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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
9 side hustles you can start as a college student with zero investment
9 side hustles you can start as a college student In today's academic world, students are not just studying for exams—they're budgeting for life. Rising education costs, inflation, and the pressure to be financially independent have made side hustles not just optional, but essential. But here's the good news: not all hustles require money to start. With just a laptop, a skill, or even a smartphone, students can now launch flexible side businesses that fit right into their routines. Below are nine practical, proven side hustles that require zero investment and offer real earning potential—no matter where in the world you're studying. Freelance Writing and Editing Freelance writing is one of the easiest side hustles to begin if you have strong command over a language and a flair for expressing ideas clearly. As a student, you can write articles, blogs, marketing content, or even edit resumes and academic papers. Many companies and individuals are constantly on the lookout for affordable writers and editors. You can start by creating a few writing samples or reworking your own class assignments into articles to showcase your style. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and LinkedIn offer access to a global client base. The best part is that once you've built a few client relationships and collected positive reviews, this side hustle can become a stable, recurring income stream. Online Tutoring If you excel at a particular subject or are good at explaining concepts, online tutoring is a natural fit. With education going increasingly digital, students of all ages across the world are seeking online help in subjects ranging from math and science to languages and test prep. Platforms like Preply, Superprof, and Wyzant allow you to register as a tutor and start teaching virtually. Alternatively, you can start with peers or school students in your local network. Tutoring offers flexible hours, requires no capital, and even helps you reinforce your own understanding of academic topics. Over time, you could scale it to small group sessions for higher earnings. Social Media Management Most students are already spending time on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok—but few realize these skills can translate into paid work. Many small businesses and content creators need help managing their social media accounts but don't have the budget for agencies. If you know how to create reels, write captions, respond to comments, or use scheduling tools like Buffer or Meta Business Suite, you can offer basic social media management services. Start by approaching local businesses, student-run clubs, or even your college's official pages. Once you build a small portfolio, you can scale to multiple clients and increase your rates. Affiliate Marketing Affiliate marketing lets you earn commissions by promoting products or services online. You don't need a huge following to start—just a niche audience and trust. You can sign up for affiliate programs from companies like Amazon, Coursera, Notion, or Canva and get unique referral links. When someone buys through your link, you earn a percentage. Promote these products via Instagram stories, TikTok, blog posts, or YouTube videos. It's important to focus on products you genuinely use or believe in so your audience remains engaged. With the right strategy, affiliate marketing can become a passive income stream over time. Resume and Profile Services Many students struggle to create professional resumes or optimize their LinkedIn profiles, especially when applying for internships or jobs. If you've mastered these areas—either through career workshops or personal experience—you can offer resume writing and profile polishing services. Start by helping friends or classmates and ask for testimonials or referrals. You can charge for formatting, writing summaries, improving keyword usage, and adding personalized touches to profiles. Since this is a high-trust service, word-of-mouth can help you grow quickly, especially during internship season or college placement drives. Voiceover and Audiobook Narration If you have a clear and engaging voice, voiceover work is a highly underrated side hustle. From narrating audiobooks and educational videos to reading scripts for YouTube or eLearning content, there are many use cases. You don't need a fancy studio—just a quiet room and a smartphone with a decent mic to begin. Use free tools like Audacity to clean up audio and submit demos to sites like or ACX (Amazon's audiobook marketplace). With consistent practice, you can build a portfolio and even work across multiple languages if you're multilingual. Selling Study Notes or Guides Believe it or not, your class notes can earn you money—if they're well-structured and easy to understand. Students are often willing to pay for organized, exam-ready notes, especially for difficult subjects or theory-heavy topics. You can upload your notes on platforms like Stuvia, Nexus Notes, or Studypool, and earn money every time someone downloads them. Just make sure your notes are original and not directly copied from textbooks or copyrighted material. This side hustle is especially useful around exam seasons when demand for revision material spikes. Transcription or Translation Services