13 Amazing Things To Do In Manchester: The best guide

13 Amazing Things To Do In Manchester: The best guide

by | Mar 7, 2022 | UK

There’s no doubt that Manchester is a city with plenty to offer visitors. From its world-class museums and art galleries to its trendy restaurants and bars, the metropolis has something for everyone. If you’re looking to explore the history and culture of Manchester, then be sure to check out its many attractions. And if you’re looking for a lively neighborhood to explore, then be sure to wander around some of Manchester’s eclectic districts.

Language English

The currency British Pound

Best time to visit Manchester, UK:

The best time to visit is Spring (between late March to early June), and Autumn (from September to November) when you will encounter warm and dry weather at a lesser cost and fewer crowds to visit in summer.

Getting to Manchester:

The quickest and most direct way is by train from London, it takes about two hours and 15 minutes. You can book your trip here.

You can travel by bus with national express couches although takes around 6 hours +. There is a cheaper bus option about 18 pounds return with Mega Bus which is about a 4-hour journey as it makes a few stops along the way.

You can rent a car with AutoEurope and drive to Manchester, from London driving takes around 3 hours 25 minutes, we have used AutoEurope many times and cannot fault them.

A great way to meet new people and save on travel costs is to share a ride with a local heading in the same direction; check out blablacar. Prices can start for as low as $25.00

Where to stay in Manchester 

There is an abundance of accommodation throughout Manchester. If you are looking to stay one, two, or more nights, you can book here with Booking.com

If you like staying in Hostels, you can book your hostel here with HostelWorldwide. I stayed at the YHA Manchester Hostel, I can highly recommend the YHA, it is situated in a great walkable location and makes exploring easy.

 

Manchester’s districts 

Manchester is a large city that’s divided into a number of districts. Each district has its own unique character and offers visitors a different experience. be sure to explore as many districts as possible when visiting Manchester, here are a few of the most popular ones:

The City Center

The heart of Manchester and is home to a number of the city’s most important landmarks. The district has many popular restaurants, bars, and shops.

Chinatown

Can be found in the city center and there is a number of restaurants, markets, and cultural venues, and it’s a great place to explore if you’re looking for a taste of Chinese culture.

Deansgate

Located near the city center and has some of Manchester’s best shopping options. You’ll find large department stores as well as designer boutiques, so you can browse through hundreds of stores when you visit. The district also has popular bars and restaurants, so it’s a great place to explore.

The Northern Quarter

This district is in the heart of Manchester, and it’s one of the city’s most popular nightlife destinations. There are plenty of pubs, clubs, markets, and casual restaurants, and it’s a great place to explore when you want to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Piccadilly

Near the city center and is close to most of Manchester’s main attractions. You can find a number of casual restaurants here as well as international brand stores, so it’s a great place to spend an afternoon exploring.

The Gay Village

Also in the heart of Manchester, and it’s one of the most popular destinations for LGBT travelers. There are plenty of casual restaurants and bars here, but the main attraction is the Canal Street area, which is home to over 200 gay-friendly businesses.

South Manchester

Found on the outskirts of the city center, and it’s home to some of the most popular shopping malls in Manchester. You’ll find plenty of casual restaurants here as well.

Salford Quays

On the banks of the River Irwell, Salford Quays is a large area filled with parks and attractive waterfront buildings. The Quays has a number of casual restaurants that offer stunning views of the water, so it’s a great place to spend an afternoon when you visit.

Now that we covered the basics, let’s dive into exploring the city of Manchester.

 

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through clicking the link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.***

Manchester’s Cathedral

Manchester’s Cathedral is a beautiful building that is worth checking out when exploring the city. The cathedral is the largest in the UK and has been around since 1844. It’s a great place to learn about Manchester’s history and culture, and it’s also a great spot for taking photos. The cathedral is open to visitors daily, and you can explore its many exhibits and attractions. Be sure to check out the impressive stained glass windows, which were created by some of the world’s most renowned artists.

Manchester Cathedral

The National Football Museum

The National Football Museum is a must-visit for any football fan exploring Manchester. The museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of football memorabilia, and it offers visitors a fascinating look into the history of the sport. The museum is open daily, and it’s located in the heart of Manchester’s city center. Be sure to check out the interactive exhibits, which allow visitors to get a hands-on experience with football history. There’s also a cafe on-site, so you can refuel after exploring the museum. If you’re a football (soccer) fan, a behind-the-scenes tour might just be for you.

National Football Museum Manchester

Old Trafford – The Theatre of Dreams- Home to Manchester United

Old Trafford is a football stadium located in Manchester. It’s the home stadium of Manchester United, and it’s also the largest football stadium in the UK. Old Trafford has been around since 1910, and it’s been the site of some of the most important moments in English football history. If you’re a fan of Manchester United or English football, then be sure to check out Old Trafford when exploring Manchester. The stadium is open for tours daily, and you can learn about its history and how it’s been used over the years. You’ll also have a chance to see some of the iconic trophies that have been won by Manchester United over the years.

