Inbound marketing refers to the natural attraction of consumers to various digital touchpoints of a company through specific techniques. Among them, the following are worth noting:

1. Social media marketing

Social media is essential for organic consumer attraction as it provides broad reach. Links and content created for sites such as YouTube, Instagram, VKontakte, Facebook, or Twitter allow for generating more interest due to the millions of users who connect to these platforms daily.

For example, short, engaging, and optimized status updates on Facebook with a link to the brand's online store are a simple yet powerful technique for increasing inbound sales. The same applies to Instagram, thanks to its new e-commerce features.

2. Content marketing

Content is a crucial factor in generating inbound sales. The quality, style, format, and structure naturally attract customers who are seeking solutions to their needs, those who research, seek advice, and require specific information before making a purchase decision.

For example, a video marketing campaign for a travel company, supplemented by posts on a corporate blog, will create a powerful level of attention by presenting an appealing and irresistible offer to the audience in a specific and creative form.

3. SEO

Each content segment should also be optimized so that users can find it with every search query on Google, Bing, or their chosen search engine.

For example, users should not notice which keywords you use in your posts. On the contrary, reading and accessing the content should be natural and seamless to avoid giving users the feeling that you are directly selling something to them.

4. Native advertising

These types of advertisements, which closely resemble regular links on a specific website, can complement an inbound campaign perfectly as they naturally capture the consumer's attention without interrupting their experience.

For example, when promoting your software services on technology websites, you should direct subscribers of that environment to your target pages in a discreet and natural manner, simply because they were attracted to your offer and not because you paid for a thousand simultaneous pop-up windows.

WhatsApp, with over 2 billion users, is one of the most popular secure messaging applications for Android and iOS. Its huge user base is undoubtedly one of WhatsApp's strengths, along with its compatibility with iOS and Android and lack of advertisements. You can easily send text messages, photos, as well as short videos and voice messages. But are WhatsApp chats private?

Security Features

Security features: end-to-end encryption, encryption verification, two-step verification (2FA), data not stored

WhatsApp uses a highly reliable encryption protocol developed by Open Whisper Systems, the company behind the secure messaging app Signal. Only the sender and receiver have the keys to decrypt messages sent through WhatsApp. The app also has a "Confirm Security Code" screen that allows you to verify that your calls and messages are encrypted with end-to-end encryption. The code is presented both as a QR code and as a 60-digit number.

Security Threats

Security threats: unencrypted backups, phone number required, data sharing with Facebook

In late 2016, WhatsApp added encryption for iCloud backups. However, until recently, messages from Android phones whose backups were stored on Google Drive were not protected in the same way. In September 2021, WhatsApp announced that encrypted cloud backups would be available to all iOS and Android users later this year.

WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook in 2014 and has been sharing user data with the social media giant since 2016. In 2021, WhatsApp compelled users to share a significant amount of data with Facebook if they wanted to continue using the secure messaging application.

NFT - Non-Fungible Token, representing a unique digital asset often from the world of art (digitized artwork, musical composition, etc.). Using blockchain technology, NFTs can be bought or sold for cryptocurrency. However, engaging in such transactions can expose individuals to various types of fraud.

Let's explore several schemes that scammers employ in the buying and selling of NFTs.

Pump and Dump Scheme

Translated from English, this phrase means "Pump and Dump." The price of an asset is artificially inflated to facilitate profitable sales. This scheme applies to any type of asset, including NFTs.

To increase the price, the token owner may repeatedly resell it to themselves. The continuously rising price attracts the attention of other buyers who begin acquiring the asset as an investment opportunity. However, in most cases, only the scammers profit.

Plagiarism Scheme

In the world of NFTs, there are numerous examples of successful projects. For instance, in the Bored Ape Yacht Club project, artwork featuring apes can reach prices exceeding a million dollars. Such images are highly lucrative to counterfeit, especially considering that the drawings themselves are relatively simple from an artistic standpoint. The NFT market is saturated with such forgeries.

Another form of fraud is selling images copied from the internet as one's own. Therefore, buyers of digital artwork need to be aware that each image can be verified by conducting a search on specialized websites on the internet.

Phishing

In phishing, scammers create fake websites that closely resemble legitimate ones. When users visit these counterfeit sites, they engage in transactions that result in the loss of their cryptocurrency.

