News

[ad_1] In desperation, U.S. scours for countries willing to house Afghan refugees [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Covid-19 Coronavirus Cases, Coronavirus Vaccine Registration Online, Coronavirus Statistics India, Covid-19 Third Wave India Today August 13 Highlights: Good News for Noida! NMRC’s Aqua Line metro to run on Saturdays too as UP govt lifts curfew [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Douglas Elliman CEO Scott Durkin In May of last year, New York City residential brokerage Douglas Elliman revealed its business was at a crossroads. “Douglas Elliman began to experience a severe decline in closed sales volume in mid-March 2020 and this continued in April and May,” read a Securities and Exchange Commission filing by Elliman’s parent company, Vector Group (Vector Group’s largest brand is cigarette manufacturer Liggett Group). “Beginning in April 2020, we made significant operating adjustments at Douglas Elliman, including a reduction of staff by approximately 25% and a reduction of all other salaries by approximately 15%. In addition, we are consolidating some office locations and are in discussions with our landlords regarding rent reductions, deferrals and holidays.” Fast forward to today and Elliman is pitching itself as a brokerage that can compete in a market of higher agent commission splits and lower overhead. Last week the brokerage named Scott Durkin to replace Dottie Herman, who spent 17 years as firm CEO. Durkin previously served as president and chief operating officer of Elliman. Howard Lorber, the brokerage’s longtime executive chairman, singled Durkin out for “his truly incredible performance helming the brokerage during the extremely challenging covid-19 pandemic.” Durkin joined Elliman after 25 years at the Corcoran Group, a New York City brokerage that is part of the Realogy conglomeration. He is now leading a brokerage that made a $14 million profit in the first quarter and generated $272 million in revenue after paying agents their commission split and other expenses. Compare this to the first three months of 2020, when Elliman lost $69 million and produced $165 million in revenue. This content is exclusively for HW+ members. Start an HW+ Membership now for less than $1 a day. Your HW+ Membership includes: Unlimited access to HW+ articles and analysis Exclusive access to the HW+ Slack community and virtual events HousingWire Magazine delivered to your home or office Become a member today Already a member? log in The post A leaner, meaner Douglas Elliman? appeared first on HousingWire. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] The post How to Become an Independent Contractor appeared first on Millennial Money. The road to self-employment often starts with becoming an independent contractor. Keep reading to learn about what an independent contractor is, how to become one, and what types of opportunities are out there.  What is an Independent Contractor? An independent contractor is a person who performs work for another person or company based on a contractual agreement. They’re not full-time employees and can determine when and how work can be done, as well as how much to charge for it. As an independent contractor, you’re your own boss. You may have extra responsibilities and liabilities. But if you work hard and continue to grow your client base, you might enjoy a much bigger payoff down the line. You might even be able to position yourself to earn passive income if you hire employees (or independent contractors) to service clients for you. It all starts with landing that first independent contractor gig. How to Become an Independent Contractor Pick your niche Make a business plan Understand your business structure Rev your marketing engine Get a contract Invoices Get to work 1. Pick your niche  The first step to becoming an independent contractor is to narrow down the type of work you want to do. The most successful businesses are very good at providing a specific service. So think about a particular niche in which you’re an expert and start there.  You can always refine your focus as you go along. But having a vision out of the gate will certainly make things easier. Whether it’s driving for Uber, crooning as a wedding singer, or doing graphic design work for an online boutique, what you pursue is truly up to you. Common independent contractor positions Here’s a quick list of common independent contractor jobs: Virtual assistant Freelance writer Consultant (e.g., SEO consulting, marketing consulting) Uber or Lyft driver  Designer (e.g., web design, graphic design) Recruiter  Real estate agent  Photographer  TIP: If you’d like more ideas, check out our list of the Best Online Jobs. 2. Make a business plan  After deciding your area of focus, the next step is to outline how your business will operate.  This step will help you understand how to price your project so it’s worth your time. You’ll also get an understanding of how many clients you’ll need to achieve your financial goals and job security.  3. Understand your business structure Your business structure has a big impact on your taxes, liability, and personal safety. In some cases, you can get started without registering a business. However, some lines of work may require you to form an S corporation or limited liability corporation (LLC).  The best thing to do is speak to an attorney or tax advisor to determine what type of structure your business needs. It’s also easy to register a business online using LegalZoom. 4. Rev your marketing engine To succeed as an independent contractor, you’ll need a steady pipeline of customers. That means you absolutely must market yourself. But effective advertising doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Here are some easy, low-cost steps you can take to market your services effectively: Get business cards Build a simple, low-cost business website Optimize your LinkedIn profile Attend related networking events in your area (and don’t forget those business cards) 5. Get a contract It’s always a good idea to establish a basic independent contractor agreement with any client you’re providing services for. On a basic level, this agreement should outline the following things: The scope of the project  The payment terms (e.g., upon delivery, upon month-end, net 30, etc.) The pricing of the project The legal status of each participant  Some clients may provide you with a contract. If not, it pays to hire an attorney to help you draft an agreement you can use and reuse. 6. Invoices When it comes time to get paid, independent contractors usually invoice their clients. You can either do this with a spreadsheet or PDF or use a paid service such as QuickBooks. Typically, you’ll submit your invoice upon project completion of the project or at the end of the month (depending on the terms of your independent contractor agreement). 7. Get to work Make no mistake about it — if you want to be successful as a self-employed worker, you’re going to have to find clients and make them happy. So start lining up opportunities and then get to work.  Your first few clients are the most important because you’ll depend on them for repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations. Go above and beyond when it comes to the quality of work to ensure your clients keep coming back for more. Tips for Independent Contractors  You’re a partner, not an employee Not all businesses are accustomed to working with independent contractors, and some may push the boundaries of your arrangement.  Don’t be afraid to push back if your customer makes requests beyond the scope of your agreement. They’re not your employer, and your time is valuable. Your clients can’t afford to provide free services, and neither can you.  Watch out for taxes As a sole proprietor, you alone are required to make tax payments and ensure your own business remains in compliance. In addition, Medicare, payroll tax, workers’ compensation, healthcare costs, and employee benefits all fall on you as the business owner.  The easiest way to navigate all of these tax obligations is to hire a qualified tax professional. It might cost a few hundred or even a few thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of your situation. However, this is simply a cost of doing business that you don’t want to skimp on. You can also check out my Freelance Tax Guide for more information. Plan ahead As a freelance worker, it might take several months for your business income to hit your bank account. That’s why it’s essential to plan ahead and set aside money to cover your business and life

[ad_1] Don’t call us traitors: descendants of Cortés’s allies defend role in toppling Aztec empire  The GuardianView Full Coverage on Google News [ad_2]

[ad_1] Love to make waffles? This is a great deal on this Bella Non-Stick Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker! Today only, Best Buy has this Bella Non-Stick Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker for just $14.99! This is regularly $29.99. Enjoy 1 inch thick, restaurant quality Belgian waffles from the comfort of your home. Makes up to four waffles in 10 minutes. Choose free in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Messi joins crypto craze as gets part of PSG fee in fan tokens [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] Facebook owned application is now trying to facilitate status viewing by simply clicking on the contacts’ profile picture. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] This Steel Outdoor Patio Fire Pit Bowl is perfect for evenings on the patio! You can get this Steel Outdoor Patio Fire Pit Bowl with Screen Cover and Poker for just $34 shipped when you use the promo code HEAT15 at checkout! This is perfect for evenings, roasting s’mores and enjoying time with guests on the patio. Valid through August 26, 2021. [ad_2] Source link

[ad_1] ContextLogic Plunges As Losses Increase and Users Fall [ad_2] Source link