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However, over the past months, some SEOs discovered that ChatGPT may have secretly pivoted to using Google instead. These were all one-off experiments. So, I wondered if it was possible for us to find out the ‘truth’ using data instead.…Read more ›View the full article

Find out how much local SEO costs, what affects the price tag, and what marketers say is worth paying for. View the full article

SEO visibility is how likely it is for users to see & click on your site in organic search results. View the full article

WE experience a tsunami of chaos in our environment, creating cross-pressures to achieve what appear to be contradictory goals at the same time. The solution is what Robert E. Siegel calls Systems Leadership. “Leaders face pressure to do opposing things at the same time, which can make them feel like no matter what they do or how well they do it, they are getting it all wrong.” The Systems Leader by Robert Siegel is based on systems thinking as made accessible in Peter Senge’s classic book The Fifth Discipline. In it, he “emphasized the interplay of actions and reactions between components of any kind of system, and the importance of studying those relationships holistically, not as isolated parts.” Systems Leadership incorporates strategies to reframe and learn how to master five key dimensions of cross-pressures that most leaders find themselves embroiled in and many fail to confront: Priorities: The need to succeed at both execution and innovation People: The need to project both strength and empathy Sphere of Influence: The need to focus both internally and externally Geography: The need to think both locally and globally Purpose: The need to pursue both ambition and statesmanship Systems Leadership begins with embracing how much you don’t know at any given moment, and gives you a way to move forward with reasonable confidence but not delusional overconfidence. Siegel asserts that many leaders fail to deal with these cross-pressures because they engage in counterproductive behaviors that feel good in the moment. For example, replacing decorum with outrageousness, focusing on trivial goals, ignoring changes you don’t like, and indulging in self-righteousness. Regarding ignoring changes you don’t like, he says some leaders act like nothing has changed, “hoping that the traditional ways of the universe will somehow reassert themselves.” He adds, “Fully understanding the reasons for past successes can help you internalize whether your old ‘playbook’ is still useful for a current or future challenge.” Systems leadership is the “ability to master processes and strategies from different perspectives at the same time.” And to do it consistently in good times and bad. Here is a checklist of principles to guide your systems leadership: A Systems Leader’s Checklist Leader, know thyself. To be able to act intentionally rather than impulsively. “Leadership is the ability to constrain a response to a given stimulus.” Do the hard jobs yourself. You are not so important that you can’t get your hands dirty and model hard work. It’s moral authority. Be brave enough to say, I don’t know. No one has all the answers, nor are you in control of all that is happening. It’s okay. Listen to internal teammates you can trust. You can avoid many mistakes by listening to internal experts. Find trusted partners outside the company. You need trustworthy voices from outside the organization who can tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. Hold two truths at once. “No matter how good things are now, prepare for a challenging future. And no matter how bad things are now, take heart that bad times don’t last forever.” Watch where you spend your time, because the people who report to you are watching. Make time for what matters most. Be mindful of the difference between skill and luck. There are times when your luck mattered more than your skills. “If nothing else, it will bring an awareness that the things you did during your lucky moments are not necessarily the playbook you should copy in the future.” Ask yourself if you’d rehire yourself today for your current job. Are you the best person for your role now? Changing times require new skills. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. * * * View the full article

Learn why events are becoming the ultimate growth channel in 2025, how leading brands win with them, and the trends that will shape 2026 View the full article

Networking doesn’t have to be awkward. Get practical, non-cringey tips for building strong relationships with other marketers that help open doors. View the full article

In my years of experience working in marketing, I’ve learned that the success of a campaign depends on how well a team organizes and executes that idea across different tasks. For this, I use a marketing strategy template to give structure to my campaigns, especially when timelines and deliverables start overlapping. In this article, I… The post 7 Best Marketing Strategy Templates to Hit Deadlines & Campaign Goals appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

Learn how Google SEO works and get step-by-step tips to improve your site’s rankings—perfect for beginners. View the full article

Fix these 9 common internal linking mistakes to improve your SEO, navigation, and user experience. View the full article

Learn how to track your Google AI Mode visibility using Semrush. Analyze competitors, track rankings, and grow your presence in AI search. View the full article

CUJO AI is adding sophisticated customer experience management to its product portfolio. Watch the interview here. The post Interview: CUJO AI acquires Domos for application-level home Wi-Fi user experience optimisation appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

Freelancing gives you creative freedom, but it also means you’re solely responsible for your finances. If you’re a designer, writer, consultant, stylist, or any kind of creative solopreneur, the following strategies will help you keep your money working for you — without the fluff. Build a Real Emergency Fund An emergency fund cushions you against surprise expenses such as medical bills, client payment delays, or sudden equipment replacement. A practical guideline is to save three to six months of living expenses. One effective way to build this fund is to treat your contribution like a monthly bill; set aside a fixed amount each month until you reach the target. Aim for at least three months of expenses as your first milestone; continue to six months once you’ve established the habit.Separate Business and Personal Finances Mixing personal and business expenses is a recipe for confusion and potential tax headaches. The IRS recommends keeping separate bank accounts and records for business and personal use, noting that personal living expenses are generally not deductible. Maintaining distinct checking accounts, credit cards, and bookkeeping records makes tax filing and financial management far easier — and keeps you from accidentally deducting personal costs as business expenses.Track Your Spending Whether you use a spreadsheet, accounting software, or a budgeting app, tracking income and expenses is a non‐negotiable. Knowing exactly how much you earn and spend helps you spot irregular income patterns, anticipate cash‐flow gaps, and make informed decisions about rate or project commitments. Set aside time each week to categorize expenses and reconcile your accounts.Plan for Taxes — Quarterly Unlike employees with taxes withheld from each paycheck, freelancers are required to pay estimated taxes four times a year. The IRS states that you must pay taxes “as you earn or receive income” through withholding or quarterly payments. Failing to do so can result in penalties. Consult with a tax professional to calculate your quarterly estimates and set aside a portion of every payment you receive into a separate tax account.Use Tax‐Advantaged Retirement Accounts Freelancers don’t have employer‐sponsored 401(k)s, but they can still build retirement savings with tax advantages: SEP IRA: You can contribute up to 25% of net earnings from self‐employment (capped at a dollar limit—$70,000 in 2025. Contributions are tax‐deductible, and the account is easy to set up at most brokers. Solo 401(k): Also known as a one‐participant 401(k), this plan is designed for business owners with no employees other than a spouse. It’s exempt from discrimination testing, which simplifies administration. Solo 401(k)s allow both employee and employer contributions, often resulting in higher potential contribution limits than a SEP IRA. You can choose traditional (pre‐tax) or Roth (after‐tax) options depending on your needs.Budget for Irregular Income Freelancer income fluctuates. To smooth the peaks and valleys, build a “base pay” system: Calculate your average monthly expenses and treat that as your baseline salary. When you earn more than your baseline, transfer the excess into a buffer account; during lean months, draw from that buffer to meet your baseline expenses. This discipline helps you avoid over‐spending in high‐income months and panic in low‐income periods.Get the Right Insurance You are your business’s most valuable asset, so protect yourself. Consider health insurance (through a marketplace or association plan), disability insurance to cover income if you’re unable to work, and liability insurance if your work involves physical products or client projects. Insurance isn’t glamorous, but it prevents a single setback from derailing your finances.Final Thoughts Freelancing can be unpredictable, but your finances don’t have to be. By building an emergency fund, separating business and personal finances, tracking your money, paying taxes quarterly, using retirement accounts, budgeting for uneven income, and protecting yourself with insurance, you’ll create a stable foundation for your creative business. Don’t let the freedom of freelancing come at the expense of your future—start implementing these tips today. Sources IRS - Income and Expenses IRS - Estimated Taxes IRS - SEP Contribution Limits View the full article