For example, in December 2021, a user from the well-known OpenSea website followed a link provided by a member of the Bored Ape Yacht Club Discord community. The user hoped to obtain an animated version of a Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) asset. However, the link led to a phishing site, and as a result of the transaction, the victim unknowingly transferred their digital asset from their crypto wallet to the scammer's wallet.

Fake Celebrity Accounts

A scammer can open a profile of a renowned artist on a marketplace and sell artworks claiming they are from the artist. This led to the theft of artworks belonging to the famous artist Derek Laufman.

Fake accounts can also exist on social media platforms, not just celebrity websites. Even Bill Gates fell victim to this type of fraud.

Rug Pull Scheme

This phrase translates from English as "pulling the rug." According to this scheme, scammers raise funds for a new crypto project associated with NFTs. This process is accompanied by aggressive online advertising, including on social media. Such hype is characteristic of fraudulent projects.

However, once the project disappears, along with its associated websites and profiles, the scammers keep the collected funds. Decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges (DeX) connected to decentralized finance (DeFi) are particularly susceptible to this type of scheme.

According to experts, project initiators often do not initially perceive their projects as fraudulent and genuinely hope for profits. However, when it becomes clear that these hopes will not materialize, the temptation to keep the funds already acquired may become overwhelming.

These listed schemes do not cover the entire range of fraud in the NFT market. There are risks associated with NFTs that stem from the legal unregulated nature of the cryptocurrency market. For example, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) considers NFTs as a type of security. A lawsuit has been filed, but a final resolution has not been reached yet.

Currently, the NFT market is growing rapidly, and purchasing unique tokens is becoming a form of investment. However, caution must be exercised. It is crucial to carefully vet sellers to avoid losing funds to scammers. Another rule that must be strictly followed is never to disclose private keys or the secret phrase of your crypto wallet to anyone. Users who express interest in such information should be immediately blocked.

No one stores videos on websites because they take up a lot of space. It is much wiser to upload the video to a video hosting platform and place a link to it on the website. Most video hosting platforms are platforms where you can upload and view videos and make money through advertising. Let's take a look at the most popular video hosting platforms today.

YouTube

You can use YouTube for free, but there will be a 6-second advertisement displayed. To disable it, you can use the AdBlock extension for your browser or officially purchase a premium subscription. A video published on YouTube will be displayed in the search results of various search engines.

YouTube is currently the most popular video hosting platform in the world. Its audience exceeds 2 billion users and continues to grow every day. The most active users are people between the ages of 24 and 45. Younger audiences under 24 are interested in following the lives of bloggers, watching entertainment shows, and gaming playthroughs. The older audience prefers topics such as politics, sports, fishing, history, cars, and repairs. Women under 35 often watch videos about motherhood, beauty, cosmetics, and fashion trends. Short videos with useful tips are also popular on YouTube. Various new movies and series are in high demand as well.

YouTube is a suitable platform for conducting business. Many companies use this video hosting platform to develop their own products and monetize video content. There are several ways to monetize videos, including Google AdSense advertisements, sponsorships, and partnership programs.

To fully utilize YouTube, it is necessary to verify your account. Otherwise, you won't be able to upload videos longer than 15 minutes. Once your account is verified, you can publish videos up to 128 GB and up to 12 hours in duration. YouTube has specific rules, and if you violate them, the administration will block your content. The publication of materials with scenes of violence and pornography is prohibited. The administration takes a negative stance towards any content without copyright.

Dailymotion

This is a completely free French video hosting platform. It is particularly popular in Western countries. The content on this site is well-structured and organized. Users have access to a news feed at the top of the page, which allows them to find videos in various categories. News, sports broadcasts, entertainment shows, and music videos are in high demand. Uploaded videos can be shared on social media. There are various partnership programs available for earning money from content. There is strict censorship, and the administration bans users for even the slightest violation of the rules. You can upload videos for free up to 4 GB and up to one hour in duration.

Twitch

Twitch is a popular American video hosting platform owned by Amazon. Its main focus is on streaming esports events and video game playthroughs. Twitch is completely free to use, although there are additional features that require payment. It has a partnership program and a donation system. Over 600 million people visit this video hosting platform monthly. The majority of its audience consists of children. According to the platform's rules, individuals under the age of 13 are not allowed to conduct live streams without parental involvement.

Vimeo

In the free package, there is a limitation of 250 MB of video per week. After subscribing, users can upload high-quality videos. For organizations that promote their own products, there is a business package that allows uploading up to 5 TB of video to the service.

