#loT Professional Services Market share

[shrutirathi226]

"IoT Professional Services and the Healthcare Sector: Market Dynamics

Introduction to loT Professional Services

IoT Professional Services provide enterprises with specific knowledge to enable them to properly utilize the Internet of Things (IoT). These services include developing strategies, putting IoT systems into place, and managing them to meet industry-specific requirements. This field’s experts integrate cloud platforms, IoT devices, and data analytics to boost innovation, increase productivity, and improve consumer experiences. IoT Professional Services provide smooth communication and data flow between systems, from device deployment and management to IoT architectural consultation.

Market overview

The IoT Professional Services Market is Valued USD 125.66 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 206.90 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.72% During the Forecast period of 2024–2032.This growth is driven by increasing adoption of IoT technologies across various industries, the rise of smart devices, and the growing need for businesses to leverage data for enhanced decision-making and operational efficiency.

Access Full Report : https://www.marketdigits.com/checkout/6?lic=s

Major Classifications are as follows:

By Service type

IoT consulting

IoT Infrastructure

System Designing and Integration

Support and Maintenance

Education and Training

By Deployment Mode

On-Premises

Cloud

By Organization Size

SMEs

Large Enterprises

By End-use Verticals

Manufacturing

Retail

Healthcare

Energy and Utilities

Transportation and Logistics

Others

Key Region/Countries are Classified as Follows: ◘ North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) ◘ Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy) ◘ Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia) ◘ South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc.) ◘ The Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa)

Major players in IoT Professional Services Market include:

Accenture (Ireland), Atos (France), IBM (US), Cognizant (US), DXC Technology (US), Deloitte (UK), Capgemini (France), TCS (India), NTT DATA (Japan), Infosys (India), AT&T (US), Wipro (India), General Electric (US), Honeywell (US), Oracle (US), HCL Technologies (India), EY (UK), Unisys (US), Vodafone (UK), and Tech Mahindra (India).

Market Drivers in IoT Professional Services Market

Increased Adoption of IoT Devices: As more industries and businesses implement IoT solutions, there’s a growing demand for professional services to support deployment, integration, and management.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Organizations are leveraging IoT data for better insights and decision-making, which drives demand for services related to data analytics, management, and integration.

Customization and Scalability Needs: Businesses often require tailored IoT solutions to meet specific needs, which drives demand for consulting and development services to create scalable and customized IoT implementations.

Market challenges in IoT Professional Services Market

Security Concerns: With the increasing number of connected devices, ensuring data security and privacy becomes more complex. Companies need to implement robust security measures to protect against potential breaches.

Scalability: As the number of IoT devices grows, scaling the infrastructure to handle increased data and connectivity demands can be difficult.

Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the evolving landscape of regulations related to data privacy and IoT standards can be complex and varies by region.

Market opportunities in IoT Professional Services Market

Security Concerns: With the increasing number of connected devices, ensuring data security and privacy becomes more complex. Companies need to implement robust security measures to protect against potential breaches.

Interoperability Issues: IoT systems often involve devices and platforms from different manufacturers. Ensuring that these systems work seamlessly together can be challenging.

User Adoption: Convincing end-users to adopt new IoT solutions and ensuring they are user-friendly can be a challenge, particularly if the technology is perceived as complex or intrusive.

Future trends in IoT Professional Services Market

Increased Integration of AI and Machine Learning: IoT solutions are increasingly leveraging AI and machine learning for predictive analytics, automation, and improved decision-making. This trend is expected to grow, leading to more sophisticated IoT applications.

Expansion of Edge Computing: Edge computing is becoming more prominent as it allows data to be processed closer to its source, reducing latency and improving efficiency. This trend is likely to continue as IoT devices generate more data.

Sustainability and Green IoT: There is a growing emphasis on developing IoT solutions that contribute to sustainability and environmental conservation. This includes energy-efficient devices and systems that help monitor and reduce carbon footprints.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the IoT professional services market is on a dynamic trajectory, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand across various sectors. Key trends such as the integration of AI and machine learning, expansion of edge computing, and enhanced cybersecurity measures are shaping its future. Industry-specific solutions, advancements in connectivity technologies like 5G, and a focus on sustainability are also significant factors influencing market growth.

[creepyscritches]

I read your post about open enrollment for the ACA and was hoping you might expand on why you believe it would take years to dismantle. I've been terrified that with a Republican house/senate, Trump could just snap his fingers and make it go away within months of taking office. I'd love some reassurance that that's not possible.

Hiya, sure I can share some thoughts on the matter! First, it's very important to understand the ACA is a huuuuuuuuuuuuge system with subject matter experts in dozens of places throughout the process. I'm one of those SMEs, but I am at the end of the process where the revenue is generated, so my insight is limited on the public facing pieces.

What this means is that I am professionally embedded in the ACA in a position that exists purely to show what conditions people are treated for and then generate that data into what's called a "risk score". There's about 6 pages I could write on it, but the takeaway is that the ACA is

1) intricately interwoven with the federal government

2) increasingly profitable, sustainable, and growing (it is STILL a for-profit system if you can believe it)

3) wholeheartedly invested in by the largest insurance companies in the country LARGELY due to the fact that they finally learned the rules of how to make the ACA a thriving center of business

4) since the big issuers are arm+leg invested in the ACA, there is a lot of resistance politically and on an industry level to leave it behind (think of the lobbyists, politicians, corporations that will fight tooth and nail to protect their profit + investment)

The process to calculate a risk score takes roughly 2 years. There is an audit for the concurrent year and then a vigorous retro audit for the prev year - - this is a rolling cycle every year. Medicare has a similar process. These are RVP + RADV audits if you would like the jargon.

Eliminating the ACA abruptly is as internally laughable as us finishing the RADV audit ahead of schedule. If Trump were to blow the ACA into smithereens on day 1, he would be drowning in issuer complaints and an economic health sector that is essentially bleeding out. You cut off the RVP early? We have half of next RADV stuck in the gears now. You cut off the RADV early? No issuer will get their "risk adjusted" payments for services rendered in the prev benefit year (to an extent, again very complex multi-process system).

The ACA is GREAT for the public and should be defended on that basis alone. However, the inner capitalistic nature of the ACA is a powerful armor that has conservatives + liberals defending it on a basis of capital + market growth. It's not sexy, but it makes too much money consistently for the system to be easily dismantled.

Or at least that's what I can tell you from the money center of the ACA. they don't bring us up in political conversation because we are confusing to seasoned professionals, boring to industry outsiders, and consistently we are anathema to the anti-ACA talking points.

I am already preparing for next year's RVP for this window of open enrollment. That RVP process will feed into the RADV in 2026. In 2025, we begin the RADV for 2024. If nothing else, the slow fucking gears of CMS will keep the ACA alive until we finish our work at the end of the process. I highly doubt that will be the only reason the ACA is safeguarded, but it is a powerful type of support to pair with people protecting the ACA for other reasons.