If you're a fast typist with good listening skills, transcription services are a great zero-investment option. Websites like Rev, TranscribeMe, and GoTranscript pay users to convert audio into written text. Projects could include interviews, podcasts, or even lectures. Similarly, if you know more than one language fluently, you can offer translation services to local businesses, NGOs, or even students. These jobs are remote, deadline-based, and don't require any upfront costs. All you need is accuracy, attention to detail, and consistency. Campus-Based Micro Services Sometimes, the best opportunities are right on your own campus. Students often need help with tasks like organizing dorm rooms, creating PowerPoint presentations, formatting assignments, or setting up new devices. If you're good at any of these, you can offer these micro services informally through WhatsApp groups, student forums, or word-of-mouth. Even services like basic photography for events or poster design for clubs can earn you small but consistent income. With a few regular clients and referrals, this hustle can grow faster than you'd expect. You don't need money to start a side hustle—you just need skill, consistency, and the willingness to start small. These zero-investment options not only help you earn while studying, but also teach real-world skills like time management, negotiation, client handling, and personal branding. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Fast Company
08-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Why you need a personal brand in a crowded job market
Back in 2023, social media management platform Buffer wrote a blog post about how it had received 1,518 applicants for a single role on its marketing team. While that's a jaw-dropping number, it's a common occurrence for companies with well-paying jobs that boast a great company culture. In the present job market, many job seekers are discouraged knowing they're competing against hundreds (if not thousands) of applicants. For some roles, a résumé will only get you so far. A personal brand helps you stand out before you ever apply for a job, making the application process tip in your favor. You can break out of the résumé mold Résumés often have very prescriptive formats. You've probably heard the common advice: Keep it to one page, highlight your accomplishments, make it easy to read. These days, résumés are often fed directly into an applicant tracking system—so any creativity is stripped, and a résumé reviewer only sees text. Yet many companies have a required field on their applications: the URL of your LinkedIn profile. This is where you can shine. Anyone can have a polished headshot, colorful banner, and interesting headline. But you can set yourself apart with a compelling 'About' section, links to projects in the 'Featured' section, and recommendations from former colleagues. Your LinkedIn profile is like your résumé with a microphone. Instead of passively waiting for someone to review your work, you're amplifying it. Of course, to do this, you need to create content. Start with a small, manageable posting schedule LinkedIn can be a very intimidating place, especially if you've never shared content there before. The feed is full of people who are 'Excited to announce' a new job or want to tell you how to '10x your career.' One Gen Z user referred to LinkedIn as 'the overachievers' Facebook' in an article for the New York Post. Creating content is a way to showcase your personality in a way that your résumé and profile can't. You don't have to set out to be an influencer, but you can share relevant experiences from your career—and even a peek into your personal interests (if you're comfortable doing so). I started with one post per week, sharing anything work-related that popped into my head. I had no particular goal in mind, but recognized that LinkedIn was the platform where work and opportunities happen. Eventually, I started becoming more strategic and shared content that showcased my expertise and personality, but not until my weekly writing habit was well-established. You can bypass gatekeepers and make connections A personal brand will open doors in a way that a résumé won't. In an intense job market, you need anything and everything that distinguishes you from other job seekers. With a personal brand, you can make connections with potential hiring managers and rely on those connections when applying for a job. Do this before you apply. Start connecting with people in your industry or at companies you'd like to work for. Engage with them and continue posting content. When a role opens up, you can apply and also send a DM saying: 'Hey! Just wanted to let you know that I applied for XYZ role. Really excited about the opportunity.' It might move your résumé to the top of the pile. Significant attention A personal brand might also bring offers directly to you—without needing to apply. You might catch the attention of hiring managers or recruiters who will reach out with potential opportunities. I'm self-employed, so my experience isn't the same as a traditional job seeker. Still, I can attest that I get a significant amount of attention on LinkedIn after several years of building a personal brand. Connections have brought opportunities my way that I would not have had otherwise. Because of my content, people know who I am, understand what I do, and trust that my personal brand matches my work ethic.