On this video hosting platform, users can find a variety of content ranging from entertainment shows to documentary videos. Users can conduct live streams and archive video recordings. The site does not support the Russian language. Users of Vimeo can customize various security settings and gather statistical data. It is possible to earn money through partnership programs and there is also a donation system for streamers.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a cloud storage service for hosting various files, not just videos. The free package offers 15 GB of free space. If needed, users can choose a suitable tariff plan for storing their video files. The service interface is user-friendly.

The main advantage of this video hosting platform is the absence of any time or thematic restrictions. Google Drive is often used by owners of business websites as videos can be conveniently integrated. The developers have not provided content monetization. It supports the Russian language.

VKontakte

VKontakte is one of the most popular social networks in the Russian-speaking Internet. In addition to communication features, it offers video hosting and streaming services with video storage on its servers. Publishing content is completely free. There are limitations for a single page: 5000 videos, with each video not exceeding 2 GB in size.

It supports the Russian language. VKontakte is actively used by both individuals and various large companies. Initially, content monetization was absent, and earnings were generated through sales and donations from advertisers. However, since 2021, payment for ad impressions has been introduced.

DTube

This video hosting platform appeared relatively recently. As the name suggests, it is an alternative to YouTube. Its main advantage is the absence of censorship and advertising. Users can choose to include advertising in their own videos. Currently, the platform has the following limitations: video length up to 20 minutes and resolution up to 480p.

Visually, the website is very similar to YouTube. Users can conduct live streams, create videos, and utilize native advertising.

Vevo

This service features music from popular foreign artists. Users can listen to music on both mobile devices and personal computers. Access to this site is limited to specific countries or requires the use of a VPN.

The size of a video file on this hosting platform cannot exceed one gigabyte.

Flickr

Flickr is one of the pioneers of the internet. It was originally created as a photo hosting platform but later expanded to include video hosting capabilities. Private users and large companies store their files here. The interface partially supports the Russian language.

There are some limitations in the free version, and to remove them, a subscription needs to be purchased.

Vimple

Vimple is a video hosting platform from Russia. The service is completely free and does not require user registration. There are no restrictions or censorship imposed on the uploaded content. The site lacks moderation. Immediately after publication, a link to the video becomes available. Video files are limited in size, up to one gigabyte.

Using Vimple is completely safe. Only those to whom the owner shares the link can download the file. Advertising can be used in videos, allowing users to earn from it.

So, we have explored some of the most popular video hosting platforms on the internet at the moment. We deliberately did not cover Chinese services as they have specific usage characteristics and may not be suitable for many users. The final choice is yours.

What is this new social network?

It is worth noting that when Clubhouse first appeared, it became the most popular app in the App Store and ranked first in terms of downloads, surpassing the popular TikTok.

However, the main feature of the app is that it allows you to listen to your idols. Many celebrities quickly started using this novelty, so if you're lucky, you can easily "chat about life" with them personally. The app has its own special recommendation system. It works in such a way that if you want to share something with Clubhouse users, it will recommend you to new users.

How to get into Clubhouse?

Previously, to join Clubhouse, you could only do so by receiving a special invitation (invite) from an existing user of the app. New Clubhouse members were given two invitations, so you had to ask your friends for one. Another option was to buy an invitation on Avito.

Now it is quite simple to register using your phone number. You select "Log in" → enter your phone number → enter the code sent to you.

"Accessibility for all" is one of the reasons why Clubhouse is no longer as appealing. By the way, previously, only iPhone users could invite others, which added even more exclusivity and importance. Once the platform became available to Android users, the hype died down. Later on, they even opened access without invitations (apparently, they wanted to attract new people and regain their former glory).

What was behind the closed door?

The main feature of Clubhouse is its audio rooms. It seems like the creators should have named the app Clubroom, but apparently, they decided it didn't sound as cool. Any visitor can create these audio zones, making them either private or, accordingly, public. You can see and participate in the audio spaces of people you have subscribed to.

The rooms are designed in such a way that there are three types of visitors: speakers, regular listeners, and moderators. If you want to become a speaker, you need to submit a request to the creator of the audio room, and they have to approve it. Keep in mind that no more than 6,000 people can gather in one such place.

Clubhouse - the last bastion of the free Internet?!

The exceptional significance of this social network lies in the fact that it provides freedom of speech, which is very relevant nowadays. And, it should be noted, this freedom is more comprehensive than it may seem at first glance. This is most likely the reason why the app has been banned in China, which argued that the social network promotes criticism of the party line.

