Navigating the Gig Economy, Bitcoin ETF and the Millionaire Rise of Iman Gadzhi

It’s Sunday, 14th January 2024, and in this week’s roundup, we are covering skills, skills, and more skills to pay those bills.

In this week’s email, learn in 5 minutes or less:

• Career Story: How Iman Gadzhi went from Zero to Marketing Hero $£

• Effective Gig Economy Tips: A simple blueprint to attract business.

• Bitcoin ETF: Why Crypto traders are all smiles with this announcement

• Weekly round-up: What else happened this week, from Winter sale deals to the top 5 cities where your money can go further/

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Need to Know

Bitcoin ETF

On January 10th, the US Securities regulator approved the first US-listed exchange-traded funds to track Bitcoin. A historic day in the crypto space. Simply put, Bitcoin is now a tradeable asset class on the stock market. Now, Wall Street can offer this as an investment product. This will encourage new investors and provide an increased faith in digital products, and it has been forecasted that this news alone will mean around $2B will be inflowed into the spot Bitcoin ETF in a week managed by Blackrock.

There are already over 10+ financial institutions and investment management companies offering Bitcoin ETF as an investment option - therefore, a lot of money will be flowing into the crypto market, which leaves analysts and investors hopeful of a Bull run in 2024/25.

Did someone say “to the moon'“? 🚀🤑

Why it matters?

Spot Bitcoin ETFs: These ETFs hold actual Bitcoin in their underlying assets. This means that the price of the ETF will track the price of Bitcoin very closely.

Here are some of the benefits of investing in a Bitcoin ETF:

• Easy to trade: You can buy and sell Bitcoin ETFs on traditional stock exchanges, just like you would any other stock. This makes them much easier to trade than Bitcoin itself, which you would need to buy and sell on a cryptocurrency exchange.

• Safer storage: Bitcoin ETFs are held by the custodian of the ETF, which means that your investment is not at risk if your computer is hacked or you lose your private keys.

• Regulation: Bitcoin ETFs are regulated by the SEC, which provides some protection against fraud and manipulation.

Of course, there are also some risks to consider when investing in a Bitcoin ETF:

• Volatility: Bitcoin is a very volatile asset, and so are Bitcoin ETFs. This means that the price of your investment could go up or down very quickly.

• Fees: Bitcoin ETFs charge fees, just like any other investment. These fees can eat into your returns.

• Counterparty risk: If the custodian of the ETF goes bankrupt, you could lose your investment.

Overall, Bitcoin ETFs can be a good way to gain exposure to Bitcoin without some of the risks associated with buying and storing the cryptocurrency yourself. However, it is important to carefully consider the risks and potential rewards before investing in any Bitcoin ETF.

I hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions.

9to5 ‘Coffee Break Convo’ of the Week

Let’s take a look at Iman Ghadzhi’s come-up story and see what we can learn from his career journey…

Iman Gadzhi's rise to financial success is a fascinating story with several key factors contributing to his current status as a multi-millionaire entrepreneur who makes the bulk of his revenue from Business, Online Courses, YouTube Advertising Revenue, and IAG Media Consultancy. With an audience size of 9M followers combined (4M Youtube + 1.4M Instagram + 3M TikTok + 40K Facebook), Iman has attracted over 100+ clients and sold thousands of courses to teach people how to profit from a marketing agency.

The accurate number of the amount of courses has not been confirmed. What we know for sure is his net worth has been confirmed to be well over £10M and multiple credible sources online have confirmed this.

Iman has made the bulk of his money he credits to learning a high-income skill in marketing and building an audience.

Here's a breakdown of some of the key elements to his success:

Early entrepreneurial spirit:

• High school dropout: Iman dropped out of high school at 17, driven by a desire for independence and a different path. This early break from traditional education fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. He had a need and a burning desire to help out his single mother and make money to provide.

• Accidental agency: While helping a friend with social media, Iman stumbled into starting his own marketing agency, demonstrating his resourcefulness and quick learning. With a few tools, a camera, and a laptop, Iman’s marketing agency was born.

