Aspiring Professional Models – Please Beware of Modeling Scams!
Filed under: Business, Employment, Legal, Sales & Marketing
*BE CAREFUL OF PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO WANT TO MANAGE/CHEAT YOU!
Ask them “what can you do for me that I CAN NOT DO FOR MYSELF?”
Ask to see and talk to their list of clients and models. Its very important. Ask their clients, “did you make any money with the work? approximately how much? what legitimate modeling work have you got?” If they condescendingly talk down to you or try to make you feel stupid, tell them to hit the road!
* Be careful of wanna-be managers and aggressive agents that want to manage you, or even worse an unexperienced friend trying to help that does not know how to manage, conduct business, read contracts nor has any idea how much a model should get paid or residually compensated. They can cause more harm then good. There are a lot of photographers that are very controlling and feel you need their approval before you shoot with anyone.
*Remember it’s QUALITY NOT QUANTITY. It does not matter how many pictures you have, it’s how, with just a few strong pictures you still make a good impression. Read more
What is Digital Rights Management for EBooks?
Question from Ben, Plano, Texas: What is Digital Rights Management and how does it work for eBooks? I am going to publish an eBook next month and its going to be a pdf file, and I don’t know whether anything can be done to prevent unauthorized distribution of pdf files on the Internet. Please let me know your suggestions. Thanks.
Answer: Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a technology used to place limitations like, access to or copying of, onto digital content (eBooks, music, etc.). You as the publisher or author of the ebook can determines the level of restrictions applied to an eBook. This includes how many times an eBook can be downloaded for a single purchase, and the number of devices (computers, eBook readers, etc.) to which the eBook can be transferred. Read more
How to get Small Business Financing?
Filed under: Banking, Business, Employment, Money & Finance
Question: Can you please help me with any information regarding small business financing? I am trying to buy a franchise with a friend and my husband. We have a 4 year old bankruptcy and are looking for less than $75,000 to open. The problem is there are no tangible assets in the type of service business we are are planning to open. Are there any suggestions of lenders that may be willing to loan or a direction that we should go toward? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I am based in Michigan, USA. Thanks.
Answer: Since your question is specific in terms of investment needed and the kind of business you are getting into, here’s a source that may be able to point you in the right direction. And if you do decide to open this or any other business, they can provide useful info on how to do so.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE): A national organization sponsored by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of over 13,000 volunteer business executives who provide free counseling, workshops and seminars to prospective and existing small business people. There are 389 chapters nationwide. For more information, call them at 1-800-634-0245 or visit their web site at: http://www.score.org
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What is the difference between studying business, finance and accounting?
Question: What is the difference between studying business, finance and accounting?
Answer: Accounting is practice of tracking a business’s income and expenses and using those figures to evaluate its financial status which involves keeping a record of all financial transactions and then preparing financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, tax plans, etc. A basic understanding of Accounting is a must to be successful in understanding financial statements, and in being a business leader.
Study of finance teaches how to efficiently manage, and leverage, the financial resources (capital, illiquid assets like real estate, machines, etc), and to know analyze business risks vs returns. Furthermore, by studying finance, you will learn how to invest and how to raise money, and analyze the performance of investments and loans.
Study of business is a combination of accounting, economics, finance, marketing, legal/contracts, and organizational behavior. It enables you to understand all aspects of a business, which is essential for business success. You will learn from many real-life case studies about how business problems were solved.
Reference: GSIBM.com (Graham School of Investing and Business Management)
Beware: Don’t Send Money Through Western Union To Chinese Suppliers!
Filed under: Business, Employment, Internet, Money & Finance, People, Sales & Marketing, Uncategorized, electronics
Question: I have found an electronic product (Laptop) that a Chinese company is selling on Alibaba.com. They are not accepting PayPal and want payment by Western Union. Is it safe?
Answer: No. It is not safe! Please dump this seller ASAP because it is most likely fraud. A vast majority of Chinese companies operating on Alibaba (and other such sites) are fraud. We have learned this from first hand experience. They are waiting to steal your money, and Western Union is the best way for them because they can vanish after receiving your money.
While we can’t blame Western Union entirely for it, we think that Western Union does not mind such fraud. Otherwise, why do they allow people/companies to operate accounts from China even after their names are listed as scam all over the web?
So yes, it is very risky if you are sending money to people that you do not know. With Western Union, there is no way to guarantee that the receiver will send you the good.
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Key points on US Bankruptcy Law
Question: Can you please guide me on the Bankruptcy Law in the USA? What are the key points to keep in mind? And what is Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Thanks. – Chang from Mountain View, CA. 
Answer: The new bankruptcy law is tougher that the old one of 1978. It tightens the requirements of those who are filing for bankruptcy and for the attorneys that are helping them.
Under the new bankruptcy law, several major changes were initiated. Here are some key points:
- There is now a “Means Test” that is used so that you can show that you are not abusing the use of bankruptcy. Herein your monthly income is considered, minus certain expenses that are allowed. If you come out above the “median income” you will have to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Definitions of Trademark, Copyright, and Patent: When to Use What?
Question: Hi there, you have a useful website and I want to ask a question. I am looking to start a new venture. Can you please describe how to use Trademark, Copyright, and Patent protection for different business aspects? As I am not a lawyer, they all look the same to me! Thanks very much/ Shane from USA
Answer: First lets understand the Definitions of Trademark, Copyright, and Patent.
Trademark refers to any forms of marks which are registered to the USPTO. These are names, devices, images, and word identifying any goods which can be produce, manufactured, or natural.
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Mutual Fund Advice to Compare Mutual Fund Performance
Question: The stock markets have revived in the last few weeks, and I am interested to buy mutual funds from reputed fund managers. Can you please share some advice on Mutual Funds and how to Compare Mutual Fund Performance?
Answer: Lets start with understanding what a mutual fund is and how it works. Mutual funds are efficiently managed firms of investment groups. The firm gathers money from other investors and invests the money on several money market funds, bond funds and stock funds. These groups of investments are called a portfolio. Imagine a group of people who place their money on several money market commodities like stocks, short-term money market instruments, bonds, other securities, and assets, or a combination of all of these; that’s a mutual fund. Read more
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