I work every day to show, defend, and educate on how many diagnoses are managed thru my company's ACA plans. My specialty is cancer and I see a lot of it. The revenue drive comes from the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rule stating only 20% MAX of profit may go to the issuer + the 80% at a minimum must go back to the customer or be invested in expanding benefits. The more people on the plan using it, the higher that 20% becomes for the issuer and the more impactful that 80% becomes for the next year of benefit growth. It is remarkably profitable once issuers stop seeking out "healthy populations". The ACA is a functional method for issuers to tap into a stable customer base (sick/chronic ill customers) that turns a profit, grows, and builds strong consumer bases in each state.

The industry can never walk away from this overnight - - this is the preferred investment for many big players. Changing the direction of those businesses will be a monumental effort that takes years (at least 2 with the audits). In the meantime, you still have benefits, you still have care, and you still have reason to sign up. Let us deal with the bureaucracy bullshit, go get your care and know you have benefits thru 2025 and we will be working to keep it that way for 2026 and forward. This is a wing of the federal government, it is not a jenga tower like Trump wishes.

[celestialtarot11]

what can indicate someone making a lot of money in their career?

Signs for making 💰

Sag sun—always working multiple jobs, having multiple interests. May be into stocks, trading, engineering, software engineering, marketing. May be into tourism.

Capricorn venus, Capricorn moon—Always working and grinding. Networks easily. But I notice with these placements they may go on to start a side job earlier than getting a full time job. That full time job may come later depending on aspects to the moon. Has a superseding reputation for their determination and professionalism.

For example capricorn moon aspecting saturn has had jobs come in later to their life. May not have had their first job until 20 and onward. They may have been working on a side hustle the entire time.

Jupiter 1h, Jupiter 10h—Success follows these individuals. Career opportunities opened themselves up to them. The more the native works on their mindset they become a manifesting success story! Though don’t be fooled these individuals have had to work on themselves immensely.

Venus asp jupiter—Cash flows in. Though with this placement the native can spend just as easily and create just as much as they lost. (Trine, sextile, conj.)

Venus 5h—makes money off of doing what they love! Most definitely has a side hustle alongside their job.

Aquarius, sun moon, rising—also can be known for their unique side hustles. May be into designing clothes of their own, making music, but there’s something so fleshed out and distinct about their side hustle people are attracted to. May have a blog, make music,

Gemini venus, sun, moon—very multifaceted in their skills. Almost everywhere and nowhere at once with how busy they are. Paired with Leo: they may have a high position in their community and attract a lot of people. It creates the perfect audience for them to sell to! May crochet or sell handmade items!

Leo sun, rising—Has a knack for presenting themselves in any community. Does well with meeting new people to gain new opportunities and experiences. Likable energy. Most likely to own a vlog, or a blog where they can talk and share their stories. Makes money off of being themselves. Very hardworking individuals and determined!

Scorpio rising—Works in silence, keeps their success limited to people who celebrate it. Highly successful, looked up to, and is intelligent with their finances. Knows how to save. They are a fixed sign so once they see something in their mind they will not stop until they manifest success!

Capricorn/saturn dom—knowing how to budget and is successful because of their ability to save money. Not just their job!

Libra moon/rising—May work in a job requiring long travels, be in a position where income is higher. They’re beauty and brains. Some men are construction workers with this placement and make a hell of a lot of money. If moon is in the 12h they’re more likely to travel long distances. Can become models, nurses, doctors.

Cancer 10h, libra moon, libra venus—Can work in home renovation, be a real estate agent. Makes a ton of money off of bringing in clients. If they have aspects to mercury, gemini, exalted mercury, they can talk anyone into buying a home or service.

Libra moon—may also know someone who offers them a higher paying job.

Saturn 3h—Very skilled individuals. Disciplined and goal oriented. Slow and steady wins the race. Takes their time to learn new skills in their career thus making them knowledgeable. Whereas their coworkers tend to gloss over—no these individuals tend to stay late hours and put in more effort. Had a huge chance of being recognized and moving up in their position.

Taurus 2h—Check where venus is placed. If making an aspect to jupiter, moon, the native can become financially successful. (Trine, sextile, conj)

Jupiter 2h—Controversial perspective but a lot of these natives feel as though they have enough money to get by. It just somehow comes in when they need it. Same for sag ruling 2h.

Virgo mercury, virgo 2h—Can be concerned with spending habits and analyze them. May budget a lot and try different methods for saving. Has a critical eye for finances. May make a monthly spreadsheet! Can be into nursing as well.

Venus 10h—If the benefic is positively aspected it’ll bring lots of success to the natives career. Chance to become widely known for their work. Their charm and interpersonal skills leas to success.

Aries sun—Competitive in the career field. Sun is exalted here so these natives truly want to be the best they can be. Authoritative, determined in their work. Grinds a lot. Similar to Capricorn but more extroverted. Passionate, enthusiastic, and it drives them to make great connections in their career.

Sun 6h—Brilliant ideas, determined and structured. Puts in energy to their work. Day to day activities yield long term results. Their determination is what really gets them there. Has a great relationship with their coworkers and bosses if positively aspected.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Too big to care

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in BOSTON with Randall "XKCD" Munroe (Apr 11), then PROVIDENCE (Apr 12), and beyond!

Remember the first time you used Google search? It was like magic. After years of progressively worsening search quality from Altavista and Yahoo, Google was literally stunning, a gateway to the very best things on the internet.

Today, Google has a 90% search market-share. They got it the hard way: they cheated. Google spends tens of billions of dollars on payola in order to ensure that they are the default search engine behind every search box you encounter on every device, every service and every website:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/03/not-feeling-lucky/#fundamental-laws-of-economics

Not coincidentally, Google's search is getting progressively, monotonically worse. It is a cesspool of botshit, spam, scams, and nonsense. Important resources that I never bothered to bookmark because I could find them with a quick Google search no longer show up in the first ten screens of results:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/21/im-feeling-unlucky/#not-up-to-the-task

Even after all that payola, Google is still absurdly profitable. They have so much money, they were able to do a $80 billion stock buyback. Just a few months later, Google fired 12,000 skilled technical workers. Essentially, Google is saying that they don't need to spend money on quality, because we're all locked into using Google search. It's cheaper to buy the default search box everywhere in the world than it is to make a product that is so good that even if we tried another search engine, we'd still prefer Google.

This is enshittification. Google is shifting value away from end users (searchers) and business customers (advertisers, publishers and merchants) to itself:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/05/the-map-is-not-the-territory/#apor-locksmith

And here's the thing: there are search engines out there that are so good that if you just try them, you'll get that same feeling you got the first time you tried Google.

When I was in Tucson last month on my book-tour for my new novel The Bezzle, I crashed with my pals Patrick and Teresa Nielsen Hayden. I've know them since I was a teenager (Patrick is my editor).

We were sitting in his living room on our laptops – just like old times! – and Patrick asked me if I'd tried Kagi, a new search-engine.

Teresa chimed in, extolling the advanced search features, the "lenses" that surfaced specific kinds of resources on the web.

I hadn't even heard of Kagi, but the Nielsen Haydens are among the most effective researchers I know – both in their professional editorial lives and in their many obsessive hobbies. If it was good enough for them…

I tried it. It was magic.

No, seriously. All those things Google couldn't find anymore? Top of the search pile. Queries that generated pages of spam in Google results? Fucking pristine on Kagi – the right answers, over and over again.

That was before I started playing with Kagi's lenses and other bells and whistles, which elevated the search experience from "magic" to sorcerous.