All other users can freely discuss various topics. The ubiquitous tolerance here is only manifested in the prohibition of spreading various kinds of negative information (how exactly this is regulated is still unknown).

An illustrative example of how comprehensive the freedom of action for participants in this app is the situation with Vladimir Solovyov. The famous TV presenter created rooms in Clubhouse three times, but each time he was struck with strikes by other participants of the social network.

How to Act as Arbitrage Traders

Clubhouse is a unique platform and an additional tool for communicating with your followers and partners.

Now, if we talk about earning money through arbitrage in this new social network, it remains a waiting game until advertising activities appear on Clubhouse. Everyone understands that sooner or later this question will arise because social networks need to sustain themselves.

However, there are already some loopholes, for example, rooms on behalf of businesses where you can promote your product. But the problem lies in the fact that no one has figured out how to provide links to interested individuals yet =)

Look for ways to boost behavioral factors on Clubhouse that will push you to the top and recommendations. Test different approaches and combinations of followers, likes, and listens.

Be prepared to compete with others. If you create something groundbreaking, large companies with an existing loyal audience will immediately copy your idea. You should always have the next move in reserve.

Phones have firmly established themselves in our lives. They have penetrated into all spheres of human activity, from everyday life to job searching. Platforms such as the App Store and Play Market offer thousands of applications for various purposes.

TikTok

The first place in the ranking of the most popular apps for 2021 was taken by the TikTok app. The service is used for creating, viewing, and sharing short videos. The content in the app is tailored to the user's personal preferences. The published videos can be dedicated to various topics, including education, entertainment, and work.

Telegram

Following TikTok is the messenger Telegram, created in 2013 by Pavel Durov. It is a convenient application that allows not only communication but also creating and following channels. Many media companies have already embraced this platform. Channels can also cover various topics.

One of the features of Telegram is the ability to create personal stickers.

GetContact

This unusual application allows users to identify unknown incoming numbers and block spammers. But the popularity of GetContact was brought by a feature that allows users to see how their contact information is saved in other people's contacts. To do this, simply enter your phone number in the corresponding field. For a certain fee, users can also see how many times and who has requested their phone number.

Ozon

Next on the list is the online marketplace Ozon. Through the mobile app, users get access to more than 9 million items. Ozon is one of the first Russian internet marketplaces. The assortment includes electronics, clothing, groceries, cosmetics, books, and much more.

Instagram

Previously, the most popular social network ranked fifth. The app allows users to share photos, videos, and live broadcasts.

One of the features of this social network is the ability to create and use creative masks for photos.

WhatsApp

The next position is occupied by the messenger WhatsApp, created in 2009. The app allows users to exchange instant text and voice messages. Among the advantages of the messenger are message formatting and backup options.

Wildberries

In seventh place is an online store for clothing, electronics, household goods, and much more. Wildberries has several advantages compared to other platforms. First of all, it includes banner and commercial advertising on social networks. The store also offers one of the fastest deliveries.

Time does not stand still: what was popular in 2021, 2022, and 2023 may not even make it to the top five leaders in the next year. So, it is still uncertain which apps will be the most popular in the following year, 2024.

Internet marketing helps solve many tasks. One of the goals can be identified as maximizing profit with minimal financial and time investment. Drop domains have become one of the tools to achieve this.

What are drop domains and who needs them?

In order to have your own website, it is not enough to create it and fill it with necessary information; you also need to provide a unique name (address) for the website on the Internet. This address is called a domain. Creating a domain is not enough; you also have to pay for its hosting on the Internet. This payment is monthly, similar to rent for an apartment. Websites are shut down for various reasons, including when the payment for them stops. In this case, the domain name itself continues to exist on the Internet, but when you visit it, you will not see articles, only information that the domain is for sale.

A drop domain is a website with a specific theme, links to it, and its own history with an expired payment period.

Such domains retain characteristics of authority and facilitate promotion. The demand for drop domains is driven by their names. Domain names were first registered 30 years ago, and since then, the number of domains has been growing daily. Therefore, in our time, it is challenging to find an original, memorable name that corresponds to the business's specifics. However, it is easy to find the necessary name among drop domains. Based on the acquired drop domain, you can create a new website with your own content. Such a website has many advantages over a newly created one.

Pros and cons of acquiring a drop domain

In addition to advantages, of course, there are also disadvantages. To understand them, let's consider both.