Time Business News
05-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How Small Businesses Can Leverage AI for Cost-Effective Digital Marketing in 2025
Whether you run a family-owned restaurant, a boutique shop, or a growing law firm, AI tools can help streamline your marketing, improve customer targeting, and reduce costs. In a competitive market, especially in regions like New Jersey, implementing cost-effective digital marketing strategies with AI is no longer optional—it's essential. AI in digital marketing refers to technologies that simulate human intelligence to automate, optimize, and personalize campaigns. These tools can: Analyze customer behavior Automate content and email delivery Optimize advertising spend Power chatbots and virtual assistants This is particularly useful for those seeking local internet marketing for small businesses, SEO services in NJ, or digital marketing solutions for local businesses looking to stay competitive in 2025. AI-powered predictive analytics tools use customer data to forecast behaviors. This enables more precise ad targeting, personalized offers, and better allocation of your marketing budget. Instead of spending broadly, small businesses can focus on high-intent users—whether you're running online marketing for restaurants or promoting professional services in areas like Livingston or Morristown. Using tools like Google Analytics 4 or AI-enhanced CRMs, businesses can finally move away from guesswork and rely on data-backed decisions. One of the most immediate benefits of AI is its ability to automate tasks that normally consume hours of staff time. These include: Social media scheduling Email marketing Lead scoring and nurturing Ad bidding and optimization AI tools like Mailchimp, Buffer, and Meta's Advantage+ automate much of this process. For small businesses with limited personnel, this reduces labor costs and increases efficiency—especially relevant for local digital marketing for small businesses and inbound marketing social media strategies. AI-powered writing assistants can now help you: Generate blog outlines Suggest keyword improvements Rewrite or expand articles Create engaging social media captions These tools improve both content quality and quantity. Whether you're looking to boost SEO in Livingston or expand into a new market, AI content tools help keep your website fresh and search-engine friendly without needing a full-time writer. They're also useful for businesses wondering how to be a digital marketing specialist or looking to better understand what digital marketing specialists do. AI is transforming SEO by enabling data-driven keyword research, content scoring, and backlink analysis. Platforms like Surfer SEO, Clearscope, and SEMrush use AI to show what content Google prioritizes—and how you can match or beat it. For businesses needing SEO services in NJ, digital marketing in Morristown, or local SEO company NJ options, these tools provide a DIY-friendly way to compete in organic search. Even ecommerce SEO agency NJ providers are incorporating AI into their keyword and content strategies to deliver better results for clients. Consumers now expect a personalized experience. AI allows you to deliver it—at scale. From recommending products based on browsing behavior to tailoring email subject lines, AI creates unique journeys for every visitor. This is especially powerful for subscription-based services using subscription ecommerce platforms or businesses needing the best platform for subscription business. Personalized CTAs and promotions drive higher conversions and repeat customers. AI tools analyze engagement metrics to suggest optimal posting times, content formats, and trending topics. They can also auto-generate captions and visuals, giving even the smallest teams a competitive edge. Whether you're exploring social media marketing in NJ or operating a national online store, tools like Hootsuite, Canva Magic Write, and Lately AI help brands grow their presence efficiently. For agencies or consultants, AI has even become a staple in digital marketing and photography planning workflows. AI chatbots enhance user experience while reducing customer service costs. Available 24/7, they handle inquiries, schedule appointments, and even assist with purchases. They're now a common feature in general website design, web development company builds, and custom web design projects, offering better engagement from the moment someone lands on your site. Chatbots also free up staff time, making them a smart investment for digital consulting in NJ or any service-based business. AI enhances email marketing by dynamically adjusting send times, segmenting users based on behavior, and auto-personalizing subject lines or offers. This is particularly useful for: Lead nurturing Abandoned cart campaigns Re-engagement workflows Whether