Building skills and expertise:

• Social media marketing: He honed his skills in social media marketing, a valuable skill in the digital age, and used it to grow his agency and generate income.

• Attention: Iman knew how to create thumbnails and high-quality videos to grow his personal brand, which led to new business.

Adaptability and reinvention:

• Transitioning to education: Recognizing the demand for marketing knowledge, Iman shifted his focus to creating educational programs and coaching sessions for aspiring entrepreneurs, a move that proved highly successful.

• Building brands and communities: He established brands like Grow Your Agency, Educate.io and IAG Media, creating strong communities around his message and expertise.

Strategic use of technology and marketing:

• Leveraging social media: Iman built a large and engaged following on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, using his relatable personality and storytelling to connect with his audience.

• GoHighLevel adoption: He integrated GoHighLevel, a marketing automation platform, into his business, streamlining operations and providing valuable services to his clients.

Additional factors:

• Relatability and authenticity: Iman's openness about his struggles and journey resonates with many aspiring entrepreneurs, making him a relatable figure and inspiration.

• Work ethic and dedication: He is known for his tireless work ethic and unwavering dedication to his goals, a crucial ingredient in his success.

• Investing in himself: Iman prioritizes continuous learning and personal development, further fueling his growth and adaptability.

Overall, Iman Gadzhi's success is a combination of entrepreneurial spirit, strategic decision-making, skill development, and effective use of technology and marketing. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, resilience, and finding your niche in the digital landscape.

Careers Advice

Tip of the week: Build an Online Audience

From the career story of Iman Gadzhi, you can see the benefit of building an online audience. Here are some key tips on how you can start building your personal brand to attract new business. This works for both B2B and B2C businesses:

Building a personal brand and attracting a following online that converts into customers takes dedication, strategy, and a healthy dose of authenticity. Here's a roadmap to guide you:

1. Pick a niche. As the saying goes, the riches are in the niches and this is so true online as you grow.

2. Craft your brand story: Develop a compelling narrative: Why should people care about you and what you offer? Craft a story that resonates with your audience and highlights your value proposition.

3. Create high-quality content: Share valuable insights and expertise: Publish blog posts, articles, videos, or podcasts that educate and entertain your audience. Showcase your knowledge and establish yourself as a thought leader.

4. Build your online presence: Choose the right platforms: Focus on the platforms where your target audience spends their time. Popular options include TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and your own branded website.

5. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and messages: Show your audience that you care about their feedback and questions. Building relationships fosters loyalty and trust.

6. Convert followers into customers: Offer valuable free resources: Lead magnets like ebooks, webinars, or cheat sheets incentivize people to subscribe to your email list or follow you on social media. Promote your paid products or services: Once you've built trust and established your expertise, you can gently nudge your audience toward your paid offerings.

Remember:

• Be patient: Building a successful personal brand takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results overnight.

• Be authentic: People connect with genuine personalities. Be yourself and let your passion shine through.

• Be consistent: Regularly create and share high-quality content to stay top-of-mind with your audience.

• Track your progress: Analyze your website traffic, social media engagement, and email metrics to see what's working and what's not. Adapt your strategy based on your findings.

Building a personal brand and attracting a following online that converts into customers is a rewarding journey. By following these tips and staying true to yourself, you can create a thriving online presence and turn your passion into profit.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• "Personal Branding: Build Your Brand. Be Remarkable" by Gary Vaynerchuk

• "The Personal Branding Playbook" by Kim Garst

• "Branding Yourself: How to Create a Powerful Personal Brand in the Digital Age" by David Brier

Personal Finance

New Year Money Reset Advice

At the end of each year, I don’t know what it is, but I feel the urge to want to go through my wardrobe, take a look at my living costs spreadsheet, and really take a view of the clothes that truly still fit and where I’m at with my finances.

If you feel like it’s time to do a money audit and reset, you are not the only one. Here’s what I would recommend to get ahead. A Money Income/Expense Tracker to take a detailed look at your sources of income, how much you are spending, and how you can cut costs. Whether that be a subscription you don’t use or an overpriced gym membership, you want to switch out to a cheaper 24/7 brand. Let’s get our finances straight in 2024.