Manchester United

Etihad Stadium

The Etihad Stadium is a world-class stadium located in Manchester. The stadium is home to Manchester City Football Club and was built in 2003. The stadium can hold up to 55,000 spectators and has a number of features that make it one of the best stadiums in the world, including a roof that covers all of the spectators, a number of large screens, and restaurants and bars. If you’re a fan of football or just enjoy watching sports in general, be sure to check out the Etihad Stadium when you’re in Manchester.

 

Etihad Stadium Manchester
Manchester City

The John Rylands Library   

The John Rylands Library is a beautiful building located in the heart of Manchester. The library was founded in 1898 by John Rylands, and it’s been home to some of the most important works of literature and history over the years. If you are a reading lover of books, this library is for you and it’s free to enter, you can explore its many exhibits and attractions.

John Rylands Library Manchester

Manchester Art Gallery & Whitworth Gallery

The Manchester Art Gallery and Whitworth Gallery are two of the most important art galleries in Manchester. The Manchester Art Gallery is home to a large collection of art, and it offers visitors a fascinating look into the history of art. The Whitworth Gallery is home to a large collection of British art, and it’s been open to the public since 1899. Visit to see some of the world’s most renowned artwork.

Manchester Art Museum

Albert Square – Manchester city centre

Albert Square is a popular public square in the heart of the city center. The square is home to a number of important landmarks, including Manchester’s Cathedral and The National Football Museum. It’s a great place to explore when visiting Manchester, and it’s always full of people and activity. The square is surrounded by some of Manchester’s best restaurants and bars, so you can easily spend an afternoon or evening there. be sure to check out the impressive fountains and statues that are located in the square.

Albert Square Manchester

Chinatown

Chinatown is a vibrant neighborhood that’s home to a large population of Chinese immigrants. There is a number of restaurants, markets, and cultural venues, and it’s a great place to explore if you’re looking for a taste of Chinese culture. The neighborhood is located in the city center, and it’s easily accessible by foot or public transportation. be sure to check out the Manchester Chinatown Arch, which is the largest arch in Europe. You’ll also find some great deals on food and souvenirs in Chinatown’s markets and shops.

Manchester China Town

The Lowry Art Gallery at Salford Quay

The Lowry Art Gallery https://thelowry.com/ is home to a large collection of art, and it offers visitors a fascinating look into the history of art. The Gallery is named after L.S. Lowry, who was a famous English painter and can be found down by the waterfront. The Lowry is also popular for theatre, opera, musical, dance, music, comedy, and visual art lovers and often holds events and activities. The Lowry is filled with culture, shopping, and restaurants, so sit back and relax and take it all in. 

The Lowery Manchester

The Royal Exchange Theatre  

The Royal Exchange Theatre is a world-renowned theater located in the heart of Manchester. The theater was founded in 1978, and it’s been home to some of the most important plays and performances over the years. If you’re a fan of theater, you will love it here. The theater offers a variety of shows, including plays, musicals, and dance performances. You’ll also find a number of restaurants and bars in the theater’s vicinity, so you can easily spend an evening there.

The Royal Exchange Manchester

Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum is one of the most popular museums in the city, and it offers visitors a fascinating look into the history of Manchester. The museum is home to a large collection of artifacts and exhibits, and it’s a great place to learn about the city’s history. be sure to check out the museum’s Egyptian collection, which is one of the best in Europe.

manchester

The Arndale Centre

The Arndale Centre is a large shopping center in the heart of Manchester. The center has a number of popular stores, including Debenhams, Primark, and Marks & Spencer, be sure to check out the center’s food court, which offers a variety of restaurants and fast-food options. The Arndale Centre also has a number of cinemas, so you can catch a movie while you’re in town.

Manchester Arndale Centre

Piccadilly Gardens 

Piccadilly Gardens is a large public square in the heart of Manchester. The gardens have many important landmarks, including Manchester’s Town Hall and The Hilton Manchester Deansgate Hotel. The gardens are always full of people and activities. The gardens are surrounded by some of Manchester’s best restaurants and bars, be sure to check out the impressive fountains and statues that are located in the square.              

Manchester Piccadilly Gardens

One Place We Didn’t Mention Yet because it is a little out of the main area of Manchester is the Trafford Centre, this massive shopping center is located in the suburbs, so it’s a little bit of a trek from the city center. However, if you have time when visiting Manchester, it’s definitely worth checking out.

In addition to hundreds of shops and casual restaurants, there are also 4 full-size department stores, so you can shop for clothes or electronics when you visit. The mall also has its own movie theater and several large casual eateries inside, so it offers visitors an all-in-one shopping experience.

If you’re looking for a fun and lively city to explore, then be sure to check out Manchester. The city has something for everyone, with plenty of attractions, restaurants, and bars to keep you entertained.

Have you ever visited Manchester before? what did you love about Manchester city?

Manchester is surrounded by many beautiful places to visit within the United Kingdom, within a 2-3 hour drive you can visit places like Cardiff, and Liverpool if you are a football fan and a Beetles fan, and visit the stunning historic town of Oxford, and of course not to forget the famous London. 