The catch is that Kagi costs money – after 100 queries, they want you to cough up $10/month ($14 for a couple or $20 for a family with up to six accounts, and some kid-specific features):

https://kagi.com/settings?p=billing_plan&plan=family

I immediately bought a family plan. I've been using it for a month. I've basically stopped using Google search altogether.

Kagi just let me get a lot more done, and I assumed that they were some kind of wildly capitalized startup that was running their own crawl and and their own data-centers. But this morning, I read Jason Koebler's 404 Media report on his own experiences using it:

https://www.404media.co/friendship-ended-with-google-now-kagi-is-my-best-friend/

Koebler's piece contained a key detail that I'd somehow missed:

When you search on Kagi, the service makes a series of “anonymized API calls to traditional search indexes like Google, Yandex, Mojeek, and Brave,” as well as a handful of other specialized search engines, Wikimedia Commons, Flickr, etc. Kagi then combines this with its own web index and news index (for news searches) to build the results pages that you see. So, essentially, you are getting some mix of Google search results combined with results from other indexes.

In other words: Kagi is a heavily customized, anonymized front-end to Google.

The implications of this are stunning. It means that Google's enshittified search-results are a choice. Those ad-strewn, sub-Altavista, spam-drowned search pages are a feature, not a bug. Google prefers those results to Kagi, because Google makes more money out of shit than they would out of delivering a good product:

https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/2/24117976/best-printer-2024-home-use-office-use-labels-school-homework

No wonder Google spends a whole-ass Twitter every year to make sure you never try a rival search engine. Bottom line: they ran the numbers and figured out their most profitable course of action is to enshittify their flagship product and bribe their "competitors" like Apple and Samsung so that you never try another search engine and have another one of those magic moments that sent all those Jeeves-askin' Yahooers to Google a quarter-century ago.

One of my favorite TV comedy bits is Lily Tomlin as Ernestine the AT&T operator; Tomlin would do these pitches for the Bell System and end every ad with "We don't care. We don't have to. We're the phone company":

https://snltranscripts.jt.org/76/76aphonecompany.phtml

Speaking of TV comedy: this week saw FTC chair Lina Khan appear on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It was amazing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDTiWaYfcM

The coverage of Khan's appearance has focused on Stewart's revelation that when he was doing a show on Apple TV, the company prohibited him from interviewing her (presumably because of her hostility to tech monopolies):

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/apple-got-caught-censoring-its-own

But for me, the big moment came when Khan described tech monopolists as "too big to care."

What a phrase!

Since the subprime crisis, we're all familiar with businesses being "too big to fail" and "too big to jail." But "too big to care?" Oof, that got me right in the feels.

Because that's what it feels like to use enshittified Google. That's what it feels like to discover that Kagi – the good search engine – is mostly Google with the weights adjusted to serve users, not shareholders.

Google used to care. They cared because they were worried about competitors and regulators. They cared because their workers made them care:

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/4/4/18295933/google-cancels-ai-ethics-board

Google doesn't care anymore. They don't have to. They're the search company.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/04/teach-me-how-to-shruggie/#kagi

[caturnmoon]

Astrology Observations #4️⃣

🍄Virgo Venus 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾 love language being acts of service.

🍄The Mercury conjunct your midheaven aspect gives me huge “networking for a living” vibes. You could thrive in sales, or a job that requires a lot of communication in some way; either orally or written. Like a columnist or someone in marketing!

🍄Whereas squares add tension to an aspect and planet, oppositions work against each other like same sided magnets; no matter how hard you try, planets won’t mesh unless there’s a balance between the two. It’s tension, but opposing tension. Like a blockage to the energies of that planet that needs working through.

🍄Venus square Pluto aspects could attract obsessive people and have issues with stalkers. Also, power struggles in relationships if you’re not careful!

🍄Aquarius mars and being the avoidant types when it comes to conflict. The nature of the water bearer is to work with the collective at its most evolved, so they’ll usually rise above petty conflict to get to a logical solution. Similar to Libra but not as passively. Or, they are known to rebel to make a shocking statement. They are the rebels of the zodiac after all thanks to Uranus! They get fired up for a cause that’s for sure.

🍄Having your sun conjunct your moon is a pretty awesome aspect in my opinion! If everything else supports this, there could be a nice balance between your ego and emotional self/inner world. They both act as a checks and balances for each other, which is oh so healthy. Could also signify a beautiful relationship between both parents! It’s harmonious and there wasn’t much fighting or toxicity.

🍄As someone who is on the autistic spectrum I love looking to my whole sign Aquarius Saturn in the 3rd house. It explains a lot.

🍄The 8th house not only resembles intimate relationships, shared assets, debts and of course death, but also inheritance too!

🍄Having a highly aspected Chiron indicates the potential for you to become a healer in this lifetime! Chiron is the wounded healer, and so its house sign and aspects can hint towards what needs healing within yourself in order to help others!

🍄A lot of physical therapist and medical professionals have a lot of Virgo in their charts, as well as Scorpio too I’ve noticed. Especially MC.

Until next time! 👽🖖🏼

[femmefatalevibe]

any tips for getting into copywriting?

Learn the basics of copywriting & writing fundamentals/ marketing skills

Study the different types of copywriting (web/banners, email, social, ads, direct mail, sales letters, etc.)

Decide on your niche(s). Study everything you can about the industry, trends, latest news, customer demographics/psychographics, customer behavior, types of lifestyles/preferences they have, how they speak, where they spend the most time (IRL or digitally)

Craft an inspiration folder full of compelling copywriting examples you find when browsing on the web, going through your email, scrolling on social media, billboards, magazines, direct mail, etc.

Practice rewriting these examples with your own flair. Evaluate it, and keep practicing until you're proud of your copy.

Be as concise, clever, and convincing as possible. Keep your tone conversational (write like how you would speak), catchy, simple, and witty. Take out any extraneous or fluff words. Pepper in cultural references, puns, and relatable anecdotes understood by your target audience when relevant to your messaging/CTA

Create a portfolio with these mock-ups or projects done for family/friends (state they're spec work, not client-commissioned samples) or clips from an internship, school work, etc.

Craft a USP for yourself (including your niche, copywriting specialties, and the specific expertise you offer within your broader niche/service offerings that makes you unique)

Create an Upwork profile and share your services on LinkedIn (optimize both of these profiles)

Research local clients and small businesses within your niche. Also, take time to create a list of dream clients. Study their copy, brand voice, and keep tabs on updates regarding these companies' happenings

Learn the art of a cold email/LinkedIn pitch/Upwork proposal. Introduce yourself and your services to your prospect and share with them how you can fulfill a specific need they're seeking out (For local and smaller companies, feel free to offer suggestions. With more established companies, connect the dots as to why your experience/expertise is a great fit for their brand/target audience), and attach your work/link to your LinkedIn profile, website, and any other relevant hub for your professional services & content

Ask for referrals from friends/family to get started. If they're not a relative, get a testimonial to include in your portfolio

Follow up once if you haven't heard back from a prospective client after an initial pitch after a few days

Search for potential gigs on sites like Upwork/ProBlogger/People Per Hour

Once you land a gig, execute to the best of your ability and hand in your work by the deadline (strategies surrounding best business practices is a whole other post, lol)

Gather testimonials from all clients of successful projects. Confirm with clients whether you can use their work in your portfolio if you're unsure

Continue studying copywriting from books, courses, and everyday reading & living

Stay knowledgeable about advancements/updates in your field, keep updated on current events, and culture/social trends, and read a lot in general. Have interesting, multi-faceted conversations with others. Observe what makes people tick & remain engaged in a verbal dialogue or content

[linkablewritingadvice]

How much should it cost to be a writer?