Freelancing gives you creative freedom, but it also means you’re solely responsible for your finances. If you’re a designer, writer, consultant, stylist, or any kind of creative solopreneur, the following strategies will help you keep your money working for you — without the fluff. Build a Real Emergency Fund An emergency fund cushions you against surprise expenses such as medical bills, client payment delays, or sudden equipment replacement. A practical guideline is to save three to six months of living expenses. One effective way to build this fund is to treat your contribution like a monthly bill; set aside a fixed amount each month until you reach the target. Aim for at least three months of expenses as your first milestone; continue to six months once you’ve established the habit.Separate Business and Personal Finances Mixing personal and business expenses is a recipe for confusion and potential tax headaches. The IRS recommends keeping separate bank accounts and records for business and personal use, noting that personal living expenses are generally not deductible. Maintaining distinct checking accounts, credit cards, and bookkeeping records makes tax filing and financial management far easier — and keeps you from accidentally deducting personal costs as business expenses.Track Your Spending Whether you use a spreadsheet, accounting software, or a budgeting app, tracking income and expenses is a non‐negotiable. Knowing exactly how much you earn and spend helps you spot irregular income patterns, anticipate cash‐flow gaps, and make informed decisions about rate or project commitments. Set aside time each week to categorize expenses and reconcile your accounts.Plan for Taxes — Quarterly Unlike employees with taxes withheld from each paycheck, freelancers are required to pay estimated taxes four times a year. The IRS states that you must pay taxes “as you earn or receive income” through withholding or quarterly payments. Failing to do so can result in penalties. Consult with a tax professional to calculate your quarterly estimates and set aside a portion of every payment you receive into a separate tax account.Use Tax‐Advantaged Retirement Accounts Freelancers don’t have employer‐sponsored 401(k)s, but they can still build retirement savings with tax advantages: SEP IRA: You can contribute up to 25% of net earnings from self‐employment (capped at a dollar limit—$70,000 in 2025. Contributions are tax‐deductible, and the account is easy to set up at most brokers. Solo 401(k): Also known as a one‐participant 401(k), this plan is designed for business owners with no employees other than a spouse. It’s exempt from discrimination testing, which simplifies administration. Solo 401(k)s allow both employee and employer contributions, often resulting in higher potential contribution limits than a SEP IRA. You can choose traditional (pre‐tax) or Roth (after‐tax) options depending on your needs.Budget for Irregular Income Freelancer income fluctuates. To smooth the peaks and valleys, build a “base pay” system: Calculate your average monthly expenses and treat that as your baseline salary. When you earn more than your baseline, transfer the excess into a buffer account; during lean months, draw from that buffer to meet your baseline expenses. This discipline helps you avoid over‐spending in high‐income months and panic in low‐income periods.Get the Right Insurance You are your business’s most valuable asset, so protect yourself. Consider health insurance (through a marketplace or association plan), disability insurance to cover income if you’re unable to work, and liability insurance if your work involves physical products or client projects. Insurance isn’t glamorous, but it prevents a single setback from derailing your finances.Final Thoughts Freelancing can be unpredictable, but your finances don’t have to be. By building an emergency fund, separating business and personal finances, tracking your money, paying taxes quarterly, using retirement accounts, budgeting for uneven income, and protecting yourself with insurance, you’ll create a stable foundation for your creative business. Don’t let the freedom of freelancing come at the expense of your future—start implementing these tips today. Sources IRS - Income and Expenses IRS - Estimated Taxes IRS - SEP Contribution Limits View the full article

As AI tools become more common, they’re changing how people search, delivering direct, personalized answers, often without sending users to other websites. That means digital marketing is shifting—from chasing clicks to building brand visibility and trust right inside the AI’s…Read more ›View the full article

Cloud Wi-Fi management pioneer Plume is radically evolving its tech strategy to serve ISP clients better, the company says. The post Exclusive: Plume reveals new hardware-agnostic & open standards strategy – and releases Wi-Fi 7 SuperPods appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

And here’s the thing: they’re not just looking on Google anymore. People are turning to TikTok for product suggestions, digging through Reddit for brutally honest reviews, and asking ChatGPT for personalized shopping lists and recommendations—often in the middle of conversations…Read more ›View the full article