 

12 Best Things To See In Liverpool: Ultimate Guide

12 Best Things To See In Liverpool: Ultimate Guide

by | Feb 25, 2022 | UK

You’ll Never Walk Alone in Liverpool

Liverpool is a city in the Northwest of England, on the eastern side of the Irish Sea. It has been a port and trading place for over 1,000 years due to its location at the mouth of three rivers: The Mersey and The Irwell join to form “The River Mersey” which leads out into the Irish Sea. This made Liverpool Britain’s third-largest port by tonnage from the late 18th century until 1960. In recent times it has re-invented itself as one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations with plenty to offer for first-time visitors or those who want to explore more about their heritage

Liverpool is a city that has something for everyone. From its vibrant nightlife and music scene to its rich history and cultural attractions, there is always something new to explore in Liverpool. If you’re visiting for the first time, here are twelve must-see attractions that you won’t want to miss!

Language English

The currency British Pound

Where to stay in Liverpool

If you are looking to stay one, two, or more nights, you can book here with Booking.com If you like staying in Hostels, you can book your hostel with Hostel Worldwide.

 

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through clicking the link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.***

The Albert Dock

Albert Dock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Liverpool’s most popular tourist destinations. It’s has a number of museums and attractions, including the Tate Liverpool, the Mersey Ferry which offer stunning views of Liverpool’s iconic skyline, and The Beatles Story Museum.

The Albert Dock was originally built in 1846 and was the first-ever dock to be built in Liverpool. It was remodeled in the 1970s and is now a popular tourist destination. The dock also has many restaurants, bars, and shops, which are perfect for spending an afternoon shopping or catching up with friends over a few drinks.

The Albert Dock is also home to the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the country, so there’s plenty to see and explore!

 

The Dock Liverpool
Beatles Liverpool

The Beatles Story Museum- Liverpool

The Beatles Story Museum is dedicated to the history of The Beatles. It is located in the former warehouse where The Beatles’ first-ever recording was made.

The museum contains a number of exhibits about the band, including photos, instruments, and clothing. There is also a multimedia show which tells the story of the band’s rise to fame.

The Beatles Story Museum is a must-see for any fan of The Beatles. It’s the perfect place to learn more about the band’s history and how it became one of the most successful bands of all time.

The Beatles shop Liverpool

Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool. It is the fifth-largest cathedral in the United Kingdom and the largest in England outside London.

The cathedral was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott and built between 1841 and 1874. It is constructed in sandstone and has a copper roof. The cathedral is noted for its grand interior and imposing architecture. It’s one of the most impressive cathedrals in the country.

Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral

Museum of Liverpool

The Museum of Liverpool is the new home of the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the International Slavery Museum. It is located in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Albert Dock.

The museum tells the story of Liverpool from its origins as a port town to its modern-day status as one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations. It contains a number of exhibits about Liverpool’s history and culture, including photos, instruments, and clothing. There is also a multimedia show which tells the story of the city’s rise to fame. The museum is a must-see for any fan of Liverpool’s history and culture.

Liverpool Museum

The Tate Liverpool

The Tate Liverpool is a museum dedicated to contemporary art. It too is located in the Albert Dock. The Tate Liverpool was founded in 1988 and is one of Tate’s four museums in the United Kingdom. It contains a number of exhibits about contemporary art, including photos, paintings, and sculptures. It’s the perfect place to learn more about the latest trends in art and how they are shaping the future of the industry.

Liverpool Tate

Merseyside Maritime Museum

The Merseyside maritime museum is dedicated to the maritime history of Liverpool. It is another museum that can be found at The Albert Dock. The museum contains a number of exhibits about Liverpool’s maritime history, with photos, instruments, and clothing. 

Liverpool Maritime Musuem

The Mersey Ferry

The Mersey Ferry is a ferry service that operates across the River Mersey. It is one of the longest established ferry services in the world and has been in operation since 1815. The ferries operate between the Pier Head in Liverpool and Birkenhead, Wallasey, and Seacombe on the Wirral Peninsula. The ferries offer stunning views of Liverpool’s skyline and you can use this ferry as a hop-on-hop-off to explore.

Liverpool Mersey Ferry

Liverpool Football Club and Anfield Football Stadium

Liverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England. The club was founded in 1892 and plays its home games at Anfield, which has a capacity of 54,074. Liverpool is one of the most successful clubs in English football and has won 18 League Championships, seven FA Cups, and five European Cups. The club is also the reigning UEFA Champions League champion.

Anfield football stadium is the home of Liverpool F.C. since 1892. It is also the home of the Liverpool Cricket Club. The stadium was originally built in 1884 and was enlarged in 1906 and again in 1992. It is now the largest football stadium in England. Anfield is a must-see for any fan of Liverpool F.C. or English football in general. The stadium has a long and rich history and is home to some of the most passionate fans in the world.  

Liverpool Football

Sefton Park

Sefton Park is a large park in the Liverpool suburb of Sefton. The park was opened in 1872 and covers over 221 acres. It is the second-largest park in Liverpool, after Stanley Park. The park contains a number of attractions, including a boating lake, a bandstand, and a cricket ground. There are also a number of gardens, including a rose garden, a Japanese garden, and an Italian garden. The park is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike and is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

Liverpool Sefton Park

Chinatown

Chinatown is home to the city’s Chinese community. The district was established in the early 19th century and is now the largest Chinatown in Europe. The district contains a number of Chinese restaurants, shops, and temples. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike and is a good place to visit if you want to experience Liverpool’s multiculturalism.