Advantages of drop domains

1. A drop domain is already indexed by search engines, so indexing is guaranteed.
2. Most likely, the resource still has backlinks, so good citation metrics can be expected.
3. You can review the previous content of the website, analyze it, and learn from its past experiences to create your own successful content.

Disadvantages of drop domains

1. The purchased drop domain may be penalized by search engines. While the problem can potentially be solved with Yandex, it is unlikely to be resolved with Google. In such a case, it is easier to promote a new domain than the acquired one.
2. The drop domain may have a negative history, for example, if illegal activities or illicit schemes were previously conducted on it.
3. There is a possibility that the purportedly high citation metrics of the drop domain are artificially inflated, making it indistinguishable from a new domain.

How to find a profitable drop domain

From the advantages and disadvantages, it is clear that there are many pitfalls when buying a drop domain, and one should be prepared for them. It is best to check the domain name for any possible issues before making a purchase. You can check the registration date, the website's indexation in search engines, directories, and other parameters.

You can evaluate a drop domain based on the following criteria:

• Link profile. Using tools like "Moz Open Explorer," you can check which websites provide links to the drop domain.
• Thematic relevance. For example, on Archive.org, you can provide a link to the purchased drop domain and see what kind of website it used to be. Searching for a drop domain with the same theme as the future website saves money and time. Check if there has been any rebranding on the website.
• Website reputation. You can use Google or Yandex. Try the combination "site:domain.com" to see if the website is banned or not.

Features of a high-quality drop domain

• Significant number of self-referencing links.
• Consistent theme that matches the new website's topic.
• Not banned.
• Not previously involved in suspicious or illegal schemes.

It is advisable to check the potential drop domain for these characteristics before making a purchase to avoid various unpleasant situations.

With YouTube, you can now not only watch funny cats but also make money. This is especially relevant for website owners, bloggers, and online store owners. Start creating videos - it will not only enhance the attractiveness of your website but also allow you to earn additional income and attract visitors.

To earn money, you need to link your YouTube and AdSense accounts. AdSense is where you will receive money from video views, and it is also where you will withdraw them. You can also earn from your website by displaying AdSense ads, thereby reaching the minimum payout threshold faster.

Ways to Earn on YouTube

Currently, there are three main ways to earn through the YouTube Partner Program.

1. Earning from video advertising. This can be a small ad block displayed over your video or video ads shown before or after your video.
2. Paid channels. Payment is collected for subscribing to a channel. However, this doesn't prevent you from creating several free videos on the channel for preview. Additionally, all channels have a trial subscription. This option is more challenging for beginners and requires more responsibility and regular addition of new videos. By the way, you can still include ads within the video on a paid channel.
3. Advertising your own products. If you sell any products online, hold the license, and have all the rights to the product, you can create an advertisement and include a link for purchasing the product. Just make sure to review the list of approved online stores.

How Much Can You Earn in the YouTube Partner Program?

Let's consider the first earning method, which is also the most popular - income from video advertising.

On average, you can earn $1 for every 1000 views, depending on the topic. At first glance, it may not seem like much, considering it's a whole thousand viewers! You still need to attract all of them. It will be very helpful if you have your own website where you can showcase your videos, as these will be your initial viewers. This works in reverse as well - people can first find your videos in the YouTube search and then visit your website through them.

With sufficient traffic to your website or blog, it won't be too difficult to find 1000 viewers and earn your first dollar. And remember, there can be (and should be) more than one video.

Some videos gain popularity rapidly and effortlessly. I've come across instances with hundreds of thousands of views, even though it was the only video on the channel and not of particularly high quality, but it had a catchy and attention-grabbing title.

How to Start Earning on YouTube

Creating video content is not difficult to master. You don't have to run around with a camera, buy an expensive microphone, or learn complex video editing techniques.

You can even never appear in the videos or use your own voice if you're shy or feel it's not for you. For example, you can make screen recordings and create instructional videos for different software programs in which you are knowledgeable. You can even provide commentary in text form.

More outgoing individuals can set up a camera on a tripod (or hand it to a friend) and personally talk to their audience, occasionally inserting other (their own) video clips.

And of course, there's the middle ground, which is quite popular and straightforward. You don't appear in the videos but provide voice commentary on the happenings.

The YouTube Partner Program is gaining momentum and can become an excellent source of income, both independently and as a great addition to a blog or website.