From sea to shining sea, the United States is a very diverse country – both when it comes to culture and natural beauty. I’ve traveled across the continental United States many times over (you never really realize how big Texas is until you drive through it. Damn that state is big!). I think, just on my roadtrips alone, I’ve spent a collective two years exploring the country. That’s a lot of time and doesn’t even take into account that visit to Portland or Nashville or weekend in Savannah. In short, I’ve seen a lot of this country. And there is a lot worth seeing. In the past, I’ve talked about my favorite restaurants and lessons learned, so it only seems proper to give you a list of the best places to visit in the USA. All these places are near and dear to my heart and really showcase just how special this country is and how many wonderful places there are here. (It took me awhile to narrow down this list!) In no particular order, here’s my detailed list of the best places to visit in the USA: (Note: This list is based only on where I myself have been. There are a lot more breathtaking places I haven’t explored yet, which is why they may not be on this list. It doesn’t mean they aren’t worth seeing. It just means I haven’t been there.) 1. Memphis Gritty, industrial, and a bit run down, Memphis appears like its best days are behind it, but don’t let the rough exterior fool you — the city is still home to some killer food and a vibrant blues music scene. Additionally, there’s Graceland (Elvis’s home) for fans of the King, a big waterfront for walking, and the phenomenal, detailed, and moving Museum of Civil Rights (it’s huge, so don’t rush it!). I enjoyed the city more than I expected and was disappointed when I had to leave. To use a cliché, it’s a hidden gem! WHERE TO STAY IN MEMPHIS: Hostel Memphis – A hip hostel in a century-old building with a fully-equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi. The hostel is also a non-profit that donates 100% of its profit to social justice causes around the city. 2. Austin I love Austin (I actually moved there in 2016 and stayed for several years before returning to NYC). The warm weather, the lively honky-tonks and live music, funky house bars on Rainey Street, amazing hiking and biking trails, and tons of outdoor activities…Austin has it all. Thanks to everything from the growing food truck population to the flagship Whole Foods store with the incredible salad bar (grilled pineapple!), I eat — and eat well — whenever I’m here. The Austin campus of the University of Texas provides a youthful vigor to the city, and its liberal attitude attracts a diverse and eclectic population. In short, you can’t skip Austin, because if you do, I’ll find you and drag you there. WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTIN: Firehouse Hostel – This centrally-located hostel is located in an old firehall from 1885. They have fast Wi-Fi, plenty of chill common areas, and an amazing on-site bar that serves top-notch craft cocktails. For more travel tips on Austin, check out these posts: My Complete Guide to Austin Where to Stay in Austin: My Favorite Neighborhoods 3. New Orleans New Orleans is a city with soul. It’s seen some hard times, but it lives on with a zest for life unmatched by most places. It has a rich and long history (don’t miss taking a haunted walking tour while you’re here) and is filled with scrumptious French-inspired Creole and Cajun food, live jazz music, street performers, and an appreciation for all the temptations of life. Life is lived well here in the Big Easy. You don’t come here to relax — you come here to indulge! In my opinion, New Orleans one of the most eclectic and vibrant cities in the United States. WHERE TO STAY IN NOLA: HI New Orleans – An award-winning hostel with spacious dorms, comfy beds, privacy curtains, and fast Wi-Fi. Everything a budget traveler needs! For more travel tips on traveling New Orleans, check out my suggested itinerary on how to spend your time there! 4. Asheville Asheville is Portland in the North Carolina mountains: full of tasty craft beer, food, and hipsters. I liked the area a lot, including its proximity to some wonderful and scenic mountain hikes such as the Carolina Mountain Trail. Moreover, the town has a lot of parks for those wanting something closer — and be sure to check out the Asheville Botanical Gardens near the university campus. The beautiful Smoky Mountains are a short drive away, and the gigantic Biltmore estate, the largest privately owned home in the US and once home to George Vanderbilt, is on the outskirts of the city. (If you’ve ever seen Downton Abbey, that’s what the house is like! And, if you haven’t, you should! The show is addicting!) WHERE TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE: Bon Paul & Sharky’s Hostel – A laid-back hostel with a spacious front and back porch for relaxing. There’s free parking, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of nearby restaurants and cafes. 5. The Pacific Coastal Drive The drive up the Pacific Coast is considered one of the most scenic in the world. I have to agree. I didn’t travel the whole coast but the portion I drove (San Francisco to Portland) was incredible: sheer cliffs, forests descending to the shoreline, miles of beaches, and giant redwoods. It’s jaw-dropping all the way. Be prepared to make slow progress, as you’ll be pulling over frequently to stop, hike, and admire the view. I especially liked Bandon and Coos Bay, Oregon, and Mendocino, California. 6. Redwood National Park Along the Pacific Coast is Redwood National Park, a large expanse of giant redwood trees filled with picnic areas, places to camp, and miles upon miles of hiking trails. Trails range from easy to strenuous, and there are many loops that head out to nearby beaches. It’s utterly beautiful, awe-inspiring, and humbling in every way. It’s a must for anyone road-tripping around California. WHERE TO STAY IN REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK: View Crest Lodge – Located on the coast in Trinidad, this rustic budget-friendly lodge has basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and TV, and some of their rooms also have full kitchens. It’s a clean, comfy no-frills place to crash for a night. 7. Glacier National Park Even though I visited when most of the park was still closed (it was too early in the year and there was still snow around), I was still stunned by the area: gorgeous snow-capped mountains rising high into the sky; a beautiful, still lake in which to admire those mountains and large glaciers; and hiking trails galore. It was the most mind-blowing place I saw on my trip, and I can understand why everyone raves about it. I can’t recommend a visit there enough. WHERE TO STAY IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: Camping – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You won’t be disappointed. 8. Denver Denver has a mix of outdoor ruggedness and big-city living. It has a huge craft beer scene (be sure to take a beer tasting tour), excellent restaurants (including, Sushi Sasa, one of my favorite sushi restaurants in the world), a large international airport with lots of connections, and proximity to the mountains. It’s clean, and the locals are incredibly friendly. There are few cities in the US I want to live in, but I love Denver enough to say that it’s one of them. WHERE TO STAY IN DENVER: Ember Hostel – This boutique hostel is rated one of the best in the country, offering a swank interior, free jacuzzi, outdoor firepit, comfy beds with blackout curtains, cheap overnight parking, and more. 9. Chicago When the weather is nice, I don’t think there’s a better city in the United States. Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has world-class food (try the deep dish, sushi, and hot dogs), the fun and kitschy Navy Pier, Millennium Park with its famous bean-shaped statue, a kick-ass aquarium, and iconic architecture (be sure to take an architecture tour). And, once the winter deep freeze is over, Chicagoans burst out of their homes to enjoy the summer weather, so there’s a positive, happy vibe emanating through the city. Take advantage of it. WHERE TO STAY IN CHICAGO: HI Chicago – A spacious, clean hostel with female-only dorms, free Wi-Fi, and a great location. The beds are comfy and the common area is huge so it’s easy to meet people. For more travel tips on Chicago, check out these posts: My Ultimate Guide to Chicago Where to Stay: My Favorite Neighborhoods in Chicago 10. New York City The city that never sleeps. ‘Nuff said. I mean, there’s a reason I moved here — and then moved back again after living in Texas. You can’t go wrong here. New York sells itself and there’s nothing I can say here. I know you already want to go. WHERE TO STAY IN NYC: HI NYC – This is one of the biggest and best hostels in the city. It’s super easy to meet people here, they have a chill outdoor patio, and the kitchen is huge so you can cook more meals and save your budget. For travel tips on New York City, check out these posts: The Complete Guide to New York City The Best Walking Tours of New York City My Favorite Places to Eat in NYC How to Spend 4 Days in New York City 11. Natchez I was most surprised by this Mississippi city. I didn’t know anything about it, but Natchez was recommended as a place to see historic 19th-century homes, built by isolated plantation owners wanting to get away in the summer and interact and socialize with each other. As cotton became king, the houses became ever larger and more elaborate. Now, they are historic monuments, and you can tour them while enjoying a view of the Mississippi River. It’s far off the beaten path — and my favorite discovery from my last road trip. WHERE TO STAY IN NATCHEZ: The Beaumont House – If you want to splash out, this recently-renovated B&B in a mansion includes free breakfast and spacious historic rooms as well as modern amenities like Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flatscreen TVs. For more travel tips on Natchez, check out this post on my visit there. 12. Savannah Sitting on Georgia’s coast, Savannah escaped the wrath of the Civil War, allegedly because General Sherman thought it was too pretty to be destroyed. With streets lined with Spanish moss–covered trees, large and inviting parks, and a bustling waterfront, Savannah is a wonderful place to experience the slow pace of the Old South. I had visited this city many, many years ago, but its beauty, Southern comfort food, and tranquility stuck with me over the years. WHERE TO STAY IN SAVANNAH: Thunderbird Inn – This affordable three-star motel is just a short five-minute walk from downtown. Boasting a retro vibe, there’s free coffee and juice every morning, as well as free popcorn available in the lobby. 13. The Grand Canyon Words can’t accurately describe how incredible the Grand Canyon is. It’s breathtaking in so many ways — its sheer size, fantastic depth, red hues, and striking vistas. Most people simply stand at the edge of the canyon and look out across it, but its true size and beauty are best appreciated with a hike down to the bottom. Make the time to hike down to the Colorado River, hike the less visited trails, spend the night, and hike back up for sunset. WHERE TO STAY IN THE GRAND CANYON: Camp – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You’ll need to reserve a spot early though as they disappear fast! For more travel tips on the Grand Canyon, read this post on hiking the canyon. 14. Nashville A little bit country, a little bit tech, Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and rightly so. It’s got a wonderful music scene (including the famous Grand Ole Opry), a growing cocktail bar scene, and some down-home Southern restaurants. There’s not a lot of “touristy stuff” to do here, but what makes this city one of my favorites are the music, the food, the wildly friendly and happy people, and the positive energy the city seems to exude. When you’re here, plan to spend a few hours at the Tennessee State Museum. It goes into great (though sometimes very one-sided) detail about the state’s history, but it’s more exciting than you might think. WHERE TO STAY IN NASHVILLE: Red Roof Inn – While it’s not centrally located, this is one of the city’s few affordable two-star options. A quick 13-minute drive from the Grand Ole Opry, this budget-friendly joint boasts an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and free coffee. For more travel tips on Nashville, check out these posts: Where to Stay: My Favorite Neighborhoods in Nashville The Perfect Nashville Itinerary The Best Hotels in Nashville 15. San Francisco Food of every nature, hipsters, high tech, and a diverse population make San Francisco one of my favorite places to visit. Additionally, it’s close to some wonderful national parks, like Muir Woods, where you can escape the city and go hiking amid giant trees (there are lots of half-day guided tours you can take). San Francisco has so much to do that you need at least four days to really appreciate it. WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO: Green Tortoise – As one of the oldest in town, this hostel is an institution in San Francisco. It offers free breakfast, free dinners multiple times per week, and even a free sauna! It has a huge common room so it’s easy to meet people and has a very fun, social atmosphere. For more travel tips on San Francisco, read these posts: The Complete Guide to San Francisco My Favorite Hotels in San Francisco San Francisco Itinerary: Things to See & Do in 3 Days 16. Miami White sand beaches, Cuban food, wild nightlife, gorgeous people, and amazing warm weather — what’s not to love about Miami! I don’t think I could ever live here, but for a weekend of fun in the sun, Miami is perfect. WHERE TO STAY IN MIAMI: Generator Miami – This hostel has a pool, two restaurants, a bar, and is just minutes away from the beach. It’s massive (there are 8 floors), the beds are more comfortable than the cheap ones you’ll find at the party hostels. For more travel tips on Miami, read these posts: The Ultimate Guide to Miami The Best Hostels in Miami Where to Stay: My Favorite Neighborhoods in Miami 17. San Diego Forever warm and sunny, San Diego’s weather creates a permanently happy population that’s friendly and outgoing and that loves the outdoors — from hiking, days at the beach, or running. And they are always happy to show people their city. The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy seafood restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego. WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO: ITH Adventure Hostel – With a focus on sustainable travel (there’s a vegetable garden and backyard chickens), this chill hostel is very friendly and social. It’s clean, and the water pressure in the showers is decent, and the beds are comfy. (For more hostel suggestions, you can read this post. 19. Lake Tahoe Though the water level of the lake, as well as the flora and fauna around it, is sadly depleted due to the California drought, Lake Tahoe is still nonetheless impressive and beautiful. Ringed by tiny mountain communities, this is a terrific place for hiking and boating in the summer and skiing in the winter. WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE TAHOE: Camping – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You won’t be disappointed. 20. Anywhere in Montana A lot has been written about how stunning Montana is, but it’s all wrong. It’s even better than words can describe. It’s the most crazy beautiful state I’ve ever been to, filled with wondrous mountains and hills as far as the eye can see. The people are super cool, welcoming, and outdoorsy, too. If I had to pick a favorite state, it would be Montana. I just love it. WHERE TO STAY IN MONTANA: Treasure State Hostel – Located in downtown Bozeman, this hotel is quiet, clean, and is home to friendly staff. They organize all kinds of events too, like pub crawls and movie nights, so it’s easy to hang out and meet people. 21. Washington D.C. The capital of the United States is a vibrant, international city, and that’s what I love about it. It’s second only to NYC in diversity of people and food (which is to be expected with so many people from international aid organizations and embassies). You hear a million accents in this town! Throw in the free Smithsonian museums, lots of parks, a riverfront for strolling or running, and some historic government buildings and monuments, and D.C. becomes one phenomenal place to visit, relax, eat, and drink! Be sure to take a tour of Capitol Hill while you’re here! WHERE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON: Highroad Hostel – Offering pod-style bunks, this cool hostel is located in an old Victorian mansion. The beds have thick mattresses, there’s a fully-equipped kitchen, there’s free coffee and tea each day, and they even host a free happy hour each week! For more travel tips on Washington D.C., here are some other articles I’ve written: The Ultimate Guide to Washington D.C. Free Things to do in Washington D.C. 22. Cape Cod I spent a lot of summers on the Cape since it’s where New Englanders escape for the summer. You’ll find plenty of small beach towns along the coast (Provincetown and Hyannis being the most famous but I also love Chatham, Falmouth, Wellfleet, and Brewster). If you’re looking for seafood, beaches, boardwalks, and that perfect family vacation, visit the Cape! WHERE TO STAY IN CAPE COD: Cape Sands Inn – Just a short walk from the beach in West Yarmouth, this three-star property has all the standard amenities (TV, free Wi-Fi), as well as free parking and a relaxing sauna and hot tub. 23. Boston I may be biased because I grew up here, but I love Boston and cherish my visits home. Boston rocks (Go Red Sox!). It’s historic (founded in 1630), small-ish, easy to get around, and filled with awesome and loyal people. It’s home to a ton of activities, like the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the JFK Museum, and the Boston Commons and Public Garden, as well as some of the best Italian and seafood restaurants in the country. Be sure to eat at Zaftigs for the best brunch in the city! It’s wicked! WHERE TO STAY IN BOSTON: HI Boston – This spacious and clean hostel is just a short walk from pretty much everything in the city. They have female-only dorms, free Wi-Fi, and several chill common areas where you can meet other travelers. For more travel tips on Boston, check out these posts: My Detailed Guide to Boston The Ultimate Boston Itinerary Free Things to Do in Boston Where to Stay in Boston: My Fav Neighborhoods The Best Walking Tours in Boston 24. Las Vegas Vegas, baby, Vegas! A lot of people are turned off by the bright lights and gambling, but Vegas is much more than the casinos, expensive clubs, and hotels on the famous Strip. There’s incredible hiking nearby at Red Rocks National Park, a growing art scene, a booming tech scene, and lots of concerts and shows. Get off the Strip, explore the real Vegas (because technically the Strip is located in Paradise, NV, not Las Vegas), and see why people decide to live here. WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS: Sin City Hostel – Just a short walk from the (in)famous Fremont Street, this is a social hostel that hosts all kinds of events (such as bar crawls, pasta & wine nights, BBQs, casino nights, and more). It’s a great place to connect with other travelers. For more travel tips on Las Vegas, these articles can help: My Ultimate Travel Guide to Las Vegas 12 Things to Do in Vegas That Don’t Involve a Casino How to be a High-Roller in Vegas on a Low-Roller Budget 25. Portland Portland, Oregon is incredible. I would move there if it had a bigger airport with better connections. Here you’ll find an impressive food truck scene, cool bespoke bars and cocktail lounges, a craft beer scene that’s a religion to residents, relaxing parks (including a peaceful Japanese garden), a vibrant art scene, and hiking in the nearby mountains. There’s even an underground donut scene here. WHERE TO STAY IN PORTLAND: HI Portland – Northwest – Rated one of the best hostels in the world, this centrally-located HI hostel offers free breakfast, in-house made craft beer, an outdoor courtyard with a firepit, regular live music, and much more. For more travel tips on Portland, read this post on the city. 26. Seattle Home to a little business called Starbucks, it also boasts an exciting downtown, fresh fish, authentic Asian food, art museums, and funky nightlife. In historic Pioneer Square, you can go on an underground tour of the city’s ruins (a hella cool experience). Moreover, you’re right on the water and, weather permitting, can head out onto Elliott Bay to explore some little islands. Seattle is just a cool city. There’s always something to do there, it’s techy, and everyone is relaxed. Plus, there’s craft beer and coffee — what’s not to love about that! WHERE TO STAY IN SEATTLE: Green Tortoise – Located right across from the iconic Pike Place Market, this social hostel organizes all kinds of activities so it’s easy to meet people. They also offer free breakfast and daily events. It’s one of my favorite hostels in the country. For more travel tips on Seattle, read this detailed planning guide! 27. Deadwood Tucked away in western South Dakota, this town was famous during the Old West days, noteworthy enough to be the focus of an HBO series. Sort of kitschy and re-created, it’s nonetheless a very cool place where you can experience a taste of the old frontier days. It’s also conveniently located near the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. WHERE TO STAY IN DEADWOOD: Gold Country Inn – This kitschy hotel is one of the cheapest places in town. Located right downtown, they have a mini gambling hall on-site, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. It’s nothing fancy but it won’t break the bank either. 28. Kansas City I really loved this city, which features some of the world’s best BBQ and a lively downtown. There’s also a detailed and enlightening jazz museum here, as well as the eye-opening Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (that was the actual name; I’m not being racist). I wish I could have spent more time, but that’s just more reason to come back. WHERE TO STAY IN KANSAS CITY: Home2 Suites Downtown – With a fitness center, pool, and a decent breakfast spread, this three-star hotel in downtown KC is one of the more affordable places to crash in the city. 29. Louisville Louisville sits on the Ohio River and is the largest city in Kentucky. I was surprised at how much I liked it and how much there was to do here. There’s an established theatre scene, a handful of museums and galleries, tons of delicious places to eat (it’s a solid foodie city), and all the bourbon you can drink. Louseiville has a laid-back, artsy vibe to it. It feels much more like an Austin or a Portland than your traditional southern/midwest city. In the past, it was considered a fly-over city and was skipped by most people. It’s definitely not now. WHERE TO STAY IN LOUISVILLE: Microtel Inn – While it may be 20 minutes from downtown, this budget-friendly inn is affordable, includes free breakfast and free parking, and has free Wi-Fi. It’s a no-frills choice but clean and comfy. 30. Charleston Charleston is another lively city full of delicious food, fun bars, lots of history, and all the southern charm you’d ever need. It’s beautiful, the people are nice, and there’s a high, high concentration of world-class restaurants for such a small city. (If you love seafood, you’re going to love it here. This is one of the best cities in the country for seafood.) WHERE TO STAY IN CHARLESTON: Charlestons NotSo Hostel – Located in a historic neighborhood, this laid-back hostel includes free coffee/tea and oatmeal and free Wi-Fi. The rooms are small but the beds are perfectly comfy. 31. Franklin Located just outside of Nashville, Franklin is bursting with small-town charm. The city is full of history (there was a major Civil War battle here), a historic main street, and some really delicious bars and restaurants. I didn’t expect much and the city really surprised me. It’s the perfect two-night destination. WHERE TO STAY IN FRANKLIN: The Harpeth Hotel – This upscale property features a restaurant on-site, fitness center, bar, and terrace. If you don’t want to splash out, check Booking.com for other options. *** The United States is filled with too many “must-sees” places to visit to list in a single blog post. After all, the country is home to over 329 million people and covers 3.8 million square miles. Just be sure to turn off the highways, head to the small towns, and discover some favorites of your own. The best of the USA is always away from the major highways in the little no-name towns with little diners, quirky shops, and friendly people! For more travel tips on traveling the USA, read these other blog posts: How Road Trip the USA on a Budget 9 Things I Learned While Driving Across the U.S. Detailed Travel Planning Guide on The United States Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are: SafetyWing (best for budget travelers) World Nomads (best for mid-range travelers) InsureMyTrip (for those 70 and over) Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage) Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals. Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip! Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip. The post My 31 Favorite Places to Visit in the USA appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site. View the full article