Liverpool China Town

Liverpool One Shopping

Liverpool One is a retail and leisure destination that spans over three acres which includes an iconic shopping center, restaurants, bars, cafés, offices, and residential apartments. There are more than 100 shops in the complex including high street brands like Primark and Debenhams. It also has a cinema with 12 screens including 3D-ready screens for immersive movie watching. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment from local artists at the Village Square or visit one of the many eateries to sample authentic dishes from around the world.

A great tip is that it’s better to get there early since it can get pretty busy.

Liverpool One

Explore Liverpool’s Street Art

 Liverpool is a city with a rich history and a vibrant culture. One of the ways in which this culture is expressed is through the city’s street art. There are a number of murals, graffiti, and street art installations around the city that depict the city’s history, culture, and people. Some of the most famous pieces of street art in Liverpool can be found at The Pier Head, Albert Dock, and Penny Lane.

The Pier Head is home to a number of murals that depict Liverpool’s maritime history. One mural shows the Liver Building as it would have looked in 1912, while another shows three of Liverpool’s most famous ships: The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company’s Blue Riband-winning RMS Mauretania, the PS Waverley paddle steamer, and Cunard’s RMS Queen Mary 2. Find more about street art throughout Liverpool HERE.

Liverpool Street Art

Liverpool is a city that is constantly alive with activity and there are always new attractions for first-time visitors. From the Beatles Story Museum to the Liverpool Cathedral, there’s something for everyone in this historic city. You can also explore the lively nightlife and trendy restaurants in Liverpool’s bustling downtown district. With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder Liverpool is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Make sure you add Liverpool to your list of must-see cities on your next trip abroad!

Liverpool is surrounded by many beautiful places to visit within the United Kingdom, within a 2-3 hour drive you can visit places like Manchester, and Cardiff if you are a football fan and a Beetles fan, and visit the stunning historic town of Oxford, and of course not to forget the famous London. 

 

4 Best & Easy Ways To Make Money As A Blogger

4 Best & Easy Ways To Make Money As A Blogger

by | Feb 20, 2022 | Making Money

Easy steps to making money as a blogger

How do bloggers make money? This is a common question many people ask, and one of the main reasons a lot of people want to start creating a blog of some type.

From beginners to more established bloggers there are many different ways to start making money and then monetizing your blog to make more.

Just like using Google to find information, many people are turning to people’s blogs to get their information, so the key is to provide as much value on your blog to get as many people visiting your site as possible.

The ways you can earn some extra income or even a full-time income as a blogger is by using things like:

  • Ads
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Sponsored posts
  • Press Trips
  • Products and services

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through clicking the link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.***

Advertising ADS

When visiting a website, I bet you see all the ads plastered over the page, sides, top, bottom, middle, and even pop-ups, when someone clicks on the ads across YOUR website, that generates money.

When it comes to earning money with ads, this varies depending on how many pageviews, visitors you have to your blog and which ad network you use.

Ad networks available are:

Google AdSense –  Where new bloggers start- there is no minimum number of visitors for Adsense.

Sovrn – Another one for beginners with no minimum page view numbers.

MediaVine – to join you need a minimum of 25,000 pageviews

AdThrive – you need a minimum of 100,000 pageviews

With using ads across your website, you can choose to have them automatically placed or you can place them manually through your website, I personally place them manually, only because I want my blog to be easily readable and not overrun with ads, but this is totally a personal choice.

There are 2 ways you can earn through placing ads on your site and that is by impressions or pay per click (PPC). What are these you ask?

Impressions: A viewer does not have to physically click on your ads for you to make money, impressions are made by how many people view your ad across your website, hence why you see so many websites have ads everywhere across their sites.

Paid Per Click – As it states per click, with PPC you earn a small income when someone clicks on your ads.

Ads can be an easy way to start trying to monetize your blogs and is a very common step most bloggers do when starting out.

The amount of money you can make on these ads varies and can take a long time to actually make money from ads, the trick to making an income from ads is to get as much traffic to your blog as possible, as above you need at least  25,000 pageviews to make more money.

To drive traffic to your website, make sure you are creating valuable content that helps people with what they are looking for, Like – Know- Trust is where you want to be for returning visitors. 

Don’t forget to always be sharing your content across your social media, Pinterest is a great way to drive traffic to your site, as it is also a search engine like google and is a go-to place for people looking for a particular topic.

Affiliate marketing

Joining affiliate programs is very simple, some of the companies I have listed below are networks you can join multiple affiliate programs through one platform, other ways you can find affiliate networks are with businesses within your niche and that you want to promote.

Take a look at their website, generally, you will find their affiliate programs listed in their footer menu and it is normally free to join, if you cannot find it on their website, try googling the “company name affiliate program” for example I am in the Travel niche, so I am an affiliate for Hostel World, World Nomads, Booking.com and so on.