It depends what route you’re taking. If you are planning to go for traditional publishing, which looks like you finishing a manuscript and then querying agents who will then take your book to publishers, you should be paying for basically nothing. One exception would be if you decide to hire an editor to get a pass over your manuscript and/or query package before sending it off, but this is not required.

If you are in the process of trying to get your manuscript traditionally published, you may be approached by a “publisher” offering to publish your manuscript for a fee. THIS IS A SCAM! An author should never be paying for “publishing services.” Anyone asking you to pay for your own printing, marketing, etc. costs is taking advantage of you. These are called vanity publishers and they will not turn you a profit, help you attract readers, or provide you the prestige of being published. 

Always check on Writer Beware - search for the name of the person or company. You can also just google that name along with the word “scam” or “reviews.” In general, don’t let yourself be blinded by dreams, or let yourself be convinced that something is a good idea because you really want it to be true. Never, ever, ever pay a publisher.

If you are going the self-publishing route, you will be paying for certain things, but none of those should be payment to be published. You are the publisher. Uploading your manuscript to Amazon or other marketplaces is free. However, you will be paying for things that a publisher typically pays for. This could include:

-Cover art - you could do this yourself, though this isn't recommended. A good cover is key to a book's success, so budget to purchase a pre-made book cover, or hire a professional cover artist.

To find pre-made book covers, you can just Google "premade book covers," or check one of these sites: BookCoverZone RockingBookCovers Beetiful

And here's a list of places to buy both custom and pre-made cover designs that's a good start. You can also check Reedsy and Etsy for people listing cover design services. If there is a self-pubbed author whose covers you love, try asking them what artist they use.

-Formatting - you could do this yourself using a formatting program like Atticus, or you could hire someone who does professional e-book formatting.

Here's an article on the turbo-DIY route. Here's a list of formatting programs you can use. To hire someone, you can simply search for book formatting services or look at places where people list such services for hire, like Reedsy, Fiverr, or certain Reddit boards.

-Ad campaigns - you may want to pay for ad campaigns on platforms like Meta or Amazon. More niche, author-specific platforms like BookBub, Book Funnel, or Book Sirens also come with certain costs. 

-Author services - you may wish to hire an expert in things like marketing, blurb copy, social media metrics, newsletter management, etc. You can find information on that here.

Be aware that scam publishers might try to pitch themselves as "author services" - you should be paying someone to help you with specific aspects of your self publishing work, NOT paying to be published.

-Software and platforms - whether it's a subscription to Duotrope, a paid Scribophile account, access to pro Canva features, etc. you may decide to pay for tools that you will use to do your work well.

-Expert advice - some people offer courses, books, or other resources on how to do specific things like write a compelling blurb or run an effective ad campaign. You may notice that a lot of the links I shared here will include upsells from people doing exactly this!

Be very cautious about this, as most of these people claim that they make tons of money on their self published books, but really, they make their money selling this stuff to people like you. Always check out a person’s free resources first, and wait to invest in this sort of thing until you have a specific question you need answered or are trying to do a very particular thing that you need granular guidance on. 

One thing you should NOT pay for is a review, feature, or interview. Self-published authors will be approached by a lot of scammers who claim that, for a nominal fee, they will share information about your book to their huge audiences. These are completely useless and a waste of money. Never spend money on this.

Always keep track of what you are spending on all of this. You may be able to deduct it from taxes you pay on your income from writing, and you will want to really understand what your profit margins look like.

[asharkapologist]

Jade Palace + Social Media

Basically, I thought up of a bunch of silly headcanons about if Po + the Furious Five had social media because I thought it would be funny. Enjoy!

Viper has the most followers. Like, she has millions of followers. She was also the first one to ask Shifu if they could get social media accounts, as she wanted to keep in contact with her family. Shifu kept telling her no, thinking such a thing would be a distraction for them. (Viper, then Monkey and Mantis, went behind his back and got accounts anyways. After Po came along and Shifu found inner peace and became a lot less strict to his students, he allowed them to get social media. They wisely pretended as if they never had it when they made their accounts public.) Viper was originally fine with just commenting on and sharing what her sisters and other family posted, but then she discovered ASMR, and fell absolutely in love with it. She developed a strong attachment to ASMR, and began practicing it, and people love it, thinking her voice and the rattles she makes when she moves are perfect for ASMR. She also gives excellent affirmations.

Monkey and Mantis also downloaded social media before Shifu allowed it. They both have a substantial amount of followers, with Monkey having slightly more than Mantis. Monkey posts selfies/pictures but also spams the group chat with memes. Mantis advertises his acupuncture services and sends extremely cursed memes to their group chat, which Monkey appreciates. Tigress is not so amused. She has threatened to block both of them multiple times in order to not see their constant cursed memes.

Po has the second most followers. He had social media before he became the Dragon Warrior that he used to market his dad’s business, but after he became the Dragon Warrior, naturally his follower account exploded, as did his dad’s business. Po fills his stories and posts with selfies and pictures of Shifu (despite him trying to avoid appearing on social media posts), the Furious Five, and shares all the content that his friends make. Naturally, whenever he posts pictures of him and the Five eating at Mr. Ping’s restaurant, Mr. Ping experiences a boom in business. Po also posts pictures of his food just as much--if not more--than his pictures of his friends and family.

Crane was somewhat hesitant to get social media, and his account was private for quite a while. He eventually made his account public after being peer pressured into it. He’s the least active of Po and the Five online, and Viper and Po (especially the latter) are trying to convince him to post his calligraphy and artwork, considering it to be quite skilled. His self-consciousness has prevented him from doing so thus far.

Tigress has the third most followers. She’s very no-nonsense on social media, and surprisingly, Po managed to talk her into getting it fairly soon after Shifu allowed it. Now, Tigress posts manageable workouts on her accounts for the average person, focusing especially on self-defense skills that women can use. Her popularity online has certainly grown quite well. Po also talked her into doing a couple lives with her followers, keeping everything professional and answering questions relevant to the content she posts. Po keeps trying to talk her into teaching a kung fu class for girls or a self-defense class for women in general. (“Come on! They think you’re awesome! They love you! You’re so hardcore!”) She may be considering it. 

Shifu is not terribly technologically literate. He is definitely a boomer who would struggle to figure out how to download something to a flash drive. He also has a habit of taking pictures that are very off-center, or otherwise do not look great (his thumb has covered the camera several times before). He doesn’t have social media, and is constantly asking Po to teach him how to take good pictures (Po takes the best ones) and has accidentally downloaded viruses onto the Jade Palace computers twice. Oogway is chuckling at him from the Spirit Realm.