In the years since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, it’s been hard not to get swept up in feelings of euphoria or dread about the looming impacts of generative AI. This reaction has been fueled, in part, by the confident declarations of tech CEOs, who have veered toward increasingly bombastic rhetoric. “AI is starting to get better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks,” Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently told Anderson Cooper. He added that half of entry-level white collar jobs might be “wiped out” in the next one to five years, creating unemployment levels as high as 20%—a peak last seen during the Great Depression. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Sam Altman said that AI can now rival the abilities of a job seeker with a PhD, leading one publication to plaintively ask, “So what’s left for grads?”​ Not to be outdone, Mark Zuckerberg claimed that superintelligence is “now in sight.” (His shareholders hope he’s right, as he’s reportedly offering compensation packages worth up to $300 million to lure top AI talent to Meta.) But then, two weeks ago, OpenAI finally released its long-awaited GPT-5, a large language model that many had hoped would offer leaps in capabilities, comparable to the head-turning advancements introduced by previous major releases, such as GPT-3 and GPT-4. But the resulting product seemed to be just fine. GPT-5 was marginally better than previous models in certain use cases, but worse in others. It had some nice new usability updates, but others that some found annoying. (Within days, more than 4,000 ChatGPT users signed a change.org petition asking OpenAI to make their previous model, GPT-4o, available again, as they preferred it to the new release.) An early YouTube reviewer concluded that GPT-5 was a product that “was hard to complain about,” which is the type of thing you’d say about the iPhone 16, not a generation-defining technology. AI commentator Gary Marcus, who had been predicting this outcome for years, summed up his early impressions succinctly when he called GPT-5 “overdue, overhyped, and underwhelming.” This all points to a critical question that, until recently, few would have considered: Is it possible that the AI we are currently using is basically as good as it’s going to be for a while? ​In my most recent article for The New Yorker, which came out last week, I sought to answer this question. In doing so, I ended up reporting on a technical narrative that’s not widely understood outside of the AI community. The breakthrough performance of the GPT-3 and GPT-4 language models was due to improvements in a process called pretraining, in which a model digests an astonishingly large amount of text, effectively teaching itself to become smarter. Both of these models’ acclaimed improvements were caused by increasing their size as well as the amount of text on which they were pretrained. At some point after GPT-4’s release, however, the AI companies began to realize that this approach was no longer as effective as it once was. They continued to scale up model size and training intensity, but saw diminishing returns in capability gains. In response, starting around last fall, these companies turned their attention to post-training techniques, a form of training that takes a model that has already been pretrained and then refines it to do better on specific types of tasks. This allowed AI companies to continue to report progress on their products’ capabilities, but these new improvements were now much more focused than before. Here’s how I explained this shift in my article: “A useful metaphor here is a car. Pre-training can be said to produce the vehicle; post-training soups it up. [AI researchers had] predicted that as you expand the pre-training process you increase the power of the cars you produce; if GPT-3 was a sedan, GPT-4 was a sports car. Once this progression faltered, however, the industry turned its attention to helping the cars that they’d already built to perform better.” The result was a confusing series of inscrutably named models—o1, o3-mini, o3-mini-high, -4-mini-high—each with bespoke post-training upgrades. These models boasted widely-publicized increases on specific benchmarks, but no longer the large leaps in practical capabilities we once expected. “I don’t hear a lot of companies using AI saying that 2025 models are a lot more useful to them than 2024 models, even though the 2025 models perform better on benchmarks,” Gary Marcus told me. The post-training approach, it seems, can lead to incrementally better products, but not the continued large leaps in ability that would be necessary to fulfill the tech CEO’s more outlandish predictions. None of this, of course, implies that generative AI tools are worthless. They can be very cool, especially when used to help with computer programming (though maybe not as much as some thought), or to conduct smart searches, or to power custom tools for making sense of large quantities of text. But this paints a very different picture from one in which AI is “better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks.” For more details on this narrative, including a concrete prediction for what to actually expect from this technology in the near future, read the full article. But in the meantime, I think it’s safe, at least for now, to turn your attention away from the tech titans’ increasingly hyperbolic claims and focus instead on things that matter more in your life. The post What if AI Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This? appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

