Saturday, September 13, 2008
Freebie Trading - An Internet Business That Really Works
You've seen advertisements coming through your email box, or even on TV that tell you how you can get a free laptop computer just for visiting a website and completing a few sponsor offers and referring a few of your friends to do the same. This type of website is known as an incentivized freebie website of IFW for short and is a form of marketing that has grown rapidly in recent years.
IFWs can afford to give away gifts like laptops, desktops, big screen tvs and more because advertisers pay them per lead they send to them. That is, the IFW gets paid by each advertiser for every offer completed on that site.
For the advertiser, placing their offer on an incentive based site allows them to generate leads for their products quite cheaply as compared to other media.
You can profit from IFWs in three main ways:
Method 1: You can get paid for completing the offer requirements for others, also known as "going green." Why would anyone want to pay you to do that, you ask? Considering that some prizes require upwards of 10 referrals, rather than bothering friends and family, it is much easier and quicker to pay strangers to do it. There are other reasons related to the second way to money from IFWs which I will tell you about shortly.
Using this method, you can earn anywhere from $20 to $100 per site, depending on the offer requirements and the value of the site. Typically, the more difficult a site is to complete, the more you will be paid. You will typically receive your money through Paypal.
Method 2. This way involves getting paid from the IFWs directly and is a little more complicated. IFWs also offer cash prizes as well as items like laptops etc. IFWs will pay you for each referral that you send to them who completes the offer requirements. How much depends on how difficult the site is to complete. You can get paid anywhere from $20 to $200 per completed referral.
You can get referrals by asking friends and family to help out, but if you are going to make a living doing this, you will have to pay people. Remember method 1, where you were getting paid to be someone's referral? Well, now you are on the opposite side of that transaction. How much will you have to pay? People will usually pay someone half of what the site pays them. So if a site is worth $40 per referral, you would offer to pay someone $20 be your referral and complete the requirements.
Because most IFWs allow you to refer an unlimited amount of people and collect an unlimited amount of gifts, you can see that you can make a tidy profit by continuing to refer people to even a single IFW over and over again.
Method 3: This method is the most complicated and is not commonly used. It involves taking the prizes received from IFWs like ipods, laptops, big screen tvs etc and selling them on Ebay. Most people do not bother with this method and stick with the first two.
Most people get involved in freebies by using the first method; that is getting paid for completing offers (going green) and then from there transition to the second method by taking those sites which they completed and start referring people of their own to them.
There are some things to be aware of when using this method to make money. One is you must be very organized and read all of the terms and conditions of each offer for which you sign up. That way, there won't be any surprises, and if you decide that the service or product is not for you, you can cancel before the trial period is over to avoid unwanted charges on your credit card. Another is, because the advertisers are looking for leads that turn into paying customers, you should only take offers for which you have some interest and along with that, you should not cancel the trial too soon. If you must cancel, you should do so during the final days of the trial.
Freebie traders, as we call ourselves, usually congregate on various trading forums on the Internet that specialize in everything freebie related. These forums allow traders to post what sites they are offering and how much they are paying for a "green" or a completed referral on each. Most forums also have a rating system similar to eBay's where users can leave feedback on their experience with each trader with whom they deal.
In closing, freebie trading is an excellent way for people to generate an online income and unlike other methods, it requires very little capital or technical know-how.
Kathy McGraw is an Internet Entrepreneur who owns several successful online businesses. She is a veteran freebie trader on the largest freebie trading forums on the internet, freelunchroom.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_McGraw
Incentive Freebie Websites - Who, What, Where, When, Why, How? by Lisa Morosky
Who?
Who runs these sites?
These websites are run by every day companies and people. These websites are NOT run by scammers! It's important to note though that you should always research any company you decide to get involved with.
Who can participate in these websites?
Really, anyone can participate in these websites! Be sure to check the terms and conditions though. Some websites require you to be 13 years old or older, while others may require you to be 18 years old or older. This is a great way for all kinds of different people to make some extra money online though. From a stay at home mom to a college student to someone with a full-time job, I've seen many different types of people pull in some extra money each month by completing these sites.
What?
So what is this all about? Break it down for me here.
IFWs are a form of incentive marketing. A company creates an IFW. Companies like Blockbuster, Netflix, and Columbia House use IFWs to advertise their products and services (mainly trial offers that you can choose to keep after the trial period, or cancel when the trial period is over). Each time someone tries their product or service, the company pays the IFW a commission. To get people to sign up for the product or service, the IFW offers you a free gift in return (i.e. sign up for an offer, recruit a certain number of people to do the same, and get your free iPod, etc.), thus sharing a portion of their profit with you.