you're running a local salon or a B2B operation, AI-driven email can significantly increase open and click-through rates. That's why many digital marketing companies in NJ now recommend integrating AI into your CRM or email platform. AI now supports intelligent, responsive web design. Tools like Wix ADI and Adobe Sensei assist in layout creation, UX optimization, and content suggestions—all tailored to visitor behavior. This shift benefits small businesses working with web design agencies in NJ, web development agency in NJ, or freelancers offering professional web design services. AI-enhanced design not only cuts down build time, but also creates more intuitive and conversion-focused websites. AI doesn't just collect data—it explains it. Many analytics tools now include features that translate traffic spikes or drop-offs into plain-language insights and recommendations. For example, if your bounce rate rises, AI can suggest a redesign of your landing page or a content update. Businesses using SEO experts or local SEO agency services can use these tools to report, refine, and scale strategies on the fly. AI tools are transforming how small businesses approach marketing. From automation and personalization to SEO and content creation, these technologies allow you to: Reduce marketing costs Increase productivity Boost customer engagement Improve ROI with smarter campaigns If you're investing in digital marketing services in NJ, SEO in Morristown, NJ, or social media marketing strategies, AI should be a core part of your approach. It's no longer about having the biggest budget—it's about using the smartest tools. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
USA Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC announcer Bruce Buffer delivers signature introduction at 2025 Preakness Stakes
UFC announcer Bruce Buffer delivers signature introduction at 2025 Preakness Stakes UFC octagon announcer Bruce Buffer took his talents to horse racing for the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes. The 2025 Preakness Stakes took place Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, and just moments before the jockeys mounted their horses, Buffer took the mic to deliver a signature UFC-style introduction, complete with an emphatic, "It's time!" Check out Buffer's full introduction below, which was broadcast live just prior to the race (via X): The Preakness Stakes took place Saturday during UFC Fight Night 256, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Buffer typically has the night off for UFC Apex shows these days, having not announced an event at the venue since June 20, 2024, for UFC on ESPN 60. In his place, Joe Martinez handled the octagon announcing duties. As far as the horse race itself, pre-race favorite Journalism won with a thrilling late charge, bursting through two horses coming out of the final turn, and then passing Gosger, who led most of the race, at the last possible moment.
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Bruce Buffer thinks Logan Paul could compete in the UFC: 'He's a supreme athlete'
Bruce Buffer believes Logan Paul is capable of competing in the UFC. Paul, who performs as a WWE star, revealed that UFC CEO Dana White ignored his text message asking if he could be part of UFC 300 last April. Paul wrestled in high school and college. He's also boxed against Floyd Mayweather (exhibition), KSI and Dillon Danis. Buffer, the UFC voice of the octagon, says Paul has enough of a background to compete in the cage. "He's got a pedigree in wrestling," Buffer told TMZ of Paul. "Not just the WWE, he has a pedigree in colligate wrestling if I'm not mistaken. He's quite the athlete. One thing about Logan is he's a supreme athlete. I think, and I've been asked this before, like anybody else, you're talking about 40 weapons in mixed martial arts vs. two weapons in theMarquess of Queensberry Rules of the amazing sport of boxing. He's boxed, he's doing the wrestling. If he trains properly for MMA, I think he could compete in the UFC. It's a matter of who he goes up against." WWE star CM Punk tried his hand at MMA, making his debut in the octagon at UFC 203 in 2016. He was quickly submitted by Mickey Gall, then lost his second appearance to Mike Jackson by unanimous decision at UFC 225 in 2018, which was later overturned to a no contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana. Punk trained at Roufus Sport with the likes of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Buffer advises Paul to also seek high-level training if he were given the opportunity for a UFC fight. "Logan, if you're going to train with somebody, train with the best, and I'm sure Logan definitely could afford to train with the best," Buffer said. "Just to watch Logan walk into the octagon would bring a lot of eyeballs to the sport from his fanbase."