In the years since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, it’s been hard not to get swept up in feelings of euphoria or dread about the looming impacts of generative AI. This reaction has been fueled, in part, by the confident declarations of tech CEOs, who have veered toward increasingly bombastic rhetoric. “AI is starting to get better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks,” Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently told Anderson Cooper. He added that half of entry-level white collar jobs might be “wiped out” in the next one to five years, creating unemployment levels as high as 20%—a peak last seen during the Great Depression. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s Sam Altman said that AI can now rival the abilities of a job seeker with a PhD, leading one publication to plaintively ask, “So what’s left for grads?”​ Not to be outdone, Mark Zuckerberg claimed that superintelligence is “now in sight.” (His shareholders hope he’s right, as he’s reportedly offering compensation packages worth up to $300 million to lure top AI talent to Meta.) But then, two weeks ago, OpenAI finally released its long-awaited GPT-5, a large language model that many had hoped would offer leaps in capabilities, comparable to the head-turning advancements introduced by previous major releases, such as GPT-3 and GPT-4. But the resulting product seemed to be just fine. GPT-5 was marginally better than previous models in certain use cases, but worse in others. It had some nice new usability updates, but others that some found annoying. (Within days, more than 4,000 ChatGPT users signed a change.org petition asking OpenAI to make their previous model, GPT-4o, available again, as they preferred it to the new release.) An early YouTube reviewer concluded that GPT-5 was a product that “was hard to complain about,” which is the type of thing you’d say about the iPhone 16, not a generation-defining technology. AI commentator Gary Marcus, who had been predicting this outcome for years, summed up his early impressions succinctly when he called GPT-5 “overdue, overhyped, and underwhelming.” This all points to a critical question that, until recently, few would have considered: Is it possible that the AI we are currently using is basically as good as it’s going to be for a while? ​In my most recent article for The New Yorker, which came out last week, I sought to answer this question. In doing so, I ended up reporting on a technical narrative that’s not widely understood outside of the AI community. The breakthrough performance of the GPT-3 and GPT-4 language models was due to improvements in a process called pretraining, in which a model digests an astonishingly large amount of text, effectively teaching itself to become smarter. Both of these models’ acclaimed improvements were caused by increasing their size as well as the amount of text on which they were pretrained. At some point after GPT-4’s release, however, the AI companies began to realize that this approach was no longer as effective as it once was. They continued to scale up model size and training intensity, but saw diminishing returns in capability gains. In response, starting around last fall, these companies turned their attention to post-training techniques, a form of training that takes a model that has already been pretrained and then refines it to do better on specific types of tasks. This allowed AI companies to continue to report progress on their products’ capabilities, but these new improvements were now much more focused than before. Here’s how I explained this shift in my article: “A useful metaphor here is a car. Pre-training can be said to produce the vehicle; post-training soups it up. [AI researchers had] predicted that as you expand the pre-training process you increase the power of the cars you produce; if GPT-3 was a sedan, GPT-4 was a sports car. Once this progression faltered, however, the industry turned its attention to helping the cars that they’d already built to perform better.” The result was a confusing series of inscrutably named models—o1, o3-mini, o3-mini-high, -4-mini-high—each with bespoke post-training upgrades. These models boasted widely-publicized increases on specific benchmarks, but no longer the large leaps in practical capabilities we once expected. “I don’t hear a lot of companies using AI saying that 2025 models are a lot more useful to them than 2024 models, even though the 2025 models perform better on benchmarks,” Gary Marcus told me. The post-training approach, it seems, can lead to incrementally better products, but not the continued large leaps in ability that would be necessary to fulfill the tech CEO’s more outlandish predictions. None of this, of course, implies that generative AI tools are worthless. They can be very cool, especially when used to help with computer programming (though maybe not as much as some thought), or to conduct smart searches, or to power custom tools for making sense of large quantities of text. But this paints a very different picture from one in which AI is “better than humans at almost all intellectual tasks.” For more details on this narrative, including a concrete prediction for what to actually expect from this technology in the near future, read the full article. But in the meantime, I think it’s safe, at least for now, to turn your attention away from the tech titans’ increasingly hyperbolic claims and focus instead on things that matter more in your life. The post What if AI Doesn’t Get Much Better Than This? appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

The end-of-summer slump is real. You’re saying goodbye to all of the joy that summer had to offer, but you haven’t yet shifted into high gear for a productive fall. The result is this weird middle place where you know it’s time to jump into action, and your mind is ready to do so, but The post Stuck in the end-of-summer slump? Here’s how to rebuild your momentum. appeared first on RescueTime Blog. View the full article

