![Gumroad’s CEO on the company’s first 10 years, competitors like Patreon and Substack, the rise of the creator economy, and how app store “taxes” stifle growth (Gumroad Ceo Patreon Substackkonstantinovic) 28 Gumroad Ceo Patreon Substackkonstantinovic](https://chatonic.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/619fb5686c9b9b5f5a35020e_gumroad-og.png)
![Gumroad’s CEO on the company’s first 10 years, competitors like Patreon and Substack, the rise of the creator economy, and how app store “taxes” stifle growth (Gumroad Ceo Patreon Substackkonstantinovic) 29 Gumroad Ceo Patreon Substackkonstantinovic](https://chatonic.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/619fb5686c9b9b5f5a35020e_gumroad-og-560x600.png)
Business
Gumroad’s CEO on the company’s first 10 years, competitors like Patreon and Substack, the rise of the creator economy, and how app store “taxes” stifle growth (Gumroad Ceo Patreon Substackkonstantinovic)
Gumroad Ceo Patreon Substackkonstantinovic: Gumroad is celebrating its first decade in business with a major announcement: the company has raised $35 million in Series B funding, led by Foundry Group.
This is an exciting time for Gumroad—in the last few years we’ve been able to improve our features and become a source of serious reliable income for creators of all types. But it means that, like most other companies, we need more capital to grow quickly enough to stay current. We’re not a charity—we have to make money, pay taxes, and build profitable features for our customers.
This is the most important time in Gumroad’s 10-year history. It will be a top priority to make sure that we continue investing in our customers, while making sure they can also invest back into their businesses by buying our products (or others’) with a 15% affiliate commission.
We’ll also be working hard to take Gumroad from simple to the most advanced tool for creators and publishers on the platform, so that we can continue to provide a hassle-free, dependable platform for our customers.
The customer comes first at Gumroad:
As a creator, you’re probably more interested in the upgrade path than your early access discount. It’s true: you cannot compare Gumroad’s customer support and reliability with other online businesses–whether that means prompt responses to questions or paying bills on time.
We continue to invest in upgrading the platform, and improving the reliability of our payment system. Most recently we launched a new Digital Asset Tool that helps creators track and manage the money they make through Gumroad. And there are many more exciting enhancements in store for our customers.
Gumroad is already established as a serious competitor in the marketplace:
The numbers are clear: Gumroad’s sales outpace those of competitors like Patreon, which is one of our best metrics indicating that we’re doing something right.
We can’t continue to coast on the reputation we’ve built over the last 10 years. We need to work hard to keep up with service-focused competitors like Patreon and Subbable, as well as newer, disruptive platforms such as Launchrock.
Gumroad is changing the direct sales nature of creative industries:
Many of our customers are new—and some are builders. We’ve seen a big shift in our product since the last time we raised money. With this round, we’re getting our hands back into the big pool of customers who can’t rely on property owners to sell their work.
We’ll be working hard to provide creators with a path to generating revenue from Gumroad in unique ways, especially for those creators that are trying to make money on Gumroad without promoting their own products.
Business
Home Office Haven: 6 Tips for Putting Together Your Perfect Home Office
![Home Office Haven: 6 Tips for Putting Together Your Perfect Home Office 30 Home Office Haven](https://chatonic.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Home-Office-Haven.jpg)
Working from home has become increasingly common, and having a well-designed home office can make a big difference in your productivity and job satisfaction. Whether you’re converting a spare room or carving out a corner of your living space, here are seven tips to help you create the perfect home office.
1. Choose the Right Location
The first step in setting up your home office is finding the right spot. Look for a quiet area with minimal distractions and plenty of natural light to keep the good vibes going. Consider using a spare bedroom, a section of your living room, or even a converted closet if space is tight.
If you’re in the process of buying a new home, take the time to explore display homes to get ideas for potential office spaces. This can help you envision how different layouts might work for your needs.
2. Invest in a Good Chair and Desk
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your office, it’s crucial to have comfortable, ergonomic furniture. Choose a chair that supports your back and allows you to keep your feet flat on the floor.
Don’t be afraid to try out different options before buying. A standing desk or a treadmill desk might be worth considering if you want to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting.
3. Organize Your Space
A clutter-free workspace can help you focus and be more productive. Use shelves, drawers, and storage containers to keep your supplies organized and easily accessible.
Consider using a filing cabinet for important documents and a cord management system to keep cables tidy. Make sure to label everything clearly so you can find what you need quickly. Remember, a place for everything and everything in its place.
4. Light It Right
Good lighting is essential to reduce eye strain and maintain your energy levels throughout the day. Bring in natural light whenever possible. For darker days or evening work, use a combination of overhead lighting and task lighting, such as a desk lamp.
Also, avoid placing your computer screen directly in front of or behind a window to prevent glare. If you can’t avoid this, consider using curtains or blinds to control the light.
5. Create a Background for Video Calls
With video calls becoming a regular part of many jobs, it’s important to have a professional-looking background. Choose a wall in your office to serve as your video call backdrop.
Keep it simple and uncluttered, but consider adding a few tasteful decorations or a bookshelf to make it visually interesting. If you don’t have a suitable wall, you can use a room divider or hang a curtain to create a makeshift background.
6. Think About Your Tech Needs
Finally, make sure your office is set up to meet your technology needs. This might include:
- A second monitor if you often work with multiple windows open
- A good quality webcam and microphone for video calls
- A printer, if you frequently need hard copies of documents
Don’t forget about power needs – make sure you have enough outlets for all your devices, and consider using a surge protector to safeguard your equipment.