What do I do to get my free iPod (or laptop, or XBox, or money, etc.)?
All IFWs are based upon the same model. You visit the website, you sign up, you complete an offer, and you refer a certain number of people to do the same thing. That's it. It really is that straight forward.
What do I need in order to do one of these sites?You need an address/e-mail address to sign up on most sites. Also, you need a credit or debit card to sign up for an offer, most likely. Lastly, you need to have the ability to get some other people to sign up and complete an offer too!
What's a good site to do to get a free iPod, Xbox, money, etc?
In my opinion, the absolute best IFWs are run by Trainn (Transcendent Innovations, Inc.). They're highly rated in the industry, their offers are easy to complete, their customer service team is excellent, and they ship out their prizes fast!
Where?
Where can I go if I need help doing an IFW?
Well, my first suggestion would be to send an e-mail to the website's customer service department. They can usually help you out with any problems you're having, related to a specific website. For tips on how to complete IFWs and valuable resources, definitely come back to this blog! IFWs are my favorite money-making opportunity online, so I'll be writing a lot about them in the future. Leave me a comment with any problem or question you're having and I'll do my best to help you out! Also, visit the forums at Anything4Free.com. The people at those forums have helped me out a lot with any questions I've had about IFWs.
When?
When can I start?
Whenever you want to!
Why?
Why should I do IFWs instead of some other work-at-home opportunity?
1. It's legit. Think about it: everyone wins. The IFW operators win because they receive money from advertisers every time someone signs up for their offer. The advertisers win because you're signing up for their trial offer and perhaps becoming a repeat customer. And you win because you get a free prize at the end of it!
2. It's by far the easiest way to make some extra spending money on the Internet.
3. I'm here to help you along the way!
4. It takes minimal effort. Just sign up, complete an offer, and get some friends and family to do the same!
How? How do I get started?
Visit one of the websites I mentioned above and sign up. Complete an offer that looks interesting to you. Get some of your friends and family to sign up too!
So there's a breakdown on IFWs. That's pretty much all you need to know to get started!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Morosky
What Are Incentivized Free Websites by Mo Williams
Well, have you ever been surfing the net and came across and ad for a free TV, Ipod, Xbox, or some other electronic item? This is an example of an Incentivized Free Website. In fact you CAN get a free TV, Ipod, Xbox, or whatever they are advertising.
I know you're saying to yourself that nothing is free. There has to be some sort of catch. These items ARE free in the sense that you do not have to pay money for them. In fact, many IFW's offer cash as a prize choice.
Unfortunately, there is a catch. However, it's small compared to the benefits you receive. Here is an example of the way an IFW works:
I'm surfing the net and I see an ad for a free Ipod. I click on it and I'm taken to the IFW. There I complete a trial offer for a product or service I like. In order for me to redeem my Ipod, I must refer 2 other people to the site who also must complete a trial offer.
Each site varies on the number of offers and referrals that need to be completed to claim the prize. Trials can vary in price. Some are even free.
Advertisers are hoping that users like the products or services they try and continue to use them past the trial period.
Everyday, thousands of people are joining Incentivized Freebie Sites and racking up on cash and prizes. There are communities forming everyday and people are making a good extra income just from IFW's.
You will need a paypal account to receive cash prizes. If you don't have one just go to paypal.com and sign up. It's easy and free.
A word of caution, make sure before completing any offer that you carefully read the Terms of Service. Other than that, they are completely legit and you shouldn't have any other problems.
If your interested in IFW's just do a search under IFW's, freebie sites, incentivized freebie sites. You should be able to pull up hundreds.
I recommend http://easy.macrobucks.com . I have tried it numerous times with no problems. They have fast delivery of cash and prizes, and a great choice of offers to complete.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mo_Williams
Monday, August 4, 2008
Education Grants - what are they?
Grants for Education
By Angela Linton
When we think about grants, the first thing that comes to the first thing that comes to mind for many of us is education. This is not just due to the fact that there are a lot of grants available for education. It is due to the fact that this concept has been with us for quite some time now. It has given departments and students alike areas to venture into, areas that apart from the grant they would never have entered.