Have you ever longed to live in the Tuscan countryside for a year, see the Northern lights and experience the polar night, or work with a Caribbean sea view? Well, now it's easier than ever with the new digital nomad visas. A digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live and work in a foreign country for an extended period. They are temporary residence permits that typically last longer than a regular tourist visa. So, to get you started on your next adventure, here's everything you need to know about digital nomad visas if you want to work remotely in almost every region of the world. We do not mention health insurance in the requirements but assume that it will be required for any of these digital nomad visas and, of course, a valid passport. Last updated: August 2025 AfricaCabo VerdePhoto by Torsten Dederichs on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Self-employed folks from Europe, North America, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), and the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO). ➡ What are the requirements? A minimum average bank balance of €1.500 on the last 6 months, plus some more paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? 6 months (renewable for 6 additional months). Learn more about Cabo Verde's Remote Working Program and apply for the visa here. KenyaPhoto by sutirta budiman on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone working remotely. ➡ What are the requirements? A valid passport, proof of remote work outside Kenya, proof of accommodation within Kenya, a clean criminal record, and a minimum annual income of €50,000. ➡ How long can you stay? No information on this yet. There's been an announcement, but some details are still missing, so check out the Directorate of Immigration Services website for more information. NamibiaPhoto by Sergi Ferrete on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone! ➡ What are the requirements? Proof of income/funds (payslip/employment contract) to sustain yourself, $2,000 monthly income, plus some more paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? 6 months. More details on Namibia's Digital Nomad Visa website. SeychellesPhoto by Jessica Pamp on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone! ➡ What are the requirements? Onward or return ticket, proof of employment provided by your employer or proof that you are a business owner, plus some more paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to one year. Find more details at The Seychelles Workcation Retreat Program website. South AfricaPhoto by kylefromthenorth™️ on Unsplash ➡ Who is eligible? Anyone employed by a foreign company or freelancers with clients outside of South Africa. ➡ What are the requirements? A minimum yearly income of about US$37,500, a clean criminal background check and proof of accommodation in South Africa. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to 36 months. To find out all about the requirements and apply, please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs here. AsiaDubaiPhoto by Emma Harrisova on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone! ➡ What are the requirements? Proof of employment from your current employer (and a contract for at least one year) or proof of ownership of a company and a minimum of $5,000 monthly salary, plus some more paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? One year. Find more information about Dubai and the virtual working program here. JapanPhoto by David Edelstein on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Digital nomads from 49 countries and territories, including the USA, Australia and Singapore. ➡ What are the requirements? Paperwork + an annual income of at least $67,556.80. ➡ How long can you stay? Six months, not renewable. You can reapply for a new digital nomad visa, but only six months after leaving the country. We could not find the link to the official application page of Japan's Immigration Service in English, nor the full list of eligible countries. If you have more information, we'd really appreciate it. Send Vic an email to the email address at the bottom of the article. MalaysiaPhoto by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Digital freelancers, independent contractors, or remote workers with a contract period of 3 months or more. ➡ What are the requirements? At $2,000 monthly income, some paperwork and fees. ➡ How long can you stay? 12 months, and it can be renewed for another 12 months. Learn more about the DE Rantau Nomad Pass here. South KoreaPhoto by Cait Ellis on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Foreign residents working for employers outside of South Korea. ➡ What are the requirements? Proof of income of at least $65,000 per year, and some other documentation, like a criminal record check and health insurance. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to two years. The official communication and more information can be found on Korea's Ministry of Justice website. ThailandPhoto by Evan Krause on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone working remotely for an employer outside of Thailand. ➡ What are the requirements? Proof of income of at least $80,000 per year. ➡ How long can you stay? 10 years (!) Learn more about the Long-Term Residents visa here and check what documents you will need here. TurkeyPhoto by Mar Cerdeira on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone between the ages of 21 and 55, from most EU countries, the UK, USA, Canada, or Russia, with a university degree, are employed self-employed or have a business contract for a company outside of Turkey. ➡ What are the requirements? Annual income of €33,800, along with proof of employment or a business contract and a valid passport. ➡ How long can you stay? Six months to a year, with the possibility of renewal once or twice. Learn more about Turkey's Digital Nomad visa scheme and how to apply here. Central America and the Caribbean AnguillaPhoto by Cory Bjork on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non–nationals employed outside of Anguilla. ➡ What are the requirements? Demonstrate self-employment, employment with a legitimate company or your own company registered and operating outside of Anguilla, in the case of a remote worker, and some other paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? One year (renewable). More information about Anguilla and the application process here and here. Antigua & BarbudaPhoto by Jeison Higuita on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non–nationals employed outside of Antigua and Barbuda. ➡ What are the requirements? Any of the following documents: job letter, salary payments, business license, bank statement, and/or work permit, plus some fees and paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Two years. Learn more and apply here. BarbadosPhoto by Tom Jur on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone! ➡ What are the requirements? An annual income of at least USD$50,000 over the 12 months you intend to have the travel stamp. ➡ How long can you stay? 12 months. Learn more at the very informative Barbados Welcome Stamp website. BelizePhoto by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-Belize nationals employed outside of Belize. ➡ What are the requirements? Proof of employment outside of Belize, a minimum annual income of $75,000 for individuals, plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? 6 months. In this link, you can check your eligibility and learn more about the Work Where You Vacation scheme. BermudaPhoto by Sandra Seitamaa on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non–nationals employed outside of Bermuda. ➡ What are the requirements? Demonstrate self-employment, employment with a legitimate company or your own company registered and operating outside of Bermuda, in the case of a remote worker, and some other paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? One year. More on Work From Bermuda's website. Costa RicaPhoto by Selina Bubendorfer on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Self-employed folks or entrepreneurs only. ➡ What are the requirements? $2,500 monthly or a deposit of $60,000 in a Costa Rican bank account and some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Two years. More information on requirements and how to apply can be found on Costa Rica’s Immigration Website. DominicaPhoto by Nario Esprit on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non–nationals working remotely. ➡ What are the requirements? An income of US$50,000 or more over the next 12 months and/or have the means to support yourself plus fees and some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? 18 months. Learn more about The Work in Nature (WIN) Extended Stay Visa here. MontserratPhoto by Patrick Smith - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0➡ Who is eligible? Non–nationals employed or self-employed outside of Montserrat. ➡ What are the requirements? Annual income of USD$70,000 plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? One year. Check out this website for more information on Montserrat Remote Work Stamp scheme. The BahamasPhoto by Fernando Jorge on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Professionals who are working from home. ➡ What are the requirements? A job letter (from current employer) or proof of self-employment plus some paperwork and application fees. ➡ How long can you stay? One year (can be renewed up to three years). To learn more about the requirements and application process, visit the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) website. North America CanadaPhoto by Sandro Schuh on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Self-employed folks, digital nomads working for foreign employer or tech entrepreneurs/startups. ➡ What are the requirements? They have not been announced yet, from what we have found. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to 6 months; indefinitely if you become employed by a Canadian company or are a tech entrepreneur/startup. More information about Canada’s Tech Talent Strategy requirements and how to apply here. MexicoPhoto by Filip Gielda on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Self-employed folks or entrepreneurs only. ➡ What are the requirements? $1,620 monthly and proof of a bank balance of at least $27,000. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to a year. More information on the Temporary Resident Visa requirements and how to apply can be found here. EuropeCroatiaPhoto by mana5280 on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who are employed or perform work through communication technology for a company or their own company that is not registered in Croatia and do not perform work or provide services to employers in Croatia. ➡ What are the requirements? A minimum of €2.539,31 monthly or €30,000 in the bank if you intend to stay for 12 months, plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to a year Check out Croatia's Ministry of Interior website for more details on how to apply. And our article about our first team retreat in Split :) CyprusPhoto by Datingjungle on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU/EEA countries nationals who can work location independently using telecommunications technology and work for an employer registered abroad or perform work through telecommunications technology for companies or clients located abroad. ➡ What are the requirements? €3,500 net income, monthly, plus paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to a year, with a possibility of renewal for two years. Learn more about the application process at Cyprus' Civil Registry and Migration Department website. Czechia (Czech Republic)Photo by Rodrigo Ardilha on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU/Iceland/Lichtenstein/Norway/Switzerland citizens who intend to run a business or be self-employed. ➡ What are the requirements? €7000 (at least), a trade license for any of the trades included here, plus paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? One year (it can be extended up to a year). More information and the application process here. EstoniaPhoto by Stanislav Rabunski on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Location-independent workers using telecommunications technologies who do not have citizenship or permanent residency in Estonia or the EU. ➡ What are the requirements? €4,500 (gross of tax), plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to a year Learn more about Estonia's digital nomad visa (and the differences and similarities with e-residency) here. GeorgiaPhoto by Jaanus Jagomägi on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? No visa is required if you are a citizen of any of the countries included in this table. ➡ What are the requirements? $2,000 a month or $24k in the bank, plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? 1 year See here for tax information (check out Georgia’s Individual Entrepreneur scheme). GreecePhoto by Matt Artz on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Third-country nationals, self-employed or employed, who work remotely using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with employers or clients outside Greece. ➡ What are the requirements? €3,500 monthly, plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to 12 months, and it can be renewed. Law 4825/2021 (Government Gazette Α' 157/4-9-2021) was issued in 2021. You can read it in Greek here. We could not find an official English translation; if you come across it, please email us, and we'll edit this article. HungaryPhoto by Ervin Lukacs on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU/EEA citizens who work for companies or clients outside of Hungary. ➡ What are the requirements? €2,000 monthly, plus paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to a year and can be renewed for another 12 months. If you can read Hungarian, here's the text of the new legislation (White card bill). IcelandPhoto by Vladimir Riabinin on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EEA/EFTA citizens who are foreign company employees or self-employed workers. ➡ What are the requirements? Around $7,000 monthly, plus paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to 180 days. Find more information and the application link here. ItalyPhoto by Flo P on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU citizens. ➡ What are the requirements? It changes with nationality, but it requires proof of income (at least three times Italy's minimum income level), health insurance, accommodation, and some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Unclear from the website; more than 90 days for sure. For a guide that will help you decide if you need to apply for a visa based on your nationality, country of residence, reasons for your visit, and length of stay, check out this very helpful questionario, with links to resources and application information. LatviaPhoto by Kseniia Samoylenko on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Third-country nationals who can work remotely while residing in Latvia and who are employed or self-employed and registered in an OCED member state. ➡ What are the requirements? €3200 monthly, plus paperwork and health insurance. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to one year, and can be renewed for another year. Check out the Office of Citizenship and Migrations Affairs of Latvia's website for more details. MaltaPhoto by Ostap Senyuk on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU/EEA/Swiss individuals who can work remotely and independently of location, using telecommunications technologies. ➡ What are the requirements? €3200 monthly, plus paperwork and health insurance. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to one year, and can be renewed. Check out this very helpful website for more details on life in Malta and the application process. PortugalPhoto by Paulo Evangelista on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Third-country nationals (non-EU/EEAA citizens) ➡ What are the requirements? €2,820 a month, plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to a year (it can be renewed). Check out the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more information about the types of visas, requirements, and the application process. RomaniaPhoto by Michelangelo Azzariti on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU digital nomads who are either self-employed and registered outside of Romania or work for companies outside of Romania. ➡ What are the requirements? €3,950 monthly (three times the average gross monthly salary in Romania), plus paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to one year. All the details can be found on the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. SloveniaPhoto by Ivan Cujic on Pexels➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU/EEA citizens who are employed or self-employed, working remotely for foreign companies or clients. ➡ What are the requirements? Must be employed by or contracted to a non‑Slovenian company, work as an international freelancer, or be self‑employed serving clients outside Slovenia. Providing services to Slovenian entities is explicitly prohibited. The official threshold of the minimum income is not yet confirmed, but some sources mention €3,200 per month. ➡ How long can you stay? Maximum stay is 12‑months and you cannot renew it immediately. To reapply, you must leave Slovenia and Schengen Area for at least six months after your permit expires. ➡ Launch date: November 21, 2025 As Slovenia’s digital nomad visa is still in development, please refer to the official Slovenian government website for the latest news and updates. SpainPhoto by KreatePix - Yuni Martin on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-EU nationals who work remotely: freelancers or employees. ➡ What are the requirements? An income of €28,000+/year, health insurance, plus some paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? 12 months, and it can be renewed for up to 5 years. To apply, check with your local Spanish embassy or consulate. For more information, visit this website. Svalbard (Norway)Photo by Cezary Morga on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone! ➡ What are the requirements? Svalbard is a visa-free zone; you might need a Schengen visa to enter via Norway/Schengen. You must have the means to support yourself in Svalbard. ➡ How long can you stay? Indefinitely, as long as you can support yourself. Learn more about entry and residence in Svalbard here. And for inspiration and information about life in Longyearbyen from a local, check out Cecilia Blomdahl's videos (not sponsored, I love her videos). The NetherlandsPhoto by Liam McGarry on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone (including self-employed EU citizens). ➡ What are the requirements? € 1,462.41 (gross monthly profit), a business plan, and some more paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Two years. In this link, you can enter your nationality and find the exact requirements and application process relevant to you. OceaniaNew ZealandPhoto by Dan Freeman on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? New Zealand doesn’t offer a specific digital nomad visa but you can work remotely while on a regular visa now. Visa holders must not work for a New Zealand employer, provide goods or services to people or businesses in New Zealand, or do work that requires them to be physically present at a workplace in the country. ➡ What are the requirements? Apply for a standard visitor visa and specify that you will be doing remote work for an overseas employer. ➡ How long can you stay? You can work remotely for up to 90 days; just be sure to stay within the visa’s guidelines. You may be able to extend your visitor visa for up to nine months but check the specific requirements for tax implications if you stay longer. Learn more about working remotely in New Zealand here. South AmericaBrazilPhoto by Luis Diego Aguilar on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Anyone employed by an employer outside of Brazil or self-employed and providing services in countries other than Brazil. ➡ What are the requirements? $1,400 monthly or at least $17,000 in your bank account, plus paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to 12 months, and it can be renewed. Learn more about the application process here. ColombiaPhoto by Anette Bratteberg on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Freelancers or remote workers providing services for companies outside of Colombia, or business owners/entrepreneurs that want to start an IT/Tech business that benefits Colombia. ➡ What are the requirements? Proof of employment outside of Colombia or demonstrate that you are a business owner/entrepreneur, a monthly income of at least $900, plus some more paperwork. ➡ How long can you stay? Two years. Learn more about the requirements and different visas at Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. PerúPhoto by Jessica Knowlden on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Non-Peruvian citizens working remotely for companies based outside of Peru and freelancers. ➡ What are the requirements? More details to come within the next 6 months. ➡ How long can you stay? 365 days, and it can be extended. We'll update this section as soon as we get more details. Perú's legislative decree 1582 became effective on November 15, 2023. However, specific regulations are pending clarification. The Superintendencia Nacional de Migraciones will be responsible for issuing digital nomad visas in Peru. UruguayPhoto by Jared Schwitzke on Unsplash➡ Who is eligible? Folks who are self-employed or work remotely for companies outside of Uruguay. Depending of your nationality, you might need a visa. ➡ What are the requirements? A written statement confirming that you have sufficient means to support yourself, a copy of your personal documents, and a small fee (around 9 euros) that you cannot pay with a foreign bank account, so you might need to be in the country to start the process or ask an Uruguayan friend to help you. ➡ How long can you stay? Up to 180 days. You can submit your application as a nómada digital here. If you need some convincing of why Uruguay is a great option, this YouTube video might help persuade you. This list will be updated periodically. If you have any comments or feedback, please contact Vic. View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Timothy Gallwey on learning to change behavior: “By the word ‘learning’ I do not mean the collection of information, but the realization of something which actually changes one’s behavior—either external behavior, such as a tennis stroke, or internal behavior, such as a pattern of thought.” Source: The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance II. Developer Nicoll Hunt on the first step: “The first step of any project is to grossly underestimate its complexity and difficulty.” Source: Nicoll Hunt * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