Once you join and are approved for the affiliate programs, you will be given a unique URL to use on your site to promote that business, this unique link is what tracks your sale, telling the company it was through your affiliate link and you will earn the commission for that sale.

The amount of commission you earn differs from each affiliate program, generally, it is by a % rate or can be a set amount.

Decides Ads, Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular and easiest ways to make money with your blog, unlike ads, you don’t need a minimum amount of page views, but keep in mind every affiliate program has its own terms. 

So be sure to read them before you apply as some may introduce rules, like Amazon if you don’t make a sale within 6 months, you will then need to re-apply for the Amazon affiliate program.

TIP: If you are an affiliate for a product or service you use and you like, remember people buy from people they Know – Like and Trust try writing a review blog post on that particular product or service and include your affiliate links within the text and break up your sections with some banners.

For example, I wrote a blog post on “how to start a blog using Bluehost” to whom I am an affiliate for and within this blog post not only am I using Bluehost’s affiliate links, I am using other affiliate links that are related to the topic of setting up a blog.

Sponsored content

Sponsored Posts are when a company pays a blogger to write a post about their services or product, either in exchange for extra money or a comped product or service.

Sponsored content creation can range from different offerings from yourself and what the company is looking for such as:

  • Blog Posts
  • Emails – Sharing with your subscribers
  • Social Media – Sharing an X amount on social media platforms, (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, etc)
  • Photography
  • Videos / live videos

Depending on the type of content the company is looking for from you, can greatly differ between each business, they can be looking for all the above coverage or simply be looking at one of them depending on what you may specialize more in and your target audience.

Tip: when writing sponsored content, be sure to disclose in your post that it is a “sponsored post”.

Like affiliate marketing it is a form of advertising for the company, many businesses these days work with bloggers to shine a light on their business by creating content in written form, it’s just another way of advertising and getting in front of new ideal clients with your followers.

Having a media kit and a Pitch email is a must, it’s like a resume but for bloggers. You can check out my post ” How to get free trips and perks as a travel blogger”  to read more about making a media kit and email pitch example.

Another way you can find sponsored opportunities is by joining networks for influencers, these networks advertise jobs for bloggers to apply for.

Examples of some Influencer networks are:

Sponsored posts can be done in two different forms paid content or free service or product (I say free lightly, as nothing is for free, there is a lot of work in creating content). Agreeing on being paid is exactly that, you set a price you and the company agree on to provide your expertise in whatever niche you work in.

Another way is doing Press trips, as a travel blogger and many niches this can be with hotels, restaurants, tours, events, attractions, and many others, doing press trips will be with the company providing their service (hotel, food, tour, and so on) for no fee in return for you to complete what you have agreed on such as a blog post, sharing across X amount of your social media accounts, videos, emails, what you provide to the company purely comes down to what you agree on.

Doing Press trips is a win/win for you and the company, you save money and the company gets eyeballs on their business.

 

Creating your own products or services.

 

There are many different options for bloggers to make extra money and they can be in the form of digital products, physical products, and courses or memberships.

 

Digital products

Creating your own digital product is very popular, there are many ways you can create digital products, such as printable- blogging templates, planners, E-Books, packing lists, how-to guides, meal plans, invitations, trackers, etc. depending on your niche, there are endless options.

Digital products are very popular because they have little to no cost in creating them other than your time and they have a huge potential to make you a passive income, create it once and continue to benefit throughout the years.

You can sell your digital products by installing plugins on your websites like Easy Downloads, or Woo-Commerce, setting up Stripe/pay-pal to have payments made, or checking by making a shop tab and having it divert straight to Etsy. 

I have set up a shop heading and it diverts directly to my Etsy store where I sell my digital creations, keep in mind Etsy has fees to list items, but very minimal, you can read more about Etsy in my post here.

Other than creating digital products you can look at other options like:

 

Physical products

If you love creating and designing, physical products are another way many businesses earn income, physical products can be made from what you have already created as a digital product, and repurposing saves a ton of time too, this can be in the form of invitations, cards, stickers, travel binders, planners, trackers, mugs, T-shirts and so much more, I could go on for days.

You may want to invest in some wholesale products where you don’t have to worry about shipment and packing. You can list these through your website or online networks like Etsy or Shopify.

Courses & Memberships

Coaching, workshops, online courses, masterclasses, memberships, everyone is wanting to get information on the expertise of someone who specializes within that field of work, there will be forever new things to learn, education is a big part of working online and in life.

Learn how to set up a platform and provide a ton of value to help people within your niche learn how to grow their audience across all platforms, or a membership or coaching service.

Some ideas like how to lose weight/fitness, de-clutter/ home cleaning, mental health/ self-esteem, social media management, relationships, travel itineraries/travel booking services, depending on your niche there is a range of knowledge that can be shared.

Where to for you now?

Make a list of the value you can provide your audience, what do you have expertise in that you can share with your followers? Set out a plan on how you can monetize your blog, and your business, it can be with any of the points I shared with you in this blog post OR if you have any other ways that have worked for you in your business, share in the comments below I would love to hear from you!

