. “MAX never misses—and that’s why it’s the go-to 360 camera for the world’s most creative athletes, adventurers and content creators. Getting ‘the shot’ has never been this easy,” said Nicholas Woodman, Founder and CEO of GoPro. “And with the Quik App’s new 360 editing experience, featuring AI-powered Object Tracking and simplified but powerful editing tools, it’s never been this easy or fun to edit your 360 content into amazing sharable moments.” For professional video editors, GoPro has introduced the GoPro Reframe plugin, bringing 360 editing capabilities to Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. The plugin enables users to adjust angle, position, lens curvature, horizon level, motion blur, and other settings for both 360 and 2D media. GoPro Premium and Premium+ subscribers now have the added benefit of editing 360 footage directly from the cloud, along with unlimited cloud storage. The GoPro MAX 360 camera is available for purchase at GoPro.com and select retailers for $349.99. The Quik App with new 360 editing features is available on iOS and Android, while the GoPro Reframe plugin can be downloaded for Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects. This article, "GoPro Updates 360 Experience with Refreshed MAX Camera and AI-Powered Editing Tools" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Unpack the role of AI Overviews in SEO. Get essential data on their triggers, traffic impact, and how to rank in these dynamic search results. The post The Impact Of AI Overviews On SEO [Analysis Of 19 Studies] appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Modern workspaces being confined to traditional office settings are becoming more of a distant memory by the second. Distributed teams, remote work, and hybrid models have become increasingly prevalent, increasing demand for robust virtual collaboration tools that foster seamless teamwork. View the full article