Side Hustle Spotlight of the Week

Digital marketing consultants and small bespoke agencies are raking in a lot of money. Providing services like Social Media Marketing for small businesses is really a good option if you want to work for yourself, have location freedom or grow a company with little to no money.

With the rise of platforms like Upwork, Fiver, Freelancer.com, Vetted, and Remote.com, if you are thinking of a career switch or a side hustle - maybe it is time to consider doing some research into providing a range of services like website design, graphic design, Facebook & google ads, SEO or becoming a marketing consultant for SMEs.

Did you know that the average annual revenue of a marketing agency is just under $1.5Million annually, while large companies can make upwards of $30M each year.

The Ideas Hub: ‘Numbers Don’t Lie’

Becoming a Voice-Over Actor like Nancy Cartwright: Meet Nancy, you may have never have seen this lady before, but she is the voice of 7 characters on the famous American Sitcom, the Simpsons. As a voiceover actor she has grown her career to earn between $300,000-$400,000 per episode. Based on our calculations, Cartwright has amassed a fortune of over $80 million, a number set to continually increase year on year while The Simpsons remains a profitable and longstanding show on television.

Talk about riches without fame. I would honestly walk past Nancy, maybe not Bart Simpson, but defo Nancy. This is the kind of wealth most of us would strive to have. Wouldn’t you? What a legend :)

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Weekly Round-Up

Celebrity News: Did you catch the Golden Globes? Let us know your favorite moments. See Yahoo’s recap of the best moments of the Golden Globes here 

Music:  Britney Spears teases something new on the way. Britney has gone through a lot over the years, and her fans are much older. We are excited to see what she brings. This year makes it 25 years since “Baby One More Time” was released.

Sports: All eras must come to an end; Tiger Woods and Nike divorce from their 28-year relationship and all-encompassing brand deal. Read more here.

Business: Microsoft surpassed Apple as the world’s most valuable company last week. This is a testament to how much AI has played an impact on Tech.

Tech: Apple is set to release the Apple augmented reality headset, Vision Pro at $3,499 on the 2nd of February. Are you buying one for your significant other for Valentine’s Day? lol

Travel: I’m ready for my first trip of the year, are you? Make sure to get your travel essentials, my must-haves are packing cubes, Compression socks, a sleep mask, a neck pillow, and my favorite snack gummy bears lol. What are your travel essentials?✈️

Health Tip: Increase your water intake this year and reduce your sugars, aim to drink 2-3 liters of water per day.

How to Spend it: I know everyone is in the gym working on their summer body; treat yourself to some new gym wear so you look good while crushing those goals.

Joke of the Week: I went for an interview today and they told me I’d start at $3000 a month and then after 6 months, I’d get $3500 a month. I told them I’d start in 6 months then.🤣

Quote & Motivation

Recommendations

• 1-2-1 Consultation Careers Advice: Most people take this time to ask me for guidance for their career, turning their high-income skills into a consultancy business, improving their CV/Resume or Proposals to secure 6-figure+ jobs and high ticket day rates & retainer-based contracts.

• High-Income Skill Blueprint: In this well-detailed eBook, we cover practical insights, actionable advice, and a wealth of resources.

• Start a new Career & Secure a Job: With Course Careers, you can sign up for a free course, enroll in a career path skills-based course, and then apply for entry-level positions in six-figure career industries with brands like Salesforce, Capgemini, Intuit, CoreLogic and more.

Why The 9to5 Hustle? The schooling system doesn’t adequately equip new adults for ‘adulting.’ With our weekly nuggets of information, we spread career knowledge fundamental for all professionals to know in 5 minutes to spark creativity, help someone consider a new career opportunity, and improve their financial well-being with also a little recap of the week.

Please send us your feedback at [email protected] and help us stay as unbiased as humanly possible. We’re ready to listen.

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Thanks for reading,

Dominic

Created by the Founders of www.ambitiousinvestor.com & www.hustleyour9to5.com