[bunny-hoodlum]

The main Narutos of Narutoland so far:

Landlord!Naruto: Looks like Gutsy. Househusband. Sentimental. Old school romantic. (You hear 90s Romantic movie soundtracks and Vance Joy whenever you're with him.) Service Top. Never has anything bad to say. Respects your independence. Hates long periods of time apart. Tries to not be clingy. Great gardener. Better home repairman. Deep Kissing Kink. Pure passion. High Compersion, but bad at sharing. Probably likes to watch but won't admit it.

Moving Company Foreman!Naruto: Looks like The Last/19yos. Street smart. Professional. A straight-shooter. Versatile. High body count. Likes people. Likes seeing them happy. Somewhat distant but highly compassionate. Lots of piercings, but keeps his face clean on the job. Got one of the teen Narutos into punk/emo music. Moved to the mainland and never looked back. Eye Contact kink. Looooves to watch you fall apart on his dick.

Postman!Naruto: Looks 25yos. Workaholic. Punctual but airheaded. Naive and earnest. Has never stopped to think about what he wants. Big 'Born Sexy Yesterday' vibes. Can only do quickies because his entire self-worth is wrapped in his work performance. This man needs a vacation. And a hobby. Secretly talented at slow-fucking when given the chance.

Farmer!Naruto: Looks 19yos. Smells like tomato vines and petrichor. Knowledgable. Unpredictably patient and impatient. Will fuck you in the fields and make you the dirty girl that you are.

Produce Hawker!Naruto: Looks 19yos. Sells the farmer's goods. Doesn't get enough business because very few Narutos buy vegetables other than the Landlord. Has all the time to fuck on the job. Lacks the good sense to fuck somewhere sane and private, like in his home above the shop. Has convinced himself he must man the stall at all times, leaving you to 'pay' for your vegetables right then and there in front of the other Narutos in the street market.

Menma/Emo!Naruto: Looks 15yos. Black hair. Individualistic. Looks up to Foreman!Naruto like a big brother. Wishes he could go to the mainland with him, or he would visit more often. None of the other Narutos in his age range understand why he likes 'that' music. Feels lonely living in this backwater prison of an island surrounded by mostly self-involved adult versions. Pessimistic but thoughtful and protective. Needs a lot of guidance during sex, but has very talented hips. Also is the most vocal. Praise Kink. Praise him. Pet his hair. Pet, pet, good boy.

Butcher!Naruto: Looks 35yos. Gruff. Crass. Dominating. Degradation kink. Daddy kink. Taker before a Giver. Just... the Daddiest. Has the good sense to make love to you in private. Will make you wait for him first, fuck whatever your plans were for the day. Will reserve you the best cut of meat. Best BBQ grill man on the island. Bit of a provider. There's rough sex and then there's the roughest sex. Will fuck you like he's ready to start a family. Will parade you and use you in front of his poker buddies, then give them turns with you after. Only one allowed to cum inside. Can be overly aggressive. Only willing to get violent with his 'brothers'. Plays rough with you often skirting the line of good taste, but has the most precise motor control of any of them. When he's delicate, he is delicate. Secretly the most vulnerable of them all.

The Hermit/Naruto: Looks 50yos. The second-most Daddiest. Currently in self-isolation.

[sherlynnxy]

 ‘Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram?’

MDA 20009 Digital Communities

Hello and welcome to my blog, I hope you all had a great weekend :)

In today's “gen-z” era, media platforms like Tiktok and Instagram are becoming a frequent trend. As new forms of content such as videos, podcasts and social media platforms continue to dominate, some believe that the era of the traditional blog is coming to an end. One of the questions that is constantly being explored is, “In the age of TikToks and Instagram, is there still a point to blogging? However, based on my observations, I don't think blogging is dead, there is still a market for blogging, rather it has evolved and adapted to the changing digital landscape and can be differentiated from the audience of social media platforms. A closer look reveals that blogging will still have considerable value in 2024, for both individuals and businesses.

Before we dive into this topic, let's define Blog, Tiktok and Instagram.

Background: What is Blog, TikTok and Instagram?

According to Dennis, M.A. (2024), blog is an online journal in which an individual, group, or company presents a record of activities, thoughts, or beliefs. A blog consists of more than just words and pictures, and it can't be just words. Instead, it's a sum of text, layout, connections and links, and posting speed (Blogging, n.d.). Examples include blogger.com and wordpress.com, as well as Tumblr, which is the application you are now using to view this post :3

In addition, Herring et al.'s 2004 study showed that not only did personal blogs reveal their feelings and experiences, but that the mainstream media considered blogs to be newsworthy or relevant to current events, calling them “a new genre of journalism” (Filloux, 2009; Hermida, 2010), and that professional journalists were adopting the blog format as well.

Social media has been defined by Obar and Wildman (2015) that it is a mobile and internet-based platforms used to facilitate various forms of communication, social interaction, marketing and knowledge sharing (Hovestadt et al., 2021). Also, others define the term as ‘a web-based service or platform based on web 2.0 technology that enables sharing, co-creation, discussion and modification of user-generated content’ (Werder et al. 2014). Famous social media include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.  

TikTok is a relatively new social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos of up to 15 seconds in length. As a user-generated content (UGC) platform, it has become a popular application for sharing videos (Feldkamp, 2021)

While research by Larson & Draper (2017), Instagram is a mobile application that allows users to instantly transform mobile phone snapshots into visually appealing images that can then be shared with others on the web Van Dijck (2013). TikTok and Instagram have become popular platforms for marketing campaigns because the content shared on these platforms is short, fun, trendy, creative and interactive (Zhang, 2020).

Do Blogging still holds significant value?

There is a perception that blogging may be seen as a dying industry.

Source: HubSpot

The data shows that 73% of respondents admit to skimming blog posts, while 27% read them carefully. Teicher (2020) has stated that 75% of the public prefers reading articles under 1,000 words. Teicher (2020) states that 75% of the public prefers to read articles of less than 1000 words.

Due to shifting consumption patterns and a culture of ‘instant gratification’ - in this age of instant information and short attention spans - a comprehensive and detailed approach to blog writing may seem somewhat outdated and unnecessary. Infographics and visualizations are designed to be visually appealing and interactive, which helps to capture the attention of the target audience more effectively than a lot of text (Blogging, n.d.).

However, in my opinion, blogging is not a dying industry. Even in the age of TikTok and Instagram, blogging is still relevant because of its unique capabilities, especially when it comes to deep content, personal expression, and fostering community engagement. Here are some statistics that prove that blogging is still significant.

Source: Statista

Source: Social Media Today

Evidently, there are 1.8 billion websites in the digital ecosystem and more than 600 million blogs worldwide (Armstrong 2021). Accordingly, 77% of internet users still read blogs. (Walker-Ford, 2017) which reveals that blogging is still incredibly valuable. 

Source: HubSpot

On top of that, this survey results that show that blogging is still alive and well. The findings show that people enjoy reading blogs that teach them how to do new things, solve problems, and learn about new trends related to their career or industry.

Personally, I also like to use blogs when I'm learning something new, as it's perfect for providing in-depth tutorials, comprehensive guides or sharing personal experiences rather than short descriptions.