 

How to make a passive income with Etsy simple printables

How to make a passive income with Etsy simple printables

by | Feb 14, 2022 | Making Money

Make money with Printables and digital products

 

Making money with Printables and digital products is one of many great ways to create a passive income for yourself by selling on Etsy. Etsy is one of the best places to sell your homemade things, especially digital & printable products, and it’s simple to get started.  With over 81 million consumers on Etsy, there’s a good chance that someone is seeking what you’re selling. You can make a living by selling your creative output on the internet.

Everyone wants an income that requires minimal effort. That’s the perk of having a passive income- by passive I mean to have money work for you, it’s exciting to learn more about this and start doing business. The goal of passive income is to earn money while you sleep.

This new world of downloadable and educational items is exploding and Etsy is a wonderful place to sell and deliver them for minimal cost. The beauty of digital listings on Etsy is that they are low-risk and can yield a nice profit.

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through clicking the link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.***

What Are Printables?

Printables are digital files, that you can create once and continue to earn from that one design, printables are downloadable files that customers buy and print at home, these files can be created as pdfs, Vector, SVG files, videos, and more. 

Here are some of the ideas of printable products you can sell and start making passive income on Etsy

  • Planners and planners template
  • Wall art/clip art 
  • Stickers
  • Calendars
  • Coloring pages/activity books
  • Games (bridal shower, baby shower, bachelorette, etc)
  • Worksheets and educational resources
  • Fitness / self-care printables
  • Binders and bundles
  • Party Invitations (Birthday, Marriage, Christmas, Easter, so on) 
  • Checklists
  • Labels
  • Chore charts for kids, flashcards to help learn

Digital products are endless, if you have expertise in something like accounting, you can create products that people would need, like finance trackers, budgeting tools, and so on. Anything that you think of, can really be turned into a printable/ digital product if you think people will find it useful. 

Advantage of Digital downloads

According to studies, 79 percent of people have purchased digital goods during the last year. This means that anyone who wants to build and market a digital product has a huge opportunity. The benefits of creating printables are:

  • Low cost, low risk
  • Spend less time working
  • No middleman
  • Access to a large audience
  • You won’t run out of stock
  • Profit margins are awesome
  • Digital products are easy to manage

How soon can you make money?

Selling on Etsy, can be very profitable and certainly an uncapped amount, the amount you can earn on Etsy can change on a daily basis depending on the printable products you are creating and how popular the market is for that particular product, and how you market it, learning keywords and SEO is a whole other ball game, but if you’re serious in trying to make selling printables a full-time gig, you can learn more about keywords and SEO. 

Etsy has a very low cost of 20 cents to list your product and you can sell an unlimited amount of any product you create, as the saying goes “work smarter, not harder” depending on the product you create and the time it takes you, is minimal in comparison to how many times it can sell, even after one year, you can still be making profits from that item listed. 

In my very first month of advertising on Etsy, I made over $300AU, with millions of people using Etsy, there is a huge market for people buying printables, but how much will you make really differs between people and the products you are creating, but it is totally unlimited to the amount you can make. 

If you also have a website, you can advertise your products there to drive traffic to Etsy directly or set up e-commerce on your website to buy directly through your website, also sharing your products on social media will help promote your store and drive traffic to gain more sales. 

How to Create Printables

There are many different software programs you can use to create your printables and depending on how techy you are too. There are some great free tools, I use Canva, which has a free version and a paid version, now that I sell digital products, I use the paid version of Canva as it gives you many more templates and images to use. Other programs are Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft, PicMonkey, and more.

Pinterest and Youtube are great places to find tutorial videos to learn how to start creating. 

Keep in mind, other than the actual product you are creating, you will need to create a mock-up image to advertise your products, I use Canva to create my mock-ups they have a wide range of graphics and templates available.

The best thing I find about Canva for someone that is learning, Canva is very user-friendly and easy to navigate around its website and has different printable options for images, pdfs, SVG, video, GIFS, and more.  To get started with Canva, sign up for free HERE.

Research what is trending and popular

I mentioned earlier about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and keywords, getting your product in front of more potential customers will come down to understanding SEO and the use of keywords, this can take some time to learn, so don’t freak out, you have time and your products can be found with minimal knowledge of SEO at the start. 

If you are wanting to take off and make this a passive high earning income, a tool to use to help with SEO and keywords is eRank this will help you find what is missing in your products and help optimize your listings and also to see what is trending and give you ideas of what type of products you can create within your niche. 

Don’t forget to utilize your social media accounts to advertise your products, you have put in the hard yards in creating them and you want them to be seen by as many eyeballs as possible, so start sharing them on your Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and another option is running ads directly through Etsy or even ads on your social media accounts.

How to price your Printables products

A good idea to see how to work out how much you should charge for your products is by looking at similar items and see how much they are selling for, you don’t want to price your items too high and not sell anything, and you don’t want to go too low and make hardly any profit, depending on the price you will list your product for, keep in mind Etsy fees, its a good idea to check the Etsy fees and list your product where you cover the fees and make a profit too. 