If you are a freelancer who gives to charity, there’s good news: recent legislation has reshaped how charitable contributions are treated under federal tax law. The Charitable Act (S.317) and the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), both passed in 2025, introduce new opportunities for tax deductions—especially for those who do not itemize—and new limits for high-income donors. Here is what you need to know to make the most of your giving strategy starting in 2026. A new deduction for non-itemizers: Under the Charitable Act, taxpayers who take the standard deduction can now claim a charitable deduction for cash donations to qualified charities. This is a significant shift from the previous law, which generally required itemizing to receive any charitable deduction. Key details: Deduction limit: Up to one-third of the standard deduction.Eligibility: Applies to cash donations to qualified charities (excluding donor-advised funds and private non-operating foundations).Effective Date: Tax years beginning in 2026 and 2027.If you are a freelancer who typically does not itemize, this change may open the door to meaningful tax savings while helping you support the causes you care about. Essentially, the change is the revival of a popular pandemic-era provision that allowed non-itemizers to deduct up to $300 in charitable donations under the CARES Act. The OBBBA also reinforces this provision with a fixed deduction cap: $1,000 for single filers$2,000 for married couples filing jointlyThis cap is not indexed for inflation, so it is wise to plan your giving accordingly. New charitable deduction limits for itemizers: If you do itemize your deductions, the OBBB introduces two key changes that may affect your tax planning: You can only deduct charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).Example: If your AGI is $100,000, only donations above $500 are deductible.The itemized charitable deductions are now capped at 35 percent of the donation amount for those in the top tax bracket.Example: A $1,000 donation yields a $350 deduction, even if your marginal tax rate is 37%.These changes are designed to encourage more substantial giving while limiting the tax benefits for token donations and ultra-high earners. How the new charitable giving tax laws can benefit freelancers: Bundle donations: Combine multiple years’ donations into one tax year to exceed the 0.5% AGI threshold and maximize deductions.Track AGI carefully: Your AGI now directly affects your deduction eligibility. Consider how business expenses and retirement contributions impact your AGI as well.Give before 2026: If you are in a high tax bracket and planning a large donation, consider accelerating your gift to 2025 to take advantage of the current deduction rates.Consult a tax professional: These changes add complexity to both charitable giving and may also impact on your charitable giving, Consider consulting a specialist in freelance taxes to help you navigate the new rules and optimize your self-employment tax outcomes.The Bottom Line The Charitable Act and OBBB mark a shift toward broader access to charitable deductions while tightening rules for high-income donors. For freelancers, this means new opportunities to give and save—if you plan wisely. Given these and other extensive tax reforms that are now in effect, it is critical to make sure you plan ahead and understand how they will impact your tax situation going forward. Be sure to consult with a tax professional familiar with the new charitable giving and OBBB laws to avoid any unwelcome tax issues next tax season. View the full article