Additionally, blogs can be used not only for the purpose of sharing one's thoughts, but also as an educational tool. Oravec states that blogging is appropriate for students and helps to encourage participation in the classroom. According to Alsareef (2013), students are generally satisfied with taking courses online through social networks because it is easy to use, classes become more interesting, it provides more flexibility for extracurricular activities, and they are able to feel well educated.

Here's the end...

In short, blogging is still relevant in the age of TikTok and Instagram, and both platforms clearly have their own unique strengths and nuances. Blogging allows for in-depth content creation, while Instagram focuses on visual storytelling. However, blogs can continue to fulfill different social and informational needs, making them adaptable and relevant in the broader digital landscape. For example, blogs can also embrace the power of multimedia, and bloggers can consider incorporating images, infographics, and GIFs to enhance the visual appeal of their content and help segment text. According to a survey by Bump (2024), 32% of respondents said that videos, images, or other multimedia are the elements that interest them most when reading blog content.

Thank you for reading! See ya in next post ;)

Reference:

Alshareef, M. A. (2013). Evaluate student satisfaction for social learning network at King Abdulaziz University. Advances in Internet of Things, 03(03), 41–44. https://doi.org/10.4236/ait.2013.33006

Armstrong, M. (2021, August 6). How many websites are there? Statista Daily Data. https://www.statista.com/chart/19058/number-of-websites-online/

Blogging. (n.d.). Google Books. https://books.google.com.my/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VrhvqxjhSaEC&oi=fnd&pg=PP5&dq=blog&ots=JCUTMzaBSN&sig=aHWVbBua_dTSGpcZFQ4ctnfubOA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=blog&f=false

Bump, P. (2024, January 2). The Top 3 Reasons consumers read blogs & How to attract them in 2024 [New data]. HubSpot. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/why-do-people-read-blogs#:~:text=In%20this%20blog%20post,%20I%E2%80%98ll%20walk%20you%20through#:~:text=In%20this%20blog%20post,%20I%E2%80%98ll%20walk%20you%20through

Dennis, M. Aaron (2024, September 17). blog. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/blog

Feldkamp, J. (2021). The rise of TikTok: the evolution of a social media platform during COVID-19. In SpringerBriefs in information systems (pp. 73–85). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66611-8_6

Hovestadt, C., Recker, J., Richter, J., & Werder, K. (2021). Digital responses to COvid-19. In SpringerBriefs in information systems. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66611-8

Teicher, J. (2020, August 19). The lost art of the Mid-Range blog post. Contently. https://contently.com/2019/01/14/mid-range-blog-post/

Walker-Ford, M. (2017, December 4). The benefits of Blogging: 20+ stats Business owners need to know [Infographic]. Social Media Today. https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/the-benefits-of-blogging-20-stats-business-owners-need-to-know-infograph/511816/

Van Dijck, J. (2013). Social media platforms as producers. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263565270_Social_Media_Platforms_as_Producers#:~:text=With%20the%20prolific%20use%20of%20social%20media%20platforms,

Zhang, J. (2020). Study on social media marketing campaign strategy -- TikTok and Instagram. https://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/127010

[thefisherqueen]

I'm reading Letters from Watson's The three Garridebs as a bedtime story tonight. First things first - what even is this title?? *some research later* Oh, Garridebs is a last name, apparently. Wouldn't have guessed that. Yet another story title I will never be able to remember

It may have been a comedy, or it may have been a tragedy. It cost one man his reason, it cost me a blood-letting, and it cost yet another man the penalties of the law. I'm intrigued. They surely didn't still do blood-letting in the early 20th century? Or does this mean that Watson gets wounded in this case

I remember the date very well, for it was in the same month that Holmes refused a knighthood for services which may perhaps some day be described. I'm having a bit of trouble telling apart when Holmes wants attention and when he does not. He seems to thrive upon Watson's attention, and to immensely enjoy the attention he receives by acting Dramatic(TM), yet public praise or fame is to be avoided?

I only refer to the matter in passing, for in my position of partner and confidant I am obliged to be particularly careful to avoid any indiscretion. Partner, confidant, collegue, companion, intimate friend. In other words, 'you are so important to me'

Holmes had spent several days in bed, as was his habit from time to time It's been years since I spent an entire day in bed. I wonder if that means that I'm doing better, or if I'm just not allowing myself enough time to rest and recover from Life

"Have you ever heard the name of Garrideb?" I admitted that I had not. Same, Watson, same

"Why do you say that, Mr. Holmes?" I seemed to read sudden suspicion in those expressive eyes. "Your whole outfit is English." Mr. Garrideb forced a laugh. "I've read of your tricks, Mr. Holmes, but I never thought I would be the subject of them." Oh my. This man does not like to be deduced. I have a feeling he's going to be difficult

"Why did he ever drag you into it at all?" asked our visitor, with a sudden outflame of anger. "What in thunder had you to do with it? Here was a bit of professional business between two gentlemen, and one of them must needs call in a detective! Ah, here we have our trouble. I hope Holmes politely yet ruthlessly will tell him to shut it and keep his calm

"And now, sir, since you are here, we had best have a clear account from your own lips. My friend here knows nothing of the details." Mr. Garrideb surveyed me with not too friendly a gaze. "Need he know?" he asked. Not even an actual king could pry these two apart, sir, you better not even try. They come Together

He made his money in real estate, and afterwards in the wheat pit at Chicago wheat pit: a market or exchange where wheat stocks are bought and sold (merriam-webster dictionairy)

one day I had a visit from the old man, and he was tickled to death to meet another man with his own name 'tickled to death' is one of the many amazing expressions I'm going to incorportate into my vocabulairy

I told him I was a busy man and could not spend my life hiking round the world in search of Garridebs. 'None the less,' said he, 'that is just what you will do if things pan out as I planned them.' I thought he was joking, but there was a powerful lot of meaning in the words, as I was soon to discover. "For he died within a year of saying them, and he left a will behind him. It was the queerest will that has ever been filed in the State of Kansas. His property was divided into three parts, and I was to have one on condition that I found two Garridebs who would share the remainder. I... wow. That is some typical rich guy bullshit. I wonder if a third one exists at all?

"I am wondering, Watson—just wondering!" "At what?" Holmes took his pipe from his lips. "I was wondering, Watson, what on earth could be the object of this man in telling us such a rigmarole of lies. I nearly asked him so—for there are times when a brutal frontal attack is the best policy—but I judged it better to let him think he had fooled us. Well. That does changes things. I'm joining Holmes now in wondering what that unpleasant american is up to

It was twilight of a lovely spring evening, and even Little Ryder Street, one of the smaller offshoots from the Edgware Road, within a stone-cast of old Tyburn Tree of evil memory, looked golden and wonderful in the slanting rays of the setting sun. I think I read about this place. An execution site, if I remember it correctly. *googles* Yes, it was a gallows. From marble-arch.londen:

It is impossible to know exactly what form the original took as there are so few written reports. In fact, during their first hundred years from 1177 to 1273, only eight single executions were deemed interesting enough to make note of.

But we do know that in 1571 a permanent triangular frame was erected – a mammoth structure that could, and sometimes did, hang up to 24 people at a time. The Tyburn Tree was of such renown it is even mentioned in Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost: “Thou mak’st the triumviry, the corner-cap of society, The shape of Love’s Tyburn, that hangs up simplicity.”