Currently, Etsy fees are $0.20 to list a product and there is a 5% transaction fee and a 3% plus $0.25 transaction fee. To work out your Etsy fees and profit use this calculator for your Etsy products.

Popular products

Very popular items that sell are seasonal products and you always have your evergreen products that can do well any time of the year. Start thinking in advance of seasonal occasions that are coming up and start creating products for that month. 

A small example of seasonal products are: 

  • January  – Australia Day, the start of the school year, classrooms
  • February – Valentines Day, Super Bowl, Chinese New Year, Ash Wednesday
  • March – St Patrick’s Day, Marti Gras,  Palm Day
  • April – Easter, April Fools, Anzac Day, Passover, Ramadan
  • May- Mothers Day, May Day, Memorial Day, College graduation
  • June – Fathers Day, USA Summer, USA Wedding- summer
  • July – Canada Day, Independence day,  4th July
  • August – Back to school
  • September – Fathers day, AUS Start of Fall, USA football season
  • October – Halloween
  • November – Thanks Giving, Black Friday Sales
  • December – Christmas, New Year, end of school, appreciation gifts

This is just a snippet of ideas, but seasonal printable products are very popular, In December I made over $300au just on selling Christmas gift tags.

You also have your evergreen products that will sell any time of year, like your planners, trackers, resume templates, games, party invites, and so so much more.

Tip: If you have created some party invites, wedding invites or any product, you can then turn them into a seasonal product, like my christmas tags for example I already have the template, I can than just create some thanks giving gift tags or party favor bag tags, turn you party invites into a birthday in December theme like christmas, you get the idea right? 

Another way is after creating some products and they have the same theme, you can sell them as a bundle.

Are you ready to start your Etsy store? 

Investing your time into creating printable and digital products is well worth the effort and easy to do in your spare time, rather than spend your time mindlessly scrolling on social media, use your time wisely to create products and start earning a passive income, there is no better way to gain more time freedom than starting a side gig like printables to make it a full-time job, but hey can you call it a job when its something you really love doing? 

Making printables is a lot of fun, whether it’s for a pastime or for something more serious.

I hope by reading this blog post it has inspired you to start being creative and exploring new ideas to get started with setting up an Etsy Store and generating a passive income.

Share your comments below if you are going to start an Etsy store, or if you currently already have a store and how it’s working for you! 

Most important – “Have fun”.

 

Easy ways How To Save Money For Your Next Holiday

Easy ways How To Save Money For Your Next Holiday

by | Feb 10, 2022 | BLOG, Travel Tips

Tips on How to save Money – making life easier

The formula is simple. Live below your means, and save the rest. However, putting this method into practice is not always simple, being able to become a good saver is an art form in itself, it takes practice and most of all persistence. There are social pressures to consider too, but if you have the discipline, you will crush your financial goal and go on that dream holiday. 

We want to enjoy that dream holiday, but coming back from a holiday in debt is stressful and not enjoyable at all. Below are some ways to save money for the next trip and have you coming back feeling refreshed and not stressed.

***This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through clicking the link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.***

Become financially responsible to save money

Money management is an acquired skill, but most of us don’t fully understand the principles until we’re adults. Saving enough money for travel, a house, a car, or for anything that you desire can be difficult and requires sacrifice, which is why so few people succeed. It’s all about having the appropriate mindset and discipline to achieve what goal you set for yourself! 

 

Figure out your budget to start saving.

The first thing you will need to determine is figuring out “how much money” you actually need to have that budget or luxury getaway. Depending on the experience you are wanting to have while on holiday this will help you calculate an estimate on how much money you will need to be put aside to start saving.

Think about the things that will add to your expenses while away. Things that you need to consider a budget for are:

  • Flight tickets
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa’s and vaccines (depending on the country) 
  • Appropriate luggage (suitcases/ backpacks) 
  • Accommodation
  • Transport (hire care, bus, train, taxi’s, so on) 
  • Phone / internet connection
  • Entertainment/ Activities 
  • Food and drinks
  • Gifts, Souvenirs, a little something for yourself
  • Consider fees if using a credit card, or ATM fees.

Start tracking your spending

Tracking your expenses is an important part of figuring out where you can save money or even stop spending altogether. It’s all about being aware. “OK – this is where I am,” you say, staring your financial situation in the face. This is where I need to be.” Developing this level of awareness and keeping track of everything takes time. You don’t change your behavior overnight, that’s the nature of habits.

Things to consider cutting or changing are: 

  • Cutting Netflix, Stan, Disney, Foxtel, any cable TV
  • Cancel your gym membership and work out at home (be creative, be savvy)
  • Cut your take away meals, cook at home, take lunches to work
  • Stop the daily coffee run, make your coffee at home
  • Ride a bike more often, cutting down your car costs
  • Quit smoking or cut your smoking in half, less drinking
  • Cutting down on luxuries like massages, nails, hair appointments
Booking.com

Make a visual of your spending and goals 

Take some time and write out your living expenses, having a visual helps to see where your spending is actually going, break it down into sections or get on your online banking and get a breakdown of your expenses. 