If you are a freelancer who gives to charity, there’s good news: recent legislation has reshaped how charitable contributions are treated under federal tax law. The Charitable Act (S.317) and the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), both passed in 2025, introduce new opportunities for tax deductions—especially for those who do not itemize—and new limits for high-income donors. Here is what you need to know to make the most of your giving strategy starting in 2026. A new deduction for non-itemizers: Under the Charitable Act, taxpayers who take the standard deduction can now claim a charitable deduction for cash donations to qualified charities. This is a significant shift from the previous law, which generally required itemizing to receive any charitable deduction. Key details: Deduction limit: Up to one-third of the standard deduction.Eligibility: Applies to cash donations to qualified charities (excluding donor-advised funds and private non-operating foundations).Effective Date: Tax years beginning in 2026 and 2027.If you are a freelancer who typically does not itemize, this change may open the door to meaningful tax savings while helping you support the causes you care about. Essentially, the change is the revival of a popular pandemic-era provision that allowed non-itemizers to deduct up to $300 in charitable donations under the CARES Act. The OBBBA also reinforces this provision with a fixed deduction cap: $1,000 for single filers$2,000 for married couples filing jointlyThis cap is not indexed for inflation, so it is wise to plan your giving accordingly. New charitable deduction limits for itemizers: If you do itemize your deductions, the OBBB introduces two key changes that may affect your tax planning: You can only deduct charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).Example: If your AGI is $100,000, only donations above $500 are deductible.The itemized charitable deductions are now capped at 35 percent of the donation amount for those in the top tax bracket.Example: A $1,000 donation yields a $350 deduction, even if your marginal tax rate is 37%.These changes are designed to encourage more substantial giving while limiting the tax benefits for token donations and ultra-high earners. How the new charitable giving tax laws can benefit freelancers: Bundle donations: Combine multiple years’ donations into one tax year to exceed the 0.5% AGI threshold and maximize deductions.Track AGI carefully: Your AGI now directly affects your deduction eligibility. Consider how business expenses and retirement contributions impact your AGI as well.Give before 2026: If you are in a high tax bracket and planning a large donation, consider accelerating your gift to 2025 to take advantage of the current deduction rates.Consult a tax professional: These changes add complexity to both charitable giving and may also impact on your charitable giving, Consider consulting a specialist in freelance taxes to help you navigate the new rules and optimize your self-employment tax outcomes.The Bottom Line The Charitable Act and OBBB mark a shift toward broader access to charitable deductions while tightening rules for high-income donors. For freelancers, this means new opportunities to give and save—if you plan wisely. Given these and other extensive tax reforms that are now in effect, it is critical to make sure you plan ahead and understand how they will impact your tax situation going forward. Be sure to consult with a tax professional familiar with the new charitable giving and OBBB laws to avoid any unwelcome tax issues next tax season. View the full article

HubSpot is one of the most popular CRM platforms on the market, and it’s the go-to platform for many sales teams. But while it’s a robust, easy-to-use platform, sometimes you need that HubSpot sales data in a report or a spreadsheet everyone can get access to. For many teams, that’s not possible unless someone copies and pastes data manually from one tool to the other or spends hours cleaning up CSV exports from HubSpot to make that data useful in their spreadsheets. But these aren’t your only options. Unito’s integration for HubSpot and Google Sheets allows you to automatically export HubSpot data to your spreadsheets while keeping everything in sync. That means anything your sales, support, or marketing teams do in HubSpot is reflected in Google Sheets. That’s great for reporting, visibility, and collaboration. With this free template built by Unito, you’ll have a ready-made spreadsheet built specifically for this. Why sales teams need a Google Sheets-HubSpot integration Sales professionals and RevOps experts can rarely work exclusively in HubSpot, especially when they need to collaborate with other teams. Since Google Sheets is such a popular platform, these teams typically rely on an integration between these two tools for: Executive reporting: Sales leaders need comprehensive reports on their pipeline, conversion metrics, and revenue forecasts for board presentations and collaboration with other leaders. These are easier to build and customize in Google Sheets than in HubSpot. Advanced analytics: While HubSpot has built-in analytics, they can be more limited than the advanced formula, graphic, and analysis capabilities available in Google Sheets. Some data needs can only be met by a spreadsheet, and feeding HubSpot data into Google Sheets is the best way to do this without manual work. Cross-functional collaboration: Every team has its tool silos. The sales team might have everything they need in HubSpot, but the marketers, developers, and customer success teams they collaborate with rarely do. Google Sheets serves as a strong transition tool in cross-team workflows. Custom dashboard creation: Sales and RevOps teams often need customized dashboards that combine HubSpot sales data with information from other platforms. Google Sheets can give you one centralized location for all this data. Data backup and historical analysis: Few teams want their data to stay trapped in a single platform. Google Sheets can give you an additional layer of data security while enabling long-term trend analysis with historical data. Get the template Template overview Unito’s free HubSpot-Google Sheets template includes pre-built formulas, formatting, and data structures designed for sales pipeline management and revenue reporting. Here’s an overview of these features. Core template components No matter how you get your data from HubSpot into Google Sheets, you’ll get the following from this template: Sales pipeline overview: Charts break down your pipeline visually by deal counts, values, and more, automatically calculated from synchronized HubSpot data. Deal-tracking dashboard: A list of opportunities and companies give sales leaders a view on what’s in their pipeline at a glance. Revenue forecasting: Automated revenue projections based on deal probability, close dates, and historical conversion rates from your HubSpot data. Sales rep performance: Individual and team performance metrics, including deals closed, stalling deals, and close rates. The Unito impact Unito is a two-way sync platform that lets you build integrations without any code. When you add a Unito integration to HubSpot and Google Sheets, data from your opportunities, contacts, tasks, and more will automatically be synced from HubSpot to your spreadsheets and kept up to date as you work. Here’s what you’ll get with this integration in action: Real-time updates from HubSpot to Google Sheets without manual copying and pasting. Bidrectional sync capability, allowing for updates in both platforms. Custom field mappings so you can match your Google Sheets reports to your custom HubSpot workspace. Filtered data import which allows you to fine-tune what HubSpot data you bring into Google Sheets. Historical data syncing, allowing for trend analysis over time. Get the template How to use this HubSpot-Google Sheets sales pipeline template Step 1: Click USE TEMPLATE in the corner to create your own copy Step 2: Sign up for a 14-day trial with Unito In order to keep data in sync between HubSpot and Google Sheets, you will need a Unito account. Head to https://unito.io/ to create an account. Why use Unito? Unito provides enterprise-grade integration capabilities that can be deployed without a technical team or third-party consultants. These integrations eliminate manual data export processes while maintaining real-time data accuracy. Unlike basic CSV exports or manual copy-paste workflows, Unito ensures your Google Sheets template always reflects current HubSpot data. Step 3: Build a flow with HubSpot and Google Sheets We’ve included steps below to walk you through the process. We recommend you follow the field mappings shown below. Get the template Step-by-step instructions for setting a Unito flow This template is pre-formatted to turn HubSpot data into a powerful sales pipeline and reporting tool built right into a spreadsheet. But it works best when you use Unito to feed that data into Google Sheets automatically. Step 1: Connect HubSpot and Google Sheets to Unito and pick your blocks of work Step 2: Set flow direction to one-way, from HubSpot to Google Sheets This will automatically create new rows in Google Sheets any time a new work item (a task, deal, or ticket) is created in HubSpot. You can also set this to two-way if you want new Google Sheets rows to create new HubSpot work items. Step 3: Build your rules With rules you can filter out HubSpot work items you don’t want in your Google Sheets report. You could choose to exclude all HubSpot tickets of a certain priority, for example. Step 4: Map your fields If you only want data to sync from HubSpot to Google Sheets, set all your fields to one-way updates. If you want to be able to make changes to HubSpot from Google Sheets, set them up for two-way updates. Step 5: Launch! After mapping your fields, you’re good to go! Now just sit back and watch as HubSpot work items are automatically synced to your report in Sheets. Ready to start? Spend less time on data entry and more on selling Get the template Benefits of this automated HubSpot-Google Sheets integration For sales representatives Time savings: Eliminate three to five hours of manual report preparation per week. Data accuracy: Reduce errors from manual data entry and copy-paste workflows. Real-time insights: Access current pipeline status without waiting for scheduled reports. Mobile access: View sales data on mobile devices through Google Sheets app. For sales managers Performance monitoring: Track team performance metrics in real-time. Forecasting accuracy: Improve revenue predictions with current data. Pipeline management: Identify bottlenecks and coaching opportunities faster. Executive reporting: Create professional presentations with current data. For revenue operations Process optimization: Identify inefficiencies in sales processes through data analysis. Attribution analysis: Track lead source performance and marketing ROI. Territory planning: Analyze geographic and market segment performance. Compensation analysis: Support commission calculations with accurate data. Frequently asked questions Does this template work with HubSpot’s free CRM? Yes, this Google Sheets template is compatible with all HubSpot CRM tiers, including the free version. Unito’s integration supports both free and paid HubSpot accounts. Can I customize the template for my specific sales process? Absolutely. Since the template is in Google Sheets, it’s fully customizable. Make it match your sales stages, deal properties, and reporting requirements without significant work. How often does data sync between HubSpot and Google Sheets? Unito’s Enterprise plans offer real-time data syncing between HubSpot and Google Sheets. Is my sales data secure when using this integration? Yes. Unito maintains SOC2 Type 2 certification and enterprise-grade security standards. The platform doesn’t store your sales data, meaning your information is safe. Recent updates August 14th, 2025: Added a section describing the benefits of a HubSpot-Google Sheets sales pipeline template for sales representatives, sales managers, and RevOps professionals. Also added a section defining the core template components and the impact of Unito for this sales pipeline template. View the full article