Many met their end here. Records from the 1570s alone report that 704 felons were sentenced to be hanged there throughout the decade, for crimes ranging from murder to stealing cattle. Finally taken down in 1759 (presumably due to wear and tear), the structure was eventually replaced by a gallows that could be easily erected and dismantled each time. A gruesome early iteration of the London ‘pop-up’.

The last execution upon the tree was that of robber John Austin in 1783. The new place of execution became Newgate Prison. Today, a circular plaque embedded into the pavement on a traffic island at the entry to Edgware Road marks the spot of the Tyburn Tree

The house had a common stair, and there were a number of names painted in the hall some indicating offices and some private chambers. It was not a collection of residential flats, but rather the abode of Bohemian bachelors. Didn't bohemian bachelors have some queer connotations? Sometimes I read so much I get it all confused. Damn, if I'm distracted by research all the time I'm not going to finish this letter before bedtime. Still going to do that *10 minutes later* I can't find much at the moment, save the definition in the Urban dictionairy, which I'm def not going to type here. Anyone who knows more?

The room was as curious as its occupant. It looked like a small museum. It was both broad and deep, with cupboards and cabinets all round, crowded with specimens, geological and anatomical. Cases of butterflies and moths flanked each side of the entrance. A large table in the centre was littered with all sorts of debris, while the tall brass tube of a powerful microscope bristled up amongst them. As I glanced round I was surprised at the universality of the man's interests. Holmes will love this place

But you are a Britisher with solid references, and he is bound to take notice of what you say. I would go with you if you wished, but I have a very busy day to-morrow, and I could always follow you if you are in any trouble." The American fellow is unavailable for the very thing he claims to have come to England for? Sounds like an elaborate ploy to get this mr. Nathan out of the way for a while. Little clue as to why yet. I assume he wants something that the man has?

“I wish I could look over your collection, Mr. Garrideb,” said he. “In my profession all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful, and this room of yours is a storehouse of it.” Our client shone with pleasure and his eyes gleamed from behind his big glasses. “I had always heard, sir, that you were a very intelligent man,” said he. “I could take you round now if you have the time.” “Unfortunately, I have not. But these specimens are so well labelled and classified that they hardly need your personal explanation. If I should be able to look in to-morrow, I presume that there would be no objection to my glancing over them?” Holmes def has his suspicions and is not leaving the collection unguarded. Excited to learn how this will turn out

By the way, who is your house-agent?” Our client was amazed at the sudden question. “Holloway and Steele, in the Edgware Road. But why?” I should go to sleep. I was convinced this was the adress of the American, but instead Watson just mentioned that street as he and Holmes walked past

“This is a more serious matter than I had expected, Watson,” said he. “It is fair to tell you so, though I know it will only be an additional reason to you for running your head into danger. I should know my Watson by now. Holmes has finally accepted that Watson would never let him go into danger alone. This is so cute

I have identified Mr. John Garrideb, Counsellor at Law. He is none other than ‘Killer’ Evans, of sinister and murderous reputation.” “I fear I am none the wiser.” “Ah, it is not part of your profession to carry about a portable Newgate Calendar in your memory. Plot twist! Also, how funny it is of Holmes to acknowledge that it is not really Normal to memorize entire lists of prisoners

I'll give you an hour for a siesta, Watson, and then I think it will be time for our Ryder Street adventure.” Since when does Watson get to have siesta's? I'm jealous

So these two are stuck behind a cupboard instead of a curtain this time. Fun times!

Then my friend's wiry arms were round me, and he was leading me to a chair. “You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt!” It was worth a wound—it was worth many wounds—to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation. “It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch.” He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife. “You are right,” he cried with an immense sigh of relief. “It is quite superficial.” His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. “By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive. Ok not so fun times. Although Watson seems 100% fine with it. I've seen this scene quoted several times already, but didn't know it was from this case. This is some quality hurt/comfort. It has blood, desperation, removed clothing, and an excellent threat as the cherry on top. Brilliant

those bundles on the table are two thousand of Prescott's notes worth a hundred each and fit to pass anywhere. Help yourselves, gentlemen. Call it a deal and let me beat it.” Holmes laughed. “We don't do things like that, Mr. Evans. There is no bolt-hole for you in this country. Loving the implication that US is lawless territory

Well this was a fun case. Such a complicated ploy to get one old man out of his house, and some great Holmes/Watson interaction. I really need some sleep now

[pradame]

Can you share tips on how to become successful in the esthetics industry? What continued courses should I take? Would you suggest starting solo or working under someone & if so how long? I feel very lost at the moment.

study study study. look into professional skin care brands and take their educational courses, (i work with glymed, control corrective, skin script, face reality, and dermaplanepro) attend their in person classes if possible and socialize with other estheticians! I suggest taking a marketing class too because keeping up with social media in this industry is sooo important. most of your clients will find you through these apps.

and from my personal experience, I wouldn’t start off as a solo unless you already have a set of loyal clients and make enough to pay your rent. Building a steady clientele takes time. Working under someone is always beneficial in the beginning because you can learn so much from them as them being somewhat like a mentor, they also bring you clients and once those clients build a trusted relationship with you, they’ll follow you wherever you go! I started off in a clinic as an independent contractor, I was giving the owner a percentage of my earnings for about 2 years but this meant I wasn’t obligated to give her a specific amount monthly. There were times I would leave on vacation for weeks and no money was being made to give her which is what comes with being an independent contractor. I was able to bring my own clients and see clients who were interested in the clinics services as well so I was taught everything and she basically threw me in with the wolves at that point which helped a lot in the end lol. I didn’t leave until I could find a place I could afford on my own and still make enough to pay my living expenses. I do now have my own studio with two rooms, one of which I rent to my friend who is a lash tech hehe. Being solo is always the goal, but give yourself time to get there! I only offer skin care services, I’m not sure if you’ll be doing lashes, waxing and skin care but if you do then building clientele at a faster rate won’t be an issue. This industry is booming!

Remember this is just what worked for me! Everyone’s journey looks different, some find booths to rent at an affordable price rate so if you feel you can do that then don’t be afraid to give it a shot.

you got this <33

[coworkingspaceinpune]

Finding Your Perfect Fit: Tips for Choosing the Right Coworking Space in Pune

In today’s fast-paced business landscape, the choice of workspace plays a pivotal role in the success of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and startups alike. For professionals in the tech industry, where flexibility, collaboration, and innovation are paramount, selecting the right coworking space in Pune can make all the difference.

Tech workers frequently encounter particular difficulties at work, such as the requirement for specialist tools or the desire for an exciting and innovative environment. Thankfully, Pune’s coworking spaces meet these demands by providing a variety of facilities, services, and tech-specific networking opportunities.

Tech professionals frequently lament the lack of access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment. A lot of new businesses and independent contractors find it difficult to pay the hefty overhead of opening an office. At a fraction of the price, coworking spaces in Pune provide cutting-edge amenities like ergonomic workstations, conference rooms, and high-speed internet. For instance, Spaces Coworking in Pune provides a specialized tech hub with the newest hardware and software, allowing tech workers to interact and work effectively.