You can put your spending into categories like:

  • Health
  • Retail Shopping
  • Home & renovations
  • Bills & utilities
  • Transport
  • Travel
  • Eating out & dining
  • Groceries 
  • Fitness & beauty
  • Fees & charges
  • Entertainment, and so on. 

This list is only an example of categories, you can list as many as you need depending on your spending habit. 

Once you have written out all your categories total your spending for each category, you will then see where you can start budgeting ruthlessly.  

Making a vision board of the things you want to do on your holiday can be a motivator. 

Time to get serious about saving money

Take a breath- after crunching all the numbers, it can be overwhelming sometimes to see where our money is actually going and I bet you thinking to yourself, “Gee that’s a lot of money I wasted throughout the year”.

I hear ya! I often break down our expenses and think “WOW” we seriously need to sort our finances out, because “if we didn’t spend this, we could have had that” and this goes for the very reason you want to save for a holiday, just imagine if you didn’t spend all that money on the things you wanted but didn’t really need, what that money could have been used for on your holiday. 

Now you have worked out where you can save money by eliminating all the things you really don’t need and you have worked out where all your current income and expenses are going it’s time to get serious and start budgeting and saving.

 Less spending and learning to budget = Epic holiday.

Extra ways to save money

 

1. Store reward cards – if you don’t already have them, maybe start thinking about signing up for some. I often use store cards to collect points that can convert into money, for example here in Australia we have Woolworths and Coles (food stores) that we can collect points every time we do grocery shopping and when we have enough points we can convert the points into money off our food shopping. 

2. If you are a credit card user, look into options of credit cards that offer points for every dollar you spend, a credit card is only good if you have the discipline not to spend like crazy, after all, you are trying to save money, not have a bigger debt, but maybe a credit card with a low limit may be an option, if using a credit card for point options, be sure to pay off your limits to avoid getting interest charges. 

We choose to live on our credit cards, simply because we are good with our finances and never allow our credit cards to accumulate interest, we do this as we figure for food and essential items we are going to pay for it regardless and feel we may as well get some benefit out of it in the use of vouchers, gifts, money back, and so on. 

** Be aware with point credit cards there are often annual fees, so if going for this type of credit card, be sure you use it enough to make over the fee value.**

Our credit card has an annual fee of $115 which is quite high, but by the end of the year, I generally have made $700 with my points, so that’s a saving of $585.00 I sometimes use at Christmas time to buy gifts or use it at our travel center. 

On the flip side to credit cards, if you already have a credit card and are incurring interest on your amount owing, it may be an idea to use the money you are saving and pay off your credit card, not only will you feel more relaxed having less to no debt, but the money you are saving on paying interest is more money in your savings account. 

3. Talk to your bank and see if they offer a savings account that has a lock on it and cannot have any withdrawals until a certain date that you specify, banks often bring out a special savings account where you can put money away and not touch the amounts until a particular date, maybe they have holiday accounts, often they have Christmas accounts for people to put money into, but cannot be accessed until December, this is a great option especially if you are not very disciplined and tempted by using the money you see in your accounts. 

If you have self-discipline then be sure to put any spare dollars into your savings account as soon as you have paid for all your expenses, such as bills. 

4. Collect all your coins in a money box, or a money jar and cash it in at the bank prior to your holiday, you will be surprised how many coins you actually have. I do this every year, I don’t like carrying around coins, so I put them in my kid’s money box and at the end of the year, we count it all up for fun and we are surprised every time how much the money box can actually hold in the hundreds of dollars.

Options to make your savings go further. 

 

Opt for Off-Season

This is our number-one tip to cut your expenses.  Airline tickets, accommodation, tours, food, and activities are always higher if you’re traveling during the high season or popular holiday season. 

Book Activities Ahead of Time

If you do your research well, you can get cheaper prices if you plan ahead of time, be sure to be checking different websites to ensure you are getting a good deal, and keep an eye out for deals such as “black Friday”, “end of year sales”, often you can snag yourself a better deal and put extra money in your pockets for your trip.  

Make extra money on the side

Everyone wants to earn more money. Find a “side-hustle” that you can work part-time. It doesn’t have to be a fantastic job! It’s just something to help you supplement your income. Do some research to see what kinds of part-time jobs may be a good fit for your skills and talents.

Earn money as you travel

This is a very helpful shortcut while traveling on a budget. If you can create a side hustle that you can actually generate money from while you travel, this will give your extra $$ while away, there are many different options and some that include turning it into a passive income, below are a few ideas.

  • Social Media Marketing
  • Freelance Writers
  • Virtual Assistant (VA)
  • Tutor / Language teacher

This is just a snippet of the thousands of options available to you, you can check out my post for a more detailed list of side hustles. 

Additional options you can look into are:

  • Dog walking or pet sitting
  • House sitting, saving you costs.
  • Complete online surveys that pay you for your opinions and answers, they are free to join, some that I personally use are:
  • Pureprofile, SurveyCompare, Survey Junkie, Swagbucks and you can do these all from your phone while sitting at home or on your lunch breaks at work.
  • Mystery Shopper- I use FieldAgent here in Australia and you can go into shops or restaurants and complete a review on products or services, even with some visits, they even reimburse you for your purchase.