Create a Space That Works for You
Creating the perfect home office takes some thought and effort, but it’s worth it in the long run. A well-designed workspace can boost your productivity, reduce stress, and make working from home a more enjoyable experience.
Remember, your office should be tailored to your specific needs and work style, so feel free to adjust these tips to suit your situation.
Business
The Perfect Domain: What to Consider When Choosing Yours
![The Perfect Domain: What to Consider When Choosing Yours 31 The Perfect Domain](https://chatonic.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Perfect-Domain.jpg)
The domain name may seem insignificant to business owners new to the online game. After all, it’s just a sequence of characters that contains your business name, right? How important could it be? The customers will figure it out in the end…
Well, you may be surprised to learn that it actually plays an integral role in your marketing strategy. For many customers, your web address is the first impression it has with your business, and therefore it must be easily-memorable and searchable.
Otherwise, they may give up on visiting your website before they’ve even really considered your awesome product offering!
With this in mind, here are some important considerations when choosing your web address:
- It should be simple
When it comes to domain name registration, nothing is more off-putting to a customer than a convoluted web address. They should be able to hear your web address from a friend or see it on a flyer before immediately searching it on their smartphone or, at the minimum, be able to remember it upon returning home.
Let’s say you run a technology repairs store called “Easy Technology Repairs”. Sure, you could include all of this in your web address and make it read something like “www.easytechnologyrepairs.com.au”. But it’s simply far too long and the customer will likely have a hard time remembering all that when it comes time to choose your service to fix their television.
Instead, you could choose something as simple as “www.easytech.com.au” and the customers will have little trouble remembering it when they jump on the train or get home to their laptops. A simple and easily-memorable web address makes it much easier for the customer to remember and this will help drive conversions.
- It should typically only contain letters
With the exception being if your actual business name actually has numbers in it. Let’s say you run a travelling tailor and dry cleaning company called “Tailors To You”. Sure, the web address “www.tailors2you.com.au” may look sleek, but it can also confuse the customer who has already seen your name spelled “Tailors To You”.
Therefore, when they go to type the web address “www.tailorstoyou.com.au” and find that it doesn’t come up with your website they will be immediately deterred and look for your product through a competitor. Therefore, you should only include numbers (and special characters for that matter) if they are actually included in your business name!
- It should pertain to your business
There is nothing wrong with including a special keyword in your web address if it actually pertains to your business. For example, you run a pool building company called “Sweet Summer” but don’t actually have the word “pools” in the business title.
One of the best things you can do here is include the keyword “pools” in your web address to make a web address like “www.sweetsummerpools.com” to ensure that both your clients and search engines like Google know what kind of content can be found on your website.
This will not only make it easier for prospects to remember your web address, but it also works well for Google, who absolutely loves knowing what kind of content can be found through a business’s web address. The search engine will have little trouble categorising your website and will therefore be likely to rank it higher in the search engine results pages!
Business
Top Tips for Enhancing Human Resources in Your Business
![Top Tips for Enhancing Human Resources in Your Business 32 Top Tips for Enhancing Human Resources in Your Business](https://chatonic.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Top-Tips-for-Enhancing-Human-Resources-in-Your-Business.webp)
Human resources are the backbone of any successful business. Your employees drive growth, innovation, and productivity for your company. Investing in robust human resource practices is essential for attracting top talent, motivating your team, and developing the skills of your people over time. Now more than ever, employers need to go above and beyond to recruit, retain, and get the most out of their staff. Here are some top tips for enhancing human resources in your business.
Invest in Ongoing Training and Development
One of the best ways to get more out of your human resources is to continually develop their skills. Look for opportunities for on-the-job training, mentorship programs, and external courses or certifications that align with your business goals. Support your team by providing time and financial assistance to help them upgrade their capabilities. The more you invest in training today, the more agile and effective your workforce will be in the future. It’s especially important to train managers and team leaders on leadership, communication, performance management, and team-building skills.
Pursue a Masters in Public Administration Online
One powerful way to boost your human resources leadership is by pursuing a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) online. MPAs focus on topics like organizational behavior, labor relations, stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-based human resource management. An MPA helps you drive HR strategy, resolve complex workplace issues, and contribute at the executive level. Look for an accredited MPA program that works for your schedule. Quality masters in public administration online options offer evening/weekend courses, accelerated formats, and 100% remote learning. Invest a year or two earning this degree, and your HR expertise will grow exponentially.
Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits
Today’s top talent knows their worth and will shop around. Make sure you offer competitive pay, bonuses, healthcare, retirement planning, and other benefits tailored to your industry and region. Go above the required minimums when you can, as generous comp and benefits are highly attractive to job seekers. You want people to join and stick around at your company. Review your compensation structure regularly and get creative with benefits like flexible work arrangements, professional development funds, and expanded leave policies.
Create a Positive Company Culture
Don’t underestimate the importance of crafting a supportive, engaging, and fun workplace culture. Things like your mission and values, leadership style, team bonding opportunities, and physical workspace design all influence the everyday employee experience. When people feel motivated and connected to their team and company, they will sustain higher job satisfaction and productivity over time.
Leverage Work Analytics
Business intelligence is key for data-driven HR strategy and decision-making. Track key metrics like employee retention, absences, productivity, satisfaction scores, promotion rates, and other KPIs. Identify trends and correlations that give you insights, such as which managers have the happiest teams or what factors drive turnover in your company. Workforce analytics enables you to pinpoint bright spots and pain points and then address them.
Getting the most from your human capital requires forethought and investment. Use these tips to enhance HR capabilities. By taking a strategic approach and dedicating resources to your workforce, your organization will be well-positioned for future growth and success.
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