Another challenge faced by tech professionals is the need for a collaborative environment conducive to innovation and creativity. Traditional office settings often lack the energy and dynamism required to foster brainstorming sessions and idea generation. Co Working spaces in Pune address this pain point by curating vibrant communities of like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds. By working alongside fellow tech enthusiasts, professionals can exchange ideas, share insights, and form valuable partnerships. Testimonials from members of The Mesh Cowork in Pune attest to the supportive and collaborative atmosphere that has helped them overcome creative blocks and achieve their goals.

Additionally, tech workers frequently look for chances to advance their careers and increase their skill sets. Coworking spaces in Pune organize a range of professional development workshops, seminars, and networking events for individuals working in the tech sector. For example, The Daftar Coworking Space in Pune frequently arranges hackathons and coding bootcamps, giving tech workers access to the newest trends and technology and invaluable learning opportunities.

In conclusion, choosing the right coworking space in Pune is essential for tech professionals looking to thrive in today’s competitive market. By considering factors such as infrastructure, community, and opportunities for growth, professionals can find their perfect fit and unlock their full potential in the dynamic and innovative ecosystem of coworking spaces in Pune.

[ncruuk]

Hey...this is just so I can get closure 😭 but you weren't gonna update your maya/carina fic anymore right? I didn't see anytuing on your ao3 mentioning whether you abandoned the story or anything but I just wanted to check

Hello...umm, not sure where you got that idea from?!

I got asked a question about this just after the cancellation was announced and my answer is here.

Rereading it, it's perhaps not my most coherent explanation, but the gist is nope, not abandoned the stories but did have to temporarily abandon the fandom and show - for a number of reasons (many of which aren't really for sharing specifics about on tumblr) but in summary (which isn't really summarised so is under a cut):

- I have family history that means I don't cope well with baby storylines in TV shows. [I missed the entire original L Word apart from clips on youtube of Alice/Dana and Bette/Jodi because the literal first line of dialogue in the first episode of s1 was 'let's make a baby'.]

-I don't cope well with needlessly ruined wlw character storylines in service of a generic straight male for no good reason storylines

- I don't cope with poor showrunning. [By all means, make a 'bad' show in terms of market share/appeal, reviews etc, but make it well. Have some continuity, some recollection about how many brain cells your characters have week to week, etc etc. Keep your fictional versions of real world constructs (like fire departments say) at least plausibly real rather than go into pure fantasy where anything goes in terms of negligence and lack professionalism that goes way, way beyond anything remotely legal.]

All of which meant I had to step away from the show fairly quickly in s5, and then the fandom pretty much completely through s6 precisely so I didn't abandon the stories.

mid 2022 onwards though, through all of 2023...it was a wild and not particularly healthy ride for me. But one thing I'm very, very good at is writing for shows which aren't going to accidentally shaft my fic by droppng a new episode which completely distorts the characters we were familiar with. [Proof if proof were needed that I refound my writing mojo in general after RL crap with a show that finished 23 years ago, Voyager].

All of which is a very long winded way of saying fear not, I haven't abandoned my Station 19 stories...I'm actually really looking forward to returning to them, once I am in the right headspace and have obsessively rewatched s3 and a lot of s4 scenes (but not the last 3 episodes, as my father unexpectedly died the day the first of those 3 eps dropped and it's all rather synonymous for me with that).

[dreamingofbabylon]

Listen, if you work in the US please just listen for a second.

I think it goes without saying the job market is in utter shambles. If you're working or job hunting please please please take some time to familiarize yourself with the workers rights laws in your state. We will never make headway in advancing our rights if we don't understand and advocate for the ones we have.

there are a lot of things to watch out for, but this is one many people don't seem to know about. I definitely didn't until uh. recently. (I'm not an expert, and this is not professional legal advice, I'm just sharing my experience within my own state and situation. Check your state's Department of Labor website for resources/info)

Please be aware that some jobs may try to hire you as an independent contractor. If you aren't seeking contracted work, this is a RED FLAG.

In very basic terms, and employee is your typical job. You get a W-2 at tax season, and taxes are taken out of your paycheck automatically. Your boss sets your schedule and duties, and provides the training and tools to do your job. You have no ownership of the business, and they set the rules.

If you are an independent contractor, you are essentially a business owner. You can be hired to provide a service, which is done on YOUR terms. You provide your own equipment, hire your own team, prepare your own taxes (probably a 1099), and the person paying you can't train you or tell you how to do your job.

If those criteria are not being met, but you've been hired as a contractor instead of an employee, you may have been illegally misclassified.

Why do employers do this? Basically, employees are promised certain legal rights and protections, which do not necessarily apply to independent contractors. So sometimes businesses will try to (illegally) get the best of both worlds by hiring you under their terms (setting your schedule, duties, etc) without the liability, expenses, or insurance and tax burdens of hiring an employee. Then at tax season, YOU owe the IRS a shit ton of money, and you have no writeoffs because of course you don't. you don't have business expenses for someone else's business

if you think you've been misclassified, or have experienced ANY mistreatment at work, please speak with a professional.

Talking to a lawyer may seem intimidating and expensive. But many employment lawyers offer free consults. They will hear you out for free, and tell you if you have a case.

In my personal experience, my lawyer met with me and reviewed all the evidence and info I had. They contacted my previous "employer" and their legal counsel on my behalf for free. They negotiated a settlement for me, and all I owed them was a percentage of that settlement. If they couldn't get me anything, I wouldn't have owed them anything.

These are just things I wish I had known earlier, so I'm sharing in case it can help even one person not get fucked over. Advocate for yourself. Unionize your workplace. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

[harrywblog]

What Are Some of the Major Challenges That Uber Faces Today?

There are many challenges facing Uber today, some ranging from safety to legal problems. Now, let's see some of the major challenges in the path ahead of Uber.

Safety Concerns for Riders and Drivers

Safety is a big concern. Both riders and drivers worry about getting safe. Cases of crimes in Uber cars have come. Drivers are attacked by passengers. Riders, on the other hand, are harassed. But Uber worked with these problems. They now have an emergency button inside the app. Drivers undergo safety training and background checks. However, accidents still happen. How to improve safety remains a challenge for Uber.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

They've fought legal battles throughout their entire time. Cities have attempted to regulate its business time and time again. Some have even banned Uber over safety concerns. Other cities believe that drivers should be classified as employees rather than contractors. This changes Uber's way of working and increases the cost. Also, legal problems have been held against Uber's reputation. Very recently, for example, it lost a court case over driver pay. These legal problems cost Uber both time and money.

Competition and Market Saturation

There is a lot of competition in the ride-sharing business. In fact, other companies, such as Lyft and smaller local startups, are currently rising to challenge Uber. Some come with more competitive perks than others; hence, many riders opt to use those services. Another obstacle is market saturation. In some markets, there are too many drivers and not enough rides, which means lower earnings for driver partners and makes differentiation harder for Uber. If Uber wants to stay ahead, it has to change the business of thinking. They are now entering new businesses: food delivery and self-driving cars. But competition will continue to keep them on their toes.

These challenges make Uber's future tough. There are big hurdles in safety, legal issues, and competition. How it addresses them will determine the future for Uber.

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