Types of Education Grants
There are many types of grants provided by the government, non-profit organisations as well as within the private sector. There are education grants available for children as well as for adults.
For example, there is the Toshiba America Foundation that provides grants that will help K-12 students in the areas of Mathematics and Science. On the other hand, there is also the Citi Group Foundation they provide grants for those who are pursuing a course (studies) in Financial Education.
There are also other areas of studies that they provide grants in.
Online Application
In the United States of America, the US Department of Education has provided e-Application (On-line) to assist in the application for grants. Therefore by using this avenue your application will be delivered to the correct department. Along with that it will reach the department a lot quicker.
By applying online you will also be given access to certain areas that normally you would have had to call or email about. By that I mean you will have access to your profile among other things along that same line. So seeking out organisations that provides grants for education online will be helpful to you in more case than one.
Other Organisations
The government, as I have alluded to before is not the only organisation that provides education grants. There are non-profit organisations as well as foundations that does this. The Annenbery Foundation as well as the Albertson is just a few such agencies.
Different Types
Education grants are made available to both individuals as well as to organisations. Therefore, when checking out education grants, it is a good idea to be certain about the type of grant and to whom the grant is being offered.
Use your Situation
Education grants are also offered to certain groups of people. For example, the African American Success Foundation speaks for itself. Therefore it goes without saying that those who are African American and are in need of an education grant in the areas that this foundation deals with, should be taking a look here. I will also add that paying close attention to the persons that a grant is been offered to will save you a lot of time and energy.
There are also education grants that are specifically for women. For example, the Altruse Foundation offers grants to women who are living in “third world countries”; and desire to study in one of the collages in the United States of America that the Foundation is satisfied with.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Linton |
Choose the rights student loan
Not all student loans are created equally... and how do you know which is the best option for you as a student. This article outlines the differences between student loans to help you find which one is right for you.
Which College Loan is Right for You?
By Jill Dow
Many young college students are under tremendous pressure trying to figure out how they are going to pay the high costs of college tuition. Often times, their parents are equally concerned about where the money will come from for their child's education expenses. If you're a worried student or have a college bound child and have exhausted the financial aid and scholarship avenues, your only solution is a college loan. There are several kinds of college loans available, but which college loan is right for you?
The first type of college loan is a federal student loan. This loan is either subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized college loans are when the government pays the interest of the loan for the student for the time they are in school, but the student must show a great financial need to get this type of loan. Unsubsidized federal loans are available to anyone. With an unsubsidized college loan, the student must pay the interest beginning at the time the loan is issued. There is no deferment. Federal student loans are very easy to obtain and are the most commonly used.
The next type of college loan is a private student loan. A private student loan may be required to add funding when other types of financial aid are not enough to cover the student's costs. Private student loans are credit based. They are unsecured, which means they require no collateral, but they have very high interest rates. Private college loans can be used for anything, not just tuition costs.
Parent college loans are another type of college loan to consider. A parent college loan is a loan the parents can take for the full amount of the college tuition. This loan can span the tuition costs for all of the years the student will be attending college. This loan is convenient because it will be the only loan needed for the duration of your college years. The interest rates are much lower on parent student loans.
The last type of loan is the college consolidation loan. This loan is used to consolidate several prior loans into one loan source with one payment to a single lender, rather than having several payments to several lenders. Most students find that they need this type of college loan after they made the mistake of not getting enough funding in an initial loan.
These are the college loans available. Before choosing a college loan, try to figure out how much you need. Then see if you can get any help from your parents, financial aid or scholarships. Be sure that when applying for a college loan that your credit is as good as possible. With some careful thought, you should be able to select a college loan that is right for you.
For more information about college loans and some great college loan calculators visit http://collegeloanresource.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Dow
Alternative Ways to Pay for your Education
So you want to further your education... but how are you going to pay??? This article helps outline some options students have to stay in school!
Paying for Further Education: The Alternatives by Isla Campbell The prospect of paying significant tuition fees for further education, as well as needing further money to live day-to-day can be off-putting to many prospective students about to leave school or sixth-form college; as a result many are choosing to jump straight into the workplace rather than opt for further qualifications.
However, there are also a number of government grants and college bursaries available to those who fulfil certain criteria. So, before applying for a higher education course it is worth doing a little research to see what help is available as there could be an alternative to the prospect of spending many years repaying student debt. But, don’t despair. Even if after researching all the help available it transpires that you will still have to take out a student loan it is worth remembering that you will not be required to repay a penny until you have left university or college and are earning at least £15,000 per annum.
Student loans from the government changed after the 2005/06 academic year meaning that anyone now applying for a full-time higher education place could qualify for annual loans of up to £3,145 to cover the cost of tuition fees and up to £6,475 to cover other living costs, including accommodation. The interest rate payable on student loans is linked to inflation, meaning that in real terms you will pay back roughly only what you borrowed, and would certainly be a cheaper option that taking out a personal loan.
In addition, grants are also available to those who qualify, but unlike student loans they do not need to be repaid. Starting in academic year 2008/09 up to £2,835 per annum is available to students depending upon the amount of their annual household income. Any student from a household with an income of less than £25,000 per annum will qualify for the full maintenance grant of £2,835. A student from a home where the annual income is £50,000 would qualify for £524 and once the income exceeds £60,005 no grant is claimable.
Bursaries are also available directly from universities and colleges, and the amounts vary according to the institution. If you are thinking of applying to a particular university, first research the financial help available from that educational establishment. In some cases it can be as much as £1,000 for those on a full maintenance grant.
Even mature students don’t necessarily need to resort to a student loan or personal loan
Financial help is also available to those who choose to undertake part-time undergraduate study, but anyone thinking of choosing that route of higher education should do their research according to their own personal circumstances, as financial aid varies widely.
Disclaimer: This article has been written for information and interest purposes only. The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author only, and should not be construed as advice or used to make financial decisions. Expert financial advice should always be sought and any links contained within this article are included for information purposes only. drawn from a bank or other lender to pay their way through college, as they could also qualify for help. Dependent upon their personal circumstances and providing they are less than 60 years old when starting their higher education course mature students are usually treated as any other undergraduate with regards to the financial help they can obtain.
About the Author
Isla Campbell writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
So what exactly is the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans?
So this year, my financial aid packet from school consisted of both subsidized and unsubsidized loans. I had no idea what the difference is, until now. Hopefully, now you'll know the difference too!!!
Subsidized Vs Unsubsidized - Making Student Loans Simpler
By Gary Marjani
Before beginning the process of acquiring financial aid, it is important to understand a few essential facts, especially when it comes to student loans. This is particularly important because more and more potential college student have to rely on so many student loans these days. To begin with, it is vital to understand the two primary kinds of student loans. There are subsidized loans and unsubsidized student loans. The two types of loans are somewhat similar, but the differences between them are key. Understanding those differences is crucial when it comes to putting together a financial aid package.
To begin with, an individual student's need for financial aid is what determines the amount of a subsidized loan. Some common subsidized loans are the Subsidized Stafford Loan and the Perkins Loan. Succinctly, a subsidized student loan does not make students pay interest while they are enrolled in college. Instead, the federal government takes care of the interest while the student is in school. This is, in fact, why they are called "subsidized loans" - while a student is in school, the government subsidizes his or her interest for the duration. Following a student's graduation, there is a grace period, and after that, the student must begin paying back both the loan(s) and the interest.
Conversely, unsubsidized loans stipulate that a student must pay back the loan's interest while he or she is attending college. That is, of course, why they are referred to as unsubsidized loans - the federal government does not subsidize any of the balance for the student. As with subsidized loans, students have a grace period immediately following their graduation from college. The main difference between subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans here is that all of the financial responsibility is solely left up to the student.
Another key difference between subsidized loans and unsubsidized loans exists in the amount a student is allowed to borrow each year. As aforementioned subsidized loans depend on an individual students need for financial aid and financial status. As such, there may be a limit to how much a subsidized loan allows any single individual.
While unsubsidized loans may also limit the amount given to any one student, their limitations are usually far lower than those for subsidized loans. In general, unsubsidized loans allow students to borrow as much as five thousand dollars more than subsidized loans offer.
In most cases, a student must be enrolled in college on a part-time basis, at least, in order to receive either a subsidized loan or an unsubsidized loan. If a student with a subsidized loan finds that he or she needs more money, he or she can certainly turn to an unsubsidized loan instead. However, that is not the only other option at all - there are many types of student aid available; these are just two of the most common kinds. There are also a variety of grants, scholarships, and private loans available if a student's subsidized or unsubsidized loan does not meet all of his or her financial aid requirements.
Gary Marjani is author of several articles pertaining to student financial aid such as FAFSA, Stafford Loan, Pell Grant